megan_

There have been many threads about getting a second dog to keep #1 happy, when #1 has some "issues". The general advice is to get the behaviours you want from #1 and then introduce #2. Why? Because #2 will learn a lot of #1. I also have minis and they sometimes steal my asthma pump (which I need!) to get an "exchange for num num (food)". Little buggers have trained me well! As becks has said, minis are smart and active and need to keep their minds occupied. I guess I disagree about the working bit, because I work full-time and mine seem to be happy, well adjusted little dogs. My girl has issues because she is a rescue (ex-puppy farm breeding bitch) but I don't think that this is related to my work. You do need to put in extra effort if you are away from home 8+ hours though. Here are some things that you could try: * If you don't already, take them for a walk before and after work. These don't need to be long, as they are more about mental exercise than physical exercise. Throw ina bit of training (old and new) during your walks. This may also help address some of #1's fear issues as you'll see some (hopefully onleash) dogs during your walk. Our morning walk is only 15 mins but it is enough to keep mine happy.We have two walks a day no matter what. * Don't take them on the same walk everyday - their little minds will get numb very quickly. On weekends, I take mine to the beach (their favourite), the Botanical Gardens, St Kilda peir etc. Try and find places where there is a lot to explore (my pure mini definitely picks exploring over free running). * Try a bit of free shaping using the clicker. This is great for keeping their minds occupied and learning how to problem solve. You can do this indoors so it is great in winter and sessions can be kept very short. We do about 5 mins (max) every day or two. Mine get very excited when they see the clicker. * Play some games on your terms. You can get the Crate Games DVD. I also play "hide and seek" and "peak a boo" with mine. * Try some dog sports just for fun - you don't need to be any good at it to get a lot of enjoyment from it. We are trying agility for the first time this weekend. My girl does obedience as well and she loves it. This has also helped build her confidence. * I give mine lots of puzzle toys. They love the Nina Ottossan stuff (only used under supervision) and the kyjen puzzle range (which I leave out when I'm not at home, but they prefer to use it and play it with me). * I use a dog walker for my boy (who is great with other dogs and has a great recall). I started this when he was a single dog, but have continued it when I got # 2 (who has "issues" and can't go with the dog walker). Given the other things we do, however, I'm sure he'd cope if we dropped this.

When Fergus was a pup the dog walker came over and I was home sick. Fergus was so happy to see her and was jumping up and down, she crouched down to say hello - and he did a wee in her face! It was very hard not to laugh.

does your dog have a release word? Do they understand (really understand) it? If not, teach them the release word first (with something easy like sit), and then they'll soon learn to stay down until you release them.

only some. Most isn't. I'm pretty sure Science Diet isn't.

there is an old thread that was started due to the Orijen scandle. Basically, most food isn't irradiated. Orijen was because the meat wasn't cooked (or somethign along those lines). EP isn't irradiated. You can ring the reps to check on all your favourite foods.

woah nellie! You will often find that people post at the same time (so you get 10 posts saying the same thing). Also, some people give their advice which is similar to others to help emphasise the point (after all, 10 people who have the same advice is more powerful than 1 person. If you get 10 different pieces of advice, how do you know what to follow?). I tought my dogs to target by holding my fist close to their face. I then wiggled it around. When they touched it with their nose I said "yes" and gave them a treat from my other hand. Repeat until they have touched it a few times. Then add the word 'touch" just as they are about to touch it. You can then make it harder by having your hand in different positions. Good luck with your pup. Most people here have just tried to help.

thanks leopuppy. Who is the "K9" you are referring to? I looked at a lot of clubs but every other one wanted us to pass many of their obedience courses before we could even try agility.

Ta! I had forgotten that I had put my name down, it was that long ago. I'll have to take some caffeine tablets to stay awake from 9 - 10pm though.

I think you can be a fantastic leader and have a dog who is the natural leader of the pack, een if it changes over time. My dogs know that I'm not a dog :-) CW - Emmy is still very young. I have always heard that the bitches are normally the pack leaders. In my case, Lucy had severe fear issues due to abuse, so it took her a while to try and be the boss of Fergs.

^^ and also pick up the bowls when they are finished. I'd also remove any toys.

