Steph M

Coloured Bras. Petunia, mum's shih tzu used to raid my cupboard to get only the bright coloured bras out and race up and down the hall with them, chewing and throwing them and having the time of her life. I've long since moved out, but still have one bright yellow one that was the particular favourite, and it still bears signs of wear from little puppy teeth.

It's leaning that way, you are all so wonderfully persuasive! Yeah, we're big on the off-leash parks here, and that would be a worry. I'm not one to helicopter parent or anything, but I would worry. I would worry in any case though, to be totally honest. It won't be personal opinion if you end up with a dog prone to barking even if the dog is barking for a reason. You will need to get a breed with suitable traits for high density living or risk being evicted. You might be better not giving your opinion of breeds you obviously dont like or the cars they are driven around in. If you don't want to offend. I don't dislike anything, I didn't mean to come off that way. I think Giant breeds are lovely, there's two danes down the park that have the best expressions of pure joy when sniffing around, and are so gentle and I would love to have one, but I just don't feel it's the right match for our lifestyle at the moment, that's all I meant by the car comment, my brain doesn't function so well at 7am! But more what I meant was that we're prone to lots of trips away and where we can't take the dog it would probably stay at mum's house, which does have a lot of stairs, and it'd be a big ask of her as well. Also with limited room and guests who come stay frequently we haven't the most space as is, and we don't want to stop these guests coming or make them feel put out, we have friends and family with little kids who are easy bowled over, and though this isn't an issue exclusive to big dogs, it's just as applicable to small ones, It's not a risk I'd want to enhance. And really, my car is tiny! It doesn't even have back doors or windows that wind down. It would be a nightmare taking off for a drive for all involved! I'm asking around and doing all the research I can, I think we're ready, we're a happy, social couple who are quite settled, we both know what we want and we're being as level headed and thoughtful as we can, we've cleared it with Body Corporate and our Real Estate, we're taking every precaution to ensure we do the right thing by a dog and can do everything to make it and everyone else as happy as we can, I'm sorry to have offended you, and by all means tell me when I do, it's not intentional! But I feel like asking and ruling things out is the only way we're going to ensure we're on the right track, which has been my aim all along.

Here's hoping! And that's it, my mum has always been so gung-ho that small dogs are snappy and noisy and little brats etc, now she is quite obviously owned by a malt and a shihtzu, to the point where she has a bike trailer for adventures and actually physically tucks them in at night and they sit and stare at her until she does it. It's great to make fun of her though! Yeah, we are wary of something becoming too dependent on us, so we're looking at things like doggie day care a day a week, lots of obedience and socialisation and things to break the week up and make us the less interesting choice, so to speak! It'll be the case for at least the next 12 months, but if the project goes well then it would be a permanent thing, if not, then he's always worked late hours, IE; leaving the house about 10-11, getting home at 7 or so, whereas I leave at 7 and am usually home by about 3/4, so the day isn't too long, however any tips for fending off dependency are more than welcome! How do you all do it? I've done a few of those! They're wonderful things, but you have to be wary of being honest and not biased or they just tell you what you want to hear! Guilty more than once! ;) We are renting, and the place we're in has no problems with a dog, when we eventually settle and decide I plan on asking the neighbours themselves if they have any concerns or anything to please come to us and we're happy to sort anything out, there's already one or two dogs here and it seems they're quite happy to chat to the neighbours and suss out the possums out the front yard etc. Also, it is markedly easier to get a new house with one small dog, rather than one huge one, no matter how docile and lovely they are. Luckily next we plan on moving out to the suburbs, so it's not likely we'll have much trouble, I've had a good lurk of the estate agents websites and the like and there's plenty of choice for with pets housing, but even moving house with mum and our Setter, there's a huge difference in reactions when she says he's about 40kg to when she says she has two little ones, who btw are much more destructive than he's ever been, let it be noted! This would be one of my issues, plus I'd love to be able to offer a really nice sunny yard to a big dog, a little one we have enough big bay windows around to get a good bum groove on, as the cats prove day in day out. Well that's what they're bred to do and what they love! I have known a few too, and they're gorgeous, and if we were looking for an older dog, then maybe that could be an option, but as a pup we'd be run right off our feet, i feel! We only have a few stairs, into the apartment and there's a big difference between carrying a frenchie up the stairs and a dane! Haha. It sounds like you got entirely lucky there! He sounds wonderful, they're very sweet dogs and I always love watching them run about!

