Scottsmum

Nice Roova!

Oh and @Kirislin I found i was more at peace with my last girl where I had the time to reflect & say goodbye (a week from choice to vet appointment). I don't doubt we did the right thing by Scottie but ... phew it was fast (as documented here). Its never easy, but i feel a real difference in how i prepared.

I'm so sorry you're there K. It really sucks. Doesn't it. Its the hardest and yet kindest choice we can make as a pet owner - I think. Im sure your Feather has lead an equally special & full life with you. Big hugs. None of this makes it any easier & the ache in our hearts is huge and never really goes away.

Suppose it depends on how far too far is - I know a great trainer in St Peters, but I would often drive to Baulkham Hills and beyond for specific classes. Do you have a rough limit?

Lots of good advice above. Big, safe bones (sometimes called "recreational bones" are good, as Perse said The over acting could help too - just be careful it doesnt turn into that counting as a reaction in the dogs eyes. We did things like hide "high value" treats in the yard - cheese, chicken, tennis balls. We also used to hide food in cereal and other boxes - layered up a big like pass the parcel - treats, box, more treats, more box... Rotate your toys - one or two a day - make them special - Have inside toys and outside toys. We had a snake toy which was too big for playing with in the house = "really special outside toy". Balls were also very rarely thrown inside either (only occasionally ;) ) A good comfy, safe warm bed outside, where they can see what's going on helps too. Possibly a radio for company?. We also would spend time out there - even now my dog has passed I occasionally sit on the step and have a coffee ;) We also spent a lot of time going from 5 minutes out up to hours out - literally in 5 minute increments daily. Sometimes staying on a time limit for a few days or taking a step back when we needed to. Some day's we'd just pop him out for 10 minutes so he didn't think every stint was long. Big walks before going out and training sessions - even quick short ones where he has to work his brain (sit, drop, stay, come, shake in various combinations even) could help. A few good things to search here and online could be dog enrichment, "Nothing in life is free" (Or NILF) and maybe even Separation Anxiety (so you can see where this could ultimately go and the warning signs - not saying your dog does or doesn't have it - just to watch and preempt it if you think it's heading that way). The good thing is you can be creative and make this as cheap as you need to too - sprinkling his dry portion of breakfast on the lawn will not cost you any extra. All these things take time and training. You can't hide a ball or bit of cheese and just get your dog to understand. But eventually he'll race out there expecting a treasure hunt or new toy - or favourite toy or a pass the parcel to play with. I'm far from an expert but it does sound like you simply have a dog who's training you to let them in, so good on you for nipping that in the bud and training him to stay out before it turns into something more sinister or ingrained.

Shame she wasnt just a touch nicer to the dog.

And of course - how do you really navigate a whole life with no access to other dogs? Makes things like trips to the vet tricky. No clue as to the size @persephone - I'm imagining large in my mind.

That's beyond scary Showdog! You really wonder sometimes.

Week 19. We planted bulbs ages ago and mulched but the weeds have just taken over again. I was about to say to hubby we should just cover tg5e whole thing in weedmat & bark when this popped up...

No. I think I agree. I'm not even sure if there is a home for every animal. I owned a blue bitch back in the mid 90's - incredibly well breed - came from one of the premier foundation breeders. She was a crazy as a cut snake, and was so from the day we picked her up. I ended up with her because she hated the man my mother was married to (and rightly so LOL) - she was aggressive to all males, she was hyper protective of me, she'd hide under the house for days if I wasn't around and howl (actually yodel like a dingo). She was nuts! Should have probably been put down early on, then one day - out of the blue she dropped dead. We never did a PM on her - but it was really odd. She'd been in the run with the other dogs for less than an hour while we moved some stock. She never really was OK Fast forward 20 odd years and lets face it S.A. (well for us) was not all that serious. Scottie was never a danger to more than himself, my carpet and anything below knee height. But it consumed my life. I can't genuinely compare him to a dangerous or reactive dog - so I should have stressed "project dog" in the broadest of terms. I do not agree with years in kennels just waiting, I have very strong opinions that the case that unfolded here on DOL recently came to the right outcome and the alternative was not even remotely right (there may have been a middle ground). All in all, as I said up further - I think its great the add is honest. Do I think the dog should be re-homed... Maybe, possibly no, erring on the side of no.

I think a friend of mine used one of the Sydney franchises and was happy with them. Don't know much about them. Hopefully others can comment on them. Just remember - its OK to not agree and if you really don't click - you don't have to continue. 2 out of the 4 places I tried with my last dog (we moved a lot) were not the right fit for me.

I've seen trainers (second hand, not personally) like Steve from K9 pro make real differences to dogs like this. Some people might have it in their hearts & homes to take on a dog like this. Me? no, not knowlingly. After living with separation anxiety I wouldnt willingly take on a project dog, but I'm sure others would.

I've seen this group remove the eyes from at least 3 kittens in the time I've owned Scottie (3.5 years). I know flu isn't a reason to kill and I know it's easy for me to say sitting at the other end of the keyboard. Literally thousands of dollars to save these kittens - are they worth it? Yes, absolutely. Should these people be the ones to be making these choices - no - people should be more responsible with their cats. Could they do a lot more with their money - in general I think so.

I follow a no kill cat rescue.i often think the same thing. Lots ( i mean often $1000s) poured i to kittens with life long issues. I know its sounds heartless to say... but its the same every kitten season..blind kittens with the flu being saved.

They'll get used to it practice makes perfect

I suppose its better the potential adopter knows...my dads farm would be suitable above average pet owner. No kids on a regular basis. Secure, large run. Enough room for walks without bumping into joe public. But they're "never having another pet". Point is I suppose, the right home might exist. Should it be adopted out .... well that's another thread.

@Jumabaar - suitable for this kind of role?

White flag. Surrender to the furry overlords. Let at least one of them foster fail...

I've been super slack since Scottie went. This is week 18. Fence kitty is getting brave.

See... at least one of them needs to stay with you DDD. For your health...

Not quite in line with size requirements but I heard of some amazing Labrador puppies who needed homes the other day. Well breed & (likely) suitable for this kind of thing. I know of another dog from this kennel who does diabetes alert work.

It is scary. I've seen parvo too many times, having vet nursed. We also had 2 pups get it when I was younger. One didn't make it. Maj, who made it to the age of 15 did survive but its a nasty disease.

Beautiful all round.

According to Dr Chris. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1827992940855318&substory_index=0&id=1512166082438007 HEALTH ALERT: A new strain of one of the most deadly dog diseases has just been discovered in Australia. Here’s all you need to know… Merely the mention of parvovirus sends a shiver down the spine of vets and pet owners. And with good reason. It’s highly contagious and often deadly thanks to it’s dangerous combination of severe vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite and bloody diarrhea. And while vaccination has kept it under relative control, a new strain has just been detected. This Parvovirus 2.0 (or CPV-2c) has been detected in Victoria and South Australia with evidence it may also have spread to Queensland and the Northern Territory. While there is no vaccine available as yet, the severity of the virus is seriously lessened by having the current, conventional parvovirus vaccination. If your dog starts to show the signs listed above, please see your vet as soon as possible. I’ll keep you updated as soon as more information on CPV-2c becomes available… This is my only source but figurerd it was worth sharing.

How's he going @Dame Danny's Darling? Settling into the good life at Chateau Danny?