persephone

I agree with spottychick- kids razzing the dog up- teasing it with toys and running around... I can imagine what followed. parents need some educating- newspaper needs some follow-up letters. R I P poor dog.

Itchy people? paint yourself thoroughly with ascabiol,as directed..all over! everyone! We had to do this when April pig shared her brand of sarcoptes with us the dogs didn't get any- but we did .. drove me mental with the itch . had to vacuum madly- spray everything with a miticide spray ( I think it was bosisto's dust mite spray) we had loose covers on all furniture- washed and left in a garbage bag in the sun to kill the critters...clothes/linen were left out in the sun for about 4 days... took about 4 weeks for all the little buggers to die off completely .

mumsy- there are basic tips/explanations IF YOU CLICK HERE also - have a read HERE and HERE, and HERE

I would be surprised if the sarcoptes mites had been found in a chook waste compost .....sarcoptes mites are very host-specific.. and only live on mammals! They live their entire lives on the host animal.. but if dislodged, can survive up to a couple of weeks in a suitable environment. ( needs to be cool!) Most cases are from dog-dog transmission, but dogs can, occasionally be infected from the environment in which an infected dog has recently 'lost' a few mites . They may also be infected from foxes and /or possums- fox sarcoptes (AFAIK) are the same as the dog ones. Our dogs are all bathed immediately after any contact with mangy foxes....saves a bad infestation later on

I use a rope from cheapaschips- a green colour- and has some elasticity in it ..VERY long, doesn't collect prickels dragging on the ground, either.I attached swivels/carabiners to the ends, and it works well.

Yep - hopefully your chosen breeder can mentor you- and get you started on your education!

We've found a breeder though, and I'm smitten with her. She seemed to have all the right answers AND ask all the right questions. So, we're now expecting our (one) pup in the beginning of March. Good for you- you stuck with us and all our 'bludgeoning' !! ..and now we will be annoying you for photos of your new little one in March!! Congratulations!

Yes, I forgot about that bit

IMO- if a 9 yr old is to be handling the pup/dog.. a desexed male would be less trouble in the long run Even if you have a dog with the sweetest calmest temperament in the world- another entire male will perhaps get a whiff of male , and start an argument with your dog.... Plus, you don't have that awful smelly dog pee everywhere!

I know you have said you are committed to both puppies... is it because the deposit is a large sum ,and you'll lose it all?Or is it maybe a promise to your lad that you will not break? I am not good at maths... but a deposit on one , if lost ,surely could not be more than a completely separate/strong kennel/run set up, 2 crates, 2 of everything else..incl. desexing/vacc's etc. If it is a promise.. the keep the pup which your lad picked as 'his' , mentor him with it, let him be the one to do a a lot of the handling/grooming, etc, and watch him shine with pride at 'his' beautiful pup , to which he can devote ALL his time and energies without worrying about what the other pup is doing/thinking....

hasn't worked for me yet

and that's the catch It may not.

ah, OK.. it read as if you were referring to posts made on here..that's all warm welcome? you ain't SEEN warm,as it pertains to DOL....!! You are getting probably way more negative comment than you hoped/expected........purely because folks here have seen the worst, and are hoping it won't happen with you and your dog/s. The very experienced people on DOL have 'been there,done that, got the Tshirt'...and while it may seem as if they /we are bludgeoning you...it is done with good intentions.

PF- that takes me back to my Guide Dog Training days...when we had a litter of 6 mth old pups in . 3 of them attacked and partially disembowelled one other In a couple of minutes. Urk. nasty memory.

We have working dogs (sheepdogs) a few lots of littermates... however, not staffies.....( who, I believe need different handling to what I have ever done)and brought up with plenty of space and work to occupy their little brains.. and make them tired ;)We still have had the odd problem....scuffles only,usually. they do?

I had no advice... but after reading that you are keeping them seperate except when supervised..this raises some flags for me It seems that this may not be a good thing, as they will have an abnormal sort of socialisation in their formative few months? Feel free to correct me...but I would think pups would have an excitement/drive thing happening every time they are re introduced??? Or??? It is after 12 months when they are strong and mature that the serious fighting will be just that

wise words

My first call would also be the breeder - as they have experience in multiple dogs ..and running on puppies... I have no advice for you other than that...except perhaps desex earlier,rather than later.

I agree- some chicken necks and pumpkin

I just think your photos of these guys are fantastic!!! The second one is fabulous!! It should be on a greeting card!!!

Hope all is well.... what are her pupils like? Normal/ larger/smaller?

pain of some sort, I would surmise..... has she toileted ok?

Happy? Naaahhhhhhhh Great to see

So Sorry Rozzie- she has earnt her chance to frolic over the bridge

...Mind you, if Charlie is still unwell... and he is expecting pain .. does resting in his crate do anyone any harm? I would be inclined to leave his crate .. and bed/s as normal.. and don't force him to stay out of his crate.let him make the decisions.... stay in his crate and rest- but with no people interaction... or come out and socialise gently. No calling, or encouraging either way.... just let him work it through...