noisymina

Well, we bought a whole lot at first, but don't have much need to go near pet stores, now. Bed covers come via spotlight and sewing machine. Squeaky toys from Crazy Clarks - but after learning that a squeak-squeak does not squeak no more when bitten (the first one - really upset her) the second one is still going two years on! And still a couple in reserve 'cause I didn't like the way she got so upset when squeak-squeak did not squeak! Pet food from the produce store - not too much to tempt there - the supermarket/butcher and the fruit shop. I spluge at the vet once a year and get immunisatons, worming stuff etc. Yes, expensive, but saves time and trouble, makes sure I don't forget or delay and keeps a friendly vet on tap cheers

I get frozen chicken mince from the produce store - 1kg packs - use over three days, and alternate with 1kg packs roo mince - to reduce the total fat in the food! Lamb off cuts (meaty as possible and least fat possible), occasional chicken frames and pork trotters etc as well. cheers

Thanks

OK - another naive question - What are "greenies"? (Pleeeeese?) I've found Kaisies teeth are fairly good on the chicken bones, but the front incisors were developing a bit of "yellow" so I do need to give marrow bone or lamb shank once every week or two to keep things in order. Never cleaned a dog's teeth in my life - but then, I don't have show dogs cheers

Courtyard with hose - adaptor for warm water in winter. From Bunnings Kaisie hated it when she first came - had to get my son to hold her and tempt her with treats at first and use really soft nozzle - then progressed to chain to the clothes line (in the courtyard with 6' fence) - now she just stands for me without any problem and just ignores what I do, waiting for the treats that come along as we go. Doesn't even put the tail down etc. In fact. I think she has come to like it because of the attention. She was really frightened of lots of things, including the hose, but now I can turn the nozzle on realy quite hard to rinse well and get our the loose hair - no problem - I'm really amazed at how she has come on - and myself also, for that matter. cheers

Yoghurt or even a few doses of "inner health" should help,. Oils for sure. Ours has apples in her Barf plus some banana each morning (shared with dad) as well as leftover fruit in or around the home. In fact , dad has learned to give the dog her banana first, not last as he used to do - otherwise he has do wipe up the puddle of drool off the kitchen floor! Jed- I've taken to cooking the pumpkin and sweet potato too - for the same reason - the processor has a hard time handling these. cheers

Kismet - I'm no expert either, but I've noticed my dogs tend to follow my lead - if i'm anxious, they will be also. First point is for you to relax. Perhaps keep some distance between dog and baby at first - a distance YOU can relax with - and just let the two get used to the presence in a relaxed way. Our dogs have always been trained to sit for pats from anyone, and this we found pretty easy to tranfer to children. We have to spend more time training the children not to pat unless dog is sitting Yes, ours also have a sixth "sense" when it comes to children - even some horses have this. The dog is taking the lead from the "paniky" mother (sensing her fear) but will, hopefully, take a different lead from you. cheers

We got Kaisie at 4 years - at first she hated it, even snapping when we got anywhere near the rear end. Now she seems quite happy, but not exactly thrilled, when bath time comes. She loves the attention & massage with lots of talking and treats - and really loves the towel time, particularly loves being rubbed around the ears. And we go for a run straight after. I do it fairly regularly so she stays used to the routine. Sometimes it is just a hose & dry. We've gone from a two person tie down job to a one person, no restraint needed job - at worst she will run into the laundry looking for treats, not away Not bad for a rank amateur cheers

Well, being an amateur, I sponge dry mine, then towel. Places like Best & Less have towels for $5 each at the moment - ............ cheers

Just to answer an earlier question - Raw potato - peelings or otherwise - is NOT ok. Cook them first. Carrot is ok - just wash well - use a little vinegar in the washing water if you wish. There is at least one thread on the subject of what not to feed and reasons are given there also. cheers

*bump*

He doesn't sound very hungry, does he? Some are more food motivated than others - and sometimes it just loses it's effectiveness. One thing I was reminded about recently took me back to Psych studies years ago - about rewards - doing so all the time reduces the effect - intemittent rewards, not to any pattern, can actaully work better. Worth a try? cheers

Too hot - and committed elsewhere that day! Might get up the courage to try again next year - but it seems Kaisie only chases the lure for a set distance -like about as far as the puppy run - then decides it's better just to run around, check out the scenery and return to me (like a good girl) while the lure just carries on merrily without her Well, she HAS learned to come back, I guess!. Maybe she is just not up to the task, not being a sight hound, that is?? cheers

OK I'm sure I could learn a lot from watching and leave the consults available for others, specially as there are not a lot of them. I would prefer to watch and learn - and according to the times, it looks like I would only be able to do so for the second & third - if family commitments do not change, that is. Can I have the go ahead on those when all is sorted, please? cheers

