Two Best Dogs!

Such a happy pair, lovely!

She's very cute Hard to tell from a photo if pure or mixed. A DNA test will be your best bet but in Australia I don't know a highly accurate one for under $60. Definitely looks at least "mostly border collie". I hope you can find her siblings. I am cautiously excited, as through pure dumb luck might have found a relative of my dog and it's so exciting! Now to track down my boy's sisters ;) I want to see how they grow!

Oh ouch! Hope he feeling better soon

It would not be good if your concern is snakes in the yard - this is a confined area where even if your dog is successfully trained, they cannot exactly avoid the snake successfully for an extended period. Snake avoidance training is more suited to things like walks on paths/fields - and you'll find the demo's they set up for training mimic this. Environments where your dog is meandering around and more likely to notice it before you do. When they back up/avoid the snake - you still need to call them back to you. Which means being able to recognise your dog's behaviour change when it see's the snake. If you watch videos on facebook, you'll see most dogs will act casually like they haven't seen the snake, but give it a wide birth. So after training you would need to recognise the casual "i see the alarming snake, im going to pretend its not there while moving away from it" your dog will do, so you can recall them to you and go a different direction. The training would not help if your dog is running and happens to accidentally step on a snake and the snake reacts back. It won't help if your dog is in a confined area with the snake without you - it might add time for your mum to notice and rescue the dog but it might not. It won't help if the snake is threatened and chasing your dog. Also to keep in mind to very carefully research which company/dog trainer you go with. They should be using a light touch, they should be considering as Jac describes - any other novel items the dog might link with the aversion. Beware those that are more heavy-handed about teaching the aversion - I know a few people who attended training where the dogs have developed generalised fears of sticks on the ground. Two of them were on edge and flighty about leaving the house for walks for a good few months. If you search on facebook hiking group melbourne, you will find people discussing the trainers they have had good and bad experiences with. Also, you have to weigh up your risks. While not snake specific, there is research on teaching assorted species aversion to dogs using collars. Primarily on rabbits and endangered wildlife in NZ. They did find it helped reduce predatory behaviour, but you can't expect it to be a guarantee. There is also big risk about the training going wrong and your dog being one negatively affected, so research all you can and ask yourself if it is a risk you are willing to take. And some dogs it might not solidly take to, such as those with a history. Plastic snakes are not a suitable training material. Fanged vs. de-fanged wouldn't matter so much. Ideally you will find a trainer with a range of sizes and species of snakes to help generalise. Perhaps even lizards to help generalise. I suggest searching around on facebook the companies you are interested in, to see what people say. If you have dog trainers, ask them what they've heard about the trainer in question you are considering. Go full detective because while a useful skill could be learnt - you do NOT want a trainer who will backfire on you! Then after narrowing down the companies, contact them and ask about any remaining concerns. Then decide from there if you will go through with it or not. But remember it is just something to help even your odds. You will never get a full 100% safe from snakes, without moving to an island that has no snakes.

Thyme caught and killed a mouse when he was about 6 months old and nobody was more surprised than me. We joke it was the one that got away from Thistle earlier in the same week. She must have weakened it ;) the sight of her trying to fit under the bed to get it when I had already seen it escape out the other side was hilarious. That is when small size much better! Ratter in her heart but not her size ;)

Maybe older packages before the supply switch? ive sent an email because bh salmon (the one with grain) is our usual base kibble and I want to clarify if just the grain free salmon or this one too.

I think maybe put the name of the brand in the title? Then people who get the BH grain free salmon will see it. Had to check, we don't usually buy grain free but we did this month because of the sale. Phew! I got the BH GF Roo!

