Amazetl

Very true that is can be worse in a pack and the dogs can make one another go to a next level, but I just still wonder why people have those sort of guard dogs to begin with as if someone does get hurt you’re liable. It’d be much better to have traditional types that chase off, bail up or hold down. They are reporting one is a Rhodesian Ridgeback cross (cross with what though?!), the other something called a bandog Bullmastiff, not a breed but a cross between a Pitbull, American Bulldog or Neapolitan Mastiff, or Mastiff. The third I’ve read wasn’t involved, another story it says it was seized but they aren’t identifying that one or talking any further about the third one so not sure.

My understanding of a lot of dog behaviour is that they will bail the person up, bark them off the property or hold them down but not bite. What guard dogs are meant to do apparently. Why did these dogs go so much further? Were they known to display aggression? If so, why weren’t they required to be contained appropriately? Why do some dogs make contact and not just nip or a few bites pushing you off the property but actually go into a frenzy? Why??? Is it something with the particular dog’s brain? All dogs of size are capable of holding a person where they want without ripping into them. This was a grown man too.

Have you seen the huge sign on the fence and all padlocked up looking? This is a terrible terrible tragedy and apparently the dogs usually were behind a second fence in the past when meter readers would go in but so brave or wild that someone would ever trust and go in there when the gate and the sign looked like that. The owners weren’t home at the time. I don’t know if the article was wrong to begin with because so many are saying why didn’t the owners go and help. In a way I’m surprised that there haven’t been worst attacks on delivery people etc in the past as so many houses do have front fences with dogs in them and you’re going into their territory. This should have been preventable and so so horrible it’s happened.

I use baby gates and it’s awesome. I love the bulldozer reference. I have one of those, a big bulky lab who doesn’t like doors shut, visitors better be careful to make sure the bathroom door is shut tight behind them is all I can say.

I think your reason is great for yourself. Just sometimes we have a particular type of dog that might not like having another added in and it’s up to us to decide whether to still go ahead. When I got my little puppy, I fully thought the other two dogs would be great. I thought my older female dog would be ‘mum’ like to her as she is so super sweet with her soft toys and with a family member’s small dog who visits sometimes. But no. I didn’t realise she was really my baby and didn’t want a younger one (who is submissive btw). So it’s taken a lot to manage but we’re getting there. What I have found most difficult is how my time is taken away from each individually since they aren’t really a ‘pack’. My older boy adores both thankfully. But just if you need to walk them separately, play with them separately, etc. It can get a bit tiring. I think too that each dog deserves having one on one time anyway. Something that I didn’t fully think about is that a new puppy or new dog coming onto the property and sharing their person with other dogs is so different to having a friend dog come over and then go back to their home. I have no regrets, just it takes more effort than I had imagined and I do feel for my middle dog. I think every day though it does get better and I’ve caught them hanging out together nicely a few times now but I’d never trust them to be alone together, I don’t think ever. Pup is now nearly a year old.

It probably depends on the breed. There are many breeds that generally get along fine if both females and then there are some that don’t, same with males. Usually you go opposite sex to the most dominant dog. If your male is boss that is all fine but the new pup might not want to be submissive whether they are female or male. You can talk to the breeder and they should be able to recommend a more submissive pup out of the litter. Does your male like other/new dogs? Does he like pups and the size it will be? Adding a third dog changes dynamics. I just would tread carefully because if the dynamics are good now I probably wouldn’t want to rock the boat. I have three and some is good about it and some more difficult. It’s been a difficult adjustment for one of the older dogs and takes a lot of extra management here and there. However my male could have a dozen other dogs and get on with all and love it as long as he’s always mama’s first boy. Ask yourself why you want to add a third. If you think one will just fit in well then it’s probably not much to worry about but if you are getting the dog for something to do with you and not the other dogs then I’d just be a bit careful because it will take a lot of extra management. If you are set on it and your male is really dominant and isn’t great with other male dogs and your female is really submissive then I’d probably go female but try to make sure whatever dog you get will be submissive or it will try to take over the male dog and the other female will be even further at the bottom and not ‘seen’ as much. Just my 2 cents. In my experience males are better together, but then I’ve never had a dominant male.

