Sanvean

*HUGS* I am so sorry to hear about your baby. I have a Maltese, Macy, and adore her. Did you breed Spike yourself?

Awwwwwwwwww...poor baby! You have to bring that little baby home, Rowie!!!

So glad we could help! And don't forget to show us some pictures of your baby boy! ;)

Very good suggestions, Cassie! I forgot to add that other sports, like agility and weightpulling, can help build your dog's confidence a lot. Also, be sure you don't talk too soothingly to your puppy when he is afraid. Many owners do this and don't realize it actually reinforces the behaviour -- it sounds like praise to them! Laugh a little and try to jolly him along when he is afraid. When Macy is scared of something, we act like we're having a great old time doing whatever it is we're doing. It seems to encourage her to loosen up, because Mommy and Daddy aren't scared of it.

I totally agree, Mei-Mei. MANY bulldog pups have to be born by C-section because their heads are just too large for a vaginal delivery to be possible. Please, for the health of your dogs and her pups, only consider this is if you are a very experienced breeder (which I'm guessing you're not) or are being mentored by one.

I personally think both boxers and pits are great dogs. However, some pits can be dog-aggressive (if the mom is indeed a pit). The best bet might be to take your dog to the pound and see which, if either, he gets along with best. Let us know how it goes :D

Have you tried a puppy class? They are not aimed at obedience so much as at socializing the puppy. (Make sure that when you do train him, you go to a class with positive methods, like clicker training, rather than corrective methods, which I think would upset your pup a lot.) I would consult a trainer immediately, I think. It sounds like your poor baby had a traumatic experience before you got him.

I think the Drs. Foster and Smith catalog sells them. [url]http://www.drsfostersmith.com/[/url]

Like everyone, I am upset when inexperienced people breed their pets, but not everyone is fortunate enough to have the information and the awareness we have. Please remember that a lot of people don't have the background we do on pet care. At least this woman cared enough about her dog to ask how to take care of her and her pups. I do hope she comes back so we can help her out and teach her about the overpopulation crisis.

Here's a photo of the dog from the movie: [img]http://www.ozcraft.com/scifidu/as_good/the_choice.jpg[/img]

That's awesome!!! :D :D :D

Well, I second what the others had to say, but the puppies are coming, and there isn't much you can do now! We will do our best to help you have healthy, happy puppies, if you PROMISE to get mom and dad fixed :D Here is a link to a book that is supposed to be very helpful: [url]http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0764508725/qid=1061409405/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/103-9993571-7280644?v=glance&s=books&n=507846[/url]

What a prick!!! You should have told him, "What the BLEEP are you doing in a dog park, then, you piece of crap?!"

Awesome!!!!!! :D

Great info there! I would LOVE to be a cruelty investigator and punish bad people who hurt animals...but I'm afraid I'd probably be arrested for homicide after beating perpetrators to death with my purse.

Unfortunately, the contract may not hold up in court. We had a case a few years ago where one of our dogs was stolen from an adoption. We took it to court but could not get the dog back -- only the amount that the adoption fee would have been. And our contract was written by a judge who is a member of our group! (Of course, in this case, the person did not sign the contract, because he stole the dog, but it seems like it would unfortunately work the same way.)

I knew you guys would encourage my vices ;) (But thanks to angelboddy for trying to get me to show some restraint!) We don't have kids, and the kitties aren't much ones for wearing or being carried in cute things...so my Macy Marie is the only one I CAN spoil!

Well, her old collar is getting ratty, and so is her lead...the kitties were playing with it and snagged it all up :-?

Oh, forgot to add that I'm thinking about getting this collar and matching lead! What do you guys think? It doesn't clash with the carrier, does it? [img]http://www.parkavenuepaws.com/collars/collars/images/kate.jpg[/img]

Well, I called Jay and 'fessed up. He was a little peeved (we're VERY broke right now!), but he was somewhat assuaged when I promised to bring him a Krispy Kreme doughnut. (We got some at the paper before the store in town has opened yet.)

I just bought this darling carrier for Macy on eBay: [img]http://ebay1.ipixmedia.com/abc/M28/_EBAY_cdf0c16e0e6b9bb9115d588ae0962c97/i-1.JPG[/img] I already have TWO at home (never use them -- one isn't cute, and the other is way too big). I need to sell them on eBay. Hopefully Jay doesn't kill me when he sees this one!!!

Macy just has a raincoat (she doesn't like getting wet) -- no cute little outfits -- but I probably will get her a Halloween costume. It would be SO cute!

Or a kitten from a rescue ;) This time of year, we're DROWNING in kittens!

This site has info on colitis that may be helpful: [url]http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/dcolitis.html[/url] It sounds like colitis in puppies is not something really terrible. Reading it may ease your mind.

I did see a lady on "Pet Star" who dyed her poodle pink, but she said she used Koolaid. That seems a lot safer!