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My heart dog was a beautiful black poodle who was given to me by my favourite Aunt for Christmas when I was 10 years old. I had desperately wanted a dog of my very own for years and had fallen in love with poodles after meeting my Aunty's one. It got to the point that I was so desperate for a dog and mum wasn't saying yes, that I was even pestering for a mouse or a bird! Anyway we travelled to Victoria to visit my Aunty for Christmas and she said why don't you go inside and see what you can find - anyway I found this tiny little black fluff ball lying in front of the heater, picked him up an went outside bawling my eyes out with happiness. That was the start of a very happy 13 years of adventures between the two of us. We were inseperable, he would wait at the window until I came home from school - then he would greet everyone else in the house - even though they may have been there all day, he only had eyes for me. When I started dating he came on my dates with me.... It was a case of love me, love my dog!!! I still miss Snoopy to this day, but my life has been filled with many other gorgeous dogs who are all still very special in their own ways.

I hope Lektra Ottens is found safe soon what a nightmare for any dog owner, poor Big Black Mac RIP

thank you for adopting a pound puppy and being so committed to his wellbeing. I've also recently adopted a dog from the pound who has anxiety issues but she thinks she needs to "protect" us from other people and dogs. We've seen a behaviouralist and are working on a few things to do with "leadership". I'd recommend you see one too, if you haven't already. My first thing would be his safety and I'd definitely be constructing a good strong enclosure you could keep him in while you are not able to be around and leave him with lots of enrichment toys to keep him amused. Leave him in there for a very short while at first and then keep building it up. Basically so he gets "used" to you coming and going. Make sure when you leave don't give any goodbyes and also when you come back, just ignore him. Keep up the good work and enjoy :)

So sorry you have to go through this Pheebs. Lucy looks gorgeous! I'm sure you'll find her a lovely home :)

Thanks everyone. Yes she was desexed just prior to adoption and she does spend a LOT of time outside sunbaking. I'm also a little worried that her diet may be contributing to it as well. At the pound they had her on Hills biscuits, but I've slowly changed her over to Optimum (same as my other dog) but they also have yoghurt, sardines, BARF patties, eggs and raw bones mixed in with their biccies (not all at the same time....) Do you think a higher grade kibble would help at all with the shedding? She's in excellent condition otherwise.

So the furminator doesn't wreck their coat at all?

Hi guys I've adopted a 1 year old Jack Russell cross from the pound and we've had her for about 8 weeks now. When we first got her we thought we were in luck as she didn't seem to shed too much hair - but now - YIKES. I am brushing her with a rubber nippled brush daily and we are still getting LOTS of hair coming off her. I've only had poodles or long haired crosses in the past that haven't shed their hair so this is completely new to me. Can you tell me is it just because the weather is warming up that she is shedding, is it what I am feeding her maybe? should I be washing her more often? How long does this usually go on for? Any handy hints on how to keep this under control - or do I just smile and get to love the white hared fluffy look all my clothes are now assuming? :)

I too have a dog with a very similar problem to yours. We got her from the pound and have had her for about 6 weeks now. She is very aggressive/reactive on walks when she sees another dog and we have realised that she is basically just plain scared. I was given some good advice from the lovely people on DOL and have let her settle into our home routine before taking her on walks. We've let her get used to us and have got down the house training, and the sit, stay, wait, heel etc. around the house and garden. He's just new to you, I'm sure your fellow will come round, just take your time and enjoy him. Good Luck.

What a beautiful spot!!! Wish we lived closer.

I think if it makes you happy Teebs - go for it. You'll cope with any issues that arise and you have been waiting a long time for a puppy from this particular breeder. Dogs enrich our lives and you aren't the sort of person that would drop the bundle if there were problems. I would do it.

Thanks dogmad, I certainly will be avoiding the house that set her off. It is invaluable to receive help from people who are so experienced at adoption! I'll take it slowly and quietly and let her settle in before giving her too much socialization. One more thing, do you recommend I ignore her when she cries after being put to bed at night or go in to her an settle her down again? She is in the same room as my other two dogs. I'm really concerned that I don't set up any bad habits (because of my ignorance) at this early stage of the game.

I remember a very stressful time, when I came back from the vet - having made the decision my old dog was no longer enjoying his time with us and was gently put to sleep - that my young pup at the time had got into the bin and eaten a whole cooked chicken carcass while I was there. I panicked and rang the vet who said to just watch him for any symptoms and spent the next 24 hours watching him like a hawk. He was fine and has now gone on to eat many other things that he shouldn't, such as socks and more socks..... I think he has a cast iron belly! They're such a worry.

Thank you lavendergirl. Sometimes it's hard to see the woods for the trees. I was thinking I should be socializing her more and getting her used to things, but I've only really bought up puppies not had an adult adopted dog before. So if I give her time to adjust to us and become confident in her surroundings she should be OK to tackle the more major challenges ahead such as other dogs, etc. She's really happy in our home environment, I think I'll just give her a bit more time with that before we do much more.

Hi everyone, I would like to get some advice from the DOL experts regarding settling in my new dog. We adopted a lovely gentle natured foxie cross from the dog pound last Saturday. She's settling in fine with my other two dogs and is extremely happy to be with us. Her toilet training we are still working on (she's apparently about 1 year and has all her adult teeth) and we are working on her chewing as well. She seems to have no real house manners and we are training her to NOT jump on the kitchen table, and sit and wait for her food etc. etc. These things I am comfortable with. What I have noticed is a new concerning behavior when we take her on a walk this week. There is a house which backs onto at our park with two big dogs who fence run and bark whenever people walk past. She has started yowling and crying and trembling and carrying on trying to get at them. She sounds like she is being killed and people have come out of their houses to break up the dog fight(!!!!) although they are no where near each other and with a big see through fence between them. Also when we meet another dog on our walk she will exhibit the same behavior with the yowling and screaming. Is she scared or is she being aggressive? Does the barking of the two behind the fence and having big dogs on our walk, in her face, remind her of the pound? What can I do to train her out of this - or do you think she just needs time? She is very submissive and gentle with my two dogs. She is also becoming very attached to us and following us around like a shadow, and I am concerned that she may start exhibiting separation anxiety and wonder if you could give me some pointers to ensure she doesn't. I took her into the pet supplies shop to fit her with a harness (as she has backed out of her collar) and she was petrified, clinging on to me. We already do the going out, ignoring the dogs, coming back later and ignoring her until we are ready to say hello. Is there anything else we need to be doing to ensure she doesn't get separation anxiety? Sorry if this post is a bit long, but I really want to bring up a well adjusted pound doggy and do my very best with her. Thank for your advice.