Zug Zug

My standard poodle puppy is an adolescent - 8 months old. He is a wonderful puppy, but of course very energetic which is absolutely normal for a healthy pup of his breed. He was desexed a few weeks ago, and is now completely healed. When we're at the park, he loves to run around off-lead. We have a fantastic fenced park nearby and he loves it. He recalls beautifully most of the time, loves to fetch etc. and is enjoying his training. Very smart. Typical poodle. But as soon as someone arrives with another dog he gets over-excited, and his recall becomes non-existent. He is friendly with other dogs, but can be over-friendly and a bit on the boisterous side. Sometimes you can tell the other dog has stopped enjoying all the play, and is trying to get away from him. He's not aggressive at all, but he's not sensitive to their lost interest either and can be a pest. I know this is not unusual at his age, but I also know I need to tackle it. He loves being off lead, but I need him to recall to me reliably when other dogs are around. I have a really good 10m long lead, and that works pretty well but when other dogs are around sometimes they get their legs tangled in it and I have become a bit worried about the possibility of an injury either to my dog or to the other dog if they get their legs tangled in the line and run around. It has already come close a few times and it has made me nervous about using the line with other dogs around. Perhaps I need a shorter one? 5m perhaps? So I need your ideas please! I'm on a mission to tackle this problem. He's a good boy, typical happy puppy who loves playing with other dogs, and I don't want him to miss out just because I didn't get his early training right. My old girl Zamba has been dog aggressive since her early years and has always had to stay on lead. I don't want that for this boy. It's such a shame to miss all the fun.

Very negative, whiny tone to the whole article. I agree with the list at the end, broadly speaking. But if someone wants a 2 way conversation with their dog, I can't see any harm in that. If it makes you happy, go for it. But honestly she is still upset about her grandpa feeding his pet dog a sausage?! At his own BBQ? Seriously? This is newsworthy?

There is a difference between low shedding and non shedding though. The OP said non- shedding I think. Her sister has previously kept non-shedding oodles and wants another similar dog.

Bichons are brilliant dogs - quite small but meet all her other criteria to a tee. Very loving happy dogs. Yes they can be harder to housetrain, but given she will be home a lot she can probably handle that quite well. Also Havanese. Mini poodle (great dogs!) and easier to house train. One of my favourite breeds. Great medium size and groom them into whatever look you like. They adore their people. Perhaps a Tibetan Terrier? But harder to find one. Lagottos are fairly high energy I gather.

My suggestion would be to completely stop putting clothes on the line while he's in the yard. And don't try again until you are absolutely sure he's past the chewing puppy stage. It will become a habit, and you don't want him to practise this behaviour. I am doing this at home at the moment. My standard poodle puppy started getting things off the line. So we're drying clothes on clothing racks inside and telling him off if he goes anywhere near that. He is leaving it alone. But I won't trust him outside with clothing on the line until I am absolutely sure - probably not until Summer and even then I'll be keeping a very close eye on him when clothing is out there (which is not something I find easy to do during Winter). I had a dog once who destroyed hundreds of dollars worth of clothing off the line. Won't be risking that happening this time. Luckily, he demonstrated his problem to us on towels, not clothes. So at this stage we haven't lost much of value.

I had an 'indestructible' coat for my older dog - have had it for years. The type that looks like a horse blanket and has the straps that cross over under the dog's chest. Got a similar one for my new standard poodle pup - he got it off and chewed it unfortunately but while it is damaged (the straps were chewed through in parts) the coat itself is still in one piece and can be repaired. I rescued it just in time, and will need to take it in to be repaired before trying again. Having said that, it wasn't really a snug fit around his middle. So that explains how he got it off I think. It is made of oilskin - one of these: http://www.vetnpetdirect.com.au/RUGTMO#.T_FrBfVOLKc Bloody dogs!

Beautiful!

Our Council is quite good. As far as I am aware dogs can go to any park on-lead, and quite a few off-lead as well. Including the beach at certain times

No idea - my standard poodle pup loved his crate from the day he arrived at 9 weeks old, but I had several weeks off work to settle him in and get him used to his new life. He has always slept the night in there. I think several hours during the day at that age - hmm I think the pup may be better off outside if you have a safe yard. Depending on the cold obviously, but I am thinking about the importance of getting your pup's house training on track.

