The Chillout Zone (Off-Topic Thread)

Léan wrote: »

I finally bought a Nylabone for Cato the other day. Oh my god, I don't know why I didn't get one sooner. He LOVES it. He seems to get great satisfaction out of it

Lol my guy is the same! They have dinosaur shaped ones now lol

Whispered wrote: »

I'm DYING to go camping and the forecast for next weekend seems not too bad. I can't decide. I'm thinking if we bring a fire pit to sit around and loads of blankets we'd be warm enough.

I can see myself sitting there at 2 am shivering thinking "what the hell was I thinking" :rolleyes:

The last time I went camping this time of year I lay awake the whole night shivering with about 400 layers of clothes on in a tent with 2 others. Never ever been as cold in my life, reckon I was close to hypothermia I'd say.

Will you be bringing to large furry hot water bottles? Nights would still be a bit cold without them I'd say!

The cat had a dental and got microchipped on Friday, poor darling is slowly starting to come back to normal now, mouth is obviously still a bit sore, wouldn't blame her as she had to have one of her molars removed. She had bloods done too which show that she's probably got another UTI or kidney infection coming on, hopefully the early antibiotics should keep it at bay as she is so far showing no obvious signs yet.

On a happier note, brought himself for a walk this morning and met loads of dogs and 2 horses and not a peep out of him! He was even a bit miffed as to why 2 of the dogs didn't want to come over for a sniff. Such a difference in him and so much easier to walk him!

I/we got a distinction in our CAP1 clicker assessment on Friday...after a false start! :P

gobo99 wrote: »

Hi guys, just wondering if any of you can help me. I got these in pet store today and was told there ok for love birds, but i'm not sure if the girl knew what she was talking about. Google translate says "for all African parrots"
]

Looks like they're just for parrots - http://www.zooplus.ie/shop/birds/snacks_and_supplements/parrot/126535

thanks. I thought when I opened the pack the seeds don't look like what they would normally eat. better safe than sorry.

Am so mad. Lexi got hurt at daycare today, "just a scrap" they said. I was bringing her to the vet anyway and they had to sedate her and give her 4 stitches right under her eye. The poor thing, am so mad. They were so flippant about it. Said it wasnt anything they could do as they didnt know what dog done it and so couldnt get the dogs owners to pay up. Ahhhhhhh :mad:

Thats what I said but they dont agree and its in their terms and conditions. Its so frustrating. It cost €100 and now she is zonked out. I have to go to work tomorrow and hate leaving her like this. My OH is in Donegal, usually he would be around for a while or come home for lunch.

I'm not gonna let it go, just couldnt try and reason with them today. I was too upset and mad.

They wouldnt even refund the money I had paid for today.

TillyGirl wrote: »

Am so mad. Lexi got hurt at daycare today, "just a scrap" they said.

So sorry to hear Lexi got hurt...but im playing devils advocate here. If the daycare was at fault they most definitely should pay your vet bills eg.for dangerous premises, but with a large amount of dogs (just like a kids creche) you're going to have scraps and that means injuries.

Im following 2 dog daycare places on facebook and while they look fantastic im under no illusion there's no fighting between the dogs, nowheres scrap free all of the time.They will have public liability insurance for when they're genuinely at fault..but you cant expect them to prevent every single incident that may happen with dogs.

anniehoo wrote: »

So sorry to hear Lexi got hurt...but im playing devils advocate here. If the daycare was at fault they most definitely should pay your vet bills eg.for dangerous premises, but with a large amount of dogs (just like a kids creche) you're going to have scraps and that means injuries.

Im following 2 dog daycare places on facebook and while they look fantastic im under no illusion there's no fighting between the dogs, nowheres scrap free all of the time.They will have public liability insurance for when they're genuinely at fault..but you cant expect them to prevent every single incident that may happen with dogs.

I understand that but they have a duty of care. I paid for them to look after her and they cant even tell me what happened. Then tried to turn it and said they had to take her away from the small dogs as she pays too rough for them. She should never have been in with small dogs.

Its the fact of them just brushing it off and not even offering to pay half or even refund my money paid to them. They have now lost me as a customer.

I agree completely with Whispered's take on it.

I was warned about that place but I had to bring her to the vet and I wouldnt have had time to go get her after work. Its so frustrating.