My (desexed) male and female had their first fight on Sunday - it was terrifying. Fortunately, they're mini schnauzers and didn't do any damage (other than elevate my blood pressure!). I suggest doing what I did and seek professional help. There is nothing like getting pro in to assess both them and you. Desexing may help but it isn't going to resolve leadership issues and tussles. In the interim, you need to hae a serious look at your leadership. After all, it is your house and they need to know that this kind of thing isn't acceptable. What rules do you have in the house? Do the dogs know about these rules? My dogs are really good and not destructive and I have let them get out the couch and sleep on the bed. As a very wise women pointed out to me, from their perspective there are most probably no rules (because they simply don't break any of my rules - don't destroy my house - and they are allowed a lot of freedom). I have since revoked couch and bed priveleges and they seem to be a lot calmer. When we have a training session they respond a lot more quickly, so I think the "I am the boss lady" message must be sinking in. If you let us know your whereabouts I'm sure someone can suggest a good behaviourist who can help you work through these issues. ETA: I also do "Nothing in Life is Free" (NILIF) and Triangle of Temptation (ToT) - they're explained in the training forum. NILIF is really important - the dogs get nothing - not even a pat - without earning it first.

I've been on the waiting list for ages and our name has finally come up. Does anyone have any feedback on the club?

He is - not a scratch - just a lot of biting, growling and screaming. I on the other hand needed a stiff drink! ETA: It lasted all of 5 seconds and they are now fine with each other.

Mine used to chop and change, no clear leader. Always got along - 18 months and not a growl. Then on Sunday Lucy attacked Fergus. She is #1.

Depends on what they are allergic to. If they are allergic to dander (dead skin) then there are no suitable dogs.

you need to read the PDS's very carefully - they are not all the same. I went with PetPlan because, if your dog gets a long term illness, they cover your dog for the lifetime of the illness. All of the other ones I looked into only cover it for the first year (might have changed, but this is how it was when I looked into it).

That is shocking. I am with them and would have left ages ago but my boy was sick (gastro) and if I move tummy-related stuff might not be covered by a new insurer.

Yes - you are allowed to vent! And you're allowed to vent without being told that it is just "stuff". I don't have destructive dogs and I don't know how I would cope with one. Not because I am materialistic, but I wouldn't cope with the disorder and disobedience well.

why the animosity towards people trying to make a bit of conversation? Soon everyone will just walk by with no interaction at all. I take every conversation/silly joke as an opportunity to educate someone on my breed and dogs in general. I like to project an image that dog owners are polite. considerate members of society...

As TLC says, do a search for "really reliable recall". Some extra tips: * Never call your dog when they are in trouble - coming to you should always be a good thing. Only call when you know they will come to you. * Reward them when you find them looking at you or coming to you when not called (this can be done in the home too). * Start off with very low distractions (eg at home) then build up slowly (eg a fenced park with no other dogs araound, then one other dog in the distance etc). No point taking them to the beach and expecting them to come back. Too many distractions. * Play hide-and-seek to encourage your dog come to you (and not the other way around). You do this by hiding (start off somewhere easy) and call their name. BIG rewards and praise for coming to you. *Reward every singel recall. Forever. * Give him lots and lots of off leash play in a safe place (somewhere fenced with few dogs). For me, this means hitting the part at 7am. Thsi will mean that off leash is less of a novelty and more of an everyday event and the temptation to do a runner will be less. * Practive recall every single day until it becomes an ingrained response and he doesn't see it as an optional thing.

I take my girl to the beach at the crack of dawn on her long leash. We explore the dunes most of the time and practice recall in a highly stimulating environment. The really great thing about her being on leash is aI get a great cardio workout!

Did you call in advance or just show up? They may have been busy with dogs and require an appointment? If my dog was at the daycare, I wouldn't want strangers walking around.

it would also be very stressful for the rabbit to have two high prey dogs eyeing you off (the rabbit doesn't know that the dogs are under supervision!)

Personally, I'd try a behaviourist first over a drug. I had a dog too scared to put a paw out of my house, now she loves her walks and dog school.

A pedigreed dog will find a home pretty easily I would think? You can contact Troy about putting her in the "Mature Dogs" or "Rescue" classifieds. Has she had any training? For example does she know "sit" and walk well on a leash? These are often big bonuses for people. My suggestion is to write a nice profile for her and then post in the rescue section so that one of the rescuers can put her on petrescue.com.au. Also ask a few rescuers who live in your area to put her on their "Private Rehoming" pages. Petresceu.com.au has some great advice for writing profiles that get noticed (eg focus on what kind of family she would suit and what she can offer an owner ie not only a list of "demands" from the dogs pov).