poodlefan

Early desexing removes the primary sources of testosterone and estrogen in puppies. Impact is the same on dogs as it is on people - development doesn't occur normally. One example - removal of estrogen in bitches can HEIGHTEN aggression.

If the offlead isn't "relaxing" him, then they may be counter productive. If those runs are really building his adrenalin, then they may be part of the issue. It can take up to 72 hours for adrenalin to leave the system. In Barkly's case, he may never be getting rid of it. Try a couple of days of focussed on lead walks and see what happens. Gaiting him off a bike would be good. Bear in mind though that you are dealing with a 'busy' breed. What you're describing matches the few cockers I know. "Calm" is not a natural state it seems unless they are absolutely buggered.

If this rescue group has only the best intentions, I'd expect to see quarantine practices in place. Otherwise, we all know what the road to hell is paved with. But some are infected and you can't tell which ones they are if they're only incubating. Common sense and compassion for all dogs should surely lead anyone to conclude that you quarantine to protect ALL dogs for the risk of parvo.

I'm not a fan of Ivermectin which is what's in Revolution. I use a monthly heartworm tablet (Proheart), a 3monthly all wormer (Drontal) and then whatever for fleas if necessary. Book your pup into a really good puppy preschool and if possible arrange meets with owners of her littermates. Poor planning on behalf of the breeder is not giving your pup the best start in life. If she's coming from a registered breeder, its a breach of the code of ethics to rehome a pup that young. Makes me wonder what other shortcuts have been taken.

I would hazard a guess that many of the purebred dogs she sees are BYB and hardly the product of the best of their breed, selected carefully for their temperament.

NO. Our system isn't perfect but it ain't broke either. I say don't try to "fix' it. I wouldn't mind a few more different kinds of sweepstakes but those shouldn't influence who gets the CCs.

Six weeks old! This pup is too young to be separated from its littermates. Will it have had a vaccination? Steve you need to treat for worms but I only treat for fleas if I find them on my dogs and that isn't very often. Where do you live? Is it a flea prone area?

What an utter shambles. :D Again the "parvo is everywhere" argument gets a good run. The fact that some folk don't vaccinate or exercise any sort of responsible dog ownership with regard to dog disease shouldn't be a justification for a rescue to do the same. But once again, that's the line being trotted out.

It isn't only a matter of size. It's a matter of bone density, of the proportions of certain bones to others and the resultant impact on hips, on ligaments etc. Even mutts do dog sports. Mutts also can get HD, rupture cruciates etc. Both male and female hormones (and their absence) can impact on temperament.

Who is "everyone"? Whomever they are, they are wrong. Maturity, not whelping brings some degree of calmness. Training for self control and good manners does more.

OF COURSE breed matters. The whole point of creating breeds was to improve the chances that they'd have certain temperament and physical attributes. However it pays to remember that: * this is not a guarantee * the quality of the dogs used to create pups matters * environment, socialisation and training probably matter as much.

Bunch of crap. Same old "you get the best of both worlds" with a crossbred argument. She's just taken the "hypoallergenic" argument and applied it to temperament. Many toy poodles are yippy and snappy because they're not exercised or trained. Change that and you've got a solid family pet. The issue is the owner, not the dog.

Use betadine!

The white coat is often finer and the skin more sensitive. I find the really close blades (30# and 40#) on the face of a white will often cause a rash where they are fine on the blacks. I never clip my white girl as closely as the black boys. They get 7# for their bodies in summer, she gets a 5# In winter they get 5# and she gets 4# Their face feet and tail I do with a 30#. She gets a 15# on the face and 30# on the feet and tail

Go Ursie and Floyd!! ;)

Still a bit warm for my taste but I'm sure I'll make a trip when it cools off. It's a great day!

Read the threads here. Then choose one within your budget. Key issues are the amount of meat in the food as opposed to fillers, and what fillers are used. What breed of dog do you have? I tend to go by what works well for others with my breed/s.

I will be there, and seeing this post have just decided to set up at the hound ring :D :D It's where all the cool people are. ;) Are you saying that Toy people aren't cool . Since when did crimplene suits and crotcheted vests go out of fashion?? If you got an IG BMP, you'd have a Toy Hound.

Sisal rugs might be a option. They are very hard wearing.

I've got a Toy Poodle that could "resolve" any mouse issue.

Of course it would be far more fair if EVERY dog that bit someone just got an automatic PTS. Get real. Dog welfare will not be advanced by insisting that every breed should be treated as poorly as the Restricted Breeds. The issue is getting restricted breeds a fair go, not lowering the bar for the rest. The whole point of opposing BSL is NOT to make breed matter. Of course for most APBT supporters, with every attack reported, its the first thing they latch on to. Ironic. ;)

I use Andis AG2's on my poodles. What colour is your poodle? This can affect blade choice. As has been pointed out, you'll never do a job half as good as a groomer without the coat being washed and blowdried. Any decent groomer also uses scissors on the coat. That means more expense if you buy a dryer, scissors etc but it will be cheaper in the long run. I'd add Shirley Kalstone's International Book of Poodle Grooming to your list of 'must haves'. Its a great guide to how to do it well.

I wonder if there was resource guarding involved.

Seriously Perth Girl, its time to build a bridge. The right breeder and the right pup are out there. You've had a kiss a few frogs. You'll probably kiss a few more. But the right dog will be worth it. You're not the only person to travel this road. Those of us who persevered will tell you its worth it. If you want breeder recommendations to speed you on your way, then go to the ACD thread and ask for them. Neither breeders nor buyers profit from name calling, accusations of poor behaviour or generalising. You've formed some unfavourable impressions about some breeders posting here. You don't know who might be reading this and forming a similarly unfavourable view of you. ACDs I gather are not a breed for the faint hearted or easily deterred. Perhaps you might consider the search for the right breeder part of the "suitability test" for a pup.

I posted one not long ago. :D But more are good.