Her Majesty Dogmad

Well one thing's for sure, in the UK there are far too many dog related deaths and far too many attacks happening. Probably many aren't even reported. I think they should make penalties much harsher and increase the education. Far too many fwits with no knowledge of dog behaviour owning powerful and out of control dogs, hence all the problems.

If it's going to be OK then it could take 2 months to completely settle. Very important not to feed together and not pay Friskie too much attention, at least for a couple of weeks. Just relax and stick to a normal routine. It all just needs to settle ... At least you know that Perry has been OK with other females so there's hope, it's just too early to say - you are ALL going to go through an adjustment phase.

I def. haven't found it to be the easy option. My little Mickey the Maltese who passed away a few weeks ago was a nightmare. He was a biter and I couldn't even clean his eyes without risking life or limb ... he got banned from 3 groomers and I had to get him in a headlock to do his bum on occasion. He certainly didn't let me brush him either. My other high maintenance coat dog is fine with me cleaning and brushing but I personally prefer a wiry coat. Even my low shedding Italian Greyhound leaves white hairs all over me but nothing like my beloved Foxy/Iggy cross who I lost a fortnight ago, he had phenomenal shedding. I would say it would be my preference to only ever have wiry coats in future but quite honestly I'm just going to keep helping the dogs I want to help without worrying about what sort of coat they have, I just love them for who they are. They are all picked for their beautiful natures and what's a little hair between friends? :D

Perhaps I should add this little story at this point. I run Iggy Rescue (with indigirl) and last July we rescued a very sad Italian Greyhound, he was extremely nervous. He went into an experienced and very kind foster home but unfortunately climbed a high fence to get out. He was gone for many months, the weather was terrible at first but then it warmed up. We thought he'd boil as he was in a coat. Our foster carers went above and beyond for a dog they'd only had for 2 days - they put posters everywhere for miles around. His story was on Facebook as well. They went out searching - all weekend, every weekend, for months. during the week they camped out if there'd been a siting of him. In short they were amazing in their search for him. We'd given up hope at Christmas as there had been no sightings of him for a month and it was hot. Then, in March, indigirl got a call from a mobile groomer who'd been to a job and spotted a dog looking very similar to our lost Iggy. Foster carers went around and it was him. It wasn't easy to catch him at all - he'd been on the run for a long time because of this. Under vet supervision, a sedative was put in his food and that's how we caught him. Rangers and the RSPCA had tried without any luck as the owner of the house he was hiding at had called them - they had no fencing and he was holed up under the deck. She was feeding him which was very kind of her but never got near him in the 3 months he was there. So someone may have thought they were helping your little girl for some reason and may still be. Keep up the publicity campaign - lots of posters, Facebook and so on, keep going and don't give up.

I was shocked to read that Koalas are also frequently trampled and killed by cows if they get into their fields. It's a sad state of affairs but I really don't know what the answer is ... They definitely shouldn't be killed by roaming dogs but if they get into a dog's yard, it's awful but pretty impossible to fix. I can't stop any of my dogs from killing blue tongue lizards, as much as I'd like too.

So sorry for your situation, my thoughts are with you.

Absolutely right. When I'm rehoming dogs people often tell me they want a Non-shedding dog. When I explain this will involved bottom and eye cleaning, regular brushing, paid for grooming and so on, many of them have no idea ... and that's not what they want.

Any reason why the dog would sleep outside at night? Does the Malt sleep outside? Staffies generally prefer to be with their families from what I know of them. They'd feel the cold with their short coats too. I know of one very gentle Staffy living with a Pom - my friend is fostering - but it is an old dog and in the far north of NSW. She sleeps on my friend's bed ..

There were definitely a group of Italians in SA (estimated at 20+), we saw photos. They were either surrendered or confiscated from a byb. We had interested people go in to adopt a couple of them but either they were "sold" or euthanased so they ended up not getting a dog (they all had their own Italians). The RSPCA would not talk to us (Italian Greyhound Rescue) about the dogs at all. We were very concerned because normally they get euthanased due to timidity/behaviour in kennelled environments which comes from lack of knowledge about the breed. They seem to appeal to a few people but in reality are suitable for very few, especially people with no breed experience. Considering the background these animals had come from, I imagine there would have been poor outcomes. We'll never know.

Yes, the best advice I was given by a behaviouralist (I have new dogs arriving constantly as a rescuer) is to ignore them for 2 weeks, just let them settle. Don't take them out to lots of places and don't have lots of people over. Just keep to normal routine and don't give the dog too much attention at all ... I know it's hard but I've def. found it is a good strategy - it's to allow to dog to settle, she's had a lot going on - the trip and now Perry not giving her the best welcome. Just allow everyone to settle ..

What an amazing job, i'm only sorry I don't have any spare $$ but wish them well with their fundraising.

