persephone

yep - if you are an absolute novice - you owe it to your dog, her future progeny and the BREED to be as informed as you can be. Asking on here is great , BUT you would be well served checking out good responsible breeders..and , as said, getting a mentor. There is SO much to learn about . You really should have started these questions shortly after you got your puppy ;) It is not something you learn in a month or two. The first question you need to answer..is WHY does this bitch need to go thru the trauma of breeding? What does she have in the way of structure/temperament/health which is so good that it should be passed on? What is it in her bloodlines (on both sides) which should be perpetuated ? ;)

Thanks for the update, Olivebaby ... go slowly and keep things calm...

lovely

So - has he been vet checked? he may have an ear infection or something... using powder every day is not ideal .. IMO. he will be breathing it in all the time .. it will dry his skin/coat , and it's best to find the source of teh smell, rather than cover it up. IF it is just his normal smell... perhaps you need to think about a beautifully easy to look after ..hardly a smell, type dog , like a whippet they are just the cleanest ,most gorgeous dogs . You are, however going to come against various smells,whatever dog you get . Cats don't smell

There is some good useful info/facts about dead bats/Lyssavirus if you click here, on SCRIBBLYGUM . Also a couple of links HERE

I hope things start to improve ... and that you can keep the urine flowing!

if it were me - I'd just feed them normal food - but a HALF of what they are currently getting easy .

Vet visit tomorrow . I wouldn't muck about .... How often is he urinating.... and do you have to have him in a sling..or is he just wetting as he lies there? How long did he spend in hospital? Perhaps he managed to poo there- but just hasn't gone since he came home?

:) he looks big for 6 weeks ..but not overweight . Very cute sleeping pic!

if you can feel his ribs- he should not be overweight ....

!!

Leo is one of the best yard dogs around this area .. guess looks aren't everything :p

Esp since Hamlet's mother was a black English Cocker!

That'd help ! :D

Finally managed to get Leo to stand still long enough for a photo They had the same dad - old Freddie ..Leo is a couple of years older than Hamlet ( and yes, he a has a parti wall eye)

One example .. is if the dog grabs something it's not supposed to have - perhaps a cooked chook, or tonight's rack of lamb? It is a wonderful thing then for a dog to willingly give up the prize !!

Ali - my guess is that it IS tough when an owner is away from home a big chunk of the day ....

yep - and you could get hit by a car anytime you step out your door .. doesn't mean you should never step outside ;) pups NEED to learn how to interact with other dogs - need to learn the body language/social niceties - so when they DO come against an aggressive/unfriendly dog, they know what to do!

professional, personal help - we don't want the gorgeous barkly to become evil

only a teaspoon or so though!!!

My animals will be PTS if/when I can no longer care for/have them.

Hot water bottles are dangerous to keep pups warm, you need a space which is enclosed - even like a big crate/carton which held a fridge or stove! That way it is draft proof- and will retain body warmth as it radiates upwards A shed is way too big- without another kennel/box inside. Fridge cartons are great and easily replaced!