Scottsmum

Okie. I'm back, on the laptop - so poor spelling and grammar is entirely my own fault - not a result of my inability to type/text on a phone. Slightly off topic - Glen was my Aunts vet for over 15 years and Scotties too for the time we lived in Earlwood & Marrickville. Scottie and I saw Dianne pretty much from the time we got him through til when we left the inner west. There were tears on our last day with her too. She's a genuinely good dog trainer, she builds rapport with her clients - doggy and human and her partner (both at home and work) Pete is also lovely. Scottie really LOVED Pete too - as he is a doggy masseuse and would often have a pre-class cuddle session which resulted in "just the right spots" being patted. http://www.procanine.com.au/obedience.html She also has some lovely poodles and it's a real joy to watch her between classes with her own guys. By way of back story - I got Scottie in Mid-to-late November after not having a new dog for just over 15 years and the first thing I realised was I needed someone to teach me how to teach a dog again. My first words to Dianne were "we got him from the pound last week and I don't think he knows english" - We laughed about that a number of times after that. He was sitting by the end of that class and we never looked back. After the xmas break we wens tot class as often as possibe and he thrived with Dianne - loved working for her and with her and I found her level of knowledge and style suited us. She also had, at the time, the contract with City of Sydney for free puppy school for CoS residents - so I'm not the only one who saw good things in her. + there were a number of long terms clients who'd been seeing her for years (the advanced class for example) who didn't "need" training but still liked to come and work with their dogs. We never used her one on one as our behaviour issues really started just as we were leaving Marrickville but in a group setting she was wonderful and I wouldn't hesitate to use or recommend her. The only down side is she does charge a bit for the casual / week to week classes - which I didn't really mind. Beginners classes can be large - usually around Jan - but quickly settle - you get invited up the ranks and advanced was a small group only ever 2-8 dogs max with 2 instructors. Each class runs in it's on time slot (advanced, followed by beginners then intermediate) Once you've gone up a level you're welcome to pop into a lower level if you can't make it to your class on time. Class format depends on numbers but 1/2 is usually "obedience" sit, stay, come, heel - to level + group sits & recalls & so on. The other half if "agility" or "urban agility" - jumps, tunnels, weaves or using the play equipment. As well as some "leave it" work and recalls. We also tried St George. Probably 6-12 months into having Scottie. I found they kept different hours to Dianne and I wanted to have more options as i was going back to uni and thought their Sunday morning class might give me more flexibility. I had a pretty negative experience there from the start. Instantly I didn't like their location - they're right on the princess hwy and their grounds are not entirely fenced. They also showed ...some move...where I moved my hand to Scotties flank which scared him - he spun around and yelped - even though I hardly touched him and I was screamed at by the instructor - like over bearing yelled at and told "DO NOT HURT YOUR DOG YOU ARE DOING IT WRONG" which was horrible they'd also snap things like "you're too slow - there's no point treating him now" and constantly told me off for holding my leash incorrectly. There were others who had a terrible time too - a girl with poor English who they spoke to in a really condescending tone (LOUDLY. AND. SLOWLY. JUST. LIKE. THIS. - if you can imagine what I mean) and a guy who they weren't giving a lot of attention to - he struggled the whole way through the session and couldn't get his dog to do anything - then they'd single him out - or demonstrate "what he was doing wrong" with a different dog and even I felt bad - had that been me I'd have not gone back and he clearly needed a lot of help with his dog. Multiple classes ran at the same time - Beginners, intermediate, advanced and maybe complete Newbies all on the ground at the same time. With a whole group/school sit stay at the end. And now I think about it - maybe some kind of communal treat bowl - maybe a one by one come take a treat or a communal "leave it". I dunno. It was just yucky from start to finish. I never went back and while the classed were membership ($50 or $20 I think) then $2 a week I preferred to pay a lot more to see Dianne. the too long don't read version: I really hope I don't offend anyone - but they were old fashioned and yucky. I hated it there. I shouldn't have finished the class. Hope that helps. :) Edited to add: This was us graduating at Diannes - I think from intermediate to Advanced :) We also have our other procanine star on our leash to this day. I really can't speak highly enough of their service. I can eat it??

Yup. On my phone now. Dianne is great. Im not a fan of St georgelonger response later :)

Proud Mum moment :)

Also just note peroxide denatures after a short while breaking down (to water i think). Best buy a fresh bottle. (Gosh i sound negative - don't mean to. Hope Sarah perks up quickly )

My hubby uses neat white vinegar on his feet. Stings like unholy hell. Not sure what dilution you'd use on a dog ... but id be wary. It does work for tinea (or what ever is wrong with him) but he finds it has to be neat, it requires multiple soaks & it does hurt.

*swoon*

Totally ok - and he does come up when you google my town and "dog behaviourist" so lots of people could / would fall into thinking he could be a good choice. Especially when you can not get into see the one based at the university. As for my "beloved Sir Scotland" drugged him up today. Watched him on Skype while the car warmed up/defrosted (8am) He wasn't entirely impressed but he was OK and not vocal as far as I could tell. Checked in on him a number of times through the morning. I think I caught him licking the bars of the crate at one stage but by 10.30 and every time after that he was out like a light. I was worried he'd be really doughy (had to google how to spell that LOL - who's the doughy one) but he perked right up when I got home and was totally OK. Will send him off to day care tomorrow just to break it up a bit - aiming to work back up to the 4 days - plus really hate the thought of bombing him out with xanax every day. Still waiting for the behaviourist to get in touch. Will chase it up with the clinic if I've not heard from her by COB tomorrow.

