Zia's Nuthouse

Very interesting thread :cool: Here at the Nuthouse the pets always get fed before us. I too don't consider it a problem unless you really have dominance issues. Even then I think there are better things you can do rather, than hang out their feeding till you've had yours. NILIF is great for the other things I was just referring too. For most it's just more practical to feed the animals first. It gets them out of the way so to speak, so you can concentrate on other things. My cat gets fed in the laundry, and my two dogs get fed outside. They are always made to sit and wait for the cue before eating, are fed a few feet apart and neither dares touch the others bowl. Very harmonious. All three of them know the routine. They sit quietly in the kitchen whilst it is prepared, then they all follow me, down the hallway, first pitstop is the laundry for the cats :D , then the outside for the dogs. After they have had time to finish, and go toilies, and have some time outside, then they come back in. When it's the humans turn to eat they are relegated to their beds. Food begging doesn't happen here and isn't tolerated if one of them does try it. So I guess it works for us, and everyone seems to find a medium that works for them too

Barf, I guess thats the word isn't it. My dogs are on a semi raw diet, but I don't go out and get them barf patties or anything of that nature. Mine get dry food, vegies, eggs, mince, chicken carcasses, offal, lamb flaps etc. They also get fish as well. Mind you all these foods are given at different times for variety and in appropriate portions. I also combine a bit of canned food to mix with it sometimes. They do get table scraps as well. I guess each to their own. As long as your pup is getting the nutrition he/she needs for her growing, and is happy and healthy then you are doing the right thing. You can take bits of advice, try new things, and learn as much as you can. In the end you will do what you think is best, and as long as pup is happy healthy then all is well. Don't stress or obsess yourself with worry about feeding her. Dogs have managed for years before all this raw, barf stuff came out. I"m sure they will manage in the future too. I think we as owners obsess over our dogs diets way too much at times. In the wild they don't have Barf patties, or specially prepared foods. I know they don't take their pots and pans out there either to cook up a storm

So very sorry for your loss Saltwood Good healing thoughts and hugs coming your way RIP special girl

Thanks Shekhina. I guess it was just meant to be

Sas I'm so sorry for your loss I too had followed some of your threads, and understand you worked really hard with him. RIP big boy. You gave him, life, light, home, love A dog can't ask for more than that Good thoughts

wow good thread :D Ok mine know the following Time for bed On your bed Wait (we go through doors first) Daddy's home Nanna's here kids are home wheres the kids? Do the washing? Get your chain (meaning leash and walk time) Going to the park? Go Toilies? Wait a minute Want your dinner? Wanna doggy lollie? (treat) Out the way (when they have to move) Outside be good (when they are left alone) look after the house (again when they are left alone) Gimma a kiss Akuchi (another word for sit) Moya (another word for drop or lay down) Settle (for over exuberance) Enough (for being naughty lol which is rare thank god) Know anything about this? (when one of them has done something) Where is your bottom supposed to be? (sitting) Excuse me? Lets have a look? (when they are wanting to show me something) Get your Kong Wheres your toys? pick your bone up Pick your ball up put it in your box (toybox) Wait (waiting for dinner) Give (release toy, bone etc) Geesh Lol I think theres more but thats enough LOL

Oh Jenna I too have been watching your progress with your baby. I'm so very sorry for your loss. Know though that she had a wonderful life with you. If dogs get through life knowing that love and security, then they are lucky dogs. Remember the love and devotion she returned to as well My hugs and good thoughts to all of you RIP Jenna, fly high over the bridge little one..

Yes they certainly do tramissa. We really will miss them heaps. And greyhoundangel that is uncanny that three of your dogs have all three of my ratties names :rolleyes: It might sound odd but that makes me feel better

So sorry for your loss. RIP Pip, what a wonderful age he reached hugs

Thanks everyone again It is hard they certainly grow on you. I loved girly names for them, cause they were real little girls. Tia and Crystal were sisters but Jade wasn't related. I hope she is gonna be ok, I'm worried bout her now. She is not far behind them in age though.

