Pretty Miss Emma

You could try this website... http://www.aussiehousesitters.com.au/ there might be someone looking for a housesitter or someone who didn't know they wanted a holiday til they saw you wanted a house!!!

When I had Emma at the emergency vet last time I was hitting a point where I was not going to be able to pay the bill. They had an arrangement that I think is a Westpac thing which is essentially a payment plan, so you pay a deposit then the bank covers the balance and you agree to pay a certain amount each week/fortnight. It is interest free, has something like a $5 surcharge (maybe more but not a great deal). But it only covers amounts up to $2000 and it has to be offered by the clinic (ie you can't apply for it independently). So she could look for a vet that offers a payment plan like this. Also in Melb I've heard the cheapest place for desexing and most surgeries is Lort Smith. there may be private clinics that are also at their prices, but that's the biggest one I've heard of. So it might be worth looking into the larger community based animal hospitals to see what their prices are. Sometimes it's worth travelling a little further because it could save a substantial amount.

I'm currently dealing with the young one who has just learnt that she can open the baby gate (from both sides!) so that she can get into the laundry where the cats food is sitting!!! Trying to work out a new way of locking the gate (she is definitely going through not over!).

There is a yahoo group for blind dogs... http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/blinddogs/ American, but I'm thinking that blind dogs probably work the same all the world round!!! Glad you're feeling happier about everything. I think that's one of the pitfalls of a special needs dog - the ups and downs. But something I read today that made me have a bit of a moment From one of those blind dog websites) - blind dogs see even more with their hearts.

On my BC's I use a comb, slicker and a furminator. Seems to get the job done. Also have a rake which I sometimes use too.

I also have an old girl who is virtually blind. Thank goodness she can still hear. But I feel your dread, as I feel the same with my girl and worry that we might need to move and she would cope. But if you are there she will be much better and will calm much more quickly, I think what your friend experienced was probably more about the stress of being away from you than being in that environment. I also love the ideas of using specific scents before you move to help her find her way about after you move - I've heard of that a lot of times and am at the point of thinking of implementing it myself just to help my old girl get about a bit more easily. DAP is also apparently very good - haven't used it but have only heard good things (and agree that it is probably better than using a drug that may make her a bit more disoriented). The website above is great, when my girl started losing her vision first time I was on there daily looking things up to try and make her life easier. For now worry only about preparing her for her move, after you have moved take it as it comes. She will adapt. If she is in otherwise good health then I don't think you need to worry about her, if you are there she will have everything she wants and needs!!! Please let us know how you go with it all!! And give her a cuddle from me and Emma (my blind dog!!). - I have a bit of a soft spot for special needs doggies!!

I'd be starting them up again. But I'd also speak to your vet when you can to let them know that 2 days were missed, it may mean the course needs to be extended/changed (or it may make no difference at all!!).

I'm a believer of any dog can do anything at any age (within physical and neurological limitations that they may have)! I adopted a 9yo and was able to teach her new tricks, so I think you can do it. Are you using hand signals as well as verbal commands? Dogs tend to pick up on your body language before they pick up on the verbal. Can she see and hear properly? If she's having a problem with one of these areas then you may need to modify your plan of attack. I certainly wouldn't discount taking her to some training classes. There is bound to be an obedience club not too far from you and generally in the lower levels classes are more about having good pet dogs that have nice manners. So they aren't so much about creating doggy genius's as they are about giving you a tool set to get what you want out of your dog. Any time I encounter someone who says their dog has learnt something and then forgotten it the main piece of advice I usually have is to go back a couple of steps in your training plan. (sounds like you have, but maybe think about how much you are raising criteria?) The other thing is "puppy push ups" (sit, drop, stand all in succession of each other and order of commands varied). I practice these with my dogs constantly as it is good indoor training (it's cold at the moment!!) and it's good reinforcement of the simple behaviours we expect them to know yet do not always reward - so puppy push ups act as a good reminder to the dog in my opinion!!! Good luck!

Just make sure it does come out the other end and she doesn't end up with it impacted in her bowel (unlikely, but just make sure!!!).

Wow! How did you find her breeder? Had her birthdate on her microchip form, knew her previous home had called her Emma, then a series of chance meetings with people who thought she looked like a show dog and as it ended up knew her breeder so then put me in touch with her. About 3 weeks ago Em and her breeder got to re-meet each other again after 12 years of being apart!!! Back on topic... I guess it shows how important a name can be - even if I didn't choose it!!!

Emma came with her name. I got her as a 9yo rescue from the RSPCA, found it it had been her name since she was born now that I've met her breeder! Kenzie - hours and hours of internet trawling!!!! Before my new little pup even was in existence I was writing a massive list of names!! Then decided I wanted something Scottish (plus about 5 other specific criteria). After I'd had her for 2 days I then discovered the name Kenzie and went with it 5 mintues after finding it - the other 60 names I'd been dwelling over all got thrown out!!

My understanding is that Nature's Gift foods are (I haven't double checked that recently but the last time I looked they were). And isn't Nutro also Aussie?? I know that it is also made O/S but I feel like the kibble that is sold here is made here. But I'm not sure if it's Aussie owned. It feels difficult to find out some of this info!! I'll be interested to see what others say!

