persephone

Agree with this.

*shakes head* You have an established bull breed male you have an adolescent mastiff .. you have a female you have the established dog's territory being invaded..and the human belonging to the older dog being taken over by a female person... I doubt very much these are play fights- and yes, it will probably get MUCH worse without professional help . The younger dog is now getting his testosterone surge- and will be looking at the older dog thru different eyes. The older dog will scent/ see the difference in the younger, and react...not in anger, but by instinct.

Now is the time I think you should consult a professional. This could indeed become worse... and I believe you need someone personally there to help you. She is a lovely looking girl

Thanks, Kirislin

Oh So sad .

I am eagerly awaiting the delivery of about 3 dozen! *drums fingers* they will be wonderful- all RB stuff is

Glad he's feeling better.

I've just spent lots of money buying my pics as postcards ! redbubble my stuff

Gradually...... try adding some minced chicken carcases to the normal food.... plus maybe a teaspoon of cooked and pureed vegetable.... then work up from there. Your old dog's body may not be able to tolerate vegetables and bones the vomit certainly sounds as if her stomach rejected all the hard material . Just give her her normal food , and see if she settles. Don't feed her any more chicken necks, if she has poor teeth- she may not be able to chew the bone enough... if she is that age,and reasonably healthy still - I would not be changing her food much at all- except adding a little fish.. and /or mince. Just my thoughts...

I would also suggest that you don't just pick him up. Why do you need to pick him up? Is it just so you can cuddle him? maybe sit on a low chair, or on the floor/ground, and call him to you. Let him climb/jump up into your lap..THEN pat /cuddle him- without actually putting your hands around him and lifting. If you need to get him onto a higher object- what about a little set of steps? that way he can be independent, learn something new, and perhaps gain confidence maybe have his own bench/table.. where he can climb to have collar put on/be groomed, whatever? IMO ,being lifted up is amazingly different for a dog- they just don't have any equivalent in their canine behaviour! If a puppy is handled correctly from birth- yes, they get used to it, and some crave it.... however, it is not a natural thing, and is threatening/scary to some dogs. Also when he DOES cower/cringe- ignore it- don't pat him or even speak soft and caring words In his mind, this is reward for his cowering .. Hope this makes some sense

I like this- it conjures up a very happy little mind picture :D I am glad you are now feeling a bit more positive ;)

I think the one rule is- set your dog up to WIN :D ie: Don't allow too much freedom. DO be in a position to direct/correct your dog Don't depend on the dog to behave if they have not been in that situation before. Don't look at things from a human perspective- think more like your dog

Guide dogs , in training when I was doing it had one or two free run days a week- down at the park- several at a time together- racing around, swimming, whatever. I used to thoroughly enjoy those days .... :D Owners also take their dogs to the beach, to parks, to visit friends with dogs....

Sorry you are feeling so bad- BUT You do need to go camping, and to the beach, and to obedience and all sorts of places - after you get some good advice on helping Charlie NOT go crazy around other dogs You are not a 'bad mummy' - you are his owner/trainer, and you just need some help so you know what to do I would much rather see my dog attached to a lead than disappearing into the scrub, or being chased by other dogs! Perhaps you could have Charlie on a shorter lead, attached to you- so then you have more control over him ? On a long lead- he may well have decided that he was 'guarding' HIS turf :D perhaps he needs reminding that YOU are in charge- not him? Hope you can get some tips for next time ;)

I can't be of much help- but I LOVE THAT PHOTO!!!!!!

What right do we have to deny our dogs the companionship and fun of being with their own species?? Dogs should have other dogs in their lives. Simple. They are dogs, and should associate with others. Guess I see dogs differently.Perhaps I trained and placed too many dogs in almost solitary situations... I do not enjoy being around dogs who have eyes only for me- I like dogs to be in a 'pack' - to run and roughhouse,and have each other for company Like a lot of people could not countenance one budgie or canary in a cage- so I cannot be comfortable thinking of a single dog who never gets to race around with others, or lie and play 'footsies' with a friend... or share hole digging.... Play dates and dog parks were not around when I had dogs in the city.... they just ran around parks and attracted playmates that way To my memory, the dogs were never attacked or harassed by other dogs whilst running around in parks/beaches etc... perhaps it was that dogs were not subject to all the restrictions they are now? perhaps dogs ad more chance to learn to be dogs naturally,and so were more socially adept? I don't know........... it is something which interests and saddens me- dogs losing so many of their freedoms....

Ok- I found some things which may be of help LINK LINK LINK Happy reading.

Poppydog is giving good advice taking pup out frequently is a great idea. You may need to go out every 20 minutes-- and STAY there until puppy does what you want- then heaps of praise!! ) Pups need you to help train both their brain and bladder- they cannot hold for long, and they need routine When inside- you may want to contain Oscar to one room- or even a pen.. so he has NO chance of wandering off and toileting inside- which can quickly become a habit Where is he sleeping? You will need to get up and take him out at night , too - unless he is in a small area with his pads handy... *goes of to search for a thread*

I was going to say, in response to this.. NO- your main problem, as I see it is to get BOTH of you some help so you can TRAIN your dog- then you will be able to go for walks/runs/ all sorts of things. An untrained ,confused dog , as you have found out- is not a happy and settled one Your partner may well be stronger and more able to physically hold and control Lola- but all that is doing is making her stronger and more likely to pull :D Ego has no part in helping educate a dog,or child, for that matter. if someone does NOT understand the way a dog/child behaves/learns/responds to certain stimuli- then that person will gain much from learning with a professional! Good for you in calling the trainer!!!

*fingers crossed it will all stay fine*

Alison- so , how did you get on with the trainer?

*stifles a giggle* it's happened to me a couple of times. once by accident- the other by a cocky over excited male dog who was marking everything that stood still !

Glad you are feeling more comfortable with the care he's getting. With the previous vet's "no visitor' policy .. while it may seem callous to you- ,remember your dog had massive seizures, and has a heart condition. Perhaps they thought any excitement may well have triggered another episode, which may have been disastrous I think they were right . Now, he is stronger and not seizing, so your visit may well help.

You are doing so well!! Lola is a lucky girl, having an owner who is willing to work at learning how to get the best from their dog!