Starkehre

Thank you AS and also for your help today

Hi AS and all 2014 ET competitors Just would like to add to the above list with advising that the RCV (Rottweiler Club of Vic) is holding their Open Endurance Test on 28th June 2014 at KCC Park. For schedule see http://www.vicdog.com/Rottweilerjun14et.pdf Always such a helpful thread AS :) My young girl will be ready for her ET in 2015, can't wait, bring it on!! :D

Of course difficult to say without knowing the dog, but it sounds to me like his genetic temperament/nerve coping with over stimulation (as well as residual issues with being aggressed upon) as he is coming of age. He is definitely at an age for such things to be occurring if the recipe is there. I doubt changing his diet will have any difference whatsoever. I really hope you can get on top of his problems.

So happy to hear your little cherub is feeling better benz.

Yr welcome benz and good on you. As long as it is a good quality wormer you are using, I would suggest you drop back dosing to monthly now at least for another couple of months, then just every 3 months is fine. You don't want to be bombarding his system unnecessarily. And if you definitely don't find any worms in his faeces, definitely don't worm him until he is over this issue :) ... and give him a big kiss from me.... and may we have some piccies please??? :D

It could be something really mild or it could be something really nasty or something anywhere in between. It could be so many things really. Mucus from anus is usually a small intestine issue, so often nothing overly serious, but don't take this as gospel. Watch him like a hawk if you can't get him to the vet. Keep him quiet, continue with bland diet and keep him well hydrated. If he gets flatter or starts vomiting or runny stools persist and become worse then it is urgent that you get him to the vet asap. At this age they can go down very quickly when they become unwell and a disease like parvo or corona is not something you can muck around with. Sandra is quite right, Rottis are susceptible to parvo. Try and organise a plan of attack if by chance you do have to find a vet in an emergency over the weekend. Ensure he is being checked on at least half hrly over the remainder of the weekend. It might even be giardia which is not as serious, but often they don't become lethargic with this unless they become significantly dehydrated. Could even be worms. Hopefully he has just picked up a bit of something in the yard that has disagreed with him and he will bounce back fine. There is a chance your pup has picked up a bug from the vet on Wednesday. Remember vets are constantly being visited by sick and contagious animals, though of course the staff do their best to prevent spread of disease with stringent cleaning protocol. Note, vaccinations do not necessarily prevent illnesses. They decrease the chance of contracting it and lessen the severity. Good luck with him and please let us know how you go. :)

Huge congrats PME and SM And I was privileged enough to see Cash's title run on sat. Awesome work SM Seven and I had a couple of very average and untidy runs on Sat, but still passes, I am very rusty LOL. And then we managed to pull one out of the bag with a lovely class winning run on Sunday. Seven was such a good girl. I am very proud of her achieving her HSAs title on Sunday. 3 herding titles in 9 months and she just turned 2 a week ago. Photo by Karen Edwards

I found a puppy school a few years ago that I was really happy with. I did a lot of research first and spoke at length with the instructor, told her exactly what I wanted in a class and even went along to watch one first. Once I decided it looked like it ticked all my boxes, I took a puppy along. Sure, there were still times when owners behaved similarly to you are describing and it was a little frustrating and there were times when talk dragged on, but I took these opportunities to do my own thing. I pre warned the instructor that I had my own ideas and would be doing my own thing at times and would keep out of everyone's way and not distract anyone else. She had no problem with that. So, when situations arose like you describe I did a lot of distraction training or when it seemed inappropriate I moved away, I would stand over near the door or outside the circle. I did not care less if everyone was wondering what the heck I was doing cause I was there for my dog. I joined in when I liked what was going on and I did my own thing when I didn't. Perhaps advise the instructor that you will do the same and see what they say. If they don't like it they can ask you to leave. But definitely do not tolerate putting yourself or your dog in a situation you do not agree with, just don't do it, get up and move away. You don't have to make a big deal about it, simply go play with your dog a little further away. Yeh good idea to take toys, treats etc. I take a full arsenal with me

Welcome SG. :) Might just take some time then. Good luck And I think with the reversing thing, it is just the motion of going from one direction, to the other, you know that gut in mouth moment.

