Papillon Kisses

You are NOT "too soft". You are doing the right thing by your dog and science is on your side. :) You know all this, but for the confidence boost: https://www.ava.com.au/sites/default/files/AVA_website/pdfs/Reward-based-training-brochure-WEB.pdf

It's really tricky because some places kind of dress themselves up as being dog friendly. The people I got in were even advertised at my vet. There will be reference to rewards and such but then they do these horrible things too. If someone calls themself a "balanced" trainer I consider that a red flag.

Ugh. They sound similar to the training company I first got in for Malcolm. You are right to run in the opposite direction. These directories may help: Delta Institute Pet Professional Guild Australia Association of Pet Dog Trainers

Given your further description of being set off by little environmental things, I do think it would be wise to see a veterinary behaviourist. It could be Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). First up though, full check up at your regular vet. Full blood count, thyroid, etc. Checking for physical illnesses that may account for or be contributing to the behaviour. If there's a vet interested in behaviour near you all the better. They'll better know what to test. I'll send you a PM. :) Keep a diary of incidents. Date/time of when it happened, who was there, preceding events. If you can get footage of the behaviour even better (best done by a bystander). My dog has GAD and he does something similar. I don't think he's confused as such it's more that he becomes distressed by noises in the environment, movement, 'novel' (to him) things and just the world in general and he wants it all to stop. Speaking to him gently can short-circuit it if he's not too aroused. It seems to remind him that it's just us and he's safe or something. I hope it's not this but if it is, know that you're not alone and that with treatment things can get better. I'm here if you ever want to talk. :)

Re-read your post. Having a hidey spot/bed in the home as Maddy puts it would be a great thing for Thistle when guests come over. She can take herself off when she needs/wants a break. So yeah I'd go larger. Give her room to stretch out.

This post from Polite Paws explains why you can't find it anywhere else. https://www.facebook.com/PolitePaws/posts/1231269810262602

I ruminated for ages on what size and type of crate. :laugh: What helped a lot was taking Malcolm to a pet supply store and having him step inside some. I found it too hard to conceptualise otherwise.

Malcolm's crate is 76cm x 51cm x 48cm which would be a 30 inch crate? He'd fit in a smaller one but I want him to be able to stretch out fully on his side. His back measures around 30cm but I don't remember his other measurements.

I used this website: http://www.petspantry.com.au/size-chart-pp-iata-airline-approved-pet-carriers For measuring, that is. I bought the actual crates elsewhere.

We all need more gratuitous Fozzie photos in our lives. That is so, so sad.

Yikes! Ok I'm more worried now.

Not hurtful at all Dragonwoman. :) Yes these are things I always keep at the back (or forefront!) of my mind as the owner of an anxious dog. I'm told the event I'm going to is incredibly well-run for reactive (and all) dogs. I'm prepared to call the quits if he's getting stressed or it's too hot. He loves his Nosework, it brings such joy to his life and it's great for his anxiety, but if the situation around it becomes too stressful or the car isn't cool enough I'll put his health first and go home. :) We went to a Nosework event last week and he was great in the car for a couple of hours before it all got too much. We'll play it by ear. But I'd like to set him up for success by getting all the car stuff sorted. I'm not sure of the shade situation at the event. Trying to get more details. It's at the Castle Hill show grounds if anyone's been? Federation building. Afternoon arrival for us at least! Thank you for your help, and RuralPug and Kavik too.

Vebo is life. :laugh:

He must be kept in the car in the reactive dog section. It can be open (windows?) so long as he's secured in a crate but I do need to keep both visual and auditory stimuli lower for my anxious one. He does have a calming cap I can put on and calming music I can play. There are other people who do this quite well especially at Nosework events. Many of the dogs are dog reactive. I'm just wondering what on earth they do. I've left a message with my Nosework instructor, she has a reactive dog too.

Please help! We are going to a Nosework event on the weekend. Top of 30 for the day and most probably no shade. How do I keep the car and Malcolm cool? It's a sedan. Malcolm has a car bed and a soft crate. He has a cooling mat I can put in his crate... assuming I can get the crate to fit nicely in the car (will have to check that!). We have a front windscreen shade. He is a reactive dog so I cannot have all the doors and windows open. I might be able to open some windows if I can cover them in material. Do I buy shade cloth material and cover/wrap the car? And refresh my memory but does the cooling mat need a towel underneath to avoid getting things wet? It's been a lifetime since I used it for our Papillon.

Vebo!! Otherwise you may find a good quality used crate on Gumtree. People buy them for flights or toilet training then sell them on. When you start researching crates you learn which brand is which and those that haven't been rated very highly, at least by DOLers, and can pick them out online.

If you're looking for something to chew perhaps deer antlers? Not sure if ok for puppies though.

Oh and I found a gift for the toy poodle. I got it from a pet supplies store but it's this lobster https://www.amazon.com/Ethical-Products-DSO5870-Lobster-14-Inch/dp/B007CRD93O The main body of the toy is 23cm, the claws and tail are flappy which should be lots of fun. The shop assistant said they float really well on the surface of the water and don't get heavy.

Malcolm is now also getting a Christmas tree as an early Christmas present. :D He loves the whole Christmas tree/gift giving experience. Checking out the presents under the tree beforehand, working out which is his, watching everyone take turns to unwrap theirs and sticking his snoot in to see whether it might actually be something for him. He regularly returns to the tree in the days following to see if something else has appeared for him. :D But this usually all happens at my parents' house and they have their own little dog now who for no fault of his own would cause Malcolm some anxiety (puppy is wonderful but Mal is dog reactive). So Mr PK has arranged his very own tree. We will probably have to skip the lights and anything reflective due to Malcolm's OCD, but a tree he will have. I may even wrap up some of his existing things so he has even more presents to unwrap. :) :xmastree:

LOVE. Oh how I love this boy (whom I have never met!) Happy Gotcha Day Sir Scotland! I'm so glad Scottsmum and Scottsdad gotcha!

Ah I might have to take a trip to a store then. Or, you know, just use his mat. :laugh: I was looking at their website last night and couldn't find anything.

Thanks Thistle! And THANK YOU Through A Dog's Ear albums. You are a life saver. Peace and calm appears to have been restored... for now...

With you on that! And what's the deal with all the tartan on dog beds?! May I ask where you got your memory foam? Was it cut to size?

They probably don't come large enough but I recently discovered the SnugLoo self-heated dog bed. Tried it out myself. Older small dogs or just littlies in general who like their creature comforts. Mal would love it but errr he kind of has enough beds. :laugh: I was looking out for some sort of low profile bed preferably with bumpers at the side for his crate (75 x 50) but to be honest his mat fits in there anyway.

I've shared this elsewhere, but I think others here may like to here about it too... and I'm just a little pleased with my boy. The other day Malcolm saw two dogs playing and instigated a game of LAT. I hadn't seen the dogs at all so at first I was confused about what was happening. We were under a tree, and I moved off to keep walking but he was just standing there looking to his left. And then his head snapped back to me with a look of joyful anticipation on his face! The dogs were exhuberant too which would usually add another layer of concern. I am so excited about this. It has only been possible with the help of Corvus/Creature Teacher and the setups in her reactive dog classes. :) Also it could be something else but I swear he's been seeking out dogs of late so he can play LAT. I'm reminding myself of this fantastic response today as gosh he's having a shocker. Super reactive to wind, light switches, the mildest of movement, taps being turned on, minor sounds... gah! It must not be nice at all inside his head.