Tilly

My GSD's are loving Canidae Grain Free ... but they are mainly fed raw.

I usually try the beer traps ... and then realise why I stopped using them - the dogs love beer and dig all the traps up no matter what I do to hide / cover them!!!

Mine is the other way round ... he won't eat it unless it has bone in it. I have been feeding Canine Country and the youngest has stopped eating instead preferring just to eat the chicken frames, fist, turkey necks etc. Now I just offer him the food and remove it after a set time and don't offer him anything again until the next meal ... usually it only takes a day before he realises I am serious and eats what is offered.

I have been feeding 100% raw but lately my youngest has gone off his food a bit and seems to prefer a bit of dry. I have started giving him canidae grain free which he is loving. Not sure I would ever feed 100% dry but every now and again is fine.

There will always be someone telling you are doing it wrong… I remember being told in a proper "heal" the dog must be leaning against your leg while someone else told me it was a dominance thing and the dog shouldn't lean on you. Basically I think you should train your dog in a way that suits you. I don’t teach my dog to walk immediately at my side but rather to the left and don’t pull on the lead – I don’t care if he is slightly in front, beside or behind me just as long as he isn’t pulling. Next time just tell him to sod off and worry about his own dog ...

I agree with the responses that suggest speaking to the neighbours. I would make an effort to get to know the dogs and let the neighbours know your concerns/fears making sure they know it is your problem not theirs. Maybe once you get to know the neighbours maybe try going for a walk with them and their dogs - neutral ground and all under control on leads. I find my boys like other dogs better when they are walked together. If the neighbours are not interested in getting to know you and your dog ... then maybe look at some solid fencing down that side of the yard.

I started training my boys from day one ... and during the periods of time when he was more responsive such as after toileting and before meals (used food as rewards). Once he mastered the basics I then looked at working in different locations and with different levels of distraction. I then used "obedience training" classes as an added level of distraction ...

Where is my puppies? I need them soon otherwise I won't have time to buy a gift box to put them in ... or do they come already gift wrapped?

Hopefully Tess comes home soon ... I posted on my facebook as I know a few people who are on the northside

I mainly give the boys bones they can completely consume (non weight bearing bones) and only give recreational bone on the weekends when I am home. This is because the older boy is food agressive (sometimes) so they need to be seperated when eating. I need to make sure any remaining pieces of bones (from recreational bones) need to be removed prior to put the boys back together.

When you flea bombed it might have killed the adults but left the eggs to hatch a few days later ... We had fleas in the garage and I set off a couple of bombs in there but it made no difference ... I ended up spraying every couple of days (with Permoxin) for the next 2 weeks and haven't had an issue since.

The MS Data Sheet for Blu Tac is located here

We currently have 2 dogs ... one I don't have a good bond with (our older GSD boy) and the new GSD boy who I have a good bond with. I think part of the problem is that when we got our now older GSD dog as a pup we also had a rottie - the rottie was my heart dog and while I cared for the GSD ... he spent a lot of time with my brother and bonded strongly with him. Then when we lost the rottie it took me a long time recover. I still cared for, play with and spent time with the now older GSD but he always remained my brothers dog - I just never felt a strong connection with him. By the time we got our youngest I was still missing our rottie but I was at a better stage - so I have been able to bond better with him ... and it helps that he is a bit of a mummy's boy

I have always found the recommended amounts on the packaging are far too much and would result in a fat dog ... As long as he is a good weight and in good health ... give him 10 or 15 minutes and then remove the leftovers and feed him the normal amount at the next meal. I always find my boys eat less in hot weather and more in the colder months ...

I don't necessarily look at the costs ... but I do look at the outcome. If there is a reasonable chance they will make a full recovery and live a health life then I go ahead ... if not then I consider what is best for the animal. We had a rottie that was injured on the job ... he required both hips replaced but there was a 80% chance he would never walk properly again and would have serious damage to his functions in the rear end. At the time it was going to be about $7000+ without any real chance of a good outcome - so we made the decision to PTS. Our older GSD boy took ill and $4,600+ later he made a relatively full recovery ... and then another $1,000 for paralysis tick. He is healthy (but it has taken some toll on his overall health) and happy and we think the money was well spent.

It needs to be a GSD baby for me to bid ... ... but it is extremely cute

I was there on the weekend ... it is now $20 for a session but I do recommend them. My boy was a bit hesitant initially (dug his toes in and need to be lift in) but soon got the hang of it ... and he loved it. Towards the end he was launching himself into the pool with very little encouragement. I think the pool is much better then "The Links" as the ramp is part of the pool (not an added extra).

All the ticks my dogs have ever had have been on the face and collar area because he always seems to have his nose on the ground sniffing ... :D Maybe look at using something like permoxin which can be sprayed on as required. I usually spray the dogs before we go out into a tick area etc and again when we get home.

The Links at Goodna also have a doggy pool ... my youngest goes there to swim his laps.

The cute ear stage of GSD puppies just doesn't last too long ... It isn't the same when the ears stay up all the time ...

And some more recent photo's ...

This is the brat on his first night ... straight from the airport into the hydrobath (he stunk big time!!!) And when he finally went to sleep that first night .... His first night at work ... At just under 3 months ...

I have just ordered a couple of things ... including a small bag of dry food for my boys to try. Will see how they go as they are normally fantastic with delivery and service.

Following on from all that glitters's recent incident ... I thought I should pass on this police media release. So if you are out walking your dog any time of the day or night make sure you are aware of what is happening around you... Link here

I must admit I have always had concerns of boarding my entire male dogs ... you would have no way of knowing if that boarding kennel (or someone who worked there) had used your male to start a couple of litters.