Stressmagnet

Haooy Gotcha Day! What a beautiful beautiful girl.

So today was ernie's regular beach day. I took him and the girls down to the dog beach area of a popular beach near our home. Normally I stay away from off leash areas as Ernie has yet to develop a reliable recall and he's excessively friendly to man, woman, dog or stick. However, he loves the beach as do my kids, and we've been going every week for the past 2.5 months without any incident at all. We nod to the regulars; the dogs have all been friendly so far and Ernie has a wonderful time and so do I. Today however, left me shaken and crying. I had walked with Ernie down the length of the beach. He had been jumping in and out of the waves, chasing his tennis ball and greeting people/dogs politely (no charging, a calm walk up with wagging tail to receive a pat or a bum sniff) and on we would go. We in turn, were greeted by friendly dogs and owners alike. I was on my way back up the beach with Ernie about 2-3 metres ahead. His usual pattern is to trot on ahead and circle back to my side at frequent intervals. There was a group of 18-20 year old women on the beach. Ernie walked up, wagging his tail and one of the women screamed and leaped into her friends arms. As she was a solid girl, the friend dropped her to the sand where she rolled about screaming and flapping her arms. Ernie stopped bemused. I thought she was playing around, as they were all holding Breezers and because the reaction was so unexpected and (to me) extreme. I honestly thought they were horsing around. As I quickened my steps to catch Ernie, one of her friends barrelled up to me and started screaming in my face from about a hands breadth away that I was an animal and to put my effing dog on a leash. I calmly grabbed Ernie by the collar as I explained that it was an off leash area and that the vast majority of the beach that they could see in the distance was restricted and did not allow dogs. She then called me a stupid C and threatened to punch me in the face for laughing (I didn't, I did have a smile on my face for reasons mentioned) and then went to kick Ernie in the ribs. I got between her and my dog and repeated that it was an off leash beach and if her friend had a dog phobia, she was in serious trouble as I could see at least 3 dogs Ernie's size headed her way. I then tried to keep walking but she got in front of me and again threatened to punch me in the head for being 'an animal'. At this point I'm afraid I stepped round her and shot her the finger. I had meant to apologise for scaring her friend but I started to see red myself. I ended up crying with disappointment at a) how I handled it (badly, I think) and b) because Ernie had been having such a joyous time and so had I. I kept him on lead until these women packed up and left. Now, before I get jumped on, I'm NOT looking for any kind of validation of my behaviour or Ernie's, I just want some thoughts on how I could have handled it better. The dog beach is very clearly signposted every 300ms but obviously, these women weren't locals.

Labs are puppies forever. Ernie is 8 months but he looks full grown. People who don't know treat/expect him to behave like one. Until they see him wrestle the vacuum cleaner, clear the coffee table with one swipe of his tail, bark at the kitties on the tv, race around the house gleefully holding the broom handle, get an erection at any opportunity, bury his bone in my cactus pot plant (and the look sorry for himself at the prickles), fall through the steps on the kids playset slide, eat an entire box of Jatz off the counter in 3 minutes (box and all).... You get the idea.

Now I'm single - whee! No problems. When FEX lived here it was a nightmare. Always had an opinion on how to handle the dog. At the time we had an AmStaff - softest dog you ever met. But he put her in a spiked collar and keot trying to 'toughen her up'. At the end she was highly dog aggressive. What an idiot.

I'm glad he's back to his handsome self!

Just snorted my tea, thank you Ranga. I feed Ernie a decent diet (see first post) but I'm thinking the brisket bones OR the treats are to blame. I'm currently switching to jerky as a treat and he's been a little better. Sadly, he took one bite of a charcoal biscuit and looked at me quizzically. I guess labs WONT eat anything.

I'd use it. I'm always worried that a topical will wash off or not distribute evenly enough to be effective. I currently use Advantix AND a Scalibor collar. The beagle next door in leafy suburbia who never seems to go anywhere just had TWO ticks pulled off him. While I hate fleas, I really worry more about ticks.