I ahve one reactive dog and one perfect dog ( :D ). I ahve to walk them separately as the reactive one is more reactive when the other comes along. Walking separately just means that she can have 100% of my attention and I can focus on working on her issues. I can see what is coming up and put avoidance strategies in place before I need to deal with her being reactive. She is becoming lots and lots better. We can now have walks where we have 0 issues!! They're not all the time but they happen (compared to having walks that made me want to cry this is a brilliant thing!!). I would steer clear of letting the dogs even get close to being worked up whenever you can. I see it a bit the way that new smoking ad talks - the more you practise somethign the harder it is to stop doing it, even if it is only sometimes. If you can see a situation to avoid then avoid it. Approach the threshold slowly so that you don't undo all the good work you've been doing!! To me it sounds like you're using lots of good strategies already. I would strongly advise the walk separetly thing though. I also think it's good to give each dog some "me time". Being able to work/walk with each dog individually for a shorter period of time than a shared walk is probably more valuable time for both of you. It works really well for us!

Kenzie is still on 2 meals a day (this is more due to Em's feeding regime rather than her needing it at her age - 19mo). But at 10 months I definitely would have had her on 2 meals still but probably heading towards one, so not sure maybe it doesn't matter (8mo definitely I would have had her on 2 meals). As for puppy kibble ask everyone here and you'll get heaps of different answers!! Probably depends a little bit on breed size. What was he eating in the home he came from? I'd keep him on that for a little bit til he settles and and then move him on to what you're intending to feed him. At that age it probably wouldn't be a big issue whether it were either adult or puppy food for the short term.

I have had a couple of stray dog encounters. If I can, for the dogs safety, I usually catch it and contain it then call the AMO's to collect it(if they ask if you know where it comes from you say no so that way they can't try to get owner details and get the dog back to them without going through the AMO's - my reason for this is if the AMO's get involved then usually there will be a fine for dog on the loose, dog off propety without registration tag and possibly for no registration. Sometimes if people have to fork out a bundle of money they try a bit harder to not have to fork it out again!). If I can't catch it I just call council and ask for the AMO to be sent to catch it and if I'm not happy with their response I will then call the local police station and tell them that there is a dog on the loose it has been reported to council but council have not done anything and it is posing a risk to public safety (ie being aggressive to people, running through traffic and potetnially causing accidents). I live in an area with a completely useless council and in 3 years have never seen anything of the AMO's so am pretty intolerant of a lack of actionso do what I can to force them in to action. Agree with whoever it was that also said ring every single time you see the dog and do the phone/email chase of each complaint. Good luck (and have fun with your new little pup when it comes!!!).

I sometimes think I say please, thankyou and excuse me more to my dogs than I do to some people!!!

I'm so sorry for you. But if you're feeling that this couple can give him the home that will be right for him then it may be the best for everyone. You can't let your own health suffer for this little one, especially when it sounds like there is a loving well thought out option available for him. I agree with persephone (who always has wonderous advice and understanding!!) that maybe an older dog will suit you. My first dog was 9yo when I adopted her and it made for a wonderful first dog experience - I would recommend going for slightly younger than 9yo as it does mean you don't necessarily have a long time with them (although we're hanging on strong at the moment)!! Puppies are hard work, I've just gone through it my first time. 19 months down the track it is easier, but it is still work. You can only do the best you can for this little man and making a decision like this is much braver and better for him in the long run than having him end up in a shelter or having all of you be miserable. Thinking of you.

It must be a BC thing!! I find Kenzie like this every evening when I tell her it's bed time and every morning when I get out of the shower!!!! She looks almost identically cute/"I'm not really here" as Rove!!

I haven't used them as a boarding facility as they won't take one of my dogs (they won't facilitate her medications). But their recreational facilities are great, we go there often in the warmer months! I do have 2 friends who regularly (a couple of times a year) board their dogs there and they love it! Dogs are always happy to stay ther eand come back looking great. I had a look at their standard runs and have to say I probably wouldn't leave my girls in them but I'm pretty fussy (also having an ex-shelter dog like her to not be in runs that might be reminiscent of the shelter), however the ones that are next step up I reckon would be pretty good (that's the sort my friends always use). Lovely staff out there!

Try offering the treat with a flat hand instead of in your fingertips? Maybe feed his dry food by hand at a really high rate (maybe to reinforce bridge word/click, or simple behaviours like puppy push ups) so that he isn't SOOOO excited the moment he sees your fingertips coming towards him.

+1!!

Yay for an answer! Good luck with the surgery.

Definitely have breed prejudice!! But it is all due to previous experiences of the breeds. I generally go in assuming a breed will be fine unless I (interpret that as me or my dogs!) have had a bad experience with the breed. I guess in some ways though this generally applies to me exercising caution when I meet a new dog of a breed. Once I get to know them I'm able to see them as who they are rather than just their breed (and so do my dogs!!). But as megan_ said your own dogs safety (and mental health) has to be the priority.

I think worst case it would be treated as any dog that is brought in to the shelter, but more likely because it is from the puppy farm dogs that it would be treated a bit more specially in terms of getting it out for a behavioural foster and then potentially rehoming with public or throught the permanent foster scheme. It's unfortunate that they want to return him at all. Do you know if they have contacted the RSPCA and asked for help with solving the problem rather than just resorting to returning him? I'm sure given his background they would be in a situation to offer some level of support on this (or recommend where to go to get some).

Oh you're making want another puppy!!!!! Of course if you start telling us about chewing furniture and shoes then I will probably change my mind!!! But I love puppies, make the most of his puppy time and take millions of photos because he will be grown up the next time you blink!!!!