Garden Girl

Hi all - does anyone know of something that would help dogs climb out of a pool other than the steps? Our swimming pool has steps down one end but I'm thinking if the dog falls in/jumps in at the deep end I would like to attach something to the edge so they could get out without having to swim all the way to the shallow end. I have in mind a floating ramp or rope or something??? The dogs are never unsupervised around the pool and they cant get in without us opening the gate but I would like something that would entice them into the water a bit. They're Border Terriers so they're not that big but they have a double coat and will feel the heat. I saw a picture - I think it was on here - of a pool with a beach entry - that looked fantastic...wish we had one of those. Thanks

Yep my boy had them almost constantly when we first got him and the new girl gets them too but not as often. Its a puppy thing. They never seemed to last long and with the boy if I picked him up or did something to distract him they almost always went away. I tried to get him to drink a glass of water standing upside down but he thought I was joking.

If a pup has been over-exercised and it has caused some damage - is that it - damage done - or is there something that can be done to put things right?? I dont think I've over-exercised my pup but to be honest I'm not really sure and now he has something going on with one of his back legs and I'm hoping its not because I've been a terrible mother.

Hi - I have seen some people recommend glucosamine for these types of problems - has anyone tried it and what are/were the results. I know its a long term treatment for humans so imagine it would be the same for dogs - I'm considering adding it to my 9 month old pups diet . I have noticed recently that after he has a burst of running he sort of does a little limp, then a little skip and it looks like he is popping his leg back into place. We're going to the vet in a week or so, so I'll ask her to chekc out LP but wondered about glucosamine if thats what it is....to stop his joints getting worse rather than progressing to need surgery.

Is the wound for a girl much bigger than the stiches for a boy - our boy had a tiny little cut - maybe 1.5cm when he was de-sexed at about 6 months. We'll get our girl done when she's old enough. I'm guessing its quite a different op for the girls and a bigger incision needs to be made ???

Hi all - gave my 9 month old Border Terrier a chicken wing yesterday and watched him eat it. When I watched him, he crushed all the bones in the wing but didnt pull it apart rather he swallows it whole - then cant swallow it and regurgitates it - chews a bit more and tries again. Anyway it looked like he was choking but managed to get it all down. So while I was having a mini heart attack worrying about him choking I wondered what sort of first aid I should know about choking dogs....I know what to do for a human but no idea for pooches. Was he even choking or is that normal behaviour for a dog? Out of interest he used to do the same with chicken necks - chomp the whole thing and swallow it whole - thats why I dont give them to him. He is fine with lamb shanks and necks so I'll stick to them for now. My 2 month old BT chews all the meat off the chicken wing, swallows that then chews on the bones for a while - but thats because she is so much smallerI guess. So first aid tips would be much appreciated. Thanks Jaynie

Hi - thanks for the advice on giving my dog yoghurt following antibiotics - and to include it in his diet. At puppy school they said not to feed yoghurt or other dairy - but some breeders I know recommend it - yet another contradiction to figure out. I've also started adding it to my 9 wk old pups food too - they both love it and in fact it makes the boy eat at a much slower pace for some reason - which is good considering he used to inhale his food. Although - not sure if its connected but he did the smelliest ever fart last night (right in my face I might add )....it was probably payback for something Jaynie

Now that you mention it it is usually after he's had chicken carcass or bones of some sort he has white poo. I thought yoghurt (eg dairy) was bad for dogs? I eat good quality natural yoghurt so I'll see if he wants some of that. I give him lamb shanks and he eats almost all of the bone...is that normal?

I took him to the vet the first time he had a bug and got antibiotics and Lectade....it was the first time he had ever been off his food and that was a big indicator something was wrong because he would probably eat me if I stood still long enough. I've just been reading a thread about health and food and it could probably be one of a hundred reasons I guess. He isnt off his water and he's otherwise pretty okay if a little slow - but its hot and that might have something to do with it - so I'll keep an eye on him for another day and go to the vet. If a dog goes on antibiotics is it a good idea to supplement his diet with something - for example if I go on antibiotics I usually take something like acidopholus (sp?) to keep up the good bacteria in my gut?

Hi - what does it mean when my dog does a white poo? He doesnt do this very often but now and then I see one - looks as normal as a 'good' poo but white. Also - my 9 month old Border Terrier is on and off his food lately. We got an 8 week old BT pup (bitch) a week ago and I dont really think he's himself since then....but only sometimes. They seem to get on well even though she annoys him most of the time..nipping him and climbing all over him. He is very patient and usually either sits there and takes it, moves away or plays back. BUT - he is sometimes off his food and had bad diahhrea the other day. So I've had him on half and half rice and his normal Pro Plan - his stool is pretty normal but again today he isnt eating. Do you think this is stress associated with the new pup - even though I am taking special care to give him plenty of attention too. Or a tummy bug - which he had a few weeks ago and perhaps hasnt properly got rid of....or even just the hot weather?? Or knowing him he's holding out for something better to eat and knows what a pushover I am when he puts on a sook. I hate it when he isnt himself and cant tell whats wrong with him. Thanks Jaynie

Took our dog to PPS at the local vet when he was about 12 weeks old - cost $50 for I think 5 sessions. I thought it was really well run by the 2 vet nurses. The dogs were off leash almost all the time and if one was too much one of the nurses calmed it down and they always had a water spray bottle on hand which they used now and then to separate dogs. One thing they did which I liked was have us all sit in a group and have a turn holding each puppy. We'd have a minute or so of rubbing tummies and just getting the pups used to being handled before passing them around the the next person. All the dogs seemed to like that as well. They also did a couple of classes with the resident cat - all the pups ignored it except mine who went crazy for a bit before settling down. We did a littel bit of training (sit and stay) and had a nice graduation at the end. We are taking our new pup as well more for the socialisation because we already have the info pack and what not. I liked thats the vets didnt really push a certain brand of product but each week they usually had a sample of something either food or shampoo or whatever and had simple little quizzes for the humans where we won a prize like a chew or a toy (for the dogs).

I would rather feed the cheapest human grade mince I can than pet grade but thats just me. My butcher has a few different types of human grade mince so I've got a decent variety in price. It may be too far but there is a meat wholesaler in Malaga, not sure what its called but I think it is near the markets, could do some research if you're interested. Another place someone else suggested is a butcher opposite Meat Lovers Paradise in Mt Hawthorn - its would be on Wanneroo Rd I think and straight across the road from MLP.

Hi - I have a Border Terrier (2 actually but the girl is brand new) and need my boy hand stripped. I have been doing it myself by hand or with a stripping knife but have trouble with his legs and he wont sit still for me to clip his legs. With summer coming up - this will bew the first summer I've had him - I have decided to get him professionhally stripped rather than me doing a bit every weekend. Anyway I dont mind if his legs are clipped but I definately want the majority of his coat hand stripped (or with a stripping knife, I'm not sure what groomers usually do). I dont know anyone else who owns a BT so dont have any recommendations for a groomer in Perth, I live in Greenwood but dont mind travelling a little for a good groom. Any help appreciated. Thanks J