Di*

Yes, organic meats and veg for mine--also for ethical reasons. Luckily my 4 are all small. Di

I would never kick a dog. I would suspect that kicking a pup may result in a dog that was fearful of feet/legs which in turn might result in a dog that would bite legs or ankles. Di

Hi I hope your little dog is OK. I can't comment on whether the chiro has or hasn't caused a problem but I just thought I'd let you know that I have 3 dogs with luxating patellas. None of them skips, none of them has had any lameness or apparent/obvious pain. And, from what I've been told by vets, pain is not usually associated with luxating patellas (except as they get older as a result of arthritis). With one you can clearly tell simply by looking at him that he has patella problems--you can see when his patellas have slipped. So this is possible in some cases. All of mine have had their knees manipulated when they were checked and this has not caused any further problems. The one with the worst knees has regular chiropractic treatment. good luck with it Di

Yep it's nice and tight. As soon as the dog get to the ends of the leash she just continues pulling and does it on an angle I have tried pulsating the lead which is on the front of the harness and I have also tried to apply pressure to the back clip in an upward motion and then turn the dog back in towards me but none of those stop her pulling. Sas Before you give up, you could try (if you haven't already done so and you have the inclination to have another go): 1.Being positioned next to the dog's shoulder. 2. Holding the leash as close to the dog as possible 3. With a double leash, having one end of the leash in each hand 4. Not "holding" the leash but have it running across the palm of each hand (I imagine it is how you hold the reins on a horse but since I don't ride, I could be completely wrong) 5. Having your hands positioned roughly parallel and highish but apart. 6. If the dog pulls, stroke the back attaching lead in movements towards your body I had never tried a harness until after attending a T-Touch workshop. Only ever used martingale collars. I found it worked well with my reactive girl (but she's just a tiny dog). She heels beautifully when in obedience class but can be reactive to other dogs on our regular walks on home turf. The harness seems to reduce this reactivity. Di

I emailed the RTA about this in October I think. This was the response I received: "Thankyou for your email. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act states that a person must not carry or convey a dog (other than a dog being used to work livestock), on the open back of a moving vehicle on a public street unless the dog is restrained or enclosed in such a way as to prevent the dog falling from the vehicle. Please see below link to view this Act (see rule 7): http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/viewtop/...20animals%22))) Dogs should not ride unrestrained in either the front or back seats of any vehicle but this is not specifically stated in legislation. The police may fine you however if they deem that you do not have proper control of the vehicle due to the animal interfering with your control. Specially designed animal boxes and harnesses are available and should be used. A pet harness can be attached to the vehicle's seat belt allowing the dog to sit or lie on the seat. These harness and boxes can be purchased in a variety or sizes from the RSPCA or from pet supply stores. It is stated in legislation that a driver must not drive with a person or animal in the driver's lap. This is Road Rule 297 (1A) Drive motor vehicle with person or animal in lap To view the complete road rule please click on the below link to find Road Rule 297 which relates to your enquiry: http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/viewtop/...179+2008+fn+0+N Regards"

As an former SU vet student (I discontinued my studies), I'd like to make the point that we manage to train human doctors without the need for them to be involved in an equivalent practice. [i could make a comment here about nazi scientists/doctors but I won't.] Di

OK, I'm dumb. What are your specific concerns with the ALP blurb? D

Sorry, I don't have any profound insights (except the observation of a similar experience which also seems to relate to excitement/pleasure). One of mine always grabs a toy to take with him when he knows we are going somewhere in the car. I regularly have a car full of toys. Always reminds me of the way children want to take something with them in the car. It's a quirky behaviour (and looks quite cute esp. given he's a tiny dog). When I first got him, he would also take the toys with him on walks. He's mostly chihuahua so not a retriever or anything but he is extremely toy oriented. Always has one close at hand/paw. Di

