LizT

Could be fixed with something as simple as giving calcium between whelping each pup and then for a couple of days after.. She is a really dog aggressive dog, who has to be muzzled at home so she doesn't attack the male dog this idiot has... He saw me with Ziggy and asked about using him and then told me how silly I was desexing him because there is lots of money to be made for good dogs.. You simply can't tell these people anything as they already know it all... I will suggest it if I ever have the misfortune of running into him again, thanks Pav... I honestly think there are just to many people (who have no idea and are only doing it to make money) breeding dogs... Dogs of any temperament or breeding... People who really have no idea what they are doing and rely totally on the fact that nature will take care of itself.. Lucky for so many, nature does take its course and the bitches whelp relatively fuss free... To make things clear, I don't include good breeders in this category of 'people'.. We need good breeders to produce good dogs.. In a way, it might be better if you dont suggest it. Otherwise he'll start churning out puppies. Maybe this way he'll eventually give up. +1

Liz, I'm confused! Did you miss some words? :) Must have highlighted and deleted half the story.

THIS!! Mine follow me from room to room. Mopping and vacuuming is fun with 2 lunging dogs at the equipment (its all a big game to them). The kitchen is seen as where their food comes from and they running around thinking I am making them a feast whenever I'm in it. They bring toys onto my bed and play tug o war when i'm relaxing watching TV. They are definitely NOT candidates for all day crating. In fact I bought one when I got the puppy and returned it 3 days later after she squealed the house down when being in it. Baby gates at our house. Can I suggest you don't let your dogs lunge and jump at your mop and vacuum....it's a very annoying and neurotic trait that will become a bane to you eventually. Doesn't bother me actually, its a game to them, they do it a few times and run off eventually. So long as it continues not to bother you. :)

I do the same although my kiddie covers come from my grown up kiddies :laugh: I think dogs love the covers, it makes them feel safer and less exposed...keeps their backs covered so to speak. It gives their crate a den like feel...and dogs love dens of course. When it's very hot I just lift up the side for extra ventilation and keep it tucked down when it's cold to avoid chills. I did buy a cover recently for about $19.00 on line which i used at the Royal Show when benching, just left the front up so pups could be seen. Looked nice over the wire crate and the dogs were less exposed and felt safer.

THIS!! Mine follow me from room to room. Mopping and vacuuming is fun with 2 lunging dogs at the equipment (its all a big game to them). The kitchen is seen as where their food comes from and they running around thinking I am making them a feast whenever I'm in it. They bring toys onto my bed and play tug o war when i'm relaxing watching TV. They are definitely NOT candidates for all day crating. In fact I bought one when I got the puppy and returned it 3 days later after she squealed the house down when being in it. Baby gates at our house. Can I suggest you don't let your dogs lunge and jump at your mop and vacuum....it's a very annoying and neurotic trait that will become a bane to you eventually.

Yes, you might be forgiven for thinking that it is being implied that "If you can't spend all day with your dog and only be gone for an hour at a time you really shouldn't have dogs"...interesting, I've heard similar arguments about having kids, working mums and creches. I was a privleged 'stay at home mum for 17 years"...we were fortunate at that time to be able to manage on one wage. Doubt we could today.

Because a crate, if covered replicates a den. :)

So sorry to hear of little Cals passing. So grateful he was with you and it wsn't too prolonged for you both. Hugs to you Kiwioz.

No worries just surprise with the manner of the answers n truly did not realise this was common practise to lock dogs in runs or crates all day everyday. No worries, I'm not upset as nothing to be upset about just surprised n dismayed I guess Eyeopener you are indeed very lucky to be able to live and work at your place of residence. Some people have to leave there dogs for extended periods of time and either have to lock them in the house or in a yard. I'm lucky I work nights and have a family, so my dogs are never home alone for any extended peiod of time. In some city areas there are those that have stolen dogs for various purposes from dog fight/baiting to breeding. We try to keep our animals safe and happy and give them as much quality time as our lifestyle allows. Some might indeed ask "Why have a dog if you don't have time for them"...short answer is..I (and most dog owners I know) give my dogs as much quality time as I can, when I can, and when I can't they will happily wait until I do. Each time...they understand and forgive. Why? Because that is what dogs do. I understand that in a farming situation you can't afford to have a dog that attacks stock and you have predetermined the choice to not give any dog a second chance, should they decide to injure stock. That is your choice..but not everyone is as stoic as that and would prefer prevention to the ultimate price and cure for livestock attack.

Also of interest...many true working farms keep their dogs chained up when not being used. Both for their own safety, to avoid unwanted matings and to avoid any possible disputes between dogs.

