poochmad

Well, I live in a really bad area well known for parvo - whenever I see a young pup walking the streets, I automatically think 'dead dog walking', which is terrible, I know but seems to be fact. It's so bad here that the vets have changed the vaccination schedule to ensure pups are protected a lot earlier than the usual 16 weeks. Thanks Poodlefan. We are scheduled to take Henschke to the dog show in Canberra this weekend. We will take him - I can't keep him wrapped up in cottonwool... Perhaps one way to stop or limit this sort of thing from happening again is for a requirement to produce up to date vaccination certificates each time you enter a dog show - or for the governing bodies (such as Dogs NSW) to keep a record on file...just a thought...

Let me just ponder on this... other people are upset that your dog has parvo?? WTF?? Jebus people get a grip. Missy's going through the emotional wringer here and someone wants to get upset about her posts? My take on this is that Missymoo is concerned she's made people worry about her post - due to Hef getting sick at a dog show - not that people are upset with her posting about her dog having parvo. No one has said anything negative about her dog having parvo - we've all been cheering for him. Correct me if I'm wrong...

Big ben - that was really useful - scary but useful! Maybe I should try the barf diet??

MM - I agree - don't stop posting. If people just keep quiet about these things we would all become complacent and that would not help either. I think it's best to be kept informed rather than not. I'm just a worry-wort. Anyway, MM, we really want to know what's happening with Hef.

So as a summary (because I'm completely confused about what to feed the boy), Artemis is a good product, so is Eagle Pack (if you're looking for a dog food without grains). Nature's gift is out for me as it contains sugar (Henschke reacts badly to sugar). The 'Z' product from New Zealand sounds good - but oh, my, the price... Best to try, try and try again to see what product suits your dog. My problem is that we have a 6 month old and are about to get a young adult - is there something I can feed the both of them without having to buy 2 different food types (i.e. puppy and adult)?

Hi MM - he has perked up. He's eaten his food and is a lot better. Can your dog still get parvo if vaccinated? He's 6 months old. We are meant to be going to a show this weekend - in Canberra, but many people would have gone to the Spring Fair would be going to this one.

After talking to the lady who looked after him (she's puppy sitting until we bring his buddy home), she did comment that he's eaten her plants so it could be that. It's a bit hard to tell if he's lethargic as he's been running around all day playing with another dog. I'll monitor him throughout the night. If he looks like he's detoriating I will rush him to the emergency vet.

I'd like to know this too. Henschke's a bit off the weather - he's been vomiting and has diarrareah (however you spell it). If he's not better by the morning, we'll be taking him to the vet. When you hear about a parvo outbreak and your dog is unwell, you can't help but wonder...

I agree. We will keep him on it until we buy something else - might just get the small bags first and monitor his 'movements' for a month before deciding to buy large bags. I'm thinking about holistic eagle pack. Have you tried it?

What a bugger! Henschke loves those chicken treats and we've just bought 3 bags! We were also feeding orijen and now we have to look for something else...sigh...

We just installed a dog door on Friday. Henschke is THE biggest whimp... Hubby was on one side and I was on the other and one of us showed him the treat poking it through the flap so he could see it. We started by lifting the flap and he went through awkardley (he immeditaly goes down onto a step, so it's not an even passage). When he stuck his head through the door we praised enthusiastically. It took a while, but then he went through and everyone praised. What a good boy! The flap on his back and the noise scared him. He looked worried and apprehensive, but we just pretended it was a game. He went through and back again, each time acting scared. He loves going outside with us and so we went out and closed the door behind us so the only way out was for him to go through the door. After a moment his head appeared and again it was lots of praise. Then he put his body through and again lots of praise. The door was then closed and the only way in or out was through the flap. At first he would just sit there and look at me. If he did that I would show him the outside (which he's always interested in) and then he'd stick his head through (lots of praise) and then would 'pop' through. It took a little time, but now he goes in and out as he pleases. It is probably the second best thing we've done (the first was to get a crate).

Feel free to buy mine. We have about 10kg worth left (bought 13.5kg) and I'm not happy with his performance on it. He has a mix of hard and soft poos and has done since we started...I am a bit stubborn and wanted to peservere. I think I might try Eagle Pack.

I too have to look for another food - Orijen's out...maybe might try Eagle Pack...?

I'm glad you posted this. Our boy has a very sensitive stomach... AAGGHH - I don't know what to use! What should I use for a dog that has a sensitive stomach?

What a pity I ordered a 13kg bag! I just checked the Pookinuk website where I purchase Orijen from and they are advising it's no longer available...so I guess I will be forced to try a new food regardles... Sagittarian - what are barf patties?

