MolassesLass

RedDog are you speaking of Big Dog Pet Foods here in Qld? If so, then they have not been in prodcution for a month due to moving factories, they should be back up and running next week I think. The contact numbers are 07 3861 9444 or 0407 761 542.

Mine walk on the left because I have no physical reasons why either side is better than the other and so the left is easiest so that you are the same as everyone else at obedience lessons. The rules for obedience DO specify that the dog must be on the left. ETA: Bad memory of the obedience rules.

I second the parsley recommendation, shredded into mince or other treats if the dog dislikes the taste. Garlic can also help, but tends to replace one yukky smell with another non-yukky but still strong smell.

I have been feeding the Big Dog foods for about a month now and I am very happy with them. The only thing I've found is that there isn't quite enough crushed bone in the mix and so I always feed with an almost meat-less bone to get the balance better.

Not exactly a US site, BARF is the invention of an Australian vet, but the BARF World group is American. Here is Dr Billinghurst's personal site, with Australian links for ordering his books and a list of distributors of his patty's.

BARF World :rolleyes:

What time is he fed (evening, morning etc) and what are you doing at that time? Where is he fed (in a crate, loose in back yard, in the kitchen etc)? Perhpas he's being distracted by other activities (as puppy's do) and simply forgetting to eat. Did he eat dry food at the breeders place (what was the diet there?), maybe he's never eaten it and needs to be shown how to eat it. Make it more interesting by pouring something over it (gravy, stock etc) to make it soft and a little more flavoursome. If the vet thinks he's fine though, it can't be too much of a problem.

What age would the dogs need to be? Need any prior experience? I have a puppy owner in Elsternwick that may be interested in attending. And what is the best way to contact you, email?

From the website: The Edge - "The "fat" percentage of this diet is currently at 12% this will increase in winter to 15%." Weaner - ""Weaner" is a high-energy racing diet (27% fat), therefore it is advised that you monitor your dogs weight regularly, and especially when this diet is initially introduced. You feed approximately 20gms of Weaner for every 1kg of dog." Breeder's Choice - Wasn't listed. Beef and Roo mix - "You can advise us of whatever "fat" content you would like. as we currently make mixes at 10%, 15% and 20%."

Cheers Sidoney :p Very useful, not that I get much roadkill around my way anyhow.

Sidoney - what does a healthy liver look like or what are the nasties to look out for?

I wouldn't, for the same reasons as hubby and friend. It is recommended not to feed wild kangaroo or pig due to the hyatid worms and so I'd say rabbits could have similar problems. It would be tempting though! :p

And how on earth did humans survive before processed "food"? Sure, some people do not handle raw meat appropriately and poison themselves (and their children) but that applies whether they are feeding the result to themselves or their dogs and let's not have the world protecting people from their own stupidity any longer.

Thread Hijack! Border Collie Rescue Australia (Qld) Introduces Bear - Looking for a New Owner Bear is a mostly black, good looking male Border Collie x Australian Kelpie. A bigger, more solid sort of black Kelpie in looks and mannerisms. He's approximately 1 year old, a bold and boofy lad with an easy-care short coat. He would need help learning how to be an inside dog, but he's keen to please so with a bit of patience, should be able to master "asking to go outside". Bear would make an energetic companion for someone with an adventurous lifestyle but would also be invaluable to someone looking for a real working companion. He has not chased any vehicles or stock while with his foster carers, no chewing, whingeing or jumping fences (although he has a very agile leap). Bear responds to basic voice commands and whistle, loves attention and is constantly alert, hoping you have something for him to do. Bear is probably suited to a house without cats, but is good with other dogs. He comes desexed, microchipped, fully wormed and vaccinated. $50

So is "Maggie Weeks" "gossco57" or was the article mis-quoted? Thanks for posting that, off to check it out.

gossco57 - Firstly let me say that I don't give a rats what you feed your dogs and don't care if you hate BARF or not. But I can not stand for misinformation (or straight out lies) and so have a few things to pull you up on. You seem to still be skirting around the hard questions asked of you. You post a very large article apparently written by a friend which seems to love spouting how feeding "BARF is an emotional decision whereas commercial is fact" yet you give us no fact and article full of emotive phrases. From the article: What board are you talking about and give us the bibliography for the article. Give us the details so we can read the quoted studies etc ourselves....or do they not exist??? So because Wolves and Dogs have different vision, they are totally dissimilar??? You do not make a good case for your argument that dogs and wolves are so different, perhaps when you locate the studies quoted it may be more clear. That's an outright lie, it is always said that dogs should be supervised when eating bones (in fact food at all). Like on this site - http://www.rawlearning.com/rawfaq.html - What evidence are you basing that claim on? You can go here and see the nutritional analysis of the pre-made patties and had you read the books you would have seen the information on how to get similar values in your home-made diets. Which recommended recipe is this, show us your facts. And as for handling raw meat being dangerous for humans... ... So this is the fault of the diet and not of the lack of hygience on some humans?! I'm sure these humans who don't ever handle raw meat (start for their dogs and then get sick) would also have THE crappiest immune systems from eating FAR too much processed foods themselves. Why's that, because you are getting asked too many questions you can't answer???? Come to a forum and preach your opinions all you like, but you can't expect an intelligent group of people such a DOL to just believe you because you said it. Show us the facts and leave the emotive crap out of it.

As long as the prevailing idea is for yearly boosters I must follow it (kennel licence says so, membership to certain organisations also requires it). I do not believe yearly is nessecary, so would prefer to titre test and only vacc. when needed but it's just not available yet. I do not believe the KC vacc does any good, so only give C3s.

not all of the mixes are so high in fat. Remember this food was designed for racing greyhounds, so the Weaner mix is probably only suitable for your high energy breeds that do a lot of exercise (like my BCs ).

Mel - I collected the order today, but there was a mix-up so our full order was not available. This means we will be doing another order in about 2-3 weeks. It does usually come frozen, but it's in 2kg lots. You feed about 20g per kilogram (for the Weaner stuff) so 600g for a 30kg meaning you get about 3 days per bag. This lasts fine in the fridge without going off and if you get the next bag out at the same time it is defrosted in 3 days time when you need to portion it up again. I will post again when we are about to do the next order.

It depends on the family and it's needs. Just a note, that while Labs are good family dogs they will not suit all families. Labs can be very high energy, shed lots, get overweight easily and are not usually mentally mature until about 3 years old. They can be big boofy dogs that will knock over small chidren, steal their food and get bored and destructive if not stimulated enough. So do not immediately go out and get any old Lab as a family dog. NOTE: This is not an attacks on Labs, no breed will suit EVERY family and there are good and bads points for every breed. But seeing as most people are saying Lab to this unanswerable question (the old, how long is a piece of string one) I thought it prudent to post the downside of the breed as well.

I was told (by the Squirt ladies at the pet expo) that it was made by the same people who do Fudge hair products as the people who started the company are big dog lovers. Either way, I love the stuff. And Plush Puppy (made by the Le Courts salon people - also Sibe breeders) is my second choice.

The most I've paid is $10 to wash my dogs and that was to use a hydrobath and dryer facility, never had them actually washed by someone else and seeing the prices here, I'm not going to unless I win lotto!

If I was you I'd call, their email is just not reliable for now.

Other - Yet to be faced with the decision yet.

kelpiecuddles - It will depend on the specific boarding kennels (so check with them specifically) but I can almost guarentee they will require a certificate of C5 vaccination having been within the last 12 months.