I'll be generous and think perhaps inexperience and a degree of panic may have been a factor ..... unacceptable - but possible . This is what stops me from telling the OP to RUN!! The "breeder" needs education and a better vet. What are the chances that she really is a concerned persons who is not getting good advice? Let's face it, there are plenty of really good people who honestly believe that their dog is so beautiful she or he should be bred from. They have no idea of the numbers of animals who die in pounds, who languish in pet stores, who are badly bred and suffer the consequences of health issues all their lives. Is this breeder up for an education and advice from experts? I absolutely see your point DD. There is every possibility that this is just another ill informed, unexperienced byb. That said, even if this is the case, I would still discourage people from giving them any business. Ignorant breeders produce baby heartaches every day without a single clue. The OP is not experienced enough to give the breeder guidance, so I don't see much else DOLers can do, except to advise the OP about how/where to invest their money more wisely. OP, for $900, you should be able to find a healthy puppy that has been bred and raised properly. It can be difficult to cut ties if you are feeling sorry for the puppy, but like others suggest, the best way to teach these bybs is to vote with your wallet. She breeds cause she can sell puppies. And who is to say that the bitch even has mastitis? I am not necessarily suggesting this person is lying, she may well be perfectly honest, but there is a chance that this is what she does with each litter to move them on asap??... just putting it out there

Is this breeder registered with their state kennel club? If so they are in breech of COE if they allow puppies to leave at 4 weeks of age. If you need to tell a breeder that it is not in the pup's best interest to leave the mum/litter mates at 4 weeks of age, then my thoughts are that this is not a very reputable or knowledgeable breeder. Sometimes puppies are off mum by that age but this does not mean it is time to go to their new homes. Breeders can put in so much more time and effort into giving puppies the best start with things other than feeding. I'd suggest you look for another breeder. She sounds lazy. Mastitis can and does occur in perfectly above board situations, however with what we already know, it would add to my list of concerns about animal husbandry and experience. RUN!!!

The first thing to do is to ascertain if the pup is sick through anxiety and fear or purely and simply motion, because treatments are totally different. Your description of the 10 minutes etc is copy book. And if it is purely motion generated nausea, if it can't be stopped fairly quickly pup will end up with both causes because the anxiety with follow. I had one that was car sick til 8 months old, the just stopped. I believe it started with plain old motion sickness and then anxiety based nausea developed as explained above through pup associating the motion sickness with the car travel. Not fun for poor babies. For me I think super exciting destinations ended up helping a lot, but being a foster I understand limitations. I found no treatment worked for us, except maybe to some degree the hood we bought, but it takes a lot of training to get them to wear them happily. I tried anti nausea drugs, ginger, homeopathic remedies, not feeding. covering in crate, front seat, window open, air cond on... didn't matter what we did. She just had to grow out of it and consider car trips fun. she rarely vomited in the float and drugs did help with this one. another funny thing was that many of the pups in this litter was the same, so I also believe there may have been a genetic component. They were not weak nerved, timid puppies. Oh, one tip that is a sure fire way to make them vomit, driving in reverse, even for small distances like for parking, particularly if you have already been driving. try and avoid revers or get puppy our first. We could get to the point where we would make an entire trip (say 20 mins) without vomiting, then as soon as we reversed for 2 metres into a car park she would vomit. Good luck.

I am sad to admit that I no longer sleep with my dogs in/on the bed regularly at night. I am married now and there is simply no room for both of us and 3 Rottweilers. However, I voted OTHER because if OH is away or I am unwell or having a nana nap, I will often bring one into bed with me. And what bothers me then is I struggle to sleep properly because I worry about her rolling off the bed in her sleep. We have a really high bed and I will wake to see her dangerously close to the edge with her back to it. It freaks me out, so I often end up putting her onto the floor after getting tired of adjusting her.... but I do LOVE her being there. :D She is probably fully aware of exactly where she is laying and wouldn't fall off, but the worrying disturbs me for sure. I like spooning my dogs in bed if I am cold, it comforts me... is that weird???

Glad you appreciated the photo too. I love the way both the boy and his dog are looking at the judge waiting for the nod of approval I do all my mouthing practice on the couch also, especially at dinner time when they'll do anything for some of my dinner :D You'll get there. Just take your time and baby steps. I am sure you are doing an awesome job :)

Sorry no advice, but just had to post this picky cause... just cause it seemed appropriate and is prolly my favourite ever photo... I laugh so hard every time I look at this, it just never gets old for me, just so damned cute!!! :D

Most large breed dogs slow down dramatically in growth around 6-8 months of age. They start to eat less and usually start gaining weight. From 8 months to around 3 they continue to develop at a slow rate. Though a male Akita would most likely be finished in growth height around 12-16 months, he will not be fully developed until around 3 or even as late as 4 years of age depending upon his lines. He is a pup and has miles to go yet :)

I believe an enzyme in pineapple assist with the breaking down of hairballs inside the digestive tract. It is used in hairball formulas by some of the super premium food companies instead of just upping fibre content. Might also be worth a try adding some pineapple now and then, certainly won't hurt :)

I'd drive.

