persephone

Canned food is a lot of water, with some cereal/vegetables ,meat bits . It is not good for their teeth- there is nothing to chew ! It is not really good for your wallet , being so much water Dogs have GOOD teeth- IMO they don't need mince or canned food or soft food at ll... If you are feeding a good brand kibble , with a sensible list of ingredients, they do not need any canned food . Chicken necks are good for small dogs- larger dogs can happily chew on chicken frames /carcasses/lamb flaps or turkey wings.These bones are healthier than coloured/flavoured chews ... or chewing on plastic

He's a beautiful boy - he is having a ball ..... that's all he knows He will feel ill one day .. and then you will have to step back and do what you have to do for HIM, not you . When he can no longer run /swim/cope with the pack .... when he is missing out on the fun, and his eyes get that faraway look ...the look that says"I am concentrating on something else... something mysterious....I haven't room for your world now..I am tired" then you will give him his well deserved wings and a chance to rest :D I like to give my guys their wings when they can still crack a smile..and be interested in a car ride or a meal ..I refuse to let them be invalids . Corvus wrote : Indeed ;)

Sounds like one of those stories...someone buys a cute fluffy puppy .... then treats it as a toy and not a DOG with needs.Result - a poor dog who is frustrated and who develops all sorts of bad habits because it has nothing else to occupy its mind. Good for you in doing some work with him! He sounds as if he needs more, though... to tire out his brain AND body. Lots of training ..2 walks a day.. and , as suggested, perhaps introduce him to a crate ...slowly.... If you are thinking of a collar- then consider WHY the poor dog is barking.... yes, it may stop him, but IMO he will still be frustrated/bored/ and somewhat anxious... Perhaps consider getting in a trainer to help? Where do you live?

*stifles a giggle at the mini-monster* definitely feed her separately ....

Stanlo- glad she's home again:) Take it slowly ...and if she relapses, don't try fixing it yourself ! daisygirl- glad your dog is feeling better, too.

agreed. My heart goes out to those who work with these dogs- you are damned if you do, and damned if you don't

Tsar's Mum- Sounds as if she may be a good find - Fingers crossed for you!

I hope the 'someone' is not just a quick fix franchise person :0 I hope they are someone experienced in both the resource guarding, and spitz dogs ..and I hope they spend the time with you that you need Oh.. and looking forward to pics of dog& kids at some stage

melt..have you read this? from siks3

No, not really ..while the house is there, that's where he feels is 'safe', where he should be Start small... praise/treat/play if he is happy in teh front yard...then if he's on the drive, then the gateway, then 3 steps out onto the footpath.... will he follow a toy dragged along the ground ..on a rope or something? perhaps encourage him to do that in teh backyard. When he really enjoys it..put it away and only use it out the front Play with him..and drag it along the drive etc... then onto th e footpath...then along the footpath..and STOP while he is still having fun!! Toy and dog back inside, until next time

and total submission.....eventually

Must admit to thinking this as well...

Welcome! How old is the pup? if he is not fully vaccinated ( after 16 weeks) and is still a baby- he is at risk out walking, in case he picks up parvo. Can you carry him along the street, so he can see/hear things (without him being on the ground at all?) For exercise, do obedience training in very short bursts in your yard...and play fetch etc

human feelings/needs? It showed a dog being a dog ,reacting to certain things as dogs do.... Nothing human about her I could see.... I'm glad she found a home Cute little dog. did you also see ? ( much better with sound OFF)

There are worse things than a needle ..and this poor dog has been there.

Donna, I agree...

Donna, I agree...

Your puppy's behaviour is your puppy IS a BABY !!! he is a BABY ...and needs company.He misses his mum and other pups he was with.... and as dogs are PACK animals, they need to hang out in groups ...YOU are his pack now- but you shut him outside - of course he will cry...... Until pup has been fully vaccinated, he should not be walked much anyhow- he is a risk of catching parvo, which can be fatal and as someone said .. an EIGHT week old pup is MUCH different than a TWELVE week old pup ...in size, brain development and attitude. Can you post a photo- or link us to one , so we can see your puppy? have a read here- it may help you to have some more information.....don't be in a hurry- you have 12 or so years to train this dog CLICK here and CLICK here

Hope your girl is MUCH better this morning , and that you got some sleep

Good decision, siks3.... it's hard, but ,as you said you have your hands full, and wallet empty after the fight .She obviously has not had a good life so far ..I am glad you have cared for her now

I hope this poor girl is in hospital ..... Stanlo - best of luck She sounds very ill

Not really ;) I will quote nekh's post - she puts it succinctly ANY biting/snapping at a human is not on . and I totally agree- tsar's mum . I am SO glad you are getting professional assistance with this - it will take a load off your shoulders

Yep _ I would love there to be plain leather collars.No studs, no silver, no embroidery, no plastic..... just a serviceable very plain leather collar.

*nods* The maltese is a baby puppy ..it is the owner who first needs some discipline Then THEY can pass it on to their puppy ......

Kashing... not to be rude, but are you really ready for the task of raisng traing a large powerful smart working breed dog ? You seem very new to the world of dogs, and seem also to have not much experience with puppies/dog body language /behaviour . Have you ever handled a german shepherd before? Have you ever had two dogs before? To ask if cats & dogs can be friends says to me that you have not been around many people who have dogs and cats living with them inside....that you have not done a lot of research into HOW dogs work..HOW they think, what they are capable of ;) Dogs can be TRAINED to live happily with any sort of animal ... provided you have the RIGHT dog, and a capable owner/trainer. My dogs & cats share beds and food .... BUT my dogs will kill cats who are wild . This is what dogs can do - they are SMART . Dogs can also be BOSS to their humans. If the humans do not understand dog language .... and WHY a dog growls/nips/chases ... then the human either gets afraid, or tries to stop the behaviour in the wrong way :D :D Then the dog can become the boss- or become very timid .. You are setting off on a long journey ...and I do advise you to do as much reading as you can!! Go to obedience classes- and just watch. Talk to neighbours who have well behaved dogs.... and read up LOTS on your chosen breed ..stuff like this is a start CLICK here