KismetKat

Well the mutt is pretty jumpy umpy - so we were a little concerned with having my 2 and a half year old grand-nephew coming over with his folks for a family lunch on the weekend. Wasn't so worried about the collie - despite not knowing too much about his beginnings (he's a rescue) he is a true 'Lassie" and a lovely gentle dog all round. Not that the mutt is rough, but she is excitable. When the family young arrived I put both dogs on lead but within a minute I've taken the lead off the collie. Meanwhile the mutt is behaving well, and seems to be looking at me for cues. She obviously "get's it" as when I take her lead off 5 minutes later (after exemplary behaviour) she continues to be wonderful - no jumping up at all, just delicate sniffing (liked the nappy area) and happy to accept pats and cuddles from the youngster. Both dogs (supervised of course) were wonderful with the little bloke all afternoon! I am SO proud of the 2 fur kiddies

KismetKat ..... when the dog is running at speed, does it appear as though it is for a moment doing like a hand-stand with its front feet with its butt coming up in the air in a somewhat exaggerated manner, before the back legs finally come under .... at which point the front end lifts higher off the ground than one would think was normal? That could be it erny - obviously i need to watch this dog more closely next time i go to this park so i can describe better.

It's hard to say souff - I would really need to see slowed down video of the dogs gait to see what is really happening. I no longer go to this park much, just I have visited again recently, saw the dog and wondered. He's done this since I first knew him and I always joked with the owner about him being like a rocking horse. Now i've been back at the park after a long absence, seen he still does this (and after reading things on DOL) I just wondered if it might be signs a problem. Next time I go to that park I will pay more attention when I see him and see what he does at different speeds - but certainly when I think he's at a speed where my dog would be at a trot, he's doing the rocking horse thing. I will keep an eye out for when he actually runs.

This is on any surface - when he starts to move with a bit of speed then he's rocking front to back as he goes. Saying he looks like "a rocking horse" is the best way I can describe it. When going slowly he seems normal, it is only when he picks up a bit of speed. It's like he's bouncing from front to back, front to back (but no moose, he doesn't bounce in one spot :D )

Then I'm confused. By "rocking horse" I'm picturing a gait just as a child's rocking horse would look like. As though there is little flexion in the dog's back. Pacing rocks from side to side. KismetKat, would you please clarify what you mean? Yes Erny, like a child's rocking horse, i.e. front/back/front/back Not entirely sure what the legs are doing - it's just the whole motion of rocking front/back/front/back that I notice.

There's a JR I know at the park who has always had a funny gait. When he runs he moves like a rocking horse. It has belatedly occurred to me that this might be a sign of some sort of problem. Is it?

So chatting with the lady owner of the schnauzer/poodle cross I observed "he's taller than a mini schnauzer and also taller than a mini poodle. It's funny about these poodle crosses, a lot of them grow up to be quite leggy" "Oh" she said, "yes he's taller than a normal schnauzer" (she meant mini) "but I think a medium poodle was involved." I pointed out that poodles come in 3 sizes, a standard which is quite big, and mini's and toy's which were both smaller than the dog under discussion. "No" she said "it was a medium poodle I'm sure. I can check his papers."

What fantastic photos - thanks for sharing

I thought you might guess. She has to give him a hand job.

My SIL has a desexed dog that sometimes has this problem - and his problem is the 'problem' doesn't go away. You probably don't want to know what my SIL has to do to fix it. But the vet says she has to do it or it could cause serious problems.

The director did a great job with this movie. I really loved it (and yes, I got the sniffles). I would like to see the original Japanese version. I also like the way they paid some homage to the story being originally a Japanese one. Not just acknowledging the story at the end, but by having the pup come from Japan, and also the Japanese colleague who spoke to him about Akitas.

It says to make them into quarter inch balls. Wouldn't the dog just swallow it? (in which case, how does it work?)

I'm 'talking' with a friend of a friend on Facebook. She does agility and has an English Shepherd. I'd never heard of this breed and did a google. I gather it is a US developed breed. I don't see them listed as a breed at Vic Dog. Are they a recognised breed anywhere and are there any in Australia? Just curious.

