The Spotted Devil

Love your work Gus I was once told by a vet that she'd never own a Dalmatian because she didn't like living with dogs that were smarter than she was :D

Love you for telling it like it is Steph :laugh:

Completely with you on that. And my breeds of choice were deemed intelligent so it's not personal bias.

I do have a formal obedience recall. My other recall is first time, every time and at a flat gallop. It's something I continually strive to challenge and tighten with distractions so I would never say it's 100%. I called Zig off a wallaby a few nights ago. Nailed it

Heat and cold is really dog dependent. Cold night here and you'll see Zig in his coat curled up in heavy blankets in a soft crate whilst Em is stretched out on the floor boards.

The problem with hot water bottles is that they do go cold - I am guessing that's why pup is waking up. Snugglesafes are great - I'm about to get one for my babies for when Em wants out of the whelping box for a bit.

I agree Mrs RB there's a lot shelters can do but let's not go too far in the other direction either where DA and HA dogs are adopted out to the average family.

Ah!

Lovely!!!

Lovely puppy Nekbet! Could they not rotate the puppies? Dallies often have large litters (10 plus) and they usually just have half feeding at a time.

Yes! That's what has got me thinking. It actually looks easier to deal with and that's what I've been thinking about using. I'm pretty familiar with cat litter as you can imagine!

DD is it a true hound personality? Will be a fascinating training challenge!

Get the food off you Mrs RB! Be unpredictable! My dogs think I'm magical as I can race to a tree and there is a jackpot hidden there.

Thanks ness :) It's likely going to be cold and wet over the next few months so I'm certainly going to need an indoor option!

Gorgeous DD! Having a hoot too

Thanks LP - most helpful. Although I still haven't decided what to do...

One from crazy sales.... if I was purchasing again - I would buy this one: http://www.crazysales.com.au/online-large-indoor-pet-toilet-73921.html The bunnings grass mats work well FYI. At about 2 weeks I turn the whelping box into 1/2 drybed and 1/2 grass mat - they all pick it up super quick. I then transition the grass mat to outside without too much problem. Most leave at 8 weeks about 80-90% toilet trained! Mind you - apparently Kinta's 2nd litter was a bit of trouble and my puppies have chosen carpet before - but I think that comes down to my house not having any! :laugh: Thanks - I was looking at Crazy Sales just before and didn't know which one would suit. Doesn't the pee soak through the grass mat though??? I did like the mats that Pers posted though to go under a grass mat. Think we might get that for under the kitty litter tray too! You're all brilliant enablers :D

OT but which brand of pet loo are you using for babies LP? Still not sure what I will do in that regard...

I'd probably just buy a small collapsible trolley from Bunnings :D

Who's Digger LP? Boy aren't you going to have fun with the new H360 verbal :laugh:

Fantastic! Glad you made contact with Pawsitive - you would have seen a real variety of Aussie temperaments at that agility trial. I would have been there with my lot but my lass is expecting pups herself :)

Definitely. I am doing a lot of massage on him too but only recently introduced the supplement.

Whilst bringing in semen is expensive it can then make financial sense to import semen from multiple sires. One friend has done that whilst another brought in a dog and a bitch (for him and someone else but that would complement each other in terms of lines) and then brought in a bitch in whelp with a "syndicate" of people who wanted a working pup. I think both options have worked well.

I haven't BC but was recommended to try this particular brand: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Dog-Canine-MSM-Chondroitin-Glucosamine-Powder-1000gm-No-fillers-additives-Joint-/151405690502 Very happy with the seller and the product. I thought Zig was moving better within a few weeks- although he doesn't have any specific or diagnosed issues he is 8.5 years old and is still active in agility and obedience.

I was looking at these guys for whelping boxes - they are fibreglass: http://www.melbournedogcentre.com.au/accessories.htm I didn't enquire about price as I was loaned one by a friend - made by another friend, it's not timber, quite heavy but easy to clean like fibreglass - sorry I can't remember what the material is called!