3476 For dog lovers

It's quite clear that a lot of us here like dogs so I thought the following story might be of interest:

PUPPY PROBLEMS LAST, VET SAYS

Problems in puppyhood can lead
to behavioural difficulties in adult dogs, in much the same
way as for humans, according to a leading Italian vet.
Addressing a conference of animal experts, Chiara
Palestrini of Milan University's veterinary faculty explained
that the first 14 weeks of a dog's life played a crucial role
in shaping its temperament.
"Although genetic elements can cause aggression in an
animal, it is far more likely to stem from its early
development," she said.
"For example, there are wonderful dog shelters in the
countryside with plenty of space to run around outdoors; but
unless the puppies come into contact with all the things they
will meet later - cars, people, children - they will have
problems coping".
According to Canestrini, this is why dogs should be
exposed to as many stimuli as possible during their early
life. New experiences after that often spark fear and make it
difficult to bond.
"Fear in particular manifests itself in two ways in
dogs: either they run away or else they react aggressively,"
she said.
In turn, families can find it difficult to cope with a
new pet, and may end up giving it away, said Canestrini.
Around seven million dogs are thought to live in Italian
households.
Although no accurate survey has been carried out in
Italy, Canestrini said that between 15 and 20 million dogs
are put down in the US each year. "Most have been given to
shelters because their owners are unable to cope with their
behaviour".
However, the expert believes that even animals that have
had a difficult upbringing can be taught proper behaviour if
owners are willing to devote the necessary time and
attention.
The key, she said, is ensuring clear, consistent lines
of communication.
For example, if dogs "play up" in new surroundings,
repeatedly telling them to stop won't work, as this is merely
rewarding bad behaviour with attention.
Equally, dogs who come when called - even if they have
to be called a few times - should be rewarded with a pat or a
treat, showing them they did the right thing.
The vet also underlined that dogs are not humans, and
while it may be tempting to ascribe them familiar emotions,
this can be counter-productive.
"For example, if a dog tears up parts of the house or
wets the carpet while being left alone all day, there is no
point thinking it has done this to spite you because dogs
aren't spiteful the way humans are," she said.
"In reality, this is just a form of separation anxiety
and should be treated accordingly".
Canestrini is part of a special office set up in Milan
to help owners deal with difficult pets, providing animals -
and their humans - with support and training.

Category

General chat about Italy

This is true, I had an alana once (very nice natured, but out of control) but with careful nurturing and with assistance from a very professional trainer, she was taught to be a very sociable dog, and a delightful companion.

Some 16 years ago, my mother took in a German shepherd-wolf mongrel that was found wandering in the woods. He was a fully grown dog who showed quite a few symptoms, such as peeing on the floor & biting the sofa, pulling it halfway across the living room when she was at work. He also didn't know how to climb stairs, something he had to learn in our house.

His behaviour changed alot when she worked more from home and spent more time with him. He was a challenge but absolutely devoted to us, and it was all worthwhile.

It showed us that you can change a dog's behaviour to the better and he was the most lovely, protective creature...

By the way, I love Ch 4's programme 'It's me or the dog!' ... she's just got the right way of teaching those clueless owners how to actually deal with a dog ("no, it's not a BABY! It doesn't need fancy clothes!"...). I'm regularly in stitches about the naivety of many dog owners... :D

I totally agree dogs should be exposed to as many things as possible. My great dane at the age of 12 weeks was taken on buses, cars, stood in busy car parks with cars moving continuously. At puppy training classes in the uk we were taught to run our dogs over bubble wrap and had a tape of fireworks exploding in the background (very low as there hearing is very sensitive). We even had to where a funny hat one week, looked a picture 20 people with hats on. I lived next to an airport and even stood near the runway fence. He's latest experience was the five and a half hour train ride to Pisa and back.
He was amazing in the 2 day car jouney from the uk. He waits when told to crossing roads and is wonderful off the lead he meanders next to me. We have the occasional blimp but nothing to worry about. I was a little scared of the new exposure to the horses next to the house but he runs in the field with the mother and foal I suppose she is bigger so a kick from her would seriously do him damage. Patience and Persistance and Love are the key to a good dog owner. Still a puppy and still learning I know he's not human but it is amazing how quick he learns and is as close to human as a dog ever would be.