I totally agree that the mother and daughter shouldn’t have to deal with that. And I understand how traumatic having a huge dog come at you must be, especially if you don’t know dog body language or don’t know what the dog might do next. I think this thread is just addressing that the news is not being responsible here. They are saying it was aggressive. Also children should be educated on how to react when a dog does approach for their safety. And it’s been pointed out how hard that education can be as children’s natural instincts are to run and squeal and that can excite the dog and escalate the situation. I don’t know the solution and I think that’s why the go to is to keep dogs and children even more separated, ban dogs even more from being near children, which isn’t a great thing to do socialisation wise, but it’s safe, until that one dog with an irresponsible owner lets their dog roam and it does happen to be aggressive, dog never seen kids before or interacted with them, kids never interacted with dogs before equals recipe for disaster. So I don’t think anyone is discrediting the people involved, just the news interpretation of it. Dogs in no circumstances should be allowed to roam or rush out to people like that. It’s unacceptable even if it’s the sweetest most calm dog that does that.

The news is really playing it now after the tragic other attack that has happened. They are referring to the dog with the little girl as being attacked and aggressive. Instead they could use it as an opportunity to educate what is actually going on. It is really sad though that the little girl was so terrified and is now reportedly having trouble sleeping. That dog shouldn’t have been loose like that.

That’s the problem with a lot of the fluffy dogs in my opinion, their hair maintenance. So sad when they get all terribly matted. I do understand though that some have such hair that you brush it and then there’s knots again in just an hour. I know someone with dogs like this and they shave them down but it can get costly at the groomers. Also apparently a lot of the mixed dogs have extra difficult coats from mixing double coats with curly ones and not combing right down to the skin. Then they end up with those funny hair cuts I guess. One of my favourite little dog breeds, though I’ve not actually met one, is the Havanese. But I love their long hair and although I’d happily brush from what I see of photos of them it seems very very common to shave them down which tells me it must take a lot of work. I really feel for dogs that get matted and no one does anything for them.

Oh it frustrates me when children who are unfamiliar with dogs start waving their arms all around and squeal at the top of their lungs, only exciting the dog even more. Education is key and just constantly reminding them to be calm. Cross arms even and just stand still. That dog shouldn’t be out like that and they were taken by surprise but that is one of the worst reactions you can do. If you run or squeal it can escalate it. They are very fortunate that the dog wasn’t aggressive. That is a terrible headline of that silly news, just trying to sensationalise it and demonise dogs even more because they know it gets comments and click bait. Do schools still practice safety around dogs? When I was a child they’d bring dogs in, I believe maybe the RSPCA, and taught us how to behave. I grew up with dogs from babyhood so it was never unusual for me but a lot of kids today don’t have experience with dogs. Dogs aren’t even allowed near playgrounds anymore and many schools have banned them from coming close. Dogs and children are getting less exposure to each other, a very bad thing when they do then eventually cross paths.

Cavoodles were listed as the most popular or most bought dog breed in AU. I always thought it was labs. Maybe it’s still labs when it comes to registered litters. Why do people want cavoodles so much? I think probably because they are cute or at least cute as pups. We had some in our puppy class and incredibly cute and sweet. But I saw older ones too and they looked a bit funny, maybe just the haircut. I think smaller dogs are easier to care for though, easier to handle and don’t cost as much, and people who want a cute fluffy dog and get attached to them probably are people who do care and stand by them for the most part. But some people who get the bully breeds don’t seem to be as caring, sadly. Nor do their breeders, sometimes.

I only walk my dogs in public areas like around lakes etc that I know council cracks down on if dogs are off leash. My dog was attacked some years ago walking along a suburban street from a dog in the front yard off leash with its owner gardening. I see too many dogs around my area being walked off leash and I have no idea what that dog is going to be like. Thankfully my dog was ok but was injured. The crying, the helplessness of my beautiful natured boy who is friends to all having to go through something like that. Yes they do see it as some sort of sick badge of honour to know that they have this powerful dog. Very irresponsible. I hate how the soft natured sweet dogs pay the price.

