haven

When people say their dog is calmer, from my experience it means that their dog has as much (if not more) energy and ability to perform, but that hyper 'ive had too much sugar and can't contain myself' energy is gone.

If you need to do this, you ain't the boss :D Skuzy, leadership is a subtle art, it is about implimenting strategies and techniques in order to avoid a confrontational situation, a situation where you have to exert physical 'dominance' is a sign that you have already lost.

I wish!!!! Na, if you look at the date I started this thread quite awhile ago, back when I had Wes (Nova's baby)

If someone gave me free canned food I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole! It's not just about the quality of the ingredients (which is to say, lack thereof), but the additives, preservatives etc. I agree with the other in that you should do what is best for you and your dog, but I definately recommend that you research thoroughly before you make a decision.

I have heard of it being used for horses but didn't realise it was for dogs as well. It would be worth a try, as all of the ingredients are things recommended for use in moderating anxiety. Certainly you could alter your dogs diet to include natural sources of the additives used but some are more difficult than others and there are contrindications to consider. For example, you can supplement with Tryptophan or 5HTP, but the body needs Vitamin B6 for the conversion to serotonin. Magnesium is rendered inert by flouride, so you should consider an alternative water source to that which comes out of the tap! The stuff I use for Loki (and I've taken it myself!) is 5-HTP, which I get online from QLD. I also try to feed tryptophan rich foods, such as tuna and turkey. I'd love to switch him over to turkey as his main food instead of chicken, but I just can't find it readily available and for a decent price. I've also used Nervatona with good results, as well as a few other preparations. Believe me, you can actually make quite a big difference in severe anxiety problems with manipulation of the nutrients your dog receives!

Yes, absolutely. I changed my GSD over the BARF as recommended by Dr Robert Holmes because he suffered acute anxiety. When I swicthed to BARF and again later when I started supplemeting him with certain things I noticed a HUGE changed in his temperament. He was less stressed, showed more confidence in situations which would usually be scary for him etc.

If I'm reading what you've posted correctly, your puppy had just woken up, you proceeded to play with her and you're supprised that she went to the toilet on your bed? It sounds like you're not taking her to the toilet at the appropriate times, it could also be excitement or submissive urination. Whatever it is, don't have her on the bed and she won't be able to wee on it. EFG

Hypothyroidism is the most common endocrinde disease in dogs and can be present with few or even no symptoms. The only reason I found out my Rotti had it was because she was recovering so slowly from surgery the Vet did some extra tests to find out why. She showed no other symptoms at the time or to this day.

I'd ask your Vet for some Dimethyl Pthalate (sp) and mix some with water in a spray bottle. How much water vs concentrate you will need depends on the dogs, I'd just keep adding the concentrate until you get the ratio you need. You don't have to dilute it, but it can be expensive and in a spray bottle you will be going through a fair amount, so I'd recommend it just to save money.

Given that it's around the neck area and not somewhere they would normally lick themselves, maybe you could give each of them a squirt of something distasteful to discourage them from chewing on eachother :p

Sounds like your dog could be copper deficient. I'd try a supplementation program with things like copper, magnesium, apple cider vinegar, B vitamins, vitamin C and E etc. and see how that affects things. Coconut is good for skin and coat problems and licqourice apparently has a good detoxing effect. Is he eating anything that he shouldn't be? My dog also has atopy, although I'd have thought your Vet would have told you if an allergy was suspected. You could try washing the affected areas with a medicated shampoo, such as malaseb, to see if that helps.

If anyone knows of anyone who actully does this in Melbourne I'd really appreciate the info

OOh err Tonymc and erny

I don't think leopuppy's dog will like being put in the freezer No i was talking about AOs pants going in the freezer! If it were on the dog you could use an ice cube or pack, but it probably wouldn't work for the glue.

You know, with chewy you can just stick your clothes in a plastic bag and pop the in the freezer overnight, the chewy just picks off

Prepsol, if you can get your hands on some. I don't keep any since I gave up spray painting but you may be able to get some at Bunnings, a paint or automotive supply store etc. Don't know what effect it will have on her coat though, but I used to get it on my hands all the times and it doesn't burn. ETA what kind of glue is it? How much?

Yes I've known a few people who have done it (in VIC) with good feedback and according to those who actually work as canine physios and or massuers, it's the only one worth doing.

Is it true travel sickness and not caused by anxiety? You could try Vitamin B6, ginger, peppermint, nux vomica, travelcalm, rescue remedy and I think there's a human medication that people have used on their dogs with success but I can't remember what it is at the moment.

Yes that is often the case. When I had a puppy he naturally had one or two accidents and of course he would go, then Loki would have to mark it, then Nova would have to mark Loki's mark :p

Sorry - I'm a bit confused (late in teh week and I'm tired). If I remove the rug, the problems will stop *because* the rug is not there. Or is there a method I can use to teach them not to wee on it while it is not there? It's just to assist in breaking the habit, sort of out of sight, out of mind. In the initial stages of forming a habit, say pulling washing off the line, if you remove the stimulus for awhile (i.e. don't put washing on the line) it can sometimes help you to reduce the behaviour to some degree, making it a little easier for you to apply other methods when you reintroduce it.

My two aren't keen on trotters but the other week I found some ham on the bone offcuts at the supermarket which they just loved. No ill effects.

Personally I think this is your problem, the carpet didn't smell like them. I think this is more of a scent marking issue rather than a toilet training issue and while closely related aren't always the same thing. You've a fine line to walk though, you want the rug to smell like them but you don't want them to think it is acceptable to toilet there. I'd remove the rug until you have the toileting under control. Then I would replace it after you have cleaned it to get rid of the urine scent, but before doing so I would put some of the dogs blankets etc with the rug to transfer the dogs scent onto the rug. Then, once you put the rug down, I would keep your dogs bed, food and water bowls on the rug (if you can) until they get used to it.

CTD, Four Paws is opening a new training centre in Diggers Rest which will have regular duck and sheep herding workshops

That's an excellent point, they are likely to learn from eachothers behaviour if you socialise them together, which could easily lead to escalation and would definately be counter-productive.

I have a dog that is great for socialising dogs with issues (or without) but I can't make KCC park. If you were able to meet in another area in the eastern suburbs I'd be happy to come along.