westielover

Pampered Paws are terrific! I have been buying from them for a couple of years now. I tend to only buy treats from them (kangaroo jerky etc) and the service has alsoways be fantastic. I used to buy from her ebay store too before she started the pampered paws site.

One time a parcel of treats went missing (thanks to Australia Post) and she immediately sent another parcel to replace the missing one. Pampered Paws are awesome in my book!

I wait for a break in the weather .... otherwise we play silly games around the house like hide & seek, or we will play a little bit of fetch and tug in the living room

It's quite funny - all 4 dogs have a bit of fun!!

After a bit of play, I do some clicker training with them one by one in the spare room to give them some mental stimulation. ;)

Oh you must go with Ruthless Photos if you're in Sydney - check out the gorgeous pics she took of my fur kids!

I need to get her back for the 4th fur kid!!

My favourite tags are these collar tags - they don't dangle and annoy the dogs - they don't fall off and you can get quote a bit of text on these if you so desire. They look really smart on a collar too!

Thanks for the recommendations guys.

Corvus - would you mind sneding me a PM about Kylie please ;)

Can anyone recommend a behavourist/positive trainer in the Wollongong region who could work with a fearful 3 yr old kelpie bitch? Owners are quite willing to pay of course.

Thanks!

Foundation Training for Agility by Moe Strenfel is quite good. Lots of ground work exercises.

A good book which you might want to get your hands on is 'Flatwork – Foundation for Agility by Barb Levenson' - I really like this book. Teaches you how to handle and how to make all your body language clear, consistent, coherent and timely while teaching your dog how to take direction and stay with you on course.

Another local new site to buy agility stuff from is http://www.gameondogs.com.au/

Oh noooooooooooo - I am so sorry for your loss Monelite

Our canine's friend's time on this earth is way too short

Remember all the fabulous times with Rex, Monelite .... you gave him a life full of adventure - never a dull moment for Rex.

Rest in Peace Sexy Rex

:D

Was nice meeting you too! How funny! (glad my story isn't some kind of lie or you certainly could have caught me out! )

Yes he used to duck and run if a stranger approached him, Not body-wag his way up to people like he did to you (is very proud of her boy !) Which is why he gets much praise and treats whenever he does it.

They encourage you to bring your dog, there's a set of scales to weigh them too.

Small world hey!!

Well, you should be proud of Riddick - he did great!!! I never would have picked him as a shy dog. I just thought he was a very well behaved boy considering he looked to be quite young! ;)

Well - I must say it was lovely to meet Riddick today lovemesideways!!! He's beautiful. I was wondering why you were praising him for letting me pat him (even though I was naughty and didn't ask!!! I just can't help myself sometimes!! )

While the staffy girl was lovely and friendly when I patted her - I was very surprised when the woman behind the counter said she was on heat and didn't like other dogs at the moment :D I didn't bother saying anything to the woman as I was in a rush and having being involved in rescue for the past 5 years, I have given up on stupid people! You just can't talk sense to some people.

I won't be hurrying back to that pet store any time soon.

You should complain. If it's the kind of pet store which allows you to take your dog into the store with you, then your dog should not be at risk of being rushed at by the store mascot!

Please add me to the list - I will check out the site later tonight and pick some tugs etc.

Woolies have turkey necks from time to time - keep an eye on the section where they sell the chickens - the turkeys necks & wings are usually there too.

Alternatively - checkout petdeli.com.au and their BARF section - they are now selling turkey necks, chicken frames & some lamb or beef bones.

Sorry, I thought you fostered for a group. My mistake.

No need to apologise Diva - I just thought I better clarify a little that's all

So you think the problem is Flynn and Spencer? Could you rotate who is crated so Flynn gets some days in the yard? Would he be OK with the Westies?

