Isabel964

Thanks so much everyone. I have stopped all car trips, and not letting her up on the bed. No, she has not been doing agility - just a 1.5 hour walk a day which she seems to love and finds easy to do. Crating her is a last resort - she would hate that but yes I would get one for her if it became necessary. She is just laying on her bed in the lounge room for most of he day. Aside from coming to me and asking me why there are no walks, why she isn't being taken for car rides, and why she can't pop up onto the bed for cuddles before sleep Thank you for explaining so much for me. I am happy to find a canine chiro and to get extra help. We'll see how she goes, and you have all helped me with info so very much.

Bump

My 10 year old Kelpie is limping. Started on the weekend. Took her straight of to the vet. Vet said she has what seems to be soft tissue damage in her left shoulder. This was determined by trying to feel and move the front legs this way and that. Vet provided anti inflammatory tablets and said to rest the dog - no walks for a week. But today she is still limping badly...and I just wondered if there was anything I could do to optimise her recovery. I have no ides what caused this. She jumps up onto the bed for a snuggle before going to her bed each night - its a small hope up for a girl like her, and a not a big jump down either - it should not be causing any issues. She jumps into the back of the hatchback when we go for car rides - every day. None of these have been issues for her and right now there are no car trips for her. I am not experienced with older dogs and would love any advice.

Whilst I absolutely agree with this statement, I fail to see how out of around 60 dogs (as the OP said there was) not even one was suitable? Especially if the OP is as responsible and caring as they appear on DOL. Exactly right. I'm the last person to claim I am perfect, BUT we love our dogs, we choose our cars around our dogs, they sleep with us, no expense is too much for them (we once had a cat that had kidney failure and we considered flying it to Queensland for a kidney transplant - around 10k - did not do it because of the odds for success, the trauma to cat etc). Our dogs are washed every week, they are such good girls, they go to the dog beach, they have oilskin jackets for those freezing times we go for walks in winter, we go away to dog friendly cottages, we feed them RC....surely out of 60+ dogs, one of those dogs on that day we went SHOULD have come home with us for a very happy rest of its days. That none did is a tragedy for one of those dogs. That some people that work there can get away with behaving so unfriendly and not helping find a home with us for one of the dogs in their care was disgraceful. I should have tried harder. I should have written a formal complaint. Even IF all the 60+ dogs there had issues, surely it would better to find the best fit and see how it went on a trial basis rather than no chance at all. True dog lovers make efforts with dogs, and try to make things work. And BTW, we were two office people, dressed nicely etc - we did not turn up with tatoos, body piercings, stinking of beer, slagging on the ground, and using foul language (in case you were wondering). There was NO excuse for that experience, and as another poster said, we too left feeling like we were judged as not good enough to give one of those dogs a home. I wish I had done something about it back then. But you know, we now have our pure bred Westie who is just the most darling girl, and I could not imagine my life without her. Thanks SO much for all your comments. I have made a special page on my PC of all your suggestions, friendly paces, foster places, to check out breeders in case they need to rehome a fur etc. So when the time comes, if hubby and I agree to check out rescuing again, I will use that list. We talk about rescuing, we sometimes get hung up on a red cloud kelpie or a Amstaff/amstaff cross as my hubby has a big soft spot for those (had them in the past). I also of course adore the Westies - so full of personality, little rascals, and just a perfect sized dog too! I like Australian working dogs too - incredibly loyal and intelligent, just amazing. Then again, I fell in love with the little pomeranian cross that I rescued from the middle of a busy dual carriageway where he was about to be hit by about 50 cars. So who knows. I am so glad I posted this question and hope that it encourages others to try the suggested places and not give up on rescues.

Friggin, what a dreadful situation! Not sure what your financial situation is like or what it would cost but I would get a professional in to get a video setup so you get proof of the people hanging over the fence (without them knowing it), have sound so when they bang the fence, and yell at the dogs it is caught on camera. Not sure what the retraining order is against them but I know a breach of that is a criminal offence. So if they are stupid enough to continue this shocking behaviour then I hope you get the evidence and they have a criminal record and are prosecuted. I am so glad you are moving, because its just not good on any level to be living next to awful people like that.

My dogs are not allowed in the kitchen. If they go in there, I tell them "Out of the kitchen", done.