I’ve decided to go with bow wow meow because they will waive the recent dramas as preexisting if after a period of time they dint require Vet follow ups. And they will cover accident as of the following day the plan becomes active. Which after thymes fluke injury with a stick in his eye a couple of days ago...no more fluke accidents. They also help cover cover general things like desexing. and contribute to boarding if *I* am in hospital. I didnt got Petcover as unforunately my rabbits are both too old to qualify

The mix is irrelevant really, still a dog. Even wellbred purebreds can throw you a curve ball. No animal is that predictable or perfect from day one in the house*. This is quite simply, a baby. Doing baby things that are not confined to any one breed or mix of. If it’s as extreme as it is - whatever the reason - positive trainers can help you both out. Don’t focus on how your puppy “should be” , focus on how your puppy is and how you can help them move more towards how you would like them. At this stage, purebred or not, you are focusing on helping them be their best at whatever their speed is. Then one day you’ll turn around and go “gosh I have the best dog in the world!” (I know because I have two of them!) And when this new family member starts being a teenager, remind yourself that’s a stage too and you’ll get through it! An in house consult can definitely help you understand your new family member and help you guys help them settle. Then doggy school to learn how to be a dog in the human world! Get started on pretend grooming as well, so it becomes familiar to the puppy when the coat starts growing in. Want to make grooming a happy fun time! I personally quite like doing the weekly brush and trim. Pretend ear cleaning and nail clipping go a long way for our drop eared pups Dont forget to show photos here as they grow. Love a growing photo.

Start with a smaller set up for him, the backyard is very big and scary for a young little baby. You want to set up a pen that can be his safe home base. Then in this pen, have a bed or crate, a potty area, a play area. Then, set about making it the most fun place in the world. Have toys in it, have hidden treats he can discover. Look at Papillon's list of people who can come for a house visit and help you set that all up but remember - baby's need frequent visits and frequent naps. If he's upset all the time, he won't be able to sleep and settle properly and it will affect his health. It doesn't hurt to give him love and reassurance while working on slowly increasing the amount of time he can spend on his own. It might only start out for a few minutes - you want to get back to him BEFORE he starts panicking, so you can start to build his ability to cope. Look for the ones who can do private consultations to work on this - although puppy classes later on when vaccinated will be helpful: http://www.rspcasa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/FF-List-Update-26-Sept-2018.pdf Keep reminding yourself that it is just a little baby who doesn't understand why his life has changed so. It's your job to help him see that it's not so scary

When Thyme (my show line springer) was teething he got very droopy eyes. So even though his parents didn’t have droopy eyes I was worried he would! It was the swelling and puppy uglies. thankfully, after all teeth in and he grew a bit - no droopy eyes. Phew!

You will hear all kinds of horror stories, it's easy to find them. Focus on you and your dogs, you know them best not some random breeder. Be considerate and mindful if one isn't feeling well, but if the going is currently fine I wouldn't worry about how other people's dogs have turned out. The fact one is a husky and one is a border collie...yes different play styles but it sounds like your two have found a compromise that works for them. You have them well trained, well exercised and health checked. Becoming a horror story sounds quite unlikely Just keep looking after them as you do. Even if a tiff happens, grudges are not guaranteed and hurt feelings can be worked through. Think it is much like illnesses, don't google it because you will only get the diagnosis of death! Focus on your situation in front of you ;)

Awww cutie!!!

Final bone biopsy in! It didn't bring up any signs of bone cancer, bone infection or reactive bone. Just...bone. The sample was taken from dead center of the biggest abnormal areas so not concerned it was missed. So it is seeming though something very unusual about the leg, it is possibly of a benign nature and NOT a cancer or infection! About the only idea is that it could be a super old fracture that is still healing. We are to wait and see and keep an eye on it. I'll do an xray next month to see if any changes be they good or bad (and ensure biopsy site is healing). Watch out for limps/signs of pain. Stitches out on friday and i assume i get to see her CT then/ask all the questions im sure i will think of. Breather for now Not in immediate realms of sudden death.

Interim biopsy report in: "unremarkable and nothing of note". That is promising??? They have some more tests to run but hopefully find out over next few days and definitely by friday (our free after-op consult and stiches removal) Fingers crossed for funky leg/super old funky injury. The stress! I am hemorrhaging money but I truly hope it's all for "nothing". And as vet said: "it'd be shame to amputate a perfectly fine leg" lol! There is a chance it may also remain a "watch and see". The dogs are practically re-united at the hip, I have to keep stepping in to stop them playing. Still separate when I am not around tho. Wouldn't want any hurt or offence caused over the leg which is a little tender.

Same teebs, although I am leaning to getting insurance (which one?!?!?). All these tests of recent...sending me broke and can't bank on family always being able to give a financial hand.

