persephone

doesn't look healthy, does it . Sorry, no real help , except that they look as though they were not formed correctly - so testicles may have a problem ....

A flat pillow/mattress type bed might look wonderful to us ... however , dogs are diggers/ den sleepers , and in cold weather love having their backs protected from cold , so they can tuck themselves around and snuggle . Heat rises, too..so a hooded, curved cover will reflect body heat , and THESE look wonderful- hamlet would have been so happyto have had this to climb in :) .they do make a LARGE !

I am so glad you have no fractures!! be kind to yourself ..

It is safer to feed them in seperate areas where they cannot see each other :) You will also find less chance of gulping using bowls like these ..or by feeding the majority of their meals as meaty 9softish) bones like lamb flaps/chicken frames or turkey wings (all whole)

..and skye , I think you probably are STILL lovely ;) A bit wary of coming back here , - but you are not alone many first timers need to get their "D O L - legs" . Hope you & your gorgeous girl hang around & read lots on offer here - even if you refrain from posting. It really is THE best source of info....with so many years of dog owning/working/breeding experience

if this has been happening for years - has testing been done to find the cause/s? It does make things marginally easier to manage if a cause can be found ... a good preservative free, colour free, diet is great - but NOT if the dog is allergic to a certain protein in meat , or the grains used .... believe me , I can sympathise ..having lived with the problems with my Mitchell. He was allergic to food colourings, plus several grasses. It made life very tricky! he ended up living on Prednil (anti histamine + predisolone) for most of his adult life. ..he died when he was into his teens with no other illness. He also had Vit C per injection occasionally if the itch got too bad, ester C powder in his food (fresh meat plus cooked vegie peel etc ) ....

Agree .

I have seen bitches wake up ..and snap , killing/injuring pups - not out of aggression , but out of confusion /pain, and the obvious inability of newborns to react to the growl/snap . I have done the smearing of birth fluids on pups ..muzzling bitch ..covering pups with butter and holding them for bitch to lick ..holding bitch and waiting for hormones to kick in as pups knead/suckle ( and yes, this works with bitches speyed at the time of birth, too!)

I am so glad his feet were much more comfortable while he was inside :) That gives you a BIG HINT that the problem is what he is touching with his feet/belly outdoors . As said mange does not magically stop when a dog is indoors ..or after just a few days of being poisoned with insecticide . is there anywhere else you can walk - on a bare road or footpath ? The poor dog must be driven mental with itch/pain ..and different things used all the time make it harder for his system to work out what the hell is happening ;) Instead of neem ,etc - just use the calendula ..that is SO good - for infections/inflammation and fungal things ..magic :)

*nods* We felt bad once - there was a pig dog wandering - still had his breastplate on . We tried food , and patience , but could not catch him .. and after 24 hrs , he was shot . Next morning the owner arrived to look for his dog he took back a body in a blanket , sadly .

As you may have noticed, tan dogs tend to photograph really nicely... and your boy has a fair bit of tan in him. Add that to his lovely textured coat, and you have a recipe for amazing photos... *grin* T. oh yes! Lots on which to practice focus ..and all those wavy bits :)

can you get her acupuncture ? That does work with pain relief :)

LOL he does good zoomies!! :)

Didi is pretty darned cute .... and I love her ears :p

Oso- I have also seen GSPs and labs chasing /killing stock - yes, it happens , and is so sad for the owners of both dogs and stock animals our koolies are all on chains at night for that reason - 99/100 they do not chase anything ..BUT ... it has happened when they start watching /playing - and it all gets serious There are also accidents waiting to happen ... No one left on patrol here except the oldies ( those over 12) at night .

you reminded me - if there is not enough headroom now - the kennel is simply too small

:) good update!

She may have been quite co operative and willing to listen before - but now she has a solicitor THEY will be digging in their toes :( Bugga.

Is there any reason this gorgeous happy girl cannot sleep indoors with you at night? Unfortunately, with ours, anyway , it is alone outside at night that bad habits are learnt- VERY QUICKLY ! ;) She is lovely - just make sure you do lots and lots of training with her so she is mentally tired, and that you will have excellent vocal control . It only takes a second of distraction to get in a chase mode, or to pick up a bait ( dropped by crows or foxes,maybe) ..or to dash thru inefficient fencing . :)

Wondewring how everyone is today ...My guess is very sad & sore , now that adrenaline has worn off .....

:) sounds better than being elbowed !

I LIKE that :)

That's fair enough, Terri S. But if something's working well for a dog, the trainers should be able to recognise that, so hopefully they'll accept the good that's happening, embrace and help you with it. Actually, to a certain extent I kind of agree. Many dogs find stroking down their bodies or a hand ruffle on the side of the neck more rewarding than a "pat" on the head. Much does depend on how the "pat" is delivered, and the circumstance though. My dog will appreciate a finger ruffle to the top of his head when we're (e.g.) sitting and waiting at lights to cross the road (well, he's sitting, I'm standing ... lol), or when we're sharing a 'cuddle' moment and I gently move my thumb over his stop towards the back of his head. But when we're in active training, a long but swift(isn) stroke or rub down the side of his body is what he prefers. They're all different though and I know of dogs who enjoy a bit of a ruffle at the head. In general, however, I find it can be off-putting and for some a bit too dominating (and I tend to find it can deflate drive, if that's the method being used to train in). Just my thoughts and experience - not intending to debate on it. IMO, it really is a "to each his own" and if a dog shows he doesn't mind and/or enjoys it ...... kudos :) . I am of the 'please don't pat the dog on its head' belief as well ;) Under the chin ..or as erny describes :) is what I use mostly .. .

I really do want to steal this pupp!!! Think he has enough different breeds in him to make him a league of nations!!

it would be awful to be stuck with a litter ..bitch anti- motherhood because of her surgery etc ..then puppies dying from various things .made worse by distance and isolation