SammyZ

My stuff up.There certainly not barkers

Well the three Irish Setters I/my family have had over a number of years certainly liked a good bark at happenings going on over the fence/birds in trees etc (this was with walks and plenty of stimulation) and I can only go off my own experience of owning the breed can't I. This was fine as there was always someone at home to nip it in the bud and it was a larger property but I work part-time so I won't have the luxury of doing that. It doesn't mean that I don't think they are terrific dogs and over-the-top barkers, I think they are not the right breed for my situation being so close to my neighbours.

OP- have you made a decision yet?

I am also in a strata and the first thing I made sure of, before buying the house, was getting a signed letter from the strata management that dogs are allowed in the complex. Can you do that?

I personally would love to get an Irish Setter but realistically, even though my backyard is generous and the same as a standard house, I feel they are just not suited to living so close to neighbours as they tend to like barking especially when they are puppies. I would put Labradors in the same boat tbh. High energy dogs/pups and even with a long walk in the morning and in the afternoon plus training I don't think it would be enough in the backyard set up you have. I am all for inside dogs but I think those breeds need room during the day to stretch their legs/do zoomies.

How about looking at a more chilled out breed? It doesn't necessarily mean a small breed at all. I am currently considering a Great Dane as our next dog. Tbh with your garden set up it is basically like an apartment (small paved area out the back) so have a squizz for a breed that is known to be OK with apartment living, obviously with the right exercise etc.

Although, like pf said, a senior Labrador/other dog might be a great option

Also can you move some of the paving to put in some grass for a toilet area? I have seen an artificial grass set up at the local Pet Stock so maybe check that out

What about when a dog digs/leaves a bone in the backyard and eats it months later? Or is my dog just weird Wouldn't that be similar? I thought that is what dogs did....

A friend of mine has a gorgeous 10.5 year old Ridgeback who unfortunately has been quite sick recently. The vet has advised that she has renal issues and has advised to put her on a special diet. As far as I know she has been on medication and doing well The vet has recommended the special Renal Eukanuba, which she is currently on, but my friend is looking at other options (preferably home-made but other commercial brands too). Any advise would be really apprecaited?

Bec.

Oh What a stunning girl.

RIP beautiful girl.....fly free...

So sorry for your loss

I want to do more than manage the problem though, I want to cure her. I accept that a playdate with another fear aggressive dog was a stoopid idea But it's my understanding that in order for her to move forward, she needs to start meeting other dogs. I know she may never be a social butterfly, or a dog that can chase a ball in the park, and that's ok, but I'd like her to not be afraid anymore.

With some dogs you can't 'cure' them, all you can do is manage. I have one sitting at my feet!

Having said that, it is different from dog to dog, so definitely get a session booked with a reputable trainer/behaviouralist and take it from there.

Nekhbet - you said it so much more eloquently than me

Does she really need to be offleash or is that something that you yourself want? I would love to have a dog that I can have offleash but it just isn't going to happen with Angel and once I realised that a weight lifted. I was wanting her offleash for my sake iykwim. Not saying that this is the case with you but just thought I would bring it up.

Bec.

In my experience, having a muzzled dog with aggression issues offleash just heightens their reaction. Good for others, in that they can't get bitten, but not good for the muzzled dog itself in helping with its aggression/reaction. I think about why the dog is acting aggressively and will being offleash with a muzzle help that or hinder it. Plenty of people wouldn't agree with me so you have to do what is right by your dog.

It might be worthwhile to get a trainer/behaviouralist out.

Bec.

I wouldn't let a muzzled dog offleash full stop but that is MHO.

I agree with Poodlefan. Work on the dog some more before letting them offleash - something is holding you back from doing that by asking this question so it isn't the right time.

Bec.

I called around and got a few quotes, there are a couple of places that will do it for about $240-60, which is a much better price.

Thanks for the help.

Can you relay this onto your vet and see what they come up with? Always worth asking.

Bec.

I got some great information re: Schutzhund from here - http://www.schutzhundaustralia.com

They have a Clubs page with contacts. Unfortunately (for me! I would love to see it in action) there doesn't seem to a WA branch at present.

Good luck,

Bec.

I have pet insurance with Pet Plan for my cat but not for Angel. Any animals I get in the future will have insurance. I just figure for such a small amount it is a buffer that I feel more comfortable having.

Bec.

Ta for the responses re: schutzhund. From the reading I have done, I see it as a sport, harnessing the existing ability of the dog and a very positive thing to do (if done correctly and with the dedication/knowledge needed) but was just curious on the councils take on it. Doesn't surprise me at all *roll eyes*

Sorry to go slightly OT but thanks.

Bec.

Bec.