Oh, that is such dreadful news. So upsetting for them. I do hope he recovers from surgery OK and your cousin and the dog are not too traumatised. This sort of thing just should not happen, just so wrong!

Personally, I would take him to work and use the opportunity to do some crate training. This way he can learn to be comfortable and confident in his own company and it is not purely during the evening when crying is more likely to disturb neighbours. You can interact him every hr or so, empty him, do short bursts of play and training and he can still get his rest and separate times from you whilst you are busy working. I think your concerns about him spending all that intense time you at work is valid if he was going to be pretty much glued to your leg the entire time and that is why if you decide to take him, I would definite be utilising a crate. I could not think of a more perfect opportunity to teach him independence. I would not be comfortable leaving him at home when you cannot see how he responds to strangers being around or what they are getting up to. Good luck and best wishes with your new pup. :)

Precisely my issue too Hockz... and also that you cannot see what is happening with your dog.

How dreadfully upsetting for you to be witness to... and only one of the horror stories among many that I have heard. This puppy was one of the lucky ones. Nope, hasn't made me rethink... I will never fly my dogs. I know many do it without issue every day... but even the thought of the risk factor makes me sick to the stomach... and I am a bit of a dare devil with most things... just not where my animals are concerned.

BOAS in some of it's manifestations (including snoring, elongated palate, everted saccules and any of the related hyperplasia on the throat and tonsils) are not always present in baby puppies. They can develop over the following weeks/months and typically continue to develop. I have spoken to specialists about this at length. Another thing you may wish to investigate (that can be in part related, though not directly but often come hand in hand with BOAS) is high vagal tone (diagnosed by eco-cardiogram) and also carotid hypersensitivity (fainting caused by small amount of pressure around lower parts of the neck ie collars). Poorly patented tear ducts is another BOAS condition also, so if you have a lot of eye weeping, that could be your culprit. I am sorry to hear about your dog's health issues and I wish you all the best with treatment and some form of peace regarding your feelings towards the breeder and the best possible outcome for all concerned.

If desexed early, it just never develops. An early desexed (let's say 6 mth old male rotti) just does not develop this hormone based muscle, so nothing to lose. So it would appear somewhat similar to the dog desexed after 18 months, except the younger desexed one would be significantly taller, possibly drier (less skin because the skin never grew to accommodate a bigger head) and usually less substantial all over. Neither look anything like the entire version, however the later desexed one be slightly closer to it. Same with bitches, but obviously less so exaggerated because they don't have the same strength of head and overall body muscle. Your bull/steer analogy is a good one. It is no discussed enough unfortunately, though is becoming talked about more and more in our breed among the working folk. But it is a tricky thing because the majority of breed enthusiasts in my circle (except for me) are showies first and foremost and most of don't deal a lot with desexed dogs and most are definitely not working them. The majority of the desexed rottis are in pet homes and few of these are around to talk about it and they are unlikely to be competing in agility, herding or dog sport. There are a few of us that are really interested in the topic and chat about it often.

In bitches as well as dogs Dyzney? Sadly Esky, yes. You can almost see the testosterone based muscle wastage in front of your eyes, in our breed, in both sexes... either from desexing or suprelorin implants. Starts with the head and goes from there. No matter how much work you do building them up, you cannot replace the testosterone based muscle. The weakening affect is very significant and this is where injuries come in. Like I say hugely noticeable in my breed, less so in others, but probably not as much less as some people think. My old girl Dyzney had to be desexed when she was 6 owing to IMT. We have her on anabolics now just to keep her strong enough to be physical enough to keep her going in her old age. It is a real juggling act, but working so far. Our boy Jag whom is now 5 wasted away terribly when he was desexed at 2. Another case of had to desex unfortunately. He is a candidate for a torn cruciate occasionally showing odd signs off and on. We manage him as best as we can, but feel sure he will do one sooner or later. With Rottis, I will never desex again unless I really have to. The negative consequences are so detrimental they are not worth it, IMHO. Opinions vary, but most of those in my breed I speak to agree or at least certainly those that work their dogs.