Zhara

Had a bitch 15 or so years ago that seemed to have similar symptoms as you discribe, I found she had a flea allergy (we don't have flea problems as such, but do have a cat and possums comming throuh the yard), her immune system was all over the place, . We put her Omega 3 which over the course of three weeks improved heaps. This also helped the coat as she would look like and emaciated dog when she lost her coat every season, and that was every five months. I believe a lot of dog foods have alot to answer for, just as with humans, the fresher the ingredients, the better. Over processed foods usually come with additives of some decription. Also what I found was that the ears smell, and I've been told that ears and coat usually go hand in hand. If the coat is affected by something, smell the ears, they should NOT smell sour ever! When cleaning ears, massage the tunnel below on the neck. If putting drops in make sure the dog doesn't shake it's head straight away or it will shake the stuff out before it can do anygood. Its more than likely that that is where the problem is. The visual symptoms may be just that. Visual. There is definately an underlying problem that needs to be addressed. Goodluck, hope you sort it out soon! Zhara

Hi, I had a Shepherd bitch I bred quite a while ago, She developed a lump in her neck. When she was due to have her hips xrayed I asked the Vet to remove the lump if her hips looked OK. Hips looking good, lump was removed. It happened to be a Calcium lump or some such thing. As my previous litter had hip problems, I was worried that perhaps I didn't add enough calcium Sandoz to their meals, so with this litter I was a litle heavy handed. As it turned out, I found out that one of the Boys from that same litter had a lump on his ribs, and it was diagnosed as the same sort of thing by a different Vet in a different town. So my suggestion to you is, don't panic until you know the facts! It may be something as simple as what I experienced. Zhara

The stairway is long and winding, The "Trip" has come too soon. But something special awaits you there, This difficult afternoon! From a distance, you cannot quite see, But something lines the pathway, something "Free" As you get nearer, oh what a sight, The path lined with SABLES, some dark, some light. Their tails are all wagging, some padding their feet A personalized "Welcome", for they know who'll they'll meet! This time not a stranger, but someone they know, Then a Heavenly Light beams a Glorious Glow. Of Shepherds and friends you obviously knew, Go forward, pass the Gates, they'll follow you through! Diane we know you rest peacefully now, We'll pick up the pieces and move on somehow! From everyone who knew you, you were really the best! We'll see you again, when it's our time to "Rest"! In loving Memory of Diane Gunn-Scarcella BONDED in SABLES Irene & "ZHARA"

Well I have found this interesting! 2 puppies from the same litter! On a positive they have company, but will learn to rely on each other too much. You will not be able to achieve a human/dog bond with either of them, at least not what you would get if you had one on it's own. They will be more interested in doggie habits than devoting themselves to a human. Glad to hear you will have them desexed, as when they start coming into season you will have a dominance problem. They will need time out on their own, should be able to lock them away from the children so they (the dogs) can get peace and quiet. They will need individual attention, and training away from each other, because all they will want to do is get to each other to play! You probabely should have got 2 dogs 6 months apart. That way you could establish a bond with at least one before the other came along. The second dog will not be the same as the first because again it would have more of an alliance with the other dog. Again the individual attention is required. One last thing if one has genetic flaws such as bad hips, eye problems etc, you are in for double the trouble! Many people have had siblings and raised them and lived with them, it is possible. Alot depends on your diligence and ability to recognise problems and solve them. I hope you have a very rewarding experience with your puppies and as they go on to become adults, it can be done! Zhara

There is a Labrador formula in the Royal Canin dry food, Super Coat is good enough and I know a Lab Breeder who feeds her dogs "Bonnie" another Dry food product. She says Labs need the extra protien and "Bonnie" has what she considers they need. I have also been told years ago that you shouldn't feed your dog Soy products as they are not good for dogs and more recently found out that because they are of a bean product, produce gas. If you want to give milk, it should be the Pet Milk which can be easily bought from a supermarket as can Super coat, just make sure you buy a Puppy formula. I worked in a Boarding kennel many years ago, and I Show and Trial Dogs, very interesting when you come across dog droppings, you can usually tell what they are fed! Take care, Do your homework! Zhara

