noisymina

Come to think of it, we haven't had grass rings since we changed to BARF. She has ACV, juiced carrot, yoghurt in her BARF mix - so any one, or a combination of those plus the other stuff we add, seems have have had some result! Guess it depends on what else is being fed, the dog's individual metabolism, the strength of the urine etc. cheers

Started BARF on 4year old Dobe soon after we got her - and I read about it here. Did partly from curiosity, partly from distrust of commercial foods - profit factor MUST affect quality says my logic - also 'cause this one has a couple of health issues - not major. She's doing well, vet was most impressed by her teeth at last check I do feed some mince with the bones becaus the bones I get don't have much meat on them really. Bones/ meat in PM Veg + other things (liver, egg, etc) in AM Yep, About 20% all up in the mornings, rest in evening. Cost - a bit more, but not much. A lot more effort - would only go back if I could not do it for some reason - time wise. Cat has it too. They both have toast and vegemite at breakfast. cheers

I know you said he was an indoor dog, but he is getting wet, so must be outside some of the time. Is there a chance he is going out and rolling in something? A lot of dogs will do this as soon as possible after a wash. The more the washes..... Mine also has a skin infection which makes her smell and aslo makes her go out and roll in smelly stuff - must itch or something. Vet recommended Pyohex shampoo which does control the problem. Might be worth a try. cheers

As for the kids, we had our first Dobe before our first child came alone - no problems. Kid & dog would go down to the fence and play with next door kid & dog. Matching set. The one we have now was a re-home at 2 years of age - our youngest kid, teenager, was really good in helping to do a bit of re-training, mainly in relation to a lead pulling issue - did really well too. Dobes do not "mature" until about 2 years, I'm told - but ous always seem to be pups to me. :rolleyes: The toy issue is really funny with this one - she took to a cheap, squeaky toy (plastic hot dog, actually) and just loved it. One day, our D-i-L got her a bit too excited and she bit the squeak-squeak - which no longer squeaked, of course. End of that, right? No way - dog got really upset and worried 'cause it no longer squeaked - and I had to bee line down to Crazy Clarks for a new one. She so loves it and is so "knowing" that this one is still going two years down the track! Even kids aren't that gentle on their toys! Whenever she is excited, she picks it up and squeaks it like mad - but never bites hard enough to wreck it. cheers

Our Weim - an obedience champion (before we gor her) - wrecked more than our three Dobes put together. cheers

I was going to suggest that you check the details of the chrages, even talk to the vet if need be, so you understand the basis on which you were charged. Then you could make a decision about any future action. That's all OK. Now it's "been sorted" you can relax and know that it wasn't what you thought. It will save a lot of longterm resentment and stress now that you know the full story. We all miss small, but important details, even at the best of times. This is one reason DOL is so great, hey? cheers

Our dog's nails seem far too long too - have been for the last two years. I can handle her paws etc any old time, but the moment I try to cut, file or do anything with the nails, it's all over. She's too big to fight her over it. Vet is not worried. She gets lots of exercise and runs on concrete, and I'm beginning to think it actually quite self-limiting - they don't seem to be getting any longer than long. If we ever do have to sedate her for something else ( and it seem that won't be for her teeth due to BARF diet), I will get them to trim the nails then. In the meantime, I've given up worrying about the nails - or what anyone thinks - except, of course, the vet - who will have the job of fixing them IF a problem arises. cheers

We have Dobe No.3 at the moment - have not done official obedience or agility - but........ They are fast and agile (if not overweight). They are wonderful, sensitive, intelligent dogs (generally speaking, of course) Sometimes the intelligence can be a drawback 'cause they assess risk :rolleyes: They are low maintenance. Yes - I'm biased. Our present Vet is great with Dobes - even he terms them "sooky Dobes" - says they all are. With the right handling, you could do wonders with a Dobe. However, it has been my experience that not all people, including obedience/agility Instructors are "favourably disposed" towards Dobes. The one I tried locally just didn't have the patience to help me with my re-homed Dobe and openely admitted she did not like them! The dog needed a bit of time and understanding, but in the competitive world, this just didn't seem to cut it! And I didn't even want to compete! She is great at obedience, but scared of some of the agility exercises. Took ages to get her through the tunnel - but we did get there. Compared with Dobe No. 1, this one is a bit more hyperactive/highly strung. I thought initally this may have been a result of the previous history (most unknown) but I have been told that there seems to be a tendency for breeders to be producing Dobes that are more "highly strung" than they used to. Don't know this for a fact. However, she has calmed down well with appropriate handling, although her herding instinct is alive and well I would suggest, based on the above, that 1. You check the temperament of the parents of any pups you are considering (also check for Von Willebrand's syndrome). 2. Check with the obediance, agility clubs you intend to join- assess their attitude to Dobes in general - if not positive, find out how far you would need to travel to find one that is positive - as this will be a big factor in the success of your endeavours. Like most breeds, you will pay less for a "pet" quality Dobe than a "show" quality one. If the dog does not have von Willbrands syndrome, but is a carrier, you will pay a whole lot less and maybe get a wonderful dog. As you do not intend to breed, it is not an issue if it is a carrier. Ours may be, but she is de-sexed and we had no reason, therefore, to pay for the test to be done. Saw Kelpies at Agility - brilliant, if not somewhat obsessed. We have never had a Kelpie - so can't give a comparison. :D cheers

