Lacey13

I have mini schnauzers. In the US they are shown in the Terrier ring - in Aust they are in the Utility ring. So what is the difference? All schnauzer breeds have coarse, wirery coats - like many of the breeds shown in the Terrier ring. My view is that it falls to temperament. While Schnauzer breeds are considered dominant - they don't display quite the same fiesty behaviour as say jack russels or scotties. They are somewhat more biddable and easier to train than terrier breeds (in general). The Black Russian (I think) is a large dog very similar in looks\type as the Giant Schnauzer and it too is shown here in the Utility ring. Cheers,

My 13 year old mini schnauzer had a severe pancreatitis attack around Nov last year. He's been on a Barf diet for several years. The only thing both the vet and I could conclude was the raw chicken may have had too much fat/skin. He was hospitalised on a drip for 1-1/2 days (all up 2 nights/3days in hospital). He was a very sick old boy, but I'm very pleased to say he bounced back very quickly as soon as vet treatment started. Over the next couple of weeks he went from cooked chicken and rice (bland) back to his barf diet (including the raw chicken carcass less all excess fat). He hasn't looked back since and continues to walk every day and play with my younger mini in a very active way. I now feed a small amount of Advance Sensitve dry food along with the barf. I should also say that he gets herbal treatments (Robert McDowell) to supplement his diet. He will be 14 in Sept and is currently going great. Good luck and I trust your little friend won't experience another attack. Cheers,

I go to this club on Tuesday nights. Tuesday night is very different from the Sat afternoon classes. I'm working towards my Open title at present and entered my first trial a week ago. We didn't pass, but we gave it a red hot go - thanks to support and instruction from Western Subs. A full panel Obedience Judge is an instructor. I guess it depends where you're going to live. I also go to Eastern Subs (Cent Park) on Sundays. Lots more dogs and people but they do have higher classes helping dogs and owners towards the trial ring. You would need to approach the desk and speak to a senior instructor re what level to start / assessment - but they are agreeable to that. They fit and supply check chains and are now including Black Dog halti's so they are open in that regard. One of their instructors too is an Obedience Judge and she can be a little loud and cranky at times - but overall people still come each week!! Other clubs would include Blacktown and Castle Hill. I've not been to either, but believe they too would be quite good for trial purposes. Good luck!

Yes, I'm a member of this club. I guess it's like any large club - lots of people coming along and large class numbers. You could talk to them to see what class your dog should start from (if you feel you've got a good parternship and the basics with your dog). They may put you up into a higher class based on your experience?!. they have a website so you might find some more info on that. I guess its like anything - they'll be instructors, people and dogs you'll like and some you won't, but I'm sure it's a good starting point for your new rescue for interaction and socialising. They join dogs over 6 months and under 6 months (puppies) on alternate sundays. They're not there this coming Sunday (World Youth Day) and I don't know what joiner is on after that (website might help there)? Anyway, good luck.

I thought it was illegal to lead your dog off a bike!?! Am I wrong?

I go to Centennial Park. It's popular, going on the numbers of people that turn up each week! The classes can be quite large - especially for new starters. You might be better getting some one on one attention from someone. That said - regular attendance at a club is a great way to know how your progressing and fo socialising with like minded dog folk. Good luck

Hi CK: I hope my story will help you. In March this year my little mini schnauzer girl had a series of seizures and after bloods checked went on Ph. Meds were controlling her condition when my old mini boy (11) had a series of seizures. He too had bloods done and was put on Ph. I was just coming to grips with having them both on meds when my girl starting fitting again. It was a very wet Sunday afternoon. I was sitting reading the paper when I heard a thud and she (who had been seizure free for 5 months) started. It lasted under a minute. I rang the vet and told to give valium if she had another. She had another fit about 2 hours later and I gave valium. I increased her Ph dose (from half to 3\4) that night. She had another fit a couple of hours later. By this time I was frantic and a friend came and went with me to Strathfield where she was admitted. She had a fit in the early am and they administered valium and she had another fit about 7.30 am Mon morning. They had noticed she had reacted poorly with the valium and after 7.30 fit they gave her different medication (sorry can't remember the name but its something they give to calm before surgery). An MRI was organised (but could only be done on the Wednesday) so she stayed at Strathfield (seizure free I'm pleased to say) until the thursday after mri. MRI was clear and we increased her meds and I was back and forwards to my vet every 3 weeks as we checked her levels. She became quite manic on the higher dosage and finally we settled on 1\2 mornings and 1 whole at night. I'm pleased to say she has not seized since August and is doing brillantly. She's gained her Novice title and we working on Open now! So I have both a young and old dog on Ph. They are both (touch wood) doing brillantly for now and I can't thank Puggles enough for her advice and support during my dark times as I struggled with the worry and concern of my beloved companions. I've decided not to pursue any medical investigations of my old boy - he's coping very well, looks wonderful and bounces around like a 2 year old. I've also got them on herbal meds (Robert McDowell) for Heart Repair (he has a heart murmur) and Epilepsy. I empathised with you when I read your post - because I've been down that same road. But, as time passes you come to terms with it all and I have two wonderful little minis who are doing brilliantly on meds - and that's all that counts. Good luck, try and be optimistic and enjoy your dogs. Have a good Christmas. Cheers,

Why don't you purchase BARF patties (12 in a pack) to help your MIL out while you're away. They cost about $18 a pack and have the feeding directions on them. I feed my mini schnazuers these patties and they love them. I didn't have any problems when I started (they love food anyway). I don't know how economical this will be for you in the long run - but it's just a suggestion given your current situation. If you go on to the BARF website (sorry don't know the web address but you can google) it will tell you where your nearest distributor \ outlet is. Hope this is helpful, Cheers :rolleyes:

My mini schnauzers have always been fed raw wings, sometimes necks and more recently, chicken feet. When I bought my girl home as a baby she would grab the wing tip and try and suck it down as fast as she could. In fact she wouldn't "eat" rather vacuum her food. To get over this hurdle I would hold the chiken wing and she would gnaw away. I did this for a few weeks until she got the idea of chewing. I always make a point of giving the raw chicken bone (whatever it is) to her in a horizontal position. If given in a vertical position it slips directly into throat rather than across her mouth where she has to manipulate and chew (hope that explains my meaning)! In any case such raw bones are always given under supervision in case something goes amiss. So far no problems and future additions to our family will also include the feeding of raw chicken bones. Cheers,

I was given her book 2\3 Xmas ago, read it and re-read it and as a puppy instructor I love it and share the knowledge with my classes. I attended the recent Sydney seminar (with about 100 + others). My view was that if you'd read the book and had an understanding of where she was coming from you had a much clearer picture of things. Some attending seminar, who had not read her book, were highly sceptical and some thought she was "theatrical" in her performance. I agree there was "waffle" and some thinigs were hard to string together but she is about behaviour and consequence of action for the dog. We are the ones who have to be in control and need to establish that with our dogs which, for many including me, is much easier said than done. I hate ignoring my dogs on my return home - but her method works. I don't have dogs barking and squealing as I get in the door or jumping all over me as I once did. I have dogs who warn me when someone comes to the door but when they are acknowledged in a quiet manner they settle and relax. Their past "unwelcome" behaviour has changed as a direct result of following her simple rules. I've since bought and watched her DVD and will continue to promote her methods as I believe in them. People, its all about choices and for a lot of us the Jan Fennell method is our choice. Good luck with whatever method you choose, as long as its kind to our companions!.