Today I'm happy about......

[thebish]

I let him on the sofa and take him up to see the mrs in bed in the morning... is this a bad idea?!

i wouldn't have thought it would make that much of a difference with a pretend dog like that - can be a problem with a bigger dog!

[Lost Leopard Spot]

We have a perfect dog. She is both a pet and a working dog. I find she knows what role is required of her. She is allowed on our sofa, but nobody elses, she's allowed on the bed but only utilises it when stressed (after fxckin fireworks mainly).
Do not worry about it mummy. Even if you're doing the wrong things, they are easily reversible later. The only thing that cannot be reversed is trust - just never hit your dog, the cold shoulder works and does not lead to lack of trust.

[Gooner Girl]

Still struggling with Paddy, my black lab cross breed who is 2 in March. He is fine with us and the kids but gets so over excited when we have visitors to the house, he jumps up at them, tail wagging and unless we crate him he just doesn't leave them alone, the other day he nipped someone in his excitement, that alarmed me. Not maliciously but all the same... Not having guests ever and crating him every time we do aren't ideal solutions, have had some success giving him a squirt with a water pistol when he's a pest but need to work on it more and I'm not sure how, it's not so bad when it's dog lovers but when it isn't... If family come round he does settle down and sleep eventually but it can take a while.

Any genius thoughts/ideas from other dog owners welcomed. Mr GG would just say 'get rid of the dog'

We had the same problem with Shadow and tried various methods but the only one that worked was from 'Its me or the dog' woman, Victoria Stillwell.

When we have visitors calling who don't know him or aren't keen on dogs, I have a few bits of sausage or chicken (biscuits work too) that I give to the guest when they come in. They're not to make eye contact with the dog or talk to him, but just drop one piece at a time as they enter the room saving one piece for when they sit down. The dog goes scurrying about eating all the treats and your visitor can call him over when they're ready to let him have the last piece - by then he's a lot less giddy but very much in awe of the visitor and takes the last piece before settling at their feet or back in his bed.

I was dubious at first but it works a treat. It also stops unwanted visitors who cant be ar5ed pandering to my dog - those kind of folk weren't welcome in the 1st place

Cheers Harry, i'll give that a go!

[Gooner Girl]

I think Paddy's problem is natural exuberance, he loves life, is so happy all the time and thinks everyone should be as delighted to see him as he is them. I'm hoping as he gets older he may calm, he has got better already. He is allowed on the sofa and bed but if I tell him to move he does. He knows his place in the pecking order - below us and the kids but above the cats (or at least he likes to think he is, they would disagree)

[thebish]

I think Paddy's problem is natural exuberance, he loves life, is so happy all the time and thinks everyone should be as delighted to see him as he is them.

I think that's just anthropomorphising a dog....

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

We have a perfect dog. She is both a pet and a working dog. I find she knows what role is required of her. She is allowed on our sofa, but nobody elses, she's allowed on the bed but only utilises it when stressed (after fxckin fireworks mainly).
Do not worry about it mummy. Even if you're doing the wrong things, they are easily reversible later. The only thing that cannot be reversed is trust - just never hit your dog, the cold shoulder works and does not lead to lack of trust.

Remind me what you've got, LLS? Are you saying you do actually have your dog working?

I'd love to have several dogs one day - I've enjoyed reading Sewell's book recently about his life owning dogs - always three or four at a time. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sleeping-Dogs-A ... 0704373254" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sorry this thread has become a bit hijacked - other sources of happiness welcome!

[Gooner Girl]

Sorry this thread has become a bit hijacked - other sources of happiness welcome!

I'm happy tonight. Few things better then knocking spurs out the cup!

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

Sorry this thread has become a bit hijacked - other sources of happiness welcome!

I'm happy tonight. Few things better then knocking spurs out the cup!

Ha, I'm pleased for you. My in-laws are Gooners and the more I think about Arsenal sticking by Wenger in some tough times, the more I approve - in stark contrast to the pathetic spectacle of giving Villas Boas a load of money to spend, then sacking him.

[bwfcdan94]

Sorry this thread has become a bit hijacked - other sources of happiness welcome!

I'm happy tonight. Few things better then knocking spurs out the cup!

What about knocking us out of the next round of the cup.

[Gooner Girl]

Sorry this thread has become a bit hijacked - other sources of happiness welcome!

I'm happy tonight. Few things better then knocking spurs out the cup!

What about knocking us out of the next round of the cup.

