Tammi

I was quite suprised at how dominant Rufus was behaving to be honest. He has always been the loveable goof. I've suggested to Buddy's owner that she drops him off on her way to work and I will be able to watch them while they play. Then I will take Buddy home on my way to work. At least it gives both dogs a chance to have some fun with another dog before being left alone for a few hours. Rufus is desexed, but Buddy isn't and I'm not entirely sure when he is going to be done. Do you think there might be a problem? They did have a good play session later on in the day after their 3rd rest period. I took Buddy inside for about 30mins to give them a rest. When we went back out he and Rufus loped around the backyard mostly shouldering and jumping over each other. I can't get over how big Buddy is. He is only young and already the same height as Rufie with humungous paws. Eeek

Gravel rocks ^_^ I have a limited area of grass at the moment, loads of gravel though. So we have worked out an area around the side of the house where some weeds are growing through the gravel. He gets to hide his bum like he wants and I don't have to step in it when we play. I don't know if the different texture underfoot helps imprint a new spot or not. But whenever he had his feet on the gravel and did his business I rewarded him. He was my little Olympian just for doing it in the right spot. If you have an area that is easily different where you can take him when your home. He should still be young enough that regular potty visits will help him learn it. I'd move as much of his fresh poo over there for the smell too. Perhaps some Dog away type stuff under your bedroom window if you can. To help discourage him from re-visiting the area.

Ok I feel badly for Rufus due to him being an only dog for a little longer. So between myself and a friend we have arranged for puppy play dates. Rufus is a 12month old Kelpie cross GSP (best guess anyway was a rescue dog) Buddy is a 21 week old Mastiff with a little bit of Ridgeback (so handsome and placid) Today was their first meeting and while Rufus did growl once initially, it took him about 5 seconds to warm up and initiate a play bow. They had a 15 minute play, which mostly involved Rufus sitting on Buddy. Then I made them take a break with Rufus inside for 5 mins. About a 20minute play this time and now Buddy is inside with me. Being as how Buddy is still young, how long is too long. Or will they relax and allow each other to rest a some point? Is Buddy still too young to be left unsupervised with Rufus? (They are the same height, Buddy is a giant!) I get wednesday and thursdays off, but was hoping at some point to have Buddy visit on Mondays, Tuesdays and possibly Fridays as well. While I was at work, so want to make sure they will be ok.

I would hope it isn't fleas, as he does get treated once a month with advantage. I haven't yet seen any, but there could always be that one or two hiding away. I do try not to over shampoo, I always thought once a fortnight or month was ok? He is an inside and outside dog, so I need something to help with the smellies. Willhave a look at the baby shampoos and try not to bath him until he really reeks. I'll have a look today for the options regarding oils, fish oils are good right? Also in regards to vitamins I will chat to the vet or vet nurse when getting the food today or tomorrow. Edit: And will look for the Malaseb and Aloveen as well. Didn't see the last two posts

Poor Rosie! While I hope for your sake that her elbow heals up nicely. I can also reassure you that a three legged dog copes just fine. My Belgian Terv was put down last year. But for the last three years of her life she was able to run around and enjoy herself. She was 3 when she was diagnosed with HD and after various surgeries she ended up spending nearly a full 12 months in a baby pen with only supervised walks. I think it was about two days after her surgery and she was out running around confidently again. How is Rosie coping with having the cast on? I can understand how you feel, in regards to your precious baby being hurt in someone elses care. But chin up, with a little rest (ok and possibly surgery) she should be back to her bouncy happy self ^_^ Good luck

Thanks for the replies everyone ^_^ I will look into those brands of food and the shampoo as well. I have to go and get his next lot of food today or tomorrow so will talk to the vet there and see what he feels would help, and get a smaller bag of Euk. while I know Rufus would love the chicken necks as his only food, how much would you give a 24kg 12 month old dog? He is only on Spectrum monthly for worms and heartworm and advantage for fleas. I'm a bit paranoid about not giving him his heartworm tabs, fleas I can live with temporarily lol. I should mention I am struggling with weeds in the back yard, but he did have dry skin before they all shot up. So while that could be irritating the problem I don't believe it's the main cause. I've been worrying that he might be stressing while I am at work. So I have a friend bringing her Mastiff over today and we are going to see how they go together. If it goes well he will visit a couple times a week while we are both at work. Dropped off at nine, I'll go to work around 1pm and then he will get picked up around 6pm and I'll get home around 10. So they will have all day to play and Rufus will only be home alone for four hours ^_^

I ditto with using a small amount for treats during training. It gets mixed in with his other bits and pieces so he gets random tasty bits ^_^ I think the main problem with pears and apples (peaches and apricots for sure) is that the seeds aren't good for them. Cyanide-something or other is in them and ingesting too much can lead to poisoning. Which is why before the next fruit season I need to come up with a way to stop Rufus helping himself to the peaches on my tree *groan*

Ok Rufus is now 12 months old and I've tried nearly every shampoo variety from the shops around here. It doesn't matter if I wash him once a week, or once a month he still gets very dry, flakey and itchy skin (Maybe I should get an anti-dandruff lol) He has been fed on Eukanuba since he was 14 weeks old, but was fed whatever the people were eating before then. Coming from a rescue I would have thought they might try to feed him actual dog food. But anyway. I've had a few people tell me Eukanuba isn't all that great. Which gets me a little nervous as it is what was reccomended by my vet. However it's second ingredient is corn meal. And I was thinking maybe Rufus is allergic to that? Or something else contained in the biscuits. He is getting the Large Breed Puppy one at the moment. Dry food is really conveneant for me, as I can fill his boredem buster up with his biscuits, but wet food clogs and gets stuck. I did try, had to soak it overnight to get it all out. Are there any particular brands you can reccomend that aren't impossible to get a hold of in Aus? Or even a fail proof shampoo to help ^_^

I wasn't aware a dog had to be entire to compete in agility? Only for conformation showing.

Thats what I thought. I'll keep looking for her, give her a few options to look through. It will be her dog after all. So if I got the name right, this breeder isn't too far from where mum lives. So she could always arrange to call in and have a chat at some point. Thanks

Hey all, My mum has asked me to have a look around for Rhodesian Ridgeback breeders as she feels she might be ready for a puppy. Her Belgian was put down on Jan 1st. However there is a page where the puppies are desexed before going to their new home. They are done at 8 weeks of age. I can understand selling a pup with a contract to desex by a certain age. But at 8 weeks? This worries me a fair bit. If I haven't mixed the names up, the breeder is someone mum knows through a friend of a friend. Should I just keep looking?