kateykateykatey

I think quality of life is an issue, and I guess from what Poodle Wrangler said, it's not guaranteed after a hip operation? It's such an overwhelming thing to consider.

Yes I absolutely agree-- and it's something I've also considered. Scrimp has had a cruciate ligament operation, and fractured his hip (though there was no surgery, his vet care was extensive) and each time I've heard the "it's expensive, we understand" routine. But that much on a hip operation for a dog with behavioural problems... it's over the line, unfortunately. ETA clarity. :D

It's not just you. I agree, much as I resist the idea of putting a $ value on a canine companion's wellbeing...well...yeah.

Do you know what the name of the vet was? PM me if you prefer I'm interested to know if possible... Just catching up...but Cassie I wondered the same thing. I've found them to be fantastic, and am kind of surprised. You *could* ask to see a different vet there, just as an idea. I try to see the same one, I like being familiar with someone.

Which vet do you go to Veanna?

Wow...Do they really say crap like that? ergh.

thanks Skip I was just thinking about it last night, because Scrimp was doing an attention bark, which I was ignoring (successfully). He also barks at cats, to which I tell him ENOUGH (I don't know why, I suppose because that one can go on for ages) and on several occasions I've been known to give him a bit of a long winded technique, which I will explain. Scrimp, for some reason, loves to bark at one of our cats when she sits on the side fence and looks over. I think it's got something to do with her trying to pick a fight with the neighbour's cat, I don't know. On one occasion, Scrimp was barking and OH unsuccessfully told him to stop (half-heartedly, mind you) twice. I came out to the kitchen, where he could see me, and said, "I don't walk you 2 times a day for you to come home and bark your head off at whatever you please and generally PISS ME OFF" He looked at me, sighed, and walked to his kennel (head down) went in, lay down, and sighed. He got told. LOL not my usual method, but highly effective. I've not tried the coke can of doom, but I've read about it.

Ok. The "I go to see what they're barking at" option is added, but I'm curious to know what you do - is this a behaviour that is praised?

That may have been the option that I thought of, then forgot. I'll add it!

I just checked, bucket-o-beef don't supply melbourne. They do supply Adelaide, and NSW and Qld.

Do Bucket-o-beef service melbourne? They seem okay.

oh, wow, that's soemthing I hadn't considered! I thought of a few others before, but I can't remember what they are to add them.

What do you do, what have you tried, what's been most effective, and why? Is it effective to teach your dog to bark on command, as a way to reduce intermittant barking? What was a complete failure?

I just made an appointment with her for next week. I like the sound of her. She wants to help me teach my dog to deal with on lead aggression, which is okay in my books. But she said I ought to wait before getting another dog... we've got Lilly on trial this weekend.

as in, "so...who are you?"

Well, I called Trish and she seems really nice. I think we're going to book Scrimp for some sessions with her. I'm working on convincing the OH that it's money well spent (he wants a happy dog, but with little or no effort on his part ). (ETA: Needs more eye rolling. )

Hey guys, On "It's me or the dog" Victoria recommended dog massage for a particularly nutty dog as a way of getting the owners to calm their dog while in the show ring. She talked about running their hands along the coat and toward the spine. I tried it on my dog and he seemed to enjoy it, was licking his nose (I think that's a relaxation signal, or something?? Not sure... that's what I heard). And wondered who else did it calm an exuberant dog?

Let me know how you go, sherlock! I figure if my vet highly recommends Megan, and Megan highly recommends Trish, well, this can only be a good thing, right?

Trish Bennett... have you heard of her? Apparently she's worked with her with her own dogs, etc, highly recommended her.

I emailed her, and AFAIK she's not doing personals at the moment, but her group classes sound great, and very reasonably priced.

I've not been to see her yet, but our vet recommended the trainer from Canine Interaction. She does personal training and group training, and she's a member of the Delta Society.

Italian Greyhound? I saw some fantastic pictures of them doing agility, they're very quick! But definately, you have to love the dog, otherwise you wont want to do anything with it.

FWIW, not all vets would recommend sedation straight off the bat... but perhaps it was part of a management plan, I don't know.

I didn't realise this was cross-posted-- oops I should add, my dog isn't free from issues, but they're much more manageable than what they were.