mita

Our cat, Jeremy, was the best serious rain predictor If there was rain around.... & it was dead set to turn into days of pouring rain, Jeremy would sit on top of the fridge and stay there. If it was going to be a few showers for a day, he wouldn't. He was better than the weather bureau. Friends who used to go out fishing on the bay... would ask when it started to rain, 'Is Jeremy on the fridge?'. I don't know how the animals do these things. Jeremy was famous for not being too bright ... like he was so awkward, he'll fall out of trees. I agree that dogs become different as they age. My elderly tibbie girl, who used to go into a Buddhist calm zone when the vet did anything, like injection or trim nails.... now screams like a banshee.

There's been extensive research since those earlier days. Now science backs up the fact that going after breeds per se, is the wrong direction. Many dog owners were always aware of that, from their own anecdotal experiences. Good to see the organizations like RSPCA & the Veterinary Associations are up to date with the studies.

Fleming doesn't seem excessively distressed once he's inside. Just being a bit wary... like getting under the coffee table. That's the level that my brave little tibbie girl gets to, when there's a terrible thunder storm going on. She'll settle close against my feet. The older girl is deaf as a post, so has no worries. About his getting a bit scared a few hours before the storm.... do dogs pick up factors like air pressure changes, different smell in the air? Little dog next door, really is scared of storms & carries on desperate to be picked up the whole time. She picks up that a storm is coming ... but it'll be about an hour before when she starts seriously fretting.

She is a clever little sheltie . She's figured no bad things happen in the crate ... & she can come out each morning to a great new life she's clearly enjoying. I like Persephone's idea of flicking some treats in there ... but not for Georgia's consumption. :) As Bonne's bonded trustfully with you, I'd also put something in the crate that strongly has your scent on it. Old unwashed T shirt, old towel you've slept on, toys you've rubbed your hands on. That'd connect the two parts of her life... in the crate & out.

Gets spookier, Michelleva. Eating was the same! Shelley, like Georgia, wolfed down food ... & Danny was a dainty, calm eater. I had to separate them when eating , because bossy Shelley would gulp her food, then fly across to little Danny & take over his food. Years after they'd become 'brother & sister', I once forgot & put the dinner plates in the same area. Shelley wolfed hers down, raced over to start on Danny's. Only time in his long life, Saint Danny lost his temper.... & he lit into much bigger Shelley. Shelley went into Drama Queen .... squealing for help, 'This dog is killing me!'. She got no sympathy from anyone. Danny's daintiness in everything, meant strangers thought he was the girl of the pair. And that great big pushy Shelley was the boy. I'd believe Bonnie was calmer than Georgia with the fireworks.... Danny would be, too. And Shelley the same as Georgia. All Drama Queen, 'We're all going to die here. Fix it, bark, bark, bark!". Yep.... Bonnie's a gift from heaven, calm, sweet & dainty. :) So good that she's eating. Ooooooh, the latest pics of Bonnie. She's stunning & there's a changed look in her eyes already! Agree with DD.... definitely Princess Bonnie.

This is getting spooky! Danny, like Georgia, came with a flea allergy from being neglected. Shelley was a Georgia... so, so bossy. That's why the very experienced kennel manager said she was like some of the Border Collies. She wasn't keen on actually doing work herself.... she'd bark for us to come fix it. We called it Shelley's 'Work! Come fix it!' bark. If ignored she'd take things into her own paws. That's why she pulled the puss from behind the sofa by the tail. But she was brilliant when our little mixed breed, Gran, got to 19 years old & would get lost in the house or garden. We'd tell Shelley, 'Find Grandma!' Off she'd go & bark 'Work! Come fix it!' when she'd found her. So if you ever need an Assistance Dog for a elderly, low vision dog... Georgia is your girl. :) Honestly, I think Danny was sent into our lives so we'd know what a normal Sheltie was like. :) :)

Which is why I gave a link to a fair interpretation of the study, on the National Canine Research site. Where it repeated the researchers' point about the coming together of a mix of risk factors: POTENTIALLY PREVENTABLE FACTORS The researchers identified a striking co-occurrence of multiple, controllable factors: no able-bodied person being present to intervene (87.1%); the victim having no familiar relationship with the dog(s) (85.2%); the dog(s) owner failing to neuter/spay the dog(s)(84.4%); a victim’s compromised ability, whether based on age or physical condition, to manage their interactions with the dog(s) (77.4%); the owner keeping dog(s) as resident dog(s), rather than as family pet(s) (76.2%); the owner’s prior mismanagement of the dog(s) (37.5%); and the owner’s abuse or neglect of dog(s) (21.1%). Four or more of these factors were present in 80.5% of cases; breed was not one of those factors. The OP article had been channelled thro' someone else who was not associated with research. That person added their own prescriptions of what people should or should not do. It was more about that person than the study.

