HeelerLove

Sorry I'm on my phone so it's hard to quote sections from posts.. Mrs RB So you mean the ear splitting bark is probably here to stay? :laugh: both Shez (the 10yo) and Gussy (the old boy in profile pic who has crossed the bridge now) have/had big deep barks (all at least mostly cattle dog) so I was hoping it was just a puppy thing! Re: antagonism- probably can't be prevented unless she is kept inside when we're not home or we move house. Don't want to say anymore about that on a public forum but if you think it's important I could elaborate in PM. We have discussed keeping them inside during the day. Shez would be fine but we're a bit worried what Callie might get in to- she still likes to chew. Think it is probanly worth another think though. He was probably home a bit more so she wasn't without human company as much as she is now. I'd consider her to be more bonded to me (might be wishful thinking though lol) but it definitely could be a factor. Showdog: No haven't had her tested. Her hearing seems to be perfectly fine, just somewhat selective at times but is something to discuss with the vet next time, thanks!

I don't think it helps that she is always on alert. The smallest noise or movement will always get her attention and it can be difficult to get her focus back on me.. eg yesterday she was fixated on something and when I bent down to her level to see what it was, all I could see was a bird in a tree probably a good 100m off in the distance. That time when I said her name she broke her stare and responded to me straight away but other times it's like she can't even hear me. She was sick as a pup so couldn't have her second vaccination until she was 15 weeks old, so I'm aware we missed some of that important socialisation time as well which also probably doesn't help. She also still has quite a high pitched puppy bark which is quite earsplitting at times so I don't blame my neighbours for getting upset!

Yep her and my 10yo are outside together during the day so she has doggy company. Had her since 10 weeks.. mid Jan. It's def been going on for last month or so as we got a letter from a different neighbour but could have been going for longer. I know she has been antagonised on at least one occasion so it wouldn't surprise me if it's happened several times.. but I have no proof. The neighbour that can see over the fence quite often talks to her and her kids try to talk to her through the fence which I'm not sure would be helping? OH's hours have changed but mine haven't so still getting home at usual time most nights and I'm the one that feeds them and gives them more attention so I don't think that would be a big factor. About to have a look to see if the GoPro picked up anything today.

Thanks Mrs RB. When I get home I get changed, do a quick tidy up, maybe throw some washing on before I go outside and greet them. She is usually calm by then and if not I'll ignore her until she is. Once she's calm and we've said hello nicely we'll start to play.

Thanks everyone for your input, much appreciated. Hoping to rig something up this weekend to get some footage so I can see it myself but I have no doubt she is barking as my neighbour can see over the fence and we've spoken about it. Have made some small adjustments like leaving her frozen kongs filled with yummy stuff in the morning, giving her lots of praise when she is calm and quiet outside, more brain games and training etc. She gets walked most days and a big play session after I get home from work each night. I've printed and started filling out the AVBS questionnaire and hopefully I'll be able to get a video so I can speak to them early next week with an accurate description of her behaviour. Thanks again

Thanks Scottsmum. She has already cost me more in vet bills than my 10yo has in her whole life lol but she is worth every cent.

Not sure if this should be in here or training but will give it a shot in here first. Received a call from my council on Friday, to say my 10 month old pup is barking constantly while we're at work. The guy from the council was quite concerned as he felt it was quite anxious barking rather than barking at something in particular/bored barking and has basically given me 2-3 weeks to get it sorted. So we just got back from the vet, who said physically she is fine and she appears to just be an extremely vigilant dog who is most likely suffering from seperation anxiety while we're not home. Vet has recommended I speak to Adelaide Veterinary Behaviour Services. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with these guys? Tracey Henderson and Tracy Bache. Also has anyone dealt with 'Superdogs' or another trainer in Adelaide that may be able to help? Happy to see AVBS if need to but with an initial $600+ fee, I kinda need to consider some other options first. Thankyou in advance!

A whole year has passed since my Gussy was given his wings. I still think of him everyday and I know he is watching over us. It's funny... our new pup shares some quirky little personality traits that so remind me of Gus at times... I am sure he had a part in sending her to us. Love you forever old man.. I miss your boofy head.

Beautiful photos as always T and such gorgeous little babies!

Double post

So sorry SM xx

I have the book too! Very useful! Lots of places up through the flinders are dog friendly. We are hoping to get up to Bendelby Ranges with our girls soon. Yorke peninsula- Tiparra Rocks, The Gap and Bamboos camps near Balgowan. They are bush camping spots but from memory you'd get a camper trailer through no worries. Fleurieu peninsula- Rapid Bay, Second Valley, Cape Jervis all have caravan parks and are nice spots for a night or two trip, especially if you like fishing. Or head up the river, plenty of nice spots to camp along the bank in places, we had lunch in a good spot not too far out from mannum the other week :)

So sorry Sarasmum

Thanks all I did! Thought it was only fair seeing as though Callie is a red :) lol Another couple of quick pics.. Callie can fly haha Quick snap taken on my phone just now of them cuddled up keeping an eye out the front window.