I would say it's a combination Kavik. Spencer gives signals but Flynn doesn't always take notice. Spencer, being a little timid possibly reacts instead of backing off when he 'can't cope'. Flynn tends to back off from trouble. Judging by the injuries which Flynn sustained - Spencer definately had a go and poor Flynn mus have tried to 'get away'. I don;t know the exact cause - could have been play which turned into a fight. It definately was not over food because I am very diligent about no food being left out - bones are never buried etc.

Flynn is fine with the westies - he adjust his play style with them and if they give Flynn 'back off' signals - then Flynn backs off!

Beside that one incident - Flynn & Spencer play and chase a ball at the park together - jump into the car together - lie down next to each etc etc.

ps. If the weather is ok tonight - I might bring Flynn to agility training around 8.30pm for a visit

Hard problem westielover, I'd probably keep them part when home alone until I thought Flynn was 'listening' to Spencer well. Especially as he is under your care as a foster but not really your dog, if you know what I mean. That would make me even less inclined to take risks. But on the other hand he probably learns a lot running with the others so it's a shame.

Mine run together when I'm not home, always have, except for the very young or very old who will be separated if I think they are likely to get accidently hurt. Accidental damage (of the kind needing a chiropractor) is the only issue I have had - as ssm mentioned it's a known risk with young, too playful, sighthounds.

I should clarify that I don;t actually foster for any rescue groups - I tend to rescue kelpies myself from various pounds from time to time and foster them myself until a new home is found. I have fostered for a group in the past but then I went out on my own. So all expenses are incurred and paid for by me and not a rescue group as such.

Do people consider it a really,really bad thing that this incident resulted in stitches being required?

I wasn't there when in happened but as I said before - and I have been bringing rescue dogs through the house for the past 5 years - 4 of which Spencer has been with me (Spencer is a rescue dog who I decided not to rehome).

Picture of Flynn

Thanks for the responses everyone - much appreciated.

Kavik - you do count

I'm not having issues with my pack as such. Although I do currently have a 12 mth old kelpie at home and he's a boisterous player with my slightly timid dog who is a springer cross, Spencer.

Flynn, the kelpie has been with us since mid Feb and all the dogs, including my 2 westies get along fine.

When I am at home and the play between Flynn & Spence gets too boisterous - I intervene. Flynn is very respectful of the 2 westies and funnily enough adjusts his play style with the littlies.

Spencer does give warning and sometimes Flynn takes them on board and sometimes he doesn't - that's when I intervene.

I had left the 4 dogs running together since Feb - until there was an incident on eater Sunday where I came home to find Flynn with a gash above his eye, a puncture wound below his eye, a puncture wound on each front foot. My 'fun police' westie also has one puncture would on his neck below the ear.

Flynn was taken to the emergency vet for stitches.

Since the incident, Flynn has not run free with the other dogs while no one is home. Problem is, I work full time and am away from home for up to 10 hrs a day (mon-fri). I been lucky since the incident in that my father is off work at the moment and he has been coming to my house and staying from 10am to 3pm - letting Flynn out of his extra large crate and supervising the dogs running together. From 8.30am - 10am & 3pm - 6pm, Flynn is in his crate. He crate trained so no drama's there. My father will be returning to work soon - so I am trying to think of what to do.

Note - there has been no tension between the dogs since the incident and they all still get on fine.

I don't have a huge yard and I am not sure I have the room for a sheltered run due to how the yard is set up. At the moment I don't have any outdoor shelter - so the dogs actually have run of the house & yard 24x7 (all toilet trained etc).

Flynn officially is a foster dog who is currently advertised on petrescue but the tempetation to keep him is huge.

In the 5 years of fostering - the dogs have always run together and this incident is the first (and hopefully the last!!!).

However, I guess I am a little nervous about what to do going forward while Flynn is still with me. I don't want to crate him all day and I don't particularly want to keep him in a run all day either. I would prefer the dogs to be together and have a little fun during the day - but I don;t want anyone to get hurt!!!

