Interesting dog trainer, gives lots of good advice from what I've seen. I, amateur that I am, don't always agree with good advice, and despite not crating my dog or doing a lot of other 'obedience training' type stuff, ended up, mostly by luck no doubt, with a wonderful obedient friendly harmless dog who was welcomed everywhere she went.

And here's a good place to say: tonight I got a call from a friend who is looking for a home for a two year old male Sheltie, friendly despite hard start, weighs fifteen pounds. Anyone interested that I can check up on, meaning Mudcatters, I guess, in a dog presently in Nova Scotia, let me know - tomorrow I start calling my network of friends to help find a good place for this pup.

Here's the sob story: Dog was given as a puppy to an elderly lady. She couldn't look after it. Son took it in, but kept it in an outdoor doghouse and kennel, or tied in the yard. Not well cared for at all. Now, my Nova Scotia friend and his brother, visiting from Alabama, had business at the house, saw the dog and heard the story. Both were distressed. Brother went back to Alabama, called a few nights later; couldn't sleep for worrying about the dog. Directed brother to get the dog and is sending money to have it vetted - he's got a vet app. tomorrow.

So now my friend, who already has two rescued dogs and a labour intensive business to run, has spent the past twenty-four hours bathing, de-matting and brushing, and starting house training. I can't take a dog at the moment, so I promised networking for a home and offered respite dog-sittin'!

Sorry to hi-jack your thread, Susan, but I figured you being a doggie lover would understand.