Yep me too. He brought my daughter's Borzoi pup across last year, and a few months later my standard poodle pup. Both made very easy for us - we had never done it before and the great service and price greatly appreciated.

What a lovely-looking dog! He looks like a real sweetheart. Congratulations!

What kind of dog you like being with? Personality wise? I think a bullmastiff could be a great choice from what you are describing.

Cuteness overload! Some great ideas and great timing. It's freezing at the moment! and my puppy has shown an interest in chewing his lovely dryzabone coat off (is there anything he won't chew, I ask you?) Getting him used to something like this (softer, cheaper to replace if need be) is a great way to go. Thanks!

Exciting news for them - so pleased that things have worked out so well. The photos of them in their earlier days are hard to forget. I am absolutely thrilled they can stay together. After all they have been through, they must be so close.

You'll never know why - trying to work it out will do your head in. Just address the behaviour. Reward the behaviour you like (calm, confident relaxed dog) and refuse to acknowledge the behaviour you don't. Absolutely no fussing or pandering. But I also think a vet visit is in order. Dogs often work hard to cover their pain. Better to be sure, in case there is a physical cause. Also hold yourself with calm and poise. Make sure you come across to your dog as a safe and reliable person. Fun stuff may not be what your dog is seeking at present.

Or 'git'? As in 'git away' or 'git out'

Is your Mum aware of any particular times that the barking has been causing concern? If so, she could possibly arrange to have the dog inside the house with her at those times. I.e. be as helpful as possible, and also be in a position to make clear to the Council (if asked) that she is doing everything reasonable to help out. I would expect that the Council staff may actually come past the house a few times to listen for themselves. If your dog is barking when they come out, they may pay more close attention. Councils know that some neighbours exaggerate issues, and no doubt have heard it all many times before.

If you're sending the dog to a box, I've heard a lot of people use 'box' as the command.

Mind you, my puppy Pasha has done so much chewing in our backyard of late, we are running out of flower pots and all our folding chairs are going in the skip next weekend (what's left of them) Not replacing anything yet. No point. Will wait until this lovely 'phase' is over. His lovely glamorous wooden bed will need to come later in life as well. He can't be trusted just yet!

I also use a dremel - has saved my dogs and I much stress The only thing is make very sure you keep any of the dog's hair well clear of the dremel shaft. I have had it catch and wind the hair around the shaft, which is obviously really awful and painful for the dog if it happens. I still use the dremel but tie the hair on their ears out of the way and use vet wrap to keep the fur on their legs out of the way if it's a bit on the long side. Also the tail when you're doing the back feet. But even with the dremel being something you need to take care with, I still think this is the easiest and most effective method. It was never my favourite job to do - but I feel much more confident with it now.

Yeah now that I've seen that pink one (and some of the others on their website) everything else looks so boring! But imagine if you got (or made) a gorgeous bed like that for your dog, and then when you weren't looking they chewed it.

And this one http://www.google.com.au/imgres?q=wooden+dog+bed&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=Q2r&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&biw=1366&bih=664&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=tCYqag8t-k5qLM:&imgrefurl=http://www.luxuryhousingtrends.com/archive/category/pets/page/11/&docid=pgZfm5MuMClbmM&imgurl=http://www.luxuryhousingtrends.com/jakey-hand-crafted-luxury-dog-bed.jpg&w=343&h=257&ei=HZ_dT-zVNIiwiQfCq6C3Cg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=184&vpy=357&dur=3427&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=140&ty=217&sig=115523309699330475192&page=4&tbnh=157&tbnw=187&start=66&ndsp=25&ved=1t:429,r:18,s:66,i:342 And another one that is completely impractical for your situation, but looks great perhaps as an outside bed http://thegildedhorn.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/dog-bed-from-wine-barrel.html I really like this one - vintage DIY suitcase dog bed (not wood I know, but very cool) http://expressive-style.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/diy-vintage-suitcase-dog-bed.html

Treats!

awful

Filled it out the best I can Please don't tell my dogs which one I picked as my favourite