persephone

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!

Alison- there are plenty of things you can do in the back yard - things to keep her occupied perhaps kick a ball around for her- play 'soccer' I do this with my dog sometimes put the leash on and just walk quietly around the yard- praising her EVERY time she is not pulling Practise getting her to sit and have the leash put on . Praise, take the leash off. get her to sit , put the leash on.... practise until it is the most boring routine ever. keep your voice quiet and calm..dogs react to voice tone ... excited rapid voice? dog gets the same! and you might want to try THIS at mealtimes

This is pretty graphic- but it certainly taught me a few things LINK

and she pulls so much because neither you, or Lola have been trained in how to walk correctly using a check collar .(or anything else) Alison- you have the canine equivalent of a V8 towtruck on the end of the lead! Would you just hop in a vehicle like that and go? NO. You would be shown, step by step, how to start off slowly, how to apply the brakes at the right time, so you don't skid, or crash.. all those things. Now, dogs are WAY more complicated, cos they make their own decisions- and react instinctively to so many things we are not aware of!! Unfortunately, the more training collars, etc you try, and the more they do not work, the longer it may take to get the two of you working together You will both be in the grip of bad habits. So- as you are embarrassed in public- and want it fixed ASAP- so you can enjoy your beautiful girl - private training now would be a grand thing to do

Good for Luki!

:hugs: His body is getting tired... poor old boy.

That is so true!! Also- with choosing a trainer- don't use anyone whose methods make you uncomfortable, or who appears to hurt the dog. Choose someone experienced, and who discusses everything with you

diva- snap!

A ttreadmill is great for Lola's basic exercise- but she still needs to get out and socialise, and you still need to learn how to use the basic training tools. When is your course starting?

Alison- The good thing about not knowing how training and tools work- is that there are good people around who DO know, and who you can have visit you at home- so no embarrassment- and LOTS of support :thumbsup:

Alison- she sounds as if, with the work put into her, she will be a great dog!! You DO need to learn how to train her though. It isn't something you experiment with- because sometimes you can make little problems into bigger ones Lola sounds as if she needs much more mental and physical exercise- and yes, it WILL make her much easier to handle . What training do you do with her at home? perhaps she needs more than she's getting . The crossbreed you have is/will be a very strong and active dog.She has not finished her growing yet! To be safe- humans, and dog, you need to understand how she is thinking, and how to control her actions. The fact of her jumping up at you, and lunging at other dogs waves a red flag at me........... this is an accident waiting to happen, as you have wisely realised! I would recommend you book a session with a trainer ,preferably one vouched for by D O L members. There are trainers around whose methods aren't what's needed... and booking one who people have actually worked with face-to-face is a BIG plus ;)

So Sorry -

Noopy So glad the little dog is doing ok!! :D I will also suggest you keep the emotions at bay until your dog is much stronger. She needs her strength to heal- not to be worrying why you are behaving differently You have lots on your plate- so do need to step back a half pace, eat well,and be strong .

whimpering can be excitement, too.... maybe provide him with some nice big meaty bones to chew as well!

yep- dab/spray..

Sounds as if it may be a reaction to something in the environment Try erny's recommendation of CALENDULA tea apparently it is great for relieving itches etc.

ermm- just burying him a pot would be most unpleasant for you as decomposition is a smelly business. .....

Good to hear he sounds such a character!

To those looking for expert help- give us a location- town name/suburb..and ,if possible, someon on here will recommend someone D O L members are everywhere, and a lot of them have used private trainers and behaviourists. Word of mouth is a GOOD way to find help

I second what nekhbet said. it is something which needs personal and professional attention. Trying to fix it without expert knowledge may result in making things much worse

pepi- I hope you aren't offended by what I am about to write- I feel so sorry that you are having such a hard time When your boy dies, you will desperately want him back- you will ache to feel his wet nose, watch him gaze at you, and see his tail wag.... all the things which make us love our dogs. A taxidermied body is not your dog- really. It is the skin and fur which covered your dog's spirit........... THAT was the part of the dog which YOU LOVED, and which loved you. A taxidermist with skill can do a marvellous job- but what if the expression left is not one which you like all that much? The taxidermied skin will not be 'cuddly'- it will look like your dog- but will be missing that 'spark'. I don't know- people do have their pet's remains taxidermied...I could not. I could not walk past the dead body of my pet every day...... Perhaps have him cremated- then you can carry the ashes with you - or bury the urn in a pot with a gorgeous plant? My dogs are all buried within sight of our house.... and it is their spirit which I still feel around every so often ,and which I treasure Wishing you calm and all things good as you go through all this.

Just sending thoughts to you. It's hard when they get old ... one wonders if 'this' is their time to go over the bridge.... Whatever happens, he is now comfortable and being cared for....

I believe dogs can sense illness.. thru scent ( like ketones on the breath, or the scent of a body fighting cancer/full of chemicals)...or pheremones, or body language, however subtle. I also believe that heir behaviour around people who have a brain disorder/injury/illness is often because of different body language Some people just do not show any threatening or even assertive body language so the dogs are very happy to 'claim' them other people may indeed display all sorts of body language which can be interpreted as threatening/intimidating.. so dogs behave in a very different way. It is indeed a fascinating thing Love the stories! :D When I was placing pets As Therapy dogs- it was always amazing, to watch how the dogs behaved. The one I remember most was a young male boxer cross - he was from the RSPCA- a gorgeous bouncy boy. he responded very well to training..except for an aversion to cats. I placed him in a hospice for people with advanced Motor neurone disease. ....with some misgivings at first. I worked closely with them, until one day I visited , and he was stretched out on a big soft bed with a resident...there were various plastic tubes and wires surrounding the man, and he was obviously close to his death, but he was so peaceful, and Mac was so gentle and careful ............ He apparently chose the people he spent time with.. I 'think' in later years he had to be withdrawn for some reason, but I will never forget that sight

indeed.

Oh- lightbulb moment I just realised it was SHE- has she been checked for vaginitis or anything ? is she clean around the vulva area? perhaps it is her urine stinging- perhaps she has a slight irritataion....