Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

General dog chat

993 replies

BiteyShark · 20/01/2018 13:29

Anyone fancy a general dog chat thread?

BiteyDog is now almost 15 months old and it's about time we ditched the puppy survival thread for general chit chat but it's still nice to chat about our doggie dilemmas and days so if anyone wants to join me in wittering on saves BiteyDog having the listen to my incessant talking at him then welcome aboard.

How's all the dogs coping with the snow in the northern parts? I am sick of the rain and I guess fortunate enough that BiteyDog doesn't like it much either so apart from a 20 min ball run we are snuggled up in the house today.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
36
AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 10/02/2018 00:20

Can anyone think of anything else I need to do paperwork wise with the adoption of PestDog? For those who haven't been following his story, I'm adopting him from a friend. I've come up with

  • update microchip details
  • obtain pet passport (done)
  • contact vets and ask for owner details to be updated and health records supplied to me (done, awaiting response)
  • transfer pet insurance to my name (or buy new policy if they won't let me)
  • order new ID tag (done)

I have no idea if I'm missing anything!

Original poster
BiteyShark · 10/02/2018 00:24

Can't think of anything else Avocados

OP posts:
AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 10/02/2018 00:29

PS Currently trying to find a replacement flatmate. It's incredible how easily PestDog filters some people out for me - people who claim to be dog lovers but will barely stroke his head, for instance.

And my favourite, on an advert saying you have to be a dog person to live here - someone asking if the dog would try to enter her bedroom Hmm No love, I'll just put a magic forcefield across your open bedroom door so that you don't have to deal with the horrible horrible dog Hmm

And then there are all the really weird adverts - my favourite for sheer WTF has been the mermaid impersonater, complete with a picture of her at the seaside dressed as a mermaid Shock

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 10/02/2018 00:29

Thanks @Bitey :)

Original poster
BiteyShark · 10/02/2018 05:37

Awww I bet you're so excited that PestDog is going to be a permanent fixture. All those things you would have loved to buy/do but didn't cause he wasn't yours you can do now Grin

We have agility today and as bloody usual it's forecast heavy rain so I guess we are getting wet again. I quite like the fact that we have this to do on Saturdays as BiteyDog won't just go for a stroll in the woods anymore as he just wants to chase the ball (and spends all the time tripping me up if I don't throw it him) so it mixes our activities up a bit. The downside is I haven't done much practicing with him this week Blush

OP posts:
thegirlsallgrowedupnow · 10/02/2018 07:45

tafftum, no not stubborn just incredibly bright and very easy to over excite. Training her commands, tricks is easy and she loves the attention. Getting her to focus on me when there are distractions around is much more difficult but getting better all the time. Sounds cheeky of me when I have a crossbreed but I am glad if you are put off a cockapoo. Great idea to go to Crufts and see what breeds would suit your lifestyle.
bluetongue, the ideal would be cold enough at night to need a fire and warm enough in the day to wear a tshirt.....does that place exist🙃

Original poster
BiteyShark · 10/02/2018 07:53

the ideal would be cold enough at night to need a fire and warm enough in the day to wear a tshirt

If you find that place reserve me a spot Grin

OP posts:
AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 10/02/2018 09:41

The Sahara Desert perhaps?

2pups · 10/02/2018 11:02

@tafftum

Hiya - yep Newfoundlands are huge but not much bigger than DDog1 just a bit more robust.

DDog2's grandma is a Bug and a great character.

Smile
Wolfiefan · 10/02/2018 12:58

A newfypoo and a bug? They aren't breeds. They are going to be puppy farmed.

Original poster
BiteyShark · 10/02/2018 13:06

Back from training, wet and cold Sad

OP posts:
AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 10/02/2018 15:10

JESUS WEPT.

I've just gone into the vets to see about getting PestDog's chip updated. It seems the reason owner number 4 is having trouble logging in to the account is because he's still registered to owner number 2 ShockAngry

I don't have any idea of the identity of owner 2, and the vets can't give out the details of them due to data protection. I can't get the chip changed without their say so.

I predict a long and painful phone conversation with the microchip company on Monday when they reopen Angry

Original poster
BiteyShark · 10/02/2018 15:15

I only found this out a few months ago but there are various chip companies and they are not connected up. A dog could be registered at various ones and unless they are all updated then they could be out of sync. Are you sure that's the only chip company PestDog is registered with?

OP posts:
AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 10/02/2018 15:20

Yes, apparently he's only registered with Identibase - they checked.

