~*Shell*~

Have you got some good shots ness? I'd love to see some!

Hi guys, This is the camera I'm looking at getting (Canon EOS 450d) but I'm not sure what to get with it as I'm only just starting out! I can get it with the 18-55mmIS and 75-300 lenses or with 18-55mm IS and 55-250mm IS Lenses or with the 17-85mm USM IS Lens only. What would be the best option for me? At the moment, I don't even know what all the lenses are (anyone who can explain them to me would be my friend for life!) and I want this camera so i can play around with the settings and eventually take a couple of classes in photography. Also, if anyone has any opinions about this camera, or one that would be good for me, please let me know! I'm totally open to whatever anyone says since as i said, I'm new to it all!

Do you watch the two of them eat? Is it possible that your beagle is stealing your staffy's food? That much weight in a year isn't normal for a dog that size. I would also suggest seeing a vet if you're really worried about it. She could have a medical reason to be putting on weight.

That's a good idea - someone said something about toothpaste too. I'll have to try both tonight and see what works.

Hi all, This morning I woke up and Zero had brown patches on his face. At first i though he had a eye infection as it is the same colour as tear staining usually is (and the same colour the hair in his ear was when he had an ear infection) but on closer inspection, i think it might just be sap from one of the trees in our yard. He let me touch the area without a problem and his eye wasn't red at all (there were no cuts or scratches either so it wasn't blood). I cleaned as much of it off as possible (and i'll check again when i get home tonight to make sure that it's nothing) but he still has staining on the short hair on his face. What's the best way to get rid of the staining? Is there a shampoo i can use on his face or maybe a home remedy I could use?

You're a fantastic mother! You found the lump, had it taken care of and as you said, if it had not been taken off it could have burst and become septic - how would you (and she) feel then? Try not to worry too much - I know it's hard!

Zero has a built in prong collar cover! Though if i had a short coated breed, i would be getting a cover. Too many people giving uninformed opinions for my liking!

I would suggest seeing a behavourist - sorting out aggression (even if it is play) over the internet isn't ideal. If i was you i would supervise each interaction so i could put an immediate stop to any aggression issues and call in a professional to assess them both. They'll be able to put into place some training techniques to reinforce that aggression isn't okay. Where are you located? Someone here should be able to point you in the right direction. (If you're in sydney, steve at k9 force is incredible - my dog Zero was transformed in about 2 months)

Ohhhh - no Ivan? Zero would have loved that!

Some groomers will insist on a wash if they're going to clip your dog - clipping a dog with a dirty coat blunts the clipper blades and I don't know about other people, but i use both clippers and scissors on the schnauzer I clip.

I'll probably be coming that way too Kamuzz, but I'll have Zero with me. I don't know if i'll be able to fit a person in my tiny hatchback if I have to fit Zero in the back in his crate.

Is than an australian company or do you have to order it in from overseas?

I agree - i think she's just being territorial at home. I would suggest getting your friend a dvd like The Dog listener, or maybe season 1 of the dog whisperer. Your friend just has to realise that their dog is being a brat - it's hard, but once they realise that it'll be better for both them and the dog!

Lots of people have 2 bitches together without a problem - though if you get 2 alpha bitches then you have a massive problem. Boys tend to have a growl, take a bite and then get over it, but 2 girls fighting is a horrible sight to see! I've seen boys fighting and i've seen girls fighting and i would rather have 2 boys than 2 girls in my house. I think one of each is the way to go.

Zero and i have our first training session on tonight at Castle Hill in obedience. I decided against going to hornsby after i heard that some of their training methods aren't the best with spitz breeds. Hopefully he'll do well at castle hill, and will be able to get to a good level of training in time for him to start doing agility when he's lost the rest of the weight he has to lose.

I would recommend the PPcollar if you have exhausted all other options (Zero can't wear a halti or a check chain which i think should be under restricted usage), but wouldn't ever recommend using it in a state where it's illegal to use one. Zero has improved dramatically, but i have had to explain to a lot of people why he's wearing one and how it works. If you were to get someone knowledgeable who quizzed you about it (even under a cover, you can often see what it is if you know what you're looking for) you could get in a lot of trouble for having one on your dog. When they become legal to use in victoria (i have every faith in Erny!) then i would consult a professional and see if it would be a suitable tool to use.

If you can get to sydney i recommend Steve at k9 force - he's great and he's a DOLer!

Zero did this when he developed a fear of us touching his paws overnight (no idea why - it just happened). We just kept askng him to shake and would show him the treat as we did. When he lifted a paw we would give it to him. If he wouldn't pick up his paw, we would gently pick it up for him and as he was upset that we were touching it, we would redirect him with the treat. For us it all came down to making it a positive experience again. Shaking hands = treat and cuddles. I don't know if this is snot's problem but it worked for us.

That would be great Clyde! PM me if the offer still stands!

Why did you cook the mince? Dogs can eat it raw..... Zero would give his left paws for raw mince and vegetables! He likes rice, but i try not to give it to him too often. You can also give them yoghurt and eggs (some people worry about bacteria in them, but we've never had a problem!) with it.

I would be doing the same. Take it outside if you can't wash it in something, spray with the hose, soap it up, spray it again and then have a sniff. If it still stinks, do it again. If you still can't get the smell out of it - i would get 2 litres of vinegar and douse it in that, soap it up and then wash it off. I'm sure there are some other soaps you could use - maybe try things like dish washing liquid or washing liquid (for clothes) - things with a fragrance in it if your dog doesn't have sensitive skin. If he does, use something without colours and fragrances (maybe something like omo sensitive or a hypoallergenic washing up liquid).... I wash Zero's towels in omo sensitive and they always come out smelling fine - no doggie smell!

At times when Zero has eaten something he shouldn't have, he's been fine after he's vomited. I think it's a bit like in people, we feel sick until we get what was making us sick, out of our system. If she's back to her normal, bouncy self, i would just keep a close eye on her and if she starts to show any signs of falling ill again, i'd run her back to the vet.

I'll look at see if i can get a copy of the book too!

That's a good idea - I already have friends make fun of me for buying a clicker (and friends that yell "click" every time i do something right) so I'm sure they'll all laugh if i play this game with them!

You'll probably see my post in the cav thread so feel free to ignore it in there! Thanks Cavandra!