OSoSwift

I also do the trienniel vaccine. The should not need any testing in between and kennels have no reason to not accept it as it is a three year vaccine and is not due for that time. Mine also do not ahve allergies. The Stafford has not been vaccinated for around 6 years after he had a substantial reaction to a yearly booster

Toby looked very happy. Great to see he had so much confidence. You have worked very hard and it shows - well done.

He looks so very happy in that photo. He sounds like he had a great last day. You are so very brave, and know that you did the absolute best for him.

Hey Emery, the ET is being held at the GSDA WA grounds on Passmore St just around the corner from the Canine grounds. Hopefully the weather is cool but not raining - all fingers and paws crossed Hopefully we can log in on Monday night with some good news - may not have access until then

Fly free Oscar, no more pain. Hugs to you and your family Sunnyflower

Hmmm the rules say you must have a certificate from a vet that has been done in the 14 days prior so I would assume that does not include the vet check before they start??

OH I hear you - I also live on a hill, yep some of it is down, but the last bit is the longest sharpest bit up in my 8km loop. I have been told the place where ours is being held is quite flat - I am looking forward to it

I LOVE it when you and your dog are completely in sync and moving as one in heeling, a floating happy dog, and an ecstatic handler. That is what keeps me going back, I chase the feeling I get when it is all perfect, even if that perfect is only a couple of strides.

Don't do it! Buy from an ethical breeder who does all relevant health checks in the parents and gives back up. You could be buying a whole heap of heartache. She doesn't look particularly pure Chi to me, but I don't really know Chihuahua's very well so may be wrong.

There was anotehr Doler who lost 2 fully and correctly vaccinated young dogs at around 6 months of age from memory. They died from parvo which I believe they picked up when they went to a vet hospital to be desexed but I may not remember correctly. I also got Rubella after being vaccinated for it. Nothing is 100% and while I hope my dogs will be fine we can never know that they have even responded correctly to a correctly followed vaccination regime. I would try and keep my fully and correctly vaccinated dogs away from an area with a known Parvo outbreak.

Our old Stafford got diagnosed with a grade 3 murmer nearly four years ago. He has just turned 14 and his spinal arthritis gives him more issues than his heart. It is now a 3 and a half to a 4. Try not to freak out too much, but if you are stressed I would recommend a second opinion with someone who will listen to your questions and give you the answers that you need.

The vet I go to uses a vaccine where they need two vaccines the last being at 12 weeks of age, then they say after two weeks they are safe to go. It depends on the vaccination regime your vet uses. Many vets do not promote raw bones, but many do. I personally feed my raw bones and tried beef tendons etc. The also get Black hawk dry and many other things like mince, Four Legs dog roll, sardines, yoghurt, cream cheese etc As for exercise, in the first 12 months walking is for socialisation and training only. You should not walk a puppy very far until 12 months of age - especially for a large breed dog. By all means get the dog out and about but it is to get them exposed to lots of different things not because they need to have the pants walked off them. They get more tired from mental exercise than physical. I would stick with what the breeder has fed the puppy for at least the first month. This helps to avoid tummy upsets etc. Then if you want to, slowly change over to the diet you would like to feed. The best diet for your dog is the one that suits your dog. Some dogs go brilliantly or raw, some don't. Some do best on a mixture, some cannot handle raw at all. I don't agree with everything my vet says either but they are still a very good vet whom I trust to do the best by my animals - especially when the chips are down.

Ahh okay now worries - just have a slight - oh crap only two days and I've missed something moment We are all good to go this end then :D

What vet check forms??? we only have to get a vet fitness certificate don't we??

I personally don't let my dogs play with Staffords and crosses. Not that the ones I know are DA or anything but their playing style is far too rough for my Whippets. Rommi got T-boned by a little Stafford and it hurt her shoulder quite badly. The little Stafford really wasn't doing anything wrong and it is the same style our Stafford used when playing with our Dobes. I do not think they are all bad, but yes I am wary. I am wary of most dogs until I know them or have had a chance to watch them, how they play and their body language. I have learnt it is safer to presume their owner has no idea about their dogs body language and what they are saying than to believe them when they say - Oh Rover is alright and only wants to say hello.

Geez Luke that must have been some infection you ended up with. Glad you are home and very excited Barkley will be home soon as well. Here's hoping you are back to your normal self in no time.

Optimum isn't bad, it also has no wheat - well the adult one anyway. I fed it for years and the dogs looked great. Now I feed Black Hawk Holistic

hmmm well I would probably say obedience, but that would have something to do with the fact I have done a lot more obedience than agility. My dogs love obedience, Lewis's favourite thing is heeling because it's loads of fun and spontaneous. Paddock bashing does not make obedience fun. When my dogs were 7 months old they probably did maybe 4 or 5 short bursts of maybe a minute to maybe 4 minutes at a time, some days less. Obedience can be fun, stimulating and exciting if it is made that way. Agility I like, but am still learning myself so I can get a little frustrated or confused, so I guess the dogs love it - I am getting there!!

Good one you Murve for trialing in such yukky conditions - I think I would have chickened out!! I am sure you will have a pass shortly

Yeh, but I don't think we are quite ready for it just yet, jumpers maybe, but still gotta work on those weavers!!

Um yep, I asked my child to sit down and be still and quiet while watching his brothers swimming lessons. Nope asked again , nope , growled "sit" he sat down and didn't move!!!

Here it is

NME please do not tell me it is going to rain no no no!!! Um yes you need a check up certificate done by a vet in the two weeks preceeding the trial. It is around page 6 I think in the ET rules etc as to what needs to be included - we have ours on Tuesday I will see if I can find it for you. There is now way on earth I would get thorugh any section of the ET running so definately bike for me all the way!

Hi Olivebaby, I know of a breeder who lives in Canning Vale / Southern River area who just took home a few bags to try on a couple of his fussy eaters / show dogs. If he is convinced this is the stuff to have he has mentioned becoming the distributor in WA. When I find out what he has decided I will re-post here and let you know the contact details. Distributor for Black Hawk or Royal Canin??

Love the photos, that one of Jett's face makes you want to plant a big kiss on her nose Hopefully we will get some photos, must add camera to the list!