Carolk9s

[quote name='izzy']hey you're so lucky to be a member in here!!... i was divided with that basset pic, but for the spirit of the forum, Jesse got my vote :lol:[/quote] heehee, even I was torn, that Alaskan Malamute is too cool looking! The Shiba is beautiful, the Newfie pup is adorable, the Basset is too cute, I had to remind myself to vote for my OWN dog! Thank you for the votes, my old fella is leading by far! Oh, BTW, that photo is only a few weeks old, it was snowing and VERY cold out. Today the temp was in the 70's, T-shirt and shorts weather!

Very glad to hear the diagnosis is not as bad as was feared. Please remind me, how old is Bentley? SOME dogs outgrow the luxating patella problem, Jesse BSD had just a few occurrences of this as a pup. It was only in one leg and thankfully was not an issue as he matured. My sisters Chi/Corgi mix has occaisional trouble with this and my brothers Chihuahua will now and then hold a leg up and hop around a bit.

A photo of Jesse BSD is in a contest this week at [url]http://members.aol.com/iluvpwcs/contest.html[/url] It was taken recently while snowing outdoors, I thought the mantle of snow looked neat on him. He's got some tough competition. No prizes involved, just his 15 minutes of internet fame so please drop by the link above and vote for Jesse. Thanks!

I just found out a little while ago that Candy made it into the UKC Agility All Stars Top 50 for 2003! Her ranking came from the AGII ring, we've always had better luck there than AGI which is supposed to be easier! Upon reviewing the list, I also found that if the mixed breed dogs were taken out of the all breed listing, she is the #6 mixed breed in AGII, for the entire year. I was stunned, did not think we had trialed enough to have a shot at this. As a result of her ranking, we will get an invitation to attend the UKC All Stars Agility competition later this year. Too bad it's in Michigan! Well no wonder she is has been pushing for a raise, little devil.

1 If I already have her to the point that when I call her she will automatically sit and look to me for release command, do I still have to make her perform another "trick" for kibble?? [color=red]I would mix that up a bit, sometimes praise her just for sitting and looking to you, sometimes ask her to lie down or briefly stay etc. Maybe in time you can even teach her to shake, give you her paw. [/color] 2 Should I use treats as a motivator?? I worry that she won't work for me if I don't have any food on me. [color=red]I say USE WHAT WORKS, if treats work, by all means continue. Now, so your dog won't weigh 300 lbs, :lol: you can start decreasing the # of times she gets a treat. In the beginning, every time she does an asked for behaviour or an appropriate behaviour, treat her. Then gradually treat her every other time, then every third time, etc. [/color] 3. Come is my biggest problem with her (in a giving orders sense). She will always sit or down when I tell her but only 50% of the time will she come when I command her. When should I start using a leash in the house. I feel bad a little because I have dumped a lot on her in one day. She is definately being a little rebelious today. She hasn't come on command at all. I don't want to over do it but is she going to get the hint that things are changing?? [color=red]Oh she's getting the hint. I have never used the leash method but I have heard great things about it. You can start using it right now. This will especially help with her coming on command, she almost has no choice if she is leashed to you and she will learn that not only is she expected to obey, but good things happen when she does. Praise and treat for that good behaviour. At first, you might have to praise her for just looking your way when you call her to come, this in fact may encourage her to come all the way to you. Sometimes it is baby steps that do the trick. [/color] 4 Should she be allowed to play with her toys at all and if so what should she do for that priveledge and for how long should she be allowed to play with it?? Like her rawhide chews, she loves to just knaw on one for hours. [color=red]I do feel she should have play time and chew time. Ask her to sit, giving her a toy is her reward. Let her play with her toy for awhile, get a yummy treat and ask her to give up the toy. Has she shown any aggression over her toys? If so, definitely keep the kids away, at least for now, until that is GONE. If she has been good, give her a chewie. Again if you have a crate, this would be a wonderful time to let her chew in peace in her crate. However, if she has shown ANY aggression associated with her chewie's, use caution, keep the kids away until her reaction can be strongly predicted to be calm. While she is leashed to you, you can play a short game of take the toy, give up the toy for a treat. Same with the rawhide. [/color] Umm thats all I can really think of for now... I am sure I will have other questions later. The other things I have read seem more straight forward. Oh Yeah what about water?? I have read control her water bowl but then the vet says I should never restrict her water supply... Not sure what to think [color=red]Personally, I would not restrict her access to water UNLESS she has shown aggression over it. I would let her see you and dad refresh her water and ask her to sit before putting it down. I think that will help her know that again, humans control EVERYTHING[/color].