Hey everyone. about 5 years ago after losing one our much loved dogs to cancer, after some time we decided we needed another companion for our remaining dog. Hubby and I both took time off work, took our kelpie to the Animal protection Society in Keysborough, waiting patiently, got shown through to see the large number of dogs. Sadly the lady with us was cold and hostile and every dog we seemed interested in she had a reason we were not suitable enough for the dog - that dog needs someone home all day, that dog must be in a one dog home, that dog won't like your cats, that dog is not suitable, neither is that dog - etc etc and no dog it seemed, out of the 60 there was suited to our home that was airconditioned, centrally heated, where dogs slept with us, got taken to the dog beach, were fed the best food there is and so on. It was just an awful experience and our first attempt at giving a dog a home that needed it. I think of all those dogs all the time, even though that was 5 years ago. I think of the dogs there now on this freezing cold night.... its awful. Anyway, when I am in a position of giving a needy dog a home, and being a companion to one my existing girls, where do I go, how best do I go about it? This dog would be mainly an inside dog. It would be one of two dogs, and it would live in a 3 cat household. It couldn't be a barking issue dog because our neighbours would not tolerate that. It would need to be a well adjusted dog with basic obedience (happy to do more training with the dog and get trainers in for it, but it must have a basic need to please because unfortunately we don't have time to put into a dog with major issues). I am in Melbourne. How best would I go about this? NB Just to reiterate, my girls are both very healthy and happy and I am not looking now, I am just wondering how to give a needy dog a home if one day we can, since last time we tried it, it did not go too well.

You handled it well. You behaved normally. IF there are rules, then they should be clearly stated at the gate so people who can't friggin read minds can read them. I hate uptight prissy dog owners. Sorry. But they are so uptight and rude and aggressive. A nice person trying to be a good dog owner with good intentions deserves to be treated with respect. If she should ask to go in, then that should be written on the gate or around there. If she is not supposed to use toys in there - that too should be stated on the gate. How else is she supposed to know?!? This woman's behaviour towards this normal person just going about her day made a normal person feel upset, unwelcome, confused and other negative emotions - and it was all necessary. It makes me really cross. She was treated as if she broke rules that are out there clear for everyone to see and couldn't care less about them - far from the case. As for the other lady with the toy dog on her lap swearing at people whose dogs approached - or started to approach - I'm glad you gave it to her. I tend to bite my tongue but there seem to be more and more people like this. They and their yappy nasty little aggressive dogs can stay the hell away from off leach areas. Or if they are trying to do good with their dog, to come with a better attitude. I have no time for people that are nasty to nice people just going about their business.

LMAO - yes agreed. I had a dog 5-6 years ago that got terrible (awful) itchy rashes from it. But now I have it in my yard and my two dogs walk through it every day to sniff the chickens next door and they have no problems at all. I thought I was going to have to remove it when I moved in but its been no problem with these two.

Personally I love dog parks, as they are good for our dogs to experience all different types of dogs. But I ahve been known to drive away from a dog park when its over full, or leave a dog park when there are aggressive dogs there. If there are aggressive looking/or acting dogs there I usually just turn and walk away towards the other side of the park or towards more calm dogs. I can sense now what the dogs are like - you just get this second sense and you can tell if its going to be ok or not - and 90% of the time its wonderful. Certainly while a dog is young you need to be careful and not overdo the interactions. Yo also need to watch out because alot of mature dogs don't play gently enough with a puppy and this can be over-whelming for the puppy. If dogs are getting to in your puppy's face, get your puppy and move her away from that full-on interaction. Be confident, don't moddycoddle her or she might become sooky. Once a dog is mature, you know what he or she enjoys or not, you know what they can handle and you manage it appropriately.

I'm not a pro but I think you have done great socialising your pup and socialising with people and dogs is really important. I'm sure most pups like to play with other dogs whenever they can and it is probably their first instinct. I'm sure in time she will learn she can not just rush over to play. Its important, not just for your classes but for life. when I walk my dogs, if another dog is on the other side of the road, mine just look and keep walking. Many of other people's dogs go nuts, barking at my dogs and pulling bigtime on their leash and creating drama on that side of the road trying to come over to play or whatever with my dogs. This must be a real headache for the person walking the dog. Kelpies are quick learner, I'm confident you will be fine. You'll get good advice here - but I am not a pro so all I can do is tell you what I did with my kelpie. I hired Ozdogs. A trainer came to the house, spent 1.5-2 hours with us. He showed me some really basic easy exercises and handling tips and said all I had to do was practise with my dog at least 10 minutes a day for two weeks to get the dog used to how I needed the dog to behave. Tey charged me a couple of hundred dollars - it was worth every single cent. My kelpie picked it up so well, and its made her life great - she is no trouble, she is always by my side, she stays in my control without even a leash (I always have one anyway). Good luck, chin up - it will be ok. Just persevere. PS Dog beaches are also wonderful places to socialise dogs - even in winter.