If we don't win the cup I'd like your lot to win it, but yes, you at ours in the next round, getting to see my lovely Bolton supporting friends (and beating you) would make for a good day.

[Gooner Girl]

Sorry this thread has become a bit hijacked - other sources of happiness welcome!

I'm happy tonight. Few things better then knocking spurs out the cup!

Ha, I'm pleased for you. My in-laws are Gooners and the more I think about Arsenal sticking by Wenger in some tough times, the more I approve - in stark contrast to the pathetic spectacle of giving Villas Boas a load of money to spend, then sacking him.

Bit of a change around since the beginning of the season when I sat in the stadium after the first game (loss against Villa) listening to some fans booing and calling 'Wenger out'...

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

But whilst this has become a dog thread... anyone got any pet insurance tips?

What's the worst year of vet bills anyone has ever had?

[Bruce Rioja]

What's the worst year of vet bills anyone has ever had?

Err, and with genuine sadness, you need to speak with Enfield about this.

[Gooner Girl]

But whilst this has become a dog thread... anyone got any pet insurance tips?

What's the worst year of vet bills anyone has ever had?

Can't remember exactly how much but my old dog Milo aged 13 cost the insurers around £5,000 after he was diagnosed with cushings disease and then had an op to cure laryngeal paralysis within a few months. We had to pay a fair bit of excess too, was worth it however as despite his advancing years he had another 3 happy years of life after. That said, still not got round to getting Paddy insured. Must do that. The cats (and Milo) are/were insured with Animal Friends who I have had no problems with so far and they give a fair amount, if not all their profits back to animal charities. Be interested to hear if there are any better and cheaper deals around though.

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

What's the worst year of vet bills anyone has ever had?

Err, and with genuine sadness, you need to speak with Enfield about this.

Oh yes - I remember his horrible story about the first 14 days of a new policy.

[Harry Genshaw]

But whilst this has become a dog thread... anyone got any pet insurance tips?

What's the worst year of vet bills anyone has ever had?

Blimey that could be a thread of it's own!

Firstly - get some! Then the main deciding factor is whether you have a limit on your claim or not. Mine has a ceiling of £2500 for one condition which means cheaper premiums. Some policies these days also include free worming & flea treatments - that's worth pricing up too - 3 months worth of both wont leave you much change from £100

Treat vets advice with caution though. 2 years ago I was quoted £6000 to repair both my dogs knee ligaments. He was in pain and was limping. They told me he was too large a dog for it to repair through rest and the operation was his best bet. His age and the cost made me decide against it. Several weeks of rest, short walks and daily pain killers (£50 a month) - he's now as right as rain. The Mrs took him out for 2 hours today after he'd had a good run around Rivington on Thursday.

October 2012 he was diagnosed with cancer. The Oncologist quoted me £7000 for radiotherapy and all the accompanying treatments and consultations. Again, due to his age I decided against it and asked how long he had. She told me most folk found their dogs had weeks or occasionally months but with treatment they usually lived for longer than 12 months.

With both illnesses if we had gone ahead with the treatment we would be delighted with how he is right now!

[TANGODANCER]

But whilst this has become a dog thread... anyone got any pet insurance tips?

What's the worst year of vet bills anyone has ever had?

Our fella broke his leg very shortly after we got him. He was just a pup and it was a bad break. We had him insured from the off so he was covered. In total his treatments and vet visits totalled about five grand. He's also been diagnosed as having possible hip problems and has been to Manchester and Liverpool for tests etc. When renewal time came around the insurers banged our pemium up to over seven hundred pounds a year, so we cancelled it. He still needs injections and medicine etc plus vet visits. . He's only a little chap and was quite expensive to buy. ( Wife's idea in the first place) Dogs aren't cheap and I wouldn't be without him, but I doubt we'd ever have another pedigree animal..... No, make that we definitely wouldn't

We use Castle Street vets in Bolton, by the way. A non-profit organisation, much cheaper than the local highwayman and really terrific caring people. I'd totally recommend them to anyone.

[Bruce Rioja]

But whilst this has become a dog thread... anyone got any pet insurance tips?

What's the worst year of vet bills anyone has ever had?

