Erny

No. I'll have it on during the day on really hot ones. But not at night. But I live in Victoria. The 'laws' down here might be suffocating, but the night temperatures are usually ok. Even when they are above average, I have a window open, but no air-con. Also, my dog is a short and fine hair breed, so that could make a difference.

I know you don't feel this way on purpose, but this won't be helping her. A behaviourist/trainer helps not only the dog, but the owner as well. I often find that people's perspectives change once they've had things explained as to how the dog views the world and your actions. With that change in perspective often comes a natural increase in tolerance and a reduction in tension. Dog picks up on that and combined with WHAT the owner is now doing (strategy wise) and the fact that the owner can apply strategies with more confidence (dog senses that too), things become easier and have the increased potential for improvement. You might be surprised at how much your body language, although demonstrated with the right intent at heart, can actually be sending the opposite message to your dog. A behaviourist/trainer would help you with that too.

All Breeds Boarding Kennels & Cattery Also linked through my website (signature link). I know the kennels and the kennel owners well because I run Boarding & Training through their kennels and also train at their grounds. Always VERY clean and the dogs are exercised 4 times daily (supervised). Non-stress environment and handling. Indoor air-conditioned/heated. Owners very caring about all the dogs and cats that come under their care. ETA: "All Breeds" are at 325 Westernport Highway, Lyndhurst. 3klms north of KCC Park.

I'd go for a full medical check up first, including thyroid testing (but through Jean Dodds USA - don't waste money with our Aussie testing), ears and eyes. Then I'd suggest you consult with a behaviourist/trainer. He/she really needs to see this dog, given how acute the dog's fears are. In the absence of a medical basis for the fears, sounds like a lot of desensitisation is required. Leadership (yours to the dog) also needs to be assured and if it is not as 'in place' as it might be, then adjustments designed to improve this. ETA: KG - thanks for the recognition, but honestly, advising over the internet for behaviours as extreme as what's being described isn't necessarily going to result in smiles all round. I have no 'feel' for this dog because I haven't met him. I want to be able to advise on a desensitisation program, but where would I begin when I don't know the dog and whether my first suggestion should actually be "step 10" down the list. If I moved to far too fast, I chance making things worse. Isn't Aidan in Tassie? Yoo hoo ..... Aidan !!!!

It doesn't sound good, Wilderblu . Bless the dog for it did not know . Horrible, horrible poison.

So, no clinical signs? Just suspicions? I hope so. Even if it was "just suspicions", then the dog has a better chance of recovery due to receiving veterinary attention quickly. The Veterinarian

Just surfing the net on it, if the dog received treatment quickly I believe the prognosis can be full recovery. But it is an awful poison and it acts fast. Some recoveries have come with lasting side affects. Obviously there is the high risk that the poison can be fatal. From reading, I understand that part of the treatment regime is anaesthetising the dog for quite some hours, even up to 24. I think this is to try to prevent seizuring and frenzied behaviour, and so that the dog can be kept on an IV drip. The dog is moved from one side to the other every 5 or 6 hours to prevent congestion and pressure sores. Eyes need to be kept moist with drops to prevent the cornea from drying. The chance of recovery rests with how soon the dog was taken to the Vet for treatment. If there were no clinical signs, vomiting is induced and the dog is monitored for the next 24 hours. There is no antidote for 1080 poisoning according to my brief research and scant knowledge of it. Wishing good thoughts for your friend's dog and hoping to hear of a good and swift recovery.

I doubt that would help that much if at all, SnT, although not intending to pour water on what might be an otherwise helpful suggestion. Thing is, it wouldn't be as though the ants are seeking the OP's dog out. It is more that her dog is standing on them. If I were an ant, I'd probably bite if I was stood on too. I could hardly be 'repelled' if the actual object stood on me.

Thanks Mr R & NR. That makes me feel better for not bothering. If you are anywhere where you see the bowls I speak of (it's handy that you've seen mine and know what I am after), please let me know . No, I wouldn't have wanted one any smaller than what I already have. Cheers! Erny

The flies at my place seem to die at the window sills anyway .... maybe that's from bashing their heads on the windows so much . Point is, that's what they do, yet I don't use sprays.

