poodlefan

Failing to reduce food after a dog has finished growing is an issue for all breeds. Ditto for reducing it when activity levels decline in older dogs. We have total control over our dogs calorie intake. Whether they plump up as they age is up to us.

Totally agree that it happens. What a pity.

The shit fights occur because people passionate about their point of view can't stick to forum rules. Personally I think these are subjects that should be discussed here. If people can debate the issues without becoming personal, there's much to be learned from hearing both sides of the argument.

And their wash out rate was? No idea. Do you know?

It's like the Schwarzenegger of Labs! Impressive! Nope, its a fit dog with no excess body fat. Here's another. It seems to me that many folk have no idea what a fit labrador looks like. That some of those folk are breeders (as evidenced by some of the dogs I see exhibited) is downright worrying.

I've posted this pic before but this is what a Labrador Retriever in hard working condition looks like

If the vet has given you antibiotics, then he/she must suspect a gastric infection, not a food reaction. Keep a close eye on things. Continued diarrohea may lead to dehydration.

Any good quality seniors food. ;)

Can be a sign of hip issues too Jed and there is HD in some of those breeds.

Nope, everything goes with pink!

The best advice I can offer is to read the advice here thoroughly and to book both pups in to the groomers once a month from now until they are about 8 months old. Oh and book both into puppy schools - take them separately.

Is he teething?

For four days of showing the P&P palace will definitely be coming out.

Ditto!

I've had two dogs with luxating patellas. One was operated on. One wasn't. The first thing I'd say is that a loose patella in a pup shouldn't be immediate cause for concern. Increased muscle bulk that comes with age can resolve the problem. That happened with one of mine. The grade of the luxation is important. My oldest boy had one patella repaired when he was about 14 months. It hasn't given him any trouble since and he is now 12. What does Gilbert's breeder say about it?

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever was bred to work in conditions that at times involved breaking ice to enter the water. It is leaner than Labs. Most working Labs are leaner than any pet. Most water retrievers rely on insulating or quick drying fur. I fail to see how a dog bred to work all day retrieving on land and water could possibly benefit from being fat. The strain on joints, liagments etc would outweigh any inulating benefit from all that weight.

Don't ring the council anymore. Ring the Mayor... twice a day, every day the dog roams. Time to escalate the reports. Councils can seize roaming dogs.. sounds to be like you're being fobbed off because they either can't catch this one or don't want to.

Goldenluv, your friends advice is only partially accurate. Pet food from O/S processed in an AQIS approved facility, or approved by USDA for export to Australia, is not subject to irradiation. Eaglepack (makers of holistic select) and a range of other super premium brands are not irradiated Here is a link to Eaglepack's website with a statement on the issue.

You need to get out more. Irresponsible and incapable owners are attached to the lead of a wide range of breeds, including yours.. and mine. Yes that's true, but are not seen anywhere near as often as some of the other breeds for the general public to form opinions. Staffords and their crosses and SWFS.. these are the most popular breeds and mixes in the country. Stands to reason you'll see more idiot owners because there's more of these dogs. If there's less of any other breed, then naturally there will be fewer idiots owning them.

Longcoat: You need to get out more. Irresponsible and incapable owners are attached to the lead of a wide range of breeds, including yours.. and mine.

According to Ingrid Newkirk, what it will take is no more dogs.

Didn't I brainwash you? If you did, you're very good because I haven't noticed. ;)

The others may be brain washed, especially Jed but I'm not. I work in the law. I know that new laws rarely solve community or welfare issues. I also know that no matter how good a law is, only responsible people will obey it anyway. ;)

I'm not now, nor have I ever been a dog breeder. I'm a passionate pet owner who worries a great deal about knee jerk legislation placing increasing restrictions on responsible dog owners. Who determines how many dogs can be responsibly homed? Bear in mind (as I said) that current number restrictions take no account of dog size, home size, how the dog is cared for or whether or not it is exercised. By your standards, someone like me should not own more than two dogs. My dogs receive the gold standard of veterinary treatment, including chiro and massage, are fed with no care for budget, exercised daily, groomed, trained and taken on holidays with me. On my corner fenceline lives a dog that never darkens the inside of the owners house and never leaves the yard. How will a law restricting dog owners to two pets improve that dog's quality of life or find a home for the much loved dog that your proposed law would see me forced to rehome. A numerical measure of the limits of responsible dog ownership is blind to the many variables that make for a good home for a dog. Maybe you don't recognise the PETA paradigm when you see it. Here's a few key platforms: * An end to the breeding of pedigreed dogs * All dogs to be sourced from shelters* * Mandatory desexing The upshot is that domestic dogs, if PETA have their way, will have disappeared within a generation. These are PETA's words.. and they have penetrated through to a lot of folk, despite their inaccuracy. PETA is the source of that often quoted sentiment, whether you recognise it or not I'm afraid. Everytime someone tells me too many dogs are being born, I hear the echo of PETA's words and I fear for the future of dogs as pets.

A common problem for those out of town I'm afraid. If you can, take her to town when you go and allow her to greet people and see lots of sights and sounds, even if you have to carry her. It will make more full on experiences easier later on. I'd be trying for one on ones with Aussies. One new dog at a time might be more manageable.