I had been told he was registered at the vets and a reference had been made to him having been taken there in the past. Turns out he was only registered there this week!! He had his chip scanned at that point so number is definitely correct

Original poster
BiteyShark · 10/02/2018 15:25

Sounds like PestDogs owner was lax in lots of things which means you have a headache right now to sort out but PestDog is very lucky to have found you.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 10/02/2018 17:22

Oh no. Could the vet contact the chip company and ask them to pass on a message or could they contact the old owners on your behalf?

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 10/02/2018 20:22

I've found a form on the Identibase website which you can print out and post to them. However, it wants the old owner's signature, and if you don't get the signature they'll contact the registered owner and give them 28 days to object

Last they knew of PestDog, in June, he was being rehomed to owner number 3, so they have absolutely no idea that I exist or what's happened to him in the interim. I have absolutely no idea what happens if they object - for all I know they could regret their choice to rehome him and use this as an excuse to try and get him back.

I have no way to contact them directly and assure them that PestDog is much loved and cared for, so the first they're going to hear of it is that a total randomer wants to reregister "their" dog's chip into their name. FUCK.

NoSquirrels · 10/02/2018 20:46

Try not to worry, ^Avo* - they rehomed him in the first place, it’s extremely unlikely they’ll object and want him back.

Original poster
BiteyShark · 10/02/2018 23:53

Avocados let's look at the worst case scenario and say they object and want the dog back (highly unlikely as they rehomed for a reason and never followed up where he was in all this time). I think it then becomes a disbute on ownership so that's when things like who has been paying for vet fees, any letters of correspondence about someone adopting them etc becomes evidence. I would ask PestDogs owner to write a letter stating how he adopted the dog and is now giving you full ownership given that he is leaving the country etc. Having that letter would be good anyway as it finalises your adoption.

I suspect though you will fill the form in, worry like mad for the next 28 days and then hear nothing from them at all.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 10/02/2018 23:59

Can't your vet somehow vouch for you? I can't imagine they would suddenly decide they want him back! If they were really worried and reluctant to let him go they would have stayed in touch with new owners.

Original poster
BiteyShark · 11/02/2018 10:47

Well the first time in probably well over 6 months we went for a proper walk in the forest with no ball. BiteyDog spent the first half constantly looking at me so disappointed but then went back to spaniel mode and hunted a bit in the tracks beside me but I could tell he just wanted a ball throw (too higher risk of an injury to throw a ball there Sad). I then felt so sorry when we got back that I drove to our 'paw friendly' area to play ball for another 20mins. He's now snoozing on the sofa drying off after a good rinse down in the shower.

OP posts:
Bubble2bubble · 11/02/2018 11:16

avocado I don't know your whole backstory but I have re-registered a chip without having contact with the original owners. It had to be done by post, I sent off the form and heard nothing until I got the new chip certificate on my name a week or so later.
The original owner had given the dog away FTGH on Scumtree, though not to me, so would have had no clue who I was if my name was mentioned to them.
If your dog's original owner also gave him away in the first place, chances are they have given little thought to where he is now :(
You can go on any of the databases and use the 'check my chip' facility just to make sure it is only registered once.

thegirlsallgrowedupnow · 11/02/2018 15:00

Bitey, I know the disappointed look. I stopped throwing balls on walks months ago, it took a week or so for her to adjust but she seems much happier sniffing and exploring than she did chasing a ball. We play ball in the garden a couple of times a week now and then it goes back firmly in the cupboard. She is honestly a different dog when she has a ball, fixated, panting, unable to listen...just wasn’t worth it. I wish we could play ball, it would make rainy day walks shorter☹️

Original poster
BiteyShark · 11/02/2018 15:37

thegirlsallgrowedupnow I am trying to work out the right balance. At our training we are all given a printout of an article on understanding spaniels and the traditional walk is primarily for my benefit not his and was our downfall early on as I ignored it (letting him hunt in the forest on his own which meant he would be too far away for recall etc). The chasing and hunting balls satisfies that instinct but it so boring for me.

I did a trial this morning wondering whether we could manage smaller forest walks with no ball mixed with our chasing ball sessions. I do this with agility as I make him do a session in one part of the garden before we play ball in the other part of the garden.

I might give it a go again in the week. He kept fairly close in the forest today but that might change if he starts to sees it as 'boring' again and goes off hunting on his own. I need to find a balance for both of us but BiteyDog might have his own ideas of a good balance Hmm

Fortunately we don't have the fixation issue in that he is fixated and wants to play but he is 100% concentrated on me because he wants me to throw and hide the balls and looks back to me for direction when he can't find them. I would just like a forest stroll every once in a while when the sun is out Grin

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 11/02/2018 15:46

Argh. I've just bought a ball on a rope for walks. Am I going to regret it?!
Cheeky request. I've started a thread asking people to sign a petition. If you can face the upsetting subject matter I would ask if you would consider signing. Thanks.