Mokey

Kings Langley, just off the M2 or M7.

I was hoping I could get a recommendation or two for a good groomer. We have 2 Samoyeds who I regularly brush and they've been hydrobathed by local mobile groomers before. However, they don't really get brushed and defluffed very well. Can someone recommend a groomer who will give them the "full" treatment please? -Mokey

This article really helped me. http://users.tpg.com.au/users/rloftus/weaving.htm My club uses plastic mesh attached to the poles that forces the dogs to weave between the poles. After training on this, my dog understood the "mesh game" but was clueless about the poles themselves. I had to set up a poles in my backyard and go through the training method explained in the article. Gigi now understands the "pole game" and we haven't gone back to the mesh game since! -Mokey

I have samoyeds and it doesn't work well on the long-haired parts of their body (which is most of it!). It works great on their back legs though. And it's fabulous for my short-haired cats, except one of them is almost bald now I furminated her so thoroughly... -Mokey

Where is the trial tomorrow? I'd love to go watch.

The Leichhardt Dog Training Club meets at Cafe Bones Sunday morning at 10:00. I've taken my dog there a few times and it was a nice, friendly environment. My husband was happy sitting in the shade with a cup of coffee too!

I would definitely try raw veggies as opposed to cooked. I can vouch for the excess gas part! I used a lot of cabbage in my last batch and boy, am I ever paying for it now! Definitely won't be doing that again. For white dogs, I'd avoid using a lot of beetroot as well. I noticed the beginnings of tear stains from it. - Mokey

Yay! Congrats on your promotion. Yellow is good fun and there are a few instructors who are really good (try to get in their classes if possible, we can chat next week about it.) - Mokey

Good luck! You must be so excited, wish I could go too (or at least steward) but I have something else on that weekend =( We'll be thinking of you. - Mokey

A daily brushing keeps mine looking good. I'm always surprised when people tell me how beautiful and white they look and it's been weeks since their last bath! With the samoyed coat though, stuff just seems to flake off it. Not sure how westies are, but good luck! - Mokey

I do the same as Mal. Afternoon meaty bones are from a variety of sources and I try to mix it up for them. The veggie mix may be the same for 2 weeks, until I make my next batch. I try to put in different things every time and there are always at least 5 types of veggies in each batch of mix.

Kelp is a valuble source of minerals in particular Iodine, Breakdown of Kelp - 15% sodium, 13% potassium, 3% calcium and trace amounts of iodine, manganese, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, zinc, cobalt, chromium and molybdenum. Over feeding kelp as a supplement can be toxic to your dog causing it's thyroid to shutdown. My mix doesn't smell awful at all, I use all human grade ingredients and there's no 'pongy' odour - what particular mince are you using ? thanks for the kelp info! I've been using a mince of chicken frames from the butcher that we get our meat from. Our chicken has always been very fresh and good quality. It could just be the beet root I added the first time I made the mix. I was very slow at it and after about 3 hrs the smell started to get to me. (It was mostly processing the veggies in my food processor that took so long.)

btw, what does kelp add to the dogs diet? I am not currently including it as part of the mix, but will certainly do so if it's needed.

I'm fine with the fruit and veg mix, it smells good! It's when I add the chicken mince and have to mix it around (4 kgs mince, 4 kgs veg) + sardines + egg + wheat germ + brewer's yeast, etc. that it starts to smell unpleasant. I wear latex gloves and mix it around with my hands and the meat is pretty revolting. (I grew up in a vegetarian household, but I haven't been a veggie for years.) I like the idea of the take-out containers and reusing them (plus getting the mix into those baggies is a pain once your gloves get slippery from the fat) but how do you thaw them? Thanks for all the great replies fellow BARFers! - Mokey

Does anyone else mix the meat, veggies and extras together before weighing out portions and freezing in ziploc baggies? I've found this to be the easiest solution for mornings, because I just thaw and dump. Saves on baggies too! However, I have come to hate the smell of the mixture while I'm making it. (I've had to eliminate beet root entirely because of its distinctive smell.) Any experienced BARFers have any tips? Thanks! - Mokey