Isabel964

I agree, I would crate train, it's so worth the effort put in. But mum would not like it. Biozet is a great tip, thanks. She also liked that toilet training link. As for Benjamin Dog, what a gorgeous and fortunate boy he is!

I tend to agree with making sure you like it there enough to stay before transporting your dog over. My brother relocated to Ireland recently for 2 years. He took his two beloved cats with him. I thought he was mad. But they loved it there and settled in so quickly ( I went over to visit). He just had to make sure they had their shots in enough time before he left. He didn't have enough notice so the cats had to be kept in a cattery for a few weeks and then they flew over. Coming back though, the cats rabies immunity was not up to what it should be, so they and to have a boost and because of this they spent 3 months in quarantine because my brother's flights were already booked for a specific date ( they needed 6 months of the rabies levels being ok before they could enter Australia) and he had a new role he was needed for in Australia. If he could have delayed his flights back to Australia i think the cats have a 30 day quarantine period. That broke my my brother's heart. But the cats are now back at home, in the house and they are settled again nice and quickly, within hours.... It's as if they never left. So while quarantine is traumatic to an extent, the cats bounced back well. BTW quarantine people have a reputation for being just fabulous. I'd be more concerned about the 30 days in quarantine for your timid little one. It is a big flight over and I do understand your concern, and its noisy and there a fair bit of banging and clanging around in the loading up areas in the airports. Would she be able to settle though once she was with you at the other end? If yes, then maybe it's ok. I was thinking of sedation but nothing is going to last that long. I don't thinks its selfish though, it's 24 hours. Just make sure you don't fly her out on a hot day. I have read a God awful story about a gorgeous much loved French bulldog dying from heat by being left out in transit at Sydney airport. The owners used the pet transport company recommended by the French Bulldog Association of Australia. The other thing to consider is how clingy and attached she is to you, my kelpie would go through anything to be with me, without me she would fret. But my Westie is happy go lucky and could settle in with a new family very easily, especially if they had kids....bless her. And also her age is maybe a consideration. Good luck with your decision.

Just wanted to thank you all so much. Mum is switching to morning feeds. She is a also taking the dog for a vet check, even she had one not so long ago. She also is trying tying a bell to the dog's collar at bedtime so mum wakes up when the dogs stats moving around the house. If it doesn't get resolved soon I will send a behaviourist/trainer out there. Let me know if there are any recommendations in Perth.

Thank you so uch for your response Megan. She get fed around 6pm and has plenty of time outside after that. Then between 10.30pm and 11.30pm both dogs are taken outside and supervised, and both only do pees.

In July my mother, in her 60's rescued an 11 month old heeler mix. Mum has an existing 12 year old kelpie. They are both inside/outside dogs. Mum is home most of every day and the dogs are in the garden all day. They get 2 long walks every day. Morning and early evening. They get time in the garden before bed time. There is no doggy door for them to let themselves out. She is generally a good dog, very affectionate and eager to please. However, since 13 August (over a month after she started living with my mother) she has now got up in the night from the bedroom where we all sleep, and goes to the toilet in the lounge and study, never on consecutive days, but now 6 times, usually between 3 to 5 days apart. Last night she left piles in both the lounge and the study. Up to recently my mother showed the dog the crime scene, told her that was bad, but did not punish her, instead sent her outside. On the last two occasions she gave her a little whack and put her outside. This morning she looked very guilty, knowing what my mother would find in the lounge room. Need advice? Is a doggy door the answer? These are big dogs and I don't think my mother would feel safe have a gap that big...a human could fit through. Also, it strikes me as strange that this dog has started this behaviour after 5 weeks of being with my mother....not immediately, so its not as if she came with this ...'habit'. Edited: Corrected post because she is only 11 months old (I live in a different city and have not met this dog), apparently Pet Rescue had her listed as 18 months old at one point.