It's all just personal opinion, and I hope I haven't offended anyone! My main logic is it would be fine if we had a little yard, but I'm not sure a puppy pad is much use at all for a giant piddle, let alone poop. I drive a tiny little ford fiesta, which would quickly look like a clown car too, and I think the cats might just lose their minds. It's just a personal preference thing, I love hearing it can be done, and have no doubt it can, but for me I just feel it'd be easier to have a littler dog, when we travel, go out for tea, if we move etc, all these things are just a little easier with a smaller dog. The barking might be an issue, but we're hoping with solid reinforcement and someone home most of the time we can nip this in the bud nice and early and start out on a good foot to continue that way, it is a challenge, yes, but we're looking forward to it! And RE' dogsaremyworld I totally agree, we don't want any disasters, I'd hate to take in a dog who was going to be just miserable with us, so it will be from a breeder and all the right steps will be followed, i'm nothing if not meticulous with my research etc!

He sounds wonderfully well adjusted, and a credit to your organisational skills! We're not far from St Kilda beach either and your flat sounds much like ours, and as lovely as they are I just think that would be a little optimistic! I'm glad to hear it can be done though, he sounds sweet.

You tease, you!

I still don't know if I'd want to chance it, and like I said, even being bowled over by a dog that size could do a lot of damage!

Makes sense if they're a bunch of morons, I wouldn't feel comfortable them knowing I'd made complaints or anything, never know quite what they're capable of. But even if you wanted to, it doesn't sound like the most approachable place! Never fun for anyone when dingbats move into your street! Haha, I feel your pain!

Best let someone know, I mean, It's not exactly like you can go knock on the door in any case... I wouldn't be game! But best at least let the council know, not everyone can run or get out of the way of a 40kg dog, even if it's not being nasty, I wouldn't want to be in the path of that! haha. At least if they do keep getting out there's some record of it happening, and being a regular occurrence if nothing else.

More a summer thing, but what about frozen beef stock and some bones or something in it? Would keep them quiet at the very least! Haha. Perhaps if you have the yard space, hide a bunch of cool things around the place, or a sandpit with goodies buried in it? I don't know much about the toys personally, but the treat balls are always a blast, at least to watch!

Good god, points for effort though!

Gosh he's incredibly lucky to have gotten off without any lasting damage! I hope your daughter in law (?) isn't too shaken up either, I know that would have scared the heck out of most people! I hope you're all okay, if not a little shaken, and Dexter gets right back on the horse, so to speak. I'm glad the ranger actually did go follow up on it, next time it could be anything, animal or person. You're very lucky! All of you!

I have a question on this too! RE; Pee pads. The pee pads are wonderful things, do your dogs go outdoors now or do you still have the piddle pads handy? I used them with mum's shih-tzu when I lived at home and she goes out now, though it was a battle to convince her to initially, but even at 4 years old if she's stuck and busting she will go either where the pee pad used to be (keep in mind it was there for all of about 6 months) or on the bathmat, which is a similar texture, not a big deal by any stretch, but just curious to see if you had a hard time training for pee pads to grass, a few people say you shouldn't bother with them at all, as they get a bit dependant, just curious what everyone here has found? How easy was the transition from pad/paper to grass?

