Kirty

What area of Melbourne? Some councils are very laid back and dog friendly, others not so. But there are plenty of places you can take your dog, both onlead and offlead.

WOW. That is all I can say. Just wow.

God yes. I foster for BC Rescue and you would not BELIEVE the number of emails I get that go something like this: "Hi, I bought a BC puppy 6-12 months ago and it is destroying my house. It is soooo naughty. It barks, it digs, it rounds up the kids, it chases the cats/chooks/rabbits/livestock. it never sits still. It is not desexed and I never walk it and its never been to obedience and we don't want it anymore. I bought it from a guy/pet shop/farm and it has short hair. Can you please take it?" My reply usually goes something like this "Your dog sounds like a perfectly normal, BORED BC..." :D

We bought a 5 month old pup with severe behavioural problems (just ask Cosmolo!). We worked with her intensively and she is still shy, but is 100% better than what she was. She LOVES her family and is getting better with strangers. I think that most well bred pups will adjust and can be socialised even if adopted at a slightly older age, but I would not buy an older pup without meeting it first.

Happy Birthday Boomer! He is gorgeous.

Haha that is so cute!!

I'll be paying less than that to have my 50kg bitch spayed, so yes, that seems expensive to me!

My dog will play fetch with anything (ball, fruit, stick, piece of rubbish) and anyone all day long. She LOVES to play. If nobody plays with her, she will throw a ball around for herself. She is definitely not doing to it please me because after I scream at her for dropping the ball under my feet as I step off the ladder, she brings it back again 2 seconds later..

Collies are one. I believe cats are also senstivie to Ivermectin? I use Advantage and Revolution alternately and have had no issues with fleas.

We had a dog once who I swear had ADD. She was like Jane, she did not have an off switch. AT. ALL. She was constantly hyper, would pick fights with the other dogs, barked constantly, etc. We lost her at a young age unfortunately, but she was also not an 'anxious' dog.

The DAP diffuser just releases a scent, so technically it should not be replacing any missing things (if that makes sense). She does sound like a very stressy little dog though. Perhaps she has doggy ADD or similar?

The best thing I've found to encourage animals to eat is a pre-cooked chook from Coles or Safeway. They have a really strong smell and when I've had sick cats or dogs, I always get some. Most can't resist it and its still bland enough to not cause tummy upsets.

They are so pretty! I love the little bay with the star.

I would definitely call her an anxious dog. She is very uncertain about everything, poor baby. Hopefully once she builds her confidence, she will quit rolling over at every second!

My newest foster is an extremely submissive 8 month old working lines BC. She is a very sweet, gentle pup but her first reaction to most things is to flip over and expose her belly. She has zero dog interaction skills (but Pia is quickly teaching her how to play - albeit like a sighthound!) but again, is very submissive with the other dogs. She was apparently the most timid pup in the litter and I don't think she has been socialised at all since they brought her home. Is her submissiveness due to fear or are they two seperate things?

That is great news! Go Sophie!! I have had several reports from Tilly and she is doing really well apparently. Go the spotty girls!!

Oh Cas, I am so very very sorry. You have had the most rotten week and I am just so sorry. RIP Jake. Sending you massive hugs.

SpotTheDog, I have found the technique works really well if the cat tends to run. I have used it on three of my own cats and also on my MIL's cat who spent months hiding outside after the new puppy arrived. Once she realised that holding her own would send the puppy running, she stopped hiding. Of course, if the dog is overly confident and does not back off, the plan may not work. I don't mean 'throw' the cat at the dog either. You don't let go of the cat at all. Hold it firmly and just 'shove' it towards the dog. I think its important that the cat is never given a chance to bolt because it will just encourage the puppy to chase.

First thing you need to do is trim your cats claws! We see a lot of puppies with eye injuries because they have been swiped by a cat. You also need to remember that the cats should always be higher in the pack than the dog. The dog must be the lowest ranking pack member. I would start off with short intros with the dog on a lead, or in a crate (which ever is easier). Allow the dog to approach the cats but scold it for any rough behaviour. Puppies must learn to be gentle with the cats. Reward quiet, calm behaviour. If the puppy knows how to sit, ask it to sit near the cats and reward it. If the puppy jumps around and gets hissed at or swiped, don't tell the cats off! They are allowed to tell the puppy off. When the puppy relaxes and is calm for a little while, end the session. Don't end the session with the puppy being silly or he will think its OK to be naughty around the cats. Start off with very short sessions and gradudally increase them. Never allow your puppy to chase the cats. If any of your cats run when the puppy is around, you need to teach them that sticking up for themselves is a much better option. To do this, have one person holding the cat and one person holding the puppy's lead. If the puppy gets too close and the cats wants to run, thrust the cat towards the puppy (don't let go of the cat). The pup will probably retreat backwards (but if not, get the person holding the lead to pull it backwards). The cat will learn that if it holds its ground, the puppy will back off. The puppy will also learn that it will get a belting if it annoys the cat!

Its funny that itching was mentioned because she has a flea allergy and I recently noticed a small spot she had chewed on her rump. I've treated her again with Advantage and I haven't seen her chewing at it since then but maybe that was the trigger? She has not been any more destructive outside though, its only inside. And she is definitely not cold! Their bed is right on top of the heating duct! LOL!

I'd love to have a catch up, but no way am I setting my dogs loose in someone else's house! They will trash it! LOL! Perhaps we can meet at a park instead?

My gorgeous girl Maisie (9yo) has suddenly become very very naughty! For the last few weeks, as soon as she comes inside, she starts stealing things, chewing things, etc. They have a blanket on their mattress and she has chewed massive holes in it! She'll sit there right in front of me and start ripping it! She will get up when nobody is looking and steal a cat toy, then eat it. Tonight they all had chews and she stole Pia's chew (even though Pia was growling at her). She completely ignores me when I tell her to do things (and I KNOW she can hear me because she hears everything else!). Perhaps she is going through a midlife crisis... She got sent outside THREE TIMES tonight for being naughty!! She is supposed to be my good girl!!

Got decent air time on all the big stations news. Saw myself and my sister on ch 7! LOL! Bertandsally, I saw your dog and said to my sister that I should go and ask if its a blue merle BC because she always gets mistaken for an Aussie. It was too crowded though so we couldn't get over there.

We had a great day and I was so thrilled to see so many people there. I recognised quite a few DOL dogs and my own dogs really enjoyed it. Tamara, your speech was fantastic!

Thanks everyone. I got one from Megapet Warehouse. It doesn't really fit though. I wouldn't mind getting one from Julie but Doveton is miles from my place. Is she going to the rally tomorrow?