I'd be fuming as well tbh. I wonder if this is the same place that somebody posted about a while back - they weren't happy with the place at all. I know in our place the dogs are separated - small side, big side and there's somebody in with them on both sides. They also do an assessment on new dogs to make sure everything will be ok.
Daycare for me is a place I can leave Bailey where I know he'll have fun and is safe and being looked after - I know if he got hurt they'd call me straight away and I know that they're in control - they know all of the dogs because they've taken time to get to know them. TBH Tilly with your place they don't seem that bothered? Is their passion the dogs or the money they're making off them? If she was playing too rough they as trainers should have been able to correct her so the situation didn't escalate!?

FUMING after being in the park earlier. Somebody's offlead yorkie runs over to a staffie PUPPY the puppy pulls towards it to say hello so they're going around telling everyone it should be muzzled and there's 'some list' they heard of that they think should be brought into the park. IDIOTS!!!! GAH!!

adrenalinjunkie wrote: »

My dog has just eaten half a 'tray' of seven seas joint care, doesn't seem to have anything in it other than codliver oil, vegetable oil, glucosamine and a bunch of vitamins so I don't forsee any problems other than having a very shiny dog

Mother dearest has been suitably told off :mad:

Sorry this made me laugh, I can just imagine the poor dog glittering like something out of twilight :pac:

You should just make sure that none of the vitamins can cause toxicity with over dose, should be easy enough info to find online!

adrenalinjunkie wrote: »

My dog has just eaten half a 'tray' of seven seas joint care, doesn't seem to have anything in it other than codliver oil, vegetable oil, glucosamine and a bunch of vitamins so I don't forsee any problems other than having a very shiny dog

Mother dearest has been suitably told off :mad:

Haha I know I shouldn't be laughing but I was waiting for you to say he ate a tray of chocolates! Least he'l have no complaints about his joints for a while and better for him than robbing someone's easter egg! On a serious note I hope he has no adverse effects.

Once again proud of my guy today, met 2 off lead dogs (well 2 yorkies and a jrt, 1 yorkie had to be picked up as apparently he was a fight starter) and 2 ponies and not a peep out of him. Like a normal dog he pulled a bit to meet the 2 dogs but gave them both a good sniffing and a few play bows and walked away calmly. Pulled a bit at the ponies and showed obvious interest but nothing like he would've done a few months ago, we used to have to cut the walk short and completely bypass horses as he went completely bonkers at them. It's nice to actually look forward to meeting other dogs on walks anymore!

northern lights wrote: »

Once again proud of my guy today, met 2 off lead dogs (well 2 yorkies and a jrt, 1 yorkie had to be picked up as apparently he was a fight starter) and 2 ponies and not a peep out of him. Like a normal dog he pulled a bit to meet the 2 dogs but gave them both a good sniffing and a few play bows and walked away calmly. Pulled a bit at the ponies and showed obvious interest but nothing like he would've done a few months ago, we used to have to cut the walk short and completely bypass horses as he went completely bonkers at them. It's nice to actually look forward to meeting other dogs on walks anymore!

Zapperzy, would you mind giving me some advice/training tips re how you managed to get him to calm down as my guy is exactly the same as yours was. He just gets so worked up that he literally doesn't know what to with himself. He was a stray dog that we've adopted and when we first found him he'd bite marks on his face and paws so had obviously been in a scrap. It's like he really wants to make friends but then gets insecure and thinks oh I'd better act all fierce before you get in there first, if you know what I mean. Would just love to be able to go for a walk and have him stay calm. Have tried distracting him with treats and lots of praise but no good! Meet up once a week with a friend and her dogs and he's grand running around with them but there's no socialisation classes near where I am so I'm at a bit of a loss. Any/all tips gratefully received!! [/Quote]

Your probably best starting your own thread, you'l get more advice then. I can't put my finger on any one thing I done tbh, it started off when I met my boss walking her shih tzu x, stopped for a chat which gave him loads of time to get aquatinted. Then just started letting him meet each dog for a sniff (provided the other owners looked ok with it) rather than dragging him away for fear of him starting off. I use a halti with a short lead when I see something coming in the distance I need more control for (dogs, bikes, horses, kids etc), I find he's too hyped up when on a harness and long lead and calmer starting out wearing a halti.

