Tali

Hi All, we've recently adopted a third rescue dog, and suddenly found that most places allow 2 dogs, but not 3. Does anyone have any suggestions for places to stay that would allow a family of 5 humans and 3 dogs? Looking for a week away somewhere within 4 hours from Brisbane preferably - northern NSW through to Bundaberg and hinterland throughout that area would be great... thanks for any suggestions!

Thanks for all the feedback here - I'm still using up the Advantix, but having 3 cats, I'm keen to look for an alternative (as Advantix is be deadly for cats), and one of my dogs reacts with mild itching after Advantix. Used Comfortis when safe to do so, and it was better for fleas than the Advantix, but doesn't cover the ticks, which is important in Brisbane from about now through till the end of summer. Might try the Nexguard when I've used the current lot of Advantix, based on (most of) your feedback!

Hi Michelleva! Jess is a Delta Therapy Dog - just started this year and is going really well. We visit a nursing home and it really gives me great feeling each week - many don't want involvement in other activities, but just love having the dog nearby - even if they don't pat her. REally special. With Delta, the dog has to be over 12 months old, which is good as they get a bit more calm as they get older. I will try to have STig accredited when he is older, but he is a bit shy at the moment - Jess grew through that as she got older. Glad to see there are lots of places where you can do that - Terranik, as a former Keeshond owner - I'm sure Jedi is PERFECT for that work - they are such social and friendly dogs, but not over the top - wish I'd know about it when I had Tali and Jarrah still!

Shelties! Very bright, happy to run and eager to be trained. Not as much grooming as they look if they are allowed inside. A big sheltie will jump 400, or you can get smaller lines. Temperament wise, you need to look for an outgoing one and socialise lots from when they are little... jess is just starting agility and LOVES it! Stig's been through the tunnel a few times too, and his learning is limited only by his owner's time and ability! have fun choosing, whatever you get.

Interesting thread - I did obedience years ago with a desexed Keeshond boy, and he was the most devoted and clever dog - we didn't get far with the obedience but that was me not him. My girl (desexed) Jess is very smart, but maybe not as focussed on me as he was... not sure if it's a dog/bitch thing, or a breed thing, or just different dogs. I now have Stig, thinking the owner-focus MAY be a male female difference ... but will let you know in about 12 months!

Thanks all - I appreciate the advice (and the beautiful piccie!). Think I will try to make some/practice with socks before I lash out the money - as suggested, Jess may not want them on her feet... but if she will wear them, it would make walking a lot easier. The ruff wear boots are very very cute!! Of course, hubby may very well draw the line at doggy boots... he copes with dogs in house, dog toys everywhere, puppy puddles and sharing his bed with one Sheltie (Stig is being crate trained!), but the boots might just push him over!

I am wondering if anyone has tried shoes for their dogs, and if so, were they successful? I live in Brisbubble, and it is very hot here for a lot of the year. Jess and I walk all year around, but I've noticed she doesn't like walking on grass around the neighborhood (parks are ok) - she got a prickle or two early on and has seeminly decided that the road/footpath is a much better option. I am worried that the pavements etc are too hot for her paws though, and am thinking about doggy-boots or similar. I try to walk in cooler times of day, but even by 7.30 am the pavement here is too hot to walk on for me. OK, Other Half says I have gone completely nuts, but I just wondered if others have tried these and how successful they were?

Shelties with Shelties -absolutely. Same language, same size, same speed... anything big is a bit daunting... Have noticed though that Jess likes Border Collies - they both do the same play stuff - the bow, the drop of the shoulders to herd etc. Other small dogs she loves to say hello to, but there's nothing like seeing 2 shelties playing zoomies... of course, i could be a bit biased!

Hi Deelee I have always used Advantix on my Kees and Shelties. It works against ticks for 2 weeks according to the packet (4 weeks for fleas). Have a great trip - it's fun taking the puppies with you on holidays, although does take a bit more careful planning and a crate is fantastic for the just in case situations.

For new owners of Collies, Shelties and Old English Sheepdogs- these breeds can have a genetic sensitivity to Ivermectin, which is in some varieties of heartworm products. Best to avoid anything with this in it if you have a collie breed, or there is a genetic test to determine if the dog has the genetic sensitivity.

Hi Shet You may well have moved past this now, but if not, I'd recommend the bigger doggy door - a little sheltie will fit through the little door, but a big sheltie will not fit comfortably (based on my Jess!) Lots of pet shelties are oversize - if they grow too big for showing or are likely to then this can mean they are suitable for pet homes. Have fun with your pup when you get it!

Hope all goes well Loyal K9. Generally, I have found my sheltie and the others I have met to be slightly shy of other dogs (unless they are on their own "turf" of course). Not aggressive at all, so while I don't doubt what you have experience, I don't think it is representative of the breed generally. I have owned my sheltie for 2 1/2 years, and am planning on getting another soon. She is smart, fun, playful, but also has her place on the couch or near my feet on the floor when we are being lazy at home. She has won over a number of dog shy children at my kids school, and withstands being mobbed by little people on a daily basis very well. I've become an absolute convert to the breed, and hope that you manage to retrain your boy so you can enjoy him. As you say, the missing 8 months of his history may explain a lot, but it is great you are taking a forward looking approach. Good luck!

I'm a first time sheltie owner of 2 years, and a Keeshond ower before that. My sheltie fitted in beautifully with my Keeshond, and just blended in with whatever the old girl was up to. The Kees was bigger, but her style of play was much slower than Jess, so Jess just ran around like a flash and it worked out well. There is a tiny sheltie at my obedience club that lives with a Goldie too, and no troubles there - again speed and agility compensate for lack of size! Now we've lost the Kees, and I was worried Jess would bark, but apparently no trouble there except if there are strangers around the house. (I have neighbors who would let me know too!). Having said that, I was told they can be barkers by our breeder, so I came down very firmly from the jump and barred ALL barking from the little dog until she was well over 12 months old. The gentle personality means that a firm vocal reprimand is usually adequate to discourage undesirable behaviour. I will certainly be staying with this breed for a long time now i've found them!

Don't know that it is relevant to this situation but... my old Keeshond Tali apparently cried a lot while we were out after her 'brother' died a few years back. We ended up letting her into the hall way of the house (ie a 'safe' area) while we were out, and that seemed to make her feel like she was still safe and 'with' her pack (even though we weren't home). Of course, she knew the 'house' as her pack's territory already, so it may not help in this case. We had (after a council complaint) tried a citronella collar some years prior to that on our boy Kees, and that did work wonders, and seemed to break the 'habit' to some extent. You can sometimes hire one from a vet or council, which might be enough to stop the problem until the dog settles in. I know some people don't like the barking collars, but I also have neighbors that HATE dogs, so sometimes it's a compromise to keep your pet. GRRR - why are all people not dog lovers, who are understanding that a dog in a new home will be a bit stressed and confused???! Good luck though - hope it works for them.