Papillon Kisses

We are back from our trip. Malcolm went pretty well apparently, no disasters. The sitters reported that he struggled sometimes but was easy for them to redirect. He was described as a "total bed and heater hog" which is 1000% accurate. :laugh: And the vet nurses reported that he wasn't much interested in playing fetch but boy oh boy did he love cuddles. :) He does seem to be struggling a lot now though now that we're home. Lights, noises, movements, my husband approaching us, and resource guarding silly things like carrot sticks. Interestingly though his dog-dog reactivity seems to have dropped further. At the vet on Monday there was one dog crying the entire time out the back and he saw two other dogs. They were his favourite breeds (CKCS and German Shepherd) and well behaved, but still. He would look at them then look at me or a vet nurse instead of staring, and he did not bark or growl at all nor tremble excessively. He was only climbing my arm in the exam room which he does when he's more stressed. So we truck on. Working back up to where we were with the Relaxation Protocol and a VB check-in next week. The increased anxiety may be related to the Trazadone so we're not sure what will happen with that. I feel like he's more anxious on it and more anxious as it wears off, but I'm not sure if that's even possible. The Prozac is amazing though. How's everyone else going?

Agreed. What a selfless, loving thing to do when it must hurt a lot.

So glad your dogs are ok. How scary!

Look up Dr Karen Overall's Protocols. If they appeal to you, start with the Protocol for deference and Protocol for teaching sit stay and come. Choose your puppy preschool wisely. Some are poorly run free for alls when it comes to socialisation with other dogs and/or they punish puppies even when they don't even know what they're meant to do. Puppy classes should be fun, educational and SAFE. Roova's links are great. Finally, whether you'll be able to do all those things you've mentioned with your dog is partly due to how you raise it but also genetics. Good puppy raising and socialisation (socialisation isn't just with other dogs but with different people and all sorts of things in the environment including the situations you have mentioned (safely)) will only allow your dog to reach his or her full potential, which is not identical for all dogs. Like humans, some dogs are born more nervous or excitable, or genetically predisposed to anxiety disorders, or simply don't like all that stimulation you have mentioned and are homebodies. I hope temperament has weighed in on your decision to go with a particular puppy from that particular breeder, and that you have seen other dogs they have bred. Some people will tell you anything for a buck.

It sounds like she will be loved to bits whatever happens. All the best for her surgery. xx

Poor little girl. This might be a stupid suggestion and have knock on effects that are worse, but just in case... Could you get a second hand wheelchair* to take some weight off pre or post surgery/amputation? Perhaps that might buy you / her patella a little more time? *may need to be modified to fit her exact measurements

Beyond what's mentioned above, another good thing to do is to have Max work for his food. Slowing down the rate that he eats will help promote fullness or, if he's still a bottomless pit, at least give you a longer break from the pleading! There are: - slow feeder bowls (avoid the ones that just have three prongs in the middle as they are useless) - slow feeder mats - puzzle toys - food (treat) dispensing toys - snuffle mats - kongs - scattering food on pavers or the grass to hunt out (avoid if your dog has a grass allergy) - using the entire meal or part of it as rewards in training - DIY food puzzles: fill an egg cup with the meal & close flaps if you need to make it harder, hidden inside recycled containers/boxes folded over or taped, hidden in little cups or piles around the house and yard, in muffin tins obscured by tennis balls, etc. Some of these suggestions may possibly not work with the brachy face, you may need to experiment. Oh and make sure the whole household is on board with helping Max reach a healthy weight and not sabotage your efforts by sneaking him food. :)

Oh that sounds gross. I wonder what makes dog yarn retain or worsen the smell but not regular wool? And do different types of dog fur work differently? Rhetorical questions of course.

