Aroura

Ah, their own digging pit... silly me I didn't even think of that! I'm usually the first to recommend it to other people though... DUH! :roll: :lol: Actually, I think the problem here with a digging pit would be that the only place I could have one would be on the outskirts of the yard, or in their run, and once they start digging there they just dig straight out! I've actually filled some holes around the outskirts of the yard with poo, but thankfully (I guess??) they don't do enough poos to fill all their holes! LOL. Great idea with the pepper court, I may try that. I don't think we have moles, voles or gofers here but I'm sure there's something they're digging for, the way they smell the ground, snort it all up, then dig. Oh I love giving the dogs annoying consiquences to their naughty actions :evilbat: :lol:

Hey thats crazy! I thought we were like 6 months behind here :o I was appauled when I saw that, it absolutely disgusted me. Why get a dog if you don't know how to take care of it? No, forget that, why get THREE dogs if you can't take care of one??? :x Stupid people, I know why they went to Dr Phil - BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO BE ON TV :evil: I don't think what Dr Phil said was necessarily WRONG, it was probably the best he could do considering he was dealing with morons. Though, he probably should have paid to get them signed up with a reputable animal behaviorist. The fence though, I agree with that, I don't see how you could own three dogs and not have a fence! My dogs would disown me if they didn't have a yard to run around in! But did you see Dr Phils puppy? Wasn't it just GORGEOUS!!! :angel:

How do you stop a dog from digging in the yard? I've heard all the tricks, eg planting water balloons - but my guys dig holes in the actual grass, not the garden (which makes sense because I don't have a garden!), so I can never predict where they are going to dig. So, what do I do???

You are right to be concerned, Boxers are a large breed and are capable of a lot of damage, you've gotta nip this in the bud before something disasterous happens. Boxers are a guarding breed, so it is natural for them to want to guard you. My last Boxer was from aggressive lines (though I only found that out after I started seeing problems and rang the breeder, who wasn't at all suprised :roll: ) and was taunted by the neighbours kids when no one was looking (stupid neighbours should watch their kids! No, I should say "control" because the kids got away with it even when the neighbours were watching...). Anyway, long story short, she became uncontrolably aggressive towards children to the point that if I was walking her and she saw one a block away I would have to grab onto the nearest tree so she didn't drag me off and attack the poor child. I took her to behaviourists and tried everything, but ultimately she had to be PTS to prevent her from killing someone. Very sad, I still miss her to this day :cry: I've got another Boxer now, Merlin. He's an absolute darling. He'll be 6 months at the end of this month and is already nearly as heavy as Lily was when she was full grown. He started puppy preschool at 8 weeks of age and has gone on to puppy classes at our dog club and came 3rd out of a class of about 25, so he did well (Lily came second when she did it, but the class was smaller). Boxers are very clever dogs, they are also very emotionally connected to their humans. Never train them using harsh methods as they are generally a very sensetive breed and may rebel (such as Lily rebelling to little children due to being taunted by them). Pay the money to see a reputable animal behaviourist, who uses positive methods, they should be able to work through some exercises with you to get Bosco to accept strangers better. Combined with the NILIF technique you should be able to get this under control, as I said, Boxers are very intellegent and connected to their humans, so with the right techniques you should be able to get yours to behave accordingly to the situation. Don't worry that Bosco wont protect you when needed, I have never met a Boxer that couldn't read anyone like a book, they know what a persons intentions are :wink:

I would agree that a small dog may not be suitable, all of the best Papillon breeders will not even sell to anyone with kids. Particularly for a child with ADHD I would recommend a much hardier breed, toys don't like screaming or loud noises, even people walking past them too quickly will scare most toys. I'll add another two story's of little dogs and children. Story one - Josh has a poodle x chi that he got when he was a kid. When she was young she jumped up on Josh while he was eating, who pushed her off the chair, which resulted in a broken led and a foot that looks funny to this day. Story two (this could happen with any sized dog mind you, but small dogs seem more prone to it) - my cousin had a toy foxie when she was young. She used to baby him and dress him up, always waking him up while he slept etc. He turned into the nastiest little thing, bit anyone who went near him and gave her father 6 stitches one day when he bit his leg. I would have to agree 100% about a Beagle, but also one of the spaniel breeds would be good, though they'd have to look at the genetic traits for the English cocker because solid reds get some disease or something where they bite every one. I'm parshal to the Welsh Springer Spaniel, beautiful breed, outstanding temperament, patient and good with kids. Poodles are a great breed too, but considering their circumstances I would think that a miniture would be too small, and a standard too big. There are thousands of poodle x's at the pounds just begging to be rescued though, and that is a definate possibility (maybe a cocker poo would be good?)

