Baby and dog issues

I am so excited I could do a jig .... and I am also going to be staying with my mother, so we are working on mending that rift from last year.

Baby steps, all baby steps ..... with wine .....

Ah, wonderful! I am so glad you are taking a bit of a break! enjoy!

You could, I will have to leave instructions with the cat to train the dogs, as I am planning to be doing very little but reading and drinking several large glasses of almost good wine in Hermanus!!

<well that is how I fantasise about it, usually it results in me running after my lot and doing about the same about of work, but it is just away from home .... but I like to fantasise about what might be...>

ha ha ha about the tik!

Well, that's why I think we need someone who can show us how to do things differently, because I know the probem lies with us the owners.

Thanks for all the info, it helps a lot!!

Ps: do you think we can send our dog with a case of good wine down to cape town for the easter holidays for some training???

Hey GW - I used to do dog shows, and judge and stuff around Terriers with a focus on Staffordshire Bull Terriers.

So I have a special fondness for the breed.

We have had several SBT - some lived with us inbetween being rehomed or what ever.

I can't tell you how many dogs would arrive at our front door, with the owner carrying the dog and telling us the dog simply could not walk on a leash, and the dog could not x and could not y ... and we would say "okay, thanks, don't worry we will sort it out and find him/her a home" - and usually the owner's wife/girlfriend would be carrying a baby or have a toddler .....

The most memorable was a similiar occassion, guy arrived, was going through a divorce, could not keep dog, dog could not walk on a leash, guy had to carry dog in and warned us dog could not be with other dogs, and dog was afraid of .... well pretty much everything, and unmanageable.

<granted dog was scared of our tv, and then commenced bouncing from one couch to another>

We had 3 SBT at the time.

That was the Thursday - we trained the dog, and I placed her with a little old lady in MacGregor, who arrived to fetch the dog (can't recall dog's name now) on the Tuesday evening.

By that point the dog had been in our house, slept on the floor, played with our three dogs, and we walked the dog to the old lady's car on a leash, and the dog was as docile as anything.

Lady in MacGregor phoned me afterwards to say what a lovely dog it was, and how pleasant and friendly and well behaved ....

So yes, sometimes an unruly dog is because of something the owners are doing and often do not realise it.

<that being said, I had to eat humble pie, as I chose a puppy from a breeder, and loved the breed line, and wanted to show the dog and and and ..... turned out this dog was my total archillies (spelling) heel - dog was so unruly, it left me flabbergasted, and I never got control over the dog - and in the 11 years we had her I don't think I ever saw her calm - I am sure she was a TIK user ....>

Reluctant Mom:

Wow, thanks for the great advice.

I think we need to get a dog behaviourist soon!! I hope my vet can recomend someone...

Our staffie was fine with our LO (now 23 months) up to about 2 months ago. My little girl has figured out that she can get loads of reaction from the dog if she "irritates" the dog. Not good. Our staffie is loving but highly strung. All strange and loud noises upset her. So, my LO is thinking of anyway possible to upset the dog.

I have tried keeping them apart, but it is not a good idea, since our dog is used to be part of the families activities and therefore worsens the situation if I take her away from where we are.

Our dog either runs away if my LO gives her a fright or she would start barking (my LO rides her plastic scooter bike and makes a lot of noise on our cement floors). A few times now our dog has become very aggressive in her barking, as if she is trying to alert me their is a very real threat that I need to investigate. I am really worried she might snap at my LO.....



I really hope there is help, as I do not want to get rid of our dog.

We went to the SPCA on Saturday but at the moment they have no young small breed dogs available. The 4 that are there are being placed with their new homes this week. DH still not keen on a year+ puppy and wants a puppy puppy.

Deja my peke does actually like my LG, he sleeps next to her cot and when she has food he follows her end she even shares her food with him (cringe) but then I leave them. Its when he is in one of his depressing moods and she wants to play that the trouble starts. (never realised this until we had the dog behaviourist pointed it out)

So really hoping that getting him a friend again will cheer him up and keep him company.