Bailey9

Hi, a friend of mine was asking me what camera they should buy.... I have no idea about SLR cameras so thought I'd post on here! They are after a Digital SLR. Think they were hoping to spend around $500, but from what I've seen around I think they may have to stretch their budget a few extra $$. So perhaps give me info on up to $800ish Any recommendations??

Thanks for the advice guys. That's what I was considering doing. Just wanted to put it out there and see if other DOLers had some suggestions. Keep up the good work. I love this site

I also have been using peanut butter on the edge of the laundry tub for many many years. It's a great way to keep their mind on something else... and the air licking that goes on afterwards is hilarious too

Hi, I know this is one of those questions that will probably attract a range of differing answers. I am getting a Golden Retriever puppy next month :D and wondering what wormers people would recommend and what works out to be most cost effective. I would rather a product that is not a flea treatment as well for now at least. What are peoples thoughts on the generic brands? Should I go for an all in one for heart worm and intestinal, or separate treatments? I am aware some are monthly treatments, while others say 3 monthly. I need a product that does include cover for hydatid tapeworm as I live in a sheep farming area and my dog is likely to come into contact with farm dogs. Any recommendations most welcomed. Please inform if they are monthly or 3 monthly and what they cover and price range. If there has already been a thread about this feel free just to link me to it. Thanks

Where can I get Trigene from? I had a brief look online, but with no luck.

oh what a sweety, I just love scruffy looking dogs. Less than 4 weeks til I can contribute!!!

Hi, just wanted to see if anyone out there had any ideas for the best way to toilet the pup on a long drive home. It will be close to 9 hours once we include stops for the pup. She'll only be 8 weeks so wont have had all her vacs. Wanting to see if anyone had a suggestion beyond the parks etc to minimise exposure to nasties! Thanks

I'm guessing you've already tried using different bedding.... hmm... wonder why he's doing this?

Hi Lindyx, my puppy is ready to go on the 15th July, so getting very excited.

I agree with this. As cute as the new puppy is... the old dog is not used to sharing you, so don't give him any reason to think he gets less attention with the new dog around. Also make sure that you give the old dog is food bowl before the pup gets hers to reassure the old dog that his place in the 'pecking order' is not under threat. Good luck with your new puppy. Mine comes home in 4 weeks.... I can't wait, has been quite a few years since I've had a puppy!!

One of my friends dogs also had a bad experience with children and would growl at children if they came to close. We worked slowly getting some nice kids to come visit regularly and throw him treats until he gained confidence to approach to get the treats. Once he was confident with those children they got them to bring other nice friends with them so he gots used to other children too. Hope it all works out!

I'm getting a pup in a few weeks, and so have made sure we are both in agreement about doggy house rules and sharing time and financial commitments from the word go.... I've made it clear to him that he doesn't get puppy cuddles for free - if he wants to share the good bit of having a pet, then he needs to help out with the other parts too. He's pretty good at helping out with caring for my other pets if I ask him to help so hopefully it works out!

With your question on the best way to introduce them, most people say it is best for new dogs to meet on neutral ground, so like at a park or something. Your older dog may feel the need to protect his home if the initial introduction is done on your property. Though guessing the new pup is only about 8 wks, so will not have had all the vaccinations yet - so taking them to the local dog park is not recommended. Do you have a friends place nearby that you know has not had any unknown dogs that may not be vaccinated wandering through their yard? Im sure you'll get many helpful suggestions on here

Have you tried the fake turf on the balcony?? Also what cleaning products are you using to clean up the mess? Some products that have ammonia in them and may only encourage them to use that spot. There are some products on the market specifically designed for cleaning pet mess. Could be worth getting one of these if you don't already. If the dog is using the same spot, placing the bed or feed bowl on this spot should discourage the dog using that spot for a toilet and they usually wont mess near their food or bed.

One of the tips I picked up was that it is important that the pup see the crate as a happy place to be and should be wanting to go in the crate even when you don't ask them to. One suggestion was to while sitting in front of the crate get the pup excited about their favourite chew toy and then throw it in the crate and shut the door. The pup will probably be keen to get to the chew toy, and after about 30 seconds you can open the door again and the pup will probably happily run straight in. Another tip was to make sure there is not too much routine with putting the pup in the crate and then leaving them, otherwise they may begin to associate time in the crate with you leaving - not something they like!! So by having the pup in the crate near you while watching tv, chatting on DOL (hehe) can help. Do let us know what what the vets say.

Hi Lindyx, I dont yet have my Golden Retriever puppy, and never crate trained before, but have done lots of reading on crate training the past couple of months. my first thought was that if this has only recently developed that perhaps the pup has a urinary infection (as already mentioned)

What is the metal thing on the face? Just curious - never seen it before.

