Inherited Dog - Australia

foreign_correspondent

Agree again with lostinrates here - dogs should enjoy training - it involves learning new things, getting praise and treats - dogs generally have a work instinct, and enjoy a challenge - it stops them getting bored!!

It sounds like she is getting more fun and attention from you than she has perhaps ever had in her life before - I bet she thinks it is brill, living with you...

Generali, is she beginning to grow on you a little? I sort of suspect she might be!:p

Generali

AussieLass wrote: »

I think you mean red bellied black snakes and yes they are very deadly to dogs. I would really try and keep your grass short during summer. Snakes love long grass not to mention ticks and you're in for a real treat as those snakes give birth to 40 live snakes at one time.

I do. I always get that the WWR.

The long grass was a one-off due to a broken lawn mower.

lostinrates wrote: »

Actually, so long as you are consistant about house rules (e.g if you expect her to wait for her food, and not jump up) its BETTER to train exactly as you are. (you're well within my area now). Traning in very short sessions is best, and time to ruminate over things is beneficial...so studies show so don't think of it as lazy, think of it as thinking time for her. OTOH, do try and make sure you end the little sessions on a positive note.

Dogs should always enjoy training. Its bonding time with you, its stimulating and, the way I've decribed, its both fun and positive. what's not to like?:D She's also going through the stage of ''larning to learn''. Once she's got the idea ..erhaps she has, that she has to figure out what you want then do it, things become easy peasy, she only has to figure out what you want, and with positive training, she'll want to do it...most of the time:D

Excellent, I am no longer lazy, I am now introducing a dog-centred non-intensive training scheme. Like it.

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

It sounds like she is getting more fun and attention from you than she has perhaps ever had in her life before - I bet she thinks it is brill, living with you...

Generali, is she beginning to grow on you a little? I sort of suspect she might be!:p

She probably is getting more attention than she's had in a while. And it is fair to say she's growing on me. I still wouldn't describe myself as a dog person although 'Lady's man' might be fair.

trudij

lol - cant believe Ive missed this thread - tis fab !!

well done you - and Lady is loveley !!

BitterAndTwisted

She is! She has a lovely smile

Generali

A couple more questions:

- It's been really hot here (42C in the shade). Do dogs suffer from sunburn?
- What should I do in hot weather other than ensuring she has lots of water (her water bowl has the best part of a gallon capacity I would guess).

foreign_correspondent

Generali wrote: »

A couple more questions:

- It's been really hot here (42C in the shade). Do dogs suffer from sunburn?
- What should I do in hot weather other than ensuring she has lots of water (her water bowl has the best part of a gallon capacity I would guess).

Dogs can get sunburnt, especially on their muzzles and ears, particularly if these areas are white or the fur is thin...

You can put sunblock on these areas, but it needs to be a safe one in case she licks it off - the sort you can put on your lips, for example.

However, in general, the bigger risk is overheating - which can kill - hence never leaving dogs in hot cars - dogs have less efficient systems for cooling down than we do - their cooling is mainly done by evaporation throught their mouth when panting.

You can buy cooling bandanas etc for dogs - http://www.coolheads.com.au/apps/webstore/products/show/570944

She definitely needs cool water and shade... somewhere she can get out of the sun... she may also appreciate a cool area to lie on in her shady spot - maybe a smooth stone paver or piece of marble? Some dogs also enjoy having water to play in/paddle in, and this can help them keep cool - a kids rigid paddling pool or sandpit is ideal. If you get worried that she is suffering from the heat, you can also sponge her over with a little water

Guide here to recognising the signs of heatstroke: http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/information/atozofdogs/h/heatstroke/

Dogs are pretty savvy though, if she has a cool spot to get into, she will choose to rest there rather than in direct sunlight...

hethmar

Yes they can get sun stroke and skin cancer. But she sounds like she has had to look out for herself up to now and Im sure she would find a bit of shade to lie in.

Wine_of_the_World

Have you tried giving her ice cubes to eat? I also saw a TV show where they made up very diluted gravy then froze it in a ice cream container for the dog to lick and then cools itself.

Also - if she will lie on it a socked pillow or towel will cool her (the pillow will stay cooler for longer).

Is there a sandy or bear area in the garden? If so she may dig and find cooler earth to lay on - especially if this is damped down with a hose (not the best for your water bill tho)

trudij

If there is a

bear area

in your garden - she should stay away

(sorry wine of the world - couldnt resist!!!! )

Generali

There are plenty of shady spots she can get into including under the house and she has a couple of places where she's sort of rubbed away the grass and she covers herself in dust (possibly to act as a sunscreen?).

She's from Darwin so she should be pretty used to the heat. I just wanted to check as an acquaintance's dog died on Sunday in the hot weather.

I'd spray her with the hose to cool her down but it freaks her out. She really hates it.