Henrietta

We had some fun with dogs/family over Christmas just gone. My uncle was coming, then he wasn't, then he was, then he wasn't, then he was and 'btw - we are bringing the dog'. It was fine. I played rotating dogs and it went without a hitch. I have one dog that isn't good with other dogs, depending on the dog/introduction etc, but this pairing was not suitable. Our other dog is fine but being a bit older and the visiting dog quite a bit bigger and boisterous, we kept them separated for the most part. I stayed over my nan's in the evening with my girl, more for my sanity than anything else. I'd spend the evenings with nan and glass of wine, debriefing about the day's events, whilst the rest of the family was living the chaos back at the house. The dogs cope better than the people. It was a great setup really, because families members could just excuse themselves to play with/walk the dogs and go and hide for half an hour. Worked for me anyway.

I feed my little one the Canidae Salmon mostly and the other Canidae grain-free sometimes for a change (it's a little lower in protein - 34% from memory...I'll go check... yep I was right, a rare memory win for me). I can't say I saw a great jump in activity levels in her, but she was fairly active to begin with. She also gets regular bones though, so that will also effect the overall protein levels in her diet. I found the Salmon especially really agrees with her, lovely coat and bright eyes, nice stools and minimal upset stomach (she's a little sensitive).

Well, my first dog has been a difficult girl, but I'd say it's less about breed and more about breeding especially and socialisation. I did the wrong thing and bought from an unregistered breeder, we did socialise but I was too inexperienced to pick up the more subtle signs that I was going to have major problems. The first two years of her life were trying, now she is a complete joy (she is four and a half), she is better than what she was but I will always be managing her. There are aspects of her personality I love - she is clever and very keen to engage with you when there is something in it for her (yes, it took me a while to cotton on). I love training and playing with her. She is just full of energy. And she is lovely to relax with on the couch or curl up in bed with at the end of the day. Whilst I don't mind her slightly independent streak and her tendency to be a bit bossy, I'm looking for a softer, more people-focused dog for my next dog. From great breeders with dogs with wonderful temperaments. Combine this with an owner who has learnt lessons the hard way... I am pretty confident that my next dog will be a totally different experience. Edit - there are heaps of breeds that I admire and appreciate that I would never own. Just not the right fit and I've got a much better idea of my limitations now!

No problem with this dog being declared menacing. As an owner of a small dog, with anti-social issues to boot, it makes me quite angry that folks do not protect others from their animals, and their animals from harm. My girl would never be allowed to wander in my front yard, she would never be allowed offlead except in private fenced properties. The incident in question was completely preventable. Pity the owner is not taking responsibility for the incident. Edit - oh, and is it ok to get shitty with people who don't care about small dogs behaving inappropriately? I take my role of guardian very seriously with my current girl who is well-managed and much improved, but in the future I hope to have small dogs that are a complete joy for everyone to be around and that I will be proud to have in the community.

My girl with issues is to become my parents dog in the event of my death. She is to be PTS if they cannot look after her or if they die. She cannot be ethically rehomed and I'd not ever want her put through the stress of being away from her home and people and in a shelter environment which she would not cope with for the last days of her life. I would do things differently depending on the dog. Either they are rehomed via breeder/family or rescue group that fosters or they will be pts. I think it is important to think of these things and it is another reason why I will always go with a ethical registered breeder/rescue group that will take back my dog in the event of this happening. My current girl is a BYB special. My family and I have had this discussion and are well aware of our wishes. Edited to make sense.

Yes, I have certain colour preferences with my potential next breeds. I would prefer a sable and white or black and white pap, a black mini/toy poodle and a fawn and white or brindle and white whippet. But honestly, when the right dog comes along, I won't care about the colour. I'd not make a choice based on colour. I'd not wait for the 'right' dog with the 'right' colour, but I would wait for the 'right' dog no matter the colour. I don't see the problem with waiting for a colour preference, as long as your other requirements are met as well. I'd only be concerned about it if you were compromising in other areas. ETA -toy

So sorry, Jules. Run free Brock.

The little one loves yoghurt. Licked from the tub/bowl after I'm done. It's the sweetest thing... she knows she gets it and I can tell she's excited when she sees/smells the yoghurt, but she just lies beside me until I ask her if she want some yoghurt and her little butt wriggles and the chops are licked. Dawww...

I often walk my parents' staffy x and sometimes people cross the road. I think that's just fine. An ounce of prevention. I can see why people wouldn't want to take chances. Sometimes they even wave from across the road, so I don't think it's a 'zomg, I hate your dog and death to all staffies!' I truly think it's people just being cautious. I think that's great because so am I. I also acknowledge that some people have dogs with issues and they are trying avoid triggers. I like to see dogs owners in control and on the ball and I try to be the same. The staffy x is a good natured dog who has some select doggie friends, but she isn't a candidate for dog parks (I'm personally not a fan anyway). She is what she is and I'm watchful in her interactions. Can't say I've had trouble, but I've also had an offlead small dog come at her very aggressively and she didn't take to kindly to it, but I had control. Of course the owners just laughed it off. If it were my small dog (of which I own one, see previous post), the scene would've sent chills up my spine... I wasn't very comfortable myself at the time and my dog wasn't in any immediate danger. The staffy is constantly outrun by my nan's whippet. She whines and dives down on to the floor in a play bow. She is used to being slower than other dogs, even my little one can outrun her. A sudden burst of energy and it looks like she is in with a chance and then Abby takes off and fifth gear and is all over and she's left standing there. She can be a rough dog, but she seems to match other dogs fairly well. I've never had a problem with her and my little one, but I acknowledge that her style of play is not fun for a lot of dogs. Therefore, she doesn't even get to play with every dog she knows. Edited to make sense.

