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what have I started !!! This is week 3 for Max with us. And I've walked him every morning at 6 and hubby walks him every afternoon. Well, this morning I rolled out of bed at 5.55 to get ready, went to the bathroom and promptly came straight back to bed. I don't know what I have, virus, sinus problem, dunno - but head spins and dizzy and that sensation made me feel woozy. So I though I would skip walk this morning. Then. Hubby got up to make cups of tea before he pops in the shower and he came straight back up to the bedroom and said "I better walk Max". And off he went. When he got back I asked why he went and he said Max was just going ballistic. Absolute nutty, racing from front to back door knowing that we were about to go. And hubby said he just couldn't ignore him. So even though it made him a bit late, he took him on a 20 minute walk. I tell you - I think we may have a rain, hail or shine dog ..... I better brace myself for winter - I don't do Melbourne winters all that well (I'