Tapua

Arnie look adorable - I trained my own dogs and just did the test -Step 1 - go to the Delta Society website and sign up as a volunteer. Locate a Delta assessor in you local area or speak to the Sydney office who will tell you where to go. I know there is a Delta Therapy Assessment happening sometime this month or march in Sydney. I was assessed in Orange and I just turned up on the day, there are vaccinations that have to be up to date and vet assessments which generally are done after you pass the assesment. I have to do an orientation OHS paperwork day next Saturday when we get our gear and then I will be assigned the visiting place. The website has a video which shows you what has to be done on the day for the assessment - if you think your dog can do all that - then just turn up on the day for assessment otherwise get a couple of sessions under your belt with Delta. Remeber the Delta Society Pets for Therapy test is not about obediece its about the positive relationship between you and your dog, the dogs temperament and the dogs responses to stressfull stimuli - to assess the dogs and your response to stress in the public... which can be unpredictable. The test is a challenge for any dog.

Thanks Zero really is broken. "Indomitable spirit of the sled dog" is the opposite of everything Zero is! Ah but he loves ya!! and thats what counts!

Diacas Tua Tahi CCD Croftie CD

I have used GT in past and found them inconsistant first time results came back within a fortnight, next time 12 weeks (same test) when I made enquiries (and i feel I was rather pleasant about it all) I was treated by a rather rude and abrupt reception and techy. So not happy with GT Pets at all! ASAP on the other hand was quite different George is very approachable and knowledgable - kits arrived promptly and results were recieved within 3 weeks. Like many breeders these day I have a working knowledge of genetics relevant to my breed and it was good to talk to someone with out show/breeding and other ego related agendas about relevevant issues regarding genetics and my breed. Personally my experience with ASAP was good.

Thanks everyone - I will pass on your congrats to the kids - Shell - I love your Endurance?, Fidelity?, Intelligence? combo!

I went to Orange yesterday and had 2 of my dogs a Lab called Tua and our Border Collie X called Croftie both accredited as Delta Society Pets for Therapy Dogs. We get our special scarfs and a Polo Shirt for me next week. We hope to be able to visit nursing homes & hospitals soon.

OK I was wondering about that - we will go with soaking before we use it - I was wondering how often per week do you add to their feed?

WT.... Stupid woman!

We were thinking of adding Chia seed to our dogs diet but I am unsure it is OK for dogs. We grind our own beef and vegies and I was thinking we could add the seed through the grinder to crack it. Has anyone used Chia seed?

My critters have lovely names - Heeni, Tua (Maori names) Lara, Mia Croftie & Dixie - they also have 'other names' depending on what they have done or shouldnt have done are are currently doing! Heeni = scrappy-doo, Tua = lights-out, Lara = tomboy girl, Mia = mumma mia, Croftie = Dickie Dock & Dixie = Bats Arse! They dont seem to get confussed and they certainly know who we are talking to!

Merry Christmas to troy and his family and his team - you provide a wonderful service to the dog commumity. Many blessing for 2011.

Call me neurotic but my girls dont leave the property when pregnant -I dont show when a bitch has puppies because of concern that I might bring something home and I rarely show in summer - like now when Parvo is so prevelant given the heat and rain. Which is means I dont show much and it takes a thousand years to get 100 points but you get that in big jobs - the health of my girls come first! Blacklabrador - your 'Elve's' are just adorable!

WONERFUL

Schwarzbear, I used PALASTART for my last litter mum responded well to it and was impressive in her milk production - pups did well on it too later. It is a powdered milk replacer for kid goats & lambs. I somet imes added an egg tot he mixture too. No bowel problems.

Cowra NSW

Just to clarify she has had dogs before an Aussie Terrier X and a malstese X she just would, like a pure-bred and if possible have a go at showing as a low grade hobby. Mia was a companion option and a chance to learn about the breed and if she was still keen in a couple of years she would get a pup. There was no hurry about any of this itsd juts very unfortunate that she is allergic to Mia's dander. I will explain the full story - Anna contacted me about 2 months ago about getting a Lab pup but my litter was spoken for. She was interested in a pup from our next litter and since she was local I invited her to come out and meet the dogs. Then we got this dreadfull story. She had two little X breds - they were her companions and like threapy dogs for her since she suffered from OCD. She lives with her parents. Anyway the dogs got out some how and they rushed at a lady barking and they were reported to the council as dangerous dogs. When Anna found out she went to the council and was told they would be declared dangerous and they would be fined if they didnt put the dogs down. So distressed Anna put the dogs down. To add injury to injustice she found out a week after that the dogs that the complaint was made about were not her dogs!!! They were someones at another address about a block away and Anna's dogs were NEVER an issue. So now the poor girl has not only lost her sogs but now knows they this was not necessary in the first place. Anna does a crash and burn and ends up in hospital for a couple of weeks but recovered. Mia is offered to her by me and she gets her last weekend. All is good and then we get the dander issue. Having a dog to love is essential to this girl - obviously finding the right breed equally so - so thats the story - any more suggestions would be great. ( also they chose not to jump up and down at the local council - so I have to respect their decission - I on the other hand would have gone legal big time)

