Sagittarian

If you're north of Melbourne, we carry most of the Blackdog range, including the agility leads. Sags

To answer Wolf's question about which EP is the most appropriate for your dog - I recommend EP Large and Giant Breed Puppy. If you'd like an ingredient list send me a pm and I'll write it down for you. As an alternative, Nutrience make a good quality Large Breed Puppy (Junior) food as well. I prefer to use large breed food for all large boned breeds unless there are particular needs. Remember as well that when you first change a dog's diet, the most obvious change is in the coat - if yours is losing coat that is quite normal. The new coat coming through should be better quality but I do suggest you use something like a Mars Coat King once a week in order to keep the process happening. What about trying a "dry" shampoo such as Plush Puppy Quick Wash - spray onto dirty coat, rub off with a clean towel. Very simple, less intrusive than a bath (especially in winter) and does a super job. We always use it at shows to clean whites and add that just washed look. Sags

I think it is unfortunate that a few posters are being negative - most of the replies are helpful (not just to ViVien). There is no point saying what someone should have done or speculating on what might happen. We are all different, we all react differently, and none of us are perfect or can see into the future. A litte support means more and does more than an unthinking word. Sags

ViVien If you haven't received my pm or email feel free to give me a call at the shop and I'll give you contact details for the flyer. Sags

We have two gorgeous Rough Collie sisters who come to our puppy playschool classes. They are owned by people who are first time dog owners and I have to say, it is a joy to watch these pups and their "parents" develop together each week. It is a challenge to have two the same age - as someone mentioned they do tend to bond with each other rather than their humans. We have a brother and sister who are devoted to each other even after 6 years, but they also are very bonded to us. I really do recemmend that both you and your OH attend puppy socialisation classes of some kind or other together so that you can both develop bonds with both pups. Best of luck. Sags

Hang in there, ViVien - you have been, and continue to do everything you can to find Ginger (send me the flyer too, and I'll put it up in the shop tomorrow) - the emotional toll is huge when searching for a lost loved one. You're getting some great advice and support from a range of people so hopefully your lovely girl will be reunited with you soon. I have a friend in Melton Council so will call her tomorrow as well. Perhaps those of us reading ViVien's posts can be conscious of our words and imagine how we might feel in the same position. Sags edited for spelling

My comment was tongue in cheek. We are completely independent and will never permit an other company (petfood or otherwise) have a stake in our store. It was just a rather sweeping statement you made - our experience is that the companies do not try to take over. Anyway, everyone's experience is different. Sags

I'm a vegetarian - have been since .... um, too scared to say as it reveals my age. LOL. My dogs - being OMNIvores, have a meat based diet, with veg, grains, and fruit. Even if I had a cat, which is a CARNivore, I would offer more than simply meat. Having a giant breed (like iceni), I have to be certain that the individual needs are properly met. I must be doing okay, as my dogs have wonderful results as far as health, particularly heart, joint, and longevity. I cannot understand a non grain diet, and one of the things that really concerns me about EVO (astronomically high protein and little carbs) is that dogs are not Atkins recipients. Grains are not some evil additive - in a properly balanced diet they offer prolonged energy - whether for dogs or humans. My husband - bless him - is a meat eater, and I've never tried to change that. My boys also eat meat, but their overall diet is really balanced, with a big emphasis on non meat proteins and amino acids. I did once sell a pup to a Seventh Day Adventist who raised him a a pure vego - at the age of 12 months he really was not in the physical league of his siblings, who were super fit and healthy. Personal beliefs are all very well, but when we take on the welfare of others - whether they be human, canine, feline, whatever - we must, and I do mean MUST, take full responsibility for their total wellbeing, based upon their individual needs, not our philosophical needs. Sorry. (Ducking) Sags

Well, as the partner of the owner of a pet supplies store which does carry a few Australian made products, I'll be asking for a tour of the Australian factory. As a horse lover, I will be asking some VERY hard questions! Oh, bugger. Nobody has offered us (as a four month old store) fit outs, paint jobs, huge promos, or expensive incentives. What ARE we doing wrong???? What we have been offered is ongoing support as far as nutritional advice help lines (we, or customers can ring at any time if a query arises regarding products); as well as 100% money back guarantee on product (which we gave as asked for the first time this week for a lady with an elderly dog who just couldn't manage the kibble size); plus friendly service and advice. To the person who made this quote, have you opened a pet supplies store? And, if so, what is your secret for getting all this financial help, as we certainly don't get it! It is a funny thing. The best help we get is from the premium/super premium suppliers, and the accessories (eg toys, lead etc) people. Those who provide fresh meat and "natural" products are rarely available. They tend to be (with a couple of exceptions) harder to get serious answers from (although Ecopet have been wonderful in quickly providing accurate information about preservatives), and harder to pin down to decent information for customers. I would like to say that I have also visited the pet food company factory that Magnum attended - at the same time - and I saw the same high quality products as she did. Instead of simply believing the rumours, the scare-mongering, and the negatives about petfood companies, why not check them out for yourself? Barf is great - but it is not for everyone or every dog, anymore than dry foods are for everyone or everydog. Why turn it into an us or them scenario all the time??? Just My Exceedingly Humble Opinion Phillipa Pet Nutritionist (Sags)

