Lady Flying Furball

Inspired by your forum name too: Stormy Weather Bright Spark Shadow Song Night Sparkle Star Sparkle Spark of Brilliance Heart Shadow

Good luck. Hope it goes well, and look forward to some piccies

Any news? I guess the theft was reported to the police... Poor Little Bear

I live in an apartment and chose my dog breed as best I could to suit this, so got a Papillon. When I had the trainer come in she said that it was often the apartment dogs who were better walked and exercised because the owners had to take that care especially seriously.

This is a dog that the breeder claims is 'outgoing'. If it couldn't handle a book being dropped near it without being traumatised, it would prove to me that the dog had a problem and that the breeder was failing to disclose important information. You wouldn't purposely try to frighten a timid or nervy dog. But a timid, nervy dog is a faulty dog. And the object of the test is to quickly find out if the dog has any faults that might mean it isn't suited to living with very young children. I know dogs well enough to know a good strong-nerved dog won't be traumatised by a book falling near it at 8 months of age. But there are plenty of dogs around that are not so good. Better to find out before the family is attached whether the dog will suit. In my opinion it wouldn't be fair on a timid nervy dog to place it in a home with toddlers. But an outgoing one could be very happy. If you are a breeder and you think this test would traumatise all of your 8 month old dogs, you need to seriously have a look at the dogs you are breeding with. No, I'm not a breeder, but probably a "soft touch" when it comes to contemplating startling dogs on purpose

Yeah, I'd try Pacers too, plus a different dog walker. They should be able to pick the dog up from home...or a responsible older teenager/adult in the neighbourhood who wants some extra cash. My neighbours daughter (19 yrs) did this for me for a while.

Yes friends of mine are saying that with a 42" its hard to take it anywhere. I think I need a bigger car I only have a Getz so who knows how me, Mason and the crate are going to fit in the car How much smaller are the soft ones when they are folded?? I have a Yaris and when I travel the crate takes up a whole half of the backseat and I pack around it as I don't have much boot space...and I only have a 3.5 kg Papillon ;)

Ask the breeder first, but I am sure they won't mind you doing a few things to see what Christian does. Make a loud and sudden noise (drop a very heavy book on the floor about two meters away from the dog). It is normal for the dog to get a fright, but the test is, how quickly does the dog get over it? Ideally you want a dog that will get over it within a second or two, and come bouncing over for inspection, and not remain cowering away in fear for a little while. Don't reassure the dog or say a word, just watch what it does. I don't think that the average breeder would want people deliberately dropping heavy books around their dogs. Imagine if everyone did these kind of tests on going and looking at potential pets, the poor dog would get traumatised...and definitely afraid of reading material!!

I agree with BF, and think the others have given some good ideas in this thread. I often think that some people (thinking of my own Mum) are at a bit of a loss on how to set boundaries with their dogs, so I think that her interest in some of the ideas from here might mean that she herself would like her dog to behave differently too. My mother got a JRT at age of 62 and although she had had dogs all her life she often said "I'm too old to have a dog like that!" After Mum died my brother took Peggy and she became a totally different dog. Extremely well-behaved and settled, in response to my brother's firm boundaries and routine for her. I think it is great that you've had such an open discussion

A papillon is great for agility and sports but can take it or leave it...very girly too!

Just came back from today... Was really great how you can walk around and some owners have their dogs available for pats... Today was Great Danes, Cavs, Schnauzers, Gordon and Irish setters, sharpeis... Didn't buy a doggy show bag as it didn't look that great.

Hi, I have a friend who has just moved up to the Tweed Coast, NSW, and asked me to see if anyone from that area knows of some offleash areas or dog things/clubs/meetings going on up in that area, either coastal or inland. She lives at Pottsville, goes to Tweed and even up to Gold Coast, so any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Agree with this and other similar posts. Get the guinea pigs and rabbits OUT OF SIGHT. If it is a big yard then an area can be made for them where not only is it secure but they are out of sight of the pup...for both animals' sakes. Or up the side of the house.

Yeah, I have found it is fine as long as the real little ones are in the pram (toddlers), and the parents or adult stays with the child. As an adult visiting a dog park without kids and being there when others have brought their kids,I have only reaped the benefits...little ones enjoying to take over the ball throwing for Tonka and I often teach them how to throw properly with that plastic handle

HAHA dont tempt me!! i would love a lil pup...but i have to think of the kids, well the dog really.. I want them to enjoy each others company A friend of mine with a 3 yo, 7 yo and 8 yo got a pup last year. They managed fine...but of course puppies have their own requirements... Also, the pup has grown so quickly, so maybe consider it if it makes getting a dog more possible. The kids had to learn to be gentle and while dealing with the "nippy" problems kids and dog were often seperated. Good luck. I hope you don't give up...

Wow. I actually thought they looked really happy and they seemed to love him. Very cute and entertaining act, plus amazing training!

Well I did a google search and a few vet practices in the mountains included them in their health warnings...but they did say there was more risk in the lower mountains, closer to the coast. We will be around bush so i decided to err on caution considering a collar is only ten bucks!

I actually opted for the annual heartworm injection because I am hopeless and it seems such an important one. I only have to remember flea treatment!

Thanks Patters and everyone too. He seems to be fine this morning but was panting and going on last night...stalking across the back of the lounge with his head hanging and then revving around like a maniac. If I hadn't of had this forum to post on I might have been very worried. So thanks ;)

Yeah, hope he gets better soon

I just put a Preventic tick collar on Tonka because we are going up to the mountains for the weekend. It's the first time I ever put one on him and he is running around, rubbing his head on everything soft, a bit frantic...or hyped up. It is definitely not too tight but it smells very pepperminty.I hope it is just a reaction to the smell Does anyone have experience with these? He's now calmed down but is walking slowly.

Can you reduce the fostering to make less stress on your dog? Likewise with fostering other animals?

Now I'm tempted after following this year. But DOLers could have their online names on too so we can meet!!

I agree. Kennels aren't what I deem the right place to live out a life either I agree too.