Tassie

Not a parent myself, but there have been similar situations like this discussed on the forums before, so a couple of suggestions.  It is going to be tough for all of you.=, but especially for your  8 year old.    I  think one of the best suggestions I've seen here is having the children, particularly your son, making a memory book for Dashie .. while Dashie is still alive.    Have him collect his favourite photos ... and add some more, and write down special things or times he and the rest of the family can rember .. he can be the one in charge of collecting memories from other family members.    And it might be possible to plan Dashie's last days ... a bit sad .. but again, it gives the family agency.  You'll find some stories here about how people have planned their pet's last day.  Relly special places, food and so on.   It's also important to have a chat with your vet to see whether your vet is prepared to come to your home, or some other place, when the time comes.  Obviously it's important to make a decision in advance about cremation or burial.   Personally I am very thankful we have the individual cremation option.   Then children could be involved in choosing a box or an urn, and a photo to go with it.

It's hard to know when the right time is for a new pup ..but it certainly doesn't hurt to start looking.   I would think a good breeder would be putting a family like yours at the top of a list ... given what a great job you've done in getting Dashie to such a great old age for a Cav.  

No personal experience, but just to say don't limit your expectationsl   I know blind dogs who train and compete in a variety of disciplines.  Tracking is one which your boy might enjoy.  We start with treats on little felt targets ... so that we know where we went ,,, starting with the tracklayer leaving a smelly sock on the ground,  then walking and placing a treat with a felt square and treat every step of the way you walked ....  and maybe only about 10 metres.  The track layer leaves a smelly sock at the start of the track  Then you bring the dog along on a lead and when you get to the start of the little track let the dog sniff the sock and treat reward for a good sniff of the sock, then not too fast, let the dog lead you along the track, picking up treats as he goesl  When he gets to the sock at the end, big party game and treats,   The socks become the super important things, and eventually that's what the dog is sniffing for,  Most dogs really enjy tracking and labradors are particularly good at it.   The dogs get physical and mental exercise, and they satisfy their needs to use their sense of smell.

I found the people ay Monash Vet very helpful when I was there but that was 6 years ago.   They were highly recommended by breeders I trust, who kve on that side of town,

I'm increasingly willing to just say "Sorry, no" to people if it's not appropriate for one reason or another  for people and more particularly their dogs, to greet my pup.  (And with my previous 2 BCs, I would just say ahead of time .. Sorry, my dogs aren't super friendly, and move away if that was possible ... or do a 180 turn and go.   Both those dogs really liked most people and most dogs that they knew.   They were well adjusted, well travelled, and competed successfully in a number of disciplines, but I don't see the need for them to meet and greet or be greeted by every person or dog they meet.)

I'm quite happy to say "Sorry, I'm doing some training, could you give us space please" to anyone, and to say "Sorry, No" or sometimes just No .. if people let their kids or dog come too close without having asked.   I upset a couple in Bunnings one day, when as I was talking with a person who had asked if they could meet the puppy, and concentrating on my puppy having a lovely experience, and this couple pushed their trolley with some kind of designer pup eight up next to mine on the other side without even asking .. fully expecting the puppies to have a play date there and then.    Umm no, not happening.   I apologised to the person who had been visiting with my puppy and moved off.  

It is good to see that there are increasing numbers of people and children who ask first if it's OK for them to meet  the pup .... that gives a great chance for coaching both pup and kids.

And in answer to @coneye -   I have a trained "emergency turn and go" on lead for avoiding situations i don't want the dog to be in ... whether thats unwanted interactions with people or dogs, or with critters like snakes.    Trained as a game.

Very best wishes for both your girls (and you).   You might be encouraged to know that my friend's elderly Brittny, not only survived the eye removal really well, and hasn't ever seemed bothered by it, but is still enjoying a great life.  His 17th birthday party was last weekend.

Coming in late, but just a reassurance as others have given.  A friend had to remove an eye from her 15 year old Brittany Spaniel.  Medical treatment for glaucoma was not working.  The surgery went very well, and the next day the lad was happy as a clam, and hasn't looked back.  The fur grew over the scar quite quickly, and your wouldn't really know that he'd had surgery,  

And the ;friend; may need to be reclassified.   I dont know that I could do what you do, but I absolutely admire you for doing it.

And if you have no luck in Victoria, don't rule out bringing a suitable dog from interstate.  

And another thought .. you could perha]s visit a few show, and have a chat to the exhibitors there to see if they know of any possibilities.

And condolences on your loss ... 15 is a good age.

