Rascalmyshadow

A 3kg dog is a bit different to a dog under 2kg, I've been feeding wing tips for years without ever an issue. If I fed my tiny chi an entire wing it would be way to much food for a meal and she would end up vomiting it back up, kinda defeats the purpose. It doesn't take much for a dog that size to get too much fat especially if skin is on. Also the teeth size in my 1.8kg chi compared to my 3kg chi x pom is quite a difference, a wing tip is enough to keep her chewing for long enough especially if I give her a couple.

Good luck I'm sure everything will be fine, don't beat yourself up tiny dogs are prone to dental issues even when you do everything right. I have my Claudia and Astro both going in for dentals tomorrow, hoping they don't loose anymore teeth but not too concerned if they do. Oh and if your looking for wing tips Woolworths usually stock bags of them for a few $$$ I just divide them up and freeze them in sandwich bags.

For a dog so small I would not feed a whole chicken wing, way to much to much for a meal, too much fat can also cause pancreatitis. Chicken necks are good but I noticed when my chi tries to eat them they are too big, if you do want to use them chop them in half and flatten with a hammer. Never feed any cooked bones. Osso bucco is definately way to hard for a tiny dogs teeth that could be a big part of the problems, even for bigger dogs they are hard to chew up properly and digest.

OMG this guy is a nutter, how has it not sunk in! The owners that are still willing to leave their dogs there are irresponsible a%#holes and don't deserve to have any dogs. How can anyone allow this to happen to probably the most gentle breed of dog I have ever had the pleasure to deal with is beyond me. Is there not more the general public can do? I wish all doggie day care facilities were shut down.

What bones are you giving him? Four of my five dogs are under 4kg my chi 1.8kg I've found the most suitable bones are chicken wing tips, perfect size and not too hard.

Just because the teeth look healthy doesnt mean they are, there is a risk of abscess and sometimes the vet can't tell until the tooth is being cleaned/removed. I would not hesitate in having them removed it will not cause any problems for your dog, both my chi and my chi x pom have had teeth removed and they are both under four. The problem is often genetic and it doesn't matter what you feed them it will still happen. Often people don't realise the risks involved in having bad teeth, if left too long it can cause problems with all the vital organs and (something I have now seen 3 times) can also cause meningitis leading to death.

I have customers that go to Anne Neville her clinic is East West Vet, they are in South Rd Bentleigh. I have personally never used them but have had good feedback. Hope that helps.

Another breed you may not have considered is an Amstaff they are very easy to live with, will cope with a lot of exercise but are also content to hang out around the house when you don't feel up for a walk. If they are socialised properly they will get along with everyone, I know a few that happily live with cats, free range rabbits or little dogs.

Boxers are wonderful dogs, everyone I have met has been goofy and super friendly, we have quite a few in our area. They can be a little boisterous and silly as pups but are certainly not as serious as poodles and schnauzers. They are also a really nice size and relatively easy to train.

I would be leaning towards the pointer, they tend to be quite well rounded, friendly and easy to train, otherwise a boxer would be my next choice. I wouldn't go the standard poodle they are a working dog often with very high drive and keeping them content and maintained is a huge job, if you want to take them swimming regularly they need to be bathed and blow dried every time, also will not to well in a small yard left alone for long periods, they like to be with their people.

Our pack has a few routines, if I ask 'who wants dinner' everybody's ears prick up and they all go running into the kitchen, while I prepare their dinner Hugo bounces on the spot and kicks me in the back, Claudia stands on her back legs with her front paws on my leg, Astro pokes me in the leg with his pointy nose and the other two wait patiently! At bedtime I say 'out for a wee' (we go out the front yard) Rascal, Hugo and Chloe run to the front door while Astro rolls on his back to avoid being picked up (hes a lazy bugger) and Claudia hides in her little cave with her head poking out because its too cold and she'd rather no go out. If I ask 'who wants a brush' the three boys will line up for a turn, usually Astro volunteers to go first, while the girls pretend they didn't hear me. Once in bed Claudia and Hugo rush to get under the doona, Rascal and Astro position themselves anywhere comfy on the bed and Chloe stays in the loungeroom or hops in her crate in our room.