I don't like seeing any offlead dog. My girl doesn't like other dogs and it becomes tiresome when other people's dogs are offlead and don't have control. And from experience, the great majority of people don't have that control. But yes, I do cross the road if dogs are onlead in certain circumstances. I don't really mind what others think. I always have the safety of my dog as a first priority. Also, I wouldn't put her into a situation where she could frighten or hurt another dog either. I always try and be two steps ahead. She is a small dog.

I was horrified when a 'family friend' informed me that she 'had to get rid of Zues.' When I asked why she had to get rid of Zues, she said that she had been informed that he wasn't a purebred SBT. I said, 'Well, you got him from f&%*$# PP, so what do you except?' And then I asked why on earth she surrended him anyway. 'Oh, I don't want a mutt. I want to breed. I already have another pup lined up.' Through my anger, I asked if this new dog was a registered dog with papers. Nope. I do believe I walked out of the room in anger that day and I've actually never personally spoken to this women again - not that I really liked her anyway, she was my parent's friend. No point even trying to point this women into the right direction. She had no feeling toward the dog she just sentenced to death. To make me even more upset, she told the RSPCA that the dog jumps up and bites. Now, I had seen this dog. It was a young boisterous dog that needed training and more exercise than it was getting. I told her as much on that occasion but she wasn't all that worried about it at that point. Sorry, some dogs are just doomed from the moment their family chooses them.

Thank you guys, I am still buzzing. :D Here are just a couple of pics of the dogs in question... I was kicking myself for not having a camera charged and ready to go yesterday. I was probably too busy enjoying the moment anyway. Edit - not the best pics out, sorry. And yes, whippets are pretty special, aren't they?

Well, it's a brag of massive proportions for me... I am so happy! My 4 1/2 year old girl is fear aggressive. She has her best friend - my parent's dog - to play with and they get on wonderfully. She used to get on with my Grandma's older girl, who has since passed on. She was raised with these dogs. My nan recently got a lovely whippet boy. He has been a great dog, a wonderful companion for my nan and a great exercise partner for me (now I'm walking three dogs), not to mention an interesting introduction into the world of sighthounds. I previously thought that my girl was destined to have one canine friend in this world and in the back of my mind I was starting to worry for the future. I never intended to have just one dog. If I didn't have more than one dog, I'd certainly want my dogs to have some canine friends. Anyway, this feeling of her having just one mate has been playing on my mind for quite some time. Can you imagine my joy, when today, after some very careful introductions and some time and patience, my girl and my nan's whippet boy played together? It's early days yet, of course, but I feel that they will be great together with some careful supervision and common sense. Edited to add something. I am so grateful to this beautiful whippet boy, who shows wonderful calming signals (also very impressed with how my girl has come along in this department). He has impeccable manners and his play signals simply cannot be misread, even by my socially inept poppet. I've shed a few tears of happiness today. I simply didn't think it possible.

Man, I've been so lazy lately. I'd love to do what you do B_Q. Usually, I just forage around in the fridge and find some cheese. I do cook up chicken and use left-over meats. I did up heart once and she didn't like it. For special jack-pot treats, she loves to lick (sweet) yoghurt out of a container. Makes me wonder if she is a sweet tooth... maybe I should test her on doughtnuts for some extra special treats? I find that we do better when I chop and change my treats (fair enough, I like variety too). I have a vest, a couple of jackets and about 3 old pairs of pants that are dedicated to training. I stuff pockets full of treats and make sure I retrieve them out of pockets when I've finished. And I don't go anywhere else with my dog training clothes. I don't like training bags. I started out using them, but it's just easier for me to use pockets. Much more natural for me and therefore it makes it easier to reinforce in a timely manner. I used to get my treats stuck in the corner of treat bags and would spend most of my time rummaging around awkwardly. I don't seem to have the same problem with pockets. Spelling, grammar etc.

Zug Zug, you should not feel guilty (yes, I know... easier said than done) about rehoming your little dog. It simply wasn't working and you rehomed responsibly. You made your dog and another family very happy. I don't think for a second that I could 'stuggle on' with a dog that I simply did not click with. For all I said about my Abby, we did 'click'. It wasn't the wonderful bond we have now, but there was something there that could grow. It was difficult at times, but it just needed time and some dedication on my side! Sometimes that isn't enough.

Thanks Hesa, I've paid.

