perfect partners

It's horrible waiting for news. I hope it's good news and that Hugo makes a speedy recovery.

Awwww, how cute. Congratulations to all involved. Glad it all went well. How exciting the next few weeks will be. You'll have to post lots of updates, Bec. And Happy Birthday!

That is such a gorgeous photo.

It was an awesome weekend and I'm really inspired too. Spent most of yesterday typing all the notes I took and can't wait to put it all into practise.

Look forward to meeting you Bec.

I can assure you, Steve is NOT scary. I did a consult with him a few years ago and he is really helpful and genuinely interested in helping you with your dog - no ego like some trainers! This morning I went and watched a friend's private consult with him and it was awesome. I came away really inspired again. Tomorrow I'm going with another friend, and I can't wait, then I'll be there on the weekend. I'm certain everyone will enjoy it and be really inspired by Steve.

Mackiemad, is this what you are referring to? http://www.naturalanimalsolutions.com.au/omega-oils.html Where do you get yours? I also read that when giving omega, you should also balance it with vitamin e? Is this correct? If so, where do I get vitamin E? My dog is currently on the fish protein kibbles. If i add these, will it be over the top? Are the human fish oil and flax seed suitable for dogs? Looks like a lot of benefits with this one. but there is a note that dogs with Pancreatitis should not be given this. My dogs have never had Pancreatitis however, the breed is prone to this. Should this be avoided? The Natural Animal Solutions oil blend also contains vitamin E. I've been giving one of my dogs their oil, high potency vitamin C and Digestavite and her coat has never looked better. She was on other supplements before this and is on a raw diet so her coat was pretty good to start with.

LOL, don't worry, Steve doesn't bite, he can actually be very nice! (or so I'm told by our clients! ha ha ha!) We should know by tomorrow if we can release more workshop tickets Will there be anymore tickets for Saturday? My friend was getting tickets for both of us - got two for Sunday but could only get one for Saturday :-( She said I could have the Saturday one but I feel bad because she was the one who atually got them.

Try some Curash powder on it. I find that clears up minor skin problems.

I use calcium ascorbate as it's supposed to be gentler on the stomach and more readily absorbed and utilised by the body. I give my BC a teaspoon a day, mixed in his food. You can keep upping the dose every couple of days until it makes their poos runny, then drop back to the level the dog can tolerate.

Raw meaty bones!

Curash powder, available from the baby section in supermarkets, works great for skin problems.

It's not only sharp pieces, undigested bone can also block the intestines. It sounds like she's not digesting/absorbing her food properly. Have you tried a practitioner strength probiotic rather than over the counter ones?

I wouldn't cook anything with bones in it as it makes the bone indigestible. Don't worry about the bacteria - dogs are more than capable of dealing with it. I've been feeding raw to my dogs for years, including a Newf, without any problems, as have many others. I hope you can find a solution as it must be so worrying. Maybe try an animal naturopath. I'm feeding Natural Animal Solutions products to my Newf and when I told Jacqueline that I couldn't feed her the amount of oil they recommended as it would give her the runs, she put her on practitioner strength probiotics and stomach enzymes and that fixed the problem. Maybe they might help your girl digest her food better.

I would also try a raw diet. I have a rescue Border Collie who had a huge bladder stone removed just before I got him. It was about the size of a double yolk hen's egg - vet said it was the largest he had ever seen. He was put on the Royal Canin S/O food and medication to lower ph. He didn't like the RC so vet said I could add some mince. Within 12 months I gradually changed him over to a completely raw diet and weaned him off the medication - gradually making changes as each urine test came back with no crystals and correct ph. Dogs on a raw diet have a lower gut ph than those on commercial diets. He went from being underweight and having the driest, most bleached coat I have seen on any animal, to a beautiful healthy chocolate and white coat. I have now had him almost two years, and no more problems. He has a meaty bone most mornings, or sardines or mackerel once or twice a week and mince with pureed vegies, calcium ascorbate,kelp,salmon and cod liver oil or Natural Animal Solutions oil blend and sometimes coconut oil, for tea. I also add about a cup of water to his dinner to help flush his urinary tract as he doesn't drink a lot of water. It is pretty much as set out in Kymythy Schultz's book 'Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats'. Good luck with sorting things out for your little dog. The photo of the two of them is gorgeous.

Have a look on the Aussie Agility website. The ones Chris Shelton makes have pieces with loops on the ends to join them together. Murray Tyler's just clip together.

Here's some - http://www.surfpet.com/shop/category/dog-clothing/dog-raincoats/

Mike and Ronnie from Savvy Dog Training http://www.savvydogtraining.com/ are very good and definitely rewards based. They might be a bit far away, but if you can't find anyone closer, I would definitely recommend them.

I'd be interested in the classes in Melbourne, and I'm sure some of my friends would too. Do you have any more details?

Yes, pity Melbourne isn't having the same as Sydney - I'd go too. I went to his seminar last year and enjoyed it but this year looks much the same, so I think I'll save my money for others things.

'On Talking Terms with Dogs' and also 'The Language of Dogs', Sarah Kalnajs - 2 DVD set.

Thanks, I'll do the same. I also forwarded it to Leerburg.

I also got an email, supposedly from UPS, saying a package I sent was undeliverable due to an address error. I haven't sent anything but had placed an order with Leerburg last week. Can I ask what email address you used to forward your email to UPS Australia? I couldn't find one on their website, but will forward the one I recived if you can let me know. Thanks.

It's only very basic though - The same info as on You Tube. You can also buy a DVD called 'On the Ball'.

Fitpaws channel on You Tube. Start with a peanut rather than a ball.