poodlefan

Never thought about going that far south west but I like Swan Hill so who knows? It will all come down to accommodation. Maybe the Canberra Sighthound Mafia need a road trip (with Havanese hangers on) Oi! I'm up for a road trip Lets talk on the weekend.. bring your diary.

Mrs T: If he's only 12 months, you might get a bit more growth from the lower jaw.. jaws still tend to be developing after 12 months.

Never thought about going that far south west but I like Swan Hill so who knows? It will all come down to accommodation. Maybe the Canberra Sighthound Mafia need a road trip (with Havanese hangers on)

Don't a lot of folk give their pups their first vaccs at 6 weeks?

Damn! It would have been nice to meet some new Whippets ( and their owner of course )

The first thing that any lawyer will tell you is that ignorance of the law is no defence for breaking it. I'd dispute the no registration fines but the rest I think you're stuck with. The no collar offence will apply because your dogs were not in the back yard.

Check the Breeds 101 thread but I think there are some eye issues and perhaps other genetic conditions that should be tested for in BCs.

I'll wait for more experienced people to contribute to the thread but how a pup's jaw is at 6 weeks and what it's like at 12 months may not be the same. I'd be waiting to assess the pup's temperament in a couple of weeks before making a commitment. A minor overbite wouldn't stop me from buying an otherwise sound and outgoing pup as a pet. If the breeder does all relevant health testing, that's what matters.

How old is the pup, how severe is the overbite and what has the breeder said about the chances of it correcting as the pup grows? I've never heard of surgical correction for an overbite. Provided the dog can eat, it's more of a cosmetic issue but one that can impact on teeth over the years. Personally, I'd not buy a pup with a severe overbite but a minor one may well correct if a pup is young. Top and bottom jaws grow at different rates and the bottom jaw is usually the last to finish growing. I'd be far less worried about an overbite than an undershot jaw in a breed that normally has a scissor bite.

Try losing a dog, then tell me who benefits from microchipping. There have been owners here who've had stolen dogs returned after being missing for years and that's been due to a microchip. Yes, the fines are revenue raisers. They are a disincentive to those who let their dogs roam and a way of recovering money to support pounds and rangers. No different to speeding fines in principle.

Jeanne: Mow it yourself. It's not difficult. Removing the source of the allergy will be a lot more effective than treating the symptoms.

Jacquilee: Why not? If the issue is lack of recall, why not work on that? Recall or not, my dogs would not be offlead if I wasn't with them. They'd be penned.

I'm doing both and have received my numbers for both. Sunday's number do look smaller.

Tazmadman: I won't express an opinion on the veracity of this incident but my opinion of the behaviour of club members who joined this forum to attack the OP is that it reflects poorly on them and their club. I sincerely hope people thinking of attending a dog training club can be convinced not all clubs conduct themselves in this manner. Miss Squish, time to find another club.

Megan: I think that's arguable anyway.

You don't keep the dog on the stuff for a prolonged time, and the amount of antibiotics in the mixture is quite small - my dog was on it and still developed a bowel problem that needed a course of antibiotics (I stopped the Angel Eyes at this point). I questioned why my dog developed the issue when it was on this stuff and it was explained that it was a negligible amount. If my dog had an underlying immune issue, why did the eye & mouth staining not return when the Angel Eyes stopped? He's been off it for 6 months and you can see how the coat has grown in white. If your dog gets an infection elsewhere in their body, do you immediately believe it's an immune system issue? Perhaps because an underlying immune system issue (emerging bowel problem) was resolved? Diet, stress, mouth and gum issues and a range of other factors can contribute to eye staining (not to mention eye issues). One holistic vet I saw said that in most of the cases she sees, a head or neck related issue is present. What the antibiotics do is inhibit the growth of excess bacteria on the skin. That's what's causing the stain. They don't dry up the excess moisture. You're masking the problem by getting rid of the bacteria, not treating it.

A friend of mine is a canine masseuse. She says offlead play is possibly one of the best muscle conditioners for a dog. Howard loves to play and I love to watch him. I consider retaining his focus during agility training as a training issue. Besides.. its great practice for strategic pairs.

If antibiotics work then there's an underlying immune system issue. Do folk really want their dogs to develop resistance to antibiotics through constant low dosage?

Depends on the dog. One of my dogs genuinely enjoys meeting and playing with well mannered strange dogs. The others couldn't care less.

Sorry, but as I determine the speed, pace and direction of our walks and the dogs walk on loose leads, I"m the one in charge regardless of whether they're in front of me or not. I don't understand how you can argue that a dog in front is in charge but at the same time state that being in charge won't drain them mentally?

EPIC FAIL

Truth usually lies somewhere in the middle of the other two.

Perhaps some gentle questioning of individuals rather than asking people to give stat decs might be a good starting point? Tazmadman from what I gather you didn't see the alleged incident but you've come out swinging and branded a person a liar without seeking verification of the facts. Seems to me we may not be the only ones who don't have the full story yet. I appreciate that no one likes to see their club or their actions publicly badmouthed but is it even remotely possible that a ordinary handler might be sufficiently intimidated by your club culture that they wouldn't report something like this. Happens quite easily in my experience. Go in gently and just ask people one on one if they were present and if so, whether witnessed anything and whether they were concerned. No need for leading questions or talking of law suits before you know what you're dealing with. Witch hunts won't profit anyone.

Apparently for many people, a calcium tablet before bedtime is as effective as a sleeping pill. The old wives remedy of a glass of warm milk before bed has its basis in science.

My poodles are a bit wary of very young children but seem to take everyone else in their stride. Lily my toy loves older folk. Howie loves everyone. I have to restrain him from sticking his head into prams and pushers. There was an man with Downs Syndrome who used to walk two kelpie crosses past my house every day. The dogs were getting older and slower but they all plodded along happily. Time came when he was down to one dog. Now I never see him anymore.