KK - I don't get your point, either. Your more recent posts seems to suggest an air of "it's only a PhD presentation, so don't worry about it - no big deal, and why are people raising issues about content?" What's the point of a presentation if discussion (whether that be a matter of poking holes in content, or supporting what was presented) can't or shouldn't be undertaken afterwards? If it was just an 'exercise' to get an audience for the purpose of PhD presentation experience (ie talking in front of) then they could have arranged for other Uni Students to sit as audience, rather than drawing people away from their usual work and even from interstate. What is it that you don't like about the matters people are raising? I think there's been some excellent points raised and many have been non-biased and sensible, acknowledging and recognising the points of others, but countering that with some backed-up explanation. Is everything in your own posts exact to what was actually said in the seminar, or has there been room for your own interpretation and assumption of what they meant had some influence? Actually, I think the points in the discussion of this thread would be very valuable and useful for any of the PhD students to read and follow and I would be very surprised if they haven't gained some excellent use from numerous of the thoughts that have been expressed throughout.

Aussie Dog, or Aussie Pet (I haven't heard of Aussie Pet). That would be a shame if it is Aussie Dog (mind you, a shame for anyone's business to fail) - they produced some good products.

Your aptitude for understanding and seeing through fogs is excellent, Steve. I've noted that on several occasions on several different points of issue. And when you do point things out it makes it very clear ..... it is so easy to be hood-winked by proposals put forth as, especially people such as myself - where my mainstay interest is training & behaviour rather than breeding - who are likely to absorb only the surface of what others want us to hear and know. Well done for your letter - very well written. One question : Would it do to send a copy of our letter to our respective State Dog Body, along with a note that we (as members of the State Body) object to moneys being appropriated by (VicDog; CCCQ; etc) to this fund until the very real concern of bias data collection is resolved?

In fact, I was thinking the same thing, after my last post. (ie contact allergy) Also, ask if they have sprayed/treated the grounds with anything.

I felt the same but didn't want to say anything in case it was just me! I was telling my best friend last night how much it has changed and I have attended lots of them, even the very first one at the old Exhibition Buildings. I would be surprised if it runs next year- don't get me wrong the volunteers all do a great job and it is very hard work being there all three days- but the trade stands each year just keep on dwindling. I was happy to grab some Aussiedog spare parts and to see that Studio Sebastian was back but we went back in to try to find Aussie Pet Health Treats and they were a no-show, listed on the info but MIA! I believe the problem started when the stall-holder fees went up dramatically. I enjoyed the first couple of years that I went as well. There were so many stall-holders and you would come away with many free samples/show bags. You needed to allow at least 2 or more hours to get around to view all the stall holders. Then the stall-holder fees went up. Some stall-holders stopped going. Most stopped providing the free samples, and if they did have any they had to charge a fee for them. I also noticed that the prices they sold their wares for (which in the early years were cheaper than what you could purchase retail from them at other times and there were some really good bargains) were no cheaper than you would normally pay at any other time. Some of the stall-holders who were there initially were people who didn't have a shop front, so it was a great opportunity to 'see before you buy', when you visited their stall. But I noticed that most of those stopped going when there was a fee hike too, which really killed some of the advantage in it for me. They also put the public entry fees up. Couple that fact with the above, and I no longer saw the worth in going any more. I stopped going about 4 years ago, I think. Although I visited once, but that was only because there was something specific that I wanted. Turned out the stall holder who sold the item that I wanted, also has stopped going. I think the management are killing it with their charges, especially to the stall holders. I know that one stall holder, a few years back, said the rent for the stall space (not a huge area either) was something like $4000.00. That's a lot of money for the privilege of promotion. ETA: I see Studio Sebastian is back? THAT is who I went to find last year, only to find out they weren't there. I seriously want another of their big terracotta dog drinking bowls. Phooey that I missed them, but perhaps if they are back again next year I can get someone to get it for me.

At least they are at puppy school.

Give your dog some Active Manuka Honey (UMF 20+ or higher). It will help soothe and repair unease in your dog's throat. It also helps to support the immune system. You can also put some in a small quantity of water to encourage drinking (but don't over do it or they can drink too much water).

I think it should be made fresh. Apart from it potentially losing the qualities that you're using it for in the first place, I've noticed that if I make up some and leave it in the fridge for even 24 hours, it kind of looks a bit scummy. What I would do, if I were you, is prepare some before you leave and just leave the stocking (with the calendula) steeping. By the time you return it would have cooled and it will be ready and ok for use. It's really only a matter of boiling the kettle, and while that's going, putting the calendula in the stocking-toe, and then pouring the hot water on and then leaving to go where you need to go.