Hi Bisart Dobes - Henschke has been doing that very thing! I've noticed him sitting on the couch looking into the distance and wondered what he was looking at. Also, we did have someone come around the house when we weren't home...it was a builder coming to take a look at the house and apparently scared Henschke. I guess having all these strange people around the house may have caused it as well. The lead thing seems to be working well, so I guess I will put him on a lead when new people come to the house.

When we first got Henschke we looked at food to feed him as he was eating Advance Puppy and he just had sloppy poos all the time and he was constantly scratching. I read about Orijien, how it made poos harder, coat shiny and stops scratching... So he's been on it for 4 months now and to be honest I'm wondering if I need to change foods again. He's not scratching, but every second poo he does is sloppy. It's become such a regular thing we dance if he does a hard poo! His coat is lovely and shiny, but that could be because we give him a teaspoon of sardines in his meal. Has anyone else tried Orijien and been disappointed? If you moved to something else, what did you move to and what was the result?

Hi Miranda. I'm aware of the breed temperament - I've seen other Fields and out of the 4 we saw, 2 were skittish. You're correct with the breed standard however, breed clubs and books all discuss the wariness or standoffish behaviour for Fields. Some tend to be quite exuberant with their attention, while others will stand back. Our breeder did warn us to socialise, socialise, socialise and that's what we've been doing. When he's on the lead outside the house he's great. He's very happy to go up and say g'day. As I said in my post, he seemed to have gotten past it, but now has started backing off again. As he's good outside the house on the lead, I'm more interested in learning what to do when people come to the house. Especially when he barks at people...

Hi. We have a 6 month old Field Spaniel which the breed is renowned for being 'wary' of strangers. When he was a pup we were told to tell people to ignore him; he would approach when ready. At the age of 8 weeks he was very happy going to people and this was encouraged. At the age 12 weeks to 16 weeks he became less forward approaching people, but after a moment or so, would approach them. We thought this 'fear' period was over, but just in the last 2 weeks, he's started it again. It seems to coincide with workers coming to the house three weeks ago, who walked straight in the back door and ignored him. He barked (I didn't praise him) and he soon settled down. Last weekend I had a painter come to the house - the man came in, ignored the dog and then Henschke growled and barked. I didn't know what to do, so I picked him up. I didn't praise him or anything. (Perhaps wrong thing to do.) Last night the in-laws arrived and Henschke was quite scared - he ran away, bolted is more accurate and we tried the ignoring thing. This resulted in him barking at them. I put a collar and lead on him and surprisingly he became a lot more relaxed. I am guessing this might be because he feels that he's not alone and doesn't have to 'defend' himself? When he's on a lead, he's quite happy to approach people and unless they yell at him. After a little while, he relaxed and I removed the lead and he was happy going near them for a pat. Is the collar and lead something I should be doing when people first came to the house (as it seemed to work) and what should I do if he barks at people? I don't want him developing bad habits and I don't want people thinking he's 'dangerous'. Is his behaviour normal for the breed or is it something to do with his age? He's a show dog, so he's not being desexed - is it related to his hormones? All advice most welcome.

Amhailte, my thoughts are with you in this sad time. He looked like he had such a wonderful life.

Christina, I'm not sure myself. We were just warned that the breed shouldn't be given hard bones as the teeth may crack/break etc. I will see if I can find out...

Hi Erny. Fair point. However, I know a lot of breeders keep their dogs in less room than this...not that I'm pointing any fingers, just stating a fact. He has a play session with us around the yard for approximately 15 mins - this results in him running around and around...until it tires him out. (Not to the point of exhaustion though!) Once we return from work he's taken on a quick paced walk for approximately 30-40 mins a day. However, we are aware that it's a temporary solution. As I stated in my original posting, the plan is to enclose the car port down the track which will then allow him a lot more freedom to stretch his legs...hopefully this can be achieved before the middle of next year.

I seem to have picked the worse breed in the world!!! Apparently so we've been told by the breeder, the breed has 'soft' teeth and to not give him bones...I guess marrow bones would be out of the question? Besides chicken bones are there 'soft' bones that could keep him occupied all day?

They look great - will definitely give them a go. We've discussed other ideas and we're going to run a steel beam from the wall into the pen area and hang things off it like upside down kongs (stuffed with frozen treats), toys, etc. It will be like a little play gym!

Yes, Fbaudry, he is cute...but man he's becoming a little bugger ...he's actually got all his teeth now...so what used to be little bite marks (when he had his baby teeth) is now becoming a lot worse now he's using his adult teeth... ETA: I've given him plastic bottles before, but I have found that he starts eating the plastic and unless I'm there to supervise I'm not that keen to leave them with him knowing what he does with them.