DogPaddle

Can't help with the stain removal but if he is getting stained from urine I am guessing he is fairly often spending a significant period of time in a soiled crate. The crate training and house training I am familiar with would want to avoid this. Maybe this will help prevent it in the future: [url]http://forum.dogomania.com/viewtopic.php?t=10960[/url] Just skip through to the houstraining and crate training sections.

A true huskey would not be an extra-large dog. Some people confuse huskies and malamutes which may be where the problem lies. Huskies are a breed associated with mushing and speed. They are therefor a comparatively light, athletic dog. I would guess anywhere from 35 to 60 lbs depending on sex and breeding. Labs usually run around 55 to 80 lbs depending on sex and breeding and how padded they get. I would GUESS that your dog would be around 65lbs and no more than 2 feet tall at the shoulder. As with all Labs and Lab Crosses watch his weight, make sure he maintains that just noticable tummy tuck and waist.

My boys have not met a stuffie they could not kill in less than a day, usually within seconds. They love it though so I buy them $1 stuffies from the bargin store and let them destroy them.

Labs are slow to mature as well. They are very high energy as are huskies. Labs are very trainable as are huskies - if you can get inside their heads and get past that extrordinary stubborness - I think they understand perfectly myself but enjoy watching veins throb in peoples forheads. They are a happy, confident and personable breed (often) and therefore cannot believe that when you are yelling and holding the remains of a dish/cable/chair that you could actually be mad at them. They will however patiently weight for you to finish your foolish human tirade, smiling and wagging their tales - inadvertantly knocking another glass off the table in the process. If you are very lucky (if we were in person you would be able to hear the sarcasim) your lab/huskey will have the slightly oily lab outercoat and the downy, shedding nightmare huskey undercoat. Plan to spend no less than 40 min bathing him everytime you do it. Plan to vacuume daily during shedding season. Fortunately the rest of the year you will only need to vacuume 3x as much as non-dog folks. Cold wet weather should not be a problem. Other possible traits: snugglebug bedhog stuffygutter digger escape artist talker may need a "job" eager to please may express gaurding instincts may be none of the above - mixed breeds are like that

Sounds like the guy won't be back. Seems mostly interested in an intact dog, has a wad of cash . . . he'll just buy another one. :(

Excellent. My efforts to convince my housemates than another dog would be fine weren't going well.

Hamilton's Animal Control is the one putting down pit bulls but they have no links for any animals available for adoption. Hamilton's SPCA is not going to mass kill pits in anticipation of the law change and they do have links for adoptable animals. Damn AC should be doing something at least to give those dogs a chance. [url]http://www.hamiltonspca.com/[/url] The Hamilton/Burlington SPCA would like to clarify that the SPCA (organized in 1887) is a totally separate organization from the City of Hamilton's Animal Control Department. Animal Control services are provided directly by the City of Hamilton. The Hamilton/Burlington SPCA will continue to adopt suitable Pit-bulls to the public. There has been no policy change at the SPCA. The City of Hamilton has made a policy decision in reference to Pit-bulls and the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA is not involved in this decision-making process. We must reiterate that while both organizations are located at 245 Dartnall Road, the SPCA facilities are separate and are separately managed. The Hamilton/Burlington SPCA is a not-for-profit charity.

I cannot believe that law is actually going to be passed in the first place. And to put the dogs down as a "proactive stance" is utter crap. Gods I have two dogs already that are driving my non-dog housemates bonkers but I'm still tempted to go down and adopt one.

Ah that is great. I wish I could thank that elderly man.

I small 40lb Collie or a large 40lb Sheltie. :lol: Your Shollie is lovely.

I think your instincts with this trainer are probably pretty good. I would look for a trainer who emphisizes obedience. Someone who wants to make sure the dog has the correct temperment for bite/protection work - someone who will call it quits if its not working for the dog (or if he/she thinks the handler is suspect as well.) Ask about the trainers human and doggy first aid experience and there saftey precautions - I would think that a good trainer would be prepared for injuries but do everything they can to avoid them. And look for someone who is serious but doesn't appear to be compensating for something. :lol: Talk to people, ask to watch a class in progress without your dog and trust your instincts.