Don't stress about the dogs barking, I wouldn't rush to move them out of your room. My kids were born into a multi dog house (we had on and off fosters as well as our own) they got used to the noise very quick, so much so the health nurses actually thought my son was deaf because he didn't react to even sudden noises. Tip toeing around and trying to stay quiet is the worst thing you could do, we used to have the bassinet in the loungeroom through the day (it was on wheels) and only put it in the bedroom at night, worked a treat. I also wouldn't jump into changing the dogs routine, I found they adjusted better the less they were disrupted.

Sorry you've lost your heart dog it's something that is very hard to come to terms with especially without another to fill the gap. I was in a similar situation a few years ago, we tried for a few months to find the perfect Pomeranian, I work from home as a groomer, rarely leave the dogs alone, have excellent vet references etc we were willing to adopt either adult or puppy but after dealing with numerous rude unfriendly breeders or never hearing back (I know il be flamed) we gave up and bought the most beautiful pom x long haired chi, he has a wonderful temperament and has turned out the perfect dog. Funny I didn't have these issues when I got my pure chi or my toy poodle, seems to be more of an issue within certain breeds.

Poodles use their front legs like human arms/hands, they are very sensitive to emotions and like like to have physical contact at all times if possible.

Sounds like you have everything under control to raise a well adjusted dog, I would stop worrying. Personally I don't even leave my adult dogs for eight hours but I have set my working and home life up so I never have to, funny none of my dogs have separation anxiety when I do leave and they are normally with me 24/7.

You could do what my in laws have done, they put a cat flap in their internal laundry door and the external one so even with both doors closed the cat can get to her tray and outside.

Not sure why the apple head is disappearing I think they look a lot nicer, the deer type to me don't look correct. It took me ages to find my girl, I waited until an older pup was available (Claudia was 8 months old when we got her) so I knew exactly how she would turn out.

Oh and if they get a slicker brush tell them to run it gently over the back of their hand so they get an idea of how much pressure to use before it hurts. I have seen many owners hurt their puppies with the brushes because they push down too hard and the pups become afraid.

The first thing I would invest in is a good force dryer, it will be a lifesaver. Zoom grooms are best used in the bath while the dog is soapy then again while conditioning. The other main tools are slicker brush soft, metal comb and undercoat rake, if they want to neaten up the feet and feathers themselves they will also need a good pair of scissors. I would also get a good quality shampoo and conditioning spray that is suitable to be left on the coat.

Yes my husband and I were only discussing this a couple of days ago. We are back to 5 dogs and have always noticed Astro our pomxchi, unlike the rest of the pack will sit back and not ask for attention very often. He has always been a bit more independent although he loves a cuddle and belly rub. Funny when were at the off leash park he's the only one that won't leave my side, he constantly pokes me in the back of the leg while we're walking just to make sure I know he's there.

Where in Melb is the dog located? Is it male or female?

Hi can you please tell me if your friends greyhound is cat safe.

It's about time the real stress of rescue is being recognised and support/councilling being available, it is often emotionally, mentally, financially and physically draining. Even fostering/rescuing on a small scale takes its toll so does working with other people's animals.

I take my dogs to a dog Chiro, his name is Barry Haywood he is in Cranbourne/Pearcedale. He is very gentle and has helped my dogs numerous times after injuries, I wouldn't let a human Chiro work onto dogs. Continue to do the swimming it won't strengthen the knees since they usually do the paddling with the front legs but it will help keep your dog fit and lean. Don't feel bad about your dog having an accident, Its an easy injury to do.

My last foster poodle had a grade 4 luxating patella, we had him for 11 months and never in that time did we see him limp, skip or show any signs of being sore. He had numerous other health problems so we were at the vets at least once a month and none of the vets picked it up either, we only found out because he saw a Chiro for his shoulder. He is now about 8 and so far still hasn't required surgery. My pom x chi has a grade 1 luxating patella and never shows any signs of being sore ( only when it initially happened) and I certainly wouldn't be puting him through surgery.