So weird that someone takes their dog around other dogs when they know its aggressive. What about a simple muzzle even. Not that they should go at all. But if your dog isn’t good with other dogs then a muzzle could help when going for walks. I’m sick of being worried about where to walk my dogs and sick of dogs off leash when they shouldn’t be. Just yesterday I saw a family walking a big bully breed but it was a little girl no older than 2 with her arm stretched out and the dog ahead of her dragging her along, adults walking a few metres back behind (I was in the car thankfully). What would happen if that dog got excited over anything? Girl would go flying. It’s so irresponsible. Even the best of dog shouldn’t be walked solely by a toddler.

I don’t know the exact laws regarding dogs off leash in front yards but I thought that if they are outside without a fence they do need to be on a leash. A lot of areas cats aren’t allowed outside either so the both of them shouldn’t have been there in the first place. My dog was once attacked while going for an on leash walk by a dog who was off leash in their front yard. Unless there is a fence that can contain the dog they shouldn’t be in the front yard. And cats shouldn’t be roaming either for multiple reasons. This shouldn’t have happened and now a poor cat has died and a dog has been let down by its owners by being allowed to be in that situation and now potentially will be in trouble.

While that is a good point about the mastiff, did they get him through an ethical breeder who would help in a time like this? There are financial ways around it too such as vet pay and other payment methods. I understand the cost of such a large dog to go through surgery would be a lot but yes before getting one people need to have that money in reserve for if a time comes. I know it’s hard and awful when financial difficulty happens but pets are meant to be for life. At least the mastiff is now in a good foster home but it shouldn’t had had to come to that.

More news showing the record numbers of pets being surrendered due to lack of socialisation due to covid isolation and behaviour issues and now people going back to work and not needing them. I’ve come to the conclusion that many people are just horribly selfish, get the animal when they are lonely and then just dump it when it’s not convenient anymore. That’s not what pets are about. So many of these didn’t get the right dog for them, and so many got them from so and so who decided to breed or from a shelter and now don’t want them. If only people would get them from proper breeders who take them back and who care to begin with or who they first go with. I feel so sad for these animals. It really breaks me at the thought of their whole world abandoning them like this.

I know that some people genuinely are struggling and I know that the price of dog food has gone up. I know also that circumstances change from having a stable income when you get your dog to perhaps losing your job etc. However, if you have only one dog or pet I think you would have to be very very broke to be able to not still feed it. I know there are true desperate people out there but I think there are also many who weigh up all their financial commitments and decide what it is and isn’t that they can go without. May be cynical but if you really tighten the belt dog food is still affordable and they are your family member that you promised a life time commitment to, they are helpless without you. Again, I think there are true circumstances where pets need to be rehomed but I think a lot of the time it’s a cop out. Maybe I’m wrong. Also if people bought their pets from reputable breeders those breeders would take them back and there would be no risk of them ending up in shelters. Sorry if I’m wrong for anyone truly struggling.

Sometimes I hear the dogs drink through the night as they have 24 hours access to water but she doesn’t seem busting when I take her out through the night. It seems to be around food because if I give in and feed her she will then happily go back to sleep. I’ve tried feeding her later in the evening and even a late meal snack/top up. She is extremely active and doesn’t hold on any weight. The dogs are wormed so I don’t think it could be to do with that could it? Thanks everyone. I really appreciate your thoughts and comments on the subject.

That is sort of what I do, my elderly dog is in the bedroom with me, a baby gate set up where the others sleep outside the bedroom but it’s in a second room so a small area between my door and the gate. There are three dogs, one dog is out with her and she sleeps through all the noise, doesn’t make a sound and doesn’t really move around either but opens her eyes here and there with a look of ‘really?’ Then my older dog is in the bedroom with us and then my puppy is in the other room with the other dog. I am thinking of perhaps putting the baby gate on the bedroom door so she can if she wants be right there. I think my older dog initially barks because he’s been waken up and he’s a bit grumpy about it. But then he seems to get excited and starts running around and just barking etc when I go through the gate to pup. So I’ve tried just ignoring her and going back to bed with him but when she starts crying or barking again he will jump up and do it all over again. He won’t settle unless she is settled. Equally if he’s making a noise she won’t settle either. Also, if those two are together it’s playing and crazy loud sounds. It’s really tough to figure out what better I could do. I had dreams where she would be in the crate in my bedroom but she just doesn’t like it. I’ve never ever closed the door on her but she refuses to go in even with a really awesome chew. I feel like I could warm her up to it over several training sessions over weeks perhaps and maybe that’s what I should do. Not a quick fix but perhaps there’s no quick fix here. I can’t have them all in the bedroom loose because my second dog can sometimes be possessive over the bedroom and over me, plus older dog and pup play loud together.

