Her Majesty Dogmad

Treat the ears and reduce the flies. I've had the horse products recommended but don't have my dogs outside very much. I have reduced the amount of flies in my yard by keeping it clean and also hanging up fly traps (available from Bunnings) in the areas where the dogs like to lie in the sun. After 2-3 weeks, the nos seem to have reduced.

My friend's dog died choking on a chicken neck, he took it whole and forgot to chew. My friend tried very hard to get it out but couldn't do it. I'd recommend smaller pieces or something different. I stopped feeding chicken necks to my dogs.

Might also depend on your dogs and their prey drive level. I've had dogs returned because they've become obsessed with a caged bird and will not stop trying to get at it, even when it was put in another room.

He's obviously a spoilt brat who just doesn't know how to behave, especially when someone is being perfectly reasonable and pointing out to him what he is doing is wrong and why. This incident didn't surprise at all. I had just had a morning tea at a local marina, lovely restaurant down there - you are allowed to take a dog with you as long as it onlead and well behaved. I complied with this request, I had a little shihtzu with me, on lead. Not a peep out of him. Imagine my horror when the yachties around there turned up with dogs off leash and completely out of control, one a massive staffy and the other was a German Shepherd. Both made a beeline for my shihtzu and I shouted at them. No apology for frightening the life out of me from either young male yachtie. The staffy actually came up behind us as we were trying to leave and gave me another fright. No owner in sight. I will be reporting it to the council but won't be taking my dog to this venue again.

I've just remembered what I did a few years ago when my little foxy was attacked by three larger dogs - a kelpie cross, a border collie cross and a Bernese Mountain dog. The BC cross knocked him out of my arms, he ran but the kelpie cross then got him in his mouth - I ran towards him screaming my lungs out and flailing my arms - we were in long grass and thank God the kelpie cross dropped him in surprise. It was a natural reaction from me. The owners of the 3 dogs involved stood there and told me they "had their eyes closed". Very helpful.

Well the comment "questionable reaction "Screaming" is pretty clear, if you weren't making light of it you wouldn't have said it and I'm not reading too much into this - it's straightforward language comprehension, nothing complex. I'd be screaming and attempting to kick the ---- out of any dog doing that to mine. And then I'd see the owners in court, not something you'd get over in a hurry, probably NEVER. A much loved pet ripped to pieces, such savagery - yes the owners are responsible but the dogs should be euthanased as well, who knows if they've done it before but they certainly can't be allowed to ever do it again. With regards to her other questionable reaction, she probably thought that if a child was trying to protect their pet against these vicious animals then he/she may be attacked as well. It does happen. I know dog to dog aggression doesn't normally translate to people aggression but this lady actually got bitten during the event, it could have been much worse though for a child. Huskies are known for high prey drives, the owners need shooting. You can adopt them from pet shops, like Malamutes and probably don't even know what you are doing. Thank God for the man that followed them home. In a close suburb to me, it took rangers months and months to track down two huskies that were responsible for the countless deaths of innocent cats and dogs and probable wildlife during night time raids into the neighbourhood.

How south in Sydney are you? Near the train line?

I think it would possibly put some people off but I have also found that many simply don't care - they've got what they want and that's all they care about. It's also requiring a guarantee of honesty from both the petshop and supplier and I don't know if that's going to be in either of their best interests. There is also an ignorance out there as to what a proper breeder constitutes, I'm coming across that fairly often at the moment. Have had more than one person insist that they got their dog from a breeder and that was because it was a purebred Ridgie crossed with a purebred Mastiff. Yesterday I was talking to a couple at my vets, I liked the look of one of their dogs (of mixed heritage) and they said they'd got her from a "breeder" - I asked what breeds had gone into the mix - it was a labrador bred with a mini poodle. Then they proudly told me they'd returned to the same "breeder" for their second dog - also a bitza. This dog was a small "Groodle" and the breeder had achieved this by mating a GR with a mini poodle. Oh God.

Always best to get checked up. Similar happened to my dog in the UK and the vet said it was because he would have been jumping up at the kennel door all the time to get attention or bark etc.

Have a look at "Holidays with Dogs" - there's a book but I think you can Google that and it comes up with a website. I expect everything is pretty booked at the moment.

Countless dogs have burnt their paws on the back of utes once the metal heats up, I really wish owners would be more thoughtful. Can't believe that people are still so stupid as to leave dogs in cars either.

He looks like a real character, he'd have left a big hole in your life, RIP Wallace. Hugs to you.

