Her Majesty Dogmad

So what have you given him to prevent fleas? Dogs are still coming out the pounds and into rescue, crawling with them, in NSW.

I'm a dog rescuer. Similar rules should apply for dog sitters - don't take on too much. My golden rule - to prevent any issues at all - is NO undesexed dogs here, ever. They go to the vet for boarding until they can be done because it just causes problems. The licking behaviour you describe is unacceptable for the small dog to endure and quite possibly frightening also. It could be worse and end in a mauling or death - yes, i'm serious. I can think of a dog minder in Sydney who has had more than one death. Please move either the undesexed dog or small dog now and if you cannot do that, then keep them separate at all times. And safe dog minding (and rescuing) requires a huge amount of experience in dog behaviour which the average dog owner is unfortunately lacking in.

I'm sure you can find somewhere nice for y our dog. What sort of dog is it? Is it dog sociable etc?

That's peculiar!!

I can recommend a wonderful place at Kangy Angy on the central coast - I put a small but difficult dog with ongoing health issues there, 3 times within 6 months last year - due to circumstances - they are amazing. Called "Just Like Home Pet Resort", incredibly good level of care, facilities and staff to dog ratio. No kennels, only indoor enclosures at night. In wet weather they have indoor rooms. THey post videos and photos all day. My difficult dog's health issues were cared for, his finicky ways with food and his difficult behaviour, he had a ball - so happy in all the videos and photos. They only take small good natured dogs there and supervise all play, all day. Young dogs have their own space as do the oldies etc. Brilliant, I'd never worry about my dogs going there - i won't do normal kennels anywhere.

My first question would be - has she had her teeth checked out? Pain could cause the aggression but so could fear - Chihuahuas and other toy breeds are not suitable for young children. I also don't put elderly dogs with young children.

I don't want to worry you but one of my old bosses who'd had Rottis for years, purchased a puppy from a breeder. There was trouble from day one with growling, he couldn't be trusted at all with any visitors - even people he'd known since he was a puppy so was always locked away for safety whenever anyone came to the house. She was really concerned about him the whole time and his aggressive behaviour, she went back and forth to vets etc but then at 12 months of age he was taken for his vaccinations and attacked the vet. He was immediately put to sleep.

Definitely a vet visit but avoid any situations where you know he has an issue - like food, leaning over him (eyesight can be an issue) etc, in other words - don't provoke him or let anyone else do it. Could be a bit of dementia happening but if they are in pain it can also change them. My 16.5 yr old girl (I rescued her 3 years ago) just had a major dental about 4 months ago and came through with flying colours, she feels so much better I think.

Thank you for giving her the best home when she was in desperate need, she was a precious angel who hadn't had the best life and deserved so much more but she wasn't counting, the best life found her eventually.

What a beautiful girl, thank you for giving her the best that life had to offer, hugs to you and all who loved her.

If they are dog social, the very best place is Just Like Homes Pet Resort at Kangy Angy, beautiful grassed areas, constant supervision and very comfy aircond inside quarters. My dog loves it there and he has health issues which they managed. He's difficult but loved his time there.

Not sure why people get dogs if they haven't got fences. If you love a dog you surely don't want them to: get run over by a moving car on the road get attacked by other dogs/cats/feral people taken to the pound and so on, none of it is good.

Poor little guinea pig, that is horrible.

It would be nice to have an update on this topic …...

Make sure you get a Westie from parents that don't have any skin problems to inherit. The other things to think about are what size Westie do you want, my friends wanted large 12 kilo ones so searched for a breeder that fitted. I like them a little smaller personally, they are delightful dogs but def. have the terrier temperament. My old Westie cross protected the house for 13 yrs, sadly he thought that all blue tongue lizards were snakes and despatched them after giving warning yips - i'd race out there but was never fast enough.

Did you get her from a breeder? As a rescuer i regularly get shown dogs who are a this or a that purebred or cross and they aren't at all. Jack Russells are busy dogs but they are very good at entertaining themselves usually, i love their independent streak. I suspect - from what you've written - that the dog is in pain. Picking a dog up and them screaming and weeing themselves is shocking, please go to the vet right now.

Hi Yvonne, I will send you a message to see if we can chat and I can help. And thanks for all the positive votes guys!

Handsome little dude!

I love greyhounds, no doubt about it BUT there are some who are unsuitable to go with small dogs and it sounds like you have one. I'm appalled that the rescue hasn't tested properly before rehoming. Prey drive is not curable and will result in something terrible happening and I've heard first hand accounts - not only greyhounds, other large breeds but they have killed small dogs, happens far too often and usually because owners involved are clueless. I'm a rescuer and foster carer. I love dogs of all sizes but my golden rule is that my own dogs' health, happiness and safety come first. DO NOT risk your own dog. Or you can rehome your own dog and keep the greyhound - some people do that - yes really!

How is the dog door training going?

Fair enough but i've never been lucky enough to have a dog that asked to go out!

I have to confess - even as a seasoned rescuer who has had many fosters since 2002, my foster dog was driving me crazy - every day coming home to clean up so much mess …. It was someone on an Italian Greyhound page that suggested the shower curtain and it was immediate success. Italians are a nightmare with that sort of thing and i'd tried for weeks and weeks (they aren't the sharpest tool in the box) to train her to use it.

Is it clear Perspex? If it is, cut out a square of wrapping paper and stick it on the Perspex flap - it gives them a target. Then spend 5 minutes 3 times a day with treats and hopefully someone on the other side and put him back and forth . Sometimes they are better if you can hold the flap up and I cut a shower curtain into strips and pasted that over the hole - my last foster was here for a few months and wouldn't go through the flap but once I replaced it with the cut up shower curtain she was immediately out of it!

Completely understand, rehoming any dog is hard but even harder when you truly love them. I'm happy to help you with the applications if you like.

Just ignore them, you may have missed my post but I've been in there challenging their ignorance.