spot

Foam cut to the exact size of the box, (Clark Rubber will do it for you) covered by a slip cover, cotton on the bottom, polar fleece on top, that can be easily removed for washing. Dry bed can be put over that if needed.

No, I don't think I'm better. I think my dog is better off for going to a home that was fully prepared to manage him as an adult. I bought my pup as a baby knowing how he'd turn out in terms of size, coat type and temperament. I knew who his mum and dad were and what they were like. I knew pretty much what he'd be like as an adult. How much food and exercise he'd need. What he'd be like to train and live with. I've had assistance and advice from his breeder, with whom I still talk regularly. At my dog club I see people who bought a pup thinking it would be a certain type of adult and got a rude shock. They get dogs bigger, noisier, more energetic and harder to groom than they had planned for. Lots of those kinds of dogs end up in the pound. Their owners didn't realise that meeting mum is the best indicator of the sort of temperament their pup might inherit. Or they thought they'd get only the good points of two breeds and got something else. The reasons people should buy registered purebred pups have nothing to do with racism: 1. They can select something that has a good certainty of growing into the kind of dog they want to own. 2. They can select a pup from a breeder that is knowledgeable about the breed and can assist them as it grows AND they can have some certainty that it will not inherit heartbreaking but preventable genetic health conditions. Poodlefan, very eloquently put. I agree whole heartedly.

Thanks everyone. She went into full nesting drive on Tuesday and had three girls Tuesday night, day 64. Sadly we lost one very soon after birth, but the other two are ok so far, although one is very tiny, I'm topping her up between feeds. I'll try to take some pics soon.

I have a papillon bitch who was due yesterday, but is showing absolutely no signs of whelping as yet, apart from a tiny bit of nesting on Saturday. She is quite happy, and still eating. I haven't checked temp yet, but am about to. How long would you let her go without taking her to the vet, she doesn't seem at all worried. This is her first litter as well, so I'm wondering if that has anything to do with it. It's a bit puzzling, as I've never had one go over before. I'm sure of dates as there were only two matings.Any advice would be great, thanks. :D

Just wondering how stable is the temperament of these dogs, as we had a terrible incident involving a pet Neo out walking. My daughter and niece were out walking our two toy poodles one day when a Neo, out with his family; mum , dad and toddler, broke away from his owner and savaged one of my poodles and tried to get the other one, not to mention scaring my daughter and niece half to death. The owner, a fairly big bloke, had great difficulty getting his dog away and my poodle spent a week at the vet's. Physically he has recovered but he cannot bear any dogs that look remotely like a Neo. That was my first introduction to the Neo, and I've since seen them at dog shows, where I must admit I give them a very wide berth. What would cause a Neo to act like this, is this common or an aberration?

I believe that dogs do prefer their own breed, or another breed they've had positive experiences with. My papillons love each other and are always excited to see another pap, and they really love poodles because we've always had one. They love our big silver standard, to the point where he's nervous to go to the toilet because they all hover around him when he's busy. However, although he likes the paps he goes absolutely mad when he sees another poodle or plays with his siblings on visits. The only kinds of dogs my paps don't like are terriers, especially staffies or bull terriers. If one of them goes past our trolley at a show that's when they get really nervous. Great fun in general specials where the toys are next to the terriers! Wonder if others have had a similar experience.

Others have suggested this I know, but I do think keeping them inside in a pen with toys blankets etc would work. Maybe a couple of 'kongs' with their favourite treats inside to keep them amused would be good. My papillons are all inside when we're out and they don't bark at all. They would if I left them outside, because they often do bark at any noise, when we're home and they're outside. Anyway it's worth a try. If you are limited for space or you think they might get out of a pen without a roof, get one of those collapsible galvanised ones that have a roof . I have one pap that can get out of any other kind of pen but not this one. Good luck.

This is very difficult I know. I tutor children and some of the children who come from overseas and their parents (especially if they are from India or Pakistan where dogs are wild and roam the streets in packs) are understandably very frightened. I usually have at least one dog at my office and I have to crate them when those kids come in. Other kids complain if I don't have a dog around! However, I have been able to reassure some of the kids by putting the dog into a drop, letting them pat the dog under the chin, not on top of the head because they make darting movements and the dog wants to lick them and they think they're going to get bitten. One child actually liked my dog so much she asked her mum for one. Some of the parents were very grateful for helping their children overcome their fear of dogs. I feel like holding classes for that LOL. It is difficult when people don't speak English though, and there are some cultures who think dogs are dirty. I was very annoyed with one mum who made her son very quickly wash his hands after I had finally gotten him over his fear and actually patted my dog! He told me later that it was against his religion to touch a dog as they are considered dirty! Anyway I do sympathise with your problem, I can only suggest you put your dog into a drop, and stand between you and this woman as far away as possible. Best of luck, it's a tough one.

