Andisa

The sticker is stuck on the filter caps. Just remove them and clean it and push it back in place. The stainless steel mesh is inside the plastic cover. Simple. I don't remember getting a manual - but will see if I can find it.

That is what worries me too Erny, which is why I went with them. They are an older couple in their late 50's (lost their Rottie the previous yr) and they are not likely to do anything rough with her. She is their office meet and greet girl in their marine business. At most she steals their work rags from pockets and plays games with everyone. I should find a photo that they sent me, she wakes up every morning looking at boats on the water, Pelican wandering in the park just out side her gate way. She is not hard on her mouth with biting, the vet gave them a list of what bones she can eat - he knew she is raw fed and worked out a diet to suit her. If her tooth does not hold out I will be telling them to go back and he will be doing it again. However my own tooth was supposed to last 10 yrs - it only lasted 3yrs - without bones. ;)

The night before Maddy left for her new home she broke a lower canine. I check their teeth often and had checked her the night before so I knew when it broke. I was mucking around with her before her new owners came to see her and got a hell of a shock when I saw it - I could not believe that she had done it. She was given a lamb neck for dinner - that is how she broke her tooth. Had she been an aggressive biter or hard on her mouth I would have expected it, but she was always a delicate eater - not like her mum. I explained what she had done and reduced her price allowing for the tooth to be pulled when she was to be desexed in 2 months time. They took her to their vet the following day and rang me to say "guess where we are going Tuesday next week". They booked her in for the tooth to be capped with the Dental vet in Hallam. So I met them there. I was going to try to talk them out of doing that as I always believed that it would not last. But after hearing his side I let them make their own decision. They went along with it and she had the tooth capped - $800 later and she was ready to go home. She was not allowed any bones except chicken for 3 months and all soft foods. She was taken back for her 3 month appt in Sept. She was given the ok and is now allowed to eat brisket bones twice a week. Nothing harder than that. Will be interesting to see how the tooth goes, he reassured us that the tooth would last longer than she does. She was only 10 months old when it broke and was capped within 2 weeks of breaking. It does look good, they could imagine her smile without the tooth. :D I told him that if he is that good he can do mine too. Mine only last 3 yrs and fell out - just sits in place as it still needs redoing. Promised him I won't be eating bones. ;) My advice would be to keep an eye on it, maybe talk to a vet who specializes in Dental and go from there. A friends dog also broke a tooth last year - it too was on a staffy ball.

I bought a cheap version of the Dremel ages ago and found it useless on hard thick nails, so returned it and paid the extra for a Dremel. So much better and I have not had any problems at all with it. Been using it almost daily for a couple of years now. One of my better purchases I think. :D I also got mine from Bunnings. When I told them I want it for dogs nails he laughed and said that most of them are sold for doing the dogs nails, or to nail technicians. Mine has an attachment so I am not holding on to the motor, just like the nail techs use. Much easier, especially when using it daily.

Sorry Luke, but I would allow several weeks (or a long obsession which is likely to follow - allow months /years) of research on raw feeding if I were you. When I first changed my dogs over about 4 or 5 yrs ago, I was dumb founded with what I kept reading. Just feed him on a blanket or towel (easy to wash) he will stay put for you. If he does wander I am sure you will sort that out quick smart, either that, feed him in a crate or bathroom, smaller space to clean up. Older pups from 1st litter (6-7 mo) eating lamb off cuts (and maybe a pork trotter) inside on a blanket, easy to wash. (please ignore the stuffed toy remnants) Good luck, I am sure you will do the right thing by your boy. Oh - I just love that photo in your siggy. every time I see it - it makes me smile. Love it..

Any one who washes their dogs weekly concerned about the drought? I feel guilty as it is washing dogs every day, my own are lucky to get in the tub once a month. Regular brushing keeps them clean enough without having to wash them. I would hate to think of how much water is wasted washing dogs weekly. I understand show dogs being washed regularly, however I have seen many not so clean dogs in the ring, when water is such a precious necessity it seems a horrible waste washing dogs every week just because they might smell. Brushing and a little squirt of doggy cologne will do a good job and save water too. Don't know if other areas have the same water shortage as Melbourne.

I have - we lost a beautiful GSD x Collie Rough in less than 2 weeks of being on it daily. Shocking way to go. Took her off the drug but the damage was already done. I was told that she had a bad reaction to the drug. Gee - ya think... (while she had a couple a week she did seem ok but when her pain was too much she had it daily - I suppose that the pain has gone once the drug has killed the dog) I will always blame that drug for her death.. I would be searching for another alternative instead of Rimadyl... I will never use it again and I am quick to warn anyone about using it. I know of plenty who are giving it to their dogs who seem ok on it, but they don't seem to live very long after they start the drug.

You can add mine too if you like - ANDISA.

Nope - her breeder said she is from a long line of easy breeders. This is something that no one can figure out. "It's just one of those things" seems to be what I keep getting told. I would much rather some real answers to all my questions but they simply don't know why. Wondering, does she get all raw food or does she also get dry food added in? if she gets dry, which brand? No - I have been feeding a raw diet for about 5 yrs. a. I did feed some Eagle pack and Natural Balance for a while along with the raw but it was only for a few months. That was ages ago. Most of the pups from the last litter are on the same diet and they are doing fantastic. I do think it is just this bitch- not all females can reproduce without problems. Just because there is a problem doesn't mean that something could have prevented it from happening. Main thing is my girl is doing well. They are fed variety, no worries there. ETA: Oops made a boo boo.

Nope - her breeder said she is from a long line of easy breeders. This is something that no one can figure out. "It's just one of those things" seems to be what I keep getting told. I would much rather some real answers to all my questions but they simply don't know why.