I have taken away the charger the day I took the pic actually so unfortunately I can't blame that How weird is that your neighbour called her twins Riley and Mia I hope they are better behaved than my Riley and Mia ! I really like the name Riley and kind of wish I'd saved it in the event I have a baby boy one day......... Riley's parents are http://www.sundaneka.com.au/Frontpage.html under the litter page he's was out of litter "K" he was the quietest out of the males in the litter and we wanted a male the other two were biting my hands really hard and running around like mad but he just sat on my lap licking my arm and snuggling into me BOY DID HE SEE ME COMING ......... Thanks for that, As your boy is from a German import, he is going to have a strong minded disposition because of the years of training in his lineage. Our current male is from an import and he was a little so and so, so his training started earlier than my husband usually starts his dogs off at. That dog has gone on to be a very intelligent adult (now nearly 9), he was an excellent worker. Highly energetic and will think for himself if you don't give him enough instruction. He has produced a magnificent daughter who has the same work ethic as he himself has, she is also a very dedicated girl and as loyal as you can get. GSD's are thinkers and need direction. You have got a pup with a lovely pedigree, his Breeders know what they are doing, and I suggest you speak with them of your concerns. Chances are they have come across these behaviours before and will/should give you a helping hand. Zhara (Irene)

Just going on the picture you posted, I would suggest you don't recharge his battery as often, if at all until he is about 5 years old! My 12 year old son's name is Riley, and the young girl who recently moved in next door with twin girls has called them, Riley and Mia! :D Your boy's behaviour is not what we have ever experienced with our males, do know that some bloodlines have different traits, if he is very dominant then possibly has come from his breeding. I would make sure you are firm with him, if he does something undesirable, banish him to an area where he is on his own, and comes back out when he is quiet and sensible. When removing him, stay calm, don't scream and yell at him, don't speak to him. Just remove him! When he is quiet and behaved, quietly let him out without a fuss and give him a treat, making him sit for it, and then go about as normal. (When giving him a treat, keep it closed into your fist, hand kept low and against your body. He can sniff and lick your closed hand if he is sitting, then you slowly open your hand so he can gently take the treat. This will stop him from trying to snatch it from you or becoming excited and boisterous, which would excite him lead to him going into a humping frenzy. Keep it calm, even if playing with him...Calm is the key! Let me know who mum and dad is. Good luck Zhara

Interesting! I have used a similar technique, except that when you are starting to give the command "Staaand", with a hand signal, you land on your left foot, bend your right leg behind your left leg and under the dog's belly. (Need to know how low the belly is, the dog will be a bit confused at first, reinforce positively, and continue on with your work). It is gentle, definately placing your heel as an obstacle only, and it works quickly. Every now and again, the dog gets a bit slack and you do it again to remind them. I would also suggest, that most people that have trouble with position training is that they stop to soon. You need to take a couple of slowing paces to cue the dog that something is about to happen and they focus back to you. This principle works for turns as well as position changes. Zhara

GOOD LUCK! Zhara NQld

We just had an ET, here in Mackay, NQld. One bloke with a Shepherd jogged, yes, JOGGED all 20klm. AND PASSED!! Does that make "No Pump" sound like an excuse? He didn't need one, 'cause he didn't have a bike! This is for real. Alan Whyte, Proserpine, N Qld. with Ch. Jezlahn Flying Legend A'Z ET. Zhara

GOOD LUCK! Zhara NQld

Yeah, in the middle all huddled together, NOT! Dogs in beds ruin sex life! But then...... A little puff of wind, comes from the heart! Travels down the backbone, generates a fart! Farts are very useful, the do the body-ease! They warm the bed in Winter time, and suffocated the fleas!

Amen, that's what I'm talking about!

That's why you don't have a conversation with him, or bitch at him. Out the door to the tiolet and back to crate. GO TO SLEEP! If he's jumping onto beds, PUT A LEAD ON HIM AND WALK HIM TO THE DOOR, out for pee, BACK ON LEAD to the Crate "GO TO SLEEP". remember no conversation! If like and arguing, determined child! It's called TOUGH LOVE! and RESPECT!

Geez Steve, This will require a little patience! The dog needs to pee, if it's whinging. If it's cold in the crate, put a douna over it, (if he's cold, he'll want to pee sooner, if he's comfortable he'll settle!) . If you are a light sleeper, put the crate in another room, with a douna over it, LET HIM OUT TO PEE BEFORE YOU GO TO BED! In the early hours, LET HIM OUT TO PEE and PUT HIM BACK IN THE CRATE, tell him to "GO TO SLEEP" in a sturn, but friendly voice, then go back to bed yourself. Eventually, he will get the message, don't have a conversation with him, let him out, tell him to "Hurry up", when you know he's had a leak, tell him to "Go to Sleep" when you put him back in the crate. You are supposed to be the pack leader, if you allow him to sleep in/on your bed, you become his equal, NOT ON BUDDY! Stick to the plan!