The vet was absolutely spot on, the biggest problem though being the very early socialisation, because visitors can unknowingly bring diseases into the kennels while the puppies do not have sufficient antibodies to fight them, but, the risk is usually quite small, and the pup's mental developement is more important, I have noticed a big difference between the two pups living in the house with me and the five living in kennel, when my son and his girlfriend visited recently, the 2 inside took ages to get comfortable with them, the dogs who bunk in with the thugs downstairs though took them in their stride, settled immediately and played with both of them quite happily, another thing to avoid is having 2 puppies together, it is a nightmare, training wise as they teach one another the fun things... So, as I have just returned from shopping, I will now have to clean up the full, shredded toilet roll and the partially eaten contents of the fruit bowl... Ohh Happy Day :D

Perhaps the two "inside" pups thought that your visitors were invading their territory. I have a cat who will dive under the bed, or scream blue murder to be let out when a visitor appears, but she will talk to any stranger when she is outside the house!

Can anyone advise me on how Italian restaurant owners respond to dogs, in this case one medium/small border collie? In France in the last 2 years my wife and I have only been turned away from one establishment in the last 2 years. In one very upmarket place the waiter brought our bc water in a silver bowl on a silver tray and made a wonderful speech of welcome all in French, which I am not sure she fully understood!

I like her to come into restaurants with us. I should add she is very well behaved and settles down under the table with no problems. I hope the same might be true in Italy. We will be holidaying in the Lake Como region from May 6th for 2 weeks.

Ivan.

Especially up on Lake Como, you should have no problems. Personally though, as someone who loves dogs and also owns a restaurant (but in the US), and has worked in restaurants in Italy, the amount of complaints from other diners who 1) may be allergic and 2) have a fear of dogs can be a huge problem for a restaurant owner. While you may liek having your dog with you, I would think about the other diners first. But that is just me.

[QUOTE=Ivan]Can anyone advise me on how Italian restaurant owners respond to dogs, in this case one medium/small border collie? In France in the last 2 years my wife and I have only been turned away from one establishment in the last 2 years. In one very upmarket place the waiter brought our bc water in a silver bowl on a silver tray and made a wonderful speech of welcome all in French, which I am not sure she fully understood!

Ivan.[/QUOTE]

I think it depends on how you introduce the dog and how posh the resturant is. A friend of mine has a large dog and I always expect be be turned away. Yet this has never happened, most of the owners ask for him to be kept quiet and tucked out of sight. The only time I thought I might go hungry was when the owner was worried about my friends dog fighting with one that was already there.

Ivan,

I'd like to know how you're getting on during your visit at lake Como. My mother is likely to move to Lenno in the summer (fingers crossed) and she's got a greyhound.

Have a nice trip... :)

[QUOTE=Iona]Ivan,

I'd like to know how you're getting on during your visit at lake Como. My mother is likely to move to Lenno in the summer (fingers crossed) and she's got a greyhound.

Have a nice trip... :)[/QUOTE]

We had an excellent time. We always tried to eat at restaurants with an outdoor terrace. We were only refused entry because of the dog at two places, one exceedingly posh and one medium priced.

One thing that surprised me was that they would not allow a dog on the passenger ferries unless it was muzzled. As we did not want to do that and hadn't got one anyway we always used the car ferries and Cassie sat quietly in the car as a very experienced traveller.

It turned out that our landlady was an enthusiastic dog owner [pedigree Jack Russell owner and gave us the address of an excellent vet practice in Como for the necessary treatments re the Pet Passport scheme.

I would just add that we were approached by many Italians full of admiration for our beautiful Border Collie. On our first night in a wonderful old coaching hostelry in Cantello, near Varese, an elderly lady was so full of compliments she was almost in tears. She came up behind me and tapped me on the shoulder and waxed lyrical about how animals have souls and she could see how gentle a person I was to have such a well-behaved dog. I was truly flattered! We were approached all the time by men, women and children who admired our dog greatly. If only I could have understood more Italian!!

Anyway, I was well chuffed, to coin a phrase.

