Salukifan

Be VERY VERY careful that you have a collar that puppy cannot slip out of for this trip. With no bond to you, if she gets loose, she may not return to you. I'd be putting her in a martingale or limited slip collar. I'd use her crate. They aren't made of glass. Toilet her every couple of hours unless she is fast asleep and weather any tantrums - you may get some. What sort of vehicle do you have? I find they travel better forward of the real wheels until they are better seasoned as traveller. Avoid clearly popular rest stops for dogs. Without full vaccinations, its best not to take the risk of contact with dog poo. And watch the weather. She will get hot very quickly if left in the car on the journey. I'd have someone stay with her as rest stops.

But he's through the big growth stage and he doesn't need as much food. I'd be cutting him back to one meal a day and lowering the total intake. His body condition will tell you whether he needs more or less.

There are lies, damned lies and statistics. Any factor viewed in isolation from other contributers is dangerous. The primary contributers to attacks on children are failure to supervise and failure to understand the warning signs that a dog is unhappy. Removing a dogs' testicles won't improve rates of parental supervision.

Dog parks, leash only areas, front yards... Any situation where you rely on other people to behave responsibly to ensure the safety of your pet is doomed. Because not everyone is. Either take steps to contain your pets or this can happen. Should it? No. But that's no help to your pet. Front fence and gate or cat in back yard. That way, regardless of what others do, the cat is safe.

What shits me to tears Steve is that logic and research seems to go out the window when the animal welfare card is played. And that is because the animal welfare lobby is overwhelmingly dominated by rescue based, "save em all" types who see breeding as the root cause of the issue. Here we have it again. There is a problem. Lets jump to a solution without ever asking ourselves "where are these dumped dogs coming from". We have the tool to identify the source of unwanted dogs (microchips). They could have done some basic research about origins. Nope. We'll buy the whole "there are too many pups being bred" approach to solving the problem of unwanted dogs. The problem is that you've got the solution being guided by people who spend their lives cleaning up the problem without ever gaining a genuine understanding of how a dog becomes unwanted IMO. They certainly have minimal knowledge of how dogs can be responsibly bred and placed because THEY RARELY SEE THOSE DOGS. Another nail in the coffin of dogs as pets... that "road to hell is paved with good intentions" saying is absolutely on point. We'll now have the solution as "less dogs". And those lesser numbers will be increasingly dominated by precisely the kinds of breeding that fills the pounds now.

It's all a bit of a sad comedy really. The kinds of people who breed the dogs that end up dumped don't vaccinate or microchip now. What kind of lunatic thinks they're going to spend money on desexing? Without enforcement all these laws will do is punish responsible dog breeders and buyers (and pups) for the behaviour of irresponsible people who will continue on their merry way regardless.

News report here. Good that the AVA has sewn the first seeds of concern/dissent.

So very sorry. It is never easy to lose them. To lose Rupert so young must be doubly difficult. My sincere condolences. RIP Rupert.

It's called a spring. Really. One thing I will say about dog v cat dust ups is that generally they are not silent. If no one heard a thing, consider the prospect that whatever happened to your cat happened well away from your yard. You need to keep a closed gate between that dog and your cat. If your neighbour won't do it, its down to you.

Whippets are extremely talented thieves. I suppose that makes them a bit evil.

Whilst not planning on toasting you Sandgrubber, your post is reflective of things I hear quite a bit. Lets take a look. And yet, a relatively rare breed with few health problems is the oldest pedigree dog in the world with its bloodlines closely guarded for millenia. Go figure. Rare breeds are a challenge. Some have been recreated from a handful of dogs. But generalisation about narrowing gene pools is just that. Last UK survey of purebred dog genetics show that COI's are dropping. And yet kennel clubs have approved outcrossing programs and outside of kennel club breeders WHO is health testing? The number one factor in declining breed registrations is a no brainer. Breeders are breeding less. There has been a steady demand for pedigreed dogs which they cannot meet and I think that is the factor that allows BYBs to flourish. Again, outside of the pedigree dog world, who is health testing? Very VERY few breeders. The problem with these generalised statements of doom is that they don't bear up to close scruitiny but they get trotted out to suit the agendas of people from whom pedigree dog extinction is a goal. That's the only reason I commented. I know you aren't anti-purebred.

Keep the door shut or install a baby gate. Problem solved.

Birthdays - but that's because I know when they were born.

Save your breath. You can lead a horse to water... Just open up any pound page in the country and ask her to identify all the "evil" purebreds. Most folk don't get that its about more than pedigree and looks. It's about improving the reliability that the pup you buy will grow up with the attributes you want in an adult dog. Where are all the crossbred police dogs, guide dogs, working dogs? Those are trained and worked by people who have to reduce the risk of not getting what they want when they need to start training those dogs as pups. As for Pomsky's... Ask your friend how crossing a toy breed of dog with a high energy, high prey drive working dog that keeps its breed rescuers full up is a great idea. You don't just get a cute medium sized dog that has wolf markings... but that's how they are promoted. People are evil. Dogs are just dogs. But people breeding for profit as their primary motivation?? Where are all the ethical Pomsky breeders... ???

