mrs tornsocks

Personally I would probably not leave him with a pig's ear or anything else chewy at such a young age. I tend to be a bit paranoid about this stuff owning a gobbly greedy labrador but he's still a baby and isn't really used to chewing different things. Plus, they are a bit fatty. Perhaps a kong with frozen mince or something ? If you can leave things to keep him otherwise occupied like toys etc., that's probably better. You may already be doing this, but if he's crying when you go, try to 'practice' leaving him along for increasing periods of time while you're actually there. Put him outside for a short period, then praise him for NOT crying, then slowly extend the time that he's on his own. If he starts crying after 30 seconds, start with 20 seconds, then build up to 5, 10 minutes, then 30 minutes then an hour say, over the weekend (assuming you work during the week). If it's all a hive of activity while you're getting ready and then, bang, he's left alone, it's not surprising he's fretting. He is still very young though.

Had you considered that what was being observed wasn't intended to be nasty? A number of people have noted that the dog to dog behaviour of some Labradors can create issues. Where's the malice in that? Its the same as noting that sighthounds and Siberian Huskies' prey drive can create issues with small dogs, that SBTs aren't necessarily the best choice for someone who wants a dog park social butterfly or that some breeds tend to be very noisy. I didn't actually say it was nasty - the spectrum between 'nice' and 'nasty' is pretty broad; I just reckon knowing that caring lab (or any other breed) owners are here and contributing means it's just "nicer" not to generalise. "They barrel up and get right in other dog's faces.. " It just doesn't sound especially nice does it ??? SWFs: "They are snappy and yappy as soon as another dog goes up to them" SBTS: "They approach my dog with aggression and want a fight" BULLBREEDS: "They have attacked children" POODLES: "They bite" Semantics I guess.

Hmmm that's interesting - check your council website. If the woman is as upset as she comes across in your OP I'd suggest you watch your back and cover all bases (infact I'd be staying out of the park unless it's empty). This is what it says on my council website Using off-leash areas To ensure off-leash areas are safe and enjoyable for everyone, please consider other users. Keep your dog in sight Your dog must be under control by voice Pick up and dispose of all waste correctly Do not let your dog rush at or harass other dogs and people Keep your dog on a lead until it is inside the fenced area and put it back on a lead before leaving I reported a Lab which rushed me once in a park. I had my dogs on leash and the Lab barreled towards us and TBH scared the cr@p out of me. The owner refused to collect his dog saying 'he's friendly' but all he was, was out of control. It resulted in him getting a $500 fine! I think Labs are getting a bit of raw deal as they are so popular. Joe Public loves them as family dogs and assumes that everyone else loves their bouncy dogs too. Most Labs I've come across have not been well trained and are more than the owner can handle. I've met only a small few Labs who are well trained and these dogs are owned by very dog savvy people. I think their popularity by non dog savvy people is doing no favours to the breed. A well trained Lab is one of the most gorgeous dogs there are, but they seem to be far and few between these days which is why I've been put off them in a general sense. Since it's mostly dog-savvy people who use this purebred forum, you'd assume that the majority here who own labs have taken the time to train them properly. That's why the generalisations re lab behaviour are so irritating. Those who have put alot of effort into the breed get swept up with the others who haven't bothered. But guess what ?? The people that haven't bothered clearly aren't reading this forum !! Let's look at it another way. I have been put off staffies. I see and hear many generalisations about staffies, in fact I live within 2kms of Blacktown pound, where staffy and staffy crosses are in every second pen - and although I see aggressive tattoo-ed men walking aggressive staffies at our off leash reguarly (and yes, we have been bailed up by them), and signs with 'staffy pups for sale' scrawled on cardboard hanging up outside semi-derelict houses, I would never generalise about staffies here on DOL. That's because I know the staffy people who choose to spend their time on DOL are almost always people who care for and train their dogs properly - so I would never risk offending those responsible owners with generalisations about their chosen breed. PS. I would never generalise about humans who live in Blacktown or its interstate equivalents either I actually posted what I did above to make it clear that it's the owners not the breed so I am not sure what you mean by your post. I have no problem with people generalising about my chosen breeds as I am very aware of their shortfalls, I don't get offended by it at all. Each to their own with breeds. I know Dogmad on here doesn't like 'staffies' at all, infact she wasn't even keen on coming on to my property as I have a Rotti. I simply locked him up and accepted that not everybody has to like my breeds and I respected her reservations. People often have negative experiences with certain breeds which can deeply affect people. Maybe I don't get sensitive as I've always had nervous rescue SWF's so can see both sides of the coin, I don't know - maybe I'm just thick skinned All I mean is, majority of folks here on DOL tend to make some effort with training their dogs - so generalising on DOL that labs 'rush' people (or pointing out any other breed's 'faults') is simply not going to be read by irresponsible owners that it's directed at. I don't know that being irritated / hurt by constant breed bashing necessarily makes me/us thin skinned (just ask my hubby!). Or in other words - why can't we just be nice ??? (Cue various responses of not being able to hear criticism). BOOOOOORRRRRRING !!! Merry Xmas !!!!!