Thanks Pers :) Perfect timing on the flower shot! My Shez will be 10 in August, she is incredibly special to us. Thanks Jem :)

Thanks Snook :) Callie is very cheeky... also very clever.. at times not an ideal combination haha.

Happy to oblige :) Shez, my heart dog.

Introducing Callie... our rescue baby who came home in January. She is 6 months old today and we had a friend take some photos of the girls the other week, so I thought it was about time to stop being slack and share some pics of her with you all! First night home She's a cheeky little pup And provides us with lots of laughs :)

Incredible dogs and awesome photos. Thanks for sharing.

Beautiful dog. So long and lanky looking.

54 days today. Gussy's 3rd Gotcha day. We didn't know his birthday so we celebrated the day he became part of the family instead. Missing him. His collar sits proud, front and centre on our bookshelf. It still smells like him. I hope he has all his favourite foods and unlimited belly rubs. I hope he will wait for me.

It's been a week today. It's very quiet at home. Gus was noisy. He would snuffle and snort, grunt and sigh, snore and whinge. He liked to talk. He'd snore so loud that it would usually wake me up once or twice a night. I would get up and gently nudge him awake but it never worked- I'd get back into bed and he would start again lol. Shez is pretty down in the dumps. She is getting lots of love and we're keeping a close eye on her. He has left a huge pawprint on my heart, that's for sure.

Thank you everyone. It was a pleasure and a privilege to have Gussy in our family. He fit in so well.. the day he came home, he met Shez out the front so they were on neutral ground. They walked up to eachother, had a quick sniff and it was straight to the backyard for a play. They were best friends straight away and there was never a disagreement or squabble between them. We are missing our man and so is Shez.

I picked Gus up and took him home to join our family on Tuesday the 23rd of October 2012. He gave us 2 years, 10 months and a week. That's 1041 days of unconditional Gussy love. Gus was a rescue dog. No one could tell me how old he was, but the best bet when we first got him was 10, at a minimum. He was our old man. Gussy came home with us, where he learnt the meaning of the words 'love' and 'family'. He was a best friend to Shez, to us and to anyone that gave him a pat. He made us laugh with his silly noises and his funny habits. He grunted and squealed when he got excited and snored like a freight train. He loved belly rubs, food, a good brush, food, being with his people and food. It hasn't even been 24 hours and I miss him so much. I was laying in bed last night, waiting for him to start snoring and the noise never came. I got up this morning and he wasn't there for me to give him his good morning pat, instead his bed was just empty. I tried to go to work this morning and lasted an hour. I got home and it was only Shez at the gate, tail thumping against the shed waiting to greet me. Shez is looking for him. She hasn't eaten her breakfast. Gussy was old, arthritic. At some point around the time we got him, he had a stroke and soon after went blind in one eye. He was tired. He lost all his balance in his last couple of days and for the first time, he wasn't interested in food. I gave him a cuddle and asked him what was wrong and he looked me in the eyes and I knew. So we gave him his wings. Sleep well, old man. Mum and Dad love you xx

We saw so much beautiful country.. I am quite lucky and was brought up spending a lot of time in the country with my dad on weekends and trips away but this was my first time to a majority of the places we saw and I can't wait to go back. The Simpson is amazing- so surprising with the way the landscape changes.. the dunes are pure red sand, you come over the top and there is either a salt flat/lake between you and the next dune or suddenly the colour of the dirt is almost white and you are driving through scrub to the next dune. There are so many more plants and trees than I expected too. Dalhousie Springs was amazing after a few days driving through sand and we had a few swims in the mid 30 degree water. It was interesting driving through the aboriginal communities (we went through Finke, Maryvale and Hermannsburg) and there are camp dogs everywhere. The Finke community had a couple of pigs as well. Stopped in Alice for a overnight stay in a hotel so we could do some laundry and have a shower then back on the road to Simpsons Gap, Palm Valley and Kings Canyon. The track down to Palm Valley was pretty rough but it was worth it to see so many palm trees growing in the middle of the desert. Kings Canyon was amazing and I would have loved to do the rim walk but we didn't get enough time. We walked right up the guts along the creek trail though and then went for a chopper ride over the canyon which was terrifying but amazing. Uluru and The Olgas were spectacular, the colours and the ways the rocks have formed/caves etc. The way the colour of Uluru changes at sunset is crazy and the colour the sky behind it goes just tops it iff. The Oodnadatta track was pretty cool- it follows the old Ghan Railway line (not that there is much or anything left of it in some places) and the ruins and old sidings are good to poke around. The Algebuckina bridge is awesome, would have made a fantastic sunset photo but we had to keep moving. Finishing up the trip driving through the Flinders and staying in a big old creek bed there was perfect. But unfortunately good things have to come to an end and we've come home with a bucketload of washing/cleaning to do lol and an old dog who isn't doing so well.