The Spotted Devil

My first thought would be kidney issues....but not necessarily. It does sound like an awful lot of water. My young dog marks like there's no tomorrow but doesn't drink all that much. A couple of questions for you: how old? how active? could it be an obsessive-compulsive behaviour? The last one sounds odd but it can happen - then there is a positive feedback system in the body whereby the cells become hypotonic, the body responds by pumping out too much fluid via the kidneys, causing excessive thirst and so the cycle continues. More common in horses and pigs from what I know, but thought it worth mentioning. ETA: Just noticed he is 8. Shame you've got no health history. Personally I would have a vet give him the once over because often these things, if caught early enough, can be controlled.

I purchased 2 on E-bay....one is 10m and the other is 15m - the only thing is that the 10m doesn't have a looped handle. Go to this UK seller's page and do a search for 10m/15m leads.

This website is very interesting. I was surprised how chicken only got 3/10, when it is so much advertised by Billinghurst and Lonsdale as being excellent RMB for dogs. I will need to do some more research about that I think if it had no additives and hormones etc. it would get a better rating. Great if you can source clean chooks I guess, or grow your own. I found a butcher this week that claims his chook is clean. I just want to point out that hormones are not permitted for use in Australian hen production although I think they may be in some countries. I only use chicken/pork/fish based protein due to the Dally propensity for stone forming - no red meat here.

Exactly! My ACD stole and consumed an entire loaf of bread (plus bag :p ) the night before she was put to sleep at age 17 (it wasn't the cause of illness) - the dear old girl went out in style and true to form

My ACD was a shocker and my Dally boy isn't much better....come to think of it my cats do it too I simply don't leave anything out if I'm not watching....the problem is the very tiniest lick is so self-rewarding that it's difficult to prevent. Thank goodness for crate training :p

The next bag of Eagle Pack dry I will buy uses pork as the main source of protein so it can't be too bad. I would be cautious about the level of fat, introduce it slowly as per normal and avoid processed pork products completely. Poor dogmad - that's quite a picture you paint

I think some people carry a stick to protect themselves (and their dogs) from wandering dogs that may show aggressive tendencies

Have you considered consulting a vet that specialises in geriatric care? There are more vets that do this as our animals are living longer. It does sound like the onset of dementia but that certainly doesn't negate quality of life for the dog......just yours at times by the sound of it

If you do a search of the forum you'll find lots of good tips (and different approaches). Personally I think crate training is the only way to go - with a very full on puppy it saved my sanity and kept my house in one piece I got my pup into a good routine of going to his crate with a puppy kong full of his biscuits and he just loves it now. What your puppy needs from you is patience, consistency and clear boundaries......my approach was to think "OK, it's cute now but do I want him doing it when he's 25kg?" Puppies are individuals so you will learn an awful lot by just observing. My pup needed to sleep a lot and would turn into a cranky, cry baby toddler if he didn't get enough After 2 hours of being up and about I would sit quietly on the floor with him for a cuddle - 3 yawns (from him!) and it was off to bed. He found it very difficult to sleep in the lounge room when he was tired (too many distractions) so I had to physically put him in his crate. And most of all, don't forget to enjoy your puppy

I'm confused....I thought you were getting a lab pup to show/breed? I agree that this is a very difficult situation to advise over the internet. And potentially dangerous - sounds like a very expensive puppy ($600? from the other thread) for the issues it has.

R&A - I don't know you or your dogs so my understanding of your dog's history is a bit lacking but... I don't blame Ruby one bit for giving some back! That would be very threatening for her and difficult to interpret as "play". I'd probably do more than nip in that situation Although my young dog is fairly OTT he is very submissive with other dogs and I am very careful to make sure that he does not become stressed by a behaviour that looks like playing. I won't let him be chased by other dogs - I don't mean the type of play when the chasey game goes back and forth but when one dog is a little too dominant and simply chases without giving way. Many owners think this is just normal behaviour and will often say to me "oh they're just playing!" Nup - I don't allow my dog to do it to others and I won't have it done to him. If it does happen I call him straight to me then stand between him and the other dog (I'll even growl at the other dog if it is really pushy) as if to say "It's ok, mate - no need for you to defend yourself, that's my job." Also, when we are at the beach I never, ever take toys to play with unless it is a squeaky tug that rewards Zig for a good recall. There's plenty to do on a free run without constantly chasing a ball and I see quite a lot of dogs become very protective of their toys when another dog comes over to say hello. Ziggy gets to play fetch at home as part of his training. On re-reading I sound like some sort of over protective crazy woman ETA: I meant to add that I tend to go to the beach fairly early in the morning so there are only 1 or 2 dogs on the beach to interact with - much easier situation to control in terms of socialisation.

