Her Majesty Dogmad

I completely understand but sometimes it is not to do with money being spent, it is a case of moving the dog to a different environment. I'm just being straightforward, the dog is young and the breed is known for being challenging. My first ever bite was from a Chihuahua. I can tell you about an Italian puppy, owner has spent 100s on behaviouralists who have put the dog on drugs. I gave her the answer right at the start - the dog needs a companion. We've taken the dog and assessed in a home with another dog (at owner's request) and she was fine. Went back to owner. Start of the same cycle again ....

That describes the same issue that the owner is having with the Chinese Crested i mentioned. That dog was a show dog for 3 years so she could not have been poorly behaved. I don't believe the CC is sick at all, i believe she is just not coping with the environment but some people would put her to sleep for her behaviour. The owner does not want to pay for a behaviouralist just wants the dog gone.

I would not rush to put this dog to sleep - tiny dogs and especially Chihuahuas are not suitable for busy households. The environment has changed if you have a toddler. Some dogs don't cope all that well with this situation. I just connected a dog owner's family with a rescue group. They had a Chi, I am not sure where he was purchased from. Scenario was that the person had daily care visitors and the Chi was trying to bite them all. I thought probably very stressed with all the activity and that he should be given a chance in a rescue group. If he wasn't safe to rehome, this group would definitely not put him back out there. The dog came into care literally a few days ago, he's now in an experienced foster carer's home and is thriving, after a slightly grumpy start. He has calmed right down and has even started to play with the other dogs. Totally different behaviour in a different environment. Your little Chi is very tiny, the world is a threatening place for her and I'd say most likely the whole atmosphere - no matter how calm you may think it is, is simply too much for this particular dog. As a rescuer of now 15 years taking dogs fairly constantly in that time, with some dogs - although I've cared for them and loved them, I can see I'm the wrong home for them for a variety of reasons so my job is to place them in the right home, once I've assessed their needs carefully. I'm currently assisting an owner with a Chinese Crested - a breed known for strange quirks - this dog nipped me 3 times during my visit and that's what she is doing with most visitors to this busy household. Great with other dogs and cats but cannot cope with the procession of teenagers/students/other visitors that this household offers. Family members have also been putting the dog into very confronting situations since she arrived - other people's busy houses, dog parks and so on. The other resident dog is fine with it all. My idea is to foster the dog and assess and find a very quiet home - no children and an owner who will not expose her to multiple visitors and situations. Some people would put this dog down perhaps but I am 100% sure she's in the wrong place but will thrive in a different situation. A suggestion has been made to contact a Chi rescuer with many years of experience. If the vet finds nothing physical wrong, I'd urge you to do that or even contact them now and discuss the behaviour with a very experienced person. My breed of choice - Italian Greyhounds - are frequently misunderstood in a pound situation and put down because they look like they will bite - in their terror. If anyone knows the breed, you'd know that this is absolutely the last thing they would do BUT they don't cope mentally in a pound environment so bark and back away from strangers, giving the impression of being aggro.

Just wondering if anyone could help 14 ducks (3 male, 11 female). Different kinds of ducks, all around 1 year of age, gentle souls who just love to stay at home in the pond. Sadly the person who has them now has to rehome them through no fault (or wishes) of her own. They have been raised with a great deal of love and it was never the intention that they'd have to find a new home. Any ideas on suitable new homes or sanctuaries would be appreciated.

Please apply!! Just go to www.iggyrescue.com.au and then Adoption Application to complete a form. She'll come with a very sweet little fluffy bed and i'm sure we can find an Iggy coat as well ..... She's tiny at 4.2 kilos and in need of a loving home asap!!

We at Iggy Rescue are helping a dear little Italian Greyhound girl aged 10. Tuppence lost both her owners within 12 months. Family took her in and gave her a much needed and massive dental, so common with the IGs. She's got 10 teeth and probably will lose them gradually over the next few years. Wonderful with other dogs, housetrained and loves a walk and a under the doona snuggle - this girl is awesome. She's just over 4 kilos!!

