Bluefairy

I haven't read all the replies, I have a Pug and I was quoted $190 for desexing my female. I think its an extra $35 if I want her to have fluids during the op, this helps with recovery and I always get this added. As to the OP quote ;) this was the price my daughter was quoted for both her Aussie Terriers + microchipping + vaccinations.....so BF

Zoe had her very first ever bath. She didn't understand what was going on, but she loved it though, I guess all the attention, the massaging of her body when I was rubbing in the shampoo, just got to her and she stood there while I did it. She loved the towel dry too, luckily she has a single coat and is easy to dry. After wards she smelled brilliant, her coat was so soft and she is now a fawn colour and not a black pug in fawn clothing BF

Thanks for the warning Anna. I don't use conditioner anyway, only the shampoo. BF

Thank you all. I have just put in an order from Vets-N-Pets BF

Thank You Anne BF

Hi, I have a 3 month old Pug that I just had to bath. She had got into some soot and she smelled of urine from her blanket (all her bedding was also washed). The shampoo was one especially for puppies that was made for more sensitive skin (I can't remember the brand, but not a well known one). But the scent on it, though it smells lovely, is quite strong....which of course got me wondering about this shampoo and Pugs, as I know some are sensitive for some things. I wouldn't normally wash dogs that often but until she stops urinating on her blanket, I will have to continue to wash her every couple of weeks, as that is as long as I can stand it. So what is a good shampoo for a pup that is good for dogs that may have sensitive skin? It has to be available online as I live in the country and with no shops nearby, online is the only way for me to get anything. Thank you BF

In the last 4 years (since having my DSH cat) we have had 3 dogs, 2 Aussie Bulldogs (both now at the Rainbow Bridge) and our current Pug who is 3 months. Shadow has been happy to play chasey with the bigger dogs, but with Zoe she will walk with her and sleep on the lounge opposite sides of one of us. Shadow is bigger than Zoe, so I don't think she feels as threatened by her size as she did the other two. BF

We had carpet, but I got fed up with the smell and ripped it out. It is at the moment vinyl, it old and very tough unlike newer vinyl we had down in the kitchen which is now crap. I'm keeping the vinyl on the floor until my Pug is toilet trained, then we are getting laminate floors. With vinyl Zoe slides on it, if she sits her bum slides backwards, and if she runs she slips on it all the time. The cat never does, just Zoe. Tiles I think are too cold, well they are for SA but I'll never go back to carpet again with pets. BF

BB ~ Wow it will be a long day. I hope it goes quick for you. I hate those days when you want it to hurry up and it goes buy one second at a time. Good luck. Don't forget to take a bowl and some water with you, he might need a drink when he leaves the airport. Millie12 ~ He's gorgeous. He's a dark brindle isn't he. Love the round belly. Nic ~ I'm glad your guests are accommodating with teaching Oreo his lessons, thats so nice. Zoe also keeps trying to bite but we have learned to keep fingers out her way and growl no lots. I think she thinks its her new name Zoe got into the soot again, its the poker that OH uses for the fireplace that she is rubbing up against. She chased the cat in there, and of course she got soot on her and as promised I took pics. Its too cold to bath her yet, so we are just using a damp flannel to wash most of it off. What did I do wrong? Crap now I need a bath right? she is always in trouble for one thing or other :D but she makes us all laugh and you just can't stay made with her for long. BF

Hi, To widen your search are you looking interstate as well? If not then I would start looking at BT Clubs in other states, as well as Dogs (DogsSA, DogsNSW, DogsWA, DogsQLD, DogsVIC) in each state for breeder lists and don't forget Tasmania too. I have bought from interstate before but this time managed to get a pup from my own state. I don't know about waiting times sorry. But if they are anything like Pugs and French Bulldogs, then usually someone somewhere in one of the states has a pregnant female or puppies available. Good luck BF

