Red Fox

I disagree on this. It SHOULD be easy, but it isn't always. Some people are just idiots unfortunately. Sure, you can always walk away or keep your distance, you can body block, you can say 'NO!'. Hell, I've been direct enough to shout at people before or tell them they are going to get bitten if they come any closer (with me body blocking them from my dog). Yet there will always be someone who says "Oh it's okay" as they try to push their way around you and thinks they know better. Personally I no longer have a problem with telling these people to f*** off, but not everyone is that direct *ETA my situation is probably different though as my dog does not want the attention. Agree. I certainly think dogs can learn many, many commands. But a lot of the time they are simply reading your body language

Cubby house. They can be pricey but you could pick up a second hand one a reasonable price. Otherwise if you wanted a more versatile option you could consider a large covered crate with some warm bedding inside. 54" crate http://cgi.ebay.com.au/WE-OFFER-NOW-NEW-54...=item230ad8df00 Custom made crate covers http://www.greatrugs.com.au./store/index.htm

Does he poop candy too?

Thanks for the ideas. I've considered having a gate/divider made, but for the expense a crate would be the most versatile I think

Awwww no-one? Has anyone bought from this eBay seller? Petsouterspace http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT eta, the puppypower (black crates and Savic) and Vebo 42" crates are out as at 80cm they are too tall by 5cm.

Thanks for the info PS. I'm not looking to carry too much, just water (for weight mostly), phone, small travel bowl and perhaps a long line I think the bigger packs would be too big for what we want? The singletrack looks quite streamlined and light too. CW, I'll have a look at the link. Thank you.

CW EW this is from their website: International Shipping We're regret that we are no longer shipping Internationally due to changes with some of our supplier agreements. We have greatly appreciated our loyal International customers and if we can help you find the gear your looking for in your country, please contact us.

Does anyone have a Ruffwear Singletrack Pack? Or perhaps an Approach Pack? If so- How have you found it? Durability? How much storage space? What do you put in it? How does it fit? Does it slip around at all? Where did you buy it from? And where is the cheapest place to buy Ruffwear gear from? (either in Australia or O/S) BackcountryK9 no longer ships internationally ;) Thanks.

;) 5 hours is nothing. I'll be travelling close to that just to meet a breeder this year and I still don't know if I will be getting a pup from her. Plenty of people travel interstate or even overseas to find the right dog

I'm after a strong, good quality wire crate for the back of the wagon. Space wise I can go up to 44" long (so 42" is ideal) but am restricted to 30" in height which is making it difficult. A standard 36" crate would fit but is too small for my dog. It must have a side door and would need to be easy enough to collapse whilst inside the back of the car. (Without the swearing and pinching of fingers!) I'm considering another c-crate either an AP6 or custom made size (if they do that??). The quality is there, steel tray over plastic and they are super smooth to set up and collapse so has everything I want. But they aren't cheap either! So wondering if anyone can recommend an alternative? Thanks ;)

Jacqui - I started a thread on this a while ago and there was some great advice in there. Do a search and you'll find it. Have you considered a TL for the female? Otherwise, as RSG suggested, Suprelorin implant for your boy until you are ready to desex. Might make him easier to manage whilst she is in heat too.

Think about this for a second. The risk of testicular cancer in an adult male is reasonably low, the risk in a young male pup is just about zilch. Your pup is not going to develop cancer because you waited an extra 3 months to desex him! He may well be at a higher risk of other health issues if you desex him earlier though. Plus desexing a male at ANY age eliminates the risk of testicular cancer, not "minimises" it Listen to your breeder, she knows her lines best. ...personally I'd tell the vet to shove it and not desex until after 18 months minimum. Your dog, your choice.

Oh damn. I thought it was a good price too!

Red nose implies APBT. Fat chance that it actually is though in most cases

Definately agree with that! It is mainly for night time and I think it will end up in the bedroom once I rearrange the room to accommodate it a bit better. Perhaps the cats will be OK if they know that Jed's confined. I'd rather have him in with me as I'd miss him if he were in another room. Just trying to get it worked out in my head Put it in the bedroom and see how you go. You can always move it out if you change your mind. Plus crates make excellent bedside tables The cats will be fine with him in the crate.

Dog run. There is no other option. Most come apart in panels, easy to put together and easy to take with you when you move. You don't have to spend a fortune, plenty on eBay or you may be able to pick one up second hand. 3m x 2m roofed run in NSW $359: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/3-Metre-x-2-Metre-O...=item45fa4a4ba5

Where you set it up depends on what you want to use it for. If you only want to use it for nights and very occasional daytime confinement then put it in your bedroom. If you'd like to use it to keep him out of mischief during the day and/or a place that he can go to of his own accord to chill out then put it in a more accessable area of the house. Big wire crates are a massive PITA to be carting around the house, it's much easier to have it set up permanently in one area.

Tilly have you seen this? http://www.youtube.com/leerburg#p/u/1/5e1hgg6huLg I've never used a quick release, but if I was I think I'd certainly be using a back up too.

Thanks Ams

No I don't use one. A properly fitted prong collar should not come apart but that said it never hurts to have a back up Steve from K9 Pro sells DD collars and will be able to give you advice on how to fit one. http://www.k9pro.com.au/products/Stabilisation-Collar.html Another alternative is to use a small halter connector strap to connect the dead ring of the prong collar to the dogs flat collar. http://www.blackdog.net.au/index.php?page=...rt&Itemid=5

I have a packet of capstar here, exp date 05/2010. Would it be harmful to use, okay, less effective? Should I just bin it I was planning on giving it to a relative who's dog is flea infested but who won't spend any money on treatment...

I use K9 Natural as back up on the days that I forget to defrost something or for travelling. My dog loves it I've never had problems with it rehydrating either - just boil the kettle, pour on the recommended amount of water and leave it to cool. Within 15 mins it's a good temp and the water has completely absorbed. It's not something I'd use everyday though. Firstly due to the expense and secondly because I'd prefer to feed real meat/bones/vegies as opposed to re-hydratable ones. Cheaper and better for the dog IMO. If you want to make the dry food more palatable and add some variety perhaps you could try adding some fresh meat, yogurt, sardines or an egg to it?

Looks normal to me too It's normal for him to have lighter patches around his shoulder blades too.

I'd not use a head collar on a reactive dog. It's all well and good when you're training in a controlled environment, but take that dog out on a walk and have it unexpectantly go over threshold (ie an offleash dog rushing you in the street or walking around a corner and coming face to face with another reactive dog, etc) and you're going to have limited control and probably spinal damage to go with it. Teaching your dog focus under threshold is a good idea, but that could just as easily be done on a flat collar or a mart IMO.

Excellent advice, thank you, and reflects my own thoughts and future direction. My research on the prong collar indicates that it is actually provides a far less severe and much safer correction than a check chain - I have been using a check chain for the past 10 days and I don't feel I have perfected the technique combined with the right timing - I don't like to think I am practising at my dog's expense. The placement of the darn thing does not stay where it should either, with me constantly having to readjust it. As soon as I do, he immediate shakes his head to reposition it. He is wearing the correct size and wears a flat collar too which I had hoped may help keep it in place. Talk about a learning curve! I would agree with this. The pops needed for a dog to register the correction on a prong are much lighter than what is needed when using a check chain or a martingale. Easier on the handler and easier on the dog. If you have a trainer who is willing to show you how to use the collar and are comfortable doing so I say go for it. You don't need anyones permission For what it's worth I do use a prong collar on my dog and have found it to be invaluable.