I’m starting to become a little desperate. Pretty much every night around 2 or 3 am my 8 month old pup will wake up crying and barking. They sleep in the other room but can see my bedroom with the door open pretty easily. Seems to be waking up hungry as she leads me to the laundry door where her food is stored. First I make sure she goes outside to toilet which can be difficult as she is clearly not busting. She wants hugs usually when I go out there with her. Usually I will come back inside while she’s still out there and I guess she does end up going toilet because she comes back herself a few mins later. I have tried different things. Feeding her later in the evening, giving her a top up, making sure she goes out right before bed, doing extra play before bed to wear her out. I thought it worked initially as she did sleep through a couple times when I did this but it doesn’t work anymore. I don’t know what else to do. The problem is she wakes up my elderly dog and he gets very upset about it. He will cry and bark and whine loudly and nothing seems to settle him. So I stay up with two dogs crying and barking and being very loud. My older dog being the loudest that I simply cannot let him bark and cry out like that due to neighbours. Her bark is also getting louder now too. I tried sending him back to bed and going back to bed myself but then it all starts again when she barks etc. Then he does and won’t settle. Is there something else that I haven’t thought of? I don’t crate and won’t do as last time I tried using the crate she wouldn’t go in (despite how she seemed to like going in when she was a baby puppy) but I have thought about bringing her into the bedroom somehow to see if that helps. I’m really at a loss. I don’t think she’s getting cold or too hot. The only thing that settles her is when I can’t stand it anymore I give her and all the dogs their breaky early. Then they go outside and all go back to bed and sleep soundly. So it seems to indicate to me that it’s around food. But she shouldn’t be hungry and if I wait it out it’s hours of this and no sleep for me. I think the best thing to do would be ignore and wait it out but I just can’t do that due to noise level. Would giving a Kong be advisable? I worry that anything I do will become a habit and I just want her to sleep through. Thanks for reading. I should add, she’s not lonely as my other dog sleeps out there with her and doesn’t do the whole barking and crying, just tries to sleep through. But I do wonder if she wants to be closer to me or if she woke initially and saw me right there sleeping that maybe she’d snuggle and go back to sleep. However I don’t want to start that habit.

Was recently told by the vet to be careful if we frequent dog parks as they have had a lot of kennel cough cases even in dogs who have been vaccinated. Thankfully we don’t go to the dog park though.

I know it will take some effort and can be an inconvenience, so much easier when they can just go outside themselves, but it should only take a short while for him to get into the new routine. They catch on pretty quick and dogs love routine, they love to know what to do and they love to please. They just sometimes don’t understand what it is exactly they should do.

Tether him to you with a lead that goes around your waist or clips onto your pants. Don’t let him away from you unless he’s already gone toilet. That way you can catch him in the act if need be and he’ll learn to not go inside. I know it’s not easy but he is still a puppy and should grow out of it in time. Also, in the rain, go out with him. He may need you to be there to know he’s done a good job. Raincoat on and tough it out and he should get into the habit pretty quick.

The general rule is usually 5 minutes of walking per how many months old they are so three months is 15 minutes. But some do suggest going even easier than that for large breeds. It also can depend on what surfaces they are walking on. Forced exercise on sand is one of the worst for growing joints. I know it’s hard to not want to snuggle a sleeping dog because they look so peaceful but it’s really important to respect their space. Some dogs do have the startle reflex too and this can happen without warning with the nicest temperament of dogs.

I think the doc was good in that it focused on the very real concerns, however a lot of people at the time and since then have taken it to be as though all show dogs are like that and there was and is an anti pedigree dog argument that goes around on social media due to it. A lot of people after watching it were left with very distressing feelings, rightly so, but attacked all pedigree breeders for it. Judges are the ones who rule it all, aren’t they? If they don’t select the unhealthy dogs or the clearly unhealthy looking dogs then they don’t win and they don’t continue those lines. I don’t know a lot about it but I do think a lot is on the judges.