Two Best Dogs!

Decided to spice up this weeks (people) desensitisation and took her to a RSPCA Pets Palace. She's been once before, for vaccinations, and it was so busy she basically shut down so it was a very quick very accommodated visit. This time round went much better. She had one freeze and cower moment (a man walking in our general direction) but the rest of the time she was at least moving, if crawling, but after 10 minutes she started to relax and move into looking around/less hyper alert. I thought it was really useful that they're selling collars, leads, harnesses and limited slip collars with various warning signs! I appreciated the lady who stopped her 5yo for running over and explained to the kid why :) Overall, the trip made me feel better. I've been incredibly disheartened this week due to the shitty weather and me being the reason we failed to graduate. I hope our classes go better tomorrow, damn apathy.

She's very firmly a purple dog, but sometimes I spice it up with some red and I've seen some gorgeous pink (but that's because I like pink, not cause she's a "pink dog")

I should know better than to read these things on public transport but the bittersweet really hits the heart. I hope all your pets live a long happy life. http://www.robynarouty.com/i-died-today/ (Go to this link to view a lovely story/'poem' on dukey's last day)

That is just lovely to read with Justice, he's really bounding along to recovery. He's going to be the chill master at this rate! Go justice!

These are all such talented photos!

What lovely photos! I simply adore the lighting and location

I thought that sounded like a great trick until reminded of the smell. I don't have the stomach for long rotting meat. But for excess worms I've been moving my compost buckets around and placing over dirt I need broken down. Ie areas with excess clay. I find moving already established compost and letting the worms go nuts breaks it down into more useable dirt instead of dry hard almost cement. I've not been putting dog poop in there though. I usually just bury that in the yard.

Oh no, I hope they do actually obey the law this time and give the dog back!

I'm proud every time she stands calmly and looks at me while another dog is barking it's face off at her, I'm proud every time she creeps over to a stranger for food and even prouder if she goes over for a pat. I am incredibly proud of the day she sat and growled, but didn't react, to an overly bouncy lab all up in her face and I was proud beyond all measure the day she politely greeted a dog. Every time she has the option to try to bolt and instead looks to me for guidance, I am very proud. She's a good dog.

I've been driving her down to the park instead of walking, worried about those feet on cement and also by the time we get to the park (and shade) we are too hot and cranky to enjoy it! Dog classes were not cancelled sunday morning, although because it was 27 degrees everything was moved to the shade and I brought our own water bowl along. Later that afternoon she wasn't keen on a walk so we kept it short in the shade with mind games around 6pm. So I think our stopping point would be about 28-30.

I'm loving this new public holiday thing, carefully timed our outing for when everyone is either enjoying the AFL or at the beach (also it is like 30 degrees). Went down to the waterbird sanctuary because I rarely see other dogs there. Too many wallabies, rabbits, birds, snakes and cyclists. She chased butterflies and food. Practiced recall with some maccas hamburgers ;P and some commands-from-a-distance I like this park because there are no recreation facilities like seats or bbq's so most people are generally in transit and not hanging around. There's ovals about 1km north that most dogs tend to be at and dogs are usually on lead so you do not lose them to the rabbits.

Good idea! I think it's also to practice her moving back end but not front end? She's not very good at it yet XD But itty bitty shaky steps. At least it is getting her closer to my body, normally it's a nice heel but she's further away than should be (not as ?tight? as I'd like?) Woops sorry to hijack aussie! I hope your heels go better than ours XD

I forgot to come back, I am finding this video a useful reminder as it's basically what my trainer has told me to do. Granted, we're not aiming for any competitions but such a close heel has practical uses! We are only up to going around in circles on a platform...

It's the little things tonight! Was practicing our heel and doing some look at me's at the best friends while puppy classes are on. She's never sure if she's scared (oh no a "big scary" biker dude) or curious (and his tiny 3 month old boston terrier) so we generally get pretty chill. But I think the moment was when a lady told her dog "why can't you be like that one!" after I noticed them smiling at us and had said "never too old to start school!". Oh lady you have no idea But I'm amused. Nah she was pretty good and chill.

I...might need a ruthless set...for...no reason... The one with the heart please! ;) Also wherever this person got their dog harnesses because oh man I'd love it in purple....everything purple and brass for this one ;) or red

Aww the dalmations I've met have been absolute sweethearts, I am leaning to one myself in a year or two - I forsee a long waiting list to purchase an adult. I should get pictures one day, as one of our "calming influence dog" is a dalmation! Huga, what a handsome model with sucha stylish bandana. I hope he has more? Snook, you should know how much I love Justice's fashion! Yes, I think it is very important every dog has a outfit for every day of the week minimum! XD

Oooh we started learning a concentrated heel (fus?) this week. I'll come back after lunch with the links I've been reading up on it!

