Luke W

Thanks heaps guys - keep 'em coming.

Starting to do a bit of planning for the future... I'd like to know what areas of Victoria (ideally outer Melbourne suburbs, or at least with 1.5 hours drive of Melbourne) - where I can keep 4 dogs or more? I'm interested in both buying and renting so I'd like to hear about council rules and the likelihood of finding suitable rental properties. I understand that the further out I go - the more likely it is I'll find something I'm looking for - but I'd like to stay as close to Melbourne as possible. Fire away!! Thanks guys!

Here's a few that I don't think I've posted here: Kepala, a tennis ball and a Collie. Sad in the photoshop rain. Truly the doofusest dog. With his buddy (lolololol) Scooter.

naaaaaaaw. Barkly grunts. One of his nicknames is monkey boy.

I don't know what 'puppy size' is. But he's a bit pissed about how long it took to get the shot.

if only I got a commission!

So long.... Barkly's new bed - purchased at the Nationals: Unfortunately, Barkly's nemesis Scooter, likes it too.

Taste of the Wild (kibble)

I think feeding Scooter a chicken foot was the bravest thing you've ever done! You even touched it with your bare hands :p

For what it's worth (and this goes for all pet foods)... If you think your dog(s) may have had an adverse reaction to any dog food, and your vet thinks it may be pet food related as well, you can ask the vet to report it to the "PetFAST - Pet Food Adverse Event System of Tracking": http://www.ava.com.au/petfast

Barkly has had some ongoing issues for lip fold pyoderma over the last 6 months or so. He was getting crusty in his lip folds and it was a bit sore. Plus he was getting red stains on his coat where ever he got saliva on it. He'd been treated by the vet (some creme and cortisone from memory) - as well as regular cleaning with diluted Maleseb. All to no avail. Recently, I've done two things... - changed the balance of his diet: from 70% Artemis, 20% raw, 10% treats (mostly Four Legs) to 80% raw, 10% TOTW, 10% treats - About twice a week, cleaning them with apple cider vinegar After two weeks, it's almost completely cleared. This is good news, because I was thinking surgery might be the next option. I'm now thinking that it's possible that about 6 months ago, I increased the proportion of Artemis in his diet and reduced the raw component (I got lazy) and that this has triggered the pyoderma. My theory is that the grains of kibble would stay in his lip fold whereas the raw would not. I'm not sure if it was coincidence? Maybe, maybe not. I'm happy - no surgery! Anyway - this post if mainly for people who are searching for lip fold pyoderma and might want to consider diet related causes. Your mileage may vary.

I use a Mars 17cm Thinning Scissor on my cocker. I've had it for about 4 years and it's been sharpened once about 3 months ago (and it probably didn't really need it, I just sent off all my stuff to be sharpened). For stripping, I use a Mars Coat King (a #20 or a #26). This is for a cocker that isn't shown but is kept in a 'show clip'.

Blackdog one?: http://www.clipperworld.com.au/shop/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=914 http://www.vetnpetdirect.com.au/black_dog_single_adjustable_grooming_loop?utm_source=myshopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Pet+Supplies&utm_term=Black+Dog+Grooming+Loop+Single+Adjustable+Purple#.T-49s_Xud8E

I've created a document on my desktop called "Barkly Mega Training Plan". I keep adding to it and it basically consists of retraining just about everything! Here's a snippet: RALLYO AND OBEDIENCE Take it for treats to avoid crowding, lifting of front legs, etc. Left Pivot Right Pivot Heel/Sit/Stand/Down in mud AGILITY WARM UP Put "shake" on cue GENERAL Ring Entry/Start line position/Taking Lead off/Running stay/Start Line Lead-out Stays/Start Line burst of Speed Take it for treats to avoid crowding, lifting of front legs, etc. Lateral Cue (for turns less than 180 - usually 90) Post Turn (pull cue) Contacts Rear cross Faster weaves, better entry Speed Left and Right Cues (CleanRun October and November 2010) Plus: Read CleanRun - From October 2010 to present!

I use Aloveen Conditioner most of the time for my cocker. I occasionally use Animal House Silk Finish Coat Spray after a brush.

It seems most of the clubs in Melbourne use the GD system.

I think you're reading the table wrong! 600g is for a 20kg 6-12 week old puppy. http://www.blackhawkpetcare.com.au/puppy-food/ :)

Well, apart from the ball removal of course!!! Spoken like someone without :D I had the lot done with Barkly...blood tests, IV fluids, post op pain relief...If the roles were reversed, I'd hope he'd do the same for me.

Up to 180pm for puppies up to one year old from here: http://vetmedicine.a...TP_dogfacts.htm and here (probably the same source): http://www.dog-healt...heart-rate.html up to 220 in young puppies from here: http://pets.webmd.co...-heartbeat-dogs Probably shouldn't be worried :) I hope this eases your mind a little.

43% is fine. Even lower is fine as well. You'd need to look at: The percentage of crude protein in the food How much you feed. The weight of the dog. YOUR DOG'S NUTRITIONAL NEEDS - A Science Based Guide For Pet Owners From the PDF: As far as I can tell, too much protein is not a problem (except possibly in puppies and possibly dogs with existing kidney problems), as long as the other requirements are met.

I emailed Earthborn and they confirmed they don't use it. Happy to share the email reply. Thanks English.Ivy! Good to hear. I emailed them this morning too - now I don't need to wait for the response before I open my bag :)

Thanks k9katz... I know my Artemis is BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin free - I'm not sure about the (still unopened) Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch I bought while at the Nationals.

From what I can tell, there's no scientific evidence of harmful effects resulting from Ethoxyquin (it's used as a preservative) in the levels found in pet foods. There seems be be some anecdotal reports of a myriad of health concerns surrounding Ethoxyquin - like just about everything our dogs (or us humans) eat. Some of the stuff on Google is just plain hyperbolic scaremongering. I don't know about the others. PS - According to the Royal Canin FAQs:

I agree on getting information from reliable sources. Peer reviewed journals and the FDA are a good start. IMO, you can find links to health problems with pretty much anything our dogs (or us eat) - toxicity is always dose dependent. Slightly OT - I'd like to see any medical claims by pet food manufacturers be backed up with scientific evidence - same as we require for human food.

4 days, 11 runs, 1 meltdown and no passes but I learnt a lot and had a awesome time. Barkly had some good runs with 1 knocked bar getting in the way of a pass. Need to do a lot more training and fun stuff. Glad I came. Congrats to everyone. I'll be cheering for the Vics tomorrow in the finals!!!