Not necessarily being paranoid. When did he last see a vet and have his teeth checked? I noticed a friend's old dog not eating properly and asked her the same question. The answer really shocked me, he'd been assessed as needing a dental 2 yrs before but as she thought it was too dangerous for an oldie to have anaesthetic she didn't do anything. I explained they have light anaesthetic now and insisted she go urgently. SHe'd noticed he'd gone off his food and didn't want bones any more - no wonder, he was in a great deal of pain. Almost all of his teeth were taken out and he's a really different dog now, got a lot more life in him!

I had a foxie that was like this (buses, bikes, skateboards etc) and when he saw another dog as well. I got some tips from "It's me of the dog" show. She made every meeting with another dog etc a very rewarding experience. She got some help from someone who kept appearing with another dog and kept practicing, in the end the dog was fine. I did this with my foxie for 2 weeks and it worked a treat. Every morning we would pass buses and cyclists on our walk and I just kept feeding him treats and distracting him - got him to sit, fed him treats and praised him. He had done obedience so could sit on command.

I'm sorry but this is never going to work! You need to keep them apart - your puppy's going to keep growing and getting stronger while the older dog grows more frail. How much longer have you got the older dog for? Would you expect a 90 yr old person to cope with a toddler full time? Really, that's what you are expecting - it's not fair on either of these dogs. Your puppy has lots of energy and wants to play. The old dog is at the stage where they just want peace and to sleep. He's probably got arthritis - it's very painful to get bumped and jostled. I have arthritis although I'm quite young, if I kneel down, even for a minute, I will limp and experience pain for about 2 weeks afterwards. The old dog may be off his food due to stress or because of his age, hard to tell as I don't know the dog.

It's a sad reality that with multiple dogs you just can't do everything with all of them. I have a very ancient 16+ foster dog, it's not so hard in the cooler weather as he can wait in the car but at the moment he's going on the 2nd walk to the oval (I do 2 walks each morning as I have my own plus fosters usually). He potters along in his own time - once he's pooped while I walk the two younger ones much faster then we go back for him, he's often started heading back towards the car anyway. He sleeps most of the time and I don't think he worries about being left once he's had a walk and breakfast. I will always be in this position, I've had a disabled dog previously and we did the same sort of thing. She'd have her little potter round and I'd play ball with the others, I never left her just in case someone came into the oval with another dog and I was too far away. She was very fragile.

QUESTIONS 1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc) I owned an Italian Greyhound for 10 years and now operate "Iggy Rescue" with a registered breeder. I adopted a second Italian Greyhound last year who sadly died after only 2 days. I currently have a purebred Italian Greyhound foster dog and have rescued/rehomed several IGs in the last 12 months. 2. Where and why was the breed first developed? Italian Greyhounds are an ancient breed dating back to 3000 BC in Egypt and have been found mummified there. They are a companion dog from the "Toy" grouping. 3. How common is it in Australia? Not very common. Breed standard is 3-4 kilos although IGs from US lines are larger. 4. What is the average lifespan? Up to 16 yrs. 5. What is the general temperament/personality? They are very sensitive and don't cope well with over correction. They can be slow to learn and are quite a demanding companion as they love to be with you, preferably curled up on your lap. They feel the heat and cold and require looking after so that they are comfortable. They are not suited to outside living and can suffer heat exhaustion very quickly and/or burn through their sparse coat. They love to actually get into bed with you if they can. They are often very interested in food and will steal. 6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult? This can vary from dog to dog, they are very much homebodies and some don't actually enjoy going for walks at all. Others love a whizz round in an open space but it should be fenced as sighthounds can just take off and may not be obedient at coming back. They are easily frightened/distracted and are not suitable for dog parks as they don't like being amongst a lot of other strange dogs. 7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with? As long as the person wants a breed to devote themselves and lots of time to looking after, they could be OK. Not for someone who wants to take their dog to dog parks or hectic environments. 8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods? They are usually happy curled up asleep for much of the time. 9. How much grooming is required? Not much at all, they are low shedding and low odour, they are better off not being bathed very often, they don't need it. Nails grow very quickly (more so than other breeds) and need trimming every few weeks. Anal glands can be an issue. 10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)? They can be bouncy but they are a breed that generally isn't keen on young children and they can be quite fragile and easily injured. 11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of? There are a number of issues that can arise - dental, bone density (they can easily break legs - they'll often jump off great heights), neurological and digestive disorders. They can have a delicate constitution. 12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be)

It's not a trust or a shelter but there is Senior Dog Rescue in Sydney, run by DOL member "Toots". There is a network of caring foster carers who work with her, including DOL member "Powerlegs". I love the oldies personally and usually foster/adopt them myself. Doggie Rescue are also known for taking old dogs from the pounds, many other groups don't but this is partly because they take a long time to rehome and often come with large vet bills, DR are the biggest private rescue in Sydney and have good resources and much support. In Melbourne, there is "Rescued with Love", another fantastic group that take on the oldies and give them what is probably the best quality of life they've ever experienced.

