trifecta

Considering your family's situation, rather than concentrating on a particular breed, you may be better off contacting the various assistance dog organisations to see how they can help your sister after assessing her needs and disabilities. Obviously with so much going on your sister needs a ready made companion! Furthermore, sometimes when we replace a beloved family member with one of the same breed we can be disappointed if they do not stack up to expectations - what I am trying to say is look for an individual who has the skills, temperament and personality to match up with your sister rather than trying to replicate her former companion :)

Another vote for Costco beds! The Kelpie has one with sides and the Belgian has a memory foam one which is really supportive for old bones. The Costco beds are also guaranteed to be made with non toxic materials, and the covers remove and wash easily.

Shame this boy is only available to Victorians, I know a perfect home for him here in NSW! Hope your aunt and little Betty are getting on famously, mackiemad

So sad to hear that Gus is gone - I remember his pics in last year's photo thread. Run fast and free Gussy until you meet BlueyLove again

Have a look at Hogan Leather. Beautiful collars for all breeds and purposes at reasonable prices. They are in the US, so don't forget to convert the dollar prices! They ship to Australia and I have never had to wait overly long for my purchases. ETA I am sure they do name plates which fix directly to the collar too.

Oh Casima, how lovely to see the gorgeous Raffy again

You have a mixture of two guardian breeds - I hope you know the individual temperaments behind the genetics?! I do not find this behaviour at all surprising. Your dog is now an adolescent, the Belgian Shepherd is a stand offish breed, they are self contained and reserved, but are particularly alert to their owners' emotions which is why your dog is more happy to accept the neighbour when you are present. My Groenendael is happy to greet visitors when we are at home, if we are out or not aware of an impending visit then she is territorial and shows protective behaviours. When you are not present have the neighbour ignore the dog, ask him not to make eye contact and just go about his business - let the dog make the approach. It sounds like your dog has a 'soft' temperament or is as others suggested going through a fear period; he may need to observe for a while before initiating engagement. Make sure you or your neighbour are not inadvertantly reinforcing fearful behaviour, for instance your dog will know if the neighbour is worried about an unfavourable reaction to his overtures!

One of my dogs was on meloxicam a few years ago now. The vet gave me a prescription for Mobic tablets, the human version, which worked out much cheaper. As I say, it was a while ago, but it would be worth asking your vet.

Snook, how about sticking a capsule in a chicken heart? I did this for fish oil capsules before they realised there was something yummy inside them :laugh:

I'm sorry to hear your sad news, Bru. I hope you can find peace and smile at the memories of your boy when the grief is less raw.

That is sad news indeed, bronsonb, hope you are doing OK

Is it a new problem though? Was the dog going outside in the early hours of the morning without you being aware? Could it now be a habit that he is toiletting at this time? Also what do your dogs do during the day? Are they sleeping a lot and then becoming restless at night, the time when dogs in the natural state are active? I agree with the other suggestions posted, play around with meal times and up the exercise and mental stimulation during your waking hours.... which will also help to keep your boy young at heart and keep dementia at bay. If things do not improve you may have to just accept that with increasing age your Shepherd is losing the ability to remain continent for several hours and, furthermore, investigate the possibility of failing health. Dogs, afterall, just like people, age at different rates..... for example my two are both 11, one is 11 years old, the other is 11 years young! ETA a couple of Bowen sessions may also make a difference to Coda's continence if he needs some realigning in the spine and rear end assembly! :)

The "Unwell Rottie" thread is still here, for anyone that would like to refer to it. Sorry to hear about your boy, bronsonb, osteosarcoma is such an insidious disease I had Belgian Shepherd litter sisters and was worried how the surviving sister would cope when her litter sister died from lymphoma - they were well into their teens at the time. Bijou did not look for her sister but was obviously depressed at the time although we had other dogs. She lived for another 6 months, seemed to be a bit lost at times, but when her hind quarters eventually gave out and she was unable to stand we sent her over the bridge to be reunited with her sister. Your boys are younger so hopefully the surviving brother will cope quite well. Hugs to you and your Rottie boys!

Gee, sorry, didn't realise it was so big

What about opening her mouth & shoving it down her throat? If you put the tablet far enough back over the tongue it can only go down :D

I have no experience with either of these drugs, but in the past to help me save money my vet has given me a prescription for drugs which was filled by a pharmacist.

sarsaparilla, I think you reside in ACT? Kate Millhouse who has a practice in Kambah titre tests if you would like to go down that road.

:) I would like to point out that these dogs are in no danger whatsover, they are looking for new homes and as such are not rescues. However, if anyone is interested in providing a permanent home, they are very nice dogs. ETA I have also linked to these boys in the breed sub forum thread to increase exposure to breed savvy homes. Thanks ronja for posting them

Thanks for updating, I'll let my contact know :)

Juice, I have spoken to the husband of my contact. Apparently Deerhound rescue is coordinated from Victoria but they have carers Australia wide. Please PM me your email address & I will put you in contact. Cheers!

I'm with kirty, but took me a while to suss out which bit you were referring to :laugh:

Sorry juice, missed your edit a couple of days ago - will chase up tomorrow!

I think you are thinking of Louise Steinman, Jumabaar. Not sure from where Louise is working at the moment, but she calls her business Capital Animal Physiotherapy. Vet Sandra Hassett of The Animal Medical Centre in Phillip has a specilaist interest in all things chiropractic and treats a lot of performance dogs.

If you search in the nutrition forum you will come up with these threads http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?app=core&module=search&do=search&fromMainBar=1 ETA Sorry the link does not work, but just search in the nutrition forum for coprophagia :) Interestingly the topic hasn't been discussed for a while!

juice, there is a lady here in Bungendore, one of my clients, who used to breed Deerhounds and who was also active in the rescue arm of the club. Would you like me to ask if she can help rehome him through the club?