Hi Kitkat We're in Victoria - not far from the airport, if you know Melbourne. I guess it must come down to individual stores and how much they are a) prepared to learn about products, and b) able to spend time with customers, answering questions and talking knowledgeably about product ranges. We carry products that we've successfully used over the years. It's interesting what you say about Nutrience, as again, we currently are out of stock on a couple of lines (coming in today), as it sells so well - particularly once people have a chance to compare it (as well as EP & RC) to what they've been feeding, which often is supermarket. Perhaps it is also because we have a good range of all the products we carry - not many places have 3 stands (for dog alone) of EP or Nutrience. Take care Sags

Interesting comment Kitkit - what a shame as this is such a decent product. We have difficulty keeping it on our shelves as it sells so well!! Wolf82, you'll notice a real change with RC - and I would suggest feeding less than with SC. Keep in mind that with many premium/super premium foods, the feeding guide is generous. Each dog has a unique metabolism, so monitor weight gain carefully. Sags :cool:

Jodee - please don't panic! RC Giant Junior is a lovely food and we have successfully raised a number of Saints on it. As far as protein is concerned - not all proteins are created equal. One thing about Eagle Pack is that is generally contains at least THREE protein sources - eg Chicken, Pork and Fish. Or Sardine, Anchovy and Salmon. At present, for people wanting to try EP, we have both Maintenance, and Natural Adult available on a buy one get one free promo in the 3kg bags. We also have the larger bonus bags too - and yes, EP does have a 100% money back guarantee, as does all the premium/super premiums. Hope that helps! Sags

Just to let Little Pixie know that Nutrience Holistic is now available in Australia. It is duck based. Sags

As a less pricey alternative to the "Pro" series in Coat King - there are the "Homeline" series Coat Kings - they come in three comb sizes of fine, medium and coarse, have a solid plastic handle rather that wooden, and are around the $28-$35 mark, depending upon blade size. They are still Coat Kings, but the blade can't be replaced. They are a great alternative if you want to try one without a huge outlay. One of our customers uses the "coarse" with their resuce Collie (had heaps of matting when they took her on) and has reported great success, using either some coat moisteriser or a product like seabreeze oil as they go. Sags

:rolleyes: :D ;) ;) Have pm'd you.

Does anyone have a pack of Evo handy and a pack of Natural Balance handy who'd type in the stats - eg, protein, fat, fibre, calories etc? I can provide statas of one type of Eagle Pack in return. Sags

Here's the link to the makers of EVO - http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=contact-us I've just emailed them to see if there is any possibility of us carrying the brand. I'm not too hopeful though as my understanding is that Bates have an exclusive distributorship. Maybe if there was enough support for an independent like us to carry it, they might be interested? Depends upon what agreements are in place, but is worth asking. Will let you know any outcome. :p Sags

We use Royal Canin and have for some time. We find it is a cut above the previous food we used. When preparing for shows we use 4300 - it is a high energy food that allows us to get great muscle tone on the dogs while maintaining sufficient weight. The beauty with RC is that there is a food for every age/size/lifestyle, as well as a growing range of breed specific foods. I would suggest calling RC and discussing your needs and the questions you have about puppy packs. If you need a contact no, please pm me. Sags

Hi Raine Welcome to you and Bubba! If you would like to send me a private message (hit the PM button), then I would be happy to talk about diet etc with you. Let me know how much you are feeding now, plus any snacks etc, in fact anything he consumes each day! Regards Phillipa Clark Portway St Bernards

Tonya, we are so saddened to hear that Wyatt has gone, too young, too soon. He was a wonderful Sibe, a great show dog, and obviously, a dear companion to you, Tony and Merilyn. We always knew that if Wyatt was at a show that we had great competition that day! Many happy memories. Our condolences to you, please pass them also to Tony and Merilyn. From all of (including dogs) at Portway. RIP Wyatt.

Chicken bones are not as innocent as some might have thought. They can and do splinter (even uncooked), can be caught between teeth and in the palate area between the jaws, have been known to pierce the roof of the mouth and internal parts. It certainly is not going to affect every dog. But, there are some risks, particularly with some dogs. Keep in mind also that as a dog ages, its ability to break down bones in the bowel is reduced (enzymes change with age). This can lead to compacting. So much depends upon the individual. I have some dogs that cannot cope with any type of bones. Others who are at this moment munching happily away. If in doubt, find alternatives, and there have been some great ones here already. JMHO

sorry aatainic - wasn't directed at you. More the idea of rice and pumpkin etc. There have been a number of interesting nutritional studies that show how much home diets can and do vary in protein/fat/carb etc. I use and recommend Royal Canin - it has been a wonderful diet for our five dogs of various ages and activity levels.

Homemade diets (unless following BARF) - however well intentioned, often lack complete nutritional value. Particularly in the case of an older dog such as this, it really does make a difference if the quality of the food is as good as you can afford.

May I suggest you look for a premium food such as Royal Canin Medium Mature, which is designed for dogs of her approx age and weight range. Or, if you must buy from supermarkets, try either the new Optimum Range or Purina One. Both have light versions. Weigh the food carefully and start with the recommended amount for her ideal weight. After two weeks weigh her and if no loss is recorded, reduce by 10%. These foods a more expensive than Chum or Pal, but you are paying for a much higher ratio of meat (rather than cereals or fillers), and additional ingredients that are beneficial. Good luck with her.

What brand of dry food do you use? Do you weigh the food as well? Is she getting any extras (scraps, treats, etc) Older dogs that are overweight can benefit from premium dry foods that are specifically designed for their unique needs. Older dogs require more anti oxidants, help with digestive breakdown, and higher fibre, as well as less salt and fat. Overweight dogs of courage require less fat, but sometimes a slight increase in protein seems to help as well. :D