chezzyr

I'm in Melbourne. We are hoping to start her at Obed.classes soon so atleast she will get some good socializing there (fingers crossed) It would seem she prefers to be with or play with us than with "things". I guess I just need to be patient and give her time to "cotton on". I have gotta say though that she loves cuddles and kisses which is very refreshing as my last pet was a cat who was very independent!

double post

I just wish I was a Collie shrink I have tried all kinds of homemade things - furry things, rags, socks, things stuffed in pantihose, rattly things, rolling things, boxes. The commercial dog toys I might as well forget. I havent tried a "kong" but I think Id need to stuff that with dim sims for it to be of any interest! I have seen her play with a soccer ball (rolls and kicks it around the yard), a seat cushion (trots around with it in her mouth and shakes it violently), and tissues (rips up spits out). That all makes up about 5 mins of her day LOL. She does seem to enjoy playing with us (minus toys) - chase or romp in the backyard or footy oval, pounce on us if we do a dog impersonation or make weird noises. As long as we are silly it gets her tail going. My other half even crawls around the house on all fours with a toy in his mouth..... We have no other animals so have to be the other creatures in her life. I would love to see how she would go running loose with other friendly playful dogs and whether that would egg her on....

we have a green "pimply" squeaky toy and I cant tell if shes interested in it or whether it distresses her. Because if we make it squeak she starts crying (lassie type whimper) and either pokes it with her nose or carries it away. Ive yet to see her actually play with it. I can hear her whimpering from here and we stopped playing with the thing several minutes ago.

Beats me, Nat. Yep, sometimes Rosie will just look at me. If I throw anything she will usually look towards it and sometimes even walk/trot towards it then poke poke then nothing! Wonder what the neighbour thinks of me trying to motivate the dog LOL. On the other hand if I do something really silly like rolling over on the ground or just about doing a handstand - then she will get razzed up. But it can take ALOT of nonsense for her to pay attention (not to mention she gets distracted and it only takes a bird to fly over.....)

She doesnt like squeaky toys - she will poke them a couple times with her nose and then thats it. She will play with us, as in chasing around the yard etc but only if we start off. Ive spied her playing with a couple things on her own (for a short stint) but once we show up or try to get involved in the game she loses interest and wanders off or just stands there. I would get more active but I have a foot problem at the moment so my mobility is greatly decreased....so I cant do the run and play thing in the yard ;)

Hi Our new Collie loses interest in playing quite quickly so I am a bit hesitant to spend any money on toys. She is curious about furry fluffy things, scrunched pieces of paper, tissues or little plastic containers (seems to be a no frills kinda dog enjoying the simple things in life!). But even with the things she DOES show an interest in she will only play for a few seconds and then thats it - loses interest. Ive seen her kick a ball around the yard (couple mins then thats it for the day)but shes not into small balls or squeaky things. She is not really into retrieving (did it a couple times) or tug toys (doesnt seem to get the concept of tug). I dont know if she just has a really short attention span, doesnt like the taste of commercial toys or what?? Anyone with dogs the same? Any clues? Anyone with a non playing dog who learnt how to play? My dog is a year old. Thanks.

Rosie wasnt obed trained at all as far as I can tell but she learnt sit pretty quick. Then I worked on getting her to drop and she became really good at sit/drop but now all she does is drop and wont stay in a sit. Maybe I praised her TOO much when she was learning drop. I dont know how to undo this but we are going to get her/us signed up for obed pretty soon! I think I need expert help! With Ebony are you trying the sitting inside on carpet etc? Maybe she doesnt like sitting and getting a cold butt! ;)

Hi Well I used the shampoo I had on hand, just did her white bits, legs and chest. She was a really good girl, didnt really protest about standing in our bath even though it was a strange experience for her. Now shes gone a bit loony as some dogs do when theyve just had a bath. Smells good now though (teeth looking real clean after the bone episode too!)

My dog had a wonderful time with a bone last night and stinks today, not to mention dirty legs etc from her early morning romp. I really think I need to give her a bath before we go/take her anywhere today. Only have human shampoo, Palmolive Aroma Therapy (combination hair) we can use. I only want to give her a quick surface wash so would it be ok to use this, diluted if necessary?

Ive just got a one year old Collie and she hasnt had any formal obedience training although we are about to go sign up at a local obedience club. Regardless of what training methods they use, would it be worth my while getting a couple of clickers anyway? Are clickers very loud? Like, are they as loud as those tin clicker frogs issued as party toys??? (that would really irritate me LOL)

just so I can do my sums, how much is postage going to be to Melbourne?

yep thanks everyone I plan to get the daily ones. Do they have to be given at a particular time of day or with food? Someone suggested morning is a good time (due to vets then being open if theres a reaction). A bit off topic but where do people tend to buy mince for their dogs? Pet or mince for human consumption? I dont know what pet mince is like these days but when I had a dog years ago I used to avoid the pet mince as it looked slimy and sinewy (not to mention an odd colour). Do you tend to go for just beef or other things like chicken, ox cheek etc? Thanks

yes under a month. Worse case scenario if she was bitten by a mozzie, how long do those suckers (worms) take to manifest? I think I will pick up some daily tabs this week. I saw Coles had some "Friskies" ones - are there other kinds? I am not particularly loyal to Coles.

