Rosetta

Can't see councils paying someone a grand a week or more to sit in dog park for 8 hours a day unfortunately, otherwise people would have to pay for using the park, though that could probably have its pluses. Having never been to a dog park and warned off them, maybe someone on weekends or late afternoons who just visits once an hour or so I guess could work but then that would again require someone to employee or leave current duties. It would be a hard one for them I guess, until something really serious happens I don't think they'd do much, one of those use at own risk things. They don't have to sit there for 8 hours - random patrols would have some effect and the Council could put up signage. Its not a matter of "use at own risk' - there are laws covering attacks by out of control dogs.

I commend you for caring about the dog but perhaps the best thing to do is discuss it with your Mum and decide together on a course of action.

Thanks :) I don't like to give bones as they make him a bit sick and they scare me. I wonder about the beef tendons and whether they may be a bit sharp as well? I don't understand the question ( not yours) about the number of cross breeds versus pedigree who are affected Why would there be any difference?

Yes I would ring the RSPCA and have a chat to them. Keep an eye out for any further abuse also. If it was me I think it would play on my mind if I did nothing about it. It is a very hard situation.

Report it to Council straight away even if you don't know the owner's details. What breed is your puppy - are you sure there are no injuries? Sometimes there are underlying injuries that aren't evident. Hope he is OK poor boy.

Thats what I would do next time. The little dog I have came from RSPCA originally and the older lady who adopted him could not cope with his barking because of separation anxiety when she went out. She did not want to return him because she was nervous that he would be PTS if she told them. Anyway I have him now and we manage :) I still say "most" of the dogs in the pounds are quite OK and probably settle into a new home just fine.

Interesting range - what would be a good dental chew?

Maybe the family asked for some privacy and the media complied - quite possibly the reason for the minimal reporting.

Apparently the dog belonged to the grandfather. Perhaps it was another case where the child was not usually resident at the home - as so many of these cases are. Poor little boy - such a tragedy.

Seriously? The whole point of having a dog is to spend time with it, what's the point if instead of spending time with it you just billet it out to someone else. I understand some people using day care for during their work hours, etc but what's the point of having a dog if you just send it away when you otherwise would have been spending time enjoying life together? Apart from that I'd much rather be in a one on one/two situation with my own dog where I can properly supervise than leave my dog with a stranger and hope they have enough sense to read their body language! Yes dear seriously. Lots of people put their dogs into day care occasionally so they can mix with other dogs in a controlled environment - providing it is a professional daycare. Hardly "billeting them out" and doesn't mean they don't want to spend time with them. You don't have to spend all your spare time with your dog surely. They're entirely different and serve entirely different purposes? A relaxed walk down the park in the sun VS a day in with 25 or so other dogs of various size, temperament and age in close quarters. If she's being targeted for showing signs of submission or nervousness or even aggression this is much much more likely to complicate and exacerbate these issues. Ergh! Aside from that $50 bucks plus a day is just too much for many people. Be practical. You can organise playdates with friends. We'd be in if you're in Vic. I'm sure some other people here would be happy to help you out. Might also be worth some solid obedience to build up some confidence? ETA I see you do that. Go you! :p Huh? The OP is talking about dog parks not relaxing in the park. How is the purpose so much different between dog parks and day care when the purpose of the person taking their dog to the dog park is socialisation in many cases. If that is the purpose then a well run daycare is a better choice. And $50 a day is expensive - you can get daycare for $20. Excuse me for making a suggestion - you may not think it practical, so what.

Its a hard problem to fix when other dogs in the complex are not treated. Do most people rent? The guy with the BC he refuses to treat is the type that spoils it for others who need pet friendly rentals. His place must be really infested - the owner would not be impressed Unfortunately your little dog is paying the price - not much you can do except keep treating him with spot ons - not fair that he has to be subjected to chemical overload

mmm there are quite a few that do both. Do you think it was on the northside or southside? A worry that they have daycare as well when they are obviously so clueless

Well don't use words like "seriously" in your replies :) Not all people who use daycare are cashed up - it was a "serious" suggestion as an alternative to dog parks.

Seriously? The whole point of having a dog is to spend time with it, what's the point if instead of spending time with it you just billet it out to someone else. I understand some people using day care for during their work hours, etc but what's the point of having a dog if you just send it away when you otherwise would have been spending time enjoying life together? Apart from that I'd much rather be in a one on one/two situation with my own dog where I can properly supervise than leave my dog with a stranger and hope they have enough sense to read their body language! Yes dear seriously. Lots of people put their dogs into day care occasionally so they can mix with other dogs in a controlled environment - providing it is a professional daycare. Hardly "billeting them out" and doesn't mean they don't want to spend time with them. You don't have to spend all your spare time with your dog surely.

It amazes me that you keep taking her to the dog park when she is frequently attacked. And what danger is the small dog in if there are aggressive dogs there? How is it worth it? Don't understand really. If you want the dogs to have a play why not try to find a really good day care where they assess the dogs and only allow suitable dogs to mix?

I think it is a risk sure. So is adopting any older dog from any source - including breeders. We have seen cases on here of people getting older dogs from breeders and having problems so it is not only the pound. There are no guarantees. Many dogs will not display behaviours in a pound environment that they will in a home. Separation anxiety is quite often not recognised in a pound environment. My dog came from RSPCA originally and has separation anxiety - whether he had that originally or as a result of being in a shelter environment I don't know. Sorry I know that is not answering your question. There is still a culture that believes dogs end up in the pound because there is something wrong with them. I don't believe that really - I think the majority are there because of people's irresponsibility and incompetence.

Yes and there would be a lot of people who are mystified about their dog's illness and not connect it. I just hope that people who have suspicions report it to the manufacturer at least.

I can relate to this. My dog has separation anxiety also and goes bananas when I come home. I tried all the advice about ignoring etc - doesn't work. He just needs to express himself :) Takes about 10 minutes to calm down if I ignore him - about the same if I greet him with a little pat. We just accept it as part of him now :)

15 teeth removed Poor Jasper - how old is he? I hope the vet sent him home with some pain relief? I think some dogs just have bad teeth no matter what we do. I was shocked when my boy had to have two removed at age two.

If you have a dog with tear staining problems I find that beet pulp makes it worse. Thats why I like TOTW.

I have often wondered the same about canned/soft food. The protein levels are half what the dry food is - how is that enough

Ask him on what information he is basing his advice? Is it that Science and Advance have better ingredients and if so what are they? Really interested as to whether he really has any understanding - many vets don't seem to have done as much research as some of their clients into what is actually in the foods they are promoting.

What a great offer Mumof4 Hope you get plenty of takers :)

Yuck!! That could be reported to the Health Dept surely?

That occurs with frozen vegetables labelled as being from NZ also apparently. They come in from China originally. The reason I will not buy NZ frozen veges either.