It's not a huge concern, was more interested than anything! I remember knowing a woman who bred Cockers once and she said they can just be mad as hatters, in the fun way of course, so I can see how this might not be the ideal fit, Thanks! Yeah I can see how that would be, and to be totally honest I was the same when I was a bit younger, partly growing up in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne, where they're sadly the bogan dipsh*t dog of choice, and more often than not they're not socialised or particularly grounded, and I remember hearing things like 'you can't give them raw meat or they get bloodlust' and being about 16 or so, didn't know any better. So I was never a huge fan, however having grown up substantially and met lots of happy, goofy staffies I've come to realise how utterly ridiculous that was, they're just such clowns! I'm sure the BSL rubbish has done them no favours off leash, and that is a huge shame. I'd love to take one on, but I don't think I could do one any favours in this house, if we had a yard they'd be on the list for sure, the OH has always had staffy crosses at home, and he's got a huge soft spot for them. Haha. That's the plan! It's a great idea, too. I wish I'd had this much support when getting my Persian cat! We thought that, but the joke around this house is how we could never own one, as I'm a little on the chubby side and I wouldn't want anyone calling the RSPCA saying 'I know who gets all the food in that house!' hahahaha :laugh: I was amazed at the amount of dogs in sydney's inner suburbs! We went for a weekend recently, and they were everywhere! Was so lovely to see! Good heavens, that would be game! I would never get any space on the couch ever again! I heard the same thing about Great Danes, but I think that might be getting a tad overexcited! Yeah..I'm thinking with both those breeds the "Apartment" would need to be one of those HUGE American Lofts/Warehouses, or a Penhouses with a heap of floorspace! :laugh: That's what I was thinking too. Good heavens what kind of apartments do these people have?! Haha. Oh yeah! We have a tortie at home who can't stand my best friend, just her, but whenever she sits on the couch Trixie will physically latch on to her scalp, with all four paws and bite her head. It's unlike anything we've ever seen before, but she's just decided she doesn't like her, and will seek her out to torture her, Zoe thinks it's a huge laugh, but I think the cat is trying to scalp her....

When I was a kid I distinctly remember being told you just don't wander up to strange dogs or go onto their turf, one day I was being a dweeb and chatting to the dog next door, sharing my vegemite sanga over the fence, dangling my legs and talking to it, he was a blue heeler cross or something, and it nipped me on the ankle, it wasn't a big deal, no one called the council or demanded the dog be moved because it was universally understood that was mostly my fault, winding up a herding breed over the fence and sharing my sanga with it was silly, mum knew this, the owner knew this and I sure learned it! Think I got an ice cream out of it though, yes! The mother in the OP's post sounds like a right airhead, it seems like we've forgotten how to behave around dogs and become complacent, and kids are losing the education we all took for granted. Mum has two little dogs, a shihtzu and a maltese, there's two kinds of kids down the park A) The ones that run off squealing or are ushered off hurriedly by mum or dad, which only makes them more curious. The maltese isn't big on kids, but the shihtzu is a chubby little bundle of cuddles, and god knows kids are always a source of treats and things, right?! Less small humans, more small treat dispensers and a source of sticky leftovers, anyway, she will quite happily chat to kids and seeing the parents swoop in and cluck their tongues at the mum and shoo Petunia away is a little bit ludicrous, why encourage a fear of dogs in kids and a fear of kids in dogs? Seems crazy to me! This is surely where trouble starts. or B) The kids that just prance up gaily to any dog and get in its face, like I said, mum's Maltese, Noodle isn't big on kids, he is of 'unknown origin' to put it nicely, and while he won't bother anyone on or off leash, if a little kid comes up and cuddles him up in her arms while he's wandering around the park he panics and gets growly, lucky mum usually steers them toward the chunk of brown fluff dancing around their feet, raiding pockets for cookies etc, but even though they're little dogs, they're more likely to nip or have a growl or get hurt. When Noodle has occasionally politely in his own way asked a kid not to touch him, the parents storm up and ask that she keep the dog in a muzzle, the usual rants, etc. I would understand if he was chasing kids or seeking out kids to harass but really, he's just out for his weekend jaunt down the park the same as they are! Gosh. This. Yes. Would the same mother be okay while watching her kid kick your dog, throw rocks at it, pull it's tail? How far does it go before she feels the need to intervene. What an idiot. Idiots raise idiots.

Good heavens, that would be game! I would never get any space on the couch ever again! I heard the same thing about Great Danes, but I think that might be getting a tad overexcited!