Maybe sighthounds just don't rock your boat. Maybe you like a more in your face dog??? Not every breed suits everyone. At his age, Mr Whippet would be a cinch to rehome via Whippet rescue. If you don't feel a bond, it is something you could look into. I figure there is no shame whatsoever in rehoming a dog into a family where he WILL be the bees knees. :) Whippets tend to need the "what's in it for me" box ticked. They may like to please but they won't turn themselves inside out to do it like some breeds and some really don't see the point in training. Maybe you should try a Whippet specific sport like lure coursing with him? You've pretty much said everything I was thinking. Whippets aren't the dog for everyone. I love their aloofness but not everyone does. I agree with taking him to lure coursing or racing. You both might enjoy it and if he takes to it you will be mesmerised to see him really RUN. Then you'll watch on in awe and say THAT'S MY DOG! :D It's funny, I wouldn't describe either of my boys as aloof with me. They certainly take about 5 minutes to decide whether or not they like a stranger. Dodger is very me focussed and Howie, while quieter and seeking less interaction, is still quite a cuddly boy. Both are up on the couch next to me now. They just don't follow me from room to room or spit balls at me looking for games. I'm quite pleased about that. Having a poodle, on the other hand, is like having a courtier. Where I go, they go, even if its just to the loo. They want to help with every task. ETA: I know of someone looking for a 4-5 year old cat friendly Whippet at the moment.

The best tip I saw was to give them a source of water in the garden so that they don't have to come out into the open to find it. You're basically asking a terrier to ignore its hard wired prey drive. The ONLY way I think you'd do it is with strong aversives. Not something I'd be trying, especially if it fails because a lizard killed while you are out is not something you can "correct" for afterwards.

Friend's vet once told her "healthy dogs dig". You could always try giving her a sandpit to dig in. If it confines the digging to one place that's a good thing. Mind you, mine love to dig for scarab grubs in the lawn. Dodger had a coal seam gas exploration license on my last yard.. I'm sure of it.

Never an easy time. Easing them from this life when they are still themselves is the last, greatest gift we can give them. Hold her close and know you have done everything for her that was possible. A time will come when the tears stop and you can smile at the memories.

Never seen a wolf or a wild dog carry the weight of heavy prey on its back. As for Cesar Milan - you'll find out soon enough he's not got a lot of credibility with many DOLers. Personally I find the idea of adding weight to a dog to wear it out as a training method to be a very blunt instrument. Never forget that you are asking a dog to do something it was not bred nor conformed for. If you are going to do it, find yourself a good canine chiropractor. Regular visits will ensure that you pick up any issues with doing this EARLY.

Maybe sighthounds just don't rock your boat. Maybe you like a more in your face dog??? Not every breed suits everyone. At his age, Mr Whippet would be a cinch to rehome via Whippet rescue. If you don't feel a bond, it is something you could look into. I figure there is no shame whatsoever in rehoming a dog into a family where he WILL be the bees knees. :) Whippets tend to need the "what's in it for me" box ticked. They may like to please but they won't turn themselves inside out to do it like some breeds and some really don't see the point in training. Maybe you should try a Whippet specific sport like lure coursing with him?

Any breeder that was only interested in my money would be one I would run from. Poms are not low maintenance, leave in the back yard dogs (I don't think any dog is really). If they aren't asking you questions about your suitability to own a Pom, run a mile.

Agree. Dogs are not built like horses and while there are draft dog breeds, they pulled weight rather than carried it. A BC is not such a breed. Either buy the best harness around and let the dog carry light stuff or let him/her run without weight. A cheap backpack won't be cheaper than chiro etc if you end up injuring the dog.

Totally agree. Don't be at all surprised if your mini has some prey drive though. A good recall will be important because they may chase animals. One of mine killed birds also. They're still dogs. Not anything like a sighthound for chasing but those hunting instincts may still be there. Absolutely, I've read that too and if it turn out to be the case we'll work with it. I'd want to train him to have good recall in any case because of the off leash areas I'll take him. The fact is I actually love 'doggy' dogs so I'm kind of pleased to hear you say they're still dogs! :) Two of mine were fair ratters. The Toy Poodle was a mouser in her younger days.

I don't have children but have never viewed the choice as either/or. It's a personal thing. I do know that my dogs love kids and enjoy spending time with them. :) I also make sure every pup meets kids and spends time with them - it's an important thing to ensure they are socialised with nice kids.

Totally agree. Don't be at all surprised if your mini has some prey drive though. A good recall will be important because they may chase animals. One of mine killed birds also. They're still dogs. Not anything like a sighthound for chasing but those hunting instincts may still be there.