megan_

What do you want out of your dog? A constant companion? A clown?

Do you want a dog to exercise with, or would you prefer one that can skip exercise now and then (I notice you say you can walk it "if required". Do you enjoy walking?).

There OP didn't? Someone else mentioned it and now people are assuming it is breed specific. There dog had previously been attacked before they were insured, which is considered pre- existing in insurance terms.

On this page: http://www.petplan.com.au/general-enquires

Does Petplan have any breed specific exclusions?

No, Petplan does not apply any breed specific exclusions? All of our exclusions are solely based on the health history of your pet prior to the date that your appplication is accepted. (there is a 21 day waiting period on illnesses, please refer to your PDS for details)

But they do exclude pet existing conditions - they all do.

It would have been an exclusion listed in your original policy? It is standard practice to exclude things that have happened before ( SG my dog ate a stick before he had insurance , so he isn't covered for eating sticks forever).

I've claimed over $6000 for my two, so I wouldn't say it is a scam?

Yes if you change your routine it is easy to forget who is in the car. I know people who are excellent parents who have left kids behind in shops etched. It is easy to forget a baby if you're functioning on 1-2 hours of sleep per night for months on end.

People don't forget they have a child or dog - they forget that they're in the car for a few seconds, get into their routine and don't realise what has happened until they go to check on them.

I don't know kitty IRL but it is clear she loves her animals and they are "first and foremost in her mind".

I take fergus to lots of places that are not special dog outings - to my sisters, to my cousins, to the farmers market etc. he loves getting out and about and it is good exercise and socialisation. He is so good in the car ( lies down in his harness and goes to sleep) that he would be easy to forget. Lucky for him he always greets me at the door so if he wasn't there I would remember he's I the car.

Mine hate the water, even in the heat. I wish they loved it - it would make keeping them cool so much easier.

Hahah yes, Cocoa gives me presents when I get home from work, or when exciting new people come to the house. It's usually one of her toys. I doubt very strongly with my dog it's a displacement thing, I've never met a dog that loves visitors like she does. She doesn't even bark at the door when people come, just stands there wagging her whole back end so hard that her tail bangs against the wall.

Sometimes displacement behaviours happen because a dog is excited . It is a way to channel the excitement . Fergs love visitors too.

My dogs go to cosmolo, but I don't know if she takes non- clients. She doesn't have a pool but feeds them my food, has a pack of well behaved dogs and my dogs love them (humans and dogs included). Best of all I feel safe that my dogs are with pros who socialise and supervise them appropriately. Lucy is nervous and doesn't like " in your face" dogs but has made a number of friends there over the course of a few days.

Now, when I drop them off there is no crying at the door, they run in and don't look back.

I've heard that they toy for visitors is a displacement thing - fergus (MS cross) does this all the time, including when I come to the door.

In terms of giving it to you, the bows might mean he wants to play a game, you don't play so he's modified the game to give you the thing. Fergs parades things on front of me all the time in the hope of a game of chasey or an exchange for num-nums.

TSD knows someone who does it in Melbourne. It is very gentle and I've had her work on Fergus (he was do relaxed I had to cup his head with my hands do he didn't slide off the table). I wouldn't do it if he was actively sore though.

Lucy hurt her neck a few months ago - must have twisted it in her sleep as she was fine before. I had an X-ray taken just in case it was something sinister, then it was just anti inflammatories and rest. She was back to normal within 48 hours.

Corvus has one. I believe they are working dogs - so smart and active. People tend to think smart = east to train but I find the opposite to be true.

sounds like they're subsidizing the adoption? I know they're suss but this scheme isn't necessarily suss.

I'm not having the best time with them either. Insurance premium is now over $1,100.00. I remember 6 years ago I was impressed as it was only around $200.00 (approx). My dog has never been formally diagnosed for the digestive symptoms he suffers and as each can be something different (e.g. hives; boils; inflammation of gums; etc) each one has been considered as a separate. Which means that every time I go to the Vet for any individual one, I'm usually caught under the excess each time rather than looking at it as having paid the excess but it being an on-going condition. Which means most of my claims are denied.

It doesn't help that their claim forms are darned hard to complete (especially when it is not a clear formal diagnosed condition) and you have to try to back-track to words and terminologies that you used the last time and try to show them that the dots do join, even if it is just to try to show them these are all interconnected.

The only diagnosed condition is thyroid, but as I have these tests run via Dr Jean Dodds in the USA, the on-going vet bills for this condition isn't covered and/or because I only need my local Vet to draw the bloods, that component of the fee comes in under excess as well, so I pay it every year.

Problem is that once your dog is unwell, they've got you by the short and curlies as no other insurance company would accept the condition or symptom as an inclusion in its cover.

Erny I had Lucy's blood tested in the US and they covered all of it, bar the excess. I did it through monash vets and they sent the blood to the US and filled out all the forms.

I think part of the problem has been that pet insurance was too cheap to start off with - it was unsustainable. The others are cheaper but don't cover as much. I've got over $6000 back so I'm keeping it up. One night in emergency with a simple blood test cost $1000 a night here, so I'll keep it.

Yeah I use LAT. You need to present the treats in a calm matter, and use something nice but not too nice. You voice should be calm and natural/slightly positive (no "look at that!!").

Do you mean you don't want to use food or you don't want to use a reward? IMO, you must use a reward, and use the reward that your dog lives (if that is good, then do be it). Dogs choose what they find rewarding.

This is a surprise box mm - you don't know what you're getting so a big part of the allure is opening the box and finding out what is there.

How is it $15 delivery if they're just up the road?

I would accept the refund.

Because they post it? That seems about right given what aust post charges. I think making these box delivery businesses work in Australia is very hard due to the distances involved. The ones that make it work are effectively logistics companies.

ETA: with boxes you are never going to get products that are 100% suitable to your dog. . The point seems to be to get a range of new things to try - some you love , some you don't. If you have destructive dogs this is even more true. If rather spend my $ on things that I know my dogs will love , but if you buy boxes you can't expect every item to suit your dog IMO.

Thankyou so much everyone! It's a pretty big thing for us :) It's the last Awesome Paws class tonight for the year. I'm taking cake :D

Fingers crossed you're in the second class

Well done Ziggy and Sally!!

Megan, yes you can bait outdoors. I use bait stations to ensure the baits don't ever get dragged around.

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Thank. I think I'll need to do this. They all feast on the veges I have and I've seen mice running around the garden.

Frankston also have a club

There are rats and mice in my garden. I've seen them. They feast on my vege patch and fruit trees. I'm torn between killing them (and dealing with Lucy brining their bodies into the house ) and just letting them be . Nice came inside last year but after Lucy caught one they haven't been back in. Can you bait outdoors?

She is beautiful. Happy birthday Amber

Whose to say that the show lines are the correct type though SC? I look at some show line dogs and they appear to be heavy set with an awful lot of coat (ie pretty coat being the most important thing).

Beautiful photo Clover of you and your much loved dogs

Rottweilers come in show and working lines :D

Didn't know this! Do they look very different?