Thank you for your advice... I had a long discussion with my family this evening about the advice that was given here today. We have decided to give it a try and see if we can all overcome these problems. [color=red]Good, it is great that hubby is with you on this as it is critical that ALL humans outrank the dog. Also good for him to understand that deviation from a united effort could very well mean that Myah will have to go. [/color] I hope I didin't give the impression that I wasn't concerned about my kids safety. I just tend to over react and have been afraid that maybe I have been the last two weeks. I seem to be the only person really worried about what happened. Which I find disturbing now. I mean shouldn't our vet be concerned?? [color=red]I do not think you are overreacting; Myah deliberately drew blood on your child. There are many who would not give her a second chance; she would be dead by now. I am not necessarily against that viewpoint though I prefer cautiously exploring other options first. [/color] She has been fitted for a muzzle. It should be here this weekend. [color=red]Ok, some pointers for using the muzzle. First and foremost, do not OVERUSE it. It is hoped that the muzzle is just to allow you to help Myah overcome her discomfort and concerns about being touched in a safe manner. It is hoped that the muzzle is not a long term answer but a short term solution. I am sure you know this but I must say it anyway, never leave the muzzle on Myah without direct supervision. NEVER EVER EVER. Introduce the muzzle to her slowly. Make a silly happy game out of it. Do not sit there thinking

Well my heart goes out to you, you are indeed in a tough situation. Let me say first and foremost, the ABSOLUTE SAFETY of your children comes first. No way around that. Even a little nip from Myah as unacceptable. There is a whole lot of teaching that needs to be done, for Myah, for hubby, for you, and for the children. Sounds like Myah feels her status is higher than the children and perhaps yours as well. There have been many discussions here about demoting the dog and Myah certainly needs to be demoted. No more lying in dads lap on the recliner, that put her physically and mentally 'above' your son. Dad MUST get on board with this, there must be a united effort to calmly, gently but firmly let Myah know that she is at the bottom of the pecking order. There are wiser heads than mine on this board who have had experience with aggression who I hope will be able to offer you some concrete tips. Myah has been learning and deciding since you brought her home what her status is and what she can get away with. She will continue to escalate HER reactions, this needs to be stopped TODAY. Are there any behavioural (sp?) trainers you can call? Someone you can work with one on one? Someone who is able to help you teach Myah proper behaviour? NOT someone who will use harsh tactics mind you, this will only make things worse. Myah needs to be worked with every single day, by you, dad, and the kids. She needs to know that good things come from all of you but only if she is calm and collected. Is she aggressive about her food? Perhaps hand feeding by you at first then by dad and eventually by the children, after she has demonstrated that she is able to be calm and accept the food from your hand without any aggression or jumping about. Your children must learn to heed any signs that Myah is stressed or appearing aggressive. Again, their safety is paramount. This first incident was minor in the grand scheme of things but the next time could be devastating or deadly. It is up to you and dad to make sure there is no next time. Myah would NOT have couch, bed, or recliner PRIVLEDGES until she clearly knows her status in your pack. Myah would not eat until she clearly shows that she understands that YOU control the food. Can you muzzle Myah on your own? Might have to do that and calmly work on desensitizing her to being touched ALL over her body, when she accepts it, she gets a smile, a treat, etc. Do you have a crate? They can be invaluable training tools, it would also be her den, her safe place, and the children are NOT allowed to go near her (at first) while she is in it. Again there are people here who can go into much more detail and provide far more info than I can. Lastly, I'll repeat from the top, the ABSOLUTE SAFETY of your children comes first. If there is any chance that Myah will bite them, you may have to make that hard decision to either take her back to the shelter, or AS A LAST RESORT, have her put down. I do not say that lightly and hope it does not come to that but the hard truth is that not EVERY dog can be saved, not EVERY dog can adjust to living in a family situation. She had a rough beginning with improper or zero socialization as a baby and it may be too much for her to overcome. Best of luck to you, your family and Myah.