Ooooooh, Shelley went to doggie heaven & has come back as Georgia. :) All that fits Shelley! Our neighbours used to say she was so awful that she was loveable. The manager of the boarding kennels, said that Shelley reminded him more of a hyped up Border Collie than a Sheltie. The only vet at the UQ clinic who'd volunteer to do Shelley's yearly examination & vaccinations, was an American who said her sister back in the States owned an 'unusual' Sheltie, just like her. Drama queen, bossy, something to say about everything... knew everything that was going on & would bark to tell us to come fix it. She was a big girl, too.... had grown taller than standard. Danny was the best thing that ever happened to her, he was sweet & sensible & smaller than standard. Shelley discovered that the world was not all about her. Not that she toned down all that much. But she did.

The looks on the faces of the passersby are priceless. They can't believe that a smart dog would buy a jeep.... & ask for directions, too. http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?feature=player_detailpage&v=fybch3DX8c8

.... which is why the authors of the study, support the trend towards a multifactorial approach in preventing dog bites. They do not single out any one factor that was uncovered , as a total explanation. What they uncovered were statistically significant 'risk factors'. It's a mix of risk factors that counts: Their summary: The trend in prevention of dog bites continues to shift in favor of multifactorial approaches focusing on improved ownership and husbandry practices, better understanding of dog behavior, education of parents and children regarding safety around dogs, and consistent enforcement of dangerous dog/reckless owner ordinances in communities. The findings reported in this study support this trend. The authors conclude that the potentially preventable factors co-occurring in more than 80% of the DBRFs in their ten-year case file are best addressed by multifactorial public and private strategies.

Put something with your scent on it, in her safe spot. Old unwashed T-shirt or a toy that you've rubbed the palms of your hands, all over. I agree with all who've said what's going on, is normal adjustment (by Georgia) to new kid on the block & realistic adjustment by Bonnie to close companionship with a trusted human for first time. It's reminding me of our resident Shelley the sheltie when Danny the rescue sheltie came. Shelley lover of attention, something to say... er 'bark'.... about everything (The Mouth from the South).... & bossy lady-in-charge (like pulling puss from behind the sofa by the tail). And gentle Danny, so responsive to love & affection .... had to put up with her! Earned him the nickname Saint Danny. :) A UQ behaviorist vet remarked at that time.... the good thing is that shelties are intelligent dogs, so they'll learn well to adjust. Sure seems to be so with Bonnie. She's doing extra well, considering her past situation.

Agree with this. There is way more to it than a dog biting simply because it is entire. I suspect it's an associative rather than a causal factor. In fact "not kept as a family pet" and a consequent lack of socialisation may equate with an owner who is less likely to have the dog desexed. So being entire is reflective of owner choices rather than dog factors. Good point. Further research which unpicks owner-related factors would be a good next step. That is, the characteristics & behaviours of owners who enable the circumstances teased out in this current study. I remember reading of another US study which found interesting connections in this regard ... wish I could locate it again. But, overall this study is a valuable entry point into better understandings of fatal dog attacks/bites. There's another thing to remember when reading data that shows statistically significant connections... like that weighting towards undesexed dogs. That just shows a trend. It doesn't predict for an individual, particular dog. So that particular statistic is not saying that, any undesexed dog will bite.... nor can it be concluded that any desexed dog will not bite. BTW the full account of this study is good to read: http://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/blog/potentially-preventable-husbandry-factors-co-occur-in-most-dog-bite-related-fatalities/?fb_action_ids=10202687102200969

... and much loved. She's returning what you've given her.

Thanks, bertie. I just caught up with this. Shall PM you, Remarkabull.

That sounds familiar! :) I agree... how could anyone mistreat or neglect beautiful, gentle, loving souls like Bonnie & Danny's. Danny's nickname became Saint Danny. BBQ chicken is a winner. Also heating any food for little burst in the microwave, brings out the smell. And dogs like a good smell. Dr Harry gave that tip ages ago... it's been useful.

