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Don't have to head straight into walking the pup, maybe sit out the frontyard so all the noises can sink in, then move closer to the curb, bit by bit. With our GSD's, we are lucky and have lake at the end of the street with a walkway. I sit down there with treats and blankets that has their smell. I just let the pup sit there and keep reasuring them. It doesn't take long and there wanting to run about and I let them on an extended lead, bit by bit that's all it takes. Same as the training took time, so does introduction to the world. Good luck..........................

We do the same, freeze icecream containers with treats in it. Funny to watch them scoot along the decking. Not so funny when OH puts it in the freezer and it spills because he didn't balance it. Also put frozen blocks in their water and watch them bob for treats.........keeps them cool.

Also throw in a deep gutteral growl, Mum also does this with the pushing down............ Things to remember: Don't let the dog tell you when it wants a pat. A pat is a reward for doing something it has been told to do. Just because he rolls on his back doesn't mean he needs a pat, he's telling you "Well I'm here, pat me". That's called passive dominence. You eat first, never the dog. If you have to feed him first, pretend you are eatig out of his bowl so he thinks he's getting the scraps of the meat. Remember you are the dominate dog, and he's getting what you don't want. You should make him sit when your entering a doorway, then invite him in. Dominate dog always enters a area first. See if you can get obedience books on the dog pack and how they work, and that will help. Good luck...............................

For mouthing, just distract her with a toy. Crying, well you've only had her a couple of days. Time, reassurance, warmth, love and a full belly will fix that eventually. Good luck....................

It would be easier for us to say, "What haven't they chewed, shred, tore, rubbed in the dirt etc etc". My first GSD Tierce, was unbelievable she wouldn't touch a thing on the clothes line unless it was a doona (At least 4), sleeping bag (2), pillows (too many to remember) you know all the things with stuffing in them. She torn our doona to pieces one day, I was around 6 months prego's with our first boy, so everything was a bigger drama than it actually was. OH had to come home, I was devistated. She also chewed a 10foot + palm tree, while did a 4 hour shift. Would jump the fence and steal the neighbours kids toys. No, never when they were around. She wasn't nasty at all, just give you those big eye's when you'd walk out the back as if to say, "I know, I've been naughty AGAIN." She still has warm loving spot in my heart, even though she could be a naughty naughty gal. Rest in peace Tierce and thanks for the memories..................................

Just as everyone has said, he's bored. Maybe puppy minding, or have someone walk him during the day, you have to find something. Tethering the dog for an hour or two is fine, they'll rest and sleep that long, but 7 days a week is too much for anyone. You can buy large pens, place a tarp under it so not to soil the flooring. Give bones, kongs, safe toys whilst your not home. Good luck...............................

Harminee I gather the dogs are in the car together? Is this why you want a crate? Sorry. couldn't quite understand the shopping bit, having a thickhead day.................... Slowly reintroduce the dogs, don't false them onto each other. Just let them see each other, and if one is boistrous settle them down so not to throw the more submissive one. A way is, if one is an out going pup/dog, wait till it's calm/ slightly tired (not when it is really in need of sleep, it will only make it cranky being sniffed by another dog when all it wants is sleep) and reintroduce it to the smaller/sensitive dog. Don't allow one on the lounge, as this is a dominate position and the other will be more determined to get that other dog down to his level. It has to be even playing field, so one doesn't have an advantage over the other. Another less stressful way is to walk your dogs together, they then both associate walking together as a nice time. Repitition, that what it all about. I would have your dog attend dog training, as this is great way of introducing all different breeds to your dog, and the best way to have learn to socialize. It also teaches you, and you will learn to relax, then the dog will as it is most probably feeding off you being stressed. In its' head, Mum is stressed so there must be something wrong. Hope I've made sense?????????????? Good luck..........

Here's my two bobs worth.................. As already state it can become a compulsive disorder................. It can be from the dog not recognising it's tail is part of it's body. Think about it, it wouldn't really turn around to see whats hanging from it back end. I would start to have quiet time, and when your patting the dog, extend the pat all the way down the tail so it realises it part of the body. Distract the dog with new toys, have three boxes of them, each day put away the toys from box 1 and give box 2 & so on. This way the dog will be kept occupied. If that doesn't work, elizabethan collar. The spray for bandages on the tail. Last resort, medication. But remember there is herbal medications out there that work well. Good luck.....................