Bit far from Brighton LOL Breeder feels it might be best to go with the daily ones (and Id go for one that has the "DEC" in it). The issue now being whether doggy really needs another bloodtest now shes in a new home (was bloodtested for HW three weeks ago - clear). I dont want to be hit with some big bill for consultation/blood tests if not absolutely necessary. I just have this thing about vet fees....*sigh*

Yes all the googling Ive been doing and listening to other collie people's input...and now this vet's response. Makes me even want to avoid vets. Yikes! How do I find a vet who is more "knowledgeable"? I am in the eastern suburbs so I guess anything between Box Hill and Croydon Id consider (or thereabouts)

This morning I got an email response from a local vet I had considered using and they moreorless implied that it would be necessary to use ivermectin! I quote part of the email: "it's necessary for you to use Ivermectin as a heartworm preventative" and... (some products named) "These offer a wider effective range than Ivermectin and have the added advantage of preventing intestinal worms and fleas (dependant on which product you choose)" So I am kind of scratching my head now. They didnt even mention whether Id need to bring in my dog for a blood test (I said she had a blood test a few weeks ago)

Lately I cant get anything done because I am always doing "research" on DOL OK assuming I get started on say (eg) Heartgard....or a daily one is it ok to use those combo worming/flea treatments alongside or should I be tackling this a different way? (dont some of those combo ones include treatment for heartworm and if thats the case wouldnt I risk overdosing on heartworm stuff????)

Ok so its been 2-3 weeks since she had her blood test (clear at the time). Do I need to get her bloodtested AGAIN now that shes in her new home,or should she be ok at this point to get her started on something in the next few days? I havent even as much found a vet yet that I will call my family vet. She is living in suburbia now.

I have been hearing that Heartgard is ok, given monthly, but that correct dosage is important and that the problem can occur when HIGH doses of ivermectin are given. Would this be correct? My dog was apparently bloodtested for heartworm mid April (just before I got her) and was all clear but I feel that I should perhaps put her on something as a preventative thing....

Checking out the website right now. The correct link is: http://www.pricelesspets.com.au Good prices! What combo products do people (collie owners in particular) use, or are they much of a muchness? Thanks!

Hi there, Having read and heard that some Collies have a sensitivity to ivermectin (which is in heartworm medication) I am interested to hear what product DOL collie owners use and whether it is monthly/daily etc. Also, what dose per kg of bodyweight? Also, if using a monthly "combo" product, what price would I be expected to pay and are there any crowds who offer "bulk" deals? Trying to save money where I can! Thankyou.

Been out and done a fun one hour walk with "Rosie". I think she loved it. We have a creek nearby with lots of grassy meadows, wooded areas, willow trees, butterflies. It was like a Disney movie or something LOL. I tried her for the first time on one of those extendable leads. She doesnt pull, is quite good on a lead (has been shown). I even convinced her to cross the creek (rocks) although I nearly sprained my ankle in the process! Took a busy road to get back home so she experienced alot of stuff on her walk. Stomped through autumn leaves, met the neighbourhood irish wolfhound. She was generally well behaved and only got a bit skittish around the traffic (trucks). I dont hear her banging at the door Maybe I tired her out?

to all the good advice. Glad Ive got DOLers I can call on! Remember I am a bit out of the loop when it comes to having a dog, and Ive not had a collie before. Ive noticed she likes to follow me/us everywhere (I draw the line at toilet). I went outside a few mins ago to play with her and she wouldnt budge from her "statue impersonation" at the back doorstep. It took some major coaxing to even get her to come play on the lawn. I had to stick my head between my knees and call her LOL. Seems like they are attracted to nonsense! On a positive note (??) she is learning to sit! It is very slo mo collie style but it happens. I reward her with tiny bits of cut up cheese.

Hello Thanks to those who are posting. We are in a rental place, so I am not in a situation where I am allowed to let the dog have run of the place. In fact the dog clause said dog not allowed inside, but the agent is ok with her being in laundry or some restricted areas. So I am discouraging bedrooms, but laundry is fine and loungeroom fine at night with supervision. I work from home and Id probably be ok with her in my office if she can learn to lay down quietly. At the moment though she is going through a real nosey stage (dont know if that will pass) and she has got to sniff everything out and find "trophies". And I have ALOT of stuff and I dont want to be on edge unable to concentrate on my work, wondering what shes going to find next LOL.