*kirty*

Muzzles help everyone relax. We often use them if we are unsure because it means the anxiety levels go down for vets and owners, which can also help the dog calm down too. We spray DAP in the consult room too. Anything to help the dogs feel safe and calm.

If possible, take her to the vet and just sit in the waiting room, feed her treats, etc. And then leave. I'd do that as often as possible to try and break the negative association. Also when you do need to see the vet, ask them to go slowly and feed the dog treats before doing anything. And I would also buy a dremel and do her nails at home. Cutting nails to the quick is painful and I don't blame her for hating the vets!

Wow!!!! The second and third are my faves, would love to have them on my wall!

Rocky can now sit, drop and shake hands. He has also finally discovered that treats can be gulped down which makes rewarding him a lot easier! :)

Suziwong, I would let him be excited. Getting a baby sister IS exciting! But he will get over the initial craziness. I'd just let him go mental and settle in his own time. :)

Forgot to say she is sooooooo cute!!!

Jolie had an impressive phantom pregnancy after her first season. She has huge boobs, a little pot belly and was soooo sooky! Remember dogs are pregnant for 9 weeks so I think its quite common for phantoms to last that long. Jolie settled down eventually and has not had another phantom.

I just bring them home, have a big intro and that's it. I even do that with adult foster dogs.

I'm so sorry. I didn't realise she was so young. Maisie will guide her at the bridge. RIP Georgia xx

Mine lives with cats, rabbits and guinea pigs and has been nothing but gentle - but I would never leave them alone together. Its just not worth it.

Parvo isn't the only thing you need to worry about, and parvo testing should not replace quarantine.

I deliberately choose not to vacc for KC and two of mine haven't developed it. Jolie and Rocky got a very mild case, Blue and Toby had a moderate case but no secondary infections thankfully. One more week and we can leave the house! :)

Yep, but it can be dangerous for very young, very old and immune compromised dogs. Ironically my 12yo dog with cancer has not contracted it. None of my dogs are vaccinated for KC.

Heard of another case from North Melbourne today.

They are all so gorgeous!! Brandi looks like Pia's twin!

Yes we have been told to keep them at home for 2 weeks once they have stopped coughing.

Yes my work is in Malvern, patient comes from Kew, and I live near Ringwood. Incubation seems to be 7-10 days but they are contagious before they show signs.

There is a very contagious kennel cough going around Melbourne at the moment. Our clinic dog caught it off a patient and then infected my dogs (he is staying with us) The patient apparently caught it from their local vet clinic and he wasn't showing any signs when he came into work. Now our next door neighbours dogs are coughing! They have had no direct contact with our dogs, just barking through a solid wooden fence. My dogs are in lock down but thankfully have only had a mild case and are no longer coughing. But if your dog is immuno-compromised I'd be avoiding dog parks in the Eastern suburbs for a while.

That's a great idea, thanks. :) Rocky is the same - not that focused on people.

That's not a vasectomy - that is how castration is done. They don't remove the sac, they make a small incision, squeeze out the testicle and remove it, then suture the wound. For the first week or so, the sac is very swollen and it looks like the balls are still there. Eventually the swelling goes away and the sac shrinks. All reputable rescues desex their dogs. There is no reason to vasectomise a rescue dog (unless maybe a giant breed puppy).

Its a massive pain! Have to disinfect myself for work too lol. I will look into the box thing, thank you. :) Biggest problem with training is that I haven't found something that motivates/excites him yet. He isn't that into food and when I give him a treat he wants to take it away and nibble it lol.

We've had a set back unfortunately - not Rocky's fault though! Our dogs have all come down with kennel cough which means no walks or romps at the park. I'm trying to do some training at home but he is really missing his walks. We still have a few more weeks before we cantake him out! Not going to be fun.

Another exciting first last night - he played tug!! He was checking out all the toys and picking them up, so I grabbed the end and started pulling and praising him in an excited voice. Took him a second but once he worked it out, he loved it! I swapped his toy for a rope and it was on! We played for about 5 mins. :) He also went for his first run last night with my OH. He loved it but was very spooky on his own. Might take another dog with him tonight to make him feel more confident. :)

Oh no, I'm so sorry Linda. RIP Penny xx

MASSIVE breakthrough today! I had to leave the dogs at home because one has kennel cough (dammit!!). I crated Rocky because I couldn't have him barking all day. Came home to him snoozing in the crate! :) But even better, I put him outside and he has spent the last 2 hours tearing around the backyard, playing with my dogs, and hasn't barked at all!! Woohoo!! He looks like he is getting tired, so I'll bring him back inside soon to reward him for being so awesome. :D