bobchic

What about the frogs???

definantly get rid of all traces of snail bait and dead snails!! I have been looking at ant stuff.. and I think there is an Ant Sand that is pet safe.. It says so anyway... But Im just so hesitant to use it anyway... Goodluck with your puppy

I watched a Dog Whisperer episode about this last night... Well it was actually a cat and a dog... But still the same principle applies... You need to show your top dog and do not allow any dominance between them. Neither dog can be dominant. You need to be dominant. And then they should get along and be happy chappies... So correct them when they growl, are tense etc... Or maybe consult a professional before doing any of the above... as per the episode disclaimer... Goodluck!!

I have a puppy who is 4 mths old. He has had a spew a few times. I just figured it was cause he got too active after he ate (all on his own.. not cause we encouraged him) As long as your dog is eating and drinking and not acting different I wouldn't be too concerned. Though it can always ease the mind to go for a general checkup. Has she been to the vet yet for a check up since you got her? Goodluck

do you think if a neighbour has put out snail bait that they ones that have eaten it would make it to my back yard? or would they die pretty quick?

Mr Fluffy keeps going outside and coming back with a snail!! He wont eat it but will carry it around and crunch it for a bit (if I don't take it off him earlier). I even found one in my SHOE!! ewww. I say 'AHT' as soon as I see him with a snail and then take it off him. But then he goes and gets another one lol Its cute but then I have no idea if the neighbor uses snail bait so I don't really want him eating them. Other then stopping him going outside, what could I do to prevent him picking them up? Or what could I use to get rid of them from the garden. And what does everyone do for ant and roach prevention? I want to use a spray or bomb but I don't want to chance Mr Fluffy getting sick. So we are stuck with ants everywhere (incl the carpet!!). And I have bought those roach traps but put them all away when I found Mr Fluffy playing with one. Am I being over protective? Or is there a product that is pet friendly?

Maybe try some pawpaw ointment? Its people stuff but check the ingredients incase there is something bad... Neem oil (spelling) is also good for em.. My parents had a dog years ago that would find a low branch and scratch his back with it.. eventually he had major hairloss and sores. Neem oil with a little bit of tea tree oil rub on his back worked a treat... If two dogs are suffering thought it sounds as though something isnt right... are they affected in the same area of their bodies? Do those two hang out in one spot more then the other dog? you really should get down on your hands and knees and have a sniff round ur back yard and areas you keep them. This will help you see what is at dog level and what might be causing the issues... If you wash their bedding maybe it is a reaction to the soap. Goodluck

He used to have the run of the house and unlimited access to the outside world but would still toilet inside. Its only in the last few days we have put him in the garage for a few hours (maybe 5 at most.. usually 4hrs till my bf wakes up from night duty) and then he is back inside the house with run of the back yard. So we have attempted to teach him toilet outside. Its just come to the point where it is making our home smell/stink. Its only the times we are out or unable to supervise him that he is put in the garage.. If we are home and awake he is in the house.

Anyone here from Melb going to the Pet day on this Sunday? Its in Ferntree gully or something like that... I was thinking of having Mr Fluffy microchipped there.. $20 seemed alright... (of course I will only do it if everything looks sterile etc) Any tips on the pooping and weeing inside?? I have been taking him outside everytime he wakes from a sleep to do wee's (which 9/10 he does) and I keep him outside for 20mins after a meal. When he is inside the door leading outside is always open. And yet he goes to about 4 diffrent spots to do poos and sometimes I find wet patches which are an obvious wee... What should I do? I try to keep in him the garage while im at work. But when Im home, and I try my very best to watch him and stop him going in the house, he still manages to find a way.. What can I do?? My house is getting smelly (funny story... I scrubbed the floor with a viniger and water mix to help get rid of the smell.. Mr Fluffy came up and drank the mix.. After two licks he started sneezing lol... Then he went back for more!! Silly puppy)

I have my 3mth old puppy at puppy skool now and they keep telling us 'don't let your puppy do something now that you don't want them doing when they are an adult' Im pretty sure its never too young for a dog to learn manners. Eg not chewing on things that arnt theirs, dont let them eat your food or beg for food, jumping etc... But playing and chewing/biting are two different things... Fine line though... I was letting my puppy get away with play biting on my hands.. But then he started doing more and more and drew blood. Now I make a 'Agh!' noise and dont allow it at all.. he still trys but stops as soon as I make that noise. Good luck

Did no one see the mess my puppy made?? I put pics up... Terrible time trying to clean it up while he played in it... And then this morning he had a few balls in his poo's... So will have to watch him to make sure they dont cause him harm... As far as holding dogs down to have them submit... I think there is a time and a place. Dog culture is very diffrent to humans and do need to be treated a diffrent way. Of course if you dont agree with how your puppy is being treated you have every right to stop whatever is happening and deal with the consequences, (which could be many diffrent things including good and bad) Anyway.. We really should talk more bout Mr Fluffy :P:P:P:P:P

Thank you Cosmolo!! I appreciate the opinons shared by all in regards to training. I believe it really is as personal as how you raise your own child. Many diffrent methods that should all (hopefully) come to the same point, a trained pooch!! I think Mr Fluffy is way too distracted to try the lure method atm. Im ok with that as he is fine to be held. Oh and I have a pic of some distruction he caused this morning

the disclaimer is shown whenever he is approaching a aggressive or fearful dog, or when he is holding them down for domminance. I think its ok to improve my posture and the way I interact with my dog without consulting a professional I watched one last night where he held a bulldog down with his thumb under the jaw!! When you know what to do the results are amazing. Is the dog whisperer liked in these forums?? lol What about that english lady that does the dog thing?

