Isabel964

One of my dogs eats cat poo. So gross! She goes into the litter tray when its fresh. The litter itself is not an issue - its natural stuff. But eating the waste of another animal can't be good for her. Is it dangerous for her health?

When I was working they were used to the routine. I am home at the moment as I am not working. But when I am working again, I worry that they will get miss me being away all day. But they will adjust again. I wish I could be a tradie and have my babies with me al the time...or own a nursery or something where I can earn an income and have my dogs with me most of the day.

Those fake bomb things sound horrific, poor staffy. Hope you find a good solution.

My Westie last night woke me up to go outside. Her tummy was really noisy, gurgling away. She spent some time out in the yard and came back in - but her tummy continued to gurgle for about an hour. Now she is sitting on the couch with me, she has eaten her breakfast and her tummy is quiet. There has been no change to her diet. This happened one night last week too. Just this just happen sometimes?

Very nice - where can I buy a collar and leash?

Oh wow, I love puppies!

Dog parks are great in my experience and I've been a dog owner all my life and I'm in my mid 40's. You need to be wary of other dogs, some are not as well behaved as others - but usually in my experience they are fine. Some dogs won't get on, but that is the same as with people. Our dogs need to be obedient and we should be watching all the time - we can tell when a dog is going to go our dog, or if our dog is getting shiity. So as long as people are caring and responsible, and as long as you realise there are no guarantees, just keep your eyes open and watch your dog carefully. Since your is a little one, go during a quiet period, or if you see people with dogs a similar age, if they go at the same time each day, you could go then too :p I bet you will meet some lovely people and dogs there. I tend to walk the perimeter of the park with my dogs, and I'll stop if they start to have a play with some dogs and if the owner is there, I'll stop and have a chat too. Sometimes I know my girls want some interactions with other dogs and then I will walk to the middle of the park, or to where-ever the bulk of the dog owners have gathered and that is where there is the most dog with dog interactions. Be aware of people with dogs on leash, who never let them off leash. They 'may' not be well socialised and if your dog approaches a dog on a leash your dog may be attacked. This is not always the case, but I am very careful to ensure that my dogs will not approach another dog that is on-leash. Not without asking if that dog is ok - usually there is a reason a dog is on-leash in an off-leash park. Remember to relax and have a calm demeanor about you - if you get anxious, your puppy may pick up on that. Of course it goes without saying, to always make sure you have doggy poo bags so you can pick up after your dog

When I was looking for my Westie I used this site and I used the phone to chat to breeders. I can see that the email was off-putting because I know what you were looking for, but I think the breeder was busy and not a great communicator. I think some breeders forget what its like to be a non-breeder regular dog lover looking for a purebred. Don't give up. When I spoke to the breeder I got my Westie from, we both got to know each other and she said she thought she had the perfect Westie for me. I went to see her and and she was right - it was the perfect Westie for me - her temperament is just perfect for me. Its worth it, don't give up. Trust me - and a blue heeler - what a great breed!

Rainy, i am not an expert but I am pretty sure your understanding that we are the boss and we dictate when the dog gets fed is the right way to have things. Although some people may have dogs that whine and then get fed, most of those people will admit its not the correct way of doing things....its just the way it is with that dog. We are not all perfect in the way we train or behave with our dogs, we just do our best and choose our battles I think the thing is with feeding dogs is that they have a great sense of timing. They know when its dinner time! Mine just sit side by side an look at me expectantly at dinner time. Its pretty cute.

You've had a variety of responses here. I second what some have said and not take some comments to heart. Just take it all in and make a decision that you feel is best. I can tell you are coming from the right place in the heart. And I am sorry for the attack - I have never experienced this, but I drive my dogs to different places to walk too....some places have people with dogs who all seem very uptight, I avoid those or go when not many other people are around. Your vet might be able to offer some advice, or recommendation. All the best.

Thanks, very helpful responses

I notice alot of people seem to think two females will not get along, as a general rule. So if you have a female dog, then you should look for a male dog if you are seeking a companion for it. Even alot of rescue websites will advertise a female dog and say that a home with a male dog is sought. Is it true that females tend not to get along? I have two females and they adore each other. Is this unusual?

Dogs are not meant to be alone IMO, and I used to have 1 dog and 2 cats but ever since I had 2 dogs I know I will never have a single dog again unless it can be with me all day like when I retire or if I become a tradie LOL. So the only answer I have is for you to get another dog - and like the others have said, the sad dog perks up almost immediately. I know sometimes it feels wrong to get another dog so quickly, but I feel its absolutely the right thing to do for the remaining dog. If another dog is out of the question, there is doggie day care (your dog needs companionship) and dog walkers that come by while you are work - those will help some. Hugs to you and your dog for your sad loss. I know how heartbreaking it is.

