Tatelina

Get a house sitter. For example someone from Happy House Sitters

For a long sit like that, you would like have A LOT of offers from very experienced people who have police checks and lots of experience with dogs. You put an ad up for free and get to scroll through all of the applicants and meet them and discuss the arrangement that you want (ie. division of costs and car etc). The more professional house/dog sitters will have their own contract or form so you can agree of things like emergency vet visits (eg. if you're not contactable) and they'll likely send you lots of photo updates through WhatsApp.

Another option is Find a Dog Minder although I think it's much more common for shorter stays.

I have used both options and have had great success.

I'm surprised this doesn't have a big discussion going! I just came across this video on FB and came over to DOL to see what people thought of it.

How do they manage THAT many dogs? How do they ensure there isn't fights and squabbles?

http://www.peoplepets.com/2016/03/31/article/stray-dogs-costa-rica-photos

Sorry to hear Huski.

Hope your nana heals soon.

RIP Cherry.

Try www.findadogminder.com.au :)

I think we need a pic of the clan to assist us with the visualisation. :)

:laugh: great description except the whole time I was visualising a real GOOSE. Now I'll have to re read it imagining a border collie. :laugh:

YES! Me too! I was thinking 'man this goose has guts!'.

A lot of good advice and interesting topics are missed. It took me years to discover the "View New Content" button

Oohhhh.... that's handy!

Not for his problems, but could be worth it for other (health related) reasons

+1 to this.

I know its only a snippet of what is happening but Bonnie looks in that video no way challenging Lucy, if anything it looks like she is trying to disappear from Lucy.

That's what I was thinking. Poor lass!

Cutie! And what a nice, big comfy couch!!

Yes, they are very lucky to get such a nice couch! There are two of them, so they all don't have to share one.

And you're very lucky that they don't eat couches! ;) That would be a loooot of stuffing to clean up!

Oh where do you guys live to come across horses all the time? I want to move there!!!! And horses in suburbia?! Bliss! It's waaaayyy too expensive for that here in Sydney (and the number of properties which have enough space are further out in the sticks anyway).

Cutie! And what a nice, big comfy couch!!

I remember reading on the forums a few years back how someone was at their computer scrolling through forums, and then thought (without moving) something like 'hmm..I'm going to go for a dog walk now!' and her dog reacted, jumped up and got excited as if it somehow KNEW what was about to happen.

They may not be able to talk to us but I figure animals are pretty amazing at picking up things!

What's wrong with poor Loca?! Neuron disease?

Why didn't you make this up on SurveyMonkey?! Much easier to collect results.

Q. Would you travel >50KM's to purchase your new pet?

A.Yes

Q. Would you want to meet the animals parents before purchasing?

A.yes

Q. Would the living conditions of the pet impact your decision (Small living area or many dogs which could indicate a puppy factory)

A.yes

What a cutie!!

in an apartment, a bed is more ideal but for his need... maybe a crate inside a playpen is better? what size crate should i get for a collie? i was looking at life stages crate... any suggestions there?

How big is your apartment? I would be impressed if you had the space for a pen big enough! (Crates are different and used for different purposes so need less space...I'm sure crate devotees will be able to share more).

i am committed in ensuring this new bundle of joy will have plenty of love, walks, exercise and training daily and regularly. i am also looking for a dog school to ensure he stays socialise with dogs and other people and to help me train him.

my goal is to nurture and shape this puppy to be a good manered part of our family. i am committed to invest my time with him.

You've given yourself a challenge with getting a youngster in an apartment! I personally would have gone with an older rescue dog that was more set in his ways instead of taking on the challenge of conditioning and training a teenager, but sounds like you're up for the challenge!

As Ceasar Milan would say:

Exercise, discipline, and affection… in that order – These are the three ingredients for creating a happy, balanced dog. Most dog owners give only affection, or don't provide these three necessities in the correct order.

Read more: http://www.cesarsway.com/tips/basics/glossary-of-terms-from-cesars-way#ixzz34JGj9KJ8

And persephone makes a very good, valid point about the pup not being able to handle alone time after the kids go back to school, and you guys go back into your work schedule if it hasn't learnt how to enjoy it's own company, has been mentally exhausted each morning before you leave, and has learnt boundaries.

Good luck with it, and let us know how you get on!

Unless there is no space between the end of the ribs and the hips then it is possible for every dog to have a tucked in waist to some degree. It may be more or less pronounced in different types and breeds

The dog on the left in a show (and retrieving) champion from the 1960's. He has many features previously mentioned:BROAD, DEEP, WIDE, BARREL RIBS, STRONG and also actually looks like an athletic, fit water dog. Like many breeds, I guess the lab is just becoming more extreme in certain areas.

What a good lookin' dog!

From memory I had my 3 packets of panels for 2 years before they started getting a little rusty...but I didn't mind seeing as they were <$10 a pop!

All those photos are wonderful!!

I have spoken to my vet and they have indicated they would be happy to de-sex the pups at about 8 weeks, prior to re-homing, which is great news!

I don't understand... Why is it ok to desex these new puppies at 8 weeks, but it wasn't ok to desex your female dog at 8, 9 or 10 months before she had her first season?

Give her a $30 bottle of wine as a gesture. Even if she doesn't drink, she can use it as a token when going to a friend's place for dinner.

Thanks Malakita, It all happened so fast that I really didn't have a chance avoid the ugly scene. I just goes to show that you never can tell the mental state of some people at face value. I now will just carry some pepper spray on walks and hopefully deter and avoid any physical violence and face the penally for using a spray in the highly unlikely situation, should it arise. It is in the pocket of the treat bag also for when my wife walks our dog.

Urghhh... just typing this is making me feel ill by re-living something I am trying hard to stop thinking about.

Oh my gosh how terrible!!! Glad that you're ok though (more or less). Are you male or female?

Haven't had any horrible reactions, just one that sticks out was a woman who had a fear of dogs. I was at the shops with mine dressed up in Christmas gear. She came and sat next to me and the dog and smiled and just said "I have a fear of dogs, I don't want to pat yours, but I think he looks cute". She was sitting about half a meter away from him just smiling to herself. Scout ignored her [didn't go to her for his normal give me lots of pats].

That's kinda nice... hopefully you helped her take a little step closer to not being afraid of dogs. :-)