I am your dog, and I have a little something I'd like to whisper in your ear. I know that you humans lead busy lives. Some have to work, some have children to raise. It always seems like you are running here and running there, often much too fast, often never noticing the truly grand things in life. Look down at me now, while you sit there at your computer. See the way my dark brown eyes look at yours? They are slightly cloudy now. That comes with age. The gray hairs are beginning to ring my soft muzzle. You smile at me; I see love in your eyes. What do you see in mine? Do you see a spirit? A soul inside, who loves you as no other could in the world? A spirit that would forgive all trespasses of prior wrong doing for just a simple moment of your time? That is all I ask. To slow down, if even for a few minutes, to be with me. So many times you have been saddened by the words you read on that screen, of others of my kind, passing. Sometimes we die young and oh so quickly, sometimes so suddenly it wrenches your heart out of your throat. Sometimes, we age so slowly before your eyes that you may not even seem to know until the very end, when we look at you with grizzled muzzles and cataract clouded eyes. Still the love is always there, even when we must take that long sleep, to run free in a distant land. I may not be here tomorrow; I may not be here next week. Someday you will shed the water from your eyes, that humans have when deep grief fills their souls, and you will be angry at yourself that you did not have just "one more day" with me. Because I love you so, your sorrow touches my spirit and grieves me. We have NOW, together. So come, sit down here next to me on the floor, and look deep into my eyes. What do you see? If you look hard and deep enough we will talk, you and I, heart to heart. Come to me not as "alpha" or as "trainer" or even "Mom or Dad," come to me as a living soul and stroke my fur and let us look deep into one another's eyes and talk. I may tell you something about the fun of chasing a tennis ball, or I may tell you something profound about myself, or even life in general. You decided to have me in your life because you wanted a soul to share such things with. Someone very different from you, and here I am. I am a dog, but I am alive. I feel emotion, I feel physical senses, and I can revel in the differences of our spirits and souls. I do not think of you as a "Dog on two feet" -- I know what you are and who you are. You are human, in all your quirkiness, and I love you still. Now, come sit with me, on the floor. Enter my world, and let time slow down if only for 15 minutes. Look deep into my eyes, and whisper into my ears. Speak with your heart, with your joy, and I will know your true self. We may not have tomorrow, but we do have today, and life is oh so very short. So please--come sit with me now and let us share these precious moments we have together. Love, on behalf of canines everywhere. Your Dog ~Author Unknown~ And now I am off to sit on the floor with my dogs.

If you will not mind Felix using the litterbox for a long long time to come, I say go for it. Now it may be that over time you will no longer need it but it can certainly be a temporary solution at least. You can then use plastic bags to scoop the box or if it's flushable litter, flush it down the commode. My sister used a litter box when she first got her Corgi mix, sister was away from home most of the business day and wanted her dog to have a place to eliminate since she had to be in the house. I supppose you could also put a large piece of sod on the balcony, perhaps framed by wood and a plastic tarp underneath. Then Felix would still be going on dirt and grass until the grass died. Teaching a potty command is a great idea as Kat mentioned. I teach mine pee potty and poo potty. As I go to agility trials with Candy, it's an invaluable tool. Start saying whatever command you want when Felix is eliminating outside. If you use the word potty, say 'Good potty!' in a happy tone. Do this over and over and over. If you then want to litter or sod train him, take him to the place on the balcony where you want him to go and tell him to potty. If he does, do a happy dance! It will take some patience and persistance and praise, the 3 P's of most successful dog training. Good luck with whatever you choose.