She has decided not to take this dog on. I will forward her the link to Pet Rescue. She is not in a hurry. She is in two minds, she'd like a young dog to learn the ropes of her fantastic and dearly loved kelpie (13) but she also doesn't want to upset her kelpie with a young dog, so she says it has to be right. If she finds the rightt dog, ok but if not, that's ok too. Abd yes he would make sure her current dog met the potential dog before taking it on. Her current dog is incredibly important to her. Thanks again for all your advice.

Thanks for all your advice, some excellent points. The well being of the older dog is also of course of prime concern. If anyone knows of good foster homes in Perth....north of Perth would be good, suburbs like Joondalip, Wanneroo etc let me know. I think the foster dog suggestion is a good one. An older woman does not need a problem dog, even though sheis healthy and active. She is a wonderful dog owner, lots of walks and exercise etc.

Hey guys, need your advice. A family member is thinking of adopting a 1-2year old female dog from a shelter. She went to meet the dog, looks to be a kelpie x blue heeler. She is an experienced dog owner, current dog is a 13 year old confident kelpie. The shelter dog was handed in by a woman who said it was a stray. It is not chipped, not desexed. She puts her tail I between her legs, has no interest in interacting with humans as observed when time was spen with her ( ie she doesn't respond at all to be called, it's as if she is deaf though she is not), but she is interested in toys. She shows no sign of aggression. Question is; the family member is 60+. She is used to a confident dog. She has alot of patience but it is not endless. But she wants to know that with effort and time and patience, can such a dog regain confidence such that it will be a good guard dog? She lives on her own and feels she needs a guard dog and not a dog that will cower and hide when tradesmen come to visit. She wants a dig that will bark when someone comes on the propery through the front gate. When the older dog goes to the rainbow bridge, can such a dog be ok as the only dog. The owner is retired and home most of the time but does go shopping, painting classes, exercise classes etc. Anything to check or be aware of ...or to consider before adopting this girl? Do you think it's a suitable match? Thanks for your advice - its a big decision,

OK, so thats all very good to know. If we go down to Foster/Sandy Beach, Waratah....is it still nice getaway for a weekend, nice scenery, places to walk, little shops/cafe's....even though we won't be able to go to Wilsons Prom? Or is it pretty crappy? I haven't been down way. We usually go to down the Great Ocean Road which is of course wonderful. Looking for a change that's all.

Thanks, but its not possible to not take the dogs....it just wouldn't feel right, not at the moment at least. I guess I'll have to one day because I do want to see Wilson's Prom. But I'd just rather not go than leave the dogs.

I know dogs are not allowed in National Parks and so not allowed at Wilson's prom. I was thinking of staying in a cabin nearby in Fosters. Maybe we could go for a walk through Wilson's Prom for a couple of hours, and go back for the dogs and take them then somewhere else. Is it nice outside the national park as well? Is that do-able? Are dogs allowed on the beaches down there that are not Wílson's Prom...Yanakis, Port Franklin, Sandy Point? I have never been in that part of the world and would love to go, but I'm not going without the dogs. Any suggestions?

Too funny about your pitbull LOL This my 'wolf' DSC00750

Good on you Steve, that is such a great thing to do.

I have a friend who has a male boxer 1.5yrs of age. Just thought I'd post here in case it helps a dog find a new home. He is a wonderful playful dog and very much loved. They are keeping an eye out for a companion for their boy. They adore boxers and so seek a toilet trained female around 1.5 - 2.5 years of age. This couple have no children, they are in their late 30's, they do have primary school aged nieces and nephews that come to visit. They have a house with a big back yard. They are wonderful dog owners but they are not all that experienced so I would recommend a well behaved good natured dog with no major issues. The dog would need to be in Melbourne so that they can bring their boy to meet the girl and see how they get on. If you know of a dog that might suit be homed with my friends, do let me know by PM.

BJ that is hilarious about the basset howling at the russian talking! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Koalathebear, I have only ever heard one dog howl at sirens and it is my kelpie. Its so loud and clear and very wolf like. she was in the car and were driving down Collins street in Melbourne City in peak hour and at a major intersection where there was loads of traffic and thousands of people making their way to their offices. My kelpie heard a siren and howled out the window so loud everyone stopped and looked and I got a fright she did so suddenly and so loudly (and usual she is out the back yard when she does it). I have often wondered why she does it.

