<p>We miss our sweet boy so. We will get another dog, perhaps from rescue, perhaps from one of the many breeders I’ve gotten to know. The struggle with a rescue dog in this breed is that you may not get to enjoy them as long. We got our boy when he was 4 1/2. He was heart clear whe we got him, but started to get the first signs of a murmur within that first year. We only got to enjoy him for 5 1/2 yrs. We lost him 2 weeks before his 10th birthday. So, if I choose a pup next go round, I’ll have to deal with the housebreaking, the chewing, etc (none of which I had to deal with with our rescue dog), but hopefully I’ll have the fortune to have a four-legged companion for a while longer…</p>
<p>My ex-husband’s current wife (very nice lady–we all love her) actually stole a HORSE that was being mistreated. I think she just loaded it up and took it home. The owners found out she had it, but didn’t want to be turned in for abuse, so left it alone. I always thought that was rather a brave act of civil disobedience, of a sort.</p>
<p>A slight detour to this thread, but still in the area of dogs: Anybody know anything about Alaskan Malamutes? The only negative I’ve heard is that they can be escape artists and can never be trusted off leash. Comments?</p>
<p>All I know is that my neighbor has two and they seem to be great dogs. They have had these dogs with 3 young children. Only “negative” she has mentioned is that they are very territorial with their property as to other dogs coming in (she paid a large vet bill for injuries a neighbor’s dog incurred when it came into their yard). Hers seem to do fine with invisible fence.</p>
<p>I have read hysterical stories about invisible fence in Temple Grandins animal behavior book
it works OK until they have motivation to get a shock- a cat going by- another dog taunting them- even asquirrel, might provide enough inspiration that they dont mind the shock they recieve leaving the yard.
Coming back in however, was another matter.
Nothing exciting about going back * in* the yard, so they stayed out!</p>
<p>I have met some wonderful malamutes and a few slightly aloof ones. I think they’re general temperament range is toward to friendly. I do know they suffer in the heat, though, even here in Seattle where it doesn’t get that hot.</p>
<p>As for invisible fencing, it is important to remember it doesn’t keep anything out, including rabbit, deer, and coyotes—all of which can be powerful reasons for a dog to ignore a shock! My dog isn’t outside unless I’m with her.</p>
<p>Can I just share some advice if your dog should happen to have a run-in with a skunk?! :(</p>
<p>IMMEDIATELY grab your dog and hose them off outside. Do not bring them in. Do not even worry about soap at least at first. Yell for someone in the house to mix up this solution (have the stuff on hand) 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda, 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid. Wearing gloves, wash your dog (stay outside) and let it sit for 5 minutes. Do not get this stuff in your dog’s eyes! Later on you can wash your dogs facial area better with puppy shampoo (no tear). Check to make sure your dog has not been bit by the skunk. Later on you can bring him in and bathe him properly.</p>
<p>By the way tomato juice does nothing. Don’t bother.</p>
<p>A week ago my little male Bedlington Terrier got sprayed. We didn’t really do anything right and my house STILL smells like skunk (to say nothing of his odor). Yesterday I bathed him again and when wet he still smelled almost as bad as he did a week ago. Arrgh…</p>
<p>“As for invisible fencing, it is important to remember it doesn’t keep anything out, including rabbit, deer, and coyotes—all of which can be powerful reasons for a dog to ignore a shock! My dog isn’t outside unless I’m with her.”</p>
<p>dmd77 is absolutely right about being outside with your dog if you have an invisible fence. I have heard of several dogs being attacked by other dogs or rabid wildlife who were too afraid to go through the “fencing” to escape the attack.</p>
<p>We’re huge fans of our invisible fence for our beagles. They have been subject to extreme tempation (cats, kids, balls, other dogs, an evil rabbit who figured out the boundaries and teased them mercilessly) but have never gone through the barrier. Even so, we would not leave them unattended and a <em>good</em> dealer would stress the importance of this – ours did.</p>
<p>I’ve been told by the Nature’s Miracle/Petastic reps that you should not wash the dog first … that you should get the odor neutralizer onto the dog before water. Something about the hair absorbing the first liquid it gets (i.e. skunk) and you want to get the neutralizer on there next. I try to keep the Petastic Skunk in my house … if the dogs get skunked I soak a towel and towel them, then pour the stuff on and towel them some more. I have Shelties so it’s a LOT of coat. </p>
<p>By the way Petastic or Nature’s Miracle comes in three formulas – dog, cat, and skunk. Same stuff, just more concentrated as the smell problems get worse!</p>
<p>We’ve been very happy with invisible fence, though people I know who bought the do it yourself kind have not had good experiences. We have about 7 acres fenced in and have had as many as 6 dogs on it at a time–the one that took the most training was the beagle. The only downside is that they WILL NOT cross fence line, so when I want to take one for a walk, I have to (of course after removing collar) pick them up and carry over the fence area— and with the 95 lb boxer mix, this is quite the effort!</p>
<p>Loved the “evil rabbit” —think we might have one of its relatives here :).</p>
<p>Like I said in my previous post, you must be aware that if something dangerous enters your yard your dog(s) may not be able to escape an attack by another animal for fear of being shocked. That’s why it’s important never to leave your dog unattended in a yard with an invisible fence.</p>
<p>This is a bit offtrack, but does anyone know what to do with a six month old puppy who still has an accident daily? We did the crate training and the crate’s in the (gated off) kitchen. He goes to the door but doesn’t bark (or ring the unused jingle bell hanging there) and if we’re not watching him he just “goes” at the door. It’s weird and its driving us nuts!! Any ideas why he won’t tell us?</p>
<p>I’m not a dog trainer, but here are a few suggestions:</p>
<pre><code>–Before you take the puppy outside take his paw and have him ring the bell and then you say “outside” or “pee pee” or whatever you say to mean we’re going outside so you can relieve yourself.
–On the spot outside where you want him to relieve himself, place a newspaper or paper towel or puppy pad with some of his urine on it.
–Above all, praise, praise, praise him when he relieves himself outside with a “good pee pee” or whatever words you use for it. You might also give him a little treat as you praise him.
</code></pre>
<p>If you’re already doing these things, I don’t know what else to tell you except never to take your eyes off of him in the house until he’s completely housebroken. That way, if you do catch him in the act, you can correct him right away by telling him “no” and taking him outside.</p>
<p>Believe it or not, but 6 months is still young. He might need a month or two more. I think it’s a very good sign that he’s at the door when he has accidents. But, he still needs to be watched constantly. If he’s having accidents, sorry to say, he isn’t being supervised closely enough. When he’s loose someone need to know if he’s heading to the door. It’s a pain, isn’t it???!!!</p>
<p>One of my dogs refuses to nudge the bells - the other swings at them wildly. Your dog may or may not take to the bells. My female, who won’t nudge the bells, just stands quietly by the door. It was really hard to catch that when she was younger (and before we go the “boss man” - my male who doesn’t let her out of his sight and rings the bells for her).</p>
<p>Other than that, how’s the puppy doing??? :)</p>
<p>thanks for the advice. Weenie, you’re the Westie owner, right? Our Havanese is a charming imp…mischievous as all get out and the kids are totally in love. He’s a little “g’d up” as my grandfather used to say, but I think age and neutering will take the edge off of that! Thanks for asking.</p>
<p>I also have a dog who goes and sits quietly at the door. When he was a puppy we gave him a dog biscuit every time he made a successful trip outdoors. As soon as he figured this out, he would wait patiently at the door with no accidents since he knew a treat was riding on it.<br>
Now that he is a mature big boy (75 lbs.) he goes for hours without going to the door to be let out but he still looks for the treat afterwards.</p>