ETO

No Idea Kent, have often wondered myself - to an outsider you giving your dog a kong sounds like some kind of sex toy - you do get funny looks. The wobbler is my pups favourite though.

Could your in laws pop round during the day and let the dog out for an hour to run about the garden and have a little company? Perhaps ask them if they wouldn't mind looking after another dog - you might think they're getting on but they might enjoy the company. My parents are older and they had my boy whilst the pup as in season and now my Mum after her own dog because she enjoyed having Louie. My Dad won't admit it but he did too. Personally your working time would be Ok for an adult but not for a pup. But that said I worked 2/3 days a week with my current pup and those shifts were 8 hours long (including travel) but I'd have a friend pop in and let them out if need be and they had each other for company and lots of interactive toys like Kongs and Wobblers to keep them busy.

Oops forgot about this. Well if it was one of mine, I would stop him from practising this behaviour - especially with other dogs - he does it to the wrong dog and you have a few vet bills on your hands or even worse. Sorry if thats no help. I've never had a dog that would do this sort of thing.

For the humping; distract him or remove him. It'll be tedious and repetitive - but he'll get it in the end. Aggression towards other dogs could be something from just a phase to serious. Could you explain more about what situations he shows aggression in?

Fantastic! I'd like to see one on a pointer or a spanner..

Another vote for the kong. If you boil and egg and squeeze it in - takes them forever to get it out! Also dry food and cheese - in the microwave for a few seconds till melted - leave to cool - sorted. My dogs favourite is cooked meat slices, primula cheese - all packed together then frozen. Love the stuff!

Equafleece. https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CD8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.equafleece.co.uk%2F&ei=LZ7_UOStAbSk0AWH44BA&usg=AFQjCNGJUSO6YfocdfnVVr5-nqxFg8DT6g&bvm=bv.41248874,d.d2k

Exactly what I was going to say.

No we use a track near an old farm house - it goes along the fields and I can see up and down it. It's been a godsend the past 3 weeks with her being in season.

She! - sorry - forgot to say this is the Pup. The boy is at my parents since Pen's in season. Hopefully he'll be back next week.

Well photo bucket really needs to get this organisation problem sorted. None of them are in order so apologies for it. I'll try my best to sort them right. SLOW DOWN! Where is it: Oops no head "My bum is cold" The village Silly Pencil

I'd change them now.

She's 1 on the 1st Feb. She's not as enthusiastic as her older brother is - he LOVES the snow

Well whatever - Fruit gives energy, energy is good and banana's give sustainable energy. Besides it's much more healthier than fatty sausages. Mine happen to love banana's also.

Oh well thats helpful. As much as I know you LOVE links - here's one for you to read. http://wendtworthcorgis.wordpress.com/2010/02/23/bananashealthiest-mood-food-snack-dogs-love-them/

Banana - full of energy!

Whilst I agree partly with Kent - I wouldn't let him play with every dog - that just gives him permission to say hello to every dog you come across which isn't always the best idea. I agree that greater exposure is the best way, I did this with my boy - I took him to an obedience class, so he'd learn to focus on me around other dogs, it took him a few weeks to realise no matter how hard he tried or how much he wanted to - I was not going to allow him to play with them and he started learning and we soon became one of the best in the class. His reward for being so focused (other than food throughout) was to play with the dogs in the paddock after the lesson. Whilst sometimes he cannot resist the urge to say hello the majority of the time he will recall or heel with me. So it did work. What bothers me the most about mine is that he'll say hello but then won't be interested in them afterwards - why did he need to say hello Thats a human point of thinking though. Another point. Don't let him pull you towards other dogs; this will just become a nasty habit which is really hard to break.

This was Pen's first snow. We are restricted to the farm path as its easier to spot dogs coming and put her on lead and she can get a good run too. A Bird of Prey And Louie at my Mum's. Pen's in season so it was easier on everyone if he had a holiday

Here is Allyson Tohme's recall guide. http://word.office.live.com/wv/WordView.aspx?FBsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fdownload%2Ffile_preview.php%3Fid%3D320049778105890%26metadata&access_token=614163911%3AAVKj7wbPPLn1bWj77Pus1o81zWDeWtYV7Fpcr2-uoNMOcw&title=Recall+1.doc A lot of folk elsewhere have used her guide and have gotten excellent results.

Personally with steadiness around other dogs I'd work my way up. Louie went to obedience training so he learnt to focus on me rather than the other dogs - that was in a controlled environment. Where we train the dogs are running left and right, there's whistles going off, lots of things been thrown around.. But I will PM you.

Beautiful - can't wait to meet her at training. I'll be bringing my pup to the next one as she should be finishing her season. If she has completely I'll be bringing the boy.

There isn't really - I just really like the smaller Springers And the geese were Canada and Greylag.

So sorry to hear that. It's funny the imprint they make on your heart. Sadie the collie is 11 now and my best friend and I dread the thought that one day she may no longer be here. You'd think they were well trained but Jack (black one) has only just learned wait, Benj (blonde one) is too lazy so laying down is a welcome break for him and Pen - if you look closely at the first picture - her front feet aren't even on the floor. The OH had shouted "Squirrel" and for some reason they've decided that it is their new release word. Thank god for my fast camera! I am now in the process of teaching them that "Squirrel" is just a random word. Thank you for the kind words.

You could go for a smaller Springer - I know there are a few lines around. I have seen Cockers bring in geese before though.

Ouch! I have nothing to suggest for cage rest. I have no idea how my friend is coping with her competing agility dog who fractured her spine before Christmas. 6 weeks of crate rest for a VERY active collie! Have you thought about Kongs - stick some bread in the bottom (where the little hole is) to block it up, stick cheese in, kibble, more cheese, kibble and another layer of cheese and stick in the microwave for 5 seconds (or til the cheese is melted) wait for it to cool - should keep her busy for a bit. You can also freeze things like mince inside them or wet dog food.