I don't think it's a stupid rule. I think it's stupid that PSOs pick and choose which dogs they enforce it on. The fact that anyone can bring their potentially aggressive dog on a train which in itself can freak dogs out on top of the fact they are in a confined space with a lot of people (some of which can be very hostile) means requiring dogs to be muzzled or crated is probably a pretty good idea. It's just a prevention method that really isnt a big deal for dog and owner to uphold. All we need is someone's unmuzzled dog to bite someone on a train and then no dogs will be allowed on. Small dogs can already go on Vline, buses and trams if crated, the train is the only option for people like me with a large dog and no license/car. I'm sure OP will probably have no issues catching the train unmuzzled, nor will their dog pose a threat to other passengers but it's a rule. I don't see the point in keeping my dog on lead in empty on lead parks since she has good recall and I pick up after her, but it's a rule so I follow it on matter of principle... +2, I think it's a very real risk that people seem to forget. It only takes one person breaking the rule to make it go from "dogs with restrictions" to "no dogs at all". We've been lucky so far with our dogs on public transport (not causing trouble), but even one stressed out little small dog could give a nasty bite to someone :/ and then none at all. This way, your bases are covered. Although I did not think vlines let them go on at all, even with a carrier? did that get changed?

Aww Blink that salvos one is positively awesome! And ohhhhhh Lisa it's gorgeous. Is it bad I want one now too? Different sets for every day of the week?! XD

No personal experience but I've seen plenty of small dogs without muzzles being walked on and off trains, including past PSOs (only pulled aside so the PSO could let the lady know her dog was cute). But I have also seen a small muzzled pup be escorted off because "not allowed on" so I guess better safe than sorry and stranded? To clarify - it was the train driver who kicked the dog off, not a PSO. and the train driver was in the wrong but I guess they didn't want trouble.

The last of my new collars/id tags of practicality AND prettiness are on the way and I'm bouncing around in anticipation. Can I please see pics of people's dogs being pretty or handsome in their daily or special get ups? Would love to admire enviously!

Talie yeah we ended up trying on different muzzles before settling on the largest baskerville (sp?) because her muzzle is actually quite wide/blocky. I didn't like any of the fabric ones be cause I want her to be able to drink and eat treats and not get too hot. But I feel better just owning it with the knowledge that if an army of off lead yappers are between us and our escape route I can pop a muzzle on and steam walk around them. Would help your OH too if he over thinks like I do? Oh no hank hope your back is alright. They are lucky they're so cute ;)

Thirding. I think most people who have a dog newly reactive or just gained a reactive dog are probably going to go straight to the general forum rather than down in the obedience/training section. It would be useful to have a thread with those methods of advice and what to look out for then a list of state-specific trainers.

Aww thanks Snook :D You raise my hopes She was so scared during it she pooped and peed i am having an odd night if i keep thinking about it...better go practice our concentrated heels instead. Redirect my thoughts ;) re: muzzle: so mostly I want to prevent her reacting and escalating another dog into something similar by nipping at those fast incoming dogs. Thank god with the slower ones she just watches worriedly and might give a sniff at while I do our "good sniff lets go NOW" recall XD <- no actual name, good sniff is just what I say when we practice our 1-2 second dog greetings at classes then turn around and walk away. Although this class doesn't do that much, I think that's only the basic class. Which I'm kind of sad we're missing out on BUT if we finally pass the next class will have her sitting in nose-to-head drops with other dogs so a different kind of socialising. (although I just got home and I said the "BAD DOG" word and she pees everywhere because I caught her at mid pillow killing. There's pillow-innards everywhere. I think she pulled down the cardboard I had taped up to stop her looking out the window and I think she must have gotten over excited and redirected. I'm now down two kitchen chair pillows. She's lucky I think she's cute AND I actually hate this table setting.) *idly looks around at other indoor toys that are not food based, thinking more $2 salvo plushies*

Haha! I would totally bail people on my dog's birthday and adoption day. And bail quite regularly on most things that happen to conflict with "dog socialising night" and sundays are just completely off unless it is something important like a wedding or baby shower. Sorry guys, but you know I won't do things on those days! (amazingly pretty much everyone has been A-ok with it, if in humour at worst)