Her Majesty Dogmad

I have a foster dog who had really festy skin when she first arrived, she also had bad ears too. I tried a few different foods with no results and then I purchased a All Natural food (??) from www.pricelesspets.com.au - its the only one they sell. After 2 months on that, no more festy skin!!! It's specially formulated for dogs with skin/ear probs. It's not expensive and all my other dogs love it. I'd recommend it being worth a try at least.

Try and get him together with some very gentle dogs, he needs to gain confidence again and soon.

This technique certainly worked for me when I fostered a dog that had been in kennels for 2 years. He was a very excitable but also angry little guy and mouthed really hard so no wonder people didn't like him when he was shown to potential owners!!! Probably took me a couple of weeks with this technique and he was much better. And he's still with me, 3 years later, naughty boy!!!

definitely and yes, they are higher beings with purer love

brace yourselves!

I've heard conflicting things about spider bites - one that they are harmless to dogs but then I heard about another dog that died from one??? really don't know what to think, could that be a possibility?

I still LURVE him!!!

I agree, I think it will help and really praise him when he goes outside. One of the keys to success with my method - particularly because I take abused dogs who cannot cope with harsh words, similar to puppies - is that you say NOTHING if the pup has or has had an accident in the house, no matter whether it's in front of you of something that happened before. The pup will thrive on your praise and dogs live to please their owners generally so will soon learn that he gets NOTHING from you when he goes indoors.

OK - you cannot get impatient with the pup - the words Hurry Up will now probably be frightening to him so can I recommend you change to something different that he cannot associate with your partner getting impatient or growling etc at him. You haven't answered my question on access to get out when he needs to go - that is so important. Finally, don't just say "good boy", again that probably doesn't mean a lot to him. You need to show him what you think of him when he is good - reward him IMMEDIATELY he goes with treats and simultaneous patting and affection, repeat good boy several times in a fairly high pitched tone as that is what they understand. I went to dog training with my 6 year old boy and was told time and again that I was not demonstrative enough with him and I really had to show him with high pitched tones and patting etc that I was pleased!! It works!

Puppies take longer than dogs. I foster for rescue groups and have trained dogs under 1 year to 10 years old - about 45 of them in the last 4 years. The youngest dog took me 2 months but she had been abused. Most of them took 3 days but they were adults. Your poor little fellow just isn't getting it obviously but I recommend trying the following method, you have already allocated a name to it and you both need to say exactly the same word(s). This method uses kindness and reward. My last dog was one I rescued aged 8 that the lady had tried to housetrain for 6 months (she was the 3rd owner in the dog's life) with no success. She was doing similar things to you and just couldn't understand why it wouldn't work. I took the dog home and she was housetrained within 4 days using this method. As I work, I find it easier to concentrate on this starting on a Saturday morning, all day Sunday and then most of them have it on Monday for when I go back to work!! One important thing is that the dog can easily access outside when he/she needs to go so you will either need a doggie door or a door left open. Puppies cannot control themselves as adult dogs can and will need to go as soon as they think of it so need to get outside asap. HOUSETRAINING TIPS Ok - first thing to do is decide on the command (I call it “do wees”) you will repeat over and over. You have to really focus on the dog for about 2-3 days to be successful. You have a pocketful of special treats on hand all the time for the first 2-3 days. Walk the dog several times a day and every time the dog wees, you get very excited and keep saying “Good boy/girl, do wees, do wees” – give the dog treats every time. First thing in the morning, last thing at night and every time you see the dog eat or drink (both precursors to weeing) whisk the dog into the garden and repeat the command “do wees”. Get very excited and present treats every time dog goes. The dog’s aim in life is to please you. If the dog should have an accident inside the house – say NOTHING at all. The dog soon gets the idea that when he/she goes outside you are really, really pleased and he/she gets rewarded.

Thanks for giving Doc a loving and happy home for the time he had left. Condolences to you and Mr R. RIP dear little boy.

Oh why are people so unkind I think he's GORGEOUS!!! I have a mobile groomer who will come to you - she's great! Ring Jackie on 0414 737 055 and mention my name!

So sorry, thanks for giving her love and being there for her at the end.