Yeah, I'm not phased on the shedding. Like I said, we live in a sea of cat fluff anyway! May as well add a new colour? Haha. That's half the fun! Indoor games and cool toys, honestly, dog toys now are so much cooler than the toys we had as little kids! The pee pads are wonderful things, does he go outdoors now or do you still have the piddle pads handy? I used them with mum's shih-tzu when I lived at home and she goes out now, though it was a battle to convince her to initially, but even at 4 years old if she's stuck and busting she will go either where the pee pad used to be (keep in mind it was there for all of about 6 months) or on the bathmat, which is a similar texture. How easy was the transition from pad/paper to grass? They're so lovely! I think the on lead thing would get to me though, I have too big of a soft spot for the off-lead park-excitement zoomies. They make even the cruddiest day wonderful!! We thought about a cocker, but wanted to have a chat to some breeders about the 'rage syndrome'? It might be blown well out of proportion and be almost not an issue, so they're still on the list, just was lurking for more info on that. They are such sweet looking dogs, and as much work as they can be, the big goofy ears! Haha. I've always had more male animals though, both the cats are boys, because desexed males are just the biggest moochers. The aforementioned shih-tzu is a female though, and she is such a cuddlebug. So I'm more open minded now. Lady cats can be so narky though! Heavens! Haha. We thought about a staffy, in part because of the sheer multitude of them in pounds and the like, it's miserable to see! But also that they just seem so full of joy! However they seem a bit more like a pooch who would enjoy a yard and some sun! Gosh, my list is a right shambles! Hahaha. It's not exactly a short list! However it's looking like Frenchies are running on top, but it's a loooooong list! Might make an effort to go to some shows and have a little lurk and a chat, see if we can cross some off the list at very least!

All our Tibetan Spaniels have been adopted, as adults, from registered breeders who've treated them exactly as you do, with your dogs. Not all breeders make the choice to rehome adult dogs, but ours came from those prepared to place them as desexed pets in only well-screened homes. These adult dogs came from their breeders already beautifully socialised with people and other dogs, confident in going out in the car & into public places. I'd love to claim credit when strangers admire their personalities, but this is how breeders like you raise their dogs from the moment they're born. It's one option that the OP might add to the list.... adopting an adult of whatever breed they finally decide on. But, equally, the preference might be to start with a puppy. We're not against the idea of starting with an older dog, by any stretch! I was more wary of adopting a dog who just did not enjoy how we live, which would be sad for all parties involved, but I love hearing of breeders who raise their dogs and doglets as family! It makes it seem much more viable to start with an adjusted and partially trained dog. That's the plan! Becoming a little bit stalky :D If you find a breed that does the housework please let me know! My tibbie x 'helped' me do a sudoku last night though..... He sat next to me staring at it and pawed the page if I hadn't written in a while....maybe because he knew the answers.....or maybe because he was enjoying trying to steal the pencil every time I used it ; p It's this gentle playfulness that makes me give them the thumbs up! That is great! Hahaha, but really, anyone have a laundry doing, floor cleaning dog? Haha. I love love love their faces! They look like little old men to me! What a great face! Whaaaat?! I love everyone's biases! It's why I asked! Haha!

That's it, we don't care about puppy chatting, or voicing genuine displeasure, we're not precious here! :laugh: But anything incessant might just tip us and the neighbours bonkers! And we're wary of the dependency thing too, being home all the time and having a predisposition towards spoiling critters as is, we'll have to be careful not to create a spoiled little brat. Again, will have a chat to some breeders and trainers about that too, however I'm not quite the Paris Hilton type and know even the littlest dogs are still dogs and need to be respected and treated as such! That's my worry with a crested, the bengal x, 7kg of doofus, grew up playing with fluffy dogs and now a big boofy persian, so he's never really had to put his gentle switch on, so I wouldn't put a bald puppy in front of him! He means well but good god is he stupid... He would have to learn to behave himself too, but he would be overjoyed at another puppy, he often stays with mum and the dogs when we go away and drives them mad wanting to play, which is a fair effort! No no, it drives me mad! As mentioned before, they're not little cats, and I spent a looooong time convincing the bigger one, the ex feral kitten, that it was not okay to use teeth and claws, even when you're just being a clown. At least they both (the cats!) know when enough is enough and will walk off, they know it's not allowed and don't try it with me because it's simply never been allowed, but sometimes a game ends in someone getting hurt, and it's not the cats! I'd love a quiet, adult boyfriend too! Any tips on training one of them? Water and vinegar in a spray bottle? Citronella collars? Hahaha. I've actually not really thought about this! It makes sense though! I've always just assumed the size would be a bit much for the house, and the cats. But on reading up on the GAP site, they do have cat friendly dogs come up, and it seems they'd be quite happy on the couch! Is it true they're a strictly on-lead dog though? I know you can't believe everything you read! She sounds like a bat-eared loon! Hahaha!!! I've always thought mental stimulation is as important as physical stimulation, lots of toys, training and playing and socialising are on the menu!

