Rosetta

Not sure what that means Anyway, was the dog there to see the vet? Could have been a health issue that was causing the dog to act like that.

Those little vacuum packs of Natures Gift do the trick. The food is just the right consistency. Just scoop a glob out and poke the tablet or chew into the middle. Few dogs can resist :)

Someone can't even spell. Gentle sole ? Its not a shoe. I think its ridiculous & sends a message out there that cross breeding & tiny = big money. Look even the RSPCA charge $1000 for these little dogs so get breeding them. Sad thing too is that so many elderly people want a small dog because they are physically able to manage them better & they can't find them. Usually medium to large x breeds available so they miss out if small dogs are so costly as they can't afford them or won't pay that amount anyway for a mongrel. Of course they will if it is appealing enough - again, most people outside forums like these don't care about whether dogs are crossbreeds or "mongrels". They just see the appeal of the dog. I don't think the price puts people off adopting at all - there are plenty of small, cheaper dogs available for adoption. All rescues seem to charge maximum for the more appealing dogs and I don't blame them for that.

They will charge what they think they can get for it because it is so cute. People don't get hung up about it being a "crossbreed" or whatever - it is a very appealing dog. I agree that the description is a tad ridiculous - it is a puppy, it should be in training to not develop such behaviours rather than promoting them as characteristics of the dog.

Are you sure it could not be a health issue of some kind?

A thorough vet check first and then a discussion about anti-anxiety medication for her. As well as measures to minimise her exposure to flies. Poor girl is suffering - don't worry about drugs "masking" the problem.

Isn't 8K a long walk for a sheltie? Interested in what others think? I think it is great your OH is so supportive ad helpful in rehabilitating Bonnie.

I would be careful about letting her get too distressed in the crate - she may come to associate it with stress. Maybe just let her out and then ignore her?

I find it disgusting as well. I think the whole "spectacle" aspect of it is what disgusts me most - as if there was no respect paid to the animal at all, even though he had been raised along with the others and - presumably - regarded with some affection by his attendants (you would hope they have some feeling for their charges anyway). Yes, you can regard it clinically - that is the reality that carcasses are fed to the animals - but I think the natural reaction to this incident is to find it repellant.

Curious that the parents have been charged with manslaughter. Poor little girl

What about a rescue Staffie - they're not fluffy or feminine looking anyway :)

I have been following Bonnie's story with interest. Its amazing how things can seem so perfect and then go to pot! Kids can be pretty full on for any dog and it sounds like she was overwhelmed. Perhaps she is really meant to be with you where she can be loved and understood. :) She is such a lovely girl and deserves the best.

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Electric bark collars are illegal in NSW. No exceptions. Other training, playing with the dog, giving the dog exercise. Many other options to try first. Or even a non-electric bark collar. For sure. Well of course a bark collar should not be the first option in normal circumstances, but a person under extreme stress through illness in the family and who is considering debarking could opt for a collar option. Though I understand the stim type are illegal in some states.

I still don't understand why anyone would debark a dog without even trying a bark collar.

Start off by having a friendly conversation with them over the fence with the dog present. He will soon learn that you accept them and they are no threat.

I would rather see a dog shaved than one matted to the skin because the owners didn't realise how much grooming was involved when they bought the pretty fluffy puppy.

Another option may be to rehome him if possible - perhaps another rural property - rather than subject him to debarking.

For your own and your husband's stress levels I think It would be less stressful and expensive for you - and probably the dog - to try an anti barking collar on him first. I don't believe in debarking unless it is a last resort to the dog being put to sleep and I think it would be uncommon for that situation to arise. I think also people expect the procedure to result in absolute silence from the dog but the reality seems to be that the dog's "bark" may be even more annoying - though not as loud.

Many boarding kennels are now accepting the 3 yearly vacs with yearly kennel cough - it is a matter of asking around to find one.

Find another vet and if that one can't be bothered investigating try another. Something is not right with the dog.

If you speak to him regularly then it should be fairly easy to bring it up in conversation. You would have to wonder if the dog ever sees a vet for the owner to be totally unaware of what it is

That is inexpressibly sad . My Tirra was past 16 (Chi X Pap) when he was killed by a foster dog. I think of him every day over 5 years later. I met a few times some years ago a Mini Poodle 22 years old, but she was in such a state that it was cruel to keep her going . And my own Toy Poodle was just shy of 20. So yes, some pretty long lived dogs around today. I agree DD. It always upsets me to hear of dogs who have lived a long life and in old age are cruelly killed in such circumstances - or sometimes are dumped at the pound. They deserve to live out their final years in peace The little ones do seem to live a lot longer.

I feel sorry for this dog and hope he can get the proper training to bring him into line. Perhaps the tethering and the teasing by the workman started him on this path and it is not a matter of weak temperament. Lets hope so and a different trainer will be able to rehabilitate him for the family's sake as well as his.

Poor girl. I would have felt a lot more confident if the vet did an xray and kept her for observation. She is obviously in a lot of pain.