Bring up your finance concerns with your Vet (phone calls are free!) and ask about affordable options and affordable care plans. They will understand and likely know the best deals for you. Hoping help comes your way

They have good reasons, and you have good reasons. Just one of those conflicting interests in life. I'd say go ahead and meet in person in a park, get a feel of the person and the dogs and they can also get a feel for you. Then see where it goes from there. Personally I wouldn't get a dog who's home environment I couldn't see ( i would compromise by having a trusted mutual friend visit if possible), so if the breeder is one who's really not comfortable with someone visiting their home then we'd have to part ways with our two opposing non-negotiable. Hopefully no hurt feelings. As others say, if you're feeling hesitant about this breeder for whatever reason...trust your gut and find somewhere else

Awww beautiful!

Looking into it after the cost of this last month. Pending final results to see if we have a pre existing illness or not. In leaning to either RSPCA or Petcover. Leaning the latter as it now covers “exotic” pets including rabbits. Could cover them all.

Bloods and urines in. Nothing flagging as alarming except slightly high cholesterol....feeling optimistic maybe it is a super old injury or something funky but ultimately harmless and not cancer? More optimistic than this past week of extreme stress that is. I have never been so upset . Biopsy results due next week I have a cheat sheet on how to care for a bone biopsy dog, although its a bit of a copy/paste that assumes the bones are weak and her leg bone in the CT appeared strong. No running for 4 weeks! Minimal jumping! Have split the house for the two hounds and Thyme is the most upset over it. Poor little guy, not used to being a solo dog and this upset. Lots of learning for him to do.

CT done and biopsy sent off! Cautiously optimistic? CT results are as weird as the Xray, but nothing is screaming "cancer!". Just....weird... (her spleen does have two little bits of hmmm in it, but odd are benign for that location? watchig them) CT results will be sent for international vet forum thing (like DOL but for vets? i love it!). Biopsy ETA is in about a week. Her incision site is super small, so no running for FOUR weeks but calm walks and rallyo are okay also the odd jump here and there isnt a death sentence but try to avoid. Blood and urine back tomorrow I have house split so the dogs will not play when i am not present (and to avoid the sore dog crankieS) Go pick her up in an hour and a half. and pay the bill. ouch. almost fully body CT scan on a big dog OUCH go back in a month for another scan (xraY?) and see if anything changes good or bad.

We have a designated digging area Same as TSD, I scatter food in the allowed area. Sometimes I go in an turn the dirt over to make it "new and interesting" again over the areas I'd rather they not dig in. Like smack in the middle of the yard. Pretty good about it, fun to watch them dig and I appreciate it being kept to one spot. For the couple of errant holes in the middle of the yard, I didn't correct them or anything. They don't really understand boundaries like I do. Just popped their poo in it and covered over, then hid something REALLY GOOD in the allowed digging area.

Said could be between 4 and 10 days to get results depending on complexity. And result might be inconclusive but best way at current to ID if a tumour or infection etc

Thank you. Have cried a lot in fear. I haven't even had her 4 years yet. Nothing is fair. I'm alternating between upset and angry. I don't want much to do with anything except my dogs. Here is some info on bone biopsy care for anyone who may come via google research. Poor Thyme is going to be so upset on his sudden isolation. I'm keeping a careful eye on the two, as my best indicator that Thistle is feeling under the weather is if she gets grumbly at him and toy/food is not in the picture. The CT and bone biopsy are scheduled on Monday, so I will be working from home to allow for travel. The next four days I will likely be working from one of the offices, so Thistle will be confined to the dog room and Thyme confined to the backyard. Might be able to have someone pop by and check in on them. The week following that, I actually have scheduled off for a holiday. So can be present to slowly re-integrate them back together and observe the leg. Seems takes up to a month for the bone biopsy to heal (hopefully assuming it's not something requiring an amputation of said limb). Here is our atypical xray that has had one vet and three xray specialists so far go "hmm not sure, could be old fracture, could be bone infection, could be bone cancer". Just sharing for info, not requesting diagnosis on it. Xray was taken October 3rd 2018. I got in touch with her old foster carer, and they're not aware if she had any leg injuries on intake to the pound.