No no, they're on the list! They're ballsy little guys! One lady near us has one she takes to our local cafe and orders him his own sausage, he looks like he's got things totally sorted and exudes smug! Yeah, I did think of that too. They'd have to be monitored until they all worked out how to interact with each other in any case. I would worry initially anyway, Hector is a biiiiig kitty. Haha. That's a good point, and I'd have to train BF to be consistent too, he wrestles the cats and it drives me nutty when they think it's okay to chomp my hands. Haha. Sacrifice your own, boy! Which is another tip of the cap to puppy school, can send them both off and read a book in the sun ;)

hahaha!!! what a little character, as maddening as it must be! everyone here is so helpful and lovely! I am ever so impressed! :)

How lucky are you! I go home every chance I get (often as it's only about a ten min drive) to 'visit mum' aka hang out with Perry, the english setter. He's 13, has failing eyesight and more than his share of old dog lumps but he's just the most loving, brilliant dog. I would love to have another some day I did consider a dachshund, but have heard they have a predisposition to boredom bark? While we're home a lot, I can't help but fear if we were out all day that might come to the surface? The Tibetan Spaniels sound lovely! I'm more worried about the cat being too much for a puppy, to be honest! He really drives them mad wanting to wrestle and play chase, even the other cat who's only 2 and loves to play gets tired of him and takes himself to bed.

that's just part of the issue, isn't it? it'd need to be a panel of independent, unbiased, knowledgeable and sensible people from inside and outside the breeding community, surely. Wouldn't want to leave it to chance and have it become a farce like BSL. Would they be elected from the general population? appointed by an individual? Who would this body be answerable to? Woah woah, I wish I had all the answers! It just seems like leaving it to the government is not working, they don't have as much of a vested interest as industry people do. Plus they make a lot of money out of pounds and rescue organisations paying taxes when these things go downhill, so my thinking was an assembly of people who have reason to better things for animals. You're right though, human farce is likely, but I can be optimistic, right?! :D

that's just part of the issue, isn't it? it'd need to be a panel of independent, unbiased, knowledgeable and sensible people from inside and outside the breeding community, surely. Wouldn't want to leave it to chance and have it become a farce like BSL.

We do live on a pretty big road, next to a school and across from an army base, which is silent unless it's bagpipes at 7am some sundays, on the second floor which looks over a tram stop, into the school yard and it's not the most quiet spot sometimes! But good point, I guess these would just become the normal sounds of home. You raise a good point! I am a bit of a sap for the odd looking critters, I will admit! Though the Persian cat can attest to my nonplussed approach to heavy or hard work coats, I quite like sitting down to give him a good brush after a long day. He just tolerates it in his kitty way.... I like their zip, mainly. And they seem like they're pretty spunky and cheeky! There's one who hangs out in the hairdressers down the road and wears a security jumper, she takes her job ever so seriously, you can tell! That would be a factor, but alas, we swim in cat fur anyway, I've just splashed out on a Dyson, out of necessity, and boy do I love that decision! Black clothes are the bane of my existence! They are gorgeous, however I think they might be a bit busy for our place, they look like a dog who would enjoy some yard at least! He's a massive smoocher. Likes to do the typical "that's not a real dog" thing when hanging out with Noodle the Maltese, but really, we all know how much he adores him. It's funny to watch a 5kg white dog melt a 27 year old guy with one look. Sucker!