Scrappi&Monty

I was considering doing it last year but Scrappi is getting too old for it with his little corgi legs. But I'm sure if you go check out the website it will say somewhere, otherwise you'll have to call them I suppose. Though if they are sending tickets and you gave them your address, you should get them unless there's been a mix up.

If he likes his kibble, he will think "oh this is cool, outside has fun tasty treats" and he will focus on that while he is eating (if he likes it enough) rather than "oh I'm so lonely and the humans are inside" Also he will associate that outside has fun tasty things so it's a bit better than before. It sounds like he either finds the backyard boring, has been accidentally been rewarded for scratching the door, or he has separation anxiety. So he seems like he is either bored or scared and sad to be alone. My dog had separation anxiety, and we did something similar to this, make the yard a fun and comfortable place to be by making it rewarding to be out there. So maybe try sprinkling his breakfast or dinner on the lawn, and mix in a few higher value treats if you want (tiny bits of hotdog or jerky treats for dogs, cheese etc) and have a quick check out the window to see if he's finished, and let him in as soon as he finishes at first. And then sometimes make him wait a little minute without scratching, then increase the time little by little. The treats in the yard are just sort of a distraction while he is outside, so he is outside for a while longer, but isn't thinking about being outside and isn't sitting at the door scratching. Similarly you could just give him a pig's ear or a bully stick or something and do the same process. (but I'm obviously not an expert so it may not work for you, but it worked for us , except we were using it for leaving him alone when we left the house) or perhaps you could tie a little bell on a ribbon to the door handle and train him to ring that when he wants to come in rather than scratching, it would save your door! Although then you would have a dog constantly ringing a bell and once he learned the bell doesn't immediately let him in, he'd start to scratch again... so maybe not a good idea.

Seems like he doesn't like outside, as mentioned above he needs to he taught that outside is fun! Maybe sprinkle some kibble on the lawn, or get some fun new toys, etc so that he thinks outside is super fun! And that you won't let him in if he is scratching.

Hahaha look at all the fluff!! It's like it's snowing!

Yeah if they did that here I'd totally be up for it. At one stage I thought briefly about how cool it would be to be a Police dog handler... but I'm too much of a softy, definitely not a policey type but it would be pretty cool.

If Turkey and Chicken necks were good previously, then duck necks should be fine too. I wish mine could eat necks, even though he chews them well, Scrappi always vomits bile a few hours after eating any type of necks. Did it with chicken necks as a pup, and did it when we tried turkey necks last year. So I just avoid them now, must have a weird fat content or something. It seemed as though it was like "hunger vomits" but he got a good amount of food. He is fine with chicken drumsticks, wings, frames etc though so I'm not sure what the problem is.

Although they aren't brilliant sheddingwise, if she is looking for a dog that is a big cuddle bug that ADORES their humans and is irresistible to cuddle; staffies! Or American Staffies! I have my cuddle bug Monty fast asleep on my lap in front of the bonfire right now, he just loves us so much and vice versa If you can find a rescue staffy who's passed a temperament test to be suitable as an assistance dog they'll love you forever! Though most dogs are loving of course, regardless of breed they're all dogs! The most loving souls on earth hehe.

As RP said, as long as she has meat over her bones she should be ok. She's a Maltese x poodle right? So she might just be a little girl. Make sure you are giving her food which has good ingredients in (if you don't know what those are, have a look on petfoodreviews.com.au or something similar ) Cheese is a good high value treat but only for special occasions. For food, has she tried things like BARF mince meat? (Big Dog brand, or there are other brands that I can't remember) She might like that. That's my dogs' favourite dinner

That's a very clever idea, I hadn't heard of that but it seems like it would be a handy resource for the police, kind of like extra pairs of eyes on the street to keep a watch on things.

Holy crap, that's a bit scary!

That would definitely be an amazing thing for your daughter to make her life a lot happier and easier with a furry friend to rely on. I would love to help but I don't know much about which breeds would be most suitable for assistance dogs sorry. As RP (I think) mentioned, is anyone allergic to dogs? (Or has breathing issues regarding dog hair or something?) If not, a lot of breeds would be suitable. Would she have an Emotional Support Animal (doesn't have public access rights like say guide dogs) or a full Assistance dog that can go anywhere? For an emotional support dog, most breeds would suit. Maybe consider reaching out to a few rescue organisations, they could perhaps suggest certain dogs that are in their care and need to be adopted which would be suitable, even for an assistance dog that would be a good idea too. If she needs an assistance dog to go out to the shops and to doctors appointments etc, the best breeds/types of dogs would depend on which tasks she needs the dog to do. Sorry I'm not too knowledgeable on borderline personality disorder so I don't know which symptoms or problems she would need help with in particular, but: Does she need a larger dog to help ground her and/or "protect"/block her if she has say a panic attack? Would she need the dog to help support her physically sometimes? (Like if she feels overwhelmed and needs to leave somewhere fast? I know some people with different mental health assistance dogs, their dog can support some of their weight while they briskly exit if they don't feel good and need to leave a shop or something.) Or would she prefer a small dog? So consider what kinds of tasks she would need it to do, and then find a breed that would be more physically able to do those jobs. Best of luck!!

I know, if he was supposed to be minding the tools he wasn't doing a very good job! I'm not sure if this pup was supposed to be a guard dog, or just a mate to hang about with. He wasn't very good at sticking around regardless!