When I first heard about crate training, I read alot about it and thought it was terribly inhumane. But somehow I got curious enough to try it - and loved it. When I got my Westie as a pup, it was just wonderful. We only used it for a year, but she is a well trained, well adjusted girl, and the crate was awesome. I had it next to the bed, and I would wake up during the night, take her out to go to the toilet, put her back in - and she was fine.

You were in the right, they were in the wrong. They should be on a non-dog beach. They don't understand dogs or dog beach rules, so they should buggar-off and go to a non-dog beach - there are thousands of those!

Thanks. I was driving past it the day and realized it is very much an option. It's nice there, available at night, 3.8 km with a hill sounds perfect for exercise. When I drove past I thought I saw a sign about the size of a parking sign, that said lights are on til midnight. But I only saw it briefly and was in a moving car. I'm going to try it

Where I live the streets are not lit real well. I don't know any parks that are lit so I take the dogs. I was wondering about taking them for some nights walks around the botanical Gardens Tan Track (in Melbourne). Does someone know how long it takes to do one lap and how long the lights stay on around the track?

Thanks to everyone who posted in this thread - see http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=184216. I go back to that thread many times and just last week I checked out the Belgrave Lake Park. It was so nice, lots of kookaburras laughing - I loved that! Anyway, I wanted to add to the thread because a new dog park has opened in Knox in December and I found out today at the dog groomers. Actually its the first dog park ever in Knox! I couldn't add to the thread because its too old, hopefully the link works. Knox Park Reserve (Corner of Bunjil Way) Ferntree Gully Road, knowxfield Melway ref 73D6 I haven't checked it it out yet, but I will

It's just so hard, and all we know is we do our best. It's all our pets want from us. I had a cat with kidney failure and I cancelled the vet visit 7 times. I didn't know if it was time or not. When I took him for pts, god it hurt and felt so bad. I was wracked with guilt and hated what I had done. But the next year his brother also got kidney failure, and I put it off so long that one morning he fell off my dressing table having the most dreadful convulsions and making the most agonizing noises. I stayed with him for a couple of minutes until things settled and went straight to the vet to pts. So it happens, sometimes a bit early or a bit late, and we do our best. Talk to the vet, and do what you feel is best when you feel it's right. I think we get better at it with experience. When I took my Milo to the vet to pts in 2008, it was so sad, but I knew it was his time.

I'm so sorry for what you are going through. But I know she had and had a wonderful life with you. In case it helps, my stuffy cross was 14 and riddled with cancer and the vet said there nothing left to do. Ge also said when he started the downhill decline it would be fast. He gave him 2 weeks tops. So we took him home and continued to give him the best life we could. He was slow and getting weaker but eating ok. One night at about 1am I woke to find him trying to stand up on his bed/mattress. I got up and helped him. He was very weak, I got him to lay down and dragged the matress out to the lounge and the whole family sat there with him watching tv. At 6am he took a few gasps and i held him and he died in my arms. He was weak but did not seem in pain, he seemed to be content laying there with us around him. It was heartwrenching to lose him. Have the emergency vet details handy, i chose not go there because he seemed not in any pain. I hope this helps in some way.

I agree that alot of people are oblivious to breeders. At work I have heard of people thinking of buying a cat or dog from a pet shop, and I ask them why they don't go to a breeder. Most of the time people never thought of it. I tell them they can see the parents, speak to the breeder know what they are getting - and often pay the same or less than at a pet store for a dog with proper breeding. People just don't know.

I took mine out for a walk and it was 28 degrees. I thought they would be ok but when we got home they drank water and one of them threw it all up. Thats when I realised it was too hot for them . I like taking them to the beach. They tend not run as crazily there as when they are an offleash park. And there is water to play in. I find mine will follow me into the water. I bought a body board and my westie jumps on that - its too cute. So its going to have to be early morning and late evening walks for us - the beach is 40 minutes by car so not something I can do every day. I am finding more people mentioning the clam shells though - I might have to get one of those! I wonder where there are they he cheapest....

I suspect that some pet shops get puppies from backyard breeders. So these are not puppy farms. They are dog lovers that feel a need to breed their pet(s) - but don't go into it like registered breeders do, and are likely not as educated about breeding and all else related to breeding as registered breeders are. Rightly or wrongly, these are loving homes, with loving people that really mean well.

LOL That's fantastic, I bet some other ute owners don't think of it. Thanks everyone, the palm of my hand, I'll remember that. And good to know they sweat their paws... Never knew that.

I was wondering, with the weather getting hotter here in Melbourne....when is the temperature too hot so the footpath too hot to walk the dogs? I have not thought about this before. Are paws made tough, like shoes for dogs with no nerves, so they can take it? I am not a new dog owner, I just got to thinking about this for some reason today.