poodlefan

Given that it has been illegal to rehome a dog of Restricted Breed in most states for some time, those owners need to contact the place they got their dog from and get the paperwork for the dog's breed description, IF they don't already have it. Council rangers may be the so called "experts" in breed ID now but a piece of paper saying the dog is not a restricted breed should count for something.

I agree. I said as much. What I object to is the idea that the ANKC should be providing an Ark of protection for dogs and owners based on breed description when that simply cannot be verified. We should be FIGHTING ALL legislation that suggests that breed alone is enough predict whether a dog is 'dangerous' OR 'safe. I think the ANKC will probably be busy enough keeping the Amstaff out of the firing line.

Perhaps not. But perhaps I am a bit over people seemingly wishing to shut the stable door after the horse has bolted Cosmolo. And to suggest that those who are responsible for breeding dogs that aren't in the crossfire should charge to the rescue doesn't sit well with me. The ANKC has enough issues 'protecting' purebred dogs at the moment. That they should be asked to certify the breed status of dogs with indeterminate breed status is a bridge too far for me. I suppose my anger is directed more towards people who are continuing to breed and sell such dogs in the current climate when its folk like you that face potential heartbreak. Its utterly irresponsible IMO and it seems to be the first step in a chain of irresponsible behaviour that ends in a page 1 story of a dog attack. Any dog that passes through a pound into rescue under these current laws must have been deemed "not a pitbull" at some stage. The key will be to get and KEEP paperwork that outlines that decision. If you are getting your bull breed rescues from pounds they should be as safe as houses.

Why you simply couldn't put a pair of 'bitch pants' on her and let her live her normal life beats me.

I love a dreamer!! Most of the crossbred dogs that feature in the media stories of attacks are undesexed males. I would think it neither wise, nor likely that the ANKC would attest to the breed origins of a crossbreed that simply cannot be verified. What breeds a dog "looks" to be and what they actually are can vary significantly. I don't agree with using ANKC judges to contribute to the breed standard of a dog they will never judge (and have no experience in judging) but similarly I don't agree that they should be called upon to stick a wet finger in the air and verify the breed origins of a dog based simply on physical appearance. The answer to 'protecting' peoples dogs is quite simple really. It lies with OWNERS. Don't buy dogs you know are going to be in the crosshairs without pedigree papers. In that regard, the ANKC stands willing to assist. Why they should be expected to defend dogs that aren't registered with them or owned by members beats me. If an existing Associate come under fire, that's another matter. But I find that highly unlikely.

No, associate dogs are registered simply as "Associates". They must be desexed in order to be registered. I can only hope that people heed the warnings that have been given for the past 5 years and stop buying bull breeds without papers.

It talks about the maternal environment too.

I'm the crazy dog lady who hates pet shop and puppy farm purchases and that's fine by me. I've helped a colleague source a purebred Boxer and will do the same when someone I work with is ready for a Rhodesian Ridgeback. Another colleague has a pet shop oodle. It arrived with ring worm. It's had mange and a Uti. They didn't realise that it would come in season so early. She says its 'very naughty' and I've told her given that its had no training, its not fair to blame the dog for its behaviour. Won't be winning any popularity contests in that area anytime soon but it really is just a nightmare from start to finish.

Added the article link I found to my last post Steve.

Got a reference for that ? OK, here we go The domestic dog: its evolution, behaviour, and interactions with people By James Serpell notes higher levels of 'problem' and fearful behaviours in pups not whelped in domestic environments (try page 89-91) You can read it online. Behavioural effects of differential early experience in the dog M.W. Foxa, D. Stelznera Scott and Fuller seem to be the most frequently quoted authors on this. ETA: Eureka.. found it. Link to abstract

Got a reference for that ? UQ Study touches on it but let me hunt for it.

Pups whelped and raised in 'commerical' settings that don't get a lot of human contact in their first three weeks can be wary of strangers for life. Ideal family dogs are whelped and raised in family homes, not sheds. Pups raised in sheds are big question marks on temperament because no one sees them enough to know what they're like and a buyers best measure of temperament (the pups mother) is not seen by them. That's a message that has research to back it and that could be flogged hard without denigrating any crossbred dog. Best not to be elitist in our arguments and facts are that purebred dogs also get produced in such settings with the same results.

I would use whey powder. It's nearly pure protein and very easily digested. Body builders often use it.

Darcy my poodle had a bad bout related to IVDD three years ago. His issue is in his neck. He had severe pain and partial paralysis and the drug combination that worked for him was Tramal and Valium He had x-rays and I took him to Sydney for a consult with a veterinary neurologist. Darce has a spinal deformity - two completely fused vertebrae in his neck which can put pressure on the disc behind. I was advised that an MRI and surgery were not going to be helpful. I was also advised that it might never happen again. In consultation with my vet, this is how we manage it. Keep him lean No excessive jumping - his agility career ceased that day. No chasing balls (sadly his favourite activity) He is also chiropracted monthly and so far no repeat. My vet has told me that as he ages and his muscles weaken, further incidents are likely. Her advice was that Darcy is unlikely to make old bones. Darce is now 8. I honestly believe chiro is key. Darce had missed a visit prior to the incident. I don't know what I"ll do if and when new problems emerge. I can't stand to see a dog in pain and Darce is simply not himself when on the medication he needs to assist with the pain.

There have been other posters who've reported the drinking and that it stopped when the food was discontinued. I'm not knocking the food - but that is what some who've fed it reported.

If taking the dogs off the food stops the excessive drinking, I'd have thought cause and effect was patently obvious. Personally I have never held with the 'change food slowly' adage and my dogs have never suffered any ill effects from food changes. I actually don't know anyone with a dog that has.

Lots of positive vibes coming from here.

Given the swollen head, that was my first thought. I've googled cane toad poisoning and it doesn't mention swelling. We need Danielle back for an update.

What are the symptoms of cane toad poisoning???

It shouldn't hurt and it might help. Antihistamines are pretty safe. Fingers crossed it does the trick

Almost any human allergy medication will do.. Clarytyne, Teldane etc. Here's a link for dosages

Could be a insect bite. Has she got any antihistamines in the house??

Tail carriage is very much a function of croup shape.. if you want a low tail, consider whether or not you want the topline a GSD has. Sorting out Dobe spinal issues might be a useful priority with ramifications beyond the cosmetic. My dogs' chiropractor puts Dobes in the top 3 breeds he sees with skeletal problems.

Are you talking about IVDD?

With Supercoat, you're spending most of the money on stuff that comes out her back end. With a better quality kibble you feed less so it lasts longer. Yes, you can freeze bones. By bones by the way, we're talking about fully digestable bones like chicken wings and carcasses.