Livi

If you can post a picture a dobe breeder should be able to tell if the conformation and tail look like an imported dog or a byb dog. I don't think any Australian breeders are risking docking these days unless the bitch is sent to NZ to whelp but I'm only a pet owner so don't take my word for it!

OMG Hoover is sooooo cute !! I have a real tree, have had for a few years with no issues. This year the Dobe decided he wanted to drink out of the tree bowl and knocked the tree over Actually they may have done it before but this year the tree has a very short trunk so no room to sneak under. I don't think he will be trying that again in a hurry, the fright plus our reaction should keep him away

I don't want to sound cruel, but the grief of losing a pet is something we naturally expect to go through. We hope our pets have a long healthy life but even in the best case scenario we are almost certain to face the grief of losing them when we take on a pet. I know that how we cope and get through it will vary greatly but if someone isn't coping at all after months of grieving than they really need some good professional help. I do believe that it has to be harder to cope with losing a child, friend, sibling, partner etc who we have the basic assumption will grow old with us or in the case of child will be organising our funeral not the other way around. I can accept the fact that my dogs and cats will die while I'm alive, I find it upsetting but I accept it. I can accept that my husband might die before me..but on a good day hope I don't have to face that for another 2-3 decades! I can't accept that thought with my children and would do anything I could to make sure they outlive me!! That is the difference for me anyway. Condolences Yaps, I hope you feel better soon

My now 4yo pound mongrel growled at one of my daughters and my husband a couple of times as a puppy, they were giving her a hug at the time. I banned hugging of the dog and got them involved in training her. Nothing full on just a minute or two a day with treats. She is fine now, she never bit anyone or growled for any other reason she was just a bit timid and didn't feel comfortable being hugged. Now she will dive across a room for a hug I found it quite worrying at the time but some simple management and respect for the signals the pup was giving us solved the problem for us and she has grown into a fantastic dog.

That is evil only an adult could come up with

So sorry for your loss Monelite I actually met and adored Rex before I met Monelite and am very privileged to have one of Rex's sons in our family :rolleyes: Thankyou Rex and Monelite. My favourite memory of Rex was at a show, I had one of my daughters then aged about 4yo with me. I can't remember why but she was crying and Rex who was nearby on a loose lead came over and gave her a gentle lick Such a sweet gesture from a dog who was still only a young boy (my girl is 12yo now) and didn't live with children. He is a such a credit to Monelite and the dobermann breed. Rest easy beautiful boy.

Get well Jed..please !!! Thinking of you and your family and friends.

I can't offer any advice but my BC x has had 2 fits that I know of, one when she was 6mths old and another only a few months ago (she is nearly 4yo now). I saw the end of the first one and the whole of the 2nd and goodness knows if she has had others we haven't seen ! I only work part time and she is an inside-outside dog so hopefully we will be aware if it is escalates into somthing that requires treatment. I'm sure if she'd been having them regularly we would have seen more. I don't dwell on it, you will have to deal with it if and when it becomes a problem. Until then relax and enjoy your dog. If you are really worried are there any tests that can be done ?

While it is sad there is one other person who had the power to prevent this, the dog owner. Personally I don't think children should be allowed to go to the shops alone unless they can be trusted not to pat dogs that are tied up without their owner (among other things but that is a whole other topic) However I also don't think dogs who can't cope with an innocent child patting them should be left tied up alone. Who really knows what their dog can cope with until tested ? Most of us haven't got a clue. Some have got a clue but are of the belief that everyone should know better than to go near a dog that is tied up, that just isn't acceptable these days.

Happy Birthday for yesterday. Hope you didn't spoil her toooooo much Monelite

Oh so that is where Jones got the whinging in the car from...nahh his mother did it too..I had no chance I'm glad Rex had a good pee around that ring

What on earth is she about to chomp on in the third pic ? ;) Mine surprised me tonight, we have a game of 'where is your bowl?' which we play sometimes. Tonight I really couldn't find his bowl, OH had moved it. I said in a very normal tone of voice "Now Jones, I'm serious this time, where is your bowl ?" and he ran straight to the bbq and pointed his nose at the bowl I was very impressed !! But he is the son of Super Rex :D

Well if you have no lead at all you could argue that it is less than 1m Not funny though really, stupid law !

Happy Birthday Sexy Rexy !!! I have always had a soft spot for Rex and feel very fortunate to own one of his sons. Congrats on making a decade which must be about 100 in Dobermann years ?

This is what the vet told me when my dobe had a puncture in one of his legs, funnily enough at the same time he got a very large gash down the side and they were more concerned about the puncture because of the risk of infection near the joint. I'd be off to the vet just to be safe.

I've never met you or Image but I know from chatting to Monelite how special she was :rolleyes: I'm so sorry for your loss Also sad to hear of Jet. I remember him from his showing days, such a beautiful natured giant of a Dobe Run Free Image and Jet

My dobe does a funny thing where he snaps his teeth together, but not at anything, just an excitement thing. There is no growling or baring of teeth or any kind of dominant body language, in fact he is likely to be dancing when he does it :D sometimes will be when he is trying to control himself, say he is really excited to see me when I come home and I make him sit before I will pat him, he might snap his jaws and do a spin before he feels able to sit :D I don't find it a worrying behaviour, he has never shown any aggression to anyone and will let kittens share his dinner. ETA - Of course your Mum should get some professional advice though ;)

Wow, your Pap beats even my daughter for sulking and hysterics kymbo I've found ignoring works for both human and canine family members....eventually :D

joanne76 do you happen to know where/when the group adult classes are ? (sorry for thread hijack ) My work and family duties make it hard for me to make the local club obedience times. Do they do similar exercises to club obedience ?

Frank, your children are old enough to learn how to control Bailey during play, with some self control on their behalf and basic obedience with Bailey. It will really build their relationship with him and their confidence if you teach them when he gets too hyped to stand still and ask him to sit/drop etc in a good strong voice and teach them how to praise him. I found the biggest challenge with kids is teaching them to use their voice properly with the dogs. I have a 9 & 10 yo who I have raised puppies with so understand the challenges. I don't know Bailey or your family though so would never suggest it would be the same for you, but I guess the basic principles apply

Frank, what happens when one of the children grab Bailey because he has just run off with their new toy ? What will you do if he bites one of them and draws blood ? What if it is your little girls face ? How do your wife and children feel about Baileys behaviour ? From what you say your wife is the primary carer, does she have concerns ?

I would have thought contacting the breeder about a puppy behaviour problem would be the first thing to do. A good breeder would know their pups, the temperements of the litter and parents and most likely have some excellent advice. If not then of course other options should be explored but personally if I had a puppy from a breeder I would be talking to them first.

Funny you should mention that because I'm not a great eater, often skip meals. Been told twice in the past 24hrs I've lost weight (though I'm not trying to) and my OH told me "it is because you are eating" In his opinion the fact I have been eating more regular meals has made me lose weight ???

I'd be thinking about where you want her to sleep long term. If you are pining for a nights sleep, putting her outside wont work, she will probably cry for a few nights if she has been used to sleeping in the crate in your room If you want to sleep, I'd suggest if you have a spare room..on weeknights take turns and one of you sleep in there, one be on "puppy duty" and on weekends you might want to share the marital bed but at least you can catch a nap during the day ? If you do decide you would prefer her to sleep outside, just be prepared for even less sleep than you have been getting lately for another few nights.