How often do you wash your dog? Some dogs just don't tollerate being tub to often, and as a result end up with a dandruff looking skin. Agree Oatmeal based shampoo, great for irritated skin. Take away the gravy, no tin food. I'd change the dry food to a total and balance product. We have a GSD with funny skin and Royal Canin is what we found to be the best, but it's not a cheap product. Although when you add all the coast of special medicated items, vet bills, trying cheaper food, the price of the dry food balances out. Good luck............................

Research, research, research. Do you know what a pit bull is about? Do you know what breed you want? Do you have enough room for this breed? Can you manage a dog like this? Are you willing to train the dog? Have you resources to mantain a healthy dog? Are you willing to clean up after a dog? Have you the time? Many many question you need to address, these are just a few. Not telling you not to get a dog, but you need more reasons than you want a guard dog,and it's a freebie. Apparently, even if you have a small breed (Pom, Chiwawa, Pug) once a burgular realises there is a dog in the residence it is enough to make them move on. They want quiet to break in, not a yapping dog to inform everyone of their arrival. Good on you for coming on here and asking the question.

Love my Whal KM2, there lighter and fit nicely in the hand, and as mentioned quieter than many others. Depending on the length you need for this dog, 7F for a little length, 5F for the ability to get cream into the skin, or 3F if you need to get cream in and let air hit the skin. Good luck and hope the pooch get better quickly......................soon.

Yep. like the rest...........beesting. Had a staffy, lovely gal. The breeders lost her Mother to bee stings, and we'd had a close call with our gal. Yes, very scared, both her and us.......................

By the sound of it ladybug, this pup has you wrapped around its' little toe already. Even if Mum is gone, being left with the litter is just as important. I would follow what others have said prior to this, as it is very good information and we're only thing of what's best for pup. Remember this pup is going to be around for a very long time, and if it hasn't been brought up correctly (not that what your doing is wrong) from day one, it will effect this pup for the rest of its life. I know that sounds strange, but it is true. Good luck......................... Where's the picci's.............................?

Shame you can't have a multi pick. We swap and change: Royal Canin Chicken Mince Raw Bones Chicken frames, wings etc Veges (cooked and raw) Fruit Oil Tuna and Sardines Eggs Vitamins Offel (sp?) Little bit of cheese on top Lactose free milk as a treat There's most probably more.......................... Hope this helps.

Ladybug, what state and suburb do you live ?

Very very interesting. Nice to know demensia hasn't full taken over............... :D

Interesting Melt.............................

I sympathies with you. We've had it go through our kennels, and it's a horrible thing to watch, especially at night. Isolation rest, rest and more rest, is my suggestion. Good luck........................

Hi All Just been at the pet shop and noticed all the shampoo and conditioners that contain tea tree. I can remember long ago, a vet said on one of those morning chat shows, not to use tea tree on a dog. Am I remembering correctly, OR have I got it wrong again......? :D

My thought was Diabete's. When levels are up a smell from the breath can give you a clue that levels can be out of wack. If you have carpet, some underlay can be a problem. But I doubt it, because the breath doesn't match in. Is it possible, tonsillitis (sp?) ? Good luck, it's a doosy........................

Hi My GSD's love them. The only thing I would say on them is, if the dog is a pig at eating and won't chew properly I'd be very careful, this goes for chicken necks as they fit nice and snuggly in the throat.

Thanks everyone, some REALLY good advice in there. Your all gems.......................

Thanks for the answers so far. I realise it's an everyday event with some breeds (I have a Malt and Pom myself), but when you doing someone elses dog and being paid for it, I'd like to be able to give their dog back looking at least slightly better around the eye's than when they handed them over. ;) :D :p :p :p :p :p :p

Hi Steve I don't think you'll find people have a problem with the reccomended product, it's the price they are asking for it, and for so little.

Hi I've been keeping my eye on Agro-bears post and past posts about tear stains. I would worry about using paroxide so close to the eyes. The liquid stain remover dosen't seem to do much at all. I was wondering what do the groomers use to get that instant result ?