You have not dognapped her have you?

When I heard about crate training I thought it was awfully cruel. But when I planed to get a puppy, I did some research and I ended up crate training her. You must make sure you do it right. The crate should never be used as punishment. It is a safe place, a nice place. I found it fantastic for toilet training. I bought a crate with a divider so I could make the crate small enough until she grew. This is because a dog will not toilet where it sleeps. If you leave to much room, then the puppy can toilet in the corner, and not where it sleeps. So number 1 advantage is toilet training. Mind you, of course I had to get up a few times a night to take her outside to go to the toilet. It was still hard work, but it worked well and was the first puppy with no accidents ever in the house. I kept the crate next to my bed so I check on the puppy - this was my personal preference. During the day when I was not home, I attached a puppy pen around the crate - so there were toys, a toileting area and so on for her. The crate was her bed in that scenario. I also used the crate to transport her in the car. My girl only used it for a year. After that she was well trained and a fabulous dog in our family - and progressed to sleeping on the bed with us (she was/is a little Westie. Our kelpie sleeps on her own bed on the floor. I absolutely think a crate is a magical thing. Just remember, never use it as punishment and never leave them in there for too long. Just do all your research and ask questions, lots of questions. PS congrats on your exciting pick up on Sat!!! We want pics!

That's hysterical LOL I too care about birds. I don't think they are understood and the fact is Joe Citizen and his cousins and so on all think a bird in a cage is fine, just give it some seeds. But a cage traps a bird. A bird is meant to fly in the sky, not be stuck in a small cage on a perfectly round bar, given seeds and water. Its so wrong.

So very sorry for your grief, sending you lots of love and hugs.

Awe good name for a gorgeous girl.

I get alot of comments on my Westie - people tend to adore and admire them. People seem to always have positive experiences with them. I constantly get stopped by people and they me they used to have a Westie, or their neighour has a Westie, or their Son has a Westie, or they met a Westie the other day...and hear all about these other Westies LOL So I think maybe, perhaps...it is possible that my Westie is not the only sociable adorable good Westie on the planet.

Kirislin I love watching whippets run just at a dog off-leash park - its so wonderful to see them go so incredibly fast - they obviously love it so. Your photos are so beautiful & clear, if you don't mind telling, I'd love to know the camera (and lens) you use.

Sorry, not quite sure what you are referring to that could have the government discuss out how we and our dogs would be ok.

Such a beautiful tribute, I have tears. I am so sorry for your loss. I'm so glad you had that time with Sassie and I can tell she brought alot of joy and holds a special place in your hearts and in the hearts of many others. I know your pain only too well, may you remember the good times, let yourself grieve and then remember the good times and that every minute with her was worth the pain without her.

I think if you take the dog to council and say you found it wandering the street - then they have to keep it and the owner has to go get it and surely they have processes where a fine will be involved. As for the lady threatening to sue you, I have no advice (sorry). I don't understand the gall of her.

Sending best wishes for Alphie. Its such a terribly worrying time, and I hope its good news in the end. People who don't have dogs think its silly to say this, but its true that when you lose a dog, often it feel like you have lost a child. I don't think that is silly at all, it makes complete sense. Hopefully it is not Alphie's time yet.

Oh I love these photos, especially the first one, so poised. And the black cat - stunning, what a beauty. I'm thinking of getting into photography too. You are doing well!!

I love it in Paris where dogs walk around with their owners everywhere. This includes cafe's, restaurants, department stores, show stores, book stores.....everywhere. Its just fabulous. I don't know how it works, but its wonderful to see and its just the norm over there. And I never saw dog poop anywhere so the people must be good at picking up after their dogs.

I'm a dog person and not attached to a breed. I can understand why some people do get attached to a breed though. I thought the question about how do two different breeds get along strange because to me they are both dogs. To me, whether two people are black, white, one black, one white, one yellow - they are people. I think the same way about dogs. I had a staffy cross and he was so very special. My hubby keeps talking about getting another one. Whenever I see a pure staffy my heart melts because they remind me of my Zeus. I have a kelpie and she is just gorgeous, so intelligent, responsive, loyal - really special. I have a little westie, little buggars they are, but just so endearing! So I don't know what my next dog will be. Hubby will definitely want a staffy cross or a kelpie, he is very partial t red cloud keplies, we had one of those once and he was very special....a rescue. I would adore a Chihuahua. I used to think they were yappy awful little things, but I know better now and they can be well adjusted wonderful dogs. But I think I like them a bigger - the Westie is an awesome sized dog. Not too big, not too small. But really, I just love all dogs.