Just thought I'd let you know, we hopefully have solved the ant problem with ant rid sand and baits. There's still a few but nowhere near as many as before. I'm getting rid of the grass growing under the fence every time it appears and have a tub of grass seeds growing for my guys, which they can use when it is established. Also I think the pups are getting immune. Remy, the original boy who had the reaction got a little offcolour one day and seemed to have a mild version of the previous symptoms, but brightened up in a few hours. No problems since. Thanks everyone for all your helpful suggestions.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I've now used antsand and antrid, and will try the talcum powder now. Another friend suggested flea powder as well, perhaps its the powder base the ants don't like. All the dogs are fully recovered, thanks to all for your concern, it was a scary time! But hopefully I will be able to get rid of most of the ants. I was watching the dogs and now I can see how they would have got the ants, they were in the grass that grows under the fence from the neighbour's and they like nibbling on the grass. I have removed any visible grass and roots growing under, and will have to keep doing it. My little boy who was affected twice, is the worst culprit for chewing grass, so no wonder he got the worst reaction. Anyway, will keep working at the problem, and will let you know if the solutions work, it may help someone else.

I never thought of the water bringing them, but of course you are right Christina. Thanks for your suggestion, I'll get some Coopex and spray the pavers. I think the nests are in a large plant pot which is about waist height and the ants march up it, and next door, as I see them disappearing under the fence. My dogs do seem to be getting better, thanks to all who've replied and offered advice, I have a few options now, and I'm about to wage war on those ants, and then hopefully get my girls back from the vet. The other two are sleeping it off and have had a small meal earlier, so I think they'll be fine. Further update, just picked my girls up from the vet , they're fine, barking the place down and very pleased to see us! Have just treated the two large pots with ant sand and ant baits, and am off to get some Coopex tomorrow. Now will bath the dogs to get drool etc off them, I didn't want to do it before, they needed rest. All are well and happy now, thanks everyone for your suggestions.

I never thought of the water bringing them, but of course you are right Christina. Thanks for your suggestion, I'll get some Coopex and spray the pavers. I think the nests are in a large plant pot which is about waist height and the ants march up it, and next door, as I see them disappearing under the fence. My dogs do seem to be getting better, thanks to all who've replied and offered advice, I have a few options now, and I'm about to wage war on those ants, and then hopefully get my girls back from the vet. The other two are sleeping it off and have had a small meal earlier, so I think they'll be fine.

Thanks guys. I've rung a few pest control people. Most seemed to think that what they would use would poison the dogs, and I'd need to keep them off the grass for at least a week, and clean down the area really well after they'd sprayed which makes me wonder if the spray would be effective anyway. One guy didn't want to spray at all in case he poisoned my dogs! I'm going to keep ringing and see if there is something a bit safer. In the meantime my boy has recovered, (the boy who was affected the first time), along with my pom, who was affected while I was at the vet with the other three! Hopefully my girls are ok, and while I'm ringing pest control places I've sent my husband out for Mortein Ant Sand (thanks Patters I'll see if it works). I'll let you know the outcome, hopefully it will help anyone else who may be in the same boat.

Hi "spot" You may want to get the professionals in to rid the ants once and for all..... Thanks Canine Etiquette, I have been making some phone calls to that effect today. I was hesitant because I didn't want to make the problem worse, ie spraying something that might poison the dogs, but it seems I have no choice, I must get rid of these ants. Aaaaarrggh!

I'm hoping someone else may have experienced this or heard about it and can give me some advice. This morning I had to rush three of my papillons to the vet, because they were vomiting, had gone off their back legs and were drooling and looking pretty sick, poor babies. This is the second time I've had to do this, the first time was about 3 months ago with one dog, doing the same thing. The first time we found little black ants in his vomit, and I found one in it again today, yes same dog. He has now recovered but two of my girls are still at the vet, and are on a drip so they don't become dehydrated. After the first incident I have been really careful not to leave any food out so that ants don't get on it, but there was a little bit of kibble in their vomit so, as this was before breakfast I assume they must have found a little bit that one of them has stashed/dropped. They three dogs are 8 month pups and a 16 month bitch. This is freaking me out as I don't want anything to happen to my babies, and it's scary because they are right as rain and then suddenly staggering and vomiting. Does anyone know of anything I can use to get rid of the ants that won't hurt my dogs. I have a play yard for them that has artificial turf, surrounded by pavers. The ants seem to come when it's hot or there's going to be rain, any time really and just march in little trails along the pavers to the fence. I hose them away several times a day but they keep coming back. Any advice would be helpful, I'm going spare. Spot.