Natpants

Thanks Sarah, are your dogs fairly assertive? It would be great if you could help! I think Purdie would be perfect for this lady's dog but we're always so busy I can't make a regular commitment and I don't think she can travel either (thanks anyway Kaz ) I think what her dog needs is to not be allowed to be "naughty" and initate play or other interaction politely, up til now it sounds like the owners step in rather than the dogs by the sound of things, so he needs a dog who will not let him behave badly. He tends to run up barkinng in their faces and run away again, he doesn't seem to read other dogs well. Again though this is all assumption based on what she's telling me which is why I would prefer her to meet up with someone with some behavioural knowledge in case it makes the problem worse by him meeting the wrong dog. I have suggested a trainer or behaviourist but I think money is an issue for her. She's actually about half an hour north of Burton I think but not entirely sure where as I don't know her too well, but had said Burton was th nearest main place she could get to. Thank you all for your offers, it's awful having a "naughty" dog and not knowing where to start with it so I really wanted to help but can't really help directly so thanks for the offers.

Hi there Is anyone here or does anyone know an experienced dog owner in Burton with a confident dog who wouldn't mind walking with someone I know and her dog? I've never met the dog and I'm/she's not a behaviourist so my/her assumption may be wrong, but it sounds like her lab cross collie is very full on and playful, "in your face" and it means she is anxious about socialising him with other dogs. He's never been told off by another dog and she finds his behaviour embarrassing as he sounds very rude, wanting to play all the time but not initiating play politely. She is now at the point where she hates walking him and gets anxious when he approaches another dog. I thought I'd ask around as someone on here might be willing to meet with her and have a confident dog for him to play with. I think the main problem is her confidence and this would help her. I've been at the point before with my dog here I've hated leaving my front door with her and it's really helped me having people to walk with. (I'm not a behaviourist and haven't met the dog and am going only by what she's said so you'd obviously have to watch and be sure it wasn't that she was misinterpreting any kind of aggression as play - I don't think it is as she's had him several years and he's never been told off or in a fight from what she tells me but I would hate to give advice when I'm not qualified!)

Thanks, she was fed BARF for a while but it made no difference to her ears - the problem is they are so delicate that they don't get a chance to heal properly as she bashes them daily when she shakes them. Sometimes they heal for months at a time but then they break open again. We've got yet another vet check but the vet always comments on how good she looks (she does, she always loks great, everyone says so) so I don't honestly think it's anything majorly lacking diet wise but I'm wondering if she needs a supplement or if somethign added that's homepathic could help the healing process?

My poor Purdie-dog being such a cowbag, arrived at my house over 3 years ago with a sore ear as she'd been in a scrap, and the edges of one ear a bit battered and tattered. Since then she's damaged the other ear, and they break open constantly. They break open all the time and are very delicate, especially when she is excited (she shakes to calm herself and her flapping her ears against the top of her head breaks open the scabs) and also when she tries to rub her muzzle/headcollar/harness off by rubbing against things or hurling herself to the ground. It's been over 3 years now and even when they look completely healed, they just open up again when she's too vigorous (which is almost all the time). I am really out of ideas. The vet is a bit dismissive as they aren't bad cuts but the mess they make is unbelievable - the blood goes all over the top of her head, under her chin, down her face and on her muzzle, people out walking must surely think I beat her! And of course when I try to clean her up she shakes her head as she hates having damp things on her, so it makes it worse, not to mention going all over my white sheets/sofas etc, although obviously that's the least of my worries. Is there anything homeopathic/dietary supplement I can give her to help them heal?

Get well soon Poppy, glad she's doing better

Dawww, fab news Well done Charlie

She tells him off when he is rude (and he is very rude, he literally will not leave another dog alone), but corrects him fairly, so that when he's behaving nicely they run around sniffing together and interacting just as other dogs do, so he learns what is acceptable and what isn't. He absolutely bullies other dogs just because he is so OTT but he's learning already that he can't do that. His owner said he wasn't as bad with Purdie as he normally is as Purdie just won't put up with it. Just typical dog behaviour really, warning, then rahrahing close to him, sitting on him or standing over him, that kind of thing. We've tried taking photos and film but they run around too much to get good shots.

