Lucy's mama

Thanks for all the help. He is an Australian Shepherd. I and my vet don't think he is over weight - but every Aussie person I have met does. Once I took the milk off him (the cow kind - I had no ice and it's in a big block so he could only lick it not guzzle it or gnaw on it) and got organized he was back to normal. No doubt if I'd left it five more minutes I wouldn't have even felt the need to post. I will mention to the vet though that he does pant a lot just in case. I have always just assumed it is just how he is. I will keep him inside for the day because it is really hot and the other dogs are still coming and going along the back.

Thank you. I have given him a bottle of frozen milk he is licking now. Chewbacca - do you mean the fact he has always panted a lot could be a sign of a chronic illness? No, I have not noticed any other changes. His panting has settled for now and I think I will take him to the vet. He has had some MASSIVE runs at a flat out pace recently (The neighbours kids let him out, he saw an opportunity and took off at full pace) where I have worried he will just run himself to death. He just doesn't seem to know when to stop.

Like I said - I have no network coverage. I have walked around for 5 minutes trying to get coverage but nothing.

Hi. I have come home from school drop off to Banjo madly barking at the back fence. A couple of dogs were down there in the swamp/bushland on the other side of the fence. They ran off and I called Banjo up. He immediately went for his water bucket, stood in it and drank between panting. He has a bit of blood on his muzzle but nothing much else. He has always been a real panty dog but he is panting quite fast even after 5 or so minutes. I've poured water over him, bought him inside on the tiles and have the air con on. My bloody phone is showing 'no network' so I can't call the vet and ask. In the last few months I've twice taken him to the vet for small concerns and nothings been wrong with him - just me being a worrier, so I don't really want to keep doing that. At what point would you rock up at the vet if your dog was panting a lot in a cool environment??

Ah! So you weren't even talking to me, lol. Silly bourbon-fuddled brain!

Sorry RPM girl, I have had a bad day and am a wee bit tipsy. Or rolling drunk, which ever you prefer. Is Abbey your dog? Did she come from the owners of the boarding kennel at Rothwell?? It looks like a fantastic place to leave your dog. Just disapointed by them booking us then cancelling us.

This morning I booked Banjo in to a Pet Resort at Rothwell from december 29th till January 2nd. They took all his and my details, and my credit card number for a 50% deposit. They then called me 15 minutes later to say they wouldn't take him after all as they have a 10 night minimum, would I like to extend his visit? I said No as there is no way I can afford 10 nights at 27.50/night, plus an extra $10 per 15 minute walk and $5.50 per 15 minute play. I'm pretty pissed off actually that they can cancell me so easily, but if I'd cancelled them I'd have been out of pocket 25% of the booking fee. And in those 15 minutes I'd rung and told my sister we would definately see her over x-mas. (She has been away for 5 years) then had to immediately ring her back and say no, actually, we won't be seeing you over Christmas. But anyway, much as I don't feel like sending them business, they seem to have at least a 10 day vacancy over the busiest part of Christmas/new year, so very possible you may get your 4 weeks there if you call them soon enough.

I spent hours on the phone yesterday ringing every kennel I could find between Redcliffe and Gympie. Most actually had a bit of a chuckle when I said I was after something over the Christmas break. I MIGHT have found something at Eumundi. Fingers crossed.

I booked Banjo into these kennels so I could visit my sister over Christmas. I rang them today to confirm opening hours and got a 'this number has been disconnected' message. I then rang Bundaberg Council who informed me that business is no longer registered. It sounds like they have closed down. I'd have driven 3 1/2 hours Christmas eve only to find them shut and I'd have to turn around and come home again and miss Christmas with my family. So if you are booked in there, please check if they are still open for business. If any one in that area could confirm for me if they are still open that would be great. It may be possible they have just changed names and that is why council no longer have them registered.

I'm just wondering if there is any particular way you should tug? I've always just assumed you pull and tug on the toy at random angles and increasing and decreasing the force used at random too. One thing I have learnt since joining dogzonline though is that I know way less about dogs than I thought, so maybe I am as wrong about this as I have been about other things. If I want to increase my dogs desire to tug is there a way to do that or is it just tug more often and they will like it more?

All the dogs must be at it at the moment - I just mentioned in another thread that Banjo has a thing for Christmas beetles.

TW, I can see why you might feel that it is just barking and it can't really harm anyone, perhaps you are similiar to me in that when I hear dogs barking all day it doesn't really bother me, and I'll generally sleep through it at night. But play back ground music all day or leave the telly going in the background and I will be extremely irritable and snappy. It annoys the crap out of me to the extent I feel like I can't even think. So it is not hard to imagine that that is how others feel when dogs constantly bark. If a dog's needs are being met and the owners have given behaviour modification techniques a good go, then there is not much left to do except de-bark.

Well, two reasons - more convenient for the dog and for the pushies. This is the first time we have been uteless in 7 or 8 years and I do miss the convenience. I myself am not worried about containment issues because I think I have it all worked out. I was just wondering if others are opposed to dogs on utes altogether or if they think it is o.k if the dog is contained and sheltered.

They look good mita. The cage is not just to contain him though - it will stop anyone setting him free or petting him etc.

Kind of. I'm very open to suggestions though, because the better it is, the more use we will get out of it.

If you can imagine Mita's custom dog cage under this type of canopy, that is the plan

Yes, of course I'm sure it would be no different than a person in a closed tent in the middle of the day. It would need to be open on the non-sunny sides, or partly rolled up on all side etc.

So for you RSG, is it about how they are contained on the ute? Would you be fine with it if they were crated with adequate shelter and water or do you think dogs should not be on utes at all??

I was just reading the other thread where people were saying they hate seeing dogs on utes. I am about to buy a ute specifically to make it easier and more convenient to take the dog out. We are 20 minutes out of town. If I want to take the dog to the park and then pick up a few things at the supermarket I can't do it in one trip, I have to drop the dog home then go back out. Likewise, If I want to take him to the dog beach then the kids to the people beach I have to do two 90 minute round trips. (The people beach is only 10 minutes away from the dog one) When we get the ute it will have a crate and canvass canopy for shelter, and of course he will have a water bucket and maybe a bone or treat toy etc. He would be no worse off for the 20 minutes we are in the shop or hour (Max) we are at the beach than if he had been left on the verandah at home. (I do plan to test what the temperature is like a few times before we actually leave him) So do you disaprove of dogs on utes fullstop, or do you only disaprove of dogs loose or chained on the back of open utes with no shelter? I think my plans alright, but wouldn't mind some input before I go spending a large amount of money.

They told me that too, and lots of people have booked since then, I'm looking to share with someone too, she told me she doesn't organise the sharing any more because she has had people or their dogs not get along in the past, but that I can organise to share myself if I like.

Money is due the month before the work shop if that helps. Or was it two weeks? Either way, you have time!

Yep - just under three hundred to share. At the moment I am by myself and paying just over 400 (I think) Considering it includes all meals, the workshop and accom, I can't really complain. My partner is complaining though - he gets to stay home with the two legged ratbags.

Yes, they absolutely could, I'm just wondering if it will be very effective for a dog that seems to be quite comfortable peeing where it sleeps.

Yes, the camping ended up being as dear as sharing a cabin. I am looking for someone with a medium to large dog to share with if you are interested? If you are bringing the little one I fear Banjo will be too rough to leave them in the yard together. But there are always crates and pens I suppose...

Aussie - I think it has been going on for awhile, which is why they stopped letting it inside. Banjo used to pee on anything left down when he was a pup but that was because he thought they were puppy pads, and being a puppy we just confined him and took him out often. I think this a different kettle of fish.