Rilla-My-Rilla

I don't believe that just because a dog lives outside it will be neglected. My parents first dog lived inside, and then when their first child was on the way, Bindi was moved outside so that she would have adjusted by the time the baby arrived. She was a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and they never had any problems with her living outside or with toddlers. She was still groomed and cared for, she just simply slept and lived outside. What's the difference between a well cared for dog living outside and getting attention throughout the day and mostly in the afternoon compared to a dog who has access to house and yard, but is at home alone all day whilst their owner is at work? If the owners spend enough time outside, and care about the dog, then I don't see what the problem would be. Cavaliers are small, placid dogs, and as I said she was great with us when we were toddlers/babies, and growing up. They dog require a little extra care, in regards to their grooming though.

Gosh, makes me kinda jealous hearing everyone else is getting puppies shortly lol :laugh: Lucky you! Is it your first Great Dane?

I suppose I never really counted name recognition as training, nor toilet training or handling. Everything is pretty much what i though would be first 5. sit come wait drop heel In your crate is a good one - guess I'll have to teach this one as I'm getting a crate

How cute! Though I suppose any colour is cute, isn't it? :) exciting for you...

More details LC - what colour? :D

Thanks for your thought everyone. Interesting clip. Mine will be a BC and the other two dogs are a brother and sister jack russel x shit tzu, so they play together a lot as they are litter mates. They will focus on us when alone though, or if we have food

Is it harder to control this though, when there is more than one dog?

Some books say train pups instantly, others say wait until 12 weeks, 16 weeks and some even say 6 months. I personally believe that training begins the moment you bring puppy home. At my local dog club class 1 starts off with heeling, assuming that your dog already knows sit. Just interested to know what are the first 5 commands you taught your dog/ recommend starting with?

Everyone seems to be getting lappies! :)

Thanks everyone. Sounds better and just as easy to not clip than to clip. :D Wouldn't feel game to clip after reading this lol :laugh: eta typo

3 days - if only lol!

Gosh, don't think I could refuse he's belly rubs lol....he's alright, he'll sit on command (most of the time) :laugh:

Toilet training phase feels like forever, but really it isn't that long. I'm sure I won't be saying this though when mine finally arrives and I'm out in the cold winter wind in the middle of the night begging puppy to go toilet

So do I, hence the clipping question :)

Thanks for all the replies everyone! :) Can't do so as I have fallen in love with the breeder's bitch, in fact all of her dogs, and the line they came from... :) Don't think this would happen as I love grooming lol Sounds best not to clip, since where we live gets quite warm and a thick coat would make it unpleasant for the dog...I don't really want a curly coated dog anyway lol I tick check the other dogs regularly and pat them all over so much that I find a tick pretty much as soon as it is on anyway. Guess I'll just have to be more vigilant with the longer coated dog and keep her out of the paddocks and long grass during tick season. :)Thanks again everyone, all your advice really appreciated! :D

Where we live there are quite a few ticks, and the BC I am getting is from a show line, so all the dogs have quite big coats. I've asked my breeder about clipping, and she said that the coat doesn't grow back the same. So, for ease of checking for ticks (we've got paralysis ticks) I was wondering how different the coat grows back? I don't plan to show my dog, so I don't mind if the coat is slightly different, as long as it doesn't grow back too weird. My breeder also said that because BCs have short bottom coat and a long top one, it actually keeps them cooler in summer. Would clipping ruin this? Hope this all makes sense! :)

Sorry, double post

Hi, My sister's pup was having all sorts of problems - the number one being irritated pink skin and itchy all the time. We ended up using a Homeopathy from Heal with Ease (http://www.healwithease.com/) They're really helpful, just flick them an email explaining Marley's problems. It's certainly fixed Holly's skin and other issues she had. Hope this helps! :)

Hi, My sister's pup was having all sorts of problems - the number one being irritated pink skin and itchy all the time. We ended up using a Homeopathy from Heal with Ease (http://www.healwithease.com/) They're really helpful, just flick them an email explaining Marley's problems. It's certainly fixed Holly's skin and other issues she had. Hope this helps! :)

I'll have had nearly 11 months of preparing by the time I get mine - and I'm still sure there'll be things I haven't thought of lol! ps what breed?

Lucky you! Time must be dragging for you now! :D

It's a little hard to get Henry to sit to pick up his paw - he instantly rolls over for belly rubs most of the time! :laugh: I'm sure we'll master it quickly if it's as easy as everyone says it is! Thanks

Interesting blog to read through

Thanks - picked up Henry's paw this morning and praised him after shaking. I'm sure he thought I'd gone crazy

How long to go Ellinnet? Months! By choice though. In the midst of house renovations and hopefully selling and moving before we get ours. Will be ready by the end of the year though. I'm with you on the months of waiting, except mine was by choice cause I am too fussy at choosing breeders lol