;)

Hmmm that's interesting - check your council website. If the woman is as upset as she comes across in your OP I'd suggest you watch your back and cover all bases (infact I'd be staying out of the park unless it's empty). This is what it says on my council website Using off-leash areas To ensure off-leash areas are safe and enjoyable for everyone, please consider other users. Keep your dog in sight Your dog must be under control by voice Pick up and dispose of all waste correctly Do not let your dog rush at or harass other dogs and people Keep your dog on a lead until it is inside the fenced area and put it back on a lead before leaving I reported a Lab which rushed me once in a park. I had my dogs on leash and the Lab barreled towards us and TBH scared the cr@p out of me. The owner refused to collect his dog saying 'he's friendly' but all he was, was out of control. It resulted in him getting a $500 fine! I think Labs are getting a bit of raw deal as they are so popular. Joe Public loves them as family dogs and assumes that everyone else loves their bouncy dogs too. Most Labs I've come across have not been well trained and are more than the owner can handle. I've met only a small few Labs who are well trained and these dogs are owned by very dog savvy people. I think their popularity by non dog savvy people is doing no favours to the breed. A well trained Lab is one of the most gorgeous dogs there are, but they seem to be far and few between these days which is why I've been put off them in a general sense. Since it's mostly dog-savvy people who use this purebred forum, you'd assume that the majority here who own labs have taken the time to train them properly. That's why the generalisations re lab behaviour are so irritating. Those who have put alot of effort into the breed get swept up with the others who haven't bothered. But guess what ?? The people that haven't bothered clearly aren't reading this forum !! Let's look at it another way. I have been put off staffies. I see and hear many generalisations about staffies, in fact I live within 2kms of Blacktown pound, where staffy and staffy crosses are in every second pen - and although I see aggressive tattoo-ed men walking aggressive staffies at our off leash reguarly (and yes, we have been bailed up by them), and signs with 'staffy pups for sale' scrawled on cardboard hanging up outside semi-derelict houses, I would never generalise about staffies here on DOL. That's because I know the staffy people who choose to spend their time on DOL are almost always people who care for and train their dogs properly - so I would never risk offending those responsible owners with generalisations about their chosen breed. PS. I would never generalise about humans who live in Blacktown or its interstate equivalents either ;)

Just on the weekend, my lab and I arrived at the off leash park. He got rushed at and bailed up by TWO larger dogs - a ridgy and what I think was an Irish Wolfhound - both at least 3cm bigger than my boy (who is not a big lab). He immediately submitted and 20 secs later they were all playing - unlike pretty much every small dog and poodly-type we meet who when Archie (politely) goes up to, instantly turn aggressive, barking and growling. Oh, um, ooops, sorry !! I think I just made a massive generalisation. Sorry about that folks !