Will try and find out for you ETA: Just sent an e-mail to the club secretary. Will let you know when I get a reply!

Here's a website for you: All About Dogs produced by the VIC state government. Click on "Kids and Dogs" and "Dealing with Dogs" and "Getting Along with Dogs" in particular - the info is based on the school education program to reduce the incidence of dog bites. Good on your SIL for doing her research :D

I had an "early starter" here too - his breeders couldn't believe it I did pretty much the same things as Erny mentioned. Poor Zig didn't have a bed in the lounge room for ages because he just couldn't leave it alone! I removed all the cushions from the lounge and kept him out of the bedrooms. You have to be really, really persistent!!!! If I noticed him scraping something with his paws, that was a good warning sign and I'd distract him with something else. I found that it stemmed from being over excited/stimulated by his environment so tried to keep that fairly calm. He's completely grown out of it now - and has several beds in the lounge room to choose from

Come on. Be nice. She did a fantastic demo of her new innovative Sit which, wait for it, you don't say Good Boy ----- you say Good Siiiiit.....~~~~with voice moving in wavy patterns~~~~ Are you serious? Dog, I love daytime TV

Just another idea for you....when my puppy licked me I would say "gentle" to the point where, if he was mouthing, I could ask him to be "gentle" and he would switch to licking my hand instead. This was very handy when he met young children as a bouncy puppy too

Oh I love your ideas Persephone I don't have the set up or the room to have pup outside so it's nice to hear from someone who does!

I just left newspaper out for Ziggy just in case - although he only toileted overnight 3 or 4 times in his first 10 days and that was it. I was fortunate enough to have Uni holidays for another 6 weeks and low contact hours after that. If it's only for the odd day like today, I'd block the door with the crate and lay out newspaper....although if puppy gets bored, he could scratch the walls/chew the door frame like Zig did a bit. I just can't think of any other way to do it as I know Ziggy would struggle outside in this heat.

I swear by my open crate set up in the laundry - Zig happily sleeps in there (most I've left him is about 5 hours when I had an exam) - I leave water, a stuffed kong, a few toys strategically hidden etc. If you could puppy proof the bathroom I think that might work - do you have the freedom to do some "practice" runs or are you heading back to work soon? I always made sure Zig has 2 hours of up and about active time before he goes to the laundry - he goes straight to "bye byes" now ETA: Zig was trained to toilet on newspaper when he came to me so I always left some "just in case"

The young or the old (animals and humans) tend to be affected more by hot weather. My lad is a destructo-Dally so I can't let him loose in the house either.....on a day like today he is inside with me sleeping quite happily in the air con. Normally when I go out he is left in his open crate in the laundry but even that gets too hot in this weather or that awful NYE night...so I leave him in his soft crate in the lounge room with the air con going and a small bowl of water. He's perfectly happy with this set up. Any chance you could set up some sort of play pen on the cool floor of the kitchen for puppy?

Just a side note with regard to vitamins....the more you supplement the less the dog will tend to produce itself (same in humans apparently). The advice from my nutrition professor is to only supplement occasionally (e.g. when immune system needs boosting) rather than all the time.

I had a chiro visit us at home - she was awesome and very, very gentle (lots of massage first). Qualified in human and animal chiro. I noticed Zig just didn't look quite right across his spine - he's quite hyper and throws himself around a lot so I'm not surprised I will definitely be getting her back for a follow up in the next few weeks. Here's the website plus the Australian Veterinary Chiropractic Association for more members.

Photos please Philipa

That's what I've switched from - it really has made a difference....although I was perfectly happy with Zig's coat and general condition.

I've just switched Ziggy onto this - only half/half as it has too much lamb content (it's a Dally thing!) but he loves it (although he eats anything), is looking lovely and his faeces are more solid. Are you thinking of switching over? What from?