I would be a Papillon, not just any Papillon, I would be Montie. He is incredibly fit and healthy, and has more energy than any other dog I know, he's small enough that I can sneak him in anywhere and he can curl up in my snuggly dressing gown at the front while I walk around and do the house work. He sleeps under my blankets at night and wherever he wants during the day. He is extremely intellegent and knows exactly how to play people for what he wants from them. He is absolutely spoilt rotten and is loved by all. Honestly I couldn't think of a better life :angel:

Ringworm is contagious. I recommend you buy an anti fungal shampoo and do both your dogs with it, and keep a close eye on yourself for any little red marks. It is something you really don't want to get out of control.

Apple Cider Vinegar! I swear by the stuff, externally you just rub it on with a cotton bud until you have rubbed all the flakey stuff off. Do it once or twice a day as well as adding it internally either to their food or drinking water. Best thing is, it can't harm them even if it is something else, like a lot of prescription medication can.

I feed practically any bones, except beef if they have stron jaws (we've had dogs break teeth on beef bones). Today they had a rabbit that Josh shot for them a while back, rabbit is their favourite :D They also get roo, turkey, plenty of chicken, lamb - anything I can find fresh and cheap. There are particular types of bones that I am more cautious with than others - things such as lamb neck for larger dogs, ox tail for smaller dogs, and turkey necks for mid sized dogs, these are all sizes that can get lodged. If you watch your dogs eating then it shouldn't be a problem, if anything happens you're there to make sure they don't choke, to date I have never had a problem with any of my dogs and bones... HOWEVER I always watch them extra careful when they are eating unsoaked kibble, because my dogs have nearly choked on the stuff on numberous occasions. My conclusion? Raw bones are not only healthier, but also (believe it or not) safer than kibble :wink:

Yes, he is just a little angel - what is better is that he has got a great personality to go with his gorgeous looks, he is the most polite pup I've ever come across. You can't steal him from me though, I have the mighty Montie to guard the house :wink:

On the radio :o :o :o I hope it was night time radio :o

ROFLMAO HF!!! :lol: :lol: :lol: [size=1]Actually, it is one of the first things that I thought of... in relation to a conversation Josh and I were having the other day about certain girls and dogs... and peanut butter etc, but lets NOT go there!!![/size] :o :oops: :oops:

This is how it would go... Show entries: $17 Dog toothpaste: $12 Gazebo, dog crate, grooming supplies: $500 Petrol: $50 The look on the judges face when she goes to check the teeth and a whopping great tongue flops out onto her lap... Priceless :lol: :lol: :lol: Would make a good ad :lol:

Merlin is the gorgeous little Boxer puppy in my sig. Here he is playing super pup: [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Aroura/SupaHero14wks.jpg[/img] And here he is speaking to the camera: [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Aroura/104_0160.jpg[/img] I didn't mean to bombard this thread with pics, but you asked and I just LOVE to show him off! :angel: Stargaze, I'd say he puts his tongue to the side and slups up sloppy food to eat, thats how I picture it anyway. Oh, and I was joking about something like that at a show, it would be kinda funny though to see the expression on the judges face :lol:

Oh I like the longhaired Mals, I love Mals, there is one at training now who is HUGE but only a baby! Don't think I could handle the fur on a regular Mal though, let alone a long haired one!!! :o

I think I've seen the Boxer you are talking about posted here a long time ago. I'm glad Merlins tongue isn't like that. LOL, I wonder if it would be a fault in the show ring - I have never seen a standard that outlined length of tongue!!! :lol:

Eww, what a tongue!!! It's hideous! LOL, in a cute sort of way :lol: [url]http://www.puggy.com/randomAlbum.php[/url]

Stargaze, it's interesting that you say that - all the Whippet people I know swear that they are not pure breds and that they have something else in them. I'm not sure what to believe, either way I'm not terribly fond of the look anyway - they are such a sleek, elegant breed, long hair just ruins the whole effect in my oppinion :wink:

My thoughts exactly Goo. Breed standards are written for a reason, and although it may be fine for a "pet" to not be of standard, it is up to breeders to maintain the standard and breed for the betterment of the breed and aim as closely to the standard as possible while also breeding for better health and temperament - much of which is included in the standard also (eg colours that don't lead to health issues, and outlining what the temperament of the breed should be). I have a friend who breeds Bassets, every single part of their standard has relevance to what they were bred to do, such as wrinkles to cover their eyes so they don't get brambles in them, loose skin and short fur so that brambles don't get caught, and ears to reach over their nose so as to "sweep" the scent into their nostrils, all very interesting I thought!!! There has been a lot of talk of long haired Whippets, it is all a money making scam - they are not pure breeds! They have Borzoi or Shetland Sheepdog bred into them for a longer coat and are being sold off as pure long haired Whippets, there are even clubs etc for them! I do like the longhaired Weims though, they are gorgeous. Papillons are supposed to have a single coat, Montie has got a fluffy double coat which is great for me because he doesn't shed except for when I brush him. In general I like the smooth versions of breeds more, such as smooth collies, and st bernards, probably just because they don't tangle so much!

My dogs only get the parts of the fruit that I eat, everything in moderation. Merlin loves helping me eat bananas, makes me feel horrible if I don't give him every second bite! :lol:

My show buddy/sisters housemate has a GWP. He's only about 7 months old now but is already QUITE LARGE!!! He is actually quite good in the house, he lies around and does nothing when he is inside BUT he does spend a great deal of time outside running around with 7 other dogs, so I don't know what he would be like if he were locked in all the time! One thing you've gotta know before you get one is that they are MESSY!!! It is so gross, he eats things like yoghurt or raw chicken, and gets a yoghurt, or blood (or whatever else) beard, it gets drenched, and then he walks around the house wiping it on things! I can handle living with a Boxer, I could probably even handle living with a Newf or a Neopolitan Mastiff, but I can't handle that beard! Truely disgusting. He is a very lovable dog never the less :wink:

Happy Birthday Scout. It was Diego's 1st birthday the day before yesterday! Unfortunately I didn't have any money to have a huge celebration, and I'm trying to get an assignment in, so he just got lots of cuddles and kisses and got to sleep in my bed the other night, just him, none of the other dogs... these days it seems I sleep with all 4 dogs practically every night :-?

:lol: :lol: :lol: Woah, flash back... when I used to live in Canberra we had a next door neighbour who was about... well he was my age, I think I was about 10 then. Anyway, EVERY TIME you went outside he would pop his annoying little head over the fence and say "What are you doing?" and you'd tell him, and he'd say "Why" and you'd answer, and he'd say "Why" and you'd answer again, and he'd say "Why"... it would go on and on and he did it to everyone in the family. It got to the point where mum was hanging the washing up in the house!!! :lol: :lol: :lol: Couldn't help but have a little chuckle to myself :lol: :lol: :lol: Good to meet you Alan, so why are you here again? *Jokes* :wink:

I would suggest getting a bitch, they are more likely to get along that way. I hope Scout is desexed? If you are after a specific breed there are plenty of breed rescues about that you could call and possibly get a dog on trial to see how it works out. Just to be biased, I will say get a Boxer - they're a great breed, loving, affectionate, clownish, simply adorable and don't shed much (a big factor for me when choosing a dog!) - they are NOT calm though. If you can find one though, Welsh Springer spaniels are just great - thats what I wanted before I got Diego (the Whippet) but Josh didn't like the "look" (being a guy and all!) so we went through numberous dog books together and narrowed it down to one breed that we both liked and most importantly, was known for its good temperament. What breed you decide on really depends on you, the list that you have given us describes so many breeds that it is impossible for us to give accurate suggestions. Try [url]http://www.petnet.com.au/selectapet/dogselectapet.html[/url] [url]http://www.purina.co.uk/index.asp?frame=/cat/breedselect.asp[/url]

My gosh he is big! Big and beautiful, just love him! Boxers are stacked differently around the world also, in Europe they are spread out like they are about to fall over! It looks nice, but I'm not sure how you would judge a dog that is placed in such an over the top manner, if they are standing with their legs close to verticle it is easier to look for correct angle in stifle etc.