No metatr waht, you cna't pseale all the polepe all the tmie. But if you keep all the lrettes of wrdos the smae, mess tehm up, keep the frsit and lsat the smae, its all radelabe! I tnihk :laugh:

Oh yes, my dogs love the stuff too. Isn't it just totally gross?? I constantly worry because it cant be good for them. Anyway, an important thing for you is to make sure you use litter that will not harm the dog - even in the litter tray you think the dog does not touch. If a dog eats bad litter - crystals for one example, it can be fatal. I use natural clay litter that is in coles and woolies - its in a orange type paper bag packaging - totally 100% natural. I read on the large cat-world forum about a lady with a cat she just thought impossible to toilet train. She ended up with advice to get a certain litter. She did find that litter - I remember she said it smelled like lavendar and it worked like magic and now that cat is litter trained. It might be worth checking over there at cat-world. http://www.cat-world.com.au/ The people are very knowledgeable on all things cats. Just state the issue and mention this lavendar smelling litter than made all the difference to someone...see if anyone knows what it might be.

Rozzie I'm sorry, he was such a special boy and he had a wonderful life with you after the neglect in his baby months. I know you will miss him so much. RIP Mandrake, hugs Rozzie

Tommy and Jessie shared one of those really super special bonds. May they rest in peace together and may they snore many more afternoons away together at the Rainbow Bridge. RIP together Tommy and Jessie, you are both such special souls.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Its such a massive hole that they leave, its so heartbreaking, so devastating, but we know he had his time and we know he had to go....its just so difficult. I often whisper into my babies ears, 'please live forever' but I know they won't and I know I will have unbelievable sorrow when each of them join Gus in the Rainbow Bridge. Time makes it easier but we never forget them, never. Gus will be with you always. You made him very happy in his life and he knew he was loved. I send you many warm hugs. We know what you are going through and if we could make it easier we would. RIP Gus, you were so much loved and you are so much missed.

Yes, its the same here. My guess is that people get them because they are such a good looking strong and beautiful dog. But these dogs need obedience training and lots of love. Otherwise they would be try strong dogs with no obedience and without love....I don't know but its not good. These are really sweet dogs and very trainable. People just think a dog is cute and you just have to feed it. They don't understand the needs of dogs, or how to properly raise one to be well adjusted and a happy member of the family who knows it place and knows its loved and is obedient.

Craig, what you do is great - you give life and quality of life to dogs who otherwise might not have it. I wish you all the very best with your business and the pet expo's. If the cost of being at an expo is too much, I'd look at having a website that when people google for dog walking aids they can find you. And also let vet associations know about what you do too.

I agree with Esky. I voted number 2 because as they are, it would look better on canvas than number 1. BUT if you fond someone to play with photo 1 in photoshop, fix the eyes and maybe get replace the background with a nice setting - that would be great....only because his beautiful face is clearer in the first one. But if you have to go with one or the other exactly as they are, I'd go with number 2 because of the overall photo including colours and setting. what a beautiful boy. No matter what you choose, its him in the photo and what a lovely thing to do

I saw this awesome huge bag/cushion on the Great Dane Rescue website and thought it an awesome bag for my Kelpie who is getting old now and I'd like her to have something nice to rest her weary bones upon. Dog beds I buy get chewed or flat or dirty....they have quite limited lifespan and they are not cheap. I saw these these and wanted them. I have ordered two Apparently they sell fast. Here is an exert from the advert and the link to CatchoftheDay http://www.catchoftheday.com.au/smallfish_info.php?products_id=43227 "Whatever your situation, consider any and all cushion-related dilemmas solved - this giant foam bag is weather and water resistant, so you can drag it out to the pool and laze about between dips in the water without worrying about it getting wet. It has a removable tough outer cover and it can survive the exuberant activities of children and dogs. The soft yet dense memory foam crumb filling is thick enough for as many floor dives as you want to throw at it, not to mention that you won't have to go and buy extra polystyrene beans."

Lost of hugs and condolences