The Spotted Devil

My thoughts were running along a similar line to PF. Even with a young dog, I found I had to do a fair bit of massage (which the chiro showed me) to get the full benefit of the manipulation. The last 2 visits by the chiro were a lot less "dramatic" than the first one!

Cats are obligate carnivores for a number of reasons: * They have a higher requirement for protein as they can't conserve nitrogen (which is why protein malnutrition can occur more quickly in the cat). * They have a specific requirement for the amino acids taurine, arginine, methionine and cysteine. They don't have the ability to synthesise these. Taurine is only found in animal-sourced proteins. Dogs can synthesise arginine from ornithine or citrulline and cats can't. * Cats do not have sweet-taste receptors and no salivary amylase (which initiates carbohydrate digestion). They have low activities of intestinal and pancreatic amylase etc. Dogs have higher levels of intestinal amylase. There are so many more reasons but I don't have the time! I had a chat with another lecturer today - his belief is that dogs are certainly omnivores but he would prefer to call them carnivorous omnivores to indicate the extent to which meat plays a part in diet. But functionally, they share more characteristics with omnivorous bears. He also pointed out that the first part of the animal that the wild dog eats is the intestines and stomach contents....then the meat! It's also worth remembering that the Order: Carnivora also includes the panda, which is vegetarian.

Hi SM Rules for Endurance tests are on the ANKC website here I suspect that your dog would need to be handled by the vet and the judge:

Dogs are omnivores - they are capable of conserving nitrogen (from amino acids/protein) and use some hind gut fermentation, similar to a horse. Cats are obligate carnivores. They are unable to conserve nitrogen should their protein intake drop or be of poor quality. I have had this discussion with several animal nutritionists who all agree. As do all the journal articles I've read. ETA: I'm not saying we should be feeding large quantities of grain/fruit/veg to our dogs - this is not about diet, but definition.

Don't cats like salty food? Oh yeh!

Sorry to go OT again Tess - I know there are a few promoters of raw feeding that insist that dogs are carnivores but I have yet to come across a journal article (and I am drowning in them at the moment!) or animal nutritionist who agrees. I have no reference for this next bit of info but I have heard that when some wolves were first brought into captivity, they were fed a carnivorous diet but suffered from kidney failure. It was then that it was discovered that the wolves were scavenging for a significant quantity of fruit/veg in the wild and this was subsequently introduced to the diet successfully.

Sorry to go slightly OT, but in science dogs are viewed as omnivores NOT carnivores - they can conserve nitrogen and do some hind gut fermenting (like a horse) amongst other features. I'm not saying fruit/veg should form a large part of their diet - I'm just a stickler for detail

Em, sorry if this sounds personal - but how willing is your partner to do anything about the dog's aggression? Does he even acknowledge there is a problem? It's just that there is unlikely to be a "quick fix" and management/re-training will take a big commitment from BOTH of you. I wish you all the best

Bark Busters? IMHO No. Hang about - there will be a suggestion soon I'm sure. Not cheap I'm afraid but if the dog attacks another animal or human, the consequences are bound to be fairly dire

Yes, you do need some help IMO you need a professional behaviourist to assess your situation - internet forums are not the ideal place to sort out serious dog aggression issues. Let us know what area you live and perhaps someone can recommend one in your area. ETA: Snap Dogs4Fun!

In all honesty (and this is simply my preference), the puppy has gone through a lot of changes recently and I would suggest that you and your brother concentrate on simple things such as puppy sitting, coming when called and toileting. Give him time, some maturity and the opportunity to have confidence in his new owner before you start trying to teach more complex behaviours - this is not to say puppies can't learn at that age! IMO there are more important things to learn than balancing food on is nose

I love it, Kavik! I've taught Ziggy a different aspect to this - he will sprint flat out away from me and go "around" an object I point to, then return to me. It's lots of fun and a great way to break up the mental concentration he needs for heel work. Hopefully it will come in handy by the time we get to doing agility!