Haha brilliant. Some people...

I know, it's his fault his dog came up to us, and I know I shouldn't apologise, but I'm that kind of person... it's kind of bad haha. Also I wanted to explain to him why I did what I did in reaction so he knew that I wasn't overreacting and that he shouldn't let his dog run up to people, especially people with dogs. He did call it as soon as it started to come to us, but he may as well not bothered. To be honest, before he even considers having an offleash dog while he isn't paying attention, he should do some training so it has a bulletproof recall and knows to stay where it's told.

Yes we do "let's go" too. Very handy.

Made me yawn! Hahaha

Yes, that needs to be sorted out. (Sorry I'm no help with that..) I recently stayed at my cousins with their 6mth old lab puppy who was TOTALLY over threshold with excitement because I was there and was being so naughty trying to jump up, bite hands, chew on my jacket toggle etc. I thought "right, this dog needs some excercise to tire him out and tire his brain out", took him out for fetch (which he will be great at once taught) and he would run back, and jump up and nip me on the bum. If it's that sort of cheeky hyper thing I'd say; more training, more mind occupying games, more excercise (fetch or walks) to have a tired happy puppy. I forgot how much hard work puppies were. I think my next dog will be an oldie haha.

PK haha that's quite strange about that Ridgey, maybe it was the adaptil, although probably just an overly friendly pup. I think he learnt his lesson! Haha Karen; to be honest I can't even remember what I yelled Not even vaguely. Actually can't remember if I did yell anything... I heard someone on DOL who said "mine isn't" in response to "it's ok my dog is friendly" and I just kind of blurted it out. I think first he thought I was scared of his dog. I think I quickly considered stepping in between them, but I thought Monty might start snarling/trying to get the other dog through my legs or something then I would be in the middle. I know with dog fights you sometimes have to let them sort it out and NOT get in the middle of it. The knees on the waist thing is a good idea (depends how long the dog is though haha), I haven't heard of that. I know to grab their collar. Or if they are relatively small dogs I've head grab their hind legs (2 people, one for each dog), pull them apart and swing them so they can't bite you. That would be quite the manoeuvre though and probably completely impractical in most situations.

Good to hear. Thanks RP He's a bit weird, Mr Monty. He actually really loves other dogs that he knows (I.e. He is obsessed with Scrappi haha) but he can be aggressive/afraid of new dogs on walks sometimes. Dogs walking past our back lane (sort of a wire mesh rural fence) are fine, no bad reaction. At PetQuaters the other day he was the worst he's been for months. When we walked in we walked past a little fluffy dog who was yapping aimlessly with no problems at all. There was a wolfhound getting a bath when we went to use the other bath, and Monty decided to do the horrible bark/"scream"/"yell"/howl thing. And he's so strong that he was wiggling while I was trying to get him in the bath to shut him up and he sounded like a dying cat! It was pretty embarrassing but what more can you do? (Once he was in the bath he was calm and fine) He'd been fine going there every fortnight or so for months and I liked taking him there because it was easier in terms of clean up and he got a quick little socialisation to practice manners. But he wasn't putting up with this particular dog apparently.

(Monty my rescue staffy mix is reactive to new dogs on walks, we've been working on it for about a year) Yesterday when we went for a nice long walk he was very good and walked loose leash and calmly walked past the yards with dogs. All was good until we got back onto our street. I let him go say hi to our neighbour who was out the front. There were some tradies parked across the road from her house and I didn't notice so I kept on walking, then next thing I know I hear yelling and there is a smallish about (30-40kg maybe) young Great Dane mix chasing after us (to come say hi.) The owner yells out for him but the dog just ignored it. I was freaking out a little and the owner yelled out "its fine he's friendly" to which I replied "Mines not!!" (And now looking back on that the look on his face was priceless hahaha) I instinctively (but probably stupidly) ran away and tried to pull Monty away onto my friend's verandah. Because I thought "here we go, this dog is too close for comfort and Monty is going to go off and there will be a dog fight on the end of the leash" Anyway Monty got sort of sandwiched between the front porch and the other dog, but he DIDN'T freak out, he was obviously a bit worried (probably also because I was) but he didn't react badly, I think he may have even sniffed the other dog. I was so relieved, I was going to go and apologise/explain to the man but as soon as I got Monty into our yard (after some pats and praise for being so good) he had already put his dog in the ute and left to go take him home I assume. Just thought I'd vent to some people that can understand haha. and also ask for some advice on what I should've done in that situation. Because if his dog was aggressive or if his dog retaliated if Monty had of been aggressive, running away is probably the last thing you should do...

This is Wally who is the closest we've seen to look like Scrappi!

Yes haha he's a funny little fella We don't know for sure which pups were his siblings or what his parents looked like. We saw a dog on petrescue last year who looked a lot like him which was so weird to see! Haha

Haha he is a unique looking fella! My dogs are both rescue mutts, and I have only once seen a dog that looked very similar to Scrappi. The rescue said he was corgi x Maltese, but we very quickly realised we didn't think he had Maltese, and that he definitely has terrier in him (probably jack Russell) This is him as a pup and then him now.

Yes that's what I thought too. They can't just have bones, needs meat & organs too, or else it'd be imbalanced and clog them up...?!