Flynn is a great dog with a fantastic temperament - he is polite in terms of playing with toys - he won't take toys from other dogs - he waits until the toys are left by the other dogs and then he will retreive it - same goes for fetching - if he and Spencer are running for a ball and Spencer gets to it first then Flynn let's Spencer have the ball. Flynn is non-confrontational. I guess Flynn's only 'problem' is his boisterous play and his lack of taking notice of any signals Spencer may give him when the play gets rough. I couldn't bear to have Flynn go through another incident like this where he would need stitches. I was really upset that it happened at all!!

Perhaps the reality is that I just cannot have a 4th dog at this time????

What would others do?

How do people manage a multi dog house hold? Specifically 4 dogs or more.

Do you leave them all running together when you are not home?

Do you crate some and leave some running together?

How do you manage multiple dogs, if you work full time?

Can I just add that on both occasions the human exrements were pretty fresh - missed the cuplrits by minutes!!! I looked angrily at every person I walked passed muttering under my breath!!! ;)

I have no doubt those people would have thought I was some crazy dog lady

People can be so foul !!!

I am appalled at people who sh!t in public areas that aren't a toilet!!! My dogs have rolled in human sh!t twice in the past couple of years ..... once at a sports oval behind one of those on site storage sheds and the other next to a pedestrian foot path near a tree in my suburb. I could have personally killed the cuplrits. Do you know how horrible it is to have wash dogs who have rolled in human crap!! Not only did I have to wear rubber gloves but I dry reached the whole time I was washing them - 5 times I had to shampoo them to get the smell out of their coats.

Both times I reacted like a raving foul mouthed gutter wench - had the cuplrits been around I would have thrown their crap right at them!!!!! ;)

Gorgeous! Are you keeping this one? ;)

I still have Flynn and the pup is in foster care in Hornsby with his sister.

I think the reality of my situation is that now is not the right time to add a 4th dog to the pack.

Very unfortunate as the pup & Flynn are both gorgeous dogs (as is the pups black & tan sister!)

OMG OMG OMG, so gorgeous!!!

It's about time I dropped over for a cuppa, isn't it! ;)

Drop in anytime Ruth

what a sweetie, is he yours?

No Helen - he's a foster pup looking for a new home. I wish I could keep him!!!

What a beauty. Owned a working bred red kelpie for 14yrs- they are a magnificent breed, so people pleasing.

Magnificent breed indeed!!!!!!

looks exactly like my boys bff charlie the kelpie beautiful little thing, someone with no clue about working breeds gave up on this one :D so sad

Yep - accidental litter with remaining 2 pups dumped in a country pound

Here are some more pics from today

And this is the lovely fly catching Flynn!!

Can you beleive that a puppy like that can end up in the pound!!!!

How cute am I ???

This cute??

Chilling Out

Ready to pounce!

Chase me!!

Sit Happens!

Ohhh Horus - I am so sorry for your loss

Big hugs to you

Rest in Peace Ellie ;) - you were much loved my your 'dad' and he will always remember you with much love

It's scary when they choke on a bone isn't it - especially when you're pooch is a gulper! ;)

Do you think you might be able to 'teach' him to eat bones - is he okay around bones and not possessive? If so, grab a turkey neck, for example, hold one end and let him chew on the other - but don't let him have it until he has chewed & bitten pieces off and until you cannot hold what's left any longer without him eating your hand!! :D

You can apply the same concept to chicken frames and turkey wings - maybe even a lamb shank or lamb backbone.

At some point he will trigger that meaty bones are more enjoyable to chew on than to gulp!

The idea of feeding bones is to get the dog to exercise their jaw muscles & gnaw on bones to clean their teeth - so in the case of a large dog - the bigger the bone the better I suppose.

Try fish pieces as well - salmon heads/chests with fins - the pieces may be similar in size to ox bones but at least they are 'softer' bones and there will be less chance of Red choking on them.

Hope the above helps.

I know nothing about Westies, except they are as cute AS!!

Indeed they are ...... I am biased though :D

(ps. Ruhtless took these gorgeous photos )