Baby Dragon

I was asked this question by a friend the other day, and to be honest when I thought about it, I didn't really know! I know dogs need off leash running time because walking isn't real exercise for them. But why do dogs need to be walked? Is it to give them a change of scenery or to develop the bond or is there another reason?

This is a book you might find useful. Real food for dogs and cats http://www.fremantlepress.com.au/books/house_garden/1060

Thanks guys, I'll keep persevering. I'm a lot more comfortable using the dremel, I think it's safer than nail clippers on a wiggly dog.

I was wondering if anyone's had problems getting their dog to accept a dremel on their nails? It probably took about 5 times and lots of treats to get my boy to accept it. It's still not his favourite thing, but he will let me do it for treats, and he accepts it better than nail clippers. As long as I have treats it's fairly easy now. But my new girl just won't have a bar of it. I've tried introducing it to her slowly, with lots of treats, but she's not interested in treats at the time and just backs away. I've even tried just holding the dremel (switched off) in the same hand as the treat and giving that to her, and she eventually came and got the treat but it doesn't seem to be translating to her accepting the dremel better. At the moment she's a little better with the nail clippers than the dremel, but even then she still wiggles and it makes it really difficult. I much prefer using a dremel than the clippers because I'm worried about accidentally nicking the quick. She also has dew claws and I've never had to deal with them before (my other dog didn't have them when I got him.) Is there a trick to doing them? I'd love any advice about how to make this easier on my girl. She's really obedient in just about everything else, but doing her nails seems to be the one thing she doesn't want to cooperate in.

I've found cooked, cooled pumpkin good for making them poop, but check with your vet.

I think it would be fine, if it were me I would feed it, but if you're worried maybe try calling the company to ask.

The vet wants to see her after she takes the course of tablets if she hasn't improved by then. So at the moment it's wait and see. I really don't want to put her through a scope unless necessary and the vet didn't seem to think it was at the time. The funny thing is, this morning I heard the reverse sneezing and went to investigate, and it turned out to be my male dog. So I agree that the smoke could be playing a part in it. It's also very dusty. Not that this matters much, because she will get treatment no matter what if she needs it, but I don't think our pet insurance will cover this if she does need further treatment because we are still within the 30 day illness waiting period

The vet put her on antihistemines for sneezing a lot (normal sneezes) so it's probably something to do with the irritation in her nose, I think. She's doing it a lot though. Probably 6 times today.

Yep that's what she's doing, for sure. I feel better now, I was really worried! Thanks

She's done it 3 times today so far. I can't seem to find anything that triggers it. If it's just reverse sneezing then I don't have to worry, do I? She is still waggy tailed and her normal self.

Great, thanks This should make things so much easier.

Oster is compatible. I don't know about any others. I got my clippers 2nd hand 2 years ago... I just found this, but it's really cheap so I'm wondering if it's any good http://www.oztion.com.au/buy/auction.aspx?itemid=8759181

Thanks guys. I can't believe I didn't know these existed. I've been struggling for 2 1/2 years with normal clipper blades and scissors What length of toe blades do you recommend (assuming there are different lengths?) I'm not going for looks, just for it to be practical and avoid grass seeds.

http://dstore.com.au/pets/Shear-Magic-Stee...ref=shopping_AU Is this the sort of thing??

toe blade? I've never heard of them.... *goes off to google* Our clippers are AGC

I always have trouble trimming around my Lab x Poodle's paw pads. I saw the Stylique Pet Trimmer advertised http://www.thebarfshop.com.au/shop/product...027b13f7778e668 Does anyone have one and are they good? Or is there anything else that can help me trim around paw pads? I normally try to scissor them but it's really difficult and I'm worried about getting the webbing between the paw pads.

Thanks guys. It's only every so often. I'd say she does it every day, (for the last 5 days or so) but only for about a minute at a time, then it stops and she's fine again. I took her to the vet because she's been snuffling and sneezing a lot which is weird. But that's only every so often too, and she didn't do it at the vets. They said her ears and chest is clear but she had a frothy throat, and gave us antihisthemines for her. They didn't think anything was up her nose but couldn't check properly without giving an anesthetic so they said to watch her and wait to see if it goes away with the antihisthemines. It's not the smoke from the fires because it started before that, about 5 days ago.

We've been to the vets but of course she wouldn't do this while at the vets so they didn't see it happening. I grabbed the video camera just now as she started doing it again. We went to the vets because shes been sneezing a lot

You could try having her wear dog boots if there are a lot of prickles. The Ruff Rider ones are good. Some dogs won't keep them on though.

They're cute!! You must be excited Cosmolo

everyone!

Thank you... I think I get it now... I'm so worried I might damage the pump or something if I do it wrong, I've been scared to try!

Ok I'm sooooooo confused :D Would somebody please explain to me if it's possible to do this in a hydrobath. I want to bath two dogs using the same wash water and shampoo. But I want to rinse them off with seperate rinse water. So dog #1 goes in the hydrobath, gets washed with the wash water, and gets rinsed with fresh water. Then dog #2 goes in the hydrobath and gets washed with the same wash water. The wash water is then let out of the hydrobath. And the dog gets rinsed with fresh water. Is that possible? And if it is would you please explain step by step how to keep the wash water in the bath while rinsing with fresh water. I so don't get it!!!! :D

I'm not a Lab person but I'll answer this one from the point of view of an agility person. Most Labradors are too heavily built to excel at agility. Lighter working style Labs would have an easier time of it but Labradors are not a common agility breed and not one I'd recommend if someone really wanted to get into agility. You could do it but you'd have to be realistic about your prospects in the sport and you'd want your dog to be very lean. You do see the odd Labrador participating but not many. Their size requires them to jump a fair height and they are competing against many lighter framed dogs. One Lab that trained at our club never managed to conquer the dog walk - he was just too wide to do it confidentally. Another Lab reached Masters (the top) level but was retired due to unsoundness which may or may not have been exacerbated by the sport. poodlefan