If it is causing painful damage to his jaw and gums then yes, something needs to be done. I'm no expert, but I would certainly vote for going down the line of removal rather than braces. Speaking from personal experience, braces can be very very painful, and often need a lot of post maintenance otherwise the teeth can quickly go back out of position once the wires are removed. One of my JRT (rescue dog) had a few teeth removed, including canine. It really didn't effect what he could eat too much, and certainly not as much as I imagine braces would on a dog.

The breeder is feeding Supercoat puppy. I'm just interested in what alternatives people recommend as many out there would say there is better food on the market.

Thanks guys. I've done a bit more research I think I'm going to choose to stick with the slightly lower protein. (OH made a comment this evening - asked what I did today and then his reply "hmm perhaps if you did that much research on your uni you would get A++..... hehe, you know what, he's probably right! hahaha ) I read around a bit on many other internet sites, forums on here, and several PMs. Seems like a lot of people agree that Artemis is definitely a highly recommended brand, though the protein may be a little high in the Puppy formula, so suggest starting off on the Eagle Pack holistic Large puppy and changing over to Artemis Adult at about 6months (quite a few made this suggestion actually) So I decided to compare dog_food.doc The EP puppy is almost exactly the same as the Artemis Adult. Protein is the same, though fat is only 12% in EP pup compared to 14% Art Adult. The Art puppy had 27% protein (some say too high) and fat in the middle of the other two at 13%. Is the 2% difference of fat between Art adult and EP pup worth paying attention to? Most other % were very similar, except EP pup only had about half the Vitamin E compared to the 2 Art products. So if we were to simply drop the protein in the Art puppy..... we basically are left with the Art Adult... Can someone suggest why I should spend the extra money on the EP pup rather than getting the cheaper Artemis Adult, for a growing Golden Retriever pup??? I am failing to see much difference between the two. Any comments welcome ;) Ingredients are very similar between the three.

Hi, Thanks for those suggestions, keep them coming!! If anyone in Adelaide knows of a good stockists please let me know. NOT PETSHOPS :D With regards to the protein content, what is recommended? They seem to vary quite considerably from 24% to 42% :D from the ones I've looked at so far. I do have to consider the budget, but I think it is a wise investment to spend that bit extra for the dogs food particularly during the critical growth stage.

Hi, I'm getting a female Golden Retriever pup next month and just wondering what people suggest as the 'best' dry food to feed her. The breeder says they are using Supercoat Puppy. I read a few comments around the place that some people don't think this is the 'best' food. For those that don't like Supercoat, what is it about this food that you don't agree with? Just wanted to get some suggestions on what other people would recommend. I understand that especially being a large breed that it is very important to get the right nutritional balance. I am aware that if I do change the pups food that it will need to be done gradually. I live in rural South Australia - so would be grateful if people could let me know what price they are paying and from what stockist. I won't have a lot of time when we go to Adelaide next month (to pick up the pup) so would like to know where the best prices around Adelaide are. Thanks :D

Hi, I'm picking up my golden retriever pup next month and just wondering what size crate I should get. I have never used a crate before, but have read lots on them, seems to be all the rage, especially for toilet training. I've done a few google searches for what size I should use, and all seem to give a different answer! I have had a search around on ebay and other online stores. I've found one that seems the best by far price wise, but I just want to confirm with others that the size is ok before I click "purchase"! 104(L) x 63(W) x 71(H) cm Also Ideas on a water/weather proof cover - I can access free water-sealed canvas/tarp, and just trying to work out what I what i can use for stitching the edges to make a cover . I don't have access to a heavy duty sewing machine... so any other ideas would be welcomed. I want the cover to be water/weather proof for those times that outdoor creating is necessary. My 2 Jack Russell x Mini Foxies I have owned over the years were/are very well behaved little doggies, and from what I can remember we never had much trouble toilet training Tilly when we got her as a pup (that was nearly 12 years ago!!) - but from some of the stories I have heard over the years, and read online... I'm preparing myself for the very real possibility that I may have a terror on my hands in a few weeks! I would like to think my other 2 were so well behaved because I was a good mum.... but perhaps they were/are just good dogs??!!! hehe. My Mum keeps reminding me about the book MARLEY & ME.... my reply is simply "that was a male Lab... I'm getting a female Golden!!.... hmm.... let's hope it makes a difference! HAHAHAHA! I live in SA, and will be traveling to Adelaide to pick the pup up, so if anyone knows of any places in Adelaide that are nice and cheap let me know!! Also while I'm on here, the trip home from Adelaide will be about 7 hours, so going to have to have a few puppy toilet stops along the way. She will be 8 weeks so not have completed all her vaccinations and I know it's not recommended to take the pups out in public areas until fully vaccinated. Any ideas on how I can toilet her without taking the risk of exposing her to nasty germies? Thanks