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Hey, it's been a while since I posted, and I even have a new pup! Shame on me for not posting pics yet. Anyway, I'm visiting my folks about 6 hours away, and today I noticed my pup (Meg: 12 weeks, 3rd round vacs) straining to poop. When some did finally come out, it was a bit soft, but she continued to strain afterwards. I spoke with my vet back home, and he said it was probably diarrhea or the onset of it. And that the straining was probably cramps. Shortly after talking to him, I was checking out Meg and noticed some bloody discharge around her vulva. So I took her immediately to my parents vet. They did a urinalysis, and there was definitely blood in the sample. She gave me some antibiotics and said it should clear up. My concern is the straining, have any of you dogs ever exhibited this behavior? She has been acting normal/playful otherwise. Do any of you recommend what to feed her? I was thinking boiled chicken and rice... any other remedies, suggestions or concerns? Thanks!

I was wondering what some of you do to teach your dogs a solid there command. My dog, especially when a little tired, isn't that crisp, but she is more crisp on a whistle (sharp 'twee'). I 'think' she knows what a there is... so how do you teach your there and walk into the sheep?

Sienna has never really like the crate, but she'll go in there (not without some dirty looks first of course ) But when we go to trial, she doesn't seem to have any issue with it. So I've decided to crate her inside, and put it outside when it gets much cooler. I figure that's the safest option, and plus she needs to know crate == home anyways. As for her diarrhea, it cleared up for a day before fasting and then she had another present for me last night when I got home. I started her on some rice and will give her some boiled chicken this evening. If it doesn't clear up by Friday, I'll take her to the vet Saturday. Thanks for everyone's responses!

Everyone has brought up some good points, some I didn't even think about. I don't think anyone would mess with my dog up there nor call SPCA. A doggy door is not an option given the type of door leading to my patio, leaving the door cracked is though. I know my dog, she's not a barker and she's used to being high up. I can tell she knows falling would mean death. I guess I should have been more specific in that I was more worried about the heat and on the extreme paranoid side, fire. I know it's a very slight chance, but I feel she'd be better off being outside in case of one.

The railing is a good 3-4 feet. My old house had a deck about 30+ft up. She won't try to jump over the railing.

Because it's not a sliding glass door, nor a wood door. It's a door with glass panes.

Unfortunately, a doggy door is not an option. It's either inside or out. You bring up a good point regarding barking, but Sienna isn't much of a barker. But I guess I'd never know if I weren't here. Her stool looked ok tonight, I'll skip feeding this evening and see how it goes. Hopefully, I won't have a present waiting for me tomorrow morning.

Yes, the patio is escape/intruder proof, most definitely. I wouldn't consider it if it wasn't. As for the the one below, you'd have to be pretty acrobatic and really want to get on my patio to get up there. You can't even see inside the patio from the ground, the railing is thick and inset 6''. Yeah, boiled chicken/rice seems to be a common thread, I'll give it a whirl. thanks!

Yes, the patio is completely enclosed, and not accessible from any other patio... except well, the one underneath.

I just moved into a new apartment, and besides a current bout of diarrhea, things have been going well. Since Saturday, I've noticed her stools being very loose, and she's had accidents the past two mornings. She's still very active and eating just fine. Should I be worried and take her to the vet? Or is there something I could do at home? Her annual is next week, but I could bump it up if needed. Also, I'm on the 3rd floor and have been leaving her out on the patio, which is rather large for an apartment. It faces north/northeast into a field so it is in the shade most of the day. I come home for lunch almost every day as well. I've been thinking for a while now about leaving her out there during the day, and I'd like to hear anyone's thoughts on this... thanks!

Sienna doesn't like this either, however if I brush her after a game of fetch or other activity, she's fine. Basically, I tire her out a bit then go to town... works for me.

Well good because the CNN article was vague at best.

"disciplined" uh huh... http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/06/11/marine.puppy/index.html

I wanted to chime in here. My dog's number one issue is confidence or lack-there-of. Everything mentioned here, my trainer has done with my dog and me. Also, short lessons on lambs has done wonders. I am already seeing vast improvements after a few months of doing this.

I was wondering how some of you approach discipline while training stock work? Are you a perfection Nazi or do you give positive reinforcement until the dog "gets it." What do you do if you dog seems to have forgotten something it did perfectly 100 times before? What do you do if your dog isn't listening or blowing you off? Do you yell at it or just use a firm tone? Do you ever scruff or alpha roll your dog? I have seen various techniques used, myself included. I will get after my dog and make a point. And sure enough she'll give me what I originally asked(perfectly), but it has no resonance. By our next session, we typically have to start all over again... like a broken record.