zifnab

I'd suggest she contacts JCUVet. That's the Vet service provided by the vet school at the uni. Plenty of specialist knowledge. Probably the best bet for a diagnosis in north QLD.

Thanks - I'll take a look at those :)

and this is in the wrong spot and i can't work out how to delete or move it... *sigh*

Hi all; I'm after any recommendations for dog life jackets. She's a lean, deep chested, large mixed breed. I'm after something with a handle on the back to assist with getting back on a kayak. Thanks

Thanks for that - I will email them.

Hello; Has anyone heard of a good dog behaviorist in the Cairns or surrounding region? Had a worrying incident where she jumped on, growled and snapped at another dog, with no provocation. I had to pull her away, she did not lunge or pull back to the dog, was content to stand with me. No harm done to the other dog. But I need help to find out why it happened and how to prevent it happening again.

Setting up a camera tonight to confirm that is where she is getting out. Made a few changes to the area so nothing is near the gate. Also realized the electric fence wouldn't work unless she was also touching the ground, so that is now a double string so if shes climbing she will get a zap. If she still gets out we will find a way to extend the gate to the ceiling with tarps or something. If that is not where she is getting out, then I guess a dog run will be the only other option. She is a chewer so can't be inside by herself for her saftey and the houses. Thanks for the idea's, your help is appreciated.

Here is what i think is the most likely escape point. Any suggestions in dog proofing it? The table used to be closer, and we had bins up against the fence. This is moved as of tonight in case she is using those to jump off of.

Side fences are wood and would only lead to another yard. Back fence is wire mesh, fairly large gaps, no room for a run up as the area is covered in heliconia's. Front gates and back gates are wire mesh, no disruption to the weed matting covering them. Patio gate is wood with the railings on the inside, probably around 1.6m high. Mindy is a mixed breed, no idea on her breeding. 30kg of lean long legged dog. Possibly a greyhound bullbreed cross. I can't work out how to resize photo's on a mac, so no luck on pics unfortunately. Will have to set up a camera and see if she's getting out where we expect. Hopefully find nothing as she stays in her yard.... Added pic of mindy:

Hi; I'm after any ideas on how to find out how our dog is getting out. I'm pretty sure she can't jump the 6 foot fence, the gates are padlocked closed so no way to push them open. We though it must be the front patio gate which is the lowest point and also where we enter and exit the yard with her. However we had an electric fence up in that point and she's gotten out again. She's 3.5 yrs old and only just started escaping. Always when we aren't home. I'm not sure why, this is a dog who doesn't like leaving the yard unless my husband and I are both with her. First instance was when the neighbors let off fireworks in the park behind the houses, she got spooked and ran. Came home the next morning with the skin worn off her pads. This is the forth time she has escaped, each time she has made her own way home. Any ideas? At the moment we've moved anything close to the gate away, and ordered a 'Trakapet' in case that doesn't work.

Thanks for the replies, I'll keep an eye on it :D

I noticed this morning that there is a large lump (2/3 of a golf ball) approximately where Mindy had her vaccination last week. Happened on her 3rd puppy shot as well, but not on last years booster shot. Anyone else seen this, is it common?

Thanks. Still got a year or two to wait until we're ready for another dog, but its never to early to start the research!

How well do Japanese Spitz handle heat and humidity? Would they cope outside during the day in north Queensland?

Went to the vet this afternoon. He thinks its probably a tear in her cruciate ligament. No noticeable instability in the joint, but it did bother her when he was moving the joint. However she had already shown a lot of improvement by this morning, so fingers crossed its only very minor damage. So she is on anti-inflammatorys and very restricted movement for a week.