Ivan.

Great to hear that you had a lovely time!! :)

It seems that dogs are indeed popular there. Perhaps Border Collies aren't exactly top of the dog list and yours stuck out in a very positive manner...

Good to know about the muzzle on passenger ferries, though. You wouldn't still have the Como vets details at hand, would you? If so, could you send me a PM?

Which places did you visit in the area?

Thanks alot for 'reporting back'!! :)

Border collies are so sweet and intelligent. Ours traveled all over France with us and people always praised her and told her how beautiful and good she was. However they are professional shedders despite constant brushings. I wish Italy was like France and would accept dogs more. I've never seen a problem in France in a restaurant with dogs and many go to restaurants. I think people are more likely to be rowdy and get out of hand than a dog! but that's my opinion. Also it's been proven that dogs are good for lowering stress and helping sick people recover. so let's vote for dogs!
sarah

She forgot to mention something else that all pups should be introduced to, other dogs. Our rescued, abandoned moggy didn't meet any other dogs until he was probably seven or eight months old. He was frightened, the other dog tried to attack him and ten years on he still goes bananas if he even spots another canine on the horizon. It's such a shame.

[QUOTE=sarahd]I wish Italy was like France and would accept dogs more. I've never seen a problem in France in a restaurant with dogs and many go to restaurants. [/QUOTE]

I've even spotted dogs being carried in to Sunday mass in Paris in either a bag or under a coat. And most dogs are far better behaved in restaurants than children!

[LEFT][quote=Violetta].... And most dogs are far better behaved in restaurants than children![/quote]

:confused: Yeah, maybe the kids should be tied up outside and they should sit the dogs at the table??

Sorry, but personally,I hate seeing dogs in restaurants. It's a hygene thing. I don't care how well trained or 'clean' a dog supposedly is.
We love our pet King Charles Spaniel. You couldn't wish for a gentler, cuter, more playful pet; but I won't allow her any further into the house than the utility room. Thats where she sleeps. In summer she has a kennel outside.

If you saw what she does in the neighbouring field and with the dogs next door, you'd understand. :rolleyes:

[/LEFT]

[QUOTE=derekL][LEFT]
......

If you saw what she does in the neighbouring field and with the dogs next door, you'd understand. :rolleyes:

[/LEFT][/QUOTE]

LOL she sounds truly dangerous Derek... :D

Must admit my mother spoils her greyhound rotten including allowing him into her bedroom!

[FONT="Book Antiqua"][SIZE="3"]While I do agree that dogs are capable of behaving better than children in restaurants I do not think they should always be taken to one.

Amongst the British there seems to be a conviction that they must take their dogs everywhere regardless on how this behaviour effects others who may for instance be afraid of dogs or in the case of Muslims feel very uncomfortable having a dog in the home.

'Dog lovers' are amongst my least favourite people their emotional dependancy on their animals often leads them to some very anti-social behaviour and god help anyone who dares to critise them!

And before you all leap at my throat can I say that we have 2 dogs a much loved old lady of 16 and a whipper snapper of 9 both Border Collies.The 16 year old was a puppy of our first dog aquirred when we were only students.She lived until 17.If we are going out I leave them both at home with plenty of water after a long walk.All they do is sleep so they are not missing anything.Certainly not being shut up in a boiling hot car.

I am not a 'dog lover' although I do love [B]my [/B]dogs and it was through my relationship with our first dog that I gave up eating meat.I appreciate that not everyone share my enthusiasm so I dont inflict my dogs on the unwitting public if I can help it! Even if I think they are adorable!The same with our children when they were little not everyone loves children or wants them running around screaming their heads off when eating out.Probably they are a lot more unhygenic than dogs too!!!

Becky[/SIZE][/FONT]

[QUOTE=Iona]
You wouldn't still have the Como vets details at hand, would you? If so, could you send me a PM?

Which places did you visit in the area?

Thanks alot for 'reporting back'!! :)[/QUOTE]

Iona, I have tried to pm you with info but it said your Inbox was full or over quota or something. I await instructions/will try to send again if that's right thing to do.

Ivan.

3476 For dog lovers

Agree...

My visit to Lake Como

agree