That sweet, intelligent expression is so like our late Danny the Sheltie.... who was a 'rescue failure' at our place. I found him lost in terrible condition. Took him to Uni vet who suggested contacting Sheltie Club. Lovely folk from Qld's Sheltie Club spent 3 hrs cleaning him up. All that time, the little tri-colour sweetheart kept his muzzle in my hand. Sheltie folk said it looked like he'd made his choice ... & would I take him, if all means of tracing owners failed? No owners found... yes, he came to us. And he was the most loving little sheltie ... named Danny, a gentle, loving boy. He was my heart dog. Bonnie has exactly the same look in her eyes.

Sheltie, Shelley, from an excellent Qld registered breeder, age 15 yrs. Healthy all her long life, only deterioration in her last year. General aging. Her coat & colouring stayed beautiful right to the end. Even the pet cremation people remarked on how gorgeous she still was. They made a fan, tied with yellow ribbon, of samples of all the colour shades in her coat. Danny, little tri-colour rescue Sheltie. Age not certain. A true heart dog, nicknamed Saint Danny. Died at age 13 yrs (approx), after series problems with pancreatitis. Tibbie, Gracie, from an excellent NSW breeder, taken too soon at age 11 yrs. Perfectly healthy except for an infected anal gland that was healing. A vet prescribed a certain antibiotic because it was still a bit pink. The tibbie had an allergic reaction to this medication & died. Tibbie, Angel, from an excellent Qld breeder, healthy all her life. At age 14 yrs, she was devoted to the above 'sister', tibbie. When that one died suddenly she descended into a grief that wouldn't go away. Old-fashioned as it sounds, many people said she died of a broken heart. Little black mixed breed, Tessa, rescued as a puppy thrown from a car. Looked like a poodle crossed with a tibbie (but could've been anything). Lived until nearly 23 yrs of age. Only behaved like an 'old' dog from age 19 yrs. At age 13 yrs, she got the nickname, Grandma, which became her official name, even on her council registration.

Couldn't agree more about one option a rescuer might decide on. For the reasons you've given. But, as you say, it's what works for each individual.

Given the prefix is Jedi, here's a list of 100 characters & their names from Star Wars. http://www.comicvine.com/profile/shroudofsorrow/lists/top-100-star-wars-characters-in-alphabetical-order/41110

It'd be good to get on video exactly when she does her chewing thing. Our sheltie didn't spend the entire time she was alone chewing the cushions. She'd have a burst & demolish one on a particular sofa chair in the sunroom. Interestingly, the first thing the vet behaviorist asked us, was exactly what she chewed, because that would tell something. When we said it was a cushion/cushions on a particular chair, the vet asked who usually sat there. Me.... it was my chair. The vet pointed out that it had my scent on it... & a person's scent is a bit like that person's presence to a dog. So, she said, Shelly was specially attached to me... & her destroying that cushion was a 'demand' that I should be with her. And that became what the program to 'fix' was around & why it eventually worked. So, does Izzy chew lots of different things... or are the same things chewed every time? And, if they're the same, do you reckon that's telling anything about what's going on in her doggie head? Like, if it's blinds & the door, would it be about your coming & going... & being 'out there' somewhere? Just wondering.

I said that.. but apparently that's a stupid name according to the man who agreed to call our cat Corpsegrinder :laugh: Corpsegrinder is a rather fantastic name. Not if you're a mouse in that house. :)

tooch, we had a sheltie who'd chew the sunroom cushions when everyone was out. We got great advice from a University of Qld vet behaviourist. And to my amazement, it worked & I started to see the changes very soon. I'll go thro' your account of your experience again. On my first reading, your Izzy's behaviours seems just like Shelley's. I'll post later the basics we had to do ... a bit long, but they're easy to do. I understand your anxiety. But the program we were given actually gave proactive steps that made me feel less helpless.

That's an excellent idea. I'm lucky to have neighbours who also own my breed & we have a fantastic reciprocal sitting arrangement. Hope you find what you want.

What a beautiful tribute of special memories of Askari. I loved the kitty in the dinner ... & the priceless cuddles for visitors. My heart goes out to you, for your loss.

What beautiful photos of the most beautiful of Rottie girls. She was a true Rottie princess, from the time she was a baby. Not even becoming an Old Chook could dim that lovely nature & love of life. My heart does out to you & your family in your loss. But I'm also thinking how lucky you were she shared her life with you. And also how lucky she was that her family gave her all the love & support to blossom as a true Poster Girl for her lovely breed.