Second the $12 clamshell idea! Ernie loves his filled with water! Such splash! Such noise! Such mud to be made! Best toy ever (next to plastic bottles).

You are making me cranky Krisin, with all the beautiful things I cannot have. You better watch or it I'll start a Kickstarter campaign to pressure you back into creating. That is beautiful.

Just wanted to say I've been using the Baby Wipes idea. Ernie's ears are less funky, he's pawing at them less, and they smell lovely.

Nope. Stinky feet here. The more rancid; the better. It's embarassing how much of a pig Ernie is. Gawd.

Oh my god. Having lost our beloved AmStaff last Feb and my heart dog Kelpie Katie 6 years ago - I'm surprised at how raw your words made me feel. In a good way.

I don't but I do believe that things happen for a reason and that things happen to us at the right time. You saw this at the right time. Question is: what are you supposed to do about it?

I'm using a topical plus Scalibor collar right now so I'll be following this with interest.

Ernie hates all fruits and vegetables. I've watched him delicately (and he's a lab) pick his way around a green pea. He's a teenage male in more ways than one.

Dave73, you are awesome. I repeat, I wish I had someone like you in my life. You love your dog tremendously to do this.

I wouldn't eirher but I understand the reasons for doing so. Just look at all the 'such and such pound is full' threads. People are idiots and anyone with a nice looking dog sees $$ signs - without understanding how much work good breeders put into their pups. (My sis breeds Westies and my heart breaks for her). It's because any gump can buy a dog and breed it. It's because pet stores still sell puppies for Christmas. It's because everyone thinks everyone else will love their dog as much as they do -- so give 'em a pup! GAH. People.

Add some high calorie treats? Cheese, sausage etc (beware of the flatulence), chicken? Or maybe just add another ½ to his meals? Sorry, I have a lab so I have the opposite problem, tho I do see Ernie getting tubby on more than one big brisket bone a week.

I'm so very sorry. But as a human with cancer who does chemo to keep my metatises in check - I can tell you I would not wish it on any living being. You are doing the brave, kind and loving thing. Your dog would not thank you for prolonging the pain and suffering. I wish I had an owner like you. X

Yes. I apologise for my narkiness - I think it's great that a) you got offered a full refund which a lot of companies would not do and b) that they came on here and responded. It was rude of me to continue to comment. Whether or not you recieved value for money is entirely subjective, and I'm having a bad day and could have been more professional.

Go the refund. That's pretty reasonable and they probably know they are marking it up unfairly. None of what you got is much different than you can buy in a Dollar Store really. How disappointing. (Off topic alert: I used to belong to a beauty box service - I got so teed off at the quality of what I got for what I paid - I cxld. Now the Loot Box, THAT was worth the $$)

Ernie just pukes halfway home in the car when he's done that. How I'd love to worry about the other end.

A friend who is a garden guru told me to buy a watering can and throw 1 cup of apple cider vinegar in it and fill the rest up with water.Then water where they pee. Helps the grass and no smell. Of course I look like a crazy woman racing around in my nightgown at 11pm with a watering can but hey, my aim is to amuse the neighbours.

Thanks for all the helpful advice and commiserations. I'll talk it over with my doctor and see what she says. She's not keen on me cleaning toilets either -- but on the other hand, isn't fussed about doggy licks. She's pretty reasonable so I'll abide by her wishes. I bought Ernie charcoal biscuits today. And a family size can of Glen 20. :D

Having posted about toys recently for my lab pup - I can recommend the Kong Wild Knot toys, any of the Fat Cat range and Bottle busters (the toys where you put an empty soda bottle inside). As for walks - I can't advise. It's been ages since I had a pup that small but I would limit her exposure to other dogs until she's had all her shots. Maybe have dogs that you know are vac'd come visit her? Wiser heads here will jump in.