Silverblue my hugs and good vibes coming your way, in hopes to help your pain if even a little She was a beautiful girl Remember the good times

This is to all of us that are newly grieving, or still grieving for our lost beloved kids, feathered scaled and furry, and any others I've forgotten. We never forget, time makes sure of that May all of them passed over, be running happy, pain free, and full of life at the rainbow bridge. hugss to all the beloved pets and us their loving owners Zia

Cody what a gorgeous little face. He must have been a great friend and companion It never gets any easier. I hope during this difficult rememberance time, that you do just that Remember the good times, and know the love and life you gave him Good thoughts Zia

thanks greyhoundangel They certainly brought us much love and laughter in their short time here Amazing little animals

Two of my little Rats Tia and Crystal passed away today and yesterday. They were both 3 and a half, so thats a pretty good age for rats. We only have Jade left now, and she seems lonely, but is getting extra cuddles from us RIP my girls Update 17/02/06 Well what a sad depressing blow. Our Jade decided to join her sisters at the bridge at about 5am this morning. I got up for a drink and checked on her and she was laying there gone I can't believe we have lost all three of our girls in the one week. Very very sad time here. She seemed to be quite healthy, it's almost like she died of a broken heart. We gave her so many cuddles, and spent so much cuddle time with her in hopes to remind her that we still love her so much, and it wasn't enough. So now there are three tiny graves all in a row in our special grave section out the front, all with flowers. To all my 3 little rattie girls Tia, Crystal and Jade We all loved you babies. You are all together now at the bridge

I have that trouble I use yoghurt and chopped parsley..gets rid of the stinkies

Absolutely. I am avid fan of the spray bottles. We put a couple of drops of eucalyptus oil in ours, as they hate the smell. When we want to correct a behaviour etc, now we only have to show the bottle. Even the cat gets a squirt if he's being naughty. Trust me it won't take long for your little one to discover it aint fun. Just make sure when you squirt her, that you say a firm NO to go along with it. yep spray is no good it needs to be on jet spray Good luck

Good Idea Kelpiecuddles I call them "No Go Zones" my bubs know where they can go and where they can't. And having his own bed is an excellent idea. They should have somewhere, where they can go, if they want some time out, or if you want them calm and quiet. Hell even if its a blanket on the floor. Just so they know. My boofs have big plush (but old) blankets, that they know are their "beds". "On your bed" is the cue we use when its time for them to sit down, have a rest, or keep out from underfeet when chores etc are being done. Night time is the same. If hubby is on the computer in the bedroom (mine is in the loungeroom) often they will get up and go and lay down with him. Other than that they know the bedroom is for night time and out of bounds if either of us aren't in there. They get the message pretty quick Of course right now they are sprawled out on their beds in front of the cooler here in the loungeroom Too hot in the bedroom with daddy heh Good luck with your pup Zia

very well said Haven Geesh the poor owner came here for advice. And its funny that you say "dog's don't forget" yet its fine to say that punishing them does no good because they "forget" what they did wrong? That in itself is enough to confuse anybody

weedmat thats it LOL..couldn't think of the name of it. When we walk my son to school with the dogs, there is a house with a tiny little Chi X and a bewwwwdifullllllllllllll Dane. He would always go off his nut when anyone walked past, not just other doggies. So would the Chi. The littler tacker would always start him off However now they have that weedmat that you spoke of on the gate and it works wonders. He hardly barks at all now cause he can't see whats going on. Only once I've seen him bark and his paws reached the top of the fence only and his nose was just sticking up It looked so funny. But yeah anyways sorry to ramble. I'd block the view definately. Can't see it? Can't bark at it. Well in most cases anyways Good luck

Amen

Fair enough. I'm just surprised that someone who claims to know would offer that as an explanation. Why does that surprise you? I am actually surprised that you are surprised. Dogs don't get into moods? They get in moods absolutely. This isn't to say this is the problem. Knowing the basics of the pack/Alpha structure has nothing to do with believing a dog gets in a "mood". But this is veering off Axel's original posting, my apologies Axel. I hope you get it sorted soon Zia

Good suggestion Phatdex Lets keep our fingers crossed

I didn't say it "had anything to do with it" Nor did I suggest it was acceptable. I was merely offering a possible explanation Also I am well aware that a dog must do what it's owner commands in any situation.

aww what a shame, for the people and the dog I don't know everything thats for sure, but I think if in your position I would have suggested the same. lets face it he wouldn't have passed temp testing in a shelter would he? So would be unsuitable for adoption. I understand sometimes its hardest to make the hardest decisions or suggestions Someone here though with experience with this might be able to help I wish them all the luck, and for the pooch too Zia