Awesome that a name has been provided but please OP, stick to the names you are given from experienced dane owners. We know who is experienced and good with our breed. First stop is Craig Murray then K9 Pro. Don't waste time and money with others. With all due respect, I provided some contact details of experienced vet behaviourists who work with all breeds. Craig Murray and K9 Pro may be good with Danes in their capacity as trainers, but they aren't vet behaviourists should one be needed. Speaking of vets, have you taken the dog to a GP vet, Unicorn Magic? It is worthwhile getting a full physical in case something else may be contributing. Wishing you all the best with your dog. Sounds like a dreadfully tough position to be in. As past President of Great Dane Rescue, I have worked with Craig Murray for over 10 years, he is not simply an obedience trainer and is where we sent all out problem dogs for rehab when he had the property to facilitate this. Craig often works alongside Vet Behaviourists post consult where medication is often prescribed. Regardless...this isn't a Chihuahua, this is a giant breed and is potentially dangerous. That's great! My point is that whether you call them a dog trainer or a behavioural trainer or whatever, this field is different to a vet behaviourist. Sometimes training alone is not enough. I am disheartened by your last statement which suggests to me that you don't think dogs deserve comprehensive treatment unless they are tiny and have less powerful bites. I hope that's a misunderstanding.

I was kind of ok with the dog hair, I mean what's the difference really between that and regular wool, but the last comment about the kid's ponytail...

Your excitement is contagious! Looking forward to puppy pics!

I've never taught fetch as my dog came to me with that skill pre-programmed, I just had to shape a better retrieve. But I wanted to say that sniffing walks are great too and paradoxically burn up lots of energy! Dogs take in so much information with their nose and stopping to breathe it all in is calming, enjoyable and gives them lots to think about. ???? The energy expenditure of 10 minutes of sniffing is equal to a substantially longer amount of straight walking (I can't recall the exact number). Sounds strange but I suppose it's all that mental energy that goes into processing the information. Sniffing walks can be paired with a command like "free" or "go sniff" or by a cue such as clipping on a long line if you are concerned that the dog will lose their ability to heel on command. And no, this doesn't mean it becomes a pulling extravaganza: your dog can still walk politely on a loose leash you're just letting them sniff as they were born and love to do. You could also throw in some recalls. It can be boring as all hell for the human but it's great for the dog, lol. :laugh: Read –> TAKE YOUR DOG ON A SNIFF Have fun with your kelpie!

Yes, your little red man is so very precious. Thinking of you both.

Awesome that a name has been provided but please OP, stick to the names you are given from experienced dane owners. We know who is experienced and good with our breed. First stop is Craig Murray then K9 Pro. Don't waste time and money with others. With all due respect, I provided some contact details of experienced vet behaviourists who work with all breeds. Craig Murray and K9 Pro may be good with Danes in their capacity as trainers, but they aren't vet behaviourists should one be needed. Speaking of vets, have you taken the dog to a GP vet, Unicorn Magic? It is worthwhile getting a full physical in case something else may be contributing. Wishing you all the best with your dog. Sounds like a dreadfully tough position to be in.

Some vet behaviourist options Pet Behaviour Vet may still be up north if you're lucky: and Stabler Behaviour

I think there's five!

Oh I am so relieved. Would you believe it, I was about to recommend you have your vet refer her to ARH as an urgent case but thought I'd refresh before posting. They are top notch there and so lovely too. Your little miss muppet is in excellent hands. Thinking of you both. xx

Now this is the sort of quality political content I like to see. ????

Love

I returned from Tas to Sydney today and feel like I am in Far North Queensland. OMG. #takemeback

But the difference is that your "leave it" actually tells the dog what you want him/her to do. More akin to a recall. A traditional "leave it" says stop doing that. So what you've trained is awesome!!! Thank you! :D And well done, Shekhina! Great progress.

Hahahahahahaha (Sorry, just imagining Mal in the snow, he would need a gortex onesie and boots and would still not be impressed!) We need photos of these snow adventures!

Just saw this: https://www.facebook.com/events/614843458669138/?ti=icl "Sydney Standard has teamed up with Sydney's most iconic markets — Paddington Markets — to celebrate our love of dogs with loads of activities, music, food and fun! The dog show starts at 12 noon and there's lots of fun categories to enter [blah blah blah]" It is a free event. You could previously register but that may have just been if you wanted to enter the show part. I don't know if they have just tacked on dog dress up / trick / whatever competitions to the end of their market, or if there are more dog related stalls, etc. Anyone go last year?

Man I love my "leave it" command. It's kind of become a catch all. "Leave it" means stop whatever you're doing and good things will come... Did not know it could be a bad thing?! Anyway, carry on...