Very inspiring achievements - nice work everyone So many dog sports, so little time

[Poodlefan gazes into crystal ball] Spotted D I see a Labrador in your future.. :D Naughty PF You want to tell my landlord? Yo and Ziggy got on so well last week, LL is lucky she went home with 2 dogs!

Oh, poor Yo - if he'll keep still long enough give the lad a cuddle for me ;) Funniest thing after that first run (and Yo was so quick!!!! ), everyone wanted me to tell LL that Yo had refused to work or taken the game back to someone else (that was Gareth, LL ) but I couldn't possibly wipe the smile off my face so it was a wasted opportunity Awesome day - I'm still grinning :D

Thought I would pop in with an update for all those interested, before I dash out to give Ziggy a walk. I had an awesome time today :rolleyes: We were blessed with great weather and a not so early start :cool: "Yo" worked really well for me and I was so proud of him - his retrieves (IMHO) were sensational and he probably lost most of his points on heeling between the pegs. Boy, can that dog mark!!!! I was absolutely wrapped that we not only managed to survive each run but ended up with a 4th place and a score of 151 out of around 13 dogs. 3rd place scored 152, 2nd place 153 and 1st place Novice scored 159 so it was very close. LL did fabulously well in Restricted with "Yank" and "Yo", gaining 1st and 2nd place respectively, and title for "Yank" The runs were pretty tough and more than half the dogs were out by the 3rd run. Thankyou LL for giving me such a fabulous opportunity. Time permitting, I hope this isn't the last time I get to handle Yo! And full credit must go to the Flat Coat Retrieving Club for running such a lovely relaxed trial, the 3 handlers who fired for me, and everyone for being so nice to a newbie

In the morning, I train Zig with steamed chicken/boiled egg/salmon/healthy commercial treats etc. Main meal of either kibble (in puzzle cube/ball) or RMB is in the evening. The main reason is that the latest research for Dalmatians indicates that feeding one meal per day in the evening may reduce the incidence of breed specific urinary stone formation. Otherwise I would feed twice a day.

Oh - she's gorgeous! Love your hand signal for stand too! Oh, that first retrieve is a classic...in your own time........ Great clip - well done

I haven't had a chance to find or read it yet but my lad's breeder recommended "The Tracking Dog" by a Canadian called Johnson or Johnston???

My doo (hair) was ruined. But who cares, LOL. Lucky I did not bother to comb this morning. My "doo" didn't need any help :D

Ooops! That must have been the huge downpour I drove through on the way home - I wondered how you'd fared!

Can't wait :D Looks like we might have a bit of good fortune with the weather too.....fine and 19C :p

Just posting this on behalf of DCOV, giving you all time enough to start training :D ENTRIES CLOSE FRIDAY, 14TH JUNE, 2008 THE DALMATIAN CLUB OF VICTORIA INC. OPEN ENDURANCE TEST SPRINGERS LEISURE CENTRE, (Tatterson Park) 400 Cheltenham Rd. Keysborough. Melways: 89 A10 SUNDAY, 22 JUNE, 2008 Entries and enquiries to the Trial Secretary Mrs Jenny Delmenico RSD L 1165, Lockwood. VIC. 3551 Ph: 03 54 353950 email: [email protected] Cheques to THE DALMATIAN CLUB OF VIC INC. JUDGE; MS REBECCA SLOAN (Club reserves the right to contract another judge if the entry is excessive.) Entry fee: $26.00 (includes catalogue, refreshments during the rest breaks & sausage sizzle) The Endurance Test is open to all breeds of dog that are VCA registered and whose owners are VCA members. All handlers, if not the owner of the dogs, must also be members of the VCA, Dogs must be over 2 years of age and no older than 8 years of age. Check in: 6:30am to 7:45am Judging Time: Commences at 8:00am sharp. Handlers may cycle or jog. Cyclists must wear helmets. Dogs must compete wearing fixed collars or harness, no chains. Please include stamped self addressed envelope with entry for return of Veterinary certificate. Please indicate on entry form if cycling or running.