So sorry for your loss.  @West.  I lost 2 of imine last year .. a 5.5 year old Border Collie girl to an aggressive GI cancer in October, and then my 14 year old BC boy suddenly and unexpectedl 3 days before Christmas.  Their ashes, just in simple velvet bags are now with the other 4 Border Collies I have lost over the years... the first one not long after cremation became available.  They are accompanied by 2 of the cats I have lost over those years.   Sadly, one lot of ashes is missing.. the Emergency Vet Centre stuffed up and didn't arrange the cremation i had actually paid for.  I was too upset to argue with them at the time .. and it wouldn't have fixed anything,   

I find it comforting to know that their ashes are with me all the time.   

It's different for everyone, but I feel the body is just as @persephonehas said .. a body.   My animal is in the photos and videos and memories.

1 hour ago, Deeds said:

This reply doesn't address the behaviour/biting issues.  I think this is quite serious and should be addressed before it becomes worse. 

 

Because if the behaviour is not reined in it will get worse.

Agree  .. too much going on here for any amateur advice.   And I would not just go to a normal vet .. you really need to see a vet who specialises in behavioural issues .   Your vet might be able to refer you or you can find a list here for NSW.

In the meantime, IMHO you need to be managing very carefully.  So the pup separated (in xpen or crate, while you can't actively manage ... and that doesn't mean just being in the room... It means pup on lead and adult within an arm's reach of the pup.    Sounds harsh .. but the possible alternative is way worse.

On 14/08/2022 at 9:49 PM, WanaHavanese said:

 

Absolutely! My girl taps my knee with her paw as a warning she is about to sit on my lap, so I better get comfy! Carbon copy of her Mum, right down to the markings. Bouncy, licky and over the top happy like her auntie. 

 

I wish i knew how to embed videos, I saw a super cute one of a Papillion and Border Collie doing a trick show over the weekend. Very cute. 

 

 

Thatwould have been part of Kelly Gill's Wonderdogs performances as the Doglovers Show in Sydney.   The Papillon is Alex.  Not sure which of =fthe BCs it would have been.   There could be some video on The Wonderdogs Facebook page.

She's a dear little girl.  

Peeing on every tree at the park .... sounds like a pretty good substitute for the beach.   and surrounded by love  -- there are worse ways to go .. for him it was a gentle passing ... for you ... a big gap in the family, but beautiful memories of a special boy.   Condolences to you all.

Oh bless him.   And I was waiting for a photo of Clive and Bobbin.    Being brave and getting used to Bobbin was one of my favourite CLive stories.

Such a very sad time.   But I reallu like your plan .. and admire you for the decision to  let him go earlier rather than later, hard as that is.  Extra hugs for my two in Rascal's honour. 

Not personally ...but I have friends who have,    I thought I might have to have a surgical fix for my Border Collie boy's cruciate .. but thanksfully my vet was going to be away for 3 weeks, so he suggested rest and anti inflammatohttps://www.facebook.com/groups/13131148758ries until he got back to do the planned surgery (his preference os for TTO rather than TPLO , and thankfully that and careful rehabilitation resolved the problem.. 

Two friends have had very successful TPLO repairs with their Border COllies.  I think both with specialist surgeons.

Did you have some specific questions?

Oh, and there's an excellent and most informative and supportive Facebook Group  ... 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/13131148758

I would just make sure she was able to be at what she perceives as a safe distance from the dog.  And wait as long as it takes.   We could surmise that the giant dog actually doesn't compute for her as a dog .. in the way your Border Collie does.    One thing that can help is if your brother can teach his dog some quiet ticks .. like paw lifts, or It'e game where the dog lying down or sitting, is able to play the shell game and indicate which cup a treat is under...... that sort of quiet game, where the dog is not moving too much, and your daughter can admire the dogs cleverness at a distance.  (You may be able to follow this up with helping your daughter teach your Border Collie the same game.    THe might help her to perceive the Mastiff as just another dog  . .... or it might not ... but in any case it changes the scenario a bit, and allowing her to keep what she sees as a safe distance, is a demontration to her that you indeed respect her fear and opinion.    Just a though.

On 13/06/2022 at 6:57 AM, tdierikx said:

...

All I can say is please just treat your vet clinic staff well... they do their very best for you and your pets... they deserve a bit of compassion themselves.

 

T.

Yes .... so very important.   my last goodbye was a lovely gentle one .. ny 15 and a bit year old agility girl who had quite a gentle decline with lymphoma.  My lovely vet had known her from when she was a wee pup .. one of the first pups when he took over the practice, so a bit special.   We sat on the tailgate of my SUV in the car park while he gently injected the fluid .. and shed a few tears together while we waited to make sure she was gone.  I was so grateful to him for that morning.