Fact is dogs do not "self exercise". Unless they are neurotically running along a fence barking at something or someone! Whether a dog is asleep on his bed on in a crate for a period of time is irrelevant provided they receive adequate daily exercise and toileting time. My dogs spend a great deal of time in a conglomerate lump on either my bed or the couch..it would make very little difference if they were in a crate. They sleep a hell of a lot....but when we go out to play...BOY! do they play! :) In my opinion crating is a useful tool in dog husbandry and management. Unfortunately, like most things has the potential to be abused if overused.

Never forget the morning I heard Karl Stefanovic from the Today Show call them "Chi Who Wah Who Wahs!

If Hybrid Vigour is quoted explain that true Hybrd Vigour only exists in many generations of "survival of the fittest" (ie. the Heinz mutt) and not in domestic planned breeding.

Petstock. Also...http://www.onlinepetwarehouse.com.au/Latest-Dog-Products/Health-and-Wellbeing/dog-diapers.html

They made me smile this morning when I looked at the queue lined up at the door all waiting patiently in turn to have their feet dried off with the towel, even the baby puppy. :) It made me think of the woman at the German Shepherd Club who had said to me "Cavaliers don't have much between their ears"! Yeah right.

Years ago a friend of mine showed me an interesting thing with my dog. He is a very experienced dog trainer, mostly gundogs but all his excelled at Obedience. My Schipperke was standing on a concrete wall edging the River. It had been built into the side of the river bank to make a wading pool for kids at a Camp site. He gently pressed his the wading pool. It was hot and she loved the water....At least he didn't do it on the other side which was the River!

Sending healing vibes and positive thoughts.

Beef bones are too big for my dogs. I've had them occasionally but if I get the leg bones cut in half Penny especially scrapes at them with her front teeth and wears them down. I haven't given it to them many times but now as an old dog she just has little stumps for front teeth. Consider yourself lucky you have a breed with room for it's teeth. My GSD has lovely white teeth..the Cavaliers are constant work...particularly the girl who wont chew stuff! Ah, fair enough. :) The vertebrae bones are about the size of a woman's fist- they are also often sold as beef 'soup bones'. When they are all connected and forming a whole neck they are huge [HUGE!], but once seperated the individual vertebrae are a great size for my whippet. They don't seem to be anywhere near as dense as the large weight-bearing leg bones, as she can crunch most of them up but struggles to make a dent in leg bones [and like you, I worry for her teeth when she chews those, so she very rarely gets them]. What about turkey necks? They have a bit more oomph than chicken necks whilst remaining very manageable. Turkey necks are great but I cant get them here. I've only bought them when I've been over to the Dandy market.I've come to the conclusion that by most standards my dogs teeth are very good so I will stop stressing about them. I'll still investigate getting the gel to use on Feather and Kibah but even today I managed to chip a bit of plaque off Kibah, so possibly with feeding them more bones and gently chipping away at it they'll be fine.

WoofnHoof, you contribute heaps and I'm sure you find something useful in these threads occassionally! :laugh:

I think what has to be remembered here is there are some new forumites..discovering new issues and learning new things. Just because some are "over" some issue doesn't make it a moot point for all.

As many have stated..we really cannot offer diagnosis, only hyposises on what may be wrong with your dog. Your dog is in the hands of professionals but I too would be asking if they would consider X-raying to rule out any spinal problems. Goos luck with your little guy..I hope they find out what is wrong and make him comfortable and happy soon.

WARNING...they are not designed to prevent mating (and wont)....only to protect your furniture. The bitches tend to push them aside in an attempt to clean themselves. I have used them but recently didn't bother as I realised they restricted the bitch from keeping herself clean! They won't stop peeing and pooing either as they use a small panty liner piece and the tail hole allows for most poos to pass (yes, at 4.00 am you forget they are on.

I would say they are descended from commensal animals that lived in association with man, but not they'd ever been what I would consider domesticated. I'm not saying dingoes can't be good pets, just that we have worked so hard for so long to breed the traits that work for us into dogs, so they make even bettter pets! Agree Weasels..just pointing out the misnomer that they are a native animal. Admittently they, like the Aboriginals have been here for a bloody long time. :) Commensal animals that lived in association with man...isn't that how ALL domestic dogs started?

Really, really bad idea in my opinion. If they drop it to two weeks they may as well have a quick vet check when they get off the plane and 24 hours observation! Australia used to have the most stringent quarrantine laws in the world..and for a good reason too.

I disagree. They are decendened from domestic animals and came across to Australia together with man. They are not truly a "native animal"..and all dogs have the capacity to go 'wild' and feral. I have known many Dingo pet dogs here in Victoria over the years and they are no more difficult to train and own than many other "demanding' breeds. Truly, they are not for everyone and shouldn't be. But then neither is a German Shepherd, Basenji, Border Collie, or a Kelpie......