And me although i did succumb to a younger dog last year - shocking!!! My friends begged me to keep a younger dog as i often lose 2 or 3 dogs a year and the heartbreak is severe.

Totally horrific. Sounds like the person wasn't strong enough to manage the dog either. If people want to get any large breed or bigger type of dog then they should make sure they get the dog thoroughly trained. Also sounds like a dog that shouldn't have been off the lead anyhow. The poor man, you can see the dog meant business so i hope they catch owner and dog and deal with it properly, God forbid it kills someone next time.

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Repetition and reward is how to train a puppy, not "punish". Juice's advice is excellent.

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Generally breeders maintain a waiting list and he's not very old at all. I'm surprised they can't take him back however.

I'm not fussed on Basenjis, i've only met one that was a beautifully natured dog, other than that it hasn't been positive for me. There was one locally that the owners used to let off and it attacked my dog every time. It was known as a menace in the dog park ....

Has the original breeder been contacted for help?

Just remember noone should greet her on arriving home. I ignore all my dogs (inc fosters) for 15 mins when i get home and the same when i'm leaving. I can't rehome dogs with anxiety and over fussing them on arriving home or before leaving can set them off.

One of my dogs doesn't cope well in kennels. He came from the pound and most likely my vet thought he'd been locked somewhere for years, teeth all ground down and muscle wastage plus starvation and ear infections etc. I have had to board him several times lately and he refuses to eat for them some nights. I don't have a lot of choice due to some of his behaviour. A house sitter or dog minder would be better if i could with him.

I have lots of tips for people on this subject but definitely leaving the radio on is one of them. Wear an old T-shirt to bed and leave that in your dog's bed when you leave. Some Rescue Remedy or CALM (made in Melbourne) could help her get through this, it sounds like grief but it could also be loneliness. If a dog has never been an only dog before, some really don't cope that well when suddenly it's just them. Others have blossomed in the same situation, particularly if the dog they lived with was dominant over them, they come into their own and cope just fine. Maybe talk to someone who knows the breed tendencies well - Schnauzer on DOL is amazing. I rescue/rehome all sorts of dogs but especially Italian Greyhounds and as a breed, they rarely cope as only dogs.

That's great, off to a good start. Don't know what sort of dog it is but a crate or groomer's enclosure are both excellent with regards to helping initially with the housetraining, stops them wandering and peeing at night!

One golden rule that ethical registered breeders have is never to breed from dogs that have aggression issues - whether it's people, other dogs or both. Aggression can be inherited and it will mean that some of the puppies will have issues, you'll either get them returned or they will be handed to home after home or euthanased. Once you understand what is happening with your dog, it may mean she may or may not be suitable for your breeding plans.

It takes about 2 months for testosterone to get out of the dog's system after desexing. That said, most dogs i've rescued have had to be desexed and i just start housetraining the minute i get them home. You need to be constant - repetition and praise, vigilant and clean up accidents with the right solutions. If you have a dog that is already peeing everywhere and you haven't cleaned up with the right solutions then yes, your house would smell like a toilet to the dog and it will be much harder to housetrain as they will remain confused about where to go. Here is my method and bear in mind that some dogs are harder to housetrain but i've successfully used this method (with some tweaks) on hundreds of dogs rescued/fostered in my own home and other people's homes: 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. NB: Please note that the smell of urine must be properly removed for any housetraining to be successful. There are products on the market such as “Urine Off” but they are very expensive. A mix of white vinegar and water is a much cheaper alternative and should work for tiles and other surfaces although you should always take care with wood etc. For carpet/rugs, I use either a mixture of Napisan/water or bicarb of soda and water. I completely soak the stain using a dab on technique with a cloth. When it is very wet, I use an old towel to soak up the excess moisture. Again, be careful on any expensive carpet/rug, I have never had any problems but I cannot guarantee any method here.

Love those Irish Terriers!!

Males are actually easier to train!

Hi jemapelle - i can help you with this. I am happy to walk you through it. I have taken plenty of older dogs from either homes who have never desexed/allowed inside and also from breeders. Happy to chat over the phone or email, just pm me!