Zug Zug

Sheridan, you were talking about non-shedding being the first criteria. That's what I'm arguing for.

It being the ONLY criteria is, of course, careless. But no more careless than choosing it for its size, looks, etc. To say "I'm picking on non-shed-lovers" (slight paraphrasing) is to both generalise and pick on someone for preference.

A dog should be chosen to fit the owners' lifestyle, personality and needs. The ORDER of the criteria shouldn't matter.

Isn't it your first criteria? What happens when no non-shedding dog is suitable to a person's lifestyle? Most of them are terriers and I can't think of nothing worse than a terrier breed in the hands of someone who doesn't get terriers.

Honestly I think this is unlikely to happen. There are so many breeds around that are low or non shedding. Everything from a bichon to a standard poodle to a komondor to a bedlington terrier to a lagotto to a havanese to a schnauzer to a puli to a....

You get the idea. There are plenty of options. It's not that limiting really. The main limiting factor is the coat maintenance that goes with it.

have to say i have asthma, grew up with a german shepherd (outside dog) that said i used to crawl around the dirt in all his hair etc. was never a problem. now my 2 coolies live in my house sleep in my room get snuggles on the bed...i do notice the dog hair but if i vacume regularly the house seems to stay relatively clean (well clean enough to keep me happy) not clean enough to keep non dog lovers happy i do worry about the hair with a new bubba on the way...but maybe i can just clean more or brush/wash the dogs more to minimise any allergies risks? but pple with allergies can live with pet cant they? there is medication available?

I looked into that before getting my latest puppy

It's just not that simple and obviously depends if you're allergic to pet hair (dog hair in particular) and to what degree.

I have what I would describe as a moderate to strong reaction, depending on the dog and how much allergen is around. There are drugs I can take, but they cause drowsiness. There are drugs that don't cause drowsiness, but are less effective (not good enough in my case - may work fine for others). And for me, I just don't want to be taking drugs every day of my life if I can avoid the need for that by selecting a non-shedding breed.

There is also the option of a series of desensitisation injections. But it's expensive, goes for well over a year, and isn't always effective.

So seriously if you have allergies, and you can avoid the cause of those allergies, then that is by far the simplest way to go. I don't have issues bumping into other dogs in public, but my allergies would not allow me to share a home with a shedder without drugs.

So I don't. Problem solved and no drugs required.

Corgis may also be an option in this kind of home, but I wouldn't describe them as low shedding unfortunately

The difference really hit home for me recently when my daughter brought her Borzoi over for a brush. Took 3 minutes. Unbelievable. On a poodle you wouldn't even finish the tail in that time!

Oh god yeah dog hair in the car is awful!

Go the station wagon - can't stand it when I get into a car and the seat itself is covered in fur. But that can be managed by getting the dogs to ride in the back I suppose.

(OK maybe I would end up with a poodle anyway...) :laugh:

I think some parents worry about their kids' exposure to potential allergens. Also there are a lot more kids with allergies these days, all round. I've never known so many kids with nut/egg allergies.

I was a kid with asthma and allergies when I was little - back then it was relatively uncommon.

My (now 20yo) daughter had asthma when she was little - not uncommon by then. (Luckily she grew out of it.)

These days, just about everyone seems to be allergic to something.

As a dedicated poodle-lover who has owned a few non-shedding breeds and cross-breeds over the years (including my incredible bichon frise Mozart - RIP), I'd say that while I love my curly dogs, the coat maintenance is a huge draw-back.

If it weren't for my allergies, I would be seriously considering breeds with normal fur. So much cheaper/easier to look after. Especially for families with kids.

Just watched the vid - it's heartbreaking. She obviously just loves running around.

Don't know what to say except hoping the rest helps and a solution for you both can be found

Whippet

Yeah I noticed that but that's ok. We really just need to look around, sit down with him in the crate, and me watch the ring with the rule book in front of me. I've never seen a Rally-o trial, and I'm also not sure how he'll react to all the excitement. His reaction to agility was WAY over the top, and I'm hoping he's more calm in a rally environment (as he is at obedience).

But I won't know until we get there. So it genuinely is just for a look at this stage.

It might make her reconsider running the fence with next doors dog!

Hasn't stopped mine unfortunately

That's great - thanks very much!!!

My membership must have lapsed - I don't have the current journal. I have obviously been looking in all the wrong places online.

The Gawler trial sounds perfect. I'll put that in the calendar and bring him down for a look around.

I'm honestly not sure if we're ready yet, but time to have a look and start getting him used to a trial environment and routine.

I've posted about this before - but still can't find any reference to the Rally-O stuff in the schedules I'm looking at on the DogsSA website

Can anyone help point me in the right direction? I'm not sure if we're ready for it yet, but we'd be getting close. I'd like to watch a trial so I can better judge where we're up to.

