Danois

Cin - if you want it delivered to me I can bring it into the city one day and do a handover in a carpark! Otherwise try www.petdeli.com.au - they say free delivery to Central Coast. Their prices are comparable to Pookinuk and Petbarn.

Before I even considered using a Pet Sitter I would be asking to see a copy of the Certificate of Currency for their public liability insurance cover.

Giant Breed Food - $200 (dry food plus bones, raw, trainign treats and extras) Insurance - around $60 a month. Worming/ Fleas etc - around $20 a month if only treating once a month. Medicated shampoo and oil treatments - probably around $20 a month (at least) Other costs: A course of antibiotics is around $70. Beds are on average $200 Coat for house - around $75 and outside around $120. Crates are around $200. Vax - will titre test so around $150 for that (would not be every year) Desexing - around $250. Leads, bowls, toys etc all cost more for larger dogs. Then there is the DogsNSW membership, breed club membership, council registration...

I'm like Jemappelle - my heart dog has gone to the bridge and when he went, he took a big chunk of my heart with him.

Getting and keeping weight on has been a challenge from the start. I used an NZ product called Complan - a meal replacement powder which has been around for years based on milk powder which is easily tolerated (is used for invalids etc) but have now run out I would make it up with water (per directions) and add over kibble. I have also switched to Eagle Pack Power Formula. Boo has always been a picky eater and would leave food constantly - sometimes fasting himself for a day. During recovery after his pexy he essentially got retrained on his eating habits (lots of small soft meals) and now he eats his 2-3 meals a day in one go and does not miss a meal and I am finally seeing the results!

I too would walk away from a puppy class that was all about puppies running around and having fun. As others have said - its about learning for you and the puppy - not a free for all social event. There are other ways of socialising the puppy. Our puppy class was the first 4 lessons sitting apart from each other and going through the class. Puppies learnt about sitting quietly and that they can be around other dogs without interaction (i.e. a degree of neutralisation). The last class, at the end, the puppies got some off lead time. We were split into large and small puppies and then the instructors selected the appropriate dogs to be let off together. Play was closely supervised and behaviours stopped where necessary and instruction given re why it was not appropriate etc

Dr Ian Billinghurst BARF bricks - the roo one?

Agree with Zayda Asher - dermatologist to actually diagnose the issue. Be careful about considering natural remedies prior to a proper diagnosis as many of the products a naturopath would use may have the very ingredients which is making your dog react. There are some members here with dogs with bad allergies who have looked at natural remedies for allergies and have found it to be an expensive and ineffective process.

Used to be remote controls (1 destroyed and 1 damaged) and mobile phones (2 destroyed) but seems over that now - touch wood! Used to steal them from under the cushion in the lounge when I left the room (remotes) or under the pillow while I slept. However the continuing obsession is knee high stockings - no matter where one is, if it is in his reach he will find it...

Those Chunkers cause horrific farts - I refuse to feed them for that very reason - probably the egg in it.

Mine ankle taps me deliberately!

Maybe try contacting MDBA Pacers for some help? They might be able to help out with some food for them.

Nope- my dog did not see other dogs cocking their legs - he started doing it once he started to mature sexually and started marking. Since being desexed he seems to be doing it less. I don't think my last boy cocked his leg once in 22 months.

I know there are a few people here using the Sogeval products from the States but could not find the thread in which it was being discussed. I have been using the Chlorhexidine PS Shampoo in conjunction with the Spot On Oil treatments for about 3 weeks now and am rather happy with it. I am not 100% sure that the improvement is solely down to the products as at the same time I have been able to get more weight on him so that would be assisting with coat condition and the weather has been cooler. Since starting the 2 products I have had a marked reduction in that yeasty smell which would come back the day after using Malaseb but now even a week later, its minimal . His coat is also shinier and softer.

The area you are looking is a very very tight market at the moment and prices are, on average $520 for a 2 bedroom house in average condition. Chippendale is impossible due to Uni students - very little comes up there. Alexandria is the current hot spot for renovators/ first home buyers so you either get run down places or renovated places with a higher price tag. In saying that - there is quite a few places in this area that allows pets as it is a very pet friendly area. If you go to Kogarah, Earlwood or Ashfield then there is a lot more available which are pet friendly. Most of the agents around here do not advertise properties as pet friendly so you need to ask.

And the lab is from a pet store...

And its shameful that the breeders advertising those prices are asking that. A dane is typically around $1,500 - $1,800 for a pet and $2,000 - $2,500 for show - from an ethical, respectable and experienced breeder.

Yep - many properties in the Inner West for rent which allow pets at the moment - but yes the rents are a bit higher.

Oh Cin - you already know how I feel about your loss of Tina Your words for her were beautiful

http://www.barfaustralia.com/ This stuff - its in the freezer section at pet stores. I pay around $22 for a pack of 12 which can be quite economical for smaller dogs (impractical for me but useful kong stuffer) Bear in mind the Anchovy Holistic food is recommended (on EP's website) for less active dogs and for weight management.

You can make the dry interesting if that is the concern. I feed dry and most days there is something added in - an egg, some grated cheese or parmesan, natural yoghurt, tuna in springwater, sardines in tomato sauce, tinned chicken, left over of a BARF brick (rest goes in his kong). Have you considered feeding the Ian B BARF?

Anal glands - that's usually the source of the horrid metallicy fish smell. Do you smell it especially after he has been licking himself or does he scoot on the ground?

Have to agree - it looks like sour grapes to start with for not being chosen. Its his and his art directors campaign and they choose whatever bloody dogs they want - be it cross bred or purebred. So what if he ended up choosing breeds not on his original list. Not everyone has to wave the purebred banner and some people should get off their high horses.

Boo is on the cover of this month's Urban Animal and featured on a previous cover too.

A recommendation for Pax's kennel here too. I use it and have no idea what the name actually is If she cannot help, she recommends another - the name of which I have forgotten (which is no help at all!)