Congratulations Is there a Amstaff Club in your state? Thats how I found a list of breeders for Pugs. If you are willing to travel then also checkout clubs interstate like NSW, SA and Tasmania. You can also go through DogsVIC and look for registered breeders in your state. Then have a list of questions to ask each breeder, ask to visit and have a look around, and then make a shorter list of those you like and if you end up like me: have a short list of 3 breeders and you wait for puppies, then one breeder from a previous contact emails you and lets you know they have a puppy now for you Good luck BF

Hi Matt, Wow what an adventure to start with. But I'm glad things have settled down for Diesel, and I am so jealous of the 7am sleep-ins Can't wait to see pictures BF

Niques ~ How did last night go? Hopefully no puddles I too think the lump on Zoe's head is just an insect bite or something. I'll see how it goes this weekend and decide on Tuesday what to do (vet or leave it) by then. It is all drying up, and going scabby, so might have even been a boil or something. BB ~ Wow not long now. Are you picking up your pup from the breeder or is the pup coming from interstate? Sorry I forgot. Nic ~ Oreo is gorgeous. I love the one white ear and one black, its a very unique colouring. He looks so happy. Poppyx ~ I too hope you can keep them apart. I hope Tuesday comes super fast for you. Not a great situation to be in is it? :D Zoe is in her play pen outside it is sitting half in the shade and half out. This is the only chance she ever gets to be outside by herself, as we don't have all the fences up yet :D but OH is outside walking around the yard putting wood into the wood shed. She is just happily sitting there watching him. I can see them both from my study. I was thinking of giving Zoe a bath today, as its supposed to be 29'C but it isn't than warm, in fact we all have jumpers on. I'll wait till this afternoon and see then. The reason Zoe needs a bath is she got behind the combustion heater and decided to sit in the soot there. I clean all around the fireplace regularly but she had to sit where I can't get to so now she is a darker colour than she is supposed to be Other than that its still 5am wake ups......its still dark outside and my body tells me its sleep time I never was a nighttime person, even with kids. Those early morning feeds are the killers but Zoe is consistent.....so it looks like its going to be this way for a while. I just hope she sleeps in when she gets older ;) BF

Lovemesideways ~ Isn't it heaven when the other animals in your household gets on so well with the new addition? He looks so contented :D Niques ~ I'll hold you to your promise Zoe is still waking at 5am.....it was Nicole's turn this morning, but she didn't hear Zoe crying so I was up banging on her bedroom door to wake up....not a pretty sight first thing in the morning believe me. But the good thing is when "I" and only I put her to bed she cries for maybe 5-10 minutes. OH did it before and she cried for over 30 minutes...... Lauren ~ I still have one daughter in high school so early wake up for me on Monday too To find a head on a chicken neck.... :D ewwww no thanks. I don't give chicken necks to Zoe, Pugs are notoriously prone to suck up food and a couple have died because they get stuck in their throats.....so I am not willing to take a chance. Bigger dogs are fine with them, but not Pugs at least. Wuffles ~ Well done Ava.....I can't wait until Zoe sleeps in until 6am.....7am would be absolutely perfect. But 6am is great....and any of those times are better than 5am :D I just realised I have to get Zoe registered with the council I forgot. So I'll have to see if our local one is open and if so go and get it done. I also put Zoe's new collar on her today, I am doing it for her to get used to wearing it outside when we go out with her. She can take it off inside. I have two tags on it at the moment, one with our name and address and Ph number on, the other says she is microchipped. Then we have to add the registration disc.....I wish in SA they were a disc and not those hard to put on plastic things that don't go inside the "D" ring on a small puppy collar. Zoe has a little lump on her head at the moment....I think its a small wort or cyst thing, or could be an insect bite. Its about 3mm in size, it doesn't hurt her or annoy her, its just annoying to me. My friend who had a pug had one like this before on its side, it went scaly and eventually just dropped off. Zoe's is now scally, so I'll wait and see what happens before I take her to the vet. My firend took her dog to the vet and he had her booked it to remove it surgically, but as I said it dropped off on its own. My daughter also had one similar on her head and the Dr just pulled it off, it bled slightly, but was never a problem since. Not sure what it was called, but it was a form of cyst. Weird its happened though... BF