Our fella broke his leg very shortly after we got him. He was just a pup and it was a bad break. We had him insured from the off so he was covered. In total his treatments and vet visits totalled about five grand. He's also been diagnosed as having possible hip problems and has been to Manchester and Liverpool for tests etc. When renewal time came around the insurers banged our pemium up to over seven hundred pounds a year, so we cancelled it. He still needs injections and medicine etc plus vet visits. . He's only a little chap and was quite expensive to buy. ( Wife's idea in the first place) Dogs aren't cheap and I wouldn't be without him, but I doubt we'd ever have another pedigree animal..... No, make that we definitely wouldn't

We use Castle Street vets in Bolton, by the way. A non-profit organisation, much cheaper than the local highwayman and really terrific caring people. I'd totally recommend them to anyone.

Highwaymen? Those highly trained professionals that have to spend longer qualifying than doctors do due to the differing amount of animals and breeds that they have to deal with? Those highwayman? A bit rich coming from a fecking Handyman, no?
Highwaymen? fecking hell.

[TANGODANCER]

But whilst this has become a dog thread... anyone got any pet insurance tips?

What's the worst year of vet bills anyone has ever had?

Our fella broke his leg very shortly after we got him. He was just a pup and it was a bad break. We had him insured from the off so he was covered. In total his treatments and vet visits totalled about five grand. He's also been diagnosed as having possible hip problems and has been to Manchester and Liverpool for tests etc. When renewal time came around the insurers banged our pemium up to over seven hundred pounds a year, so we cancelled it. He still needs injections and medicine etc plus vet visits. . He's only a little chap and was quite expensive to buy. ( Wife's idea in the first place) Dogs aren't cheap and I wouldn't be without him, but I doubt we'd ever have another pedigree animal..... No, make that we definitely wouldn't

We use Castle Street vets in Bolton, by the way. A non-profit organisation, much cheaper than the local highwayman and really terrific caring people. I'd totally recommend them to anyone.

Highwaymen? Those highly trained professionals that spend longer qualifying than doctors do due to the differing amount animals and breeds that they have to deal with? Those highwayman? A bit rich coming from a fecking Handyman, no?
Highwaymen? fecking hell.

Am I allowed to have an opinion on anything without your billy big bollocks size twelves walking all over it? I don't give a flyer about what you think of my opinion so keep yours to yourself. You seem to take some perverse pleasure in piss-taking, bullyboy addressing and telling folk what to do. Since you feel you're being honest about things, I might as well be the same. Keep your insults to yourself. They're wasted on me. If it means having you laying down the odds I'd sooner pack this place in. feck you pal.

[Bruce Rioja]

But whilst this has become a dog thread... anyone got any pet insurance tips?

What's the worst year of vet bills anyone has ever had?

Our fella broke his leg very shortly after we got him. He was just a pup and it was a bad break. We had him insured from the off so he was covered. In total his treatments and vet visits totalled about five grand. He's also been diagnosed as having possible hip problems and has been to Manchester and Liverpool for tests etc. When renewal time came around the insurers banged our pemium up to over seven hundred pounds a year, so we cancelled it. He still needs injections and medicine etc plus vet visits. . He's only a little chap and was quite expensive to buy. ( Wife's idea in the first place) Dogs aren't cheap and I wouldn't be without him, but I doubt we'd ever have another pedigree animal..... No, make that we definitely wouldn't

We use Castle Street vets in Bolton, by the way. A non-profit organisation, much cheaper than the local highwayman and really terrific caring people. I'd totally recommend them to anyone.

Highwaymen? Those highly trained professionals that spend longer qualifying than doctors do due to the differing amount animals and breeds that they have to deal with? Those highwayman? A bit rich coming from a fecking Handyman, no?
Highwaymen? fecking hell.

Am I allowed to have an opinion on anything without your billy big bollocks size twelves walking all over it? I don't give a flyer about what you think of my opinion so keep yours to yourself. You seem to take some perverse pleasure in piss-taking, bullyboy addressing and telling folk what to do. Since you feel you're being honest about things, I might as well be the same. Keep your insults to yourself. They're wasted on me. If it means having you laying down the odds I'd sooner pack this place in. feck you pal.

So, Tango. Why are you referring to individuals that go to incredible lengths to qualify in their chosen profession as "Highwaymen"? Over to you, again, Handyman! Where, exactly, have I insulted you or anyone else? And where, exactly, have I denied you your right to an opinion? Am I not allowed to respond with mine?

If I think that you're talking absolute bollocks, which I think you do, quite often, and if I think that your paintings are laughable shit, which i think that they generally are, then I'll say so. If you have a problem with me saying so then that's your problem, not mine!