Eleni - most Chihuahuas are not good with young children, it's just a thing with the breed. Probably best to leave the Chi at home, especially as you have larger dogs - they don't typically enjoy that scenario either. Would she consider a cross Chi perhaps? I have had a few and depending on what they are crossed with, they can be a bit easier than the purebreds.

Put either newspaper or towel under the pee pad - don't want run off!! She might be holding on until she really needs to go but it's great that she went on the pee pad. Just clean up any run off etc with white vinegar and water mixture.

Keep going Darien, I'm sure you will be successful eventually, she's lucky to have come to you! It's a massive change to go from being a breeder's dog sometimes, to a home environment unless the breeder has exactly the same set up as the home. I just rescued a little dog from the pound, thought he looked very cute and he'd be a quick rehomer but he will need months of rehab as he is most likely from a puppy farm or similar environment. Came with years of untreated ear infections, yeast infections and had an absolute terror of the outside world, as if he'd never seen a car, stroller, pushbike and so on. He gets hysterical but slowly we are making headway ... I estimate 6 months, based on previous experiences. I'm sure things will improve along the way, there'll be little changes that will all add up to just what you want in the end.

I was using one for my girls that a friend loaned me - old Cattle and Keeshond crosses, they were a bit too heavy for me to get into the car but I found it was affecting my arthritic wrists, it was just too heavy for me to fold down/up etc so had to go back to picking them up which was bad for my back .... I've lost both girls now and can only have dogs that are under 6 kilos so won't need a ramp again .. The ramp was very sturdy and DOL member Juice tried it and found it was great.

Friskie's BEAUTIFUL!! Congratulations. Please let us know how it all goes and more pics are needed. :D

Sorry to hear about your old girl, it's always sad to lose our friends. I lost my old boy last weekend, he was on Vetmedin too. I've sent you a pm about someone I know who could use some help.

I think a doggie door would be a good idea. I have doggie doors, several dogs and a neighbour's dog who likes to bark at the fence at them. However, I have checked with neighbours - my dogs don't bark during the day. My neighbour's dog is out in his yard and he's quite noisy. My dogs are able to go in and out to toilet at will and don't bark at the neighbour's dog while they are doing their business - luckily. Sounds like it could be the food but it's also a long time to be leaving her locked up. My dogs like to go out and lie in the sun! I have had dogs regress - diet also plays a part. Putting down wee pads near the door does help - it doesn't make them go more, sorry but your husband is wrong. I rescued a 14 year old dog who'd never been inside a house. I housetrained her but she could never get the doggie door so I put pads near the door and that's where she went until she died. She would have accidents elsewhere in the house when I was at work, not when I was at home to let her out - usually not far from the door - but with the paper down, that's what she went on.

I'd leave Perry at home as you can't put them in crates. the poor old chook might be a bit stressed so i'd leave her somewhere peaceful with some food etc when you get home.

I agree with this - I don't like bringing new dogs home at night, have found it much better to do intros earlier in the day and then spend time observing etc. Always intro on neutral territory. Best if you have someone to help you though. Alternatively you could do this - it will sound ridiculous but I have found it to be a really good way of managing when you are on your own. Tie one dog up to a post etc. Walk the other dog around them (with a wide berth so they can't touch) in a circle - 3 times in one direction and then turn around and go 3 times in the opp direction. Then swap the dogs over. Hopefully you won't see any signs of aggression from either dog at this point. Then take them for a walk - best if you have two people but you can only do your best. Don't leave the dogs together unsupervised for some time until you are completely sure they are OK with each other. I'd say for a couple of weeks. Also, with the new dog, don't do much at all with them for a couple of weeks, let them just relax and settle into the new environment before you start taking them out anywhere or having people/other dogs around. Hope this makes sense.

I went to look at a little unwanted dog one day, owners had died. Caretaker person was in the kitchen putting the kettle on, I had picked up this little dog and had her on my lap. The caretaker was stunned, this dog bit everyone supposedly, but not me. The dog really related to me as opposed to the caretaker who'd had her for months and it was very obvious. Due to a difficult scenario it would be a few months before I could get her to safety as hard as I tried, at my house. I had her for just over 2 years and loved her dearly. She liked very few people! She died too young due to years of poor diet, I have her photo on my fridge and miss her every day. Dear little Beebee.

Could be a few things, could be she's going blind or has dementia coming on. Both things can change their behaviour. I wouldn't worry, I would just keep an eye on her for any signs she's unwell but she might be just getting on and changing her habits.

Absolutely, this person is doing the wrong thing by placing other dogs in danger. And on the subject of nice people, how many seemingly "nice" people are out there mistreating their animals - thousands. It's what keeps rescuers busy.

You just know ... the dog in my avatar was one of my heart dogs and I just lost him to old age. Loved him dearly, he was one of a kind.

His father must be SOOOOOO proud. This guy's ego must have been overfed as he was named "Bachelor of the Year" at one point. Obviously common sense and consideration for others aren't on their list of selection criteria ...