Rascalmyshadow

Could you switch over to Comfortis, tablets aren't too big. To tablet my dogs I either mix them in cat food or if they need to be pushed down their throat I coat them in butter first.

Many farm animals live in paddocks well away from owners, the normal country way is to shoot dogs caught attacking livestock. Yes foxes, snakes and humans could all cause harm but at the moment the problem at hand is roaming dogs.

If these were my animals I would want the dogs destroyed knowing they had already killed. Why should anyone have to dig proof an enclosure their own animals can't get out of just so no ones roaming dogs can get in??? Obviously their owner is either irresponsible or has dogs they can't manage properly, either way a recipe for disaster.

The vet should be able to preserve and hold on to the lump incase it needs to be sent away at a later date, then you don't have to pay out any unnecessary $$$.

Kennel cough is usually the part of the vaccination that causes reactions, if you need to do it yearly (rest of the vaccination every three years) I would look into doing it nasally rather than via injection, less chance of causing problems.

I got a dodgy bag once, around the end of last year, the back of the bag was different to what they normally are. Caused the runs, I took it back to the shop, switched it to one with a "normal" back and poos went straight back to normal. Thanks for that info, it was near the beginning of the year we had problems, I bought one of the largest bags, I also took it back to the pet store but swapped it for a different brand after they said they had numerous complaints and were no longer going to stock it. Might be worth trying it again.

With so much good feedback and my dogs doing so well for ages I'm wondering if the pet store I got it from ended up with a bad batch?

Oh the reason I wouldn't personally use the Big dog brand food is because the people that make it were originally the team that produced the Billinghurst patties, they were all fired when dogs were getting sick and he found out they were using cheap ingredients instead of the quality they were supposed to, they then got together and produced this new product.

The dogs I've seen with bloat/torsion have ended up with it after a large meal and either exercised too soon or drank large amounts of water, was it due to dry food or maybe genetics I don't know that answer, however I would prefer to be cautious especially with a young large breed. I don't care how good a dogs health is I still don't agree it's beneficial to withhold food for 1 day let alone feeding every few days. Dogs are domesticated animals not wolves it is completely unnecessary, if you did that to one of my little dogs their blood sugars would drop and they'd be in serious trouble. Why do I dislike Blackhawk so much because I have spoke with and heard from way too many people that have had health issues after feeding it. My own dogs (all different a breeds) had very poor coats, itchy flaky skin and a couple got yeast ears, never in all my life have I had multiple dogs react so severely to any food and so quickly.

Cause some people are too self absorbed and think they know it all. Good people still make mistakes it's how we all learn. Hopefully the puppies will have great lives with wonderful new owners, it sounds ike they've come from a very caring person.

Bullbreedboy that's all your opinion, I have 20 years experience working with dogs, 13 of those in a vet, we've had 50+ dogs come through our house majority of those rescues quite a few our own since I've lived with a pack for 17 of those years. I have managed breeds from Dobes and Pitts to Poodles and Chi's, I have seen numerous cases of bloat and torsion, it is certainly not blown out of proportion, it is a very real risk.

Why would I keep feeding a retriever 3meals? Because it keeps them fuller without having to feed large meals, less risk of bloat in an active growing puppy and I don't agree with dropping to two meals a day for any breed under 6 months. With the BARF patties you could stuff it in a chicken carcass, slows down the eating and gives extra food. Billinghurst patties do range a lot in their fat content depending on the flavour, roo is the best if the dogs tend to put on weight.

We fed it for a long time with great results however I think something changed with the ingredients because it started causing lots of diarrhoea, I spoke with a couple of people that had been using it and also had the same issues. The local pet store I used to buy it from wont even stock it anymore because of the negative feedback.

We have 5 dogs and they all eat in the kitchen together, each one has their own spot. I feed in pack order that never alters, they only go to each others bowls once they are empty and I pick them all up as soon as they all walk away. We have had many fosters and used the exact same routine. The last time I had my own pack of 5 (not fosters)I could also put them out with a bone each and there was no issues, I wouldn't do it with this group at this stage without supervision mainly because two of the dogs are under 12 months old.

An 19 old retriever should really still be getting 3 meals a day, I would continue that until about 10months old then gradually decrease one meal. I also noticed my dogs were constantly hungry when fed BARF patties, seems they are digested faster than tinned or dry foods. If you want to keep feeding BARF patties I would change to the original Billinghurst ones, the Big dog brand doesn't have the same quality ingredients it's why they're cheaper. Lastly many dogs have ear issues while teething but I would be concerned the Black Hawk was causing problems, we had numerous health issues with all of our dogs when we trialled using it.

I would give Black Rock vet on Balcome rd a call if you haven't already, not sure if they will do it but its where I take my dogs, I've worked with the owner (head vet) and a couple of nurses and they are all caring fabulous people.

I would only do it if you left late and got home early the next morning, even then I would go for a big walk a little while before leaving and have the TV left on, only if your dog is comfortable home alone. My own dogs I would not leave alone that long because they are used to me being here 24/7 and have set routines which keeps good pack order, I hate even leaving them if we have to go out for the day luckily that's not often.

Yep we have 5 dogs and 8 free range bantam chooks, when we had our rooster and had hatching chicks they would also free range from a week old, never has any of my dogs touched them, actually they barely take notice of them. We also have 3 cats and they will hunt pigeons but ignore the chooks/chicks also.

I guess I'm not the norm, our dogs go mad when visitors arrive and everyone that comes here is used to it. If any guest doesn't like their behaviour they are asked to leave and not invited back. The only exception I make is for my kids birthday parties, the dogs are locked inside and the party is outside with only access to the toilet.

Adults over 12 months twice a day, pups under 12 months three times a day. Adults get a few bikkies at lunch when the pups eat. We have very small dogs so feeding once daily is risky for their blood sugar levels especially the chi. When we had large dogs they were also fed twice daily to limit the risk of bloat. All our dogs are perfect weight.

Personally I wouldn't do it, if you get an easy baby and puppy things will go smoothly however if you get a child like my third it will turn your life upside down and managing an adolescent dog will be the last thing you need. I am at the moment in a predicament myself, I'm almost 13 weeks pregnant (complete surprise) have 5 dogs, 2 of them are under a year old. If I had of known another bub was on the cards ( my youngest is 8) we would have never got either of the pups. I am at the moment starting to worry if il cope since I have a good idea what lies ahead.

If your pup has yeasty ears that will cause a lot of smell, amazing how many customers bring their dogs to be bathed because they smell dirty and the smell is not from the coat it's usually ears, mouth or feet. Get some Aloveen shampoo and conditioner from the vet try using that (water down the shampoo and only very lightly rinse the conditioner), I would also use PAW ear cleaner once a week along with what ever medicated drops your vet has given.

What about a large puppy pen in the lounge/kitchen and put the open crate in that? room to move, limited visuals and stimulus.

Crating a dog for long periods is a great way of messing up their muscle tone even in grown adults, leaves them prone to hip, knee and elbow problems, even more so in growing dogs. Over night is fine since most dogs sleep anyway.

I have found if brought up correctly, taken to a good puppy obedience class and continued training and exposure to other dogs/animals Airedales are ok. Two I used to groom lived with Fox Terriers, one lived with a Petite Bassett, two lived with other Airedales, one lived with a Jack Russell and two Standard Poodles, one was an only dog and another lives with two cats (they are the ones I can think of at the moment but there have been quite a few more over the years). Not sure if your in Vic but here the club does big meet up days where the dogs and owners get to meet and socialise, amazing seeing so many of them romping and having fun together.