Salukifan

Personally I think you should be wary of any dog larger than your dog that you don't know. Judging by breed may lead you into making assumptions that dogs are "safe" or "unsafe" and its a poor way to establish that. MUP: Sorry, but that's rubbish. Any breed of fighting ancestry or that was bred to guard against other dogs has a higher incidence of dog aggression than some other breeds. The mistake is in assuming that they all will be aggressive and that other breeds won't be. I am one of those people who will avoid unknown bull breed dogs. Not because I assume that every such dog I meet is aggressive but because I know that if one of them takes exception to my dogs, they will finish what ever is started, ice it and put the little sprinkles on it. You don't selectively breed dogs with a low trigger to dog aggression and a high level of tenacity and expect every single one to be the social butterfly of the dog park. Plenty of owners have learned that the hard way.

Where is his bed? If it's in the laundry or a bathroom, move it into a warmer room. Any tiled room will be a heat sink and he will have trouble staying warm. Make sure the bed is not in a draft too. There is also the possibility that his shivering isn't entirely related to being cold. He could be feeling a bit overwhelmed by the change in his life.

My guess is they are comparing the dog's DNA with swabs taken from the child's wounds. Doesn't sound to me like they are sure they've got the right dog OR that a dog was involved at all.

Not to mention no one on the horses back.. its a natural posture that can be illicited.

Just a word of caution for those in the Canberra region. I was at the vet for Herbie's check up yesterday and she mentioned she has had two dogs test positive for heartworm in the past three weeks. Neither dog had left the region. So it seems we're no longer out of range for it

Usual story and it goes as well for dogs as it does for horses. It's not the tool that causes issues but the hands that operate it. I do believe that more complex methods of restraining/controlling a dog aren't necessarily any "kinder". And no gadget is a substitute for effective training. Gadgets aren't necessarily more effective. Honestly what level of control does anyone truly exercise over a giant breed in a harness? You won't see me walking any of my dogs in a harness or a headcollar anytime soon.

You want dogs potentially incubating parvo sent to commercial dog boarding facilities from pounds??

In furious agreement with Cosmolo on this. :)

Agree completely. Simply too many unknowns taking a dog direct from the pound. I recommend responsible, knowledgeable rescues and that goes double for any family with children. Plan B It's wrong to include pounds for families with young children or people who won't cope with a dog with any kind of behavioural issue - and that's a lot of families. I too have seen how rescue dogs have made family owners heartbroken rather than given them the pleasure a pet can bring. Dog reactivity, serious escape artists, resource guarders... and many of these issues will not be evident in a pound environment. I don't see it that there's necessarily anything wrong with pound dogs but you need to mitigate the risks of a bad choice and the easiest way to do that is obtain a rescued dog from an organisation that simply has more knowledge of it. I'd also not put a family through the experience of parvo - and if the dog serves a quarantine period with a decent rescue, they won't have to endure that.

Easy to judge if you've never been confronted with the reality of a choice between death and eating a pet. i recall reading a very moving book on the siege of Leningrad (now St Petersburg again) during WW2. It lasted about 3 years. One of the curators of the Hermitage had a much loved Airedale Terrier. She had no way to feed it but couldn't bring herself to eat the dog. She gave it to her friends who did kill and eat it. Mind you, they were down to baking sawdust for bread at one stage and struggling to keep even children remotely well nourished. Never say never until you've been there I say.

Whippet Club of NSW offer a rescue and rehome service. Contact [email protected]

My thoughts also. Why why why do people leave their dogs at home alone when they go away??

http://www.news.com....9-1226751256639 Thank God they've been surrendered.

If he's recovering from surgery, he probably doesn't feel 100% and you'll need to really tempt him to stimulate his appetite. I recommend warm roast chicken. Peel it off the bones and feed. If he's not interested in that, he's probably really feeling ordinary. Worry about normal diet when he's back to full strength.

You did the right thing contacting the council, you've done your best to stop it happening to someone else and that's all you can do. Glad your dog is ok, it's a very scary thing to happen. Pity the dogs owner didn't try to help you, some people have no shame. : ( And others freeze, losing the capacity to act when something like this happens. I sincerely hope the owner of those dogs recognises what she's got on her hands and controls them better in future. Next time act first and head them off before they get to your pup. i don't allow unknown dogs to interact with my dogs offlead. Period. Might be an idea to avoid off leash areas until your pup is older.

Separation, separation, separation. An 8 week old puppy has no bite inhibition. A 7 month old child is just a chew toy to them. Puppy and baby never to be on the floor at the same time for a long time yet. Yes, its cute but it's not SAFE. Crate for puppy or child pen and gates for baby. Not what I call ideal timing to add a pup to the family but with care and vigilance you can make it work. Until pup has bite inhibition (which you must teach) and a basic level of obedience training, including a good "leave it" response. I'd be going for total separation. It will be the same when baby learns to walk and plays outside. Separate an area of the backyard for the dog and allow the child only in the other area.

You shouldn't discount the possibility that he does nothing of the kind. He's not a new neighbour is he? Why would this suddenly start up? You need more facts before you can make a judgment either way. Why are people so quick to assume the worst of others? You want something kept quiet? Don't tell your kids.

I'm not sure mine would be hanging around to be kicked! They's make themselves scarce I reckon. How can you be sure it's true? Would your dog really stand still for repeated kickings? True or not, you should have your gates locked to prevent access to your dogs when you aren't home. I'd also be casually asking your neighbour if the dogs are still annoying him. An ounce of prevention and all that..

Perhaps its time for some formal obedience or retrieving training?

You'll probably get some good tips on this thread but I've got only one: * Don't put any part of your body you can't live without into the process. Generally a lot easier to prevent a dog fight than it is to break one up.

If you are not a Dogs VIC member, you should not be using KCC park.

That is utter rubbish. There is definitely a genetic component because it is a STRUCTURAL issue.

Speaking from personal experience, because maturity and full muscle development can see the patella held firmly in place. I'd not want this operation performed on a pup so young unless we were talking about severe luxation. I have to say that the price paid is astronomical. But unless we know the grade of the patella luxation, who's to know? I would refund the purchase price of the pup, chalk it up to experience and move on.

Believe your dogs. If they are doing well on the diet they are on, why change it to something being pushed by a vet with a vested interest.

Wobbly, vomiting. It could be a vestibular issue. In a younger dog, ear infection might be a cause. Perhaps another ear exam? BUT any advice you get on the internet is pure guess work. If you're not happy with how things are going with your current vet, it might be time for a second opinion.