That would be my initial gut reaction but accidents do happen. My mums most recently litter (kelpies, maiden bitch) had 12 pups - so even with two planned litters numbers *could have* been in the 20s. I think there'd be some "economies of scale" - lots of washing - just a few more loads, lots of pooey newspaper, puppy dishes etc ... but 25 pups isn't something I'd be super keen on! LOL Sadly even with some round the clock watching they lost a few Tend to also agree with TSD - could be done, not something I'd necessarily judge from afar / online.

Totally legit excuse Scottsmum. Pokemon for the win :laugh: The 'that's really pretty' is totally why I have taken to photography so much. It opened my eyes to so much beauty I wouldn't even have noticed before. I'm loving the look of that lagoon, what a beautiful spot. I'll bet that tree looked spectacular in Autumn. You'll have to take a shot of it next Autumn.......................and spring.......................and summer :D Thanks :) I will be back again & again :)

Nothing to add. Just good vibes to you both.

Slim pickings... fingers crossed that the one the vet recommendsis good.

32: 2016-08-08_08-44-34 by Superspanger, on Flickr

31: The lagoon. I went looking for this place when I first moved to town and couldnt find it - turns out I was *just* off - by a fraction when I went looking. Anyhow - it's amazing and beautiful and will quickly become a favourite walking spot. 2016-08-08_08-57-26 by Superspanger, on Flickr

30: 2016-08-08_08-42-50 by Superspanger, on Flickr

Well, I actually surprised myself. I have images taken in each of the weeks for 30-31-32. Someone else said they stopped because they felt their stuff wasn't as good as the really nice stuff here - but I'm really enjoying capturing my weeks and when I was specifically going out to get stuff I was loving the whole "that's really pretty aspect". I'm totally aiming to make it through the year! So - weeks 30, 31, 32 - which leaves me in front!

Very cute T. I'm still here. I'd love to make up something about being busy with new job, old dog and hubby being away - which is all true but truth is it's cold and I am spending a lot of my spare time pokemon hunting. Today was the first time in ages I looked at something and thought "that's really pretty"

Thanks Perse - and if it doesn't Mumsy might help herself! *jokes by the way.... I would never date LOL!

Quick update. We went to day care on Friday - he was fine there. Sleeping when I picked him up. Super sooky for the rest of the afternoon. Have scoured the local pages looking for in home day care - nothing bearing fruit. Have met with 3 - they couldnt help. Waiting to meet with the 4th. I know there's not a lot out there -as I have been contacted numerous times myself through my dog walking business page asking If I do the same thing! Vet today. We've got xanax - to give on the days he's left alone - for a short term "fix" while I wait to hear from the clinics behaviourist & we look at training options. Not feeling super confident but we'll see how we get on. A bit nervous about dosing him up and leaving him unsupervised but will skype him every hour on the hour and if I think I need to come home I will.

I know they're really full up - saw on another thread recently. But worth a try as there's not an awful lot out the Baulko way.

My comments are above & detailed. You're welcome to private message if you'd like me to name them.

At this point he's had someone home almost full time for the last 14 months. Big adjustment for him

Time to push for it. (well, really, long past it but the last 18 months have been so messed up)

Will add - PKs post on the other thread (exercising reactive dogs) has made me think it's time to "demand" to see the VB - not just a GP on Monday. They say her books are closed but I need more help.

It *is* super tasty. We used to have chicken made up for Guin. I tried a tiny drop once. Tasted like chicken twisties - with a horrible after taste. Will see what the vet says. But ultimate aim is to get fatty-boom sticks back down to 10kgs. I dunno Perse. I often hide treats into the blankets and I think he just gets so worked up nothing is any good til I'm home. I know he settles - I have come home to find him so out of it I've had to pick up up & I skype in and see him chilling - but you know - there's obviously periods where that isn't the case. I often leave a jumper in with him too (mine, worn a few times) which does help but... *arhg!* Maybe I need to swill a whole bottle of the RR ...

Well - we're not coping well with my return to work at all. This is week three now and I think it's sunk in that it's a regular thing. He's started carrying on - I left my id tags inside yesterday and when I went back to get them he howled. Today I didn't hear any howling but I noticed he's been chewing on the crate (that's new). 2016-08-04_07-15-24 by Superspanger, on Flickr I don't think he was like this when I did placement in March but hubby was home for a run at lunch time most days and he was getting a lot more off leash exercise and time outside. I'm at a loss. He just breaks my heart. This really just makes me sick to the pit of my stomach and sad. Really really sad. He's warm, he's safe, he's well exercised. I leave music on even though I don't think he can hear it and I leave breakfast, a treat ball or bone - never used / eaten and a toy. I could try just leaving him in the house but I'm worried he'll damage it or things in it - as he has in the past. As I mentioned he's gained some weight - which means he's not currently at the top of his dose for his SA meds (Amitriptyline). Has a vets visit on Monday for script repeats. Will discuss this with them - will also have his thyroid checked as I mentioned it on the CCD group I'm part of on facebook and 3/4 people who commented all said to have it tested. Keen to get the weight down - not up the meds if at all possible. He's currently crated 8am to 3pm max (usually 2.30) four days a week. Walked twice a day rain or shine. I can use the local doggy day care but I have some hesitations with it. Especially now he's deaf. I have spoken to some local sitters who offer day care in the right circumstances. One was a straight up no - her yard isn't "foxie proof" - so I'm glad she was honest with me. The other is a possibility - but seems a bit naive and scattered- will give her a try but I don't see it being a feasible option. But she might give us (him and the neighbours) some respite. It's just so hard. I wouldn't wish poor mental health (human or canine) on anyone.