I too think Annie should be legally yours! Hm, with a baby on the way, isn't auntie going to be TERRIBLY busy taking care of the wee tyke? Just too darn busy to have look after a dog? After all, the baby will need feeding and burping and changing and cuddling and feeding and burping and changing and so on. Maybe start dropping tiny little hints now, boy you're life sure is going to be busy busy when the baby comes. A little bit later, I bet you guys are going to have a wonderful time with the baby but you will also probably be tired most of the time. Poor Annie, once that baby comes, you are going to be jealous aren't you? There just won't be much time for you little one, you'll have to get used to it. What a shame. (Say this in a really sad tone) Little things along that line, it would be SUPER if auntie decided ALL ON HER OWN to see if you wanted to keep Annie full time. Then you could say, well, I would not mind that one bit but so I can show her, I'd rather we actually transfer her ownership over to me all the way. Of course that means I will be totally responsible for her as her legal owner. Well, just ideas, I hope auntie sees the sensibility of signing Annie over to you not to mention it is in Annie's best interest!

Kat, So sorry to hear of Meg's fright. I too think you did JUST the right thing and saved your Meg from physical injury or worse. It is a bitter pill to swallow seeing your dog lose their confidence upon being attacked like that. I've seen it happen with Candy. She did go through a time of being VERY defensive around dogs that she had played with before. She still can be that way but not as bad as she was at first. One thing I've done that I HOPE has helped her, at the dog park if a dog is 'picking' on her and she tells that dog to BACK OFF BUSTER, I praise her and back her up. Now by picking I just mean the other dog is trying to play with her and perhaps being a bit annoying, never ever ever would I stand back and allow another dog to be aggressive towards her or any of my dogs. I WILL step in right away.

Even if chocolate was not bad for my pooches, that is ONE thing I will NOT share dangit! The chocolate is ALL MINE! 8) My dogs almost ALWAYS eat before I do and I do not have any dominance issues. It is just the way it is, the timing of their mealtime falls before mine. They also know not to beg. Last night I was sitting on the couch watching Westminster, had myself a little snack. Candy was lying right beside me, after a single sniff, she tucked her head back down and ignored me and my snack. I guess if you have a problematic dog, this is one step to take to correct the issue. I just don't have those issues with my dogs. The #1 rock hard rule around here is, whosoever pays the mortgage, makes the rules. Why, that would be me! :P

I too read about this. I certainly understand not wanting to use this type of crate anymore, that is scary and very sad. However, IF you have a crate that is at all designed like this, you CAN make it safer by using strong metal clamps. There is a type that looks somewhat like tongue and groove, you can use pliers to close it around the parts you are clamping together, clamp it very tightly. Along the top where the hooks are, clamp the top to the front in a permanent manner. Of course this means you will NOT be able to fold the crate down without painstakingly removing all of the clamps but if that is not an issue, clamp it. Do the same with the side of the crate to the front panel. Do this to ANY panel that has the possibility of moving. You could alter this type of crate so that the only part that 'moves' is the door.

So far, within the answers I've received, many have said to ask the breeder for references. After all, the breeder SHOULD ask you for references, why not ask them for some as well. Granted if this is their very first litter ever, speaking with prior puppy buyers is not a possibility. If they have bred more than a couple litters, ask for the names and email addresses of 10 people who have purchased a puppy from them. If you know that someone has sold that person a dog, try to find out if they feel that the dog went to a good place and is in good hands. There is also the truth in paying attention to your 'gut' feeling about this breeder. Is the breeder open and honest with you regarding the health of their dogs, any potential hereditary diseases in the breed, and if there is anything they would like to improve upon in their breeding program. Look to see how the breeder interacts with his/her dogs. Also, the breeder should ask you many questions, as above, ask you for references and generally exhibit concern over who will be getting puppies. After all, if they do not care where the babies go, they probably did not care from whence they came. In other words, if they do not do what they can to insure their puppies go to the best new homes, they probably did not come from the best background. VERIFY any claims regarding health checks and titles. Hope this helps answer your question, if I get any other responses, I will update here.

I am going to put this question to BELG-L to see what answers come back. Interesting question!

Used to see a Saint at AKC trials that I went to with Jesse. I think her name was Trudi. It was always fun to watch her, she had her own agenda at times and made many of us laugh. However, one day, no one laughed. She was directed up onto the table, she jumped right on up and promptly squatted and delivered an amazing amount of poo, right on the table. You could hear exhibitors whose dogs were to follow Trudi groan out loud. 8) The table top was cleaned off but luckily, another table was available at this particular site and was substituted for the soiled one. Trudi did earn some titles, we all cheered and clapped hard for her and her handler when they had a good run.

