jlb

I just did a price comparison betwen EPH (which I feed my dogs) and Optimum. Maths is not my strong point but based on a 15kg bag of EPH at $113 ($7.53/kg) compared to $32 for an 8kg bag of Optimum ($4/kg) the Optimum obviously wins price wise. I then looked at the feeding guide and I would have to feed 4 cups of Optimum a day to my two dogs compared to the 2 cups with the EPH. Therefore both brands actually work out to be almost the same price per kg. Obviously this is looking at dry diet only and does not take into count any extras that you might add. I found it an interesting exercise and as a result will keep budgeting for the EPH.

Hi Nat, definately follow your breeders recommendations to begin with with regards to diet. You can then gradually change it over to what you want. My Stafford pup is 7 months now and I feed her Eaglepack Holistic Chicken (from Petstock) which is suitable for puppies and adults. I then add different things to it eg. sardines (her favourite), chicken mince, raw bones/chicken wings, raw eggs, grated cheese, pureed cooked vegies and natural yoghurt so she gets a lot of variety. We started on 3 meals a day and have been on 2 (breakfast and tea) for quite a while. I will keep her on 2 meals a day now. Good luck with your little boy and welcome to DOL. Jodie

I feed my 5 month old Stafford and 15 month old CKCS EP Holistic chicken and they love it. It is meant to be very good for dogs with problem skin.

Ditto with the added extras but my dry food is Eaglepack Holistic Chicken

Congratulations on your new puppy. I have a 5 month old Stafford girl and have learnt a lot from DOL. We have a crate for Cynda and like TB and Shoey have said they love them. Cynda can't wait to get in there at night and when I open the door in the morning she takes her time coming out It is only used at night 'cause during the day she is either outside or with us in the house. All the best with your girl and don't forget to visit the Stafford thread in general (with more pics!!)

The toilet training is going really well. She is inside in the crate and I get up 3 hourly overnight to let her out for a wee. She is weeing on command and then we both go straight back to our beds. She has only done one wee on the back verandah in the last 3 days and none inside the house. She still shows no cues but I am just keeping track of the time and make sure to toilet her regularly. Thanks to everyone for their advice it is very much appreciated. Jodie

Hi again, The crate arrived yesterday so I put Cynda in it last night. She went in without a drama and had an initial bark and then went to sleep. I have partitioned it off so she only has a small area and a couple of towells to sleep on. I took her for a toilet trip at midnight, then got up at 4am as I hadn't heard anything from her, she was fast asleep on a puddle of wee!!!! Still took her out but she did not do anything. I then changed her bedding. My OH took her out again at 7am but it was too late and she was sleeping on another wee. Have decided tonight to set the timer for every 2 hours and see how we go. She doesn't cry or indicate that she wants to go to the toilet and is quite happy to sleep on her wee!!!!!

I think what Red was saying is true that she has too big an area to sleep on so can pee one end and sleep the other or just use the kennel as the toilet and sleep on the mattress. I have ordered a crate from the local pet shop so should get it in the next couple of days and will bring her inside and start crate training. Rebanne with regards to the weather it has rained here today so weeing on the verandah has increased as my little girl also does not like getting her feet wet. I take her out to the lawn and she runs back to the verandah to wee......I am also going to use a leash next time we go out for a toilet break. Thanks for all advice.....it has been much appreciated.

that was great to read, many thanks for posting it

thanks red will give it a go. glad to see that I am not alone. am waiting on the crate to come back in stock through dealsdirect

Should I be getting up overnight and going out to her to take her to the toilet even though she has free access to the area? I am taking her to a regular spot during the day.....I thought I would keep her on a leash and try that for today but that hasn't been too successful. She was sitting next to me and when she got up there was a puddle.....I am not sure how she even managed to wee from that position!! The joys of toilet training!!!!

Hi there, I am hoping people might be able to offer some advice with my piddling puppy!!! She is a 15 week old Staffordshire Bull Terrier and is just not getting the toilet training thing. She is able to come inside during the day but sleeps outside under the back verandah with our 12 month old Cavalier. They have a fully lined kennel or mattress to sleep on. When she comes in I am sure to take her for regular toilet breaks and 90% of the time she is good but she has no cues that she wants to go. She could be walking along and just stop and wee then keep going as though nothing happened. Outside is even worse. Every morning I go outside and there is wee and poo on the verandah and in addition she has usually done a wee either in the kennel or on the mattress. I didn't think that dogs were meant to do this!! I am considering buying a crate and trying that but am not sure if it will work considering she is already piddling on her bed! Can anyone help?????