Two Best Dogs!

Somewhere in the middle, not something to grainy but not so fine as to be essentially useless. Thinking when I go into Bunnings I'll run my own nails up and down a couple and pick the "best"

That's a useful trick to have!

A suitably awesome birthday :) Are they siblings? Good on them for a nice age and more to come I hope!

I didn't realise it was so fast either I thought it'd be something we'd have to do a couple of times every other night (which isn't any longer than the one toe a night I was doing prior to quick-cutting) A pleasant surprise! I find our backpaws don't need to be done as much either. Still a handy skill to teach her I think though, as she will get old eventually and not exercise as much...

I guess that too, but I will jump on all excuses to take a day off work to party with the dog ;) Terri, shout outs needed!

Inspired by Didi's birthday ;) Am wondering if people prefer to celebrate one over the other? According to her old NSW chip her bday is 1 Jan 2014. Her new microchip rego, as her bday records were initially lost between transfers, says 14 feb 2014 (aka I chose 1 year away from date I got her). I think they are close enough that I might celebrate the gotcha day as it feels more important to us. Or maybe both ;p But would love to hear what everyone else does!

...darn! started teaching that a week or so ago, just finished practicing too. If it wasn't risky for the quick, i'd be half tempted to just line the hallway with sandpaper (designated running zone) ;)

I forgot I made this thread Sorry for ignoring all day - persephone: Mostly? Because I'm lazy XD - sheena: Have been playing the tootsie game, we're getting better with letting me touch them and fiddle with. The problem is, when it is just me she turns into a little wiggly bouncy mess that won't stay still XD and I accidentally quicked one of those damn black nails so right now I am getting a vet to do it for us, it's $20 on its own for all 4 feet - thanks denali, it is a concern - raineth: oh how cool! look at them go like a champ! Yeah I read some warnings about not leaving it out or the dogs can play and quick themselves? and thanks for that video. we don't have a dig command yet but i find when starting a new trick, she uses her feet a lot in digging motions so am hoping it'd be easy!

I...can't imagine what the person was thinking taking it IN to the park? Outside on the other side of the fence to work on training and desensitisation etc sure, but IN the park?! Side note, I wish more parks would have a divided small dog and big dog area. I get so worried watching people's little dogs run around, especially in the busier parks where it can go from running around to everyone fighting and little ones could get trod on or squashed Myself, I have not been going to any onlead areas (or even most streets) because no matter what time of day someone is breaking the law with their offlead dog and ruining it for the rest of us

With snakes and lizards (and rabbits) I've been going to the local store that has a couple of each and been clicker-training the dog to come over to me when she smells/finds. There's been a few snake bites too close to my walking areas for comfort. While I don't think it would work if the snake/lizard/rabbit is already running (especially if I'm not there to call it off), I am hoping in theory if she stumbles across a snake/reptile "chilling" while on a walk she will turn around and come to me for her treat. Doubt it'd work if I'm not there tho. a JRT without you around sounds a mite bit more difficult

I am wondering if anyone has experience on this or tried this? While we seem good for summer, in winter those nails were getting a bit long. I think I could teach her the "scratching" part for front and back easily, but I'm concerned about her pads. It seems some people used sandpaper? Does that harm her feet? I'm hoping not as no-one seems to mention it. Or alternatives to sandpaper? In the meantime, I'll keep getting the lovely vet to help get her accustomed to clipping. Cheers Edit: Results! Verdict: Works!

So... Maybe if I rig up an elaborate pulley system to tug her bed without leaving my bed will decrease the number of slurping parties? ;) Poor pup getting a tummy rash Perhaps one of these could reach towards her and give her a poke :laugh: It would certainly work! She is oddly scared of plastic dinosaurs no matter the size! XD

So... Maybe if I rig up an elaborate pulley system to tug her bed without leaving my bed will decrease the number of slurping parties? ;) Poor pup getting a tummy rash

Yes exactly, it's the kind of sound to make my spine crawl! She sleeps in her own bed at the base of mine and I'm too tired to interrupt her, my mumbled demands go ignored XD I'm going to bed now, no doubt to the chorus of very clean bits

I might have snorted out loud!

Please share, maybe I can drown out the licking by singing your songs as I descend into insanity ;)

I am wondering if anyone suffers like me ;) The dog's butt licking routine is, I swear, right as I am about to doze off into the deep sleep for the night Then she starts going to town and it's all I can hear it is so loud! I have to put a pillow over my head or no sleep for me! On the rare occasion she has the decency to do it in a separate room, I can hear her clear across the house! :laugh: Cleanest bits for miles, so loud. I think I read on here somewhere, someone had the smarts to train their dog to remove itself to a different room to lick the bits and I'm beginning to think I might need to do this for my sanity. Please tell me I'm not alone in finding it an unappealing noise. I'm sure your bits are clean, please stop!