And my goofy BC boy Rory who just loves people and cuddles, has been a comforter for the staff in my holistic vet's small practice when they've had a tough day.

I feel we as clients owe it to our vets and the staff to make compassionate decisions about ending life .. I always have in mind what a wise vet once said when she was considering the end of her own pet's life .. her mantra is better a day early than a day too late.

And here's a link for training the hot zone ... mat that pup goes to and stays on till released.

Susan Garrett Hot Zone Game

Naawww  .. that's lovely.   YEs definitely ... covered crate in your bedroom .. then if she needs to go out, you can just quietly put a light leash on her to take her outside for a pee .. all very calm and quiet .. then when she's peed back inside and into crate with a treat.  door shut, cover over and back to sleep.   Shouldn't be too long before she doesn't need to go out at night, particularly if you limit water a bit before bedtime.   Keep the routine going, and you'll find she's beating you into bed.      The bif dogs can sleep wherever they like without any worries about being disturbed.  The crate becomes the puppy's safe and happy place for rests.      So good job with the crate training.   So good that she's happy in there.

And a big yes to crate training the puppy.   (Note ... you never want to 'force' your puppy in .. but you can have the best game playing things like Yer in Yer out .. pup chooses to go in crate .. is rewarded with food given for a sit at the back of the crate... pup leaves crate when you give the release cue (that you should be using for going out door etc. .. I use "Break" ) then pup gows back into crate to see if there'll be a magic treat .. treat in the crate, wait a moment, then release ... rinse and repeat ... then finish the game while pup is still having fun...   So the crate becomes a place the pup chooses to go.    My 13,5 year old BC boy still sleeps in his crate beside my bed .. airline crate .. door has been off for about 8 or more years, and he could go anywhere ... but he loves his crate for night time.. and is happy to use one anywhere, because for both my dogs, so much value has been built for a crate.

19 hours ago, Amazetl said:

s anyone able to direct me on how to help build a relationship between them slowly? I have tried giving treats for watching puppy through barrier and that goes down well. I haven’t given any treats together since the dog biscuit happened and I’m not sure whether to try using a toy with them, like playing fetch together as I don’t know if older dog would want to share toys. 

One of my dog training gurus is Susan Garrett .. I take pretty much all her online classes, but for general training purposes, her podcasts have some absolute gems.   For your immediate purposes, I would recommend Podcasts 14, 15 qand 15, and 72.    You can find them here Susan Garrett Podcasts.

Well done @Amazetl for listening to the great advice you've been given.   Your pup has proved very good at summoning the staff to help .. but pup needs to learn where the boundaries are in relation to the older dog.     I have a 13.5 year old Border Collie boy who loves his little 'sister' 5 year old BC)(--- can't wait till she gets out og her crate in the morning to play bitey face.   But you wouldn't know how much he lovves her if you saw him telling her off big time for persistently getting in his way when he's doing some agility training.  When she crosses his patience line, he falls on her growling and sounding really fierce.  She knows that she's pushed him too far, and hits the deck ... only occasionally making the mistake of thinking he's finished with the telling off, when in reality he's only stopped to draw breath .. he will then resume the telling off and she hits the deck again.. and waits till he's finished.   mind you, in his ccase the disciplining doesn't really work all that well .. if I don't do something, she will go right back to annoying him again. 

It would be worth teaching your puppy some boundary training/Hot Zone training ... having a dog bed or mat pup can be lying on until you give permission to get off.   THis will help show the older dog that pup is learning some self control.    There'll be some good stuff on this on the net.

My BCs seem to eat grass for a couple of reasons ... occasionally they will throw up after eating it ... but most times .. especially when they can find nice tender grass. it really seems to be just for pleasure .... they are deprived at home, because the visiting pademelons and the occasional rabbit beat them to it.

10 minutes ago, ~Anne~ said:

Its always has amazed me how willing people are to hand money over for an animal they've never met in the flesh.

Well yes ... unless they have already created an ongoing relationship with the breeder and carried out appropriate due diligence checks (which the breeder will hopefully have done too.}

Thinking about it, my current 2 dogs and  2 of their predecessors were interstate purchases,  the current 2 I met in the flesh for the first time at the local airport freight terminal.  The other 2 I flew interstate to pick the pups up.

Some  super work there.   The Working Cockers are great dogs, aren't the.