Purdie has a pupil fairly locally, (who is learning "don't mess with the big girls" as lesson number one lol), we will be meeting up with him and allowing Purdie to teach him outside of Ange's classes

It's just H at the moment, we can do some basic moves like leaping over legs, twirl & twist, stand, that kind of thing, the problem is as always trying to get Purdie to work for a few minutes without her getting herself into a big shrieking yelling tizzy, she gets super excited and can't concentrate, so we just do the tricks but no routine - although I thought of a cracking idea for one so may try stringing some moves together. Purdie doesn't work for free so it can be tricky keeping her attention too. Any tips?

Yup, I've got one a bit like that. She tried to hurl herself through my parents' front window to get at a cat and wrecked the net curtain - they all matched but cvouldn't be bought anymore so they had to buy all new made to measure ones for funny shaped windows as they had to change the whole lot Ooops. £140. She also knocked red wine on their brand new beige carpet - cost not yet calculated and threw up Christmas cake on their hall carpet. It's a good job they're not looking to sell their house or anything... oh no, hang on a minute, they are But your dog is very cute and therefore should be let off the hook

She still has her moments, but who wants a perfect dog anyway? It'd be boring I just took this photo when clicker training - and 2 seconds later she went and helped herself to the rest of the treats, decided she'd worked hard enough It was a "high five" for anyone wondering what she was doing holding my hand lol

Wow, very jealous, looks great! Glad you have a great time

Yep, I think that's key. I was practically phobic about taking Purdie out before, the stress crippled me and after talking to a lot of people at Ange's they have felt the same, one couple were having marital problems cos one of their dogs was causing so much stress, it's nice having support and finally someone understanding how complicated Purdie is as much as anything, and being able to feel confident in dealing with other dogs and their owners.

He looks so anxious, poor love. Hope he finds a lovely home soon.

Happy Gotcha days, lovely pics

Thank you kindly Mrs T You are very kind, although I am very smug. I was to be seen practising my smug face yesterday and introducing people to my "teaching dog." Did I mention I'm smug? Purdie rewarded herself by eating something minging and dead yesterday that she found in the field... The main thing is of course that Purdie is happier than ever and it's such a joy to see her interacting nicely with other dogs, playing with dogs she would once have tried to hurt or even kill. I could never have done this with the conventional methods other behaviourists and trainers advised me, without Angela and her incredible knowledge and perception. Even on lead Purdie is fab these days - the amount of off-lead dogs that have come and leapt all over Purdie is ridiculous but she takes it all in her stride now, she's really come such a long way and I'm the proudest mummy ever Course she still has her moments and can be a total baggage but I wouldn't change her for the world Oh, and she's the first teaching dalmatian and is now helping dogs in her area of the country. SMUG SMUG SMUG. Okay I have removed my smug face now and come down to earth!

The poor thing, he's only 18 months old too. Glad he's been found finally though and can make a recovery at home with his family. Thanks for your help Owl.

Good to see you back Bebe I gave up on the BARF diet after a while as I didn't have the freezer space (or space to add another freezer) to buy what I needed in bulk and was anxious I wasn't doing it right - the more I learned the more I got confused and stressed that I wasn't feeding Purdie a balanced meal. For a long time though it seemed to sort out her gland problems but then they came back again, and in the end I gave up, I do think it's ace though if you have the time/money/local supplier etc, let us know how you get on. Phoenix - definitely try it, just be really careful introducing it as the addition of bones too quickly can have a dog literally screaming in pain if they are unable to pass them properly, start with just the meat would be my suggestion and do lots of reading, there is a BARF user group thingy on yahoo I think which might be useful?

Happy belated birthday Indy

Thank you so much Owl

Silver and black miniature schnauzer dog missing following being hit by a car, he is 18 months old and one of his legs was injured. He went missing in Acocks Green on 28th February. Another miniature schnauzer has also been found coincidentally in the same area without no i.d. but sadly it is not the same dog. Please telephone 0121 6032565 with any information. Please crosspost.

Wil send you some leftover purple vetwrap in a loo roll then too

sam, would panacur be better than drontal because it is milder on their stomachs (I'm thinking if they don't get much to eat a dodgy tummy would be bad perhaps?) or is drontal better because it's more easily administered?

Poor Gyp

What a horrible thing to happen for all concerned So sorry for your loss. Run free beautiful Ailsa