I'm a pretty average photographer, although I do have a dlsr. I'm about to put some clothes online to sell, some are designer and others unworn, so I'd like to show them off in their best light. Does anyone have some tips on how best to take these shots at home and without a model ? I've tried to hang them off a few places (eg tall bookshelf, dining room chairs, door frames but everything looks crap). Any tips appreciated !

Also to add, he did nice firm poops this morning so it seems like our problem may have 'passed' ?

Archie seems fine this morning. Except for OH singing songs to him about him & his anal glands Should I be able to see any offending anal glands in order to squeeze them ? Prefer not to go there unless it's necessary but not sure if you can tell from the 'outside'.

Thanks everyone, I guess I was a little surprised because it's never happened before (first time for everything I suppose). Nothing's changed with his diet, stools are all firm and fine. Are the impacted or 'full' glands normally visible to the naked eye ? I often just have a look at his butt to make sure all is normal, and I haven't noticed anything lately.

It looked more watery, as OH said 'slimey water'. And yes, I know what you mean about discussing this erm, 'stuff'. Nothing really bothers any more.

Hi, posted this in general also, any help appreciated ! Our 18 month old lab was lying snoozing tonight when we smelt a rancid smell from his general vicinity. He hadn't moved at all, but there was a small amount of clear liquid next to his back end (hard to tell exactly where it came from). He cleaned it up and has been licking around his anus, some of the secretion is also on his tail. Any ideas what this might be ? He hasn't appeared to have any anal gland issues (no 'scooting', scratching or otherwise noticeable issues). And now for the really dumb question .... do de-sexed male dogs still produce any kind of secretion from their penis ? I figured coz the factory's gone, production has shut down but just wasn't sure. He's been normal, had a big play date today and had a roo tail (first time) a few hours after we got home, but has had normal behaviour etc otherwise. Any thoughts appreciated !

Our 18 month old lab was lying snoozing tonight when we smelt a rancid smell from his general vicinity. He hadn't moved at all, but there was a small amount of clear liquid next to his back end (hard to tell exactly where it came from). He cleaned it up and has been licking around his anus, some of the secretion is also on his tail. Any ideas what this might be ? He hasn't appeared to have any anal gland issues (no 'scooting', scratching or otherwise noticeable issues). And now for the really dumb question .... do de-sexed male dogs still produce any kind of secretion from their penis ? I figured coz the factory's gone, production has shut down but just wasn't sure. He's been normal, had a big play date today and had a roo tail (first time) a few hours after we got home, but has had normal behaviour etc otherwise. Any thoughts appreciated ! eta. I also posted in health section

Thanks Clyde, PMed you.

HI everyone I have an overnight trip to Canberra, just wondering if anyone can reccommend kennels to board our boy one or two nights between Western Sydney and Canberra ? I have to go via Mittagong, so anywhere along that route would be fine too. Thanks !

I think she will be fine. When she's been home three weeks or so, you might want to take her over to your parents house for a visit to make sure it's not completely foreign when she gets there. Take toys, puppy blanket etc,. other familiar things. Also, assuming the house is all clear from possible puppy diseases, since she may only just be clear for vaccs.

Are you planning to crate train her ? I think that would be a massive help in a circumstance like this. If you have a portable crate, it's her home away from home.

Mine too my place times infinity

It's a quandry for sure. However, I say go overseas. The life and work experience you will gain will be with you forever. And if your parents are able to look after the dog, you know he will be in the very best of care.

Oh yes. This morning, Archie saw a fluffy white cat from a distance - the that we often see and always makes him jumpy and hisses at him - it was sitting in the gutter and he started carrying on. But to us it looked like a white plastic bag fluttering around.

Hope I'm not repeating another post but this is just gorgeous

oh what a cute image !

And this is what I love so much. That a funny long hairy thing can hold so much expression !! Humans should have them and then we could pick the happy people before we even meet them.

:D

Yes ! We call it the tail of destruction and have lost quite a few coffee dregs to the cause. I have never noticed the different reason wag, although we get propeller tail if it's extra fast. I always love when he meets new dogs and crouches down and tail goes mad.