I'd say he's lonely, dogs escape for a reason. My neighbour's dog was lonely, she escaped to come and spend the day with my dogs, climbing 6ft fences and walking along the top to get down, come round the front and up over my fence. She was never walked, never allowed in the house and is a working breed as is the Beardie. I'd suggest two walks per day, Beardies are full of energy and life, right up till they drop. I'd say the dog is bored and lonely, maybe it's a dog that cannot be on its own.

Everyone grieves differently, I lost a beloved dog less than a week ago. Just because I'm still working hard at rescuing those in need does not mean that my heart hasn't broken. As someone said, it's when the grief doesn't seem to be getting better after some time, that the person may need help. I have a lot of doggie friends, there's a small group of us that have multiple dogs and hold a little ceremony when one dies, we all end up crying as we know just how bad it feels but we support each other and understand. I think that it is so important to find someone that can relate to how you feel at these times. Many people just don't get it which is why I tend to keep quiet about it at work until I'm feeling a bit stronger although my current colleagues are very supportive.

labsrule, we all need to acknowledge that as much as we love our chosen breeds, there may be issues with them. In our local dog park, I was pretty surprised to learn that a Labrador had killed an old lady's poodle that I'd met a number of times, it was a harmless and sweet little old dog that certainly never bothered my dogs in any way so I can't imagine what happened. I was almost knocked over by 3 rampaging labs in another local dog park, I have bad knees so it was a pretty painful encounter, owners nowhere in sight so I haven't been back there since. On the other hand I grew up with a labrador which was a lovely dog although he did knock me flying on several occasions. I have terriers now - if I let them near a cat they'd kill it, not a problem as I don't own one but I certainly don't let them get too close to my neighbours' cats. Responsible ownership is about knowing your dog(s) well and understanding how their behaviour may affect others. It IS an offence in NSW to allow your dog to rush at people or other dogs, wherever you are. And for the person being rushed at, it can be terrifying, not knowing if your dog is about to be attacked - it happens. Don't stick your head in the sand, grow up.

Great to hear you are on the mend, I look forward to seeing more of you online in the next little while! I rehomed my cranky little old foster chihuahua by the way!!!

I've just lost my beloved Pepper, the sweetest dog I've ever met. I first saw Pepper in Wyong Pound in October 2008, she was very neglected and a bit frightened. She was rescued by Doggie Rescue and I fostered her. It was obvious that apart from the physical neglect of her magnificent coat that she'd suffered a life without much love. She was 10 and unusually, was microchipped (as a Keeshond cross) and desexed. She proved to be no trouble but it was upsetting to see the way she walked - right next to my leg, eyes wide, too scared to move. It was a huge breakthrough when she finally stopped for a wee, a few weeks after she first arrived. We celebrated her first poo on a walk as well. She was making progress. She'd been with me 3 months and come a long way when she had her first appointment. My mother was staying with me at the time, from England, and had fallen in love with Pepper. So much so that she adopted her with the intention of returning to live in Sydney and taking her back. I loved Pepper but thought that she could do better than me. Mum had fallen in love with Pepper's extremely sweet nature and her habit of patting you on the lower leg with her paw when she wanted more pats. And so Pepper stayed. She's been in good health for two years, only needing a dental this year and some lumps cut off. She was 12 yrs old. I had hoped she'd be with me for many more years but 2 weeks ago she started some strange behaviour, sitting and facing the wall a lot. I put it down to the beginnings of dementia as I have some experience with other dogs that was similar. Then this week, Pepper started having breathing difficulties and going off her food. The vet thought it may be lymphoma or a brain tumour. Last night was a bad night, Pepper couldn't lie down for more than a few seconds at a time and so we went to the vet this morning. Faced with the prospect of losing her, I have been devastated to realise how privileged I have been to have such an angel in my home, I type through buckets of tears that won't stop coming. I'm sorry Pepper, for I loved you so very much, I hope you know that.

It's good that you are looking for help - you cannot have a dog who behaves like that with access to get to people/kids/other dogs/cats etc. People in my street on the corner had the same problem. Dog could jump the fence, got a behaviouralist in but it didn't stop the dog which was very aggressive to people passing by. Lots of complaints to council and the dog had to go. If your front yard doesn't have a gate, get one organised but tether the dog or keep it separate from the front yard until it is completely secure. All fencing needs to be made dog proof - ie he can't climb/leap over it to get to what he wants. Another option until your hedge is grown which may take a while, is to get a dog run but you must still ensure that when he's not in there, he cannot gain access to outside of your property. You just need to understand how seriously his behaviour can affect someone else - he could give them a heart attack, cause a fall etc etc.

Tears for Sam and for you. He was so loved and will be so missed. Hugs to you all.