persephone

HI. Briefly- you are not doomed, not really ,not yet ! You just need to make sure BOTH pups have good solid obedience training and controlled leash walks - with some free running time to play Read up in the training threads here- and see what suggestions are given... but trained separately is great- a couple times each day- give each one 5 or 10 minutes walking on lead - practise sitting, etc. Training them more will mean you will have dogs who you can comfortably have inside.... and who can share your life a lot more. At present, they sound as if they have limited human contact..and so, naturally they will be bonding with each other more. IF you feel as if it is all a bit much handling two teenagers...maybe a session or two with a private trainer, at your house, would be a way of getting support and strategies? If you need recommendations, I am sure someone here will give you a name ,or names

Dogs can indeed be born fearful/nervous...and it is sometimes not noticed at first, until the pup faces new challenges/environments. I would also suggest getting a recommended behaviourist in to assess her, and help you with strategies to minimise her fear/agression. I owned a fear aggressive dog for many years... and it certainly takes effort to manage

?? if it happens without human interference, during a normal part of puppy maturation- why is it not natural? personally ? nothing derogatory I have never been involved in breeding for looks- so ,unless something may cause discomfort ,or be dangerous- it doesn't faze me at all. My experiences with breeding have been in Guide Dogs and working sheepdogs- both of which are/were bred to be sound and of a temperament/propensity to be trained for the job at hand. Looks were/are a poor second . yep - I am guessing it was to do with the original use of the dog in bull baiting, similar to why the nose is set how it is. Dogs with very open/prominent ears would probably have been culled. It is always interesting to learn the reasons behind things Generally- I get now where you are coming from... people expect to see ears look a certain way ... Thanks.

Oh, dear That sounds awful. I have no real suggestions- other than it seems as if there may be a bit of something still rattling around in her stomach, causing constant infection/irritation? Or perhaps hs had a cut in her oesophagus, which hasn't healed properly? An endoscopy may well be the only way to find out Poor little mite.

Ok- so if this is a natural happening,and a common phenomenon... then why not have it as accepted in the show ring?

Excellent news So glad he's made it thus far! PS: "naughty" is when a puppy does something deliberately, after training/educating in the 'correct' way. eating something which smells enticing, and is readily available is not "naughty" ..it is being a dog.

However, the ears have still been assisted into the position required by the standard ....that is my query. Why is it allowable to artificially train/mould puppy ears? Will there be (or are there?) splints for tails? To assist in maintaining a tight curl, or to straighten a tail which should not be curling?Or perhaps special boots to tighten up a foot with slightly splayed toes? I don't really mind if this is done- just that I think what is seen in the ring ,in regard to conformation.should be a naturally occurring/genetic gift- not the gift of blutak or glue,or whatever. I honestly didn't realise this happened , and find it disappointing.

Trisven.... I have been wondering the same things? It doesn't sit comfortably with me either... So, if I saw a dog from whom I would love a pup.... especially as its conformation was good- and ears sat perfectly.... would the owner/breeder tell me that the ear set was NOT due to genes, but to glue? Sorry- I am a total show/standard ignoramus.... so any explanation will be grist for the mill!

I agree with following the breeders diet recommendations for a while.Let the pup settle for a week or two, then, if you strongly disagree with what's being fed,and you've done your research, change over GRADUALLY , to avoid tummy upsets. Ricotta cheese and eggs sounds fine to me Ask the breeder about the type of raw meat, too- they will know what their dogs can tolerate . have fun with the new puppy!

How frightening definitely get a THOROUGH check done- bearing in mind that the vet needs to be checking for neurological probs/tumours as well as endocrine probs, and sources of pain! I hope the cause can be found and treated .

Oh Dear I am so sorry. if he was convulsing, it doesn't sound good- but hopefully he will be strong and pull through.It is a horrible poison

Roo tails ,IMO, would be one of the leanest :D There is a pad of fat on the underside, between the skin and the muscle- but the bones themselves would be easy to 'defat' I just poke the spinal cord out with a thin skewer, and run under VERY hot water if necessary .

:D

giraffez- it is possible, that when clipping his ear hair short bits of hair fall into his ear canal- and yes, it would be very annoying/irritating Dogs have ear hair to STOP foreign bodies getting way down in the ear canal (..in some cases tho it can grow too thickly.. yes, I know people pluck it out .. :D )

I just scrub with betadine wash.. clip if there is longer hair over the spot...and apply betadine.

I enjoyed that!! :D Thanks.

ANY dog has the capacity to be a watch dog Dogs need walks on leash - not just parks/ball games. It's the walks on leash which help with communication and bonding, plus gives the dog a chance to 'work' .. they must walk WITH you, they must control their urge to run/sniff/bounce... and this in turn gives them mental exercise- a VERY important thing A CKCC was my suggestion as well

No different command- just the one

me as well :D *fingers crossed*

He looks a very bright and happy boy!

Once or twice a year

Just go to the vet. make sure pup is on a wheat bag or something to keep her warm... and go. Hopefully she will be ok, dear little thing

Ah Ok- no ..tell Mum she is in the maternity ward for a reason! Thanks, ashanali.

I think sway is right By all means take her to your vet if your are unsure, tho. your dog 'should' allow you to handle any part of their body.It is a necessary and basic grooming/health procedure, after all Practise every day- when she is relaxed... rub/pat her everywhere! ears, open mouth, rub gums, lift tail, rub inner thighs/belly/touch around vulva.... handle feet nd look between toes... everywhere!

I do not think it is a suitable arrangement in your situation if the pup was an only pup- by all means! As it is, you have all sorts of problems with your little pack- and I worry that this could alter the BC's behaviour yet again , and cause hassles with the other dog/s. It will also alter the way your son sees both pups- he will naturally want to be soft on 'his' dog...and may inadverdently cause damage.