Just spoke on the phone - she bought a 2nd dog bed for pooch on the way home. Pup is now happily ensconced in the lounge room in his bed chewing on a toy

Well some good news - hubby really is a lost cause so after more chatting with my friend she has decided to take things in hand. She was reluctant to do this as it would make hubby cross ("his" dog) but she thinks it is SO unfair on the poor pooch she will give hubby the finger and just take charge. She stayed overnight last night (we had a big party to go to) so this morning we went out with my two and gave her some training basics. She's now set off home to set things in train. Hubby is at work so much (he's working today) he might not even notice she's taken over until dog (miracleously) starts behaving beautifully. I really do wonder about him - they were both here before we went out and he totally ignorned my two gorgeous dogs. What sort of dog person does that?

I know they've just had it totally shorn recently. I don't think my friend wants to take charge (tho personally I think she should).

1 more question - the dog is apparently still quite mouthy - shouldn't it be over this by this age?

Friend's hubby decided he really wanted a dog again. Despite a number of us talking to him about deciding on breed etc. he just went out one day and got himself a poodle cross from a pet shop. My friend made it very clear to her hubby that the dog is his (she's got a cat). I think the pup is about 6 months old now and he's really got the irrits with it cos when he comes home it just whines at the door wanting to come in (the dog is now left outside most of the time). It's had no training (tho is a smart dog and has learnt 'sit' with minimal teaching) and I don't think it gets any walks. Between the pup whining and the hubby whining the situation is driving my friend nuts. I feel for her, but really really feel for the poor pup. Also, unsurprisingly, this pup (a min poodle x maltese) has grown a lot taller than expected - so its jumping up is becoming a bit of a problem. Firstly - am I right to say that both these breeds are inside dogs? So if both breeds should be kept inside with family then a cross should also be kept in with family. Secondly, wife has mentioned to hubby about trainers who come in, spend an hour telling you what to do, and then leave it to you. Given the situation I think perhaps regular attendance at a dog school might be a better option. I think Knox Obedience Club would be handy for them - any feedback about this club?

Thru these forums I discovered breed specific rescue and the wonderful job they do to match you up with the right dog - so with our 2nd dog being from collie rescue I have to answer "yes", DOL has already influenced my decision as to where I've gotten a dog.

So happy to share - I love those two rascals to bits! PS: I actually considered we should change the collie's name to "Chewie" (short for Chewbacca) with all the weird and wonderful noises he's capable of making.

See post #22 on page 2 Brooke - I wonder at the end if any broad conclusions could be drawn. Eg/ rescue/had since puppy - is one of other more likely to not like being left? I know that's not what the study is about, but I just wonder what other info may come out of it.

so no real surprises to you what zig did?

No - except the dogs can be habituated to where the water is and just run off to get some. Also the kiddies tend to fill the water fountain with tan bark and dirt. The original design they did was so small a large breed dog would have difficulty getting a drink at all! And finally they tend to build them with a grate for draining tipped out water on the opposite side from where the fountain actually is - so the area actually under the fountain was just a mud puddle.

Oh like the one in one park that is in the middle of the play equipment and the one in another park that is right by the BBQ? Both structures that your dog MUST be on leash for if within 50 metres of (regardless of what any signage might say).

Local council has been lobbyied to do more for dog owners and promote responsible dog ownership and so have decided to run a pet expo in conjunction with one of their "Party in the Parks" events. It's just such a shame there is a total dirth of information on their website about this. This is ALL council have to say about this expo. I actually bothered to ring the number - the service centre personel knew nothing. They put me thru to a woman who was one of the organisers (I had to go on 'hold" to speak with her) and I garnered the following information:- The pet parade will run at 2pm and will have 3 categories - "best dog costume"; "best dog trick"; and "cutest cat". To register for the event you must visit the Glen Eira Council tent before 1.30pm. Well, as NO-ONE knows about this (unless they rang) how many dogs and cats will actually be entered in the 'expo' pet parade??? No doubt Council will use low numbers as an excuse to once more continue to do NOTHING for pet owners.