Tangwyn

Agree with the others here. What you witnessed was normal dog behaviour. The best thing is that you actually saw it so you now know exactly what our loving pets are capable of. I think a lot of owners kid themselves that their dogs would never hurt wildlife or livestock. Our dogs are just that. Dogs. Nothing more or less. Don't punish her for who she is. Just keep her on a lead in bush areas and recognize how deeply ingrained her instincts are. Cheers

7 weeks is ideal in terms of the puppy's development however this is not possible due to vaccination schedules and kennel control regs. Therefore, I prefer my pups as close as possible to 8 weeks. The period between 8 weeks and 16 weeks is critical in terms of imprinting behaviours. Everything is easier at that age and I find I'm not trying to fix someone else's mistakes (like poor toilet training).

Showdog - I am not disrespecting anyone who chooses to own one dog. But I would be interested to know how you measure the assertion that single dogs are just as happy? If the owner is lucky enough to be home all day and have the dog with them, or the dog heads off to work with them, then I think absolutely the dog can lead a fulfilled life. But surely sitting in a backyard, completely alone, for 10 hours a day can't be fun. Maybe some breeds cope better than others but not mine. Lots of people can't have more than one dog for whatever reason. But if you have the time and money to accommodate two then I think that is far better for the dog.

I don't see a problem with getting a second dog as company for the first. I feel really sorry for singleton dogs who are left on their own all day while owners are at work or shopping or socializing. Dogs are by nature pack animals - they should have company. You just have to accept that two dogs cause a lot more mischief than one! :-)

Hi there, I've been raw feeding both my dogs for about 10 months now. Once you get the hang of it the whole thing is actually really easy!! For a start, you need to get your head around the fact that every meal does NOT need to be completely balanced. A balanced diet is achieved over time, just like ours is. When you first start out feed a very simple diet. I started mine with two weeks on only green tripe. Don't feed dry biscuits and raw food - you actually make the gut transition even more difficult for the dog because the pH in the gut needs to be different. The basics of my dogs' diet is: 1) Green tripe (20%) - that provides probiotics and partially digested green matter 2) chicken frames - 1-2 a day depending on the dog 3) chicken mince 4) Salmon heads or whole pilchards (once or twice a week) 5) Small amounts of organ meat (10% of diet) - twice a week 6) Occasionally, duck frames, pig trotter, mashed cooked vegetables, apple, carrot etc 7) Snacks of whatever we are eating because they are spoilt! Sometime shortly after you change to raw your dog will get the most God-awful mucous diarrhoea. Don't panic - it is normal and will pass without problem. I've been told that this is the dog detoxing. I'm not sure but it is very common and not a problem. So, for your puppy, back off on the different types of foods you are putting into one meal. Certainly no honey - dogs don't need sugar or even carbohydrate really! Start very simple - at least two weeks on a basic diet and then add elements. No organ meat for probably 6 weeks. http://www.rawessentials.co.nz/content/page38/Articles.html Have a look at some of these articles. Some informative reading!! Cheers

Thanks Sheriden. Yes, I always go to the source but have found it is beneficial to learn from others' experiences. :-)

Sandra, I am planning on shipping their soft crates with our PEs. They are immaculately clean and have been disinfected. Will they be a problem, do you think? And when we arrive, do you know where we go to collect our dogs? We're flying with Virgin. And do we pay our Customs and DAFF fees there? And, last question, what are the Customs charges? Thank you! :-)

The dog beds are a problem because they are often really difficult to inspect for parasites. The dog has documented proof that it has been treated. Not so for the bedding :-)

Thanks Ellz! The time certainly has flown by. Can't believe it has been 3 years! :-) Sandra, thanks for the reassurance. Makes me feel a bit better!

Hi all, We are landing in Sydney in October with our two dogs in tow. We will be flying from Auckland. Can anyone give me a heads-up on the Customs process for the dogs when we arrive? Going the other way a few years ago was an absolute nightmare. Took ages to clear through Customs (Biosecurity was fine) and they wanted to charge us duty as well as additional proof that my retriever wasn't a prohibited breed. Any help gratefully received so we can have our documentations, and expectations, prepared :-) Many thanks

Thank you so much for this! Been trying to track down a supplier on the Internet and having no luck. How does it come? Do they cut it up into chunks or do you basically get the whole stomach? And how much can you get at a time? Wilberforce will be a bit of a hike for me so will need to buy in bulk.

For some reason there aren't photos of every breed for Best of Breed. No Flat Coated Retriever. Ho hum... :rolleyes:

Can I pretty please have a copy of the catalogue to: [email protected] ? I'm a long way away from the action in NZ! Cheers Kirsty

A pic... thanks to Kiwiline for the shot :-)

Hi all, I think the last time I posted on DOL was when I was in a blind panic about my Flatcoat's flight from Sydney to Auckland on Christmas eve! The heat at the airport was awful but my lovely dog made it intact and we've settled in to kiwi life well. Everyone in the dog world here has been very friendly and welcoming. We've been competing in gundog field trials mostly but thought we might do some shows as well. To my absolute pleasure "Pepper" (Aus Ch Firebush Sergeant Pepper CD RRD) went Best in Show at our second weekend of showing at a champ all breeds show in Auckland. Quite a surprise given we're such newbies to the show scene here in NZ and, as in Aussie, there's some cracking good dogs in the Gundog group We're half way to our NZ title and hoping the weather stays as beautiful as it has been. Missing home but enjoying the opportunity to fly the Aussie flag Cheers Kirsty

"Fetch" Explaining the double rise concept... Waiting... Taking it all in... Chippy gets a lesson in sitting to the whistle... Happy family... Lyn's baby...

Getting the hang of this retrieving game... Lovely hand-over complete... Sharing a moment... I'm coming! Demo team waiting for orders...

Some pics from today... RTCH's of the future... Not a bad life really... The Birthday Girl still looking after everyone else... (Thank you Mary and happy birthday!!) Thank you to everyone for a fantastic day! Cheers Kirsty

Gundog Working Test Training Day and Mock Trial When: Sunday 30th August, 2009 From 10am until 3pm Where: The Bill Spilstead Complex for Canine Affairs 44 Luddenham Rd, Erskine Park What: GWT Basics- 1) Obedience 2) Teaching the single mark 3) Teaching the double rise Blinds – Foundations for teaching blinds 1) Conditioning to whistle 2) Handling on a blind Mock Novice and Open Gundog Working Tests will be held after lunch. Cost: $10 per dog handler. A BBQ lunch is included in the cost. Accompanying adults $5 for lunch. Kids free. Bring your dog and enjoy a day out with the experienced and friendly members of the Working Gundog Club. Please book in before 26th August For further information contact: Mary Law (02) 4455 6350 or 0408 287 645 [email protected]

Ended up buying crappy $12 pair from Target at the last minute. Must have been ok 'cause my boy managed BOB on Wed Thanks to all for the advice. I won't tempt fate and will send my good ones away to be sharpened by someone decent. Cheers KG

Windy and clouds rolling on...

Hi All, Can anyone tell me where I can get my plain and thinning scissors sharpened in the Sydney area before next Wednesday? I'm trying to prepare my dog for the Royal and having an unhappy time using blunt tools. Cheers KG

And Candy looks as gorgeous as ever. Good things do come in small packages

OMG How CUTE!!!! I want one....

Is it true? Whippet?? Great choice! I'm not going to Easter.... I want pics of "whippet good" dammit!