antisocial

Thanks everyone who replied, all sorted now.

Something of an emergency. We are going away for a week and need someone to feed our cats. The person we had arranged can't do it now. I want a pet sitting company rather than really helpful individual thanks. We have 4 cats and need a visit a day to feed and change litter starting Monday 25th August and last visit Saturday 30th August. Thanks

Can only echo others when they say you will know. Our old cat was kept alive with a cocktail of pills for years and every time we thought it was her time to go she would spring back and be her old self again. When the time came it was really obvious compared to the false alarms, she just didn't have it in her anymore. There was no fight left. The only thing that I would add is think about being with them when they go. I wasn't going to but was so glad I did. It was so peaceful and she looked like her old self. I also felt like I hadn't deserted her and she knew I was there. You will cry and grieve but I know it was some comfort knowing she had someone who loved her with her. It will be hard but you are doing your best...

Success.... Pup went through the night without barking last night..I got up at 3.45am to let him out then didn't hear a peep from him till 7am and then it was only a short I'm awake bark. He is also going into his crate at night when told rather than having to put him in. Thanks for all the advice. It seems obvious now, but we had read so many different things we were trying bits of everything and getting nowhere. Just in time as well as we are going caravaning at the end of August and we were worried he would keep the whole site awake. Just the nipping to sort now.....

I would be really interested. In fact we were only talking about this the other day. Our pup needs a bit of rough and tumble and chasing. In fact are there any puppy parties about?

Tried your advice last night, took him out at 3.30am, straight back to crate (covered it with a blanket) and then left him to it. He barked a couple of times every half an hour but not for too long. Didn't go down to him till 7am. We both survived the night, so will be doing the same tonight. How do I know when to leave him all night? Do I take him out slightly later each week till he can sleep through? Also being a bit tougher with him and not given him attention when he wants in the hope he will be calmer around me. Last thing Lotti....what brain games do you play with your dog? Thanks for the advice

At the moment, he gets up between 4-5am, plays till 8am when my husband takes over and then goes straight to sleep. He then dozes throughout the day, usually again at lunchtime and then about 7pm. We can't really wear him out yet as we are waiting to finish his vaccinations so we are hoping that will help. One idea that we have is that he sees my husband as the alpha male so behaves for him, but i am lower down the pecking order as i am with him for most of the time and do the feeding and morning shift. He tends to be calm around my husband and wound up around me. I don't mind him being up about 6/6.30am as this will tie in with work times. Is the best idea to ignore his barking till I want to get up?

He is downstairs in his crate. Its just that he makes a heck of a racket to be let out and don't want to disturb the neighbours. Also if he does need to go would rather he goes out than messes his crate.

We have had our new puppy for 2 weeks now and he is absolutely lovely, there is just one thing......I am not getting any sleep.... He goes to bed between 10.30 and midnight, and wakes anytime between 3-5am. Now, he is waking me for the right reason, as he wants to be let out to wee, but as far as he is concerned it is then playtime. If he wakes really early, I can play with him for an hour then get him to nap for a bit longer. But anytime after 4.30am and thats it he is up... What happens at the moment is I stay up with him till my husband gets up at 7.30am then I catch a quick hours doze till he is ready to play again. I am doing the morning shift as I am off work, but I am really starting to feel the affects of not having an uninterrupted sleep. Are we doing something wrong with his sleep patterns? He has a crate which he is happy to sleep in. Will it get better?

I jokingly suggested to my other half that we could have a hog roast for his 30th birthday in June. For someone who hates birthdays and all the fuss he is actually quite keen on the idea and has challenged me to organize it (and me a vegetarian). Does anyone have any experience/ideas of organizing anything like this. I have no idea where to start!!! Thanks

Thanks for your help, think with animals the children are going to handle we would probably need someone with the appropriate insurance. Don't know who would be more excited me or the children...

Thanks for your help:thumbsup:

Trying to find a contact address for police dog/mounted section about visiting school to talk to children and show them animals. The website isn't much help. Anyone dealt with them for school fayre etc Thanks

My year group at school's next topic is animals. We are looking to get some visitors in so the children get some 'hands on' experience. I know there used to be someone who did children's parties - taking exotic pets for the children to look at and hold. Does anyone have any information I am coming up a blank. Thanks

Haven't ruled out anything yet though as gorgeous as they are think beardies might too boisterous for us.....firmly in the research stage at the moment and not looking to move the pup in till end of July. Would like a puppy as have wanted a dog as long as I can remember, and want the puppy experience. Also want a dog with a bit of character and unfortunately having looked at a number of rescue sites they seem to be full of staffies, rotties and other guard dogs which is not what I am looking for. Was wondering actually as I know some cat rescue places are unwilling to give people with full time jobs cats. I am a fulltime teacher (so will have the holidays to spend all day with any dog we get), my hubbie will be working from home 2 days a week and we are prepared to get a walker in the other days. Would this be a problem? We have no children, live at the edge of the peaks and spend a lot of time outdoors. Thanks