Clyde

I wouldn't be setting him up in the spare room. Also Staffords love to chew things, even walls! I'd go back to your first plan of attack and pen him in the living area. Also agree with the others who said to put him outside while you're out. A shaded dog run is a godsend.

Some peoples skin rip really easily too. Certain meds and age can make their skin thin.

As a groomer (and ex vet nurse) I've seen a lot of aggression issues in Golden Retrievers. Curiosity always makes me ask the owner, and yep they've all come from unregistered breeders. They're a big dog and not something I'd want to risk. My neighbours bought a gorgeous Lab pup two years ago from a registered breeder, he was $900. Fully health tested parents etc. There is no way I'd spend $900 on a dog who didn't come from good lines and a good breeder.

I wouldnt spray for ticks in the house. There are garden tick sprays you can buy. You just need to get in to a routine. If you're a gardener, wear a 'gardening top' and take it off before going inside. Certain plants attract ticks more than others. Best bet is to have broad, glossy leaves etc, when I lived on the Nth Beaches I had my garden re landscaped accordingly and it made a big difference.

Lovely dogs!

I'm sorry for your loss. Saints leave such a giant hole in your heart

He is very cute, congrats!

My Pugs snoring used to drive me bonkers but like others have said you do get used to it. Since he's had his palate surgery he doesn't snore anymore and I miss it!

I saw this a few days ago and immediately thought it sounded sus.

Can you put the pen next to your bed? I find this helps a lot with pups. I them move the bed out to the living area when older with no issues at all.

Oh no, how terrible I am so sorry about your gorgeous Kluska, I am a long time admirer. Thinking of you.

Those poor people.

Have a look through this. Older kids are not necessarily 'safe'. I know one of the mums on this list. They've since caught the man who attempted to grab her child. He has over 30 other cases on him, including sexual assault on a two year old. It is just not worth it.

http://www.australianmissingpersonsregister.com/Abductions.htm

Whatever you do, you make sure they are not alone at this time and this includes teenagers. Do you think your teenager would be able to fight off a 100kg grown man? Or two of them?

Of course teenagers need more freedom and can't always be supervised, but your son is only 9. If you can't travel responsibly, then just don't do it.

oh good, would have made travelling complicated. On hot days I get the dogs out and my nine year old will sit with them while I run in but I don't really like doing that.

There is no way I would leave my nine year old on her own like that.

My breeder did recommend Rosalie at Gladesville so I think I will stick with that as a lot of you seem to second that recommendation!

Thanks a lot guys!

Rosalie is great, very gentle, extremely intelligent and understands the breeds make up. Some vets get a bit knife happy and damning with the braccys. She used to treat my British Bulldog. I've moved out of the area and have found it very difficult to find another vet who understands Pugs. I know a lot of breeders use Rosalie.

Still a bit of a drive, but Rosalie Mathews at Gladesville Vet is a known braccy breed vet.

Height wise the goat was about the same height as my female lab, but not as solid. Would a fox attack something that big?

I wouldn't have thought so. I've found foxes left my lambs alone much before that size.

I think I know them DD, thanks for that. Also for the poodle club contact. I phoned Denise from PAWS yesterday and she is happy to take them on and update their vet work but they can remain where they are as the foster care - saves them another upheaval. The neighbour looking after them just needs to sleep on it, she is elderly herself and is not coping with the idea of losing touch with these dogs as it was her who rescued them all originally and rehomed them all locally to friends, she has a litter sister and I groom two other litter brothers. She minds them all the time too. She is going to have a good think about whether the dogs are truly bonded or not too. If they go under the PAWS banner I will let the suggested people above know so they can redirect any enquiries.

http://www.smh.com.a...0104-30a85.html

T.

Just saw this, I tend to agree with your link.

Whether this is true or not, would withholding food for 3 days cause such a feeding frenzy?

No, I wouldnt think so. The 'hounds' must be wild. If I starved my dogs for 3 days, they'd just be excited to see someone, not eat them!

I groomed a pair of toy poodles yesterday that need a new home. They are elderly and nervy. They are used to being their owners world. They were originally rescued from a backyard breeder who kept them caged all the time. One very small brown girl and a normal sized black girl. Brown girl is very timid and frightened of the world, just wants to be held, black girl is very difficult to groom and a little highly strung. Owned by elderly people, one has gone in to a home with dementia, the other has just been diagnosed with cancer and has not long to live. Southern Highlands. NSW. PM me if interested. Will not separate. Both Desexed.

To avoid attracting those who only look at colour no photos will be posted

Nawww, I love looking at Koolie puppy photos.

I can see where you're coming from, but I am one to adopt a dog based on colour. I will narrow it down and if the temperament doesn't suit me, then I will move along and still look for the right dog but with my desired colour. I currently have two black house dogs so everything inside is based around the colour of their fur. I could not add a lighter coloured dog or I would be doing constant housework and constantly whinging about the fur! Just explaining from the other side of the coin that it's not always all bad. I will probably always actively seek out darker dogs for the house.

I have left very detailed instructions for every day, eg not just a general instruction that the dogs are fed morning and evenings, but a schedule for every single day I am away.

I am the same. To the point where I feel embarrassed about how detailed it is. My property is all about routine, sitters comment how well behaved the dogs are, but really it's just that they know their routine and if sitters dont stick to it they will see the dark side of the dogs :laugh:

I would recommend you use an experienced house sitter rather than an acquaintance. I say this, because I do know someone who had a work colleague offer to look after her dog. She accepted but unfortunately they were careless with her house. Perhaps because they didn't appreciate the responsibility that comes with not only looking after a pet, but someone's home too.

I disagree with this and have found the opposite. The times I used a professional, instructions weren't followed at all and the house was left untidy. The many times I have used acquaintances, instructions were followed to the letter and house cleaner than it's ever been. There are good and bad sitters everywhere, it's just a matter of following your gut and choosing the right people - whether they be a professional or just someone you know.

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I'll take back row in the middle and far right please They're all gorgeous but these two have such squishable heads.