Ojay

One of the new household rules for Dog 1 is that he has to go and lay on his bed before he is fed. Silly bugger refused to do it tonight and is hell bent on keeping Dog 2 away from the doorway because he knows I will walk through there with his food. Now I feel guilt for denying him his dinner as he hasn't earned it

I got your PM SnT, thank you, I will keep it on file to use if I can't make some progress with going back to basics. Nekhbet, you hit the nail on the head, I hadn't maintained it as a lifestyle, assuming that the basics would stick. We all need reminding and refreshers so it was my own fault to not pay enough attention. Dog 1 is very attentive at the moment, watching and waiting so he's at least switching on that something is up. Dog 2 has healed well and was belting around the yard this morning.

Boot camp started last night with going back to basic obedience training. We worked on sit stays, come, down, heel, give (of a ball, which he doesn't like to do). He also has to get on his bed whenever I go to walk in or out of the door. He had to stay on his bed and watch me pet Dog 2 before he got a pet. I was amazed at how excited he was by it all, poor bugger is more than likely bored out of his mind as the last few months have been really busy after a move and settling into a new job and routine. I also don't have the safe off leash locations I used to be able to let them run in. Tonight Dog 2 will be going back to basics after Dog 1 has a big run. Dog 2 can up his exercise once he is no longer lame from his injuries.

I have two dogs, aged 3 and 3.5 roughly, both large M&M's of pound origin. Dog 1 was brought home about 3 or 4 months prior to Dog 2. They have lived relatively happily together since then. As they have gotten older there have been a few little scuffles, mostly over food, but nothing serious. In the last 5 months or so it's gotten way out of hand. Dog 2 is today nursing nasty puncture wounds, bruising and a lacerated leg after last nights fight. There was no food involved and it seemed to arise from play that got out of hand. It's getting worse because Dog 2 is now fighting back. They are fed separately to avoid conflict on that front. But the last couple of fights, always initiated by Dog 1, started when I petted Dog 2 and not Dog 1, Dog 2 went near the backdoor when I was standing there. Another cause for a fight is when they are out for a walk, if another dog comes close, Dog 1 will attack Dog 2. Any thoughts, suggestions or strategies for a manageable ever after?

I think you've forced something on your family that they are clearly not motivated about. My husband isn't interested in my dogs either but he is at least supportive when I cannot be there, as in will feed them and tend to their basic needs. If you are going to keep Sam you need to change your own mindset and make her your dog and not expect your family to want to care for her, it will save you a lot of disappointment. Single people train their dogs around their routine, you should do the same with Sam to cater for your individual routine regardless of what the rest of the household is doing. They'll get used to her in time and probably appreciate her more when she is older and better behaved. The crate training and her pen are good starts at containing boisterous behaviour and minimising the impact on the rest of your family. You have every right to have a dog if you would like one, just as the rest of your family have a right to pursue their own interests, just don't expect them to participate in yours if they are not interested. It's hard and will likely involve a few heated discussions with your wife if you choose to keep Sam, but you should be able to negotiate a happy compromise. Best of luck with her Rob.

You're more than likely looking at kennel cough in this case rather than parvo. Secondary complications can be a problem with young dogs, they can develop bacterial infections and pneumonia, don't stress too much and have a chat with your vet about basic health maintenance strategies.

Your didn't fail her Chops, you did right when all else had done wrong and you were brave. Rest easy pretty girl.

This section of the yard is lawns and garden beds. Most beds are along the fenceline with fruit trees, tree ferns, weeping cherries, box hedge around the borders which have a very low rope barrier across them as protection. Since the rope barriers went up they really don't go in those beds much anymore (need to train the OH not the dogs me thinks). I did ask him to put barriers around the problematic beds which are offset along the path that leads from the house to the garage. There are two other fenced off sections, one for the vegie garden and more fruit trees and one where the washing line is. The latter section is where they will be now residing when unsupervised. There is a lean-to they can access down the side of the garage for shelter. Your garden ideas are great Max and definitely something to consider when we have the time and funds to overhaul the section of garden they will be staying in. We kind of want to make that area into an outdoor living section with pavers etc, don't see why it can't be doggy outdoor living too with a nice sand pit and space with different textures. They killed the tennis totem much to my sons disgust, but there is a huge conifer that I can tie stuff to without problem.

Got electric across the front of the property so the boys don't escape, can't really run it around the beds as the kids play there also and don't want to zap them. Have thought about the ping sting collars but they boys would eat them or the older one would swing the other around by it and choke him (can't have collar on the younger one because of this)

Good in theory PAX, but there is no front yard, the house is right on the front property boundary!

Yeah, know the feelng sasjeep, but the rottie in my avatar died nearly a year ago so he is not the problem, it's his successors causing the trouble NW, so to put the digging behaviour on cue, I guess I bury their treats with them watching and only let them at it with their command of OK (used to release them for food). Thanks for the hanging toy reminder, they love that but had not gotten around to putting up another toy since they killed the last one. Have lost the kong so will have to get another one.

Yes he gets his time-out when he behaves likes this but it still makes me laugh on the inside, just glad he's not a human teenager, much more difficult to manage

Been there done that, it provides a short term deterrent until the poop breaks down then they are back at that spot and in another spot in the interim

Yes I think that is part of the problem Benji's Mum, they do run riot together and the worst time are in their after dinner play and first thing in the morning. The parts of the garden that do have barriers they do not cross into very much and don't go through there full pelt, nor have they dug in those parts at all lately. I have suggested these preventive measures to OH in the past on many occasions but he has chosen not to do anything about it for whatever reason. So far, I will be meshing the garden, covering the mesh with mulch, putting the sand pit in the place they are currently so interested in then, bury the stinky treats in it for them to dig for (will even bury crickets in there for them), then will move teh sand pit gradually over time to a more suitable location. Will put them in the other part of the yard that is fenced off at high risk times and/or when they can not be supervised....just hope they learn to hold their water overnight when locked inside, thankfully the floor is tiled.

Yep did that last week, made absolutely no difference. Nor does spices or chillies, they love them to eat.