brigitta

Hi everyone I really need help here. Does anyone know a groomer in Perth that can do a quick puppy cut on my poodle puppy before Christmas? He really needs a clip before we take him away for Christmas or he'll just be too hot. His hair on top of his head is getting so long and his feet are so furry! His hair has grown so fast in the last few weeks it's not funny! I didn't think he'd need to be clipped so soon. If you know anyone (I'll drive anywhere!) who could help me out please post or message me. I'll even bath him first to save them time! thanks a million

We had the same prob with Elmo...he had to be bathed early on, how can you not bath him when he's covered in slobber from our neighbours dog and has been rolling in the park all day? He hates the bath but I've been so gentle and encouraging with him so he puts up with it (until I turned the hairdryer on the first time then you'd think I was killing him even though it was on it's lowest setting, still he has shown a lot of improvement over the last few weeks). The good thing is he does look to me for his lead....for example the first thunderstorm he saw he was watching the lightening then watching me to see my reaction. I just yawned and read a book so he took that cue and he's now fine with it (although he does try and paw the rain which is soooooo cute!). I'm starting to desensitise him to clippers this week so wish me luck! I'm also going to put a baking dish with a couple of toys and water in it in his room to see what he does. Hopefully he will paw at the toys and get used to that then we can move onto bigger things :-)

I guess that's the problems with forums....the tone never gets across.... The comment on why he's afraid was said in jest. Of course he's going to be scared when he's first exposed to a big body of water! I can see how you misunderstood my intention though...sorry we got off on the wrong foot. I spent about 2 hours with him sitting next to the water, showing him that I was ok in there, giving him treats and talking to him. He put his foot in the pool and pulled it straight out. That's why I thought I'd try and see if he'd get his feet wet in the spa as it's a bit warmer. I carried him in my arms (as the spa has no steps he can use) and just gradually wet is feet but as soon as his paw got wet he started shaking so I put him on the side and he ran. I think I'll wait for a warm day and put a shallow tub of water on his balcony and see what he does. He's so small a paddle pool might still be too big for him. Hopefully if I play with him near it he'll get used to it. I like the idea of taking another dog to the beach with him that's not scared so he follows their lead. That's a great idea :-) I've bathed him twice now very gently and talking to him heaps and he still hates it...sulks for hours afterwards! There's just something about water he really doesn't like! I think gradually is the way to go, it was the same with brushing him, at first he hated the brush and would struggle, now he lets me brush him all over and play with his ears and paws and teeth. We'll keep working on it :-)

We've had him for three weeks and he already looks to me as Mum and to see how to behave. We spend all day together every day so we've bonded very quickly. I'm not trying to make him "because you feel its a poodle & should". I know forcing him is the worst way and am insulted you'd even suggest it. My last poodle hated water and in his 16 years never set foot in the ocean and I was fine with it. I was generalising when I said that poodles normally love water. thanks to everyone else for the advice. I'll give those ideas a go :-)

We have had our new pup for three weeks now and he was a single litter puppy. He's been fantastic though. He's happy to play on his own (which is great as I take him to work all day) and is quite independant. However he also loves other dogs and plays like mad with them. He isn't agressive and seems to have reallly good social skills. He has now met 9 other dogs and he's only had a problem with one of them (silly dog tried to bite him and then bit the instructor at puppy school....not smart!). I don't think there's any probs with single litter pups at all. Our little terror is as healthy as a horse and very affectionate. Hope that helps.

Hi Does anyone have any suggestions on how to teach puppy to not be afraid of water. I've tried coaxing him in with steak, getting in myself and calling him etc. I've even put him in a lukewarm spa in case he thought the water was too cold. Every time I do it he shakes with fear and then runs away from the water as fast as he can. I've no idea why he's scared. He's a poodle so he should love swimming! Any suggestions? I want to be able to take him to the beach and swim with me one day. thanks

Thanks so much for all the advice. I'll double check what my breeder is feeding him just before we get him so I can keep that consistency for him. I'm worried I'm pestering her with so many questions but I just want to do what's best for him. I will definately be on the poodle forum, I adore poodles. What an amazing breed of dog they are!

She feeds Eukanuba and raw chicken mince etc. Maybe I'll feed Eagle Pack and raw mince for meals and use the Orijen bikkies for treats.

make an educated decision on what protein level you want to feed. Orijen is already a high protein food and you are adding extra protein on top. EP kibble has a completely different ration and content so dont chop and change. I feed only RC dry food (switched back to only this) at breakfast and give chicken carcasses in the afternoon, 3 different breeds all doing great on it. So Orijen and raw food would be bad to feed together. How much is too much protein for a puppy? Thanks for all the advice!

he arrives next month - i'm just getting ready early! I'll post pics when he's here :-)

Is human minced meat ok for puppies or does it contain preservatives? I was thinking of feeding puppy a combination of Lennards chicken pet mince and defrosted vege pieces with his Orijen or Eagle Pack kibble. I'm worried about the corn pieces in the vege mix and whether people mince is ok for dogs.

Hi (newbie so hello all!) I have been reading about all the best foods etc to give our new poodle puppy. However I have read conflicting advice on whether to mix the dry food and raw meat or not and whether to give vegetables or not. A friend suggested getting big bags of frozen chopped up carrots, peas and corn or frozen spinach and mixing that in with puppy's food but does he really need vegetables, especially corn when it seems to be the evil ingredient in dry food? So, what does everyone think? Do you mix dry and wet foods and do you give your puppies vegetables? thanks in advance for your advice.