poodlefan

1. Don't take your dogs to your parents place. Put them away when your Dad visits. 2. Just politely say " I don't want to talk about dogs with you Dad" when the subject comes up. Or agree with everything he says. Trust me, this will drive him nuts. :p Sounds like a man looking for an argument to me. And yes, my Dad does it too. Fortunately for me, dogs ain't the topic my Dad chooses to argue about. Most of my dog owning relatives are "outside only" "inside spoils dogs" kinds of folk. I just dont raise the subject with them.

Note to all ANKC judges and stewards: Increase your carrot intake. :p

Questions: 1. What does hunger "teach" a dog? 2. Unless you only train one day a week, why would fasting one day a week promote training? I understand the "equating natural feeding pattern" argument but using fasting as an effective training strategy sure defeats me. :p

I consider Basenjis to be more primitive breed than hound. They have some pretty unique behaviours that I don't consider to be "typical" of most hound breeds - dog to dog issues being one of them. Most hounds are pretty good with other dogs. Few dogs have such strong pack behaviours as Basenjis IMO. Few can match them for destruction if they get the chance either.

Are you sure she said pheromone tablets? Pheromones work though a dog's nasal receptors. I don't see how swallowing them would work. I'd be starting with getting your dog to look at you,not other dogs.

I wouldn't be letting a breed that will grow to 60kg + sleep on the bed now matter how good natured it was! This whole situation is a disaster waiting to happen - particularly for the dog.

Clearly there's a whole class of dog owners that shun the light and the popular places to keep their dogs safe and their blood pressure under control. Kind of sad isn't it... that the actions of the selfish and ignorant have driven people to this.

Good: Cash and sash - the nicer the sash, the less the cash is fine by me. Towels, polar fleece blankets. Vet bed!!! Quality breed specific items at specialties Quality dog food. Even if I dont' use it, friends or rescue can. Vouchers for dog product retailers present on the day. Not so good: "Dust collectors" - bowls, plates, mugs etc Poor quality kitchen or household stuff. Or indeed any quality. I just don't need it. Chairs or camping equipment - got those thanks Artwork - some is beautiful, some is not and taste is a very individual thing Cheap dog food - even if the company is sponsoring. Last thing I want to do is lug home a big bag of food (if I'm lucky enough to win one) of stuff I'll never use. I'd probably give it away on the spot.

So I'll be seeing you at Bairnsdale in September then?

Well, I guess you haven't seen how tight some of the places around external doors are in our house. It's bloody hard to stop a dog attached to me jumping on a visitor if I had to answer the door. I've tried it! E gets wildly over-aroused by visitors at the front door. I don't think the leash helps matters much. It does seem to make the visitors more worried. I guess they see him on the leash and think he must be dangerous. I like the baby gate better. We can cue him to sit or down on the other side of the gate and only let him through once he's calm enough not to jump on anyone. Theoretically. In your case, sort the door out and put the lead on when you're ready to bring him through the baby gate. He can't jump if you're controlling the interaction.. If he looks to do it, you move away. Only calm behaviour is rewarded by contact. Telling visitors (once in) that he's onlead until he learns some self control will probably relax them.

My first thoughts were thyroid too... but bloodwork doesn't support that?????

I'd invite her to try it herself... Then she'll find out how "little" work is involved. Add $10 to the price for the "challenging customer service fee". If they brushed the bloody dog regularly he wouldn't need to be clipped. I'd never make it as a dog groomer because I'd not be able to resist the urge to point that out. Why DO people buy long haired dogs if they're not prepared to groom them.

Most dogs can discern between "friend" and "prey" - even between cats they know and cats they don't. I'd say you have nothing to worry about. If Bandit has "the taste for blood", by your DP's reasoning, you're not safe either. Old wives tale.

Halal yoghurt is made from living animals not dead ones. Halal yoghurt is generally the stuff that does not contain animal derived setting agents like gelatine unless they can vouch for the fact that the animals were slaughtered according to halal practices - not easy. I'd consider that a good thing as pot set yoghurt doesn't need them.

Put the dog onlead when visitors come.. bloody hard for it to jump on them when its attached to you. And yes, teach "sit". No acknowledgement and no pats until bum is firmly on the ground. They learn it fast when its reinforced.

Based on what you've said, I'd be programming regular chiro visits into her routine of care. Its a lot easier for a chiropractor to detect and fix issues if he/she sees a dog regularly and it means issues dont' become chronic.

Cutting right to the issue at the centre of this, why do your parents struggle to give the dog pills. Are the worried about being bitten? For how long do they look after her - can her pill schedule be readjusted so that you can do them all or do they have her for 3 days straight?

I'd start with a review of husbandry before writing any breed off as a stinker. Look at diet, grooming, ears, flews, teeth, anal glands, bathing and bedding. In other words look to the owner first. There are some breeds that due to coat type or oiliness may be more pungent but poodles generally ain't one of them. Indeed, there is a poodle skin conditon that is characterised by smelliness. Fastest way to a stinky dog IMO is to feed canned food and keep it outside.

Dear Dog Owner walking your dog offlead in an onlead only area: * You may think you're Cesar Milan and that your dog is perfectly trained, but how the hell do the rest of us know this? We're not telepathic and you and your dog look like every other owner and dog to us. Spare a thought for the rest of us and leash up. * Its easy to tell whether or not your dog needs to be onlead.. if there's no "dogs allowed offlead" signs, assume a leash is required. * Breed, size and age are not reasons that you don't have to obey the law. All dogs need to be leashed if required. * If I had a dollar for every time an owner has said one of these lines, I'd be rich: * He's never done that before. * He's gentle/friendly/just wants to say hi... often said about some pilar erect, stiff legged dog attempting to dominate yours. * He's just a puppy. Honey I don't care how old your dog is.. put it on a freakin lead. * IF your dog does something it shouldn't, all dog owners will pay for your arrogance. Dogs aren't robots. Even well trained ones can chase a cat, get a fright and end up in traffic by accident. For everyone's sake, stop feeling special and leash up. You might just stop people abusing you for breaking the law, but who knows, you might save your dogs life as well. How you consider yourselves to be above the law beats me. And while you're at it, carry some bloody poo bags. Feeling "special" often seems to relate to that requirement too. You dog's shit is as offensive as anyone else's people - pick it up.

What breed, how old? Simple answer is increase the amount of food consumed, the fat content of the food consumed or both. Working dog or performance kibble is often good. So is lamb - ribs, necks and other fatty cuts.

Thanks for the update. Judges permitting, I'll enter next year.

Dad doesn't live with them? I bet Mum is thrilled NOT I don't think this sounds like a recipe for longevity unless Mum steps up.

Will he drink milk? Jointguard blends will with liquids.

What a joke. No trainer I know would dream of attempting to teach that combination. Sounds like a Dad on an ego trip to me.

Hope that helps poodlefan. Calm and people focussed. Hmmm Pity the hair issue might rule out a CKCS. I was thinking about a CKCS. But didn't know how much it shed. She was initially thinking of a pug, until I told her pug sheds ALOT. Not sure I'd describe your average Pug as "calm" either