I wish - would love to vac mine - but she's paranoid. First tome I took it out after we got her - at 4 years - she ran right down to th back fence and it tok all morning to get her back. Don't think we'll get her THAT friendly with it . cheers

If she buries the meaty bone, she is not hungry. You said she was gaining a little, right? Well, my dog tells me I've fed her enough - by burying her bones. I save a lot by feeding less when she starts to bury. And it is automatic weight control into the bargain. No worries. cheers

To be quite honest, Raddy, if the dog is being fed and cared for - and is not overweight - I would not be bothered "having words" over the diet. If you are asked what you believe is best, or what you feed your dog, by all means share that info. Apart from that, as already said, to each his own. cheers

I've seen this far too often - One has to put the animal first and human feelings second. I learned this from watching others do it and have never regretted it. Put the dog's welfare first and don't add to your grief by making it worse for the dog because "I love her/him". Adding guilt to the grief does not achieve anything - except more angst. With one of our cats (my OH is the cat person) a vet actually was the worst culpret. I finally packed him off to the RSPCA with the cat - they were really good and agreed it "was time" and counselled him and all - and put the animal out of its' misery - for much less them the vet would have cost. Keeping the poor thing as long as we did was an incredibly expensive exercise and did the poor animal no good at all. Try to be objective by focusing on the animal's welfare - it then becomes a clear decision, if not an easy one. Hard bit true.

Mine gets a samll amount of rolled oats (ground) and some cooked barley (in the hope it is helping the urinary tract as it is supposed to with humans ) - both are mixed in with the BARF mush. Oh - toast and vegemite each morning - one slice only, shared with the cat! :rolleyes: What was that about spoiling them? cheers

I believe you. I BELIEVE YOU. :D Did he eventually accept this novel idea? cheers

The one I bought recently was $4.50 for a 500ml bottle. Maybe it is more expensive interstate? cheers

Interesting - caffeind42 - vet said after tests (soon after we got her) that it looked our dobe was recovering froma urinary tract infection all by herself - wonder if that is the connection - and I have gradually (through laziness, actually) laid off the meds for slight incontinence and, although the warmer weather may be a factor, there has not been a recurrence so far (fingers crossed) She hovers around 30kgs. Presently I only put about 4 tablespoons ACV in about a month's BARF mix - might increase that a bit, I think, or add it to the water as well. cheers

The ACV is only for the dog - 4 tablespoons once a month for one dog - bit spoilt, I guess White vinegar is used for everything else. cheers

Try the natural stuff from the health store - it has a sediment in it etc, the real thing - not the supermarket stuff. Maybe that will make a difference. Suggest you check any other changes in diet that amy have had an effect or, has there been a change in the formulas fed? The ACV here is included in the food, not the water - could this make a difference? Possibly, the animal is not drinking as much, creating more concentrated urine. Have there been any unusual stresses lately which could have upset the "applecart"? Don't worry too much - the grass will soon grow greener and better. cheers

Throw in a tin of sardines and some kidney or liver - they will eat it ok. cheers

It's natural - that's what retrievers do - they find things and bring them to you. Like all the newspapers from the street each morning, the neighbours golf shoes (one at time) and anything else that can be "lifted". cheers

For a months feeding, my 30kg dog gets 2-4 tablespoons of cider vinegar mixed in - not exact you, know, just slurp away) I also throw in some minced/ground liver or kidney - covers any taste she may not like anyway! She also gets whole carrots on a fairly regular basis. At last visit, vet said her teeth were really good. "You feed her a lot of bones?" he said. I wasn't game to mention the carrots. cheers

OH dear ....... The nephews mum was reassured thea he had a "milder" case because of the vaccination ......... Maybe he could have tried that one Is he a good looking vet? -- maybe you should have cried on the shoulder anyway cheers

Yeh - sorry to be so "reassuring"! Wish you well - sounds like he will be OK. cheers

I have come to the conclusion that NO vaccine is 100% certain. Our nephew was fully vaccinated and still got Hooping Cough - the mum had to take the papers in to prove to the doctors treating him that he HAD been immunised! I have been immunised for German Measles THREE times - and still didn'y show immune at last test! Apparently it just doesn't "take" for some people! How much are we NOT being told about the efficaccy of "immunisations"? It seems there is only a percentage success rate - and the "experts" convince us they are wonderful in the hope of achieving a total level that will be sufficient in spite of not all the vaccinations being effective. So, if 80% of people are immune to something, it may not be able to spread easily - but since the vaccinations are not 100% effective, they would need to immunise a lot more than 80%, say 95% of the population to get the desired outcome. This means that some of those immunised are FALSELY led to believe they are immune! cheers

Mine gets oats & barley - does that make her neutral? Seriously - my barf mix veges usually include carrots, apples, pumpkin and sweet potato( those two cooked with the barley'cause the juicer is useless) parsley, a couple of zucchini, celery - also other odds and ends including eggs, oils, sardines etc Do not use brassicas - cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower etc. About 200g each morning + toast with butter and vegemite (spoilt) and raw meaty bones at night, sometimes with a whole carrot for dessert! cheers