Roova

So much great advice here! The first step to improving is seeking help or education so good on you! I also noticed you commented that your dog is stubborn. Labelling behaviour can be dangerous because it immediately closes your mind to what else could be going on. As Jac said dogs generally don't stubbornly refuse to learn but they can definitely be insufficiently motivated or just simply not understanding what you want. You get further faster if you look at the behaviour you see in front of you and adjust what you're doing if necessary. Learn to recognise your dog's body language if they're getting stressed or confused (yawning, sniffing, body shake etc) and take a break, go back a step or rethink your approach where necessary. Also make sure your dog has value for you first then work on rewarding with tug, food , praise or permission dependant on what works best.

My 'weed' had had a flower or seed, not sure what it is. I'm always surprised when I see the intricate patterns plants can produce.

Wow, that's really sharp!

Firstly I'm sorry this has happened to both the dog and your daughter. Just curious but was your daughter aware of the importance of limiting jarring movements until growth plates close, maybe around 18 months? Beyond normal play, if a pup has been allowed to chase balls, jump on and off couches, beds or stairs and perform jarring movements there is a much higher risk of permanent damage. (No matter how well bred). If absolutely none of this has happened you'd have to imagine there's a good chance it was genetic?

Sounds like a nightmare. Surely there must be some law against participants dragging out the process or providing deliberately incorrect information??

I feel like I must have gotten lucky with my BT after reading all these comments . She's been so cruisey to live with! I wonder how much the breeder aiming for a good temperament plays a part in how easy they are to live with?

She follows puppy culture It seems a bit unusual to only sell a border to someone who's had them before though? It's the effort you put in which makes you a good owner not what breed you've had I would have thought?

This one references the article I read about the dog jumping a fence too. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5459685/Pictured-baby-one-killed-Rottweiler-dog-attack-NSW-Kamillah-Jones.html

There was a Facebook statement I read recently from the Auntie who said the mother was walking the child in a pram toward the grandmothers house when a dog jumped the fence and attacked them on the street. She said it wasn't their families dog and she didn't care what breed it was. I can't find where I read it now to link back sorry.

The little dove is adorable, I'm sorry you had to see it's demise. It sounds like it was a swift end which is a relief. Love the picture of the cockys enjoying your long-awaited fruit. They really look like they don't care you're missing out! You can buy cheap mesh bags on eBay which you can pop around budding fruit and tie to the tree branch. Maybe you could cover multiple low fruits so at least you're left with some?

Great photos everyone. Scary story PC. Devastating for your neighbour to lose something so important but at least it's all replaceable.

I have a Border Terrier but can only give my opinion based on one I put a lot of effort in to training her from day one to end up with a dog I was happy with (which I would have done regardless of breed though). We do a little bit of training most days and she knows lots of tricks. We're currently in the middle of Susan Garrett's recallers program and it's the bee's knees. Naturewise I couldn't be happier. She loves every person or dog she meets but kids are her favourite. She loves learning new things and her tail never stops wagging when we're training. Size wise is great, not too big not too small. I don't do dog parks so her nature remains great with other dogs. Healthwise, no complaints. She's clear of CECs by parentage which is I believe the only health problem they may have? She has great teeth and has been on raw all her life. She could go all day if you wanted a running partner too. Grooming wise I was going to do it myself but ended up using a groomer. She has twice a year hand strips and looks like a new dog for a few months. A lot of people clip which I'm sure the dog prefers but their coat goes soft, curly and a light colour. Negatives would be her high pitched bark (although she's not a huge barker.) Also she's so smart I could see with little training or mental enrichment she might get bored and pick up bad behaviours. A walk a day might be physical enrichment but they also need mental enrichment to meet their needs. (No different to any other dog really). Don't discount having a puppy flown to you though. Poppy came from two states away which allowed me to really pick and choose breeders. It's not that hard importing from NZ too. Good luck with your choice, there's so many great dog breeds out there, it's really tough!

Poor Queenie You can show your Tits any time you like @mingaling sooo cute! I baby sat my 'nephew' Saturday and I don't think he had a great time lol. He spent the first hour staring out the window waiting for his mum to return.

Oh no Run free beautiful Scout. I can only hope I'm given the same opportunity to be there with my dogs to give comfort as you did. I'm sure your Scout is telling other dogs what an amazing life he's had with you

Doesn't sound good at all

Same could be said for border terriers. They manage to hit just the right level of shriek lol

@Scottsmum hahaha that photo is adorable! @BDJ I don't think you've attached the right photo?

I'm sure you're doing this anyway but make sure you document everything which has happened. It will be much easier to refer back to dates, times and conversations. Ifyou haven't already done so it might be worth having some type of contract for future new puppy owners to sign or before taking on a puppy. It probably needs to outline your advice, basic health care and what happens in the event of someone wanting to give a puppy back. Ie if a full refund is required, the puppy needs to be returned. From what I understand it's much like taking a product back to a shop. You don't get to keep the product and get your money back. Good luck!

if you do indeed love the breed, I would hope after health testing you also have someone very knowledgeable in the breed go over both your dogs. A nice nature is one thing but the structure of the dog and how well they represent the breed is another. You don't want to be a contributor to the look and standard of the ESS going downhill. It's important to know if either or both have a particular fault as the other may not be a good match. To be responsible you need to do more then simply have a male and female. If the above works out favourably maybe join the Puppy Culture Facebook page? It's for dedicated breeders who provide early mental stimulation at each stage of a puppy's growth, to ensure they grow up to be wonderful pets. As I'm sure you're aware a great pet is more about how the dog is raised than who the parents were. Good luck.

Tits looks like such a cutie!

Getting in early this week because I'm sitting here in the dark with nothing else to do lol. A dark sky, a crack of thunder and now black silence!

That looks so cool!

Maggie loves watching YouTube

Should be called 'The poorly bred crisis'. I think we all know it's not just purebreds being bred with health issues.

Lovely photo @Scottsmum. Your trip sounds exhausting though! Hope you weren't here on the Gold coast during our recent heat wave? @mingalingIs Mr Tits showing off the fact he can roll his tongue and not everyone can?