Cost varies but around here you can get it done for as little as $50 depending on weight of the dog (bigger dog - more aenesthetic - more money) I have heard of places charging over $200 though. Check to see if your local animal control or humane society have a reputable spay/neuter program - they are usually fairly inexpensive or are standerd for your area but the revenue, if any, goes to the shelter. There is a small incision with a few stitches, usually the dog is up and around within hours, and feeling right as rain in a couple days max. Some spayed dogs may be less aggressive or territorial but there is no hard and fast rule. Some people have claimed that a spayed dog will pick up weight easier, I myself have not experienced this but if it appeared to be happening this could easily be remedied by slightly reducing the amount of food your dog gets or a little bit of extra excercise (healthier for you and your pet anyway.)

Yeah there has to be other breeds in there. No matter how many short people had babies together you are not going to be able to make a subrace of miniture humans that only weigh 1/4 the weight of average humans - can't be that different for dogs right? I'm betting there is some JR or maybe fox terrier or even chihuahua mixed in with the Dalmation.

Sorry to sidetrack: Cairn - Who is the collie in your signature? He/she is beautiful.

Either PSA or shutzhund would probablly be fine. PSA might provide more versatility but shutzhund might allow you the option to compete should you change your mind later - more opportunity to do stuff with your dog. I would think that a dog that could be ordered off in the high stress and distracting situation or a competition with other dogs and people around would be good too. Ultimately though, it would be best to go with the system that you are most comfortable with because it is likely, far more important that you do everything right and are consistant and well versed in the system you choose. What you will want to be researching is WHO. There are some fairly disreputable trainers out there who cater to the "my dog is tougher than yours" crowd. You want a VERY reputable, compasionate trainer with integrity if you are going to do any sort of bite/protection training.

Terriers in general were often used as ratters. I suppose the dogs might actually enjoy the job a fair amount. I hope they give them a good set of vaccines and treat any bites properly.

Sorry to sidetrack but you have no idea how many times I have thought or said something like this myself: [quote]like those fools that put those big spoilers on their little Honda Civics[/quote] :lol: I have a Honda Civic. It doesn't even have a 5th gear. It is slow and scrapes bottom if you put 4 adults in it and go over bumps. It is powder blue (old lady colour) - all Hondas should be powder blue it suites them. On the up side mine is 16 years old . . . only another 4 years to go and it will technically be a "classic" - at least for emission test standards. :lol:

The puppy was 5 weeks old when you brought it home? Changes in food can cause stomach upset, change gradually if possible and give it a few days on the new food to see if it straightens out.

Nice post Rowie.

[quote]They're all very passionate about making sure animals are cared for the way they should be[/quote] I will agree in regards to all the Animal Precinct/Cops shows except Animal Cops Miami. There is something about their attitude that irks me, the way they handle the animals, the acceptance of feild euthanasia for injured stray dogs. The only time they went "above and beyond" I thought they were crazy. It was for this one Rott that they had taken form a gaurding type situation - he bit one of the shelter staff . . . on two seperate occasions - he was petting the dog at the time. This dog they were going to get special training for so maybe they could place him but the dog without tags that they found hit by a car (broken leg) they euthanized in the truck without a second thought.

This thread has some stuff on crates near the end. Good luck. [url]http://forum.dogomania.com/viewtopic.php?t=10960[/url]

I had a GSD/Dobe mix that once ate a beer can - leaving only the top and bottom. :o You can imagine how worried I was about her when I found the top and bottom but no wounds in her mouth and no resultant problems - weird.

But its not just the weaning its the socialization - something about bite inhibition???

Oh good. Poor Paddy, but good that it is not a serious health risk.

I actually asked Kavik's breeder to keep him until 9 weeks - when we brought him home he was petty much house trained and crate trained - it was bliss. On the bunny hop thing - Kavik used to do funny walks as a pup, I worried too but it turned out to be nothing (I did take him to the vet though - eased my mind.)