My girl would prefer the bed over the crate anytime. But we've had a very long reinforcement history with that. If the crate is out at home in my bedroom (usually only in winter) then she will seek it out if she isn't invited elsewhere. She will choose the crate over her dog bed. But the crate is usally set up outside where we play crate games. She drives into her crate and loves hanging around in there when we are training. If I ask her to go into her crate at any time she is happy to run in there and stay there. Yes, I consider her crate trained as she is happy to be in there. On the occasions I have decided to sleep her in the crate, she is content.

Completely OT again, but this really resonated with me in my approach to piano practice. I have pieces and techniques that I am quite ok at, therefore I love them, therefore I practice them... ALL the time. I have pieces and techniques that I suck at and therefore do not practice them anywhere near as much as I should and I have a tendency to gloss over them. It's not as simplistic as above, because I do try and shift my focus but I do have to force myself. There is a very deep satisfaction when you do make improvements with things that challenge you. And yes, I do this with training a lot. Lately, I have been trying to plan my sessions around what I need to address and balance this with stuff we love and do well. My ultimate goal is that both categories merge together lol. I find that if I don't sit down and think and plan, I just do what I have always done.

Actually PF, it's very interesting that you mentioned the 'halo' effect of our old dogs. I am forever referring to our old girl as the easy one. One day, mum reminded me how, as an adolescent, she was quite destructive for a period there until we figured out her activity levels and training needs. How easily we forget. I dunno if Abby will make it so easy for me to forget. Time will tell, I guess.

It was a slow-growing bond between Abby and I, I have to say. The first two years were the hardest as we experienced some behavioural difficulties and I was learning some hard lessons. But ongoing training has helped us forge a very strong bond. Training, playing and grooming all helped in our day to day relationship building and it's only through me understanding her a little better that we have a bond that is stronger than I could ever have imagined. I don't think I can have an instant bond with anyone, animal or human. But in comparison with Abby, my other dogs have wormed their way into my heart at the speed of light.

Growing up we were taught how to act around our dogs. We were respectful and gentle and interactions were fun. I don't remember ever being worried about the dogs or feeling I was wrapped in cotton wool, but there were clear rules and boundaries. There was never an incident. I think what is telling is that the dogs were a big part of our life and family. Not just dogs that were out in the yard 24/7 and barely noticed. We helped with their exercise and care - whatever was age appropriate. We had a bond with them and them with us. Dogs were feed away from young children and as soon as we were old enough, we helped to feed the dogs. Back in the day, I remember the daily heartworm tablet (Dimmitrol??) Dad would give the tablet and I would ask for a sit and put the bowl down, repeat for the next dog in another room then we would leave them in peace to eat. Never would we have been out in the yard whilst the dogs were enjoying a bone. I grew up with these two dogs. One died when I was 14, the other when I was 16. Lovely, lovely family pets.

I especially love the second GSD. I cannot offer any help or advice because I cannot draw myself! Edit - If you ever want a subject to play with, just give me a yell. I have a very expressive little dog on my bed right now. When I was browsing the general discussion forum my eyes played a trick on me. The topic below was "Bloody BYBs" and I somehow melded the two together so your topic read, "I scanned my bloody drawings :D" And I thought, woah... excited much??

Ahh... the ongoing search for a breed. I think I'm getting steadily closer to what I really, really want. Poodles (Mini or Toy) Whippet Papillon Over the years I have toyed with idea of many breeds. I have come to realise that I want a people-focused, affectionate dog that would like to join me in a fairly active lifestyle with cuddles on the couch/bed at the end of the day. At one stage I thought I wanted a more independent type, but I think I have been deluding myself. I've got enough independent to last me a while sitting under my feet as we speak(hang on - is that an oxymoron??) Miss Abby, I love you dearly, but sometimes you need to live with the dog that isn't quite your 'ideal' to understand what you are really looking for. Well, actually maybe that's not really true - some people are actually a bit smart about the whole thing and try and find out what they want before getting a dog. I highly recommend this avenue to those looking for a dog! Having said that, she ticks a lot of the boxes... active, training challenge, cleverer than owner and quite fun to be around really.

All good points, PF. I am not interesting in the herding or working groups. My main loves are the smaller dogs. From the toy group in fact, but I have also looked into a couple of larger breeds from the non-sporting and the gundog group and even the Hounds. Edit - I think my main loves are the littlies though... I keep coming back to them. Once a dog is here, it is a keeper. I have a dog right here now who I can do zilch competitive sport with (temp issues) that I still have a lot of fun training and do active things with. Ideally, I'd love to compete and I'd do it if I can, but I'm not going to run out and buy a dog for a job that may not even come to fruition! The issue of structure and soundness has just really, really interested me and will be a factor in future choices for sure. But so will lifestyle factors and temperament. Edit - so completely OT, apologies to the OP.

Don't assume that one necessarily means the other Henrietta.. you can do a lot of things and even achieve success without turning your mind to the hows and whys of it. I'm sorry PF, I'm a little slow today... do you mean people can be successful with unsound dogs or do you mean that people can breed sound dogs without actively participating in active sports? Of the latter, I am sure. Edit - I saw your edits. I'd not be willing to compromise on temperament either. And I do take your point about performance breeders too.