persephone

..in choosing a trainer , please ASK for recommendations on here . It's generally much better for you and your pup if you stay clear of the big franchises , and especially avoid those who advertise guaranteeing results/'Instant' fixes/no problem too large /or with the word "Whisper" in the ad!

Ectropion(rolling out) and Entropion ( rolling IN ) plague labs . Definitely not breeding material .

My opinion on these replies ;) 1 : there really are few of these dogs available ..so we try & help the most needy . 2: We need to visit you for assessments/follow-ups . Interstate travel is way out of our budget . 3: You do need to be preparing yourself ..and these workshops are a good way to do this. There are few dogs available, so there is a long wait . All perfectly reasonable from my P.O.V. ( ex trainer of dogs for the visually impaired, and also for special needs kids/people in nursing homes etc - Therapy Dogs) one little tale - I assessed a young lad with a life threatening health problem .. such a lovely kid , and so very keen to have his own dog to be there during physio and days of bed rest .. ... everything was go. Some months later (he had been pushed up in the Queue), I did find him a wonderful dog ... Sadly, it was too late ..he had passed away not long before . Waiting times ... necessary, but yes, too long in some cases

@wild_rose Getting something special ..whether it be a diamond ring, a house, or a dog who will fit in perfectly with your child and family is a long and involved process . Please don't rush . Let friends/family know ..... spend time with them and their dogs, and note carefully how your boy reacts to them WITHOUT the "novelty Value" How does he react when tired, or hungry....after he has been around the dog for some hours ...Does he watch and enjoy, does he get rough...does he seek the dog out ? The organisations do have rules /guidelines and waiting times. Dogs such as these do not happen often , training takes time ..and then there needs to be a match found . Experienced dog owners MAY successfully seek out and choose "just " a dog who can be trained further at home ..and become a wonderful support. This is NOT something recommended for someone who has never owned/lived with a dog before . Living with a dog for the first time IS a big deal . hair shedding /dirty feet /chewing/barking/knocking things over ... getting too loud and running too fast ...habits, keeping the dog happy and occupied ..It is extra work - honestly . . It's not like chooks/guineapigs in a cage ... obviously the BIG thing here ... DOES YOUR BOY WANT a DOG ? Does he absolutely love being around dogs ? have doggy books/toys? Does he get excited when he sees a dog ? Does he enjoy the dogs approaching him /touching him ? I am glad he enjoys horse riding ..horses are such calm and solid presences ... perfect for anyone with a need for reassurance who can relax and learn with the rhythm of movement ... please be patient - none of us here wish for a 'failed' attempt at pairing a dog and your family - we are all dog people... from all sorts of backgrounds/fields of dog-related ownership/employment , and our comments and suggestions are from a place of concern. ' http://theautismblog.seattlechildrens.org/introducing-a-pet-to-your-home-and-your-child-with-autism/

Found you something else to read .... This is really interesting .http://www.sitdropstay.com/do-you-really-want-a-dog/ excerpt :

@wild_rose This article might be a really useful read for you Hope it helps you in your decision making . https://pressplaypets.com/should-i-buy-a-pet-for-my-child-with-autism-or-adhd/

http://www.assistancedogs.org.au/pages/autism-service-dog.html Here's one https://www.guidedogs.org.au/autism-assistance-dogs And another ( hope it works) On my phone!

OK. So he is not a naughty boy , he is a special needs boy There are indeed organisations who provide specially trained dogs for those to whom it might be a benefit. I really do think it is sensible to look at that option !!

It's great that you came here for advice/info. Research- a never ending asset!! I will give you some more things to read ;) I will also say that a lot of the things you wrote depend on YOU ... having a dog sharing your space means a LOT of communication between you and your dog ... it also involves you understanding just WHY your dog is doing XYZ , so you then know how to manage things OK then ... these links are checklists, dogs & children management , and training. CLICK HERE CLICK HERE CLICK HERE CLICK HERE best of luck

yes to the above . Someone who is there to see and assess.

Not good. a worry for you

wow! @Roova

#23... This morning's smartphone view - a stack of frosty iron droppers (star pickets)

@Scottsmum that is a cute building!! Love it

A lovely walk this morning - in my favourite weather ! ( foggy and minus 4 deg. ) :D

not sure about true love ..respect both ways ..and communication at least

I also suggest having the female speyed A lot of his behaviour now would be habit ... and castrating him probably wouldn't help .

@corvus is your girl barking at the front of your dad , or behind ? I was just wondering .. Stitch - does your dog only ever stalk/show odd behaviour from behind ?

The uncertainty would /does concern me ... what would be the things which tips the balance , and causes dog to make contact ? Maybe he never will ... and this is why it's great that you can see the inherent danger. back-tracking is a good plan ... think from dog's POV , and look at H's behaviour/actions some time around when the stalking became noticeable . My Mitch was a tad timid when I got him as an adult . One day , a friend who should have known better , was playing with him ...chasey ... and backed Mitch into a corner of the yard . Friend was tall and had a deep voice ..and laughed as poor Mitch panicked ... Mitch was never the same after that . A couple minutes stupidity . It doesn't take much ....

It is not at all usual behaviour ... Corvus has given a good insight . I also believe there is some level of fearful aggression in play . Reasons? You may need to do a lot of detective work. When did it start ? What happened around that time ? Has H done something which he thought was OK/minor, but has left dog with the 'wrong idea' ? Is dog resource guarding you , maybe ? I would suggest a behaviourist consult ... you know the drill ;) Better safe than very sorry here.

Does dog react better with H when H is sitting /squatting /lying down ? can you perhaps show us what dog body language is most like out of these ?

@Canisbellum Pretty damn nice !!! While astrophotography is not my 'thing' ..I admire results like yours , and know the thought which goes into it all

#22 ? An absolutely gorgeous morning ..a crisp -3 deg ..my type of weather .Smartphone & I went gathering dry wood for a fire

Oh that does not sound good . Can you have yr phone camera set on video for when these things happen ..best to not tell H..his behaviour must be normal .. just video 20 or 30 seconds if you can ..doesn't have to be a masterpiece !

taken thru a flyscreen/dirty window just now .... Don had just been cleaning out her ears ! (he is also the one who put that slash in one ear when she tried taking his food ...... )