I'm not holding my breath and thinking he's 'cured' yet, nor do I believe I have any magic training method I used. Up to now iv tried everything, treats and toys for distraction, picking the dog up, complete avoidance, treating and praising him at a distance from other dogs when he's quiet, barking no at him when he does start off, holding the lead loads of different ways to stop him picking up on my tension, standing between him and offensive object. None of it ever seemed to work. Went to a trainer/behaviourist years ago, moreso for general obedience but she tried to address his other dog problem by giving us advice and even seen herself his reaction at another collie and all her tips and tricks failed to make any difference. If I was closer to a behaviourist from the apdt website I would have given them a go but I'm not prepared to give my very limited money and time to any other behaviourist.

For the time being anyways I'm keeping him on a halti meeting other dogs, letting them meet each other and praising him afterwards when it goes well. And hopefully he'l continue to improve. Trust me I know how stressful it is having a dog-reactive dog, the worst part is wondering what the other person is thinking, my dog is a lovely natured fella but to see him lunge and bark you'd think he'd tear strips off ya which can't be further from the truth!

northern lights wrote: »

Many thanks zapperzy..
You sound just like me!! which is actually really reassuring, as I too have tried everything you have written down to the last word! including picking him up which is no mean feat!! I've also had a trainer/behaviourist over to the house and of course he was on his best behaviour with him
The only thing I haven't tried is the halti, been looking them up online recently but don't actually know anyone that's used one so it's great to hear you're getting on so well with it. Like you, I do think others must think I own a lunatic whereas in every other aspect he's the most fantastic, loveable, intelligent dog. Think I'll give the halti a try now
Again, thank you. I really do appreciate you taking the time to reply

If you do decide to use a halti introduce it very slowly around the house first before walking him on it. Probably best to start your own thread too if you want more advice, I'm only listing what's working for my guy, your fella might have different issues to mine and others would probably know better, the halti could be completely the wrong thing for him altogether. If your anywhere near anyone off this list I'd highly recommend them http://apdt.ie/index.php/find-a-trainer/

dirtyghettokid wrote: »

this is a bit of a funny one.....didn't want to start a thread over it, so will just post it here..

my lab (7 months) is a very stubborn girl. bit of a struggle in the house to know who is boss and who is not. she knows her commands, but only perfects them when you have food in your hand... otherwise, she doesn't have much interest of following commands. anyway, when i call her to come.. she will if i have something she wants. otherwise she goes the other direction... but when i start walking towards her, she will drop down and roll onto her back? why does she do this? i understand that laying on their back is a sign of submission.. but she does this every time i call her (unless i have something she wants)
why is she doing this?
how can i get her to just come to me instead of just laying down and rolling onto her back?

She's definitely testing you. 6-9mths is the ideal time to start proper obedience training so while the rolling over could be a submissive thing, id more likely go with the "she's messing with you" and she's figured out that by rolling over on her back means its harder for you to move her and/or get her lead on her collar. Shes blocked the back of her neck and rolled on her back to stop being moved.

Would you start a few obedience classes with her? While food is a good way to start off training, you can learn to move on to clicker and toy training, whereby she learns to love the praise or her toy and not food.

dirtyghettokid wrote: »

makes sense.. not sure if we can afford obedience classes at the moment, but will look into the clicker. she's a little divil at the moment.. and we live by a dangerous road, so would like her to obey commands for her own safety!

Youtube dog training vids (im sure someone here can recommend you some) and stick to them religiously. She is at the prime age where she will continually test her boundaries with you. You have to be CONSISTENT but PATIENT, key words in training. It really is worth putting in the effort, no matter how hard it is at this age.

anniehoo wrote: »

Wish they'd invent a fast-melt wormer or something for cats. Second night in a row trying to "disguise" Beanies worming tablet after unsuccessfully trying to pill him by mouth and im still finding bits that he's somehow spit out.

Oh and he's hyperactive this eve...literally doin laps of the sitting room.Fed him Kittycrack this week as ran out of RC.Ooops! The dog is just starin at him like he's gone bananas!!

Just found this. Never heard of a spot on wormer for cats that worked before. Anyone seen this about?

I'v seen profender being sold before, never used it myself. I just give the odd drontal every now and again and whack it down her throat. Have you ever used one of these? http://www.vetuk.co.uk/veterinary-supplies-giving-tablets-c-141_27/buster-tablet-introducer-giver-softtip-p-2515

My Peach is currently sitting on the floor with her front 2 paws inside my moms slipper. She is a strange creature! Im afraid of disturbing her if I go to get the camera so ill upload a crappy phone picture later