persephone

Taken about 6 years ago ..when everyone was younger :p

:) you will do well following nekhbet's advice .. I have nothing worthwhile to add ! ( is busy imagining a ballistic little pom , though.... ) Hope it gets sorted soon.

They need to be like that (& more) when mustering/yarding feral goats too! sometimes they are told to bite & hang on to a foot or nose , otherwise the goats don't believe what they're being told ! I don't think he would do that, he has never even nipped a sheep well not that has ever caused a mark or pulled wool. Who knows though, we have one goat named Yoghurt and she isn't being told by anyone! sounds as if he is in heaven :)

They need to be like that (& more) when mustering/yarding feral goats too! sometimes they are told to bite & hang on to a foot or nose , otherwise the goats don't believe what they're being told !

Ohhhh, rach - I am so, so sorry another one of your pack is gone .Luckily they only ever knew fun and caring in their time with you ... Once again you & the boys have a broken heart Take care ....

which is why we have : dogs who are good at , and enjoy mustering dogs who really are only at their best in the yards dogs better at goats than sheep dogs who are terrific in working away from human control ..and the ones who think they are doing a terrific job ..but are really only being given a day out ;) they usually have an area in which they do best - so, that's what they will be given to do.....

back in the day , ours were similar . The 'leave' command was a very useful one .. as the dog would still be wary & maybe hackling ..which would put the person concerned at a distinct disadvantage ..and on their best behaviour. Must admit , I rather enjoyed the days when people knew that if they entered the yard without permission there would be immediate consequences.....it was accepted .

Aah - thought you may have been thinking of risk to owners .workers ;) :) I have had nips/grabs from our working sheepdogs ... especially young ones who sometimes seem like kids on red cordial! We did have one - who , when younger was known far & wide ..as, at one time or another he had grabbed everyones' hands in the yards . He rarely did much damage .. except to our hearts , which used to stop suddenly when we felt the GRAB ! Dogs can and do get injured . We have had workers with busted ribs, bruises, cuts, lost teeth ......

????? in what context?

Is there any reason why they can't have their own beds ? I like to see dogs sharing ... but they do it themselves when they are comfortable ..not because there is one bed "to share" cos I set it up that way ;)

don't own a stud dog ... but I very much doubt that those handful of times will do anything at all to teh detriment of the dog.

I second leaving her outside with a big , WHOLE raw marrowbone ..or a plastic soft drink bottle into which you put a handful of her food . Throw an apple onto the grass for her t o chase/chew . She needs to run/chase/chew..and indoors is not the place. Set her up to do good! Cardboard cartons, bones and apples, fluffy toy and a container of water - let her play and discover, AWAY from all your things. if the yard is securely fenced - then that is the good spot to play alone for some time ..to watch the birds, to enjoy the sun ..and to not have a human attached . :D Pups need to learn how to play by themselves ..and a great big meaty marrowbone or lambshank or kangaroo tail will get her interest, give her plenty of chewing fun ..and a meal!!

Ahhhh what a beautiful soul ...

she may be safe ..apart from possible tooth/jaw damage as she bites at the wire ..or claw damage ..or being covered in pee/poo if she gets really worked up& anxious ..... and never ever wanting to go near the crate ..... I am not one for giving pups heaps of freedom at first ..but that method sounds a bit OTT . you really need to work out what exercise she is getting ? do you play with her out in teh yard ? off lead of course if you have fences .. good playtimes will help occupy her brain/body ... INSIDE is then for relaxing/being calm and quiet ..... I also suggest you read this : N I L I F and buy a good quality (not supermarket, 2$ shop) chain lead . This will discourage her from chewing ;) It's what I always use with puppies from day one .

if your yard is fenced well ... and has no snail bait /sprinkler system ... I wouuld suggest leaving pup outside . ..or at least let her off teh leash! poor baby ...She is probably dying to eun/dig/explore .. and she can't .

it's always hard to lose them .... Sorry .

..I'm sure you can play/teach him things without tug :)

Mogda .. I think that before someone gets hurt you should contact a REPUTABLE , non franchise trainer or behaviourist , who can see the pup , and the behaviour, and set you on the right path . being in NSW, the only names I know are k9 pro . please get some video of exactly what happens .... and maybe email it to them ? You need help beyond what you are doing. Is the puppy's breeder available to help .. or did the pup come from a source unknown? has she had a thorough vet check? maybe post a 'Help, good trainer name needed" post in General dog discussion? yes, trainers are listed everywhere- some cheap , and offering all sorts of guarantees ... all are not what they seem

My Nanny dog /playmate was an A C D .. and he protected me from any perceived danger . if Mum wasn't there - no - one could take me out of my pram - no one. Not grandparents even. He shadowed me and on a couple of occasions I remember killed snakes in front of me - one in the kitchen! He wasn't just a biter - he would not bite until Mum gave him the word ... and then it was full on . he was perfect for Mum, who with a toddler, was often alone for some days at a time here .... There was also Oscar, a working Koolie . One day when out , the bike hit a stump.. oscar must have hit something hard ..but kept on working for some hours . Then it was noticed that he wasn't at all well .. air which should have been in his lungs was under his skin! he had a rough couple of days .. Vet advice per phone , sleeping indoors for a couple of weeks ... and he was looking to get back to work!! The same boy , once , several miles from the house .. so not too far , he & his boss were mustering sheep .. it got dark .. sheep were finally put where they were supposed to go - No Oscar . Driving, Calling ... no Oscie. next Day ..more driving and calling ... there were tracks , and it could be seen that Oscar had found some stragglers .... but he didn't return home until the following day... and I'm sure , if he could have spoken he would not have been complimentary ; after all HE was doing HIS job , keeping those sheep together ....

I have been lucky enough to own one about 20 or so years ago, and worked at a kennel for 3 years that had several of them. Awesome animals. *nods* :)

I have worked with a couple of Bouvies .. Lovely dogs :) No idea these days what they are like - this was 20 years or so ago ...they were so patient .

I have friends who bred minis .. and have met several standards and a couple of giants. From that- I am a fan , without knowing them thoroughly . I like their build.. so square and solid - seem to me they would be a good build to help with mobility issues .?

Standard/giant Schnauzer. ! Solid, impressive looking , long lived ... social, strong, smiley ... My impressions, anyhow . ;)..and you have to love a moustache :p

ohhhh