Mumof3 ~ I have had 4 kids, the oldest two are married and have families of their own they are 27 and 24. The youngest two are still at home aged 20 and 13. So yes I have spent a lot years waking up through out the night and early hours I wonder if there will ever be a day when I can just sleep as long as I want maybe if I stop buying pups Poppyx ~ I just go with the flow now. I figure why fight it Lovemesideways ~ Riddick is a big boy for 16 weeks. Glad he has settled in more today. Zoe had her first taste of a Schmacko today.....she was hesitant at first, until she worked out how to eat it. I got those strips and she has half of one. I love introducing new foods now and again. I know she loves cheese, sardines, and seafood extender... BF

I've heard 12+ Zoe is only 3 months BF

Niques ~ Pet Plan must have changed their rules, as they weren't always like that. A lot of people had a lot of problems getting the money out of them after making a claim. I think its in the General Section of DOL, you'll have to search for it. Someone asked about Pet Insurance, and PetPlan was one of the worse.....though paying the vet direct would be heaps easier than paying it up front. Its a mine field out there trying to do whats right for you and your dog. Lovemesideways ~ That is fantastic news. I can't wait to see more pics of him. Congratulations. Costasmum ~ Love the pictures of Costa its kinda too funny to get mad at him Mumof3 ~ Awww can't wait until you get your pup, lots of pictures ok? As for the pampering, I have seen dogs treated like people, and not for one minute would I do that....like with clothes, dress up costumes etc.....coats yes and Pugs feel the cold (especially single coated ones like Zoe) and maybe a cool coat for hot days, but thats a must not a pampering thing. As for being on the lounge....yep, she is a small dog, I didn't allow my Aussie Bulldog, Rotti, GSD, etc to lay on the lounge, they were all too big. Zoe is still a dog and gets treated like one, she may have more toys than most dogs :p but she's still a dog first. Magstar ~ Thank you Wuffles ~ I agree, it makes it too hard to have big dogs on the lounge....because you end up sitting on the floor thats why little dogs are ideal Lauren ~ The best meat bones to get are Cow Leg Bones, I get the butcher to cut them down the middle (from short end to short end) you don't have to but I always did. You can also just buy off cuts from Coles or Woolworths as they have them in the Pet section of the fridge. I went bed early last night and left OH to put Zoe to bed it was so nice to get some extra sleep Today I have to wash all her bedding.....at least it gets regularly cleaned. BF

I was in the same boat. I had found quite a few breeders, I contacted them all, and only half got back to me. Out of those I found some weren't mating in the near future, and some had just mated, I was on the list for a puppy when along came a lady I had already contacted who had kept 2 puppies (1 male and 1 female) to show, and she decided to keep the boy, so I was offered the girl. I chose Zoe as she was right there, I had checked out the breeder, like I did all the others, and she is great. I am very happy with my quicker than expected pup I'd go for Breeder 2, as you won't know for a while whether Breeder 1's dog is even pregnant, has a puppy that will be available, just too many what ifs.....Breeder 2 has a puppy NOW so why not go for that one. You know for sure its there.....and I know you'll be bringing the puppy home BF

I have had Zoe for 2 1/2 weeks and she also developed diarrhea, I hoped it was just the change of diet, as I couldn't get the Eagle Pack food the breeder recommended here. I did the change slowly over 4 days, but still had it, I took her to the vet where she promptly defecated on the vets floor the vet changed her to a better quality puppy food Royal Canin and again 4 days later she is now on this fully and no more diarrhea its a real worry if you don't know the cause of it. It is usually just something that the pup is eating, in the meal or treat, that has upset its tummy. Oh and even though the breeder wormed Zoe the vet did it again as this too can cause the same problem. Whatever it was its now gone, but all through it she was never sick or feeling off. BF