Not something I agree with and I also agree with you that a well trained (and I mean 'properly well trained') protection dog is often safer than the general pet dog next door, who has never been taught when NOT to bite. Many people view protection training as "teaching the dog to bite". IMO this is silly. Dogs already know how to bite. Protection training teaches them discrimination of when is right and when is wrong and affords the handler a control switch which can be turned on AND more importantly off in a split second. I think some scrutiny is required though, so that the right dogs don't end up in the wrong hands. Haven't heard of that happening myself - perhaps the people who are dedicated to the right and continuous training protection dogs need are too proud and dedicated to their dogs to do the wrong thing by them.

Agreed.

Just a quick side-note thing, is Schutzhund classed as protection training (from what I have read their third phase is a 'protection' component) and if you take part are you subject to the licensing/'dangerous dog' policies?

Bec.

AKA: Cheesy doodle

I feel slightly ill

Would it make you feel better if I mentioned that generally it's the dog licking itself that makes the problem flare up?

God I need another coffee....I don't think having a toasted cheese sandwich for breakfast was a good idea

Bec.

Ok I think you are all right. I'm sitting here almost in tears as I am so stressed about it all, and I've spent all this week (while I should have been doing assignments) so stressed and trying to figure out what I should do. It is really affecting other aspects of my life at the moment and I need to be able to get back to thinking about my uni stuff without having to constantly worry about the dog and it's aggression.

So I am in Brisbane, Redlands/bayside area. Any reccommendations for behaviorists?

I did see that the RSPCA has a calm dogs class http://www.rspcaqld.org.au/training/calmclasses.htm - does anyone know anything about that?

Hugs to you - I would steer clear of RSPCA training classes but that is just MHO from my experience. I think one-on-one will be the way to go with your boy. Fingers crossed someone can come along with a trainer/behaviourist rec for you.

Bec.

AKA: Cheesy doodle

I feel slightly ill

Mooboo - good luck with finding the vets and hugs to your boy.

Bec.

I would head to the vet this morning.

Bec.

My daughters are 10 are 12 and I think you are right, they really aren't getting the seriousness of the situation. The dog is supposed to be the 10 year old's dog (the older girl doesn't really have much to do with the dog, she's more of a cat person) but she just isn't understanding how bad it is.

Your daughter isn't old enough for the dog to be 'hers' especially with the aggression he is showing. I firmly believe that the dog is the parents responsibility and if the child/dog take a shining to each other then great but it is a bonus. And it isn't up to her to understand how bad it is. It is up to you are the parent to always walk the dog with her and supervise him at all times with the issues he is having. He needs to be kept away from other dogs, for their and his sake, for the time being so find alternate routes.

We are going to try a behaviourist, but unfortunately I need to wait for the university semester to be over (late november), as I there is no way I could cope with trying to implement what a behaviourist is recommending while I have exams and assignments to do. I guess I just need to find ways to cope with the behaviour until we can get professional help.

I think you should get the appointment booked in now as it can be one of those things that you put off and off and there is never a perfect time to start these things. Something always seems to come up, study, kids sick etc etc. The best time to get stuck into rehab/training him is now. Just think that once you have the appointment it may well take you the same timeframe as you are doing now with walking the dog to implement their advice/training. Just do it, is my advice.

Good luck,

Bec.

This is my concern about getting a puppy with my current girl. She is uber dominant and I wouldn't want a puppy being negatively impacted by this so I am holding off. I have always assumed that in their very early days the interaction/socialisation they have with other dogs is so important so I would probably be stepping in very quick before it gets rough and keeping them seperated or carefully supervised until they both learn how to interact appropriately. You seem to be concerned about their interaction and if I were you I would go with my gut and would not be leaving them together at this stage. Will wait for some more experienced trainers/dog and puppy owners and I will be very interested to see what they say.

Congrats on the new pup too - pics are mandatory!

Bec.

I am baffled why they won't run tests. Granted it can get expensive but c'mon we are talking about a seizing dog! Like poodlefan said everything is a guess - the dog needs to get tests done.

What an awful situation and I hope you can get the bottom of it.

Bec.

I would be discuss this with the breeder. Hoping he recovers soon - poor boy.

Bec.

Just sending strength and my thoughts your way. Hugs!

Bec.

Big hugs to your girl

What are the centres policies in relation to incidents like this? You should have viewed these prior to taking her there/have a copy of them. Did you have to sign anything? This may place limitation of what they are responsible for? Did they need to supply you with a report of the incident?

Did you get the vets opinion on how they think it could have occurred? Impact etc? If you feel it was the fault of the daycare centre a report from the vet would be important. But I would personally get all this information together prior to contacting them iykwim.

Hugs again,

Bec.

Great news Alan

Bec.