I have been feeding this way for years now and a distributor of the barf. Read his books and I am happy to tell anyone about all the benefits of feeding a natural diet. Mind you his theory on better /easier whelping is something I will be talking about with him - providing he will give me the time of day. As much as I believe in a natural diet I am not having much faith in the benefits on the breeding side of it at the moment. For me more than likely it is simply bad luck for my bitch, but after 2 C - sections - one last weekend, she had a prem delivery - 6 days early, possibly due to the placentas pulling away from the uterus, makes me question if what he says is true. This bitch has been bred /raised on this diet and now I am questioning just how good it really is. She is in excellent health and the vets can't for the life of them understand why she can't deliver naturally. She will never be bred again, simply not worth risking her health any more, but I have followed this diet for the purpose of better health for my dogs and for the supposed benefits of easier conception, pregnancy and especially the benefits of easier whelping. I could look at the glass being half full and say that she recovers well after her surgeries but would rather she never needed them in the first place. I will not be changing their diets from what they are on, but I am beginning to question if it really is that much better.

Hey Delk, no idea on how far mine swim, but Piper was doing around 50 + laps at the old pool in Rowville and no set laps at the new one in Narre Warren. Before Maddy left she was swimming for a good 30 minutes and Piper was about an hour with rests and pee breaks. Both swim without being led around and Maddy was swimming her own laps and she was getting out when she needed a rest. Once Piper has finished with her maternity leave she will be going back to the pool and work her way up to 60 - 80 + laps as this pool is not a big as the old one that closed down. I usually swim them 2 - 3 times a week.

Where do you get the 5kg bucket Lisa? Edited cuz I cant type tonight. Trina - the deli in Web Street Narre Warren (left side) near the newsagents. It is $12.50 for 5 kgs. There is also another place in Hallam.

Sarah - I agree - your little puppy is way too cute.. I buy yoghurt by the 5 kg buckets. My dogs don't like the sour yoghurt, but love the creamy yoghurt.

CavNrott - so terribly sorry that your journey with Sophie has come to an end. We will be thinking of you both tomorrow.

We got Lizzy (Pug) at 9 weeks old, she has been eating whole chicken wings and necks since the day she came home. Never had a problem.

Mine get bones every day along with other foods.

I buy 5 kg natural yogurt for $12,( was $10) it lasts about 3-4 weeks. I mix about 3 heaped table spoons in with their food and I have a couple of spoons too each time I give it to the dogs and have never noticed it going off. I would throw it our before feeding it to them if I didn't think it was any good. Just check the date and make sure it has plenty of date before buying it. I was making the Easiyo but since I found the 5 kg buckets I don't bother making it anymore unless it is flavored for us.

I was having a look at a few different models, and looks like I will need about $200 - $300 (and more) for a good one. I like the square ones too, but don't think much about the price tags... Since I am not likely to do more than the dogs treats in one, would a cheaper model do the job or am I better off parting with more $$$ than I really want to? I can see a huge saving with making the treats. For those who have one already -------------------- * what sort are you using, * how long have you had it, *would you buy the same brand again, * or if you were buying another one - which one would you buy now?

Ok - I am glad to see this thread here. I have been thinking about doing this for a while now. Usually I just boil up the liver and use it that way. Is there anything to look out for when selecting a food dehydrator? Will need a bigger treat bag soon.

All raw diet here with some organic dry but not every day. Brands I have used have been Eagle Pack Organic, Dick Van Patten - Natural Balance and I am looking at stocking Orijen soon, so will give that a go. I don't rely on the dry food, half the time I wonder why I even use it at all.

;) Well with a success rate like that I will be sending not just my dogs but my kids to your place, they will be there by morning - now where do I send them... ;)

Congratulations Erny, what an angelic face. Lots of fun and games in your house from now on....

Thanks everyone, I am just glad that I have been able to do this. For a while there I did think about sending her to boot camp for dogs and take the easy way out. But it is so much more satisfying to be able to have done this myself, with help from Erny and the RVC of course. :rolleyes: - Maddy after a hard day, trying to fit on a tiny bed. - Lizzy - Piper - Maddy. All ready for treats.. OK - I know those photos don't exactly show how strong she is but Erny can vouch for that. But they do show the lovely gentle side of her... Maddy is only 10 months old and at 38 kg already.

As per topic description, update on Maddy. I applied the principals that we talked about and she is CURED. No more blisters on my fingers. No more frustration. No more dreaded walks. Maddy is fantastic. Yes the dog was not the problem - I was. I admitted that when we were at the park. I have changed leads I am now using a nylon training lead instead of the thin leather show lead. Much better grip - not that I need it anymore - one thumb is all I need now. We have our little chant when she looks like she is not listening. "What about me" so a quick correction and change of direction, she is almost saying sorry when she comes straight back in line. On a plus side - remember I said that I was not going to take her back to training at the Rottie club while she was like this. We went the following week and she was FANTASTIC. All loose lead work, she had the most beautiful eye contact and it was hard to believe that this was the same dog that I was terrified would pull me from one end of the building to the other and a big chance of me ending up on my backside. I was so proud of her.. So I thought I would give you an update on Maddy and say a huge THANK YOU for your wonderful advise.. I was listening but I didn't think that so much could be achieved so quickly and easily. The big test will be when she is walking with the others. The real goal is to walk her along side her Mother. I think I will still need my runners though - just in case.. and as many fingers that can fit on the lead. So Erny - Thank you for your help. Maddy thanks you too. ETA: I just wish it was that easy to keep her off the couch and beds. and I made a boo boo.