RiverStar-Aura

I've just finished watching the Crufts DVDs I bought and I've noticed that a lot of smaller dog handlers pick their dog up off the judging table by their tail and a hand under the chin/between the front legs. Wouldn't this hurt the dog? I'm guessing not since a lot of handlers do it but I just found it an odd way to pick the dogs up

Sorry Blakbelgian. There's nothing but 3 quick shots of 3 qualifying Schipperkes.

There's a quick flash of one schipperke on the 2005 disc and I've just started 2006. Will keep you posted!

I don't know what breeds are on there but I'll watch my copy when I get home and let you know

If anyone is interested I can get 3 copies from work. They are $8 each 3 disc set minus a further 10% (staff discount).

Poochie was docked and I loved her little stumpy going a million miles per hour. Kirah has a full tail and I love it just as much. It's held high, with a lovely feathery look. I don't mind either look; it's only about the dog!

What are you feeding him? A 6 month old puppy doesn't need 3 meals a day: 2 if you want but no more. What makes you think he is underweight? He could just be a lanky dog. You only need to see a waistline and be able to feel his ribs.

You can't really teach gentle play but you might try teaching the older dog to play with the puppy lying down. And make sure you give a time out when it gets too boisterous. Give each dig time to calm down before playing again!! If the two dogs can be in runs side by side, that may help with the socialising th stage. Best of luck!!

My puppy set-up was a play-pen in the garage and a baby gate at the backyard access garage door so that Zeus could see in and Kirah (puppy) could see out. I also had the luxury of having people home all day do she could play with Zeus (fully supervised) for an hour then she'd sleep for 4 hours in her pen. Then we'd repeat the hour play and so on until she was about four and a half months old. I'd definitely keep your pup separated if there's no one to supervise. Otherwise it's just an accident waiting to happen. Have you got someone you could ask to check in on her during the day?

Thanks for the info. I'm heading into Pet Barn later this arvo and will ask about it. Moosepup, is toddler sunscreen safe to use on dogs?

My little Kirah had something similar -- they looked like pustules to me. I just rubbed paw paw ointment on it and they disappeared within a week. They didn't bother her at all either.

Just wanted to ask where to buy this from. I've never seen it in Pet Barn or is from vets only? I need to start putting it on Zeus's muzzle as he has pink skin there and very little fur covering.

I have really poor night vision and find the Barbie estate-like street lights give off so little light that it makes seeing much worse. I also struggle at dawn and dusk (the times where it's not bright but not dark either). I avoid going out at these times but since I don't get home from work until 7:15pm I don't worry too much. My dogs wear a Rogz Lite each (Kirah pink and Zeus blue or red) and I carry a large LED torch just in case.

People are just lacking in common sense these days. The sheer stupidity of people no longer amazes me, it's just expected. Oh me of little faith in the human race!

When I read "kicking dogs" I expected a nice swift boot not a "tap". To me it looks like Milan is merely distracting the dog by tapping its back end. But I'm certainly no expert on dog training.

I'm so pleased to hear that Reggie has made his way home! I hate that there are so many idiot people around who set off fireworks -- especially since they're illegal in NSW.

I heard that a high protein diet can be good for energy levels. My trainer when I was taking Kirah to puppy obedience said that because she's a high energy puppy to cut back on any extra raw chicken I was giving her, just to see if that would help settle her. Don't know if it's true though.

As I get closer to 30 I've been thinking more and more about having a will written up, just for peace of mind as we can never be sure what the universe has planned for us. I'd love to think that my mum and brothers would continue looking after Zeus (2 years 9 months) and Kirah (11 months tomorrow), however, I have let my very good friends know that if the family won't keep them both they are to find suitable homes or have them PTS. This is actually something I need to discuss with the family because I really worry about my dogs in this way.

By the time I was 14 I'd lost all my grandparents and a great-grandmother, so for me, the loss of a relative, although sad, became "just a part of life". However, when Poochie was PTS I was a complete mess, spent my shifts at work crying in the staff toilets and wanting to die myself -- I was so heartbroken. Do I think going through Poochie's death was worse than that of my relatives? It certainly felt like that, but, she was the first pet I've lost and that day, I lost a part of me. I do feel it wrong to categorise grief because we all feel very differently towards each person/pet in our lives. I was only 16-18 months when I lost my first grandfather, so obviously there was no real connection from me, although mum's told me it felt like she'd lost her own father that day. I lost my favourite grandma when I was a month shy of turning 13 and I still remember at feeling only anger (not grief) that she didn't live to see my 13th birthday. I wasn't sad, I was furious at her for that and I don't think I really grieved a lot for her. Poochie … I sobbed so much and I could feel my heart hurt. I don't think I've ever been so distressed in my life, but that's not to say I didn't love my grandparents as much as her. So as corrie said: "Each loss stands alone".

My doofus dad has always insisted on calling a dog Deefa as in "D for dog" :rolleyes:

The little girl is a stunner and I love the boy in photo 3 too. But I do love number one's head spot -- I'm a sucker for head spots!!! Are you keeping any from this litter? You must have some fantastically strong black-bi genes running through your lines -- and you must be extremely lucky! Congratulations on such a lovely litter; I've enjoyed lurking in the breeder forum!! Edited to wish for a continued speedy recovery for you sick little bubba!!

On wow Erny it's just gorgeous!!!

Kirah's adept at catching Indian Mynas and eating them. All she leaves are piles of feathers -- but I'm sure Zeus helps her out too. The other day she bailed up a baby blue tongue lizard and wasn't happy when I placed it in the front garden where she can't get at!! Poochie was a fantastic ratter though and left many presents on our laundry door. Kirah does try and get at my friend's pet rats though!! :laugh:

I've always wondered how I'd go training a deaf dog. Of the three dogs I've owned (none deaf), they are very good following hand signals and not so good with the voice commands. I think somewhere down the line I'd like to try but only when I don't have other dogs requiring my attention too.

It could just be that the sheer size of the class isn't doing this lady any favours. I found that once Zeus and I progressed from the beginner class there weren't enough instructors and it was like 20 dogs per instructor. Those who were quieter and didn't speak up weren't offered help because the louder, more pushier people got the instructors' attention. And when it came down to it, at a quick glance it appeared that Zeus and I were fine. Even now I struggle with loose leash walking as he'll only walk beside me if I have a treat, however, out and about he looses focus on the treat and finds smells much more appealing and turns his ears off. I'm now organising some time off work to visit Steve at K9 Pro because he's a bit reactive too and I know I couldn't learn how to handle this in a huge obedience class.