Other ligaments surrounding the knee, together with muscle (fortunately I have always been fairly active, so I had reasonable muscle tone) made a big difference, but I knew that sometimes that wasn't enough, and I certainly did not trust my knee to hold, so I was limited (avoided unstable and/or steep ground). I was actually informed by one specialist/surgeon (I visited 4 before I found one that I was completely confident in - and made the most absolute right decision to go with him .... he is brilliant ) that I didn't need to have the op - that I could cope with a snapped cruciate, unless I was really active and it bugged me. Apart from the fact that it DID bug me, I was also conscious of the fact that I must be gradually causing more damage to the joint, or run a high risk of worse damage (especially if I tripped/fell) as the joint was not supported as well as it should be. There were certain conditions that had me losing the control needed to bring my leg forward from a backward bend (as in when you are walking) and I'd kind of have to swing the leg so it could 'flip' back into position. But yes, I functioned and in actual fact, I continued my dog-training activities (both hands on and instruction) throughout that period. In fact, how I snapped it was when I was proofing Kal in her drop/stay and I leapt over her. When I landed, it snapped. I blacked out for a few seconds, from the mass of pain. LOL The first thing I said when another instructor rushed over (I still couldn't see for the pain) was "did Kal break her drop/stay?" She hadn't (so proud ) but she had wriggled herself around to be next to me. Bless her cotton socks ;). Sorry ..... I drift away from the OP's topic at hand. My apologies.

A rule of thumb for healing (if it is damaged only to the extent that it might repair) that I learnt was to count the letters in the name of the tissue that is damaged and that will give you the approximate time in weeks to allow for healing to occur. Example : Ligament - contains 8 letters, hence 8 weeks for healing. Bone - contains 4 letters, hence 4 weeks for healing. Muscle - contains 6 letters, hence 6 weeks for healing. It's just a rule of thumb but I think it holds fairly true, and it is a good way of remembering. It allows us to realise that even though we or the animal in question might not be symptomatic, it doesn't mean healing of the damage is as complete as it could be.

Thanks Steve - I couldn't quite remember, and assumed "refund" must have been stated because KK stated that to be the case. If no refund is potentially being entertained, then in my mind, this would make the situation worse, as there is nothing the Pet Store would have to lose. Nothing major, that is, save for a 'surrender fee' to whatever shelter it strikes agreement with to take on 'returned dogs'.

They get their money back from the pet shop. Ok - so that is supposed to make the pet shop more careful about who they sell to? (I'm asking, not challenging - just to make sure I understand properly.) I'm thinking that this would make it all the more attractive for people to purchase from pet shops. They are more easily accessible and on top of that, a "life-time money-back guarantee?" Wow!! That makes it easy to buy a pup with even less care and responsibility being adopted than it already is, by many more people. That being the case, I don't think a pet shop would care too much about puppy/dog returns and cash back. The more they would sell, the more money they'd make and the amount of returns likely to represent a smaller percentage of profit. And the 'ease' with which the pups/dogs could be returned by their owners (with a "money-back offer", to boot!!!), and then shuffled off to a shelter is likely to increase the numbers of surrendered dogs. I don't see this as being good for dogs. The speakers talked of owner-education. Start at the place where the problem really begins. The above scenario is coming across to me as a 'curtain' that hides what is really going to happen in terms of dog welfare. But I seem to be grasping at understanding a few things that were mentioned at the seminar (and already brought up by me in previous posts). So maybe this is one more thing I am just not seeing clearly.

I've become a cynic and I'm very aware of that, and try to second guess myself when my mind wanders in that direction. But like you, Mum to Emma, I can't help but think that 'somethings up'. A purebreed BC puppy, and they can't or don't rehome it, only giving it minimal time before pts? Doesn't make sense to me.

I wish for that in the Vets I see. Instead, I tend to get made to feel that "I'm just paranoid" reactions (and I'm not sure why, because some of the symptoms my dog/s have shown have been quite obvious) when I insist that something is wrong, even though basic tests have proven negative for anything. If not that, then I get 'shrugs' and the feeling that they don't really want to be bothered. I don't understand that - I'd have thought they'd like to learn. I know I would (and do). Rappie ..... move out my way, would you please? (I've asked this before ..... I'll keep nagging you ).

I don't wish to dampen your hopes ..... I too hope that it is something repairable with rest. But I did my cruciate. Acute pain, and then sore to walk on (limping) for a few days. After that, I had no pain (once the inflammation had receded). But yes, I had snapped my cruciate. I walked around on it for at least 12 months. No one would have known, unless they were watching closely and all the time. Most of the time, my muscles protected and held the joint, but certain angles (down hill) would have me feeling the joint slipping on itself. I eventually had a reconstruction. That's me though and I'm human. Not sure if my experience would correllate in any way to dogs. I just don't want you to lull into a false sense of security based on Shyla not limping on it.