Rozzie, you and Mr R are so marvellous for taking the oldies in and making whatever time they have left so very happy. It is so very sad when they leave us, must be so hard on you both as each one is unique and leaves an imprint on your hearts. RIP John, dear old boy.

Oh and the portable toilet option is excellent. I rehomed a foster to an apartment with one of those on the balcony last weekend, he went straight to it and did the right thing!!

I haven't toilet trained a puppy but this method has worked for over 40 dogs in the last 3 years that I've fostered. HOUSETRAINING TIPS Ok - first thing to do is decide on the command (I call it “do wees”) you will repeat over and over. You have to really focus on the dog for about 2-3 days to be successful. You have a pocketful of special treats on hand all the time for the first 2-3 days. Walk the dog several times a day and every time the dog wees, you get very excited and keep saying “Good boy/girl, do wees, do wees” – give the dog treats every time. First thing in the morning, last thing at night and every time you see the dog eat or drink (both precursors to weeing) whisk the dog into the garden and repeat the command “do wees”. Get very excited and present treats every time dog goes. The dog’s aim in life is to please you. If the dog should have an accident inside the house – say NOTHING at all. The dog soon gets the idea that when he/she goes outside you are really, really pleased and he/she gets rewarded.

Oh Paula, I'm so sorry to hear about Shadow, poor darling girl. Thank you for giving her a loving home for the time she had with you, she would have truly appreciated it after her past life. Thoughts are with you.

My condolences, this is so very sad. So sorry for you all. Perhaps try Rescue Remedy for Bosco?

My dog was like this after my neighbours gave him rat poison. He also has inflammatory bowel disease and when he's had an attack of that, the symptoms are similar too.

Oh no, poor old Beau. I'm sitting here all teary which is why I avoid Rainbow Bridge usually. Beau was an absolute darling, a real sweetheart. Stormy - remember when I looked after him? He was so excited when you came to get him, even though you hadn't had him that long, he was already so bonded to you and the family. Thank you so much for rescuing him and giving him a loving home for the last 18 months. RIP gentle boy.

after posting here the other day I've been cursed ... Found FLEAS on one of my dogs and he only got treated with Advantage last weekend Gave him a Capstar this morning and my other old chook is also scratching so same for her. Fingers crossed - can't stop scratching myself since I found some ...

I found that Frontline had stopped working for me about 2 years ago. I moved to Advocate and have been very happy with that. You also need to treat their bedding at the same time. I have flea bombed and also sprinkled some flea powder round and after swtiching to Advocate, that was the end of my problems! Now get the odd one or two but no more problems. Advocate also covers heartworm and worms!! Have also used Advantage successfully. I buy from www.pricelesspets.com.au and have never found cheaper!

I feed all my dogs separately. It may not matter whether he's a puppy or not, some dogs don't like sharing or being disturbed. This all sounds very normal behaviour to me.

Could well be fear but it could also be a urinary tract infection, one of my housetrained dogs had the same problem suddenly and that's what it was. Her urine was darkish in colour - check the colour of yours. Once you eliminate that as a possibility, you could remind her how to be housetrained. She could be going over others' smells perhaps? Here is the method I use (I've successfully housetrained over 40 dogs with this): Ok - first thing to do is decide on the command (I call it “do wees”) you will repeat over and over. You have to really focus on the dog for about 2-3 days to be successful. You have a pocketful of special treats on hand all the time for the first 2-3 days. Walk the dog several times a day and every time the dog wees, you get very excited and keep saying “Good boy/girl, do wees, do wees” – give the dog treats every time. First thing in the morning, last thing at night and every time you see the dog eat or drink (both precursors to weeing) whisk the dog into the garden and repeat the command “do wees”. Get very excited and present treats every time dog goes. The dog’s aim in life is to please you. If the dog should have an accident inside the house – say NOTHING at all. The dog soon gets the idea that when he/she goes outside you are really, really pleased and he/she gets rewarded.

I fostered a dog earlier in the year that had been locked away in a shed for months. She was harder to housetrain than most, I usually foster male terriers or crosses of and they learn within 2-3 days. The papillon girl took quite a bit longer to stop the pooping everywhere etc (inc on my bed). I use the same method of training as Cazbear has described, no punishment or shouting, just love and rewards and that will get you there and maintain the good relationship with your puppy.