poodlefan

Whippet: Skinny Poodles: Poofy. Both were mildly amusing the first dozen times. Now I just let it wash over.

The Lab is going to weigh at least twice as much as the Cocker. I'd be worried about the rough play ending up in injury to the smaller dog. Both will be too young for a lot of onlead walking for some months yet. I'd be cautious about exercise and rough play having an long term impact on growing bodies.

They can have very sobering hip scores. Not a dog to overfeed or over exercise as a pup or allow to be anything other than lean IMO. I prefer the working ones (ligher in type) but there are none of those here that I'm aware of. Pity.

I've seen behaviour of that nature from adults in all kinds of places - ask anyone who's ever worked in a service industry. The only behaviour we have any real control over is our own. You can expect all you like but some folk will invariably disappoint. I dont' see why we should let them ruin our enjoyment of what can be a very pleasant hobby. We can tut tut and shake our heads all we like - it won't make some folk behave and I'm dammed if I'm going to retreat and leave the field to them.

I'd rather you show your bitch in season than allow your male dog to piss over any of the following: * my gazebo walls * my trolley * a bag full of show gear * my leg I've seen all those. Bitches in season are permitted to be shown. Therefore I think its inevitable that they will be. No point getting upset about it.

People don't need to "harden up". People need to understand that like any other activity, showing attracts the good, the bad, the mad and the sad. Keep it in balance, keep your dog disconnected from your ego and be pleasant and you'll survive just fine. If you want a stream of rose petals welcoming you, people falling all over themselves to help you as their competition and sunshine and rainbows all the time then prepare to be disappointed at some stage. Its just a microcosm of life peeps - treat it like one.

I think "small dog syndrome" needs to be renamed "small dog owner syndrome" Many of the toy breeds are highly trainable and, given sufficient exercise and mental stimulation are not great barkers. Treat them like dogs and most small dogs are just fine. If I were looking for a low shedding small dog I'd start with a Toy Poodle or a Bichon. I agree that the Bichons seem to be more laid back than the poods but a good poodle breeder could probably match you up with a quieter pup. Don't rush this - visit a dog show and look around at the the different breeds (I suggest you focus on Toys and Non-sporting) and then finding the right breeder are unlikely to fit within your timeframe. You'll have 15 odd years to enjoy the profits of choosing the right dog for you.

Who's top dog when you're not there Gayle? There will be one. Dogs don't live in a social vacuum when we're not around - there will be a pecking order. I have to say that I fail to see how reinforcing the "top dog" status of an older dog being challenged for the position by a younger one would be helping.

Is there anything like that in the 101 thread?

Yep, but the known "dog tragic" in the social set will be the person who fields ALL the questions if things aren't going smoothly. Amazing how your opinion is valued THEN. People seem to think its their God given right to have problems solved for free when impulse driven, poorly researched puppy purchases start having issues. I fill the dog tragic role at work. Have helped a couple of folk find lovely pups from great breeders. However, no mention of the recent purchase of a puppy to me by one of my co-workers. An oodle, from a well known local puppy farmer, health issues from the get go. I then get told about it. Its been through ring worm (present when purchased), eating/digestive difficulties, toilet training, separation anxiety, barking, come into season and I've helped as much as I can with every issue. First conversation started "I know you won't approve but... " and the requests for help keep coming. I keep helping but after one thank you I said, "just do me a favour and next time buy a health tested dog from a responsible breeder - you'd have had help like this from the start". I'm fairly confident that's where any future dog will come from. And the latest? From a fellow dog tragic in her social set? Oodle bought and after getting home and bonding, owner discovers after things seeming a bit off and a trip to the vet that the pup is completely blind. Pretty hard to say positive things about that. So OP, start researching skin issues and allergies because my guess is you'll be fielding questions about it from the owner soon enough.

Wet towels trap heat. If heat exhaustion is suspected, fully immersing the dog in cold water is the go. Of course if the dog is panting due to shock, cold water immersion would be dangerous. Put the dog in the car, drive it to the vet and get someone to actually see it. Better a false alarm than a serious issue left untreated. Odds are its stress and heat but we can't see the dog so we're only guessing. The blood on the muzzle would concern me - perhaps an incident on or through the fence.

Breeder is having some trouble with the correct breed name too it seems. Ask for a breeder recommendation in the Cocker thread or ring the Cocker club. I'd go word of mouth on Cockers - good ones are nice dogs, bad ones are god awful and temperament really matters.

How about a portable run?

Ta - I thought there was another one.

Ditto. I groom mine but I'm not volunteering to do others. It's a lot of work, even on well mannered dogs. Judging by what I've witnessed at places like Petbarn, "short all over" is a pretty common request - my guess is from owners who have their dogs shaved down a couple of times a year. It always horrifies me to see them 'scalped.

Wonder how much health testing the litte's parents have had. PRA, Hips .. Cockers have some other genetic tests don't they??

Minimum wage is about $35 an hour isnt it? If you're spending an hour and a half of your time on a dog, charging less than $50 is charity. That doesn't even factor in costs of equipment and product. Maybe explaining how long it takes might make people rethink how cheap they want it done for. I imagine some think you give the dog a 10 minute shave to the skin and that's it.

Using the "rare" word pings my radar too.

Looks like the bigger urban areas have been spared. Lets hope the smaller towns are too.

I took the picture out. It was a mobile home park.. not comparable to what we have. Thank God.

I hope you're right. I really do. But I don't share your confidence .This thing makes Tracy look like a summer breeze. The storm surge alone is going to be massive.

Trust me, you're going to meet some you won't.

On some days, you'll wonder why you ever wanted one I reckon.

When I got home tonight they were doing 'mud' very well! It's been pouring here this evening. (But I'll pack the gaiters, LOL.) Mud is good for one's complexion Darlink.

I entered last year and scratched because of the weather. At least this year it's just showers forecast, not a deluge. Better pack the glad wrap for the girls Diva.. supermodels don't do 'wet'.