Gertrude139

BUMP I was really enjoying this thread

The important things for older dogs are exercise and the correct amount of stimulation. If a dog (rescue or not) doesn't particularly enjoy being around other dogs, then it shouldn't be continually put in situations where there are other dogs. If the owner lives in an environment where other dogs cannot be avoided when exercising (most suburbs), then they should think about getting help from a private trainer (not a club) to help desensitise their dog in a controlled way. So, yes, by not socialising their mature dog, these people are managing the dog correctly. Not all dogs, rescue or otherwise, enjoy being in a group of strange dogs. Thanks, that's what I thought. They just walk them early in the morning when no one else is out and about so it doesn't have to see other dogs. I am lucky that dogs off leash are few and far between in my area.

I'm very new to rescue and have only had my boy for just over a month but his nervousness seems to be experience based since he will be ok with things like the vacuum, blender, coffee grinder, motorbikes and car horns but is scared of trucks. Also he has improved heaps since I have got him so I think they are learned reactions if that's the right term. It hadn't occurred to me that people would use rescue as an excuse for bad behavior, I agree it is not an excuse. And that sucks because it could give other people a bad impression of rescue dogs in general. I do know people who don't socialize their elderly rescue dogs with other dogs as they haven't been socialized in the past and don't know how to interact with other dogs. These dogs aren't aggressive more scared and unsure. I guess they make that decision as maybe it would stress the dog unnecessarily. Is that the type of thing that would be thought of as more of an excuse or do you think it is an appropriate way of dealing with the issue? The behaviourist trainer i have thinks that once Salt is more settled most of his peculiar behaviors will disappear with the training we are doing, just keeping consistent is the key. When I wonder about his history, it is just that - wondering. His behavior is what needs to be addressed not his history. I just feel it would be interesting to know.

and some of our last guide dog puppy another one who liked to fall asleep in the water bowl teeth!

Great photos everyone! I think I have deleted my truly horrendous ones, but here are a couple that aren't great. puppies first bath - complete with angry eyes Yes I'm on the chair - and what are you going to do about it?

why? Is it hurting them?

I have no history on Salt my rescue husky. he came from Blacktown pound via rescue and was reportedly picked up from the concord area (I think) he is approx 4-5 years and was entire - now desexed. he flinches at sudden or unexpected movements and loud or unexpected noises and is very, very afraid of trucks even when we are walking at quite a distance from them. he was very underweight approx 17kg when he should be around 30kg and his coat was in poor condition, very wiry and broke easily. sometimes he wakes with a shock and if anyone or anything is touching him he freaks out, jumps up and growls defensively until he realises where he is. He is obviously used to being woken up with a start which has given him cause to fear. BUT He has definitely been loved in the past... very well behaved and house trained used to sitting on the couch and lying on people's laps knows sit, come, shake, outside, off and probably more I haven't discovered yet used to sleeping on soft bedding used to eating from people's plates walks well on lead no aggression at all He seems to get especially excited when elderly ladies show an interest in him or come over to pat him so my current theory is that he was loved by an elderly lady or family which maybe had an elderly lady that was at home a lot and he spent most of his time with her. Perhaps he escaped, although he has shown absolutely no tendency to escape from me, Blacktown is a fair way from Concord and the owners may not have checked so far afield. Although I think it more likely that for whatever reason the elderly lady was not able to care for him anymore and relatives who did not care for him were given the responsibility and failed. Either way I am sure he spent some amount of time on the streets due to his fear of trucks and the way he flinches and wakes suddenly then instinctively growls. I also think that is why he was so underweight, he is an incredibly fussy eater and will clearly be hungry but pass up 3 different foods until he finds one he approves of. I don't think he was ever given a bone to eat either, probably just canned food as he wasn't even sure how to eat a chicken neck at first and his jaw would struggle to get through a chicken wing. So wish I knew what his story is. But I am happy to settle for seeing the happiness in his eyes everyday and making sure the sad eyes he had on in the pound never return.

yes Espinay, it is a Grand Bleus de Gascogne. sorry for the poor version, I didn't realise

not a bluetick coonhound

thanks :) here's the next one

Lhok, your turn or mine?

Fila Brasileiro

boerboel?

We have a winner! Bolonka it is, specifically Tsvetnaya Bolonka, the Russian variety.

nope but Havanese is getting close

nope

beautiful

I would love to pay baby ewok but I can't. It's a toy breed

Nope

Nope

here goes

Tornjak

My female husky pees heaps so we had her blood tested, liver and kidneys and everything was fine she is in perfect health. Sometimes she will do 3 small pees within 15 minutes but she can easily hold on for long car trips etc for many hours. She also drinks heaps. Can your boy hold it if he wants too or does he always pee at short intervals? If he can't hold it then I would definitely have him tested. Our male husky doesn't drink or pee nearly as much but he is healthy too and considering they have a very similar diet and exercise regime it seems like it is just different for different dogs. We had our girl tested just to be safe, if it was something bad and we hadn't got her tested since it would cost $50 I wouldn't be able to live with myself. You could also visit a different vet to get a second opinion.

caucasian ovcharka

NSW hills district Castle Hill NSW - The Baron whoisthebaron.com Bonus is they make the best coffee in the hills! There are only 3 tables outside but usually the turnover is quite fast and you don't have to wait long, no more than 15min I would say. Water bowl is provided. Quirky meals and drinks, lots of local produce and organic ingredients. The staff are really friendly and accommodating, sometimes the dogs get a bacon treat from the kitchen staff :) Across the road is a park so if they get restless we walk them for a bit then come back. The dogs love it as it is on the outside of Castle Towers so there are heaps of people walking past who stop and pat them. It's about a 30min walk from the Castle Hill dog park. West Pennant Hills NSW - Cafe Saligna (Cumberland State Forest) cafesaligna.com.au Haven't had lunch here but have had drinks and cakes in the arvo. Heaps of outdoor dog friendly seating, no water bowls are provided that I know of but there is a tap so we always bring our own. Since the whole forest is dog friendly we take the dogs on a few bush walking tracks then once their good and tired sit down for a cool drink. If your dog has a high prey drive beware - bush turkeys are roaming around! Also has plenty of BBQ picnic areas scattered around that are dog friendly as well. Rouse Hill NSW rhtc.com.au Most Cafes in the centre square of the Rouse Hill Town Centre are dog friendly if they have outdoor seating, which most do. I particularly like The Coffee Emporium - it has good coffee, and Harvest Cafe - good menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. All open air / non covered areas of the town centre are dog friendly. Around the centre square there are 'doggy parking stations' which have a tap and waterbowl, a place to tie your dog if you want and poo bags. The RSPCA store is also dog friendly, you can take them in to pick out a treat or two but beware there are cats in there.