Papillon Kisses

I hear you! My parents' toy poodle will pick up a single piece of kibble and play fetch with it for two minutes before deciding to eat it. A treat dispensing toy would only make things worse. :laugh: Then there's my dog who needs all his food in toys, maze bowls, training etc or else he eats so fast he vomits.

I meant to reply earlier SG, but I'm so happy for you and Molly! How is she getting on? We've started Malcolm on Clonidine (in addition to Prozac) as we wait for a SABS appointment. If it works we may cancel the appointment but we'll see. We are up to Task freaking 15 of the Relaxation Protocol so that is exciting.

It's not that BH is higher than the others, it's just that when talking about kibble low fat seems to be around 10% or less. Those aren't strict figures but just what I've seen on some weight loss/management kibble. If she can tolerate 17% fat in kibble then I'd stick to similar figures. :) Maybe try just a little of the kangaroo sausage at first to see if she tolerates it. It's 98% fat free but quite rich in iron.

That particular Black Hawk kibble at 17% isn't low fat, but pigs ears are extraordinarily fatty. TBH I'd just stick with lower fat chews/treats. There's also Greenies and Whimzees (check age guidelines) for chews. Dried chicken breast is a lower fat treat which is easy to break into smaller pieces. Steamed chicken breast for a soft training treat. She may also tolerate kangaroo sausages? These things are quite high value for my dog. Whimzees not so much but definitely the rest.

Honestly I can't really tell you as I haven't done the course! I think it would be on the high end for Sydney but I don't know Perth prices. Knowing the people I recommended, it's probably well-matched to the experience / skills / knowledge of that particular trainer and the course content and inclusions, such as whether there's email or phone support too. I assume this course would cover much more than basic obedience and toilet training, but also things like socialisation (which is a lot more than just other dogs), impulse control, crate training etc. The whole kit and caboodle. What your puppy learns or doesn't learn, both good and bad, can have lifelong effects: there is a definite stitch-in-time-saves-nine element in play. However the level of help and associated cost depends on what you need and/or want to invest, and you may go just as well with a couple of private sessions with this person or someone else. Either way I am certain that the trainers I shared will provide excellent advice, or at least as certain as I can be without using them myself. You may like to read these: http://www.ava.com.au/sites/default/files/AVA_website/pdfs/Reward-based-training-brochure-WEB.pdf http://www.patriciamcconnell.com/theotherendoftheleash/resource-guarding-treatment-and-prevention http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/12_10/features/Dealing-With-Dog-Growling_16163-1.html The point above about what type of class you've been going to is a good one. Both vet and obedience club classes can be run by people who aren't very knowledgeable about animal behaviour nor using modern, science-based methods: dog training is an unregulated industry. However the location matters less than the person running it and what they're doing and teaching, and raising a puppy well involves more than just training obedience. My parents went to a puppy school at a vet clinic that was run by a delta-qualified trainer, and when they had some issues had a single private session to help set them off on the right foot.

Damn about the vet behaviourist. I was hoping beyond hope that they would be the key to a happier, more relaxed Scottie. Cheering on your victories though! PS: Sir Scotland is braver than Malcolm. He would never set foot on stones in such close proximity to water!

Yep, the vet said it was an acute allergic reaction to an insect bite and prescribed Neocort cream 2 x daily. Unfortunately the little one goes into a licking frenzy afterwards so hopefully enough is staying on / not too much is being ingested. ????

It looks better than it did on Sunday but it still looks irritating.

Great tip! I'll have to remember that.

I know. :D

Yikes! That looks nasty. I must say that I'm thankful we are less likely to see snakes where we live because Malcolm would assuredly attack them. My childhood home backs onto bushland, and one day my Dad was shouting at Mal and I heard him rush outside making a screen door fly off its tracks in the process and I freaked out thinking that Malcolm must have been attacking a snake. Nope, he had been sprung four paws on a big coffee table and had taken off with an entire wheel of peppercorn cheese. :laugh:

Thanks Perse, we hope so too. :)

*shakes head* how do you get bitten when you spend all day in bed. Mal, Mal, Mal.... :laugh: :laugh: Jokes aside he does spend time outside... sunbathing and rampaging mostly. I can fully see him sticking his snoot where he shouldn't. He gets very annoyed by insects.

Acute allergic reaction! He's been bitten by an ant or a spider or something. He has Neocort cream which he's not impressed about.

How old is the dog in the photo? If it is a puppy then it can start looking more like a particular breed or breed mix as it ages. Very cute!

Haha, good one! :D

I'm so sorry Maddy.

Haha I had not noticed that. Good choice indeed!

Thanks Rural Pug. He doesn't seem to be rubbing or scratching his snout, but he has been licking his legs a lot lately.

Wonderful! I wish we could visit the botanic gardens in Sydney but they are not dog friendly.

We're seeing the vet tomorrow night anyway as Malcolm is due for his Addison's injection, but does anyone have any idea what is going on here? It's worsened over the course of the day (looks more red and raw). Photos are five hours apart.

Excellent point. :) This reminds me animallover, that you may find that your boy pulls less in a harness than he does in a collar, even without it being a 'no pull' one. It goes completely against what everyone says about harnesses but it works that way with my anxious dog. He is a strange little creature though so your mileage may vary.

Yeah, as I understand it the aim is to avoid anything with a horizontal bar across the chest, as it puts pressure on the biceps and stops their arms/shoulders moving properly. Or something like that. The Perfect Fit Harness is so cool. It's modular and comes in three parts that can be mixed and matched to a total of 39 different size combinations!! It is also supposedly calming for anxious dogs. Unfortunately out of those 39 different combinations the only one that fits my dog is unsuitable for dogs over 2.8kg. Sigh. Anyway, all of the above harnesses except for the Alpine Outfitters one are available in Australia, but aren't seen in many pet supply stores. Yep, people use that one for bikejoring too. There's an adjustable and a fixed version, but both are custom made either way. The front d ring is an optional extra.

Have you run with your dog yet? You may find, as I did, that pulling stops being an issue. In any case, the following harnesses may be suitable if you're looking for a front attachment point: Ruffwear Front Range Perfect Fit Harness Alpine Outfitters Urban Trail Harness Lori Stevens Balance Harness (not the Black Dog one) I'm pretty sure that the Sensible Harness restricts proper movement.

If there's ever a demonstration near you or you visit Sydney, you should try out K9 Scent Scramble! You can also do Nosework with his balls. My dog's favourite ball is the Planet Dog Orbee. There are Australian stockists.