Sam&Saki

I use the Sporn Pack Control Leader. I don't use it as a corrective device, more as a management device - ie, I don't jerk on it or whatever, it's simply that when Saki is wearing it that she pulls much less. I still use normal corrections - if she does jerk / pull the lead / attempt to pull me in a different direction or at a faster speed, I just stop completely. She then has to circle me and return to the heel position before we can start walking again. I also reward her with praise and treats when she's doing a nice loose-lead walk. However she still thinks she's a sledding dog and would pull mercilessly if it weren't for the Pack Control Leader

Yes, it's cetainly good to try to keep Aussies in a job but it makes me mad when I think of all the Australian Companies that have been sold off to overseas concerns, so they still look like Aussie companies but all the profits still go overseas. Oh absolutely! Australian made AND owned is the ideal, but IMO Australian made is better than a complete import.

Then they shouldn't have desexed her!!! Gosh some vets suck. :D

I linked to my reference in my post, that shows which Hills products are licensed to Australian companies and made here. So yes, while it may be an American owned company, as least the Hills Science dog food is Australian made.

Yes Saki had an inverted vulva. I had to let her have two seasons for it to correct itself, but far better to do that than desex her and leave her with chronic UTIs and vaginal dermatitis forever more! I believe corrective surgery is generally only needed on bitches who were desexed before the problem corrected itself. Allow them to grow into an adult hormonally, and everything is fine x

Good for you for buying Australian made, obviously our dog's health is the #1 priority but it's also so important to be keeping jobs in this country, especially in the current economic crisis. Hill's Science Diet is Australian made and my dog does equally well on that is she does on IAMs or Eukanuba, so we opt for Hill's. (I don't feed raw or supermarket.) There's a full list of Australian made pet products here: http://www.australianmade.com.au/directory...ct_contains=pet Oh and she 'goes' twice a day

DOLers are all so damn good looking! That's such a cute photo Stormy x

There's always a risk with anesthesia, and the risk is different for different breeds - do you know how high the risks are for a Rotti? Personally I wouldn't put my own dogs under general unless absolutely necessary (hence non surgical desexing and still having dew claws), but then I am more paranoid than most

I'm so sorry Chewy Glad to hear his last moments were in your arms. He was lucky to have you, and have had such a good long life.

Rhodesian Ridgeback :rolleyes: More photos -> Click here Wow she's a solid ridgey! She reminds me of my Kia. Gorgeous boofer Ooh Kitty, you're so purdy *giggles like a schoolgirl* x

Chewy, I'm sure you know what is best for him. Sounds like he will go peacefully tonight without intervention. Just know you have options if you need them. You're a good dog mum, he is lucky to have you. Treasure these moments.

What breed is Dora, kja? Do you have any pics of her that show her colouring better? *sorry for being OT but wanna see more of the luverly boofhead*

Oh I found it. 'My Best Friend' veterinary palliative care and home euthanasia services. Located in Melbourne, Australia and is owned and operated personally by Dr Emma Whiston. It is a very special service particularly for elderly and terminally ill companion animals. It provides compassionate and personalised ‘end of life’ veterinary care for our dearly loved pets in the private and familiar surroundings of their own home. My Best Friend is able to provide palliative care, pre-euthanasia guidance and preparation, home euthanasia and bereavement support as well as arrange for burial or cremation. My Best Friend can help you make the best decision possible for your best friend during this emotional time. Phone: 0422 953 441 http://mybestfriendonline.com.au/

Chewy, if you'd prefer, you can ring your local vet or emergency room and ask them for the name and number of a (I can't remember the correct term) vet who specialises in palliative care by house calls. This is what I did for Kia at the end - I wish I could find the card of the vet I used. Her whole job was just making dogs comfortable as they get towards the end, and taking those final steps, if need be - she had no vet surgery, only did house calls. She was so wonderful, I really think I would have had a breakdown if not for her I could not have coped if I had to keep taking Kia out to the vets and leaving her alone in a sterile surgical environment to be poked and prodded by strangers. She helped make Kia comfortable, ensured she was on meds that would make her feel good over prolonging her life painfully, helped make it clear in my mind when it was time, and when the time came, because of her, Kia passed away at home, on her mat, with me and with my Dad; peacefully. Oh gosh I'm crying like an idiot now. It's so unfair that they don't have longer lives, beautiful trusting pure souls that they. I am so, so sorry Chewy.

Dawww how adorable is that, love the way Barkly's looking at you, Luke x

Dawww she is adorable!!!

Oh no I'm so sorry to hear it. It is so hard to imagine life without them when they've been in your life for that long... I'm sure you gave him a wonderful life, and such a long life too. Hugs to you and your boy

Find a decent repro specialist, discuss the risks of desexing at this age, and they can do the implant. I chose implant desexing too (annually) but not until 18 months of age (but she's a bitch so otherwise I can't help you much with info.) Good luck x

Welcome to DOL, cavalierlover! Both your dog Wilson and your new puppy girl Sally look very sweet, congratulations on the new addition Most of the people on DOL are crazy about dogs, and forget that sometimes some people get names confused - your dogs are definitely Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and that's not a type of Cocker Spaniel. So as long as you leave the word "Cocker" out, you won't confuse us DOLers Good for you for finding a reputable breeder from here on DOL too, really is the best way to get a healthy, happy dog! Small amounts of blood in the stool may just be nothing but the result of worming, but if you are really concerned, best to get Sally off to the vet just for piece of mind. Good luck, hope she is fine, I'm sure she will be x

Saki's big on sardines, haven't tried many other types of fish, sardines are the most exciting thing in the world as far as she's concerned

Kia. RIP Saki

Saki gets bathed once every month... or 2 months... or 3 months... Hehe She just doesn't have that doggy smell, she's very clean, and if she gets muddy it just brushes right out of her top coat and never even gets down to her undercoat Yay for the Spitz coat x

Bonding with you more than each other is exactly what you want, otherwise it could be very difficult to train them or maintain dominance. However they are so young and new to you and each other and the home at this stage that I'm not sure you can draw any conclusions. Labs are a companion breed and even with each other they may just be happier and better behaved if they are inside dogs at least some of the time. If you're crate training them perhaps consider having the crates in your room with you overnight so they're close to each other and you overnight and will quiet down and sleep. However you'll have to make sure they view the crate as a den they want to be in, rather than a punishment to isolate them, before this will work.

This pup doesn't sound overly shy or timid from just the description of behaviour here...? I deliberately chose the one pup in the litter who was the least dominant, who hung back and waited after all the other pups had jumped all over me before coming forward for her turn. She was still licking me and checking me out long after the others were off playing amongst themselves again. I supposed this could have been classed as shy behaviour, but she has certainly not grown into a shy or timid or fearful dog in any way whatsoever x

Nope, my schedule is different every day and therefore so is Saki's. She gets two meals and about a thousand treats day but very rarely at the same time as the day before! We also sleep at different times on different days and she might be walked for hours on one day and not at all the next. Lucky she's such an easy going, flexible dog! You always hear that dogs need routine but mine is happy without it *shrugs* x