I was 18 BF

:thumbsup: So happy to hear that Huga. Yoghurt... thats not fair I had to eat dry toast when I had my tonsils out BF

Lauren ~ Glad the feeding is going better, they say patience is a virtue.....the person who said that lied Niques ~ Yes she is tiny :D and clever....in a devilish sort of way :D I think she lulls me into a relaxed mood then does something naughty which you can get mad at her for.....very clever indeed Ouch about the biting....what about putting something on your hands that the dog doesn't like ie: Tabasco sauce and so when he bites he'll get a horrible taste instead....you'll have to work out something he dislikes....as some dogs actually like YUK tastes ;) Lovemesideways ~ OMG Riddick is gorgeous, I love his name too How old is he? I hope you get to bring him home....how exciting ;) Zoe had a 30 minute cry....well it was more of a few seconds here and there, but after 30 minutes it stopped....I can't believe I am down to clock watching. It was my turn to wake up for Zoe..... 5am :D ;) So I got up, made a cuppa wrapped a blanket round me, put the heater on and the TV, grabbed Zoe and she drifted off straight the way whereas I spent the morning dozing and waking every time she changed positions, plus I got to watch the sun come up Zoe did Pug zoomies this morning all you can see is this lightening fast thing run either from room to room or round and round the dinning table, the going round and round kinda makes you feel sick and I have to stop her...... :D But when she puts her ears back and tail straight and runs you know what she is going to do. Shadow does this too but she jumps from furniture to floor etc, this morning she did it and she misjudged the lounge and fell right over the other side. She had her sleeping bag on top of her and she is sitting there looking around trying to reason out what went wrong. Zoe went up to her and started licking her to see if she was ok. Shadow then jumped up on the lounge to show everyone she is not that embarrassed and it is something she meant to do ;) BF

Zoe sends big snorting and panting vibes to Lola....and a few sneezes to :D :p At least there is a reason for her slowing down. I hate it when they don't find anything and your back to square one. At least its something that can be fixed and she'll feel better in no time. Look forward to hearing updates tomorrow. BF

Lauren ~ Why not give her a bone or fill a kong with dry food. Occupying her while she is outside is the ONLY way to get her used to it. I don't think coming and going is going to make it any better, I agree it would make her want you more :D Also you can hide little treats around the yard, so she has to find them, this also occupies her outside. Start by putting them outside where she can see them as well as smell them, then start by hiding them, so she has to follow the sent to get the next one. These things will amuse her for ages. BF

Lauren ~ I was told by another pugger to given boiled chicken, and mashed pumpkin to a pup with an upset stomach. Then as they got older change it to raw chicken. I have known some owners to give raw veggies (not sure which ones) and raw meat (remember red meat can upset a young pups stomach, so better giving chicken for now). One guy on here, not sure who it was gave his dogs mixed veggies (the frozen ones, peas, carrots, corn, etc thawed) and mixed it with home minced meat (any thats going cheap) and some oats I think. My breeder had Zoe on pasta (the shell ones), mince chicken or turkey, mixed veggies (again the frozen ones above), spinach, parsley and eggs (I'd say raw). Zoe wasn't all that keen on it and only ate it very slowly and like Maggie would leave it after a few mouthfuls. Thats why I changed her diet. Zoe is only on dry food with the occasional added, sardines, raw egg, mackerel, etc Dogs don't get bored with food....or so I'm told. Also in Coles they have a Yoghurt especially for dogs (in the dry food and treats section), adding that would be good too, I am getting some of these in the next shop. I guess you have to watch what you give Maggie as it has to contain the right amount of carbohydrates, proteins, cereal, etc for a growing dog. This is mainly why I am choosing to feed a good quality dry food, its all done for me. But I can add little extras now and again to make it more appealing, plus the occasional meat bone or dog biscuit to break it up is all your dog needs. I hope that helps. BF