I have never heard of a heart worm debate. I had been told the tablets are not as effects as they can be forgotten or missed and then you need to do a heart worm test before commencing treatment. I wonder what the death rate is for the needle vs people who give tabs then forget and complications arise? (probly difficult to get that figure) I read alot of people are stating they are concerned to have their dog pumped full of medication for 12 mths (read in the above links). But isnt it the same as a normal vaccination?? The shot just creates anti bodies?

I just do what the vet says... He trained for however many years to be able to advise me... Maybe Im too conditioned... :S

I have been watching a HEAP of The Dog Whisperer and he will hold a dog down to show dominance. His shows really remind you of the small things you need to do (such as how you hold yourself) to ensure you remain top dog. I want to be a dog whisperer one day!!

I am very likley to forget to give a heart worm tablet in time. probly best in my circumstance to give the needle... But poor puppy has to deal with the pain How did everyones dog cope with Micro chipping? Are they sore for long after? I am going to have it done at the final vaccination. I didnt want to go overboard for the first vet visit.. (ps.. are there problems with the heart worm needle?)

I just took Mr Fluffy to the vet tonight for his booster shots... Poor fluffy yelped and I felt woozy lol But the vet was great and had Mr Fluffy all cheerful again within a few mins. How does everyone cope with the shots? Heart worm especially!! The vet was very happy with his size and weight. Said Im a good Mum lol... Glad we got the training stuff sorted. I probly should have explained myself better from the start. Thanks guys. you are all so friendly and full of knowledge. How does any dog owner get on with out you all???

Hmm.. I am currently in a structured puppy class that will go on to actual dog school after... When doing the stand command they said to support under the chest and wait for the pup to stop squirming (Mr Fluffy didnt squirm at all) and say the Stand command only once. Then once the pup is still, to say Free, or some kind or release word. Then give heaps of pats and fun times. The sit command involved holding the collar in the right hand and use the left to 'scoop' the tail under the pup. Mr Fluffy was in no way forced into the sit position. The puppy is held in position, but the teacher showed us how to not put pressure on their bodies to ensure we dont harm them. They did mention in the class that pushing their bottom down will harm them. Obviously if this is not the correct training technique I will have to reconsider training with this school. I mean, I have paid alot of money to attend training. (Australia Dog Training promotes that they train your dog to a level of obediance. Not by how long it takes you to get there, and then they guarantee the training) Anyone train dogs or been to formal puppy lessons? Thanks for the feedback

I had thought it was fine to give any raw bones. They just cant be cooked... Goodluck with the wings I will need to start buying my puppy some too

At puppy training thats how they showed us to teach the dogs how to learn what we wanted them to do. Give the command while placing them in position. Wait for the dog to submit to the position and then release them. Is that a normal technique? The dog school allows use of treats as rewards but promotes positive praise. Has anyone trained with Australia Dog Training in Melbourne? Im attending the Scoresby classes. Cheers

Just came back from puppy school!! he loved meeting the other dogs!! Was VERY excited, and was doing flips and jumps while in class trying to go play lol. But he did well with the sit and stand. He pretty much just tolerated me holding him in the right position lol. He has started biting less but when he does its like he thinks he is grabbing a play toy. I just make a sharp noise and then take my hands away.. Hopefully he will get the message. Thanks heaps for the advise so far

I might try covering his face when I blow dry him. That could help.. Thanks heaps.. Your little one looks so cute in your pics!! Whats the best way to trim the claws without doing any damage and the puppy squirming too much? Thanks

Hello Everyone I have a Pomeranian puppy and just want a few tips so I dont get him scared of being washed, dryed and brushed. I have washed him a few times now and at first he wanted to get out of the tub. Last night when I did it he actually stood still which was great. I kept talking in an encouraging way, telling him how clean he would be when we were done lol. Next I take him out and place him on a towel next to the washing basin (doesnt have to move far but is now standing on a washing machine). I let him shake himself off a bit after i towel him. Then I get the hairdryer out of blow dry on low heat high fan (I keep my hand under where Im drying so I know he isnt getting burnt). Now this is where he wiggles around a fair bit. he isnt scared of what Im doing. But he is just impatient and doesnt really like the dryer on his face. Any tips on how to get him to keep still and like/tolerate the drying? I have tried treats (dog biscuits and Smacko's) but he doesnt really care for them. Also when I try to brush him he turns it into a 'bite the brush and hand that uses it' game lol. I dont want him to get big and fluffy and not be able to sit still to be groomed. Mr Fluffy is about 11wks old. Any tips?

When I was fostering a Kelpie cross Staffie a few years back, I froze some of his wet food (1-2 table spoons) in an ice cream container with water. he loved these and would play with them and eat them. If your dog is an inside dog Im not sure what else you can do... Chicken necks frozen may also help the chewing and provide a yummy treat. Good Luck!! Sonia