Absolutely gorgeous photos of your dogs in such gorgeous locations!

I've got a ruffwear backpack on the way to me for serious camping (we are up to 5kg, she can do 8kg safely), but for a small/medium dog who's only carrying a couple of things I think something like the Kurgo backpack (about $40, can be found in most pet stores) could suit. I've got one for short trips when not carrying much and find it very adjustable. As above, slowly increase weight. Don't go straight to wearing a backpack at full weight or your dogs balance will be all off and risk of injury higher. They also need to get used to their new width ;) But backpacks are a blast, I find mine really likes "the job" and it makes me feel better not having to carry ALL the water.

I thought this was really sad and sweet, but I'm also glad to see "bucket lists for your pets" are becoming a more mainstream thing. http://mobile.news.com.au/lifestyle/home/bucket-lists-for-dying-pets-help-owners-grieve/story-fngwib2y-1227565825092 The last pet I lost was rather sudden and unexpected. While old, she was pretty healthy but didn't make it through the 40degree weeks while with the pet sitters. I've been forever sad I couldn't be there when she was PTS or make her last days filled with spoiled treats. I don't want any of the current lot to be alone and unloved like she was

I like kids but have no interest in having them. That may change later (I'm the potential custody owner for 3 kids if disaster strikes) but doubt it. Fingers crossed. I don't see it as an either/or situation and I definitely do not see the dog as a replacement child. My choice on dogs and children are seperate from each other. I might foster(children) later down the track though. Undecided, will see when the time is right.

Things are brighter, if only because it is rainy and I had those beautiful brown eyes looking at me. Oh the trouble she is, wouldn't go toilet because the grass is wet lol. Terri I will send you a message around lunch. Thistle does seem to be less reactive around big black girls ;) well, 2 Russian guard types and a lab x.

Thanks guys :) I'm about to go cuddle with that 4 legged life changer then go sleep, so many thanks for support and encouragement Edit. Didn't see your post Terri! I think I might have been under the wrong assumption that Didi was also a worried pup. I will get back to you.

Thanks very much for your kind words I am being very unfair to compare Thistle to Justice (and every other dog I see, bad me) I certainly do not want you to stop posting about Justice! I love hearing how he is going, both for you and him and it gives me hope! Please do not stop just because I'm some kind of mopey/uncertain/discouraged/envious mood. I love his updates and look forward to them, it's incredibly reassuring to know I'm not alone and very inspiring to see you both move forward. I love them! They put a smile on my face, not a kick and I can steal rehab ideas and get advice ;) Please don't stop. and thanks SG. Second time we haven't advanced but one of the fellas who advanced last week told me it's much like the current class but everything is "longer". Classes will be changing again as the regular trainer is going in for surgery so I'm not sure who our replacement will be :/ I'm probably a bit stressed to go with the disheartening, work is busy but I've got next week off because my mother + kid sister are coming to stay over. Hoping Thistle will be alright (taking the week off so she's not left alone with them but there's 3 days in there just for me and Thistle). I will try to kick this mopeyness away, I don't want it to affect Thistle or the posts here. Please don't stop posting Snook I didn't mean to make you feel like that.

Awww well done Justice! Going through in leaps and bounds! Nose touches :D how long do you let them go for? I'm a little envious Our class went alright, she was pretty well behaved although at the start there were 2 new dogs in class. One where *I* quickly decided I don't like the owner because she did NOT give us a space - she cut right across within 1m of me and let her dog run right up into Thistle's face.(Thistle remained in a worried sit with anxious side glances and I gave her praise while asking "more space PLEASE" - later dismayed to discover this person is in our class Bigger incentive to advance). I swear, are they trying to set my dog off or show off that their dog isn't reactive? *fuming* That makes 3 people who attend classes who just lackadaisicaly disregard our space and forever criss-cross right up to us with their dogs. Other new dog was a JRT, so Thistle was all intent (still don't know what type of intent but don't intend to find out). One Leave It while LLW and she was good to ignore the very sweet JRT. She did AMAZING on the heel :D She did a stellar job of ignoring a big bouncy doberman right next to her, he was excited and all over the place but she'd seen him before like this so I reckon she knows he's not going for her and is just...a very big teenager. Have not had an opportunity to practice actual dog socialising/greetings. Seems these classes don't really do that and most dogs we run across are in daily life are all bouncy all over the place types. But just being around them is good I think but I am sad I've not seen that lovely CKCS again. I've been trying to catch the owner to organise a walk or something but don't remember which of 1 of 2 employees it was