Coolest thing I've ever seen. I'm guessing mulitiple shots were taken then layered so you see the dog negotiating the A-Frame from start to finish. [url]http://www.creativeindulgence.com/Master_Events_2003/08_2003_GRC_Agility/GRC%20Agility,%20Saturday%2008_23/MEGA/GRC_Agility_Saturday_08_23_MEGA_page_01.htm[/url]

WHAT A SCAM! Absolutely no proof is required to register your dog or cat as a purebred! So you send in your $10 per animal and you get a worthless WORTHLESS piece of paper in return!

You could try Canidae but that is exactly what gave all of my dogs soft stools. I feed my dogs Bil Jac dry, two of them are on a senior diet and the other is on an adult formula. All 3 do quite well on this food. Just my PERSONAL opinion here, I do not think a super premium diet is necessary for MOST dogs and in some cases is just too rich for their digestive systems to handle. I feel that a food like Bil Jac, is a middle ground between regular supermarket brands and super premium foods. I have also heard many people trash Science Diet but my Belgian did very well on it for a number of years plus Science Diet has some very nice prescription diets available for specific issues.

During a home check, we basically want to see how the dog will 'fit' into this home with these people. Where will the dog live, indoors/outdoors, how will the people interact with the dog. If there is a current pet in the home, how do the people interact with that animal. Is an existing pet clean and parasite free. Does the home present a safe environment for a dog. How will the dog be exercised, socialized etc. Pretty general stuff like that. One of the reasons I take Jesse with me is to see how the people relate to him, also if there is another pet in the house, how does that pet react to Jesse being there.

The two police officers I visited got their Malinois. They adopted a female from rescue. They are both very nice people and I felt would give an excellent home to a dog. I went on a home check before that one where the woman seemed like a good fit also. Unfortunately she did not tell me the entire truth and a check with her vet revealed info that prevented her from getting a rescue.

I'll be doing another home check in the next couple of days for Belgian Malinios Rescue! It's exciting to meet others who want to bring a Belgian into their home. The folks I will be going to visit have had a Mal before, apparently their elderly Mal recently died. The last home check I did was at the home of not one but two county police officers, I made sure to drive carefully in their neighborhood! 8) I take my Belgian Sheepdog, Jesse, with me on these visits. One of the rescue coordinators said after these folks met Jesse, she was afraid they were going to want a hairy black dog instead of the shorthaired brown Mal! :D Of course Jesse knows how to pour on the charm. I recently helped transport two Malinios females, they were going from NC all the way to CT. The youngest female, who was going to a foster home, was quite spooky at first but she warmed up to me quickly and oh my I could see that she had a ton of potential. It's a good thing I am at my limit or her trip might have ended in VA!

Quote: Sorry if I sound rude, but I'm rather cranky at the mo' and am sick of people getting on my case about something I can't even prevent. Well, I too told myself I would stay out but..... YOU ARE QUITE CAPABLE OF PREVENTING COAL FROM LEAVING YOUR PROPERTY. IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO, FINE, THAT IS YOUR BUSINESS. If Coal is in no DANGER visiting the neighbor, don't stress about it. HOWEVER, once a dog KNOWS he/she can leave the property at will and visit, they will do it again and again, venturing farther and farther away. What I did not understand from your original post, do Duke and Coal get along with each other? If they do not, ignore the next line. If they do, why would you leave Coal in the house with 'his legs crossed' while you took Duke home?

Sassy has my vote and she's firmly in the lead! Hope she wins!

I definitely WANT to vote for Johnny but I'm not sure I understand. Can I vote myself or do I have to send this info to OTHERS and they can choose to vote? [size=6]NEVER MIND! I FIGURED IT OUT ALL BY MYSELF! :oops: [/size] [size=2]ok so it took me a couple of minutes! [/size] Actually voted for Johnny twice! I have two email addys 8)