Oh no poor thing!

My dog is nursing a sore paw as well. Vet needed to cut some out of his pad in the end - and then obviously stitches, antibiotics etc... It's healing slowly, but I'm finding that it's taking longer than you'd think because he is constantly needing to walk on it (obviously).

He is soaking his paw in salt water twice a day at the moment. Vet said a quarter cup of salt to a cup of water, dissolve, put into an ice cream container or similar and get him to step into it. To stop him pulling it out of the water, you lift their other front paw and pat them/reassure them etc. He's got pretty used to it now.

Not sure if that will help or not, but salt water can help to sanitise a wound and clean it up if it is a bit dirty.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery

Date, where you were training (location), distractions that were present

Then what you trained, how the dog responded (good/bad), what to do next time (e.g. what to do differently or just what needs more work)

If you're specifically training for a set program of things (e.g. obedience trialling) then you could name each exercise in each page of your log book down a left hand column, to help prompt you to train all the bits and pieces

Otherwise, perhaps allow space to train 3-4 different things - so a table with 3-4 different rows that you fill in after the session

IF you have more than one dog, rather than allow room to name the dog I would have a separate book for each dog so you can easily read through and see how they're coming along.

Fritz! (or for those living outside South Australia, that ham and chicken loaf you buy in the cold meats section of the supermarket)

Slices of hot dog

I have many of the things other people have listed, and also a cheap stop-watch for training the stays.

So sorry to hear this Ness.

No advice, but I assume some of your distress is the thought that there may not be a solution for her, and that must be such a painful thing to consider for a dog so young.

Can only hope you are able to find a way through this that allows her a good quality of life and happiness.

Yes get him assessed. So many possibilities.

One of which is him potentially deciding to guard you, and keep your husband away, as if you're a possession.

And another of which is your dog couldn't see properly (as suggested in an earlier post) and interpreted your husband as a potentially scary intruder.

Your training response in each case would be completely different.

So get to the vet, and if all seems ok health-wise, ask someone to come out for a look and to give you some professional advice.

Yep they're all very active and you'll need to keep them very well exercised and trained/entertained.

Perhaps think about adding Welsh Springers and Aussie Shepherds to that list...?

You'll get fit :)

OMG!!!

There is a family grieving that dog's loss.

I am blown away that a rescue group would do this.

I don't know the legal situation. Is it theft?

Yeah I had to diet a beagle once (my sister's dog). Hardest part was ignoring her constant whining and sulking and big sad eyes. She looked like a lactating sow at the start. It wasn't easy, although it sounds easy to feed less doesn't it? And deep down we have to make it easy by being firm in our decision to do what is best for the dog.

Wow it was so worth it in the end. It was like she was a puppy again. An amazing transformation.

You're doing the right thing!

The ARQ website says this:

"Enzo needs a foster home with NO children and a home with Medium-large breed dogs that keep to themselves."

It also says he needs a carer BY TOMORROW.

Which does set off some alarm bells. I'd be asking lots of questions.

Sounds to me like you're on the right track - don't change a thing!

Stay strong. She'll be so much better off.

Really sorry for your loss. They become so much a part of you over a lifespan that long.

I would say give yourself time to grieve, and then think deeply about whether you have the energy to train a puppy. There is no question they are a lot more work than an older dog. I lost my old boy a few years back and there is now a 17 month old puppy at my feet - he is an absolute joy and has also been quite challenging at times. So while you will love it all when the time is right, you really do need to be ready for it.

If it was me, I might be thinking of getting a pup prior to the next child, then perhaps having the baby when the dog is between 18 months - 2 years old and fairly well trained. But life often has its way of stuffing up sensible plans like that so I think you need to be ready for whatever comes.

I would also second the idea of crate training your next dog. Because no matter how lovely your kids are, dogs sometimes need to get away from young children and get some sleep in an area that is safe. And with kids in the house you are bound to host BBQs, birthday parties etc. and the crate is the safest place for a dog on those occasions.

In terms of breed, I've said this many times but I really think a Border Terrier is a great option for people in your situation. In fact I've said it so many times now that I'm starting to think I should get one myself one day (except I can't, because my allergies limit me to poodle type coats).

They are relatively low shedding, but not non-shedding. Far less coat maintenance than a poodle or similar. And they train up beautifully. Really stand out at obedience classes as a lovely, sensible little dog.

I hope you feel better soon about your JRT. Once you're ready, don't forget that the process of searching for the right breed and breeder can take quite a few months, so I think it's good that you're starting to think about it early. It's never too early to start asking questions. :)

OMG I am in love!

What a gorgeous puppy. I love Viszlas - and I know quite a few beautifully trained ones so the brakes may not come standard, but are easily installed with a little bit of effort into daily training and exercise

God now I want one