Good question - she would be a great option if a breeder wanted park a male to get titled and that you could access to use to breed. She just wants to love it to death. I think a low maintainence breed would be good a medium to small breed with a robust temperament. I know NOTHING about any of the breeds suggested.

I friend who recently took on one of my adult labradors as a companion. Within a week she has developed an allergic reaction to her coat that became quite threatening to her breathing. We were all very surprised because she has come to our place numerous times and never a reaction.Go figure. Anyway Mia is back with us which is fine and Anna would like to find a nice dog that is low allergy as a companion dog. I know nothing about low allergy dogs but the breeds recommended to here are Tibetan Terrier, Shih Tzu, Poodle, Welsh terrier & Yorkshire Terrier. Can anyone recommend any other breeds or have any insight into the pros & cons or these breeds any suggestions would be appreciated.

Vet fees are not regulated and like everyone I am disgusted at the enormous difference in fee charged. It is wonderful that lives can be saved and our beloved heart dogs are given an option at least but part of me feel pressured to get pet insurance. It is not something I have ever needed to do in the 20yrs I have had dogs but I am now seriously considering it becasue of vet cost. I wouldnt blint at $2-3000 bill but over that and we would be seriously hurting.

Thumbs -up for the bob-a-lot from me. It has kept my litter entertained and now the young monster we have kept from the litter is getting heaps of entertainment from it.

Hi Baker-girl My vet says most dogs are allergic to most grasses? So I wonder if the sores are recent could it be a 'spring grass' reaction? Have you tried fish-oil tablets to help keep the oil on the coats of my dogs - I swear by it - my Labs coats seem to glow when I have them on it. Plus I use Nutro this feed seems to have improved their coats and general condition also. Mind you they get raw meat and raw veggies as well - infact the little treasures have a better diet than I have. As for shampoo - I have short coated woofa's and generally I use Fido's which I think is great.

Go Jasper Go Jasper!!!!!!!

I agree and good brood bitch is worth her weight in gold. It's not a derogatory term. I agree that the term brood bitch is appropriate - however they are not puppy factories. IMO the quality of my kennels is based on the quality of my brood bitches - obviously not just in conformation but temperament , whelping ability, milk production, how they treat and handle the pups as they grow. So much of this has a genetic link and I need to keep track of these behaviours. My girls live like princesses and I only keep bitches - I dont keep a stud dog on the property - I can find sperm and I dont mind paying for it. For me bitches are much easier to manage. As for picking a pup for a buyer - for inexperienced buyer I will suggest I pick for them, they are given screeds of information and encouraged to visit the kennels. As for the experienced buyer who wants a pup for a particular purpose - I like to know what they are looking for and what they are planning to do with their pup - breed, show, obedince, service dog, hunting. The more I know what they want the better I can identify the traits needed in the pup with them. Almost all want the similar traits - out going, friendly. Behaviourly the time between 6 & 16 weeks have the most influence on future temperament so whilst it begins with the breeder the new owners need to conitinue the socialisiing, training etc. Experienced buyer tend to know this already the inexperienced puppy buyer needs to be learn about the early training/conditioning of pups.

Well after raising a litter and as my husband says - 'selling the kids' we have a lovely little girl we are running on. Her name is Tapua Heeni Te Anna 8 weeks & 2 days old!

Totally relate to that. I was feeding my boy 2 thirds of what the packet said, & he has a weight problem, now he is down to less than a quarter of what it recommends.Now I have figured they just want you to buy more. I agree with you two its amazing what they say on the packs :D I am about to take a litter to Sydney tomorrow where all the new owners are meeting up with us - and eachother. The first thing they want to talk about is what to feed and how much. I am taking my two fit adults too so they can see and feel what a healthy adult Lab looks like. The amounts on the packets are insane IMO