Re: Things to buy ~! Hang on in there Labrina - something will come up. Are you any good with DIY? You might be able to use something else so make a cage of some sorts since the price is prohibitive. Browse around second-hand stores or markets, something might strike you as possible. Baby gates? Fire guards? Think a bit laterally maybe. Could be a fun project for you and your son? Sometimes a bit of patience pays off, fingers crossed jac
Re: Things to buy ~! Thank you sincerely for the advice Jac ...for now it looks like Im going to have to make do until I CAN actually afford to have one sent I guess...
Re: Things to buy ~! Does it really make a difference as to the frequency of the whistle or is that just sillyness. I've read it all over and over again..it all seems to contradict !!! Also I noticed something today...Whilst watching a movie McQueen was uncomfortable at the sound...I did have it average loud..nothing extreme..Is this normal? He was digging his head in between pillows....
Re: Things to buy ~! Re the crate, we managed without one when we inherited Lady at 6 months old. She had been crated, but because of complications we didn't have the crate when we took her on. Confined to the kitchen she was fine at night as long as we remembered to move anything remotely interesting like newspapers, diaries, address books ( : ) out of reach. Experts will come along any second now re the whistle and the hiding his head, but I think the important thing about giving the dog commands is you need to time for success initially ie is he on his way back to you already and a recall will be a success with possibly a reward at the end, and (absolutely vital) don't repeat commands if they get ignored as that only teaches the dog it's ok to ignore you. Have you seen Pippa's book Total Recall? It's really good and takes you through training recall in easy steps but the same technique can be applied to everything training wise I think. It's available on Amazon for download as an e-book too.
Re: Things to buy ~! Yes David I purchased the book about a week ago, it exceptionally easy to read and informative for someone thats basically starting from scratch. He will unfortunately have to remain uncrated....I simply cannot afford it I'm afraid and with everything being thrown in, in the same month I doubt. even if I did manage it it wouldn't be sometime soon. Given this, I doubt I'de be able to crate him later. He's learning without... Thanks for your advice!!!
Re: Things to buy ~! no toy is as interesting as pinching socks or knickers from my washing basket - well to Barney at least! I tied a knot in an old t shirt and this was hugely popular for a while. I've also brought various cuddly toys from charity shops for pennies and it seems kids toys last much longer than dog toys but you have to be careful with what they are stuffed with just like cheap dog toys! beds get chewed up so I made barney one from an old beach towel stuffed with an old cushion from a sunbed. Now he has a crate and blankets from the charity shop...
Re: Things to buy ~! It probably feels more like home to him cos he's had a bit of input to shaping it. ;D
Re: Things to buy ~! Thank you all for your advice on this, it was actually really starting to bug me. For now ..whilst he still fits he's going to have to use his basket...who knows, things may get better further on and I WILL be able to get him everything I'de really like to have had from the beginning. He is a definate biter..demolishes everything, so toys need to be strong...He actually tore apart socks and got stuck with fibres in between his teeth until I noticed something was up. One thing, he's always insisting on tug of war...isn't he too young for this kind of thing?
Re: Things to buy ~! A while back I voiced an issue with purchasing a crate for Mcqueen when I need my space etc...Well guess what guys ...I made one myself ! heheh
Re: Things to buy ~! Well done Labrina! McQueen and George have a very resourceful mum Jac xx (PS - why are your tree-trunks white?)
Re: Things to buy ~! LOL thank you Jac...although he's figured out how to open the door and in no time at all he'l be jumping fence so I need to kinda think of something else to add..if anyone has any ideas please let me know...As for the treetrunks, it is the age old ecological way to fight insects that destroy the trunk and the fruit of the trees once they get to the top. I do not use chemicals on any form of plantation including my fruit trees...Lime diluted in water is working miracles, instead of having to sprinkle them with all those unfriendly to nature agricultural concoctions the nature-killer factories produce. I have seen it work on my lemon, orange, mandarin, peach trees as well as on all other trees.
Re: Things to buy ~! Gosh, hasn't he grown? I know stupid thing to say, they all do but well... Neat little compound for him. I use grease bands on my fruit trees in much the same way as your lime. Any ideas on how to stop rabbits eating the bark? Other than letting Hebe loose, I keep telling her we should shoot them, before she retrieves them but I don't think she's quite got the hang of it yet ;D Kerryn
Re: Things to buy ~! How lovely to have interesting fruit trees. We have an old plum tree. Most of the fruit spoils before we can pick it and use it. Lilly LOVES that time of year : A time of fragrant poops. Shame they are so squishy they are un-pick-up-able LOL Now I will know about the limewash if I see it agian Labrina! I must say Lilly spends most of the time sleeping when we are not in the house, so other than a big stuffed Kong, can't think how best you might keep McQueen occupied. Other than pack him off to Kerryn's rabbit warren jac