One option is to do a "suggestion" list of topics and take it from there. The individual consult for all to share would be good too. Maybe we could combine the two - Do a survey of topics and get a few to do "consults" covering the main topics of interest? With any further questions at the end if time permits? I would second the nervous dog subject - got a fair example here - I'm sure Steve would find plenty to do with my dobe Timing and location will influence my ability to attend. cheers

She's looking pretty good, actually! Just a bit more time and TLC as you are doing. Not much more weight needed, really. You have to admit - there is a big difference from what you started with! Do you know what she weighs? Ours sits around the 29-30kg mark. cheers

No major issues - but would also like to learn more about my dog and her behaviour/temperament! Would depend on location, timing etc. cheers

We have a couple of smallish dams - if dog is a good retriever, all we do is throw stuff into dam which they retrieve and bring straight back to us - only a short swim. Can stop the game any time. And, if really necessary (never has been) it's not too far in to rescue them :D cheers

Hi Gigi I had a rescue poodle once - badly neglected - never did get to full weight, always on the "light" side - but was healthy, happy and active - and lived a long life as well. Benefit with the poodle - hair covers all ills! How much does your dobe weigh? Some would think mine was a bit underfed, but she is actually in excellent working condition. A lot of dobes are, in fact, overfed. Over all, you seem to be doing the best you can - don't be too worried, specially if she is healthy and active - that is what is important. Nature will take care of the rest in due course. All our dogs need patience - one way or another, it seems ;) The sardines seemed to react with mine - did not agree with her at all - don't quite know why - but if you are experimenting, perhaps they could be discontinued for a while to see if it makes a difference. I have also found that, although some recommedations indicate that dobes need fat, I think it can be a bit overdone - there may not be a need for extra fat - for example, maybe she is still catching up on a protein or other deficiency which fat will not help. I would be cautious about increasing the fat content - too much may be counterproductive. I have actually stopped giving mine lamb breasts - she doesn't even need that fat - so I would guess yours is probably getting as much as she can reasonably handle as is. Having suggested all above - I do agree with vet check - could be lots of other possibilities. cheers and good luck

Attainic - over to you! cheers

Kaisie was touchy around the rear end when she came here - Our friend in Canada put me onto T-touch - no problem any more. The book is called "Getting in touch with your Dog" by Linda Tellington-Jones. Still have to clip the nails tho cheers

My kids always went "overboard" on colouring - red in particlular - oldest doesn't need alcohol to get 'happy" - a glass of red cordial does the trick. Of course, then there is the "downer" which is actually hard to manage in kids 'cause they get tired, cranky and difficult. :p Sometimes this is diagnosed as other things, I think, because it is a delayed result. cheers

It's along time since my poodle - but I found that regular brushing - like every second day - helps to keep coat soft and free of matting. A good brush before bathing seemed to help too. Used one of those brushes with the blunt "spikes" and the rubber base which was fairly soft and would give alittle under pressure - seemed to be more gentle on the skin. No way I could afford clipping every 6 weeks! Used to get a short "kennel clip" about 3-4 times a year and do lots of grooming at home. No complaints from the lady who did the clipping. ;) Used to file the nails - black ones - in front of tv - is that poodle mania? cheers

Breed + temperament + environment = behaviour Our first dobe and the present one would/will not leave the property unless with us. The first knew the boundaries even WITHOUT any fences. The second Dobe would stick around us and the property until he found wheels to chase - total obsession - fortunately we had fences by then. The Weimaraner was hopeless - very well trained, obedience and all - would hang around and be really well behaved - until she knew our minds had wandered - busy with something - and she would be off - in spite of the fences - had to install and electric fence to kep HER in. she was totally useless - could never find her way back in the same way she went out - even if it was an open gate! But she never went far. cheers

Hi Mooper You don't say how long you have had Jack or what sort of condition he was in when you brought him home. Certainly the environment, inside and out needs to be treated - with repeats to ensure the cycle is disrupted. Malawash was good last I used it. There are sprays etc for carpets and so on. Just keep him away while they dry. Do not think powders would be a good idea but some places may offer them - just check before buying. With a rescue, there is usually a component of neglect, meaning that when you got him, he was probably not in "full health" which means his immune system is probably not 100% - and depending on the level of his health, it may take a while for him to build up immunity - so this may have some influence on his re-infestation problem as well. Maybe your vet could have a look and advise if any supplements would be in order - if you are not already doing so. The quality of the food may be a factor in the recovery rate - there are plenty of topics on feeding around here! good luck :rolleyes: