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How about labelling the dog for what it is....the dog isn't aggressive.....if you label something you tend to create it. The dog is a puppy, they mouth and bite and yes it hurts like hell, it's your job to teach the puppy that it isn't acceptable, ask your Breeder for help and research differed methods to stop puppies from mouthing and use one that is suitable to your puppy. I also suggest you go here: http://www.k9force.net/index.html?row2col2=develop.html so you can read up about the different development/behavioural phases puppies go through. Enrol in a good puppy school, in Sydney the only one I personaly reccomend is with Luci Ellem: http://www.camarna.com/main.htm, it's worth the drive, people drive 1-2 hours just to participate in her classes.

ummmm how about talking to them? Yeah it is wrong to take the cat somewhere else, actually that is criminal, how would you feel if someone did that to you dog.

Danes can look a bit unco when sitting, however what you may like to do is pop off to a Chiro or muscle manipulator and see if it may be a lower back problem, the back could just be a bit out. Have you had a chat with the Breeder at all? Can you take a photo of the way she sits for us at all? Hoepfully just something simple!

Dante has had it for as long as I can remember and he's been an allergic dog since 3 months old. Be interesting to hear from others too! Dante doesn't touch his feet though.

Question....for people who have dogs who have feet like this, is your dog an allergic dog?

I found this: http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/health/dermabreed.htm Naso-digital hyperkeratosis is characterized by an increased amount of horny tissue originating from and tightly adherent to the epidermis of the footpads and/ or nasal planum. It is an idiopathic disorder, most commonly occurring in older dogs. There is no sex predilection but the American Cocker Spaniel may be at higher risk. The nasal planum, which is moist, soft, and shiny in normal dogs, becomes hard, dry, rough, and hyperkeratotic, especially on the dorsum of the nose. Fissures, erosions, and occasionally ulcers can develop. The digital hyperkeratosis involves the entire surface of all the pads but is most pronounced at the edges of the weight bearing pads and on the accessory carpal pads. The hard, cracked pads contain excess keratin, which makes walking painful. Fissures and erosions add significantly to the discomfort. The diagnosis is made based on the clinical findings. If the naso-digital hyperkeratosis is present along with other skin lesions then a skin biopsy should be taken to confirm the diagnosis and to rule out other disorders that can also produce excess keratin in these areas. Treatment can involve the mechanical removal of the excess keratin with a scissors or blade. Caution needs to be used since aggressive treatment can remove the normal protective layer and predispose the nose and pads to lacerations. Topical treatment includes hydration and the application of a keratolytic agent such as salicylic acid. Then this: http://www.flealess.org/irishterriers/info...rkeratosis.html and the explanation: http://www.flealess.org/irishterriers/info...icdiseases.html they say it's a genetic issue.

Ah now I see there are about a billion different types of the condition LOL

I know what Keratosis is in humans and I really don't think this is what you're experiencing, I've done a bit more research and I don't think it's the same... MSM - Moogoo cream does help this condition. This photo is a minor condition, it can be worse than this.

Never heard of it, would be interested to hear more if anyone gets more info or results on it.

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Not sure if anyone has mentioned it yet but Pure MSM helps Keratosis in humans so may be something you may like to try. Moogoo has MSM in it if you have any. This has been an interesting thread because Dante has pads like that and he has allergic skin disease but he doesn't lick his feet, I thought he was just odd.

I think a Dane x Mastiff is a reasonable guess.

In the real world in most cities throughout Australia most people are away from home 10 hours a day. You can get a feeder on a timer so pup can have its' lunch time meal, so that isn't a problem. Pups sleep a huge amount of the day, so just making sure pup has interactive toys and activities whilst it is a awake and then when you're home make sure the pup is getting rules & boundaries + mental stimulation.

There is actually a business in Sydney who do this, I'll find their details for you... Edited to add: http://poopatrol.com.au

I'm confused! You posted this and don't seem so down about things there: http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?act=...sult_type=posts I suggest you see your GP for a referral to a Councillor if you're finding things very difficult at the moment, you may look at having yourself scheduled especially seeing as you have mentioned killing yourself.

I put on a light weight collar and lead and let the pup drag it around the house whenever I am home so they get used to it in a non threatening way, also associating these items with positive things like food. Don't pander the pup or take the collar or lead off unless you're ending on a positive note.

It's really important to realise that the mature dog shouldn't have to tell the new pup off. It's the new Owners job to show the pup what is acceptable behaviour. I suggest they put the dog on a lead whilst around the other dog so they can control the interaction. Humping of humans is the pup testing out what the boundaries are and the pup should be corrected. You really don't want the kids to laugh, I know this is a hard one but it's rewarding the dog for the behaviour, they really need to just walk off and ignore the dog or the parent correct the dog.

I have 2 Superman Tags that came int he Scooby Snack boxes, you can have them if you want them LOL

Thats what i was thinking because he gets very aroused by my partner. Always trying to hump him. I think my dog is gay I think your dog may have a few issues with who's in charge!! Arosed vs dominant humping.....more like sexual maturity and confused hormones...not everything to do with humping is dominance. ...not saying that Leadership isn't correct in this person's house hold.....not enough to go on there. But yeah....the dog isn't Gay because it's going after a male

Pred user since 4 months old, now appraoching 3 years of age. We went through 3 different Vets until we came to Stormie's Clinic, prior to this Dante was being prescribed a higher dose than neccessary, he's now on 20mg every second day which is pretty good for a Giant Breed and we don't see any bad side effects. He has been in a bad state at one time when he was getting Cortisone every day for a short amount of time, symptoms included very thin skin, bruising, weight gain, poor coat condition etc. The things we do see are a thinner coat and increased water consumption....mind you because he's been on it most of his life the water consumption is normal. As long as you have a great Vet/Derm who will help you with the correct dossage you really shouldn't be seeing horrible side effects. Dante is also on Phernergen twice a day throughout Summer. We choose quality of life now, I prefer to think that he enjoys his life now rather than him suffering because I don't want him on Cortisone.

I think the hair analysis technique that they are referring to is a physical analysis of a sample of the hair to a laboratory and a subsequent breakdown of minerals, chemical levels and such that build up in the hair strand itself over time ... its a common tool (and becoming more common) used for humans by Naturopaths (and some Herbalists) at the moment .... Yeah I don't think they were....What's commonly available and advertised is the one that is done by hands over energy... If they were, it would be great if they could post a link..... I don't think that's the way Barry Templeton analysis hair samples. From what I gather, machines are used. There is something to do with vibration energy or something or other, but I think it is the way Fiona describes it above. Maybe worth asking exactly who the anyalsis is done so you know for yourself? i wasn't referring to Barry though, the first time I heard of him was just the other week when he was mentioned in a thread.

Interesting that it cleared up entirely... I wonder if it was something else then, other than allergies, as allergies shouldn't disappear like that? Skin issues are often quite complex! I'm glad it was a relief for her anyway... Good on you! I wish more people were able to make these decisions... they're often painful, but how great to be reducing health issues in your program! I know of a Breeder whose bitches allergies were really good when she was pregnant. Hormones are an interesting thing aren't they. Dante is desexed now, his skin is no better or worse than when he was entire.

It is often recommended to sterilise allergic dogs as, not only should they not be bred from, hormone fluctuations can really effect the skin condition of some. Yes it certainly was the case. The bitch in question was eventually desexed and magically skin cleared up. Back in the 80's though things were looked at differently. Vets were really not as up on skin problems back then. I have not bred on with that bloodline as I also experienced cardiomyopathy and that was enough for me to ditch it. It was a multiple Best In Show winning bloodline and the dogs were very successful but I could not live with the health issues that were in that particular bloodline.

I was going to say it looked like Staph infection, very common to get staph infection with allergies... pair it with hives as well and that makes allergies a very likely culprit! ETA: For the Dane people: it appears allergies are quite common in the breed, yes? Seems to be more and more common. Breeding allergic dogs is only now starting to become frowned upon. People keep this kind of info to themselves, sadly and I don't want to generalise, it's more pet owners who talk openly about such problems.

I think the hair analysis technique that they are referring to is a physical analysis of a sample of the hair to a laboratory and a subsequent breakdown of minerals, chemical levels and such that build up in the hair strand itself over time ... its a common tool (and becoming more common) used for humans by Naturopaths (and some Herbalists) at the moment .... Yeah I don't think they were....What's commonly available and advertised is the one that is done by hands over energy... If they were, it would be great if they could post a link.....