Scarlet

I do think that you have to be guided by your vet Yes I'm sitting here quietly crying for my friend who was pts at 16 yrs (20 years ago). You will never forget but know that their part in your life has made you a better person. My dog had never really liked the vet surgery so my vet did a house visit. I'm pleased I did it that way.

When your puppy gets to the stage of being wormed every three months it is a good idea to worm them the first of each season ie. 1st june, 1st Sept,1st Dec, 1st March-that way you'll never forget. This was a really helpful tip I was given years ago

My father , now 85, grew up un the land and always worked dogs. Had mainly BC's and kelpies. He said that BC were easier to train because they "wanted " to please you. Said that kelpies were a little stubborn and had more a mind of their own. I know it's an old debate but he thought kelpies were smarter but harder to train. A few times he said a kelpie would disobey him but usually they were right-maybe getting an animal he couldn't see -they would have a good reason to disobey and would disobey if they "thought " they were right.

I second using the hose-buy another and extend it to reach. I've used that before and it works, plus it doesen't hurt the dog.

If she is only chasing them at night you may have to lock her in the house. I have known of a couple of dogs who have chased them for years but eventually got killed by the poison.

Training in drive sounds very interesting. Anyway I have a toy obsessed BC who used to drive me crazy when I used the vacuum cleaner/wippersnipper etc. I couldn't lock her inside/outside because she would bark and run from window to window. Now I tell her to get a ball when I'm using these things and she focuses on the ball and leaves the "noisies" alone. She will sit, drop. stay whatever for the ball and forgets that I'm vacuuming. I just have to give her an order or throw the ball occassionally while I'm vacuuming.

I use frontline, every 4 weeks, and was complaining to my vet that I still find fleas although not many. She said to put a couple in a jar and if they die in (I think she said) about 20 mins then the frontline is working but it means Maddy is picking up fleas from the ground/ other dogs etc.

Maybe try tabasco sauce. This said by someone whose pup once chewed every wooden door frame around the house!