[Warning: Rant with apologies to the OP] I love the way the term 'political correctness' has become virtually meaningless except as a way of disparaging a position someone doesn't agree with. 55chevy, I don't suppose it could possibly be that those advocating a position different from yours could be doing so based on research, experience, or an alternate model/understanding of canine behaviour or human-canine interactions? How about a coherent, rational, well thought out discussion or argument between those advocating different philosophies and practices of dog training/behaviour management? The alternative, labelling opposing views as merely examples of 'political correctness', appears like intellectual laziness or worse. If you think your approach is vastly superior to an opposing approach, rationally explain why you think so rather than set up a false dichotomy between the 'political correctness' and what is usually represented as 'common' or 'good' sense. Di [Rant over]

I'm not a member but I understand they have been challenging the legality of tenancy agreements which prevent resident pets. Here's a link to info Renting If there are shared goals, it might be worth exploring further/sharing information/resources even if different strategies are ultimately followed. Di

Steve Barking Mad has been doing some work in relation to dogs and renting. Not sure if you are aware of them or if you are thinking of doing something different. Di

There are two sizes. My three toy-sized dogs can handle the small size easily. Di

Yes, we have one but it's a bit too easy--so ony amuses for about 5 minutes. We just use ours as an occasional breakfast alternative. Di

:D OSoSwift!! Doesn't anyone feel any responsibility or regret at the toll on the wildlife? There was some research a little while back about the decline in blue tongue lizard numbers in Sydney esp. the lack of young blueys. (Yes, own dogs--I have four dogs and two cats. The cats are inside only.) Di

Oh, great now we have climate change deniers on DOL [sIGH!] Surely you have enough of cyberspace to troll. Leave the dogs alone! Di

Great pics and Kasey must be a lovely tolerant dog! D

I have three who love me, only me .... and one whose anyone's! We call her the love hound. I sometimes think she's a bit "blond" (figuratively only, with no offence to any real blonds!) but maybe she's really the smartest. Everyone she meets loves her best and thinks she loves them the best. She's my pet therapy dog. Di

Yes, I have one very short-coated (and sparsely covered) chi x (maybe Italian Greyhound) and she doesn't mind the slicker. It's a bit weird what each will cope with. thanks Di

Thanks, yes, we have one of those too! We have the small-sized one. Gets rid of the fur well but I find it a bit weighty for the chi X and not so good on the longer fur of the sheltie X. Works best on our cats. Since I have some experts online. Could you explain the use of those loopy metal things with the teeth and handle. Where do they fit into the whole brushing/grooming process? thanks again for everyone's thoughts Di I think what you have described there is a shedding blade, I think its really only used for very long coated breeds to get rid of the dead hair, but I could be wrong there I have a furminator for my JRT and I love it...she disagrees but it does the job, she doesnt agree with any sort of brush, at least the furminator gets the job done in a few minutes, I do also have a zoom groom (the kong one) and I dont mind it, I just prefer the furminator because its easier to clean out and the hair stays in nice neat bundles Thanks GG

Thanks everyone for your help and advice. Di

Thanks, yes, we have one of those too! We have the small-sized one. Gets rid of the fur well but I find it a bit weighty for the chi X and not so good on the longer fur of the sheltie X. Works best on our cats. Since I have some experts online. Could you explain the use of those loopy metal things with the teeth and handle. Where do they fit into the whole brushing/grooming process? thanks again for everyone's thoughts Di

Thanks, yes we have one of those. It is good for the chi x but I always find loose hair left behind after using it. I had been using the slicker to pick up the "leftovers". Di

Thanks for your advice. Most appreciated. Di

Happy to receive advice about coat type and most appropriate tool for the job but probably difficult to do online and with cross-breed dogs. Some info below in case it is of use. Although all of mine are short-coated, the two with "most coat" are also the two who object to the slicker the most. One is chi x jack russell (best guess)--his coat would be thicker than a staffy's. Brushing only needed to remove dead hair. The other is supposed to be a sheltie cross. She is the only one with any length to her coat--mostly feathering, luxurious tail, fluffy bits around her ears. Her coat is most like a cavalier's but much less dense and not as long. Coat picks up bits and pieces and will have the odd knot. Di

Thanks Crazy Daisy. Just found this one advertised on ebay Paw Brothers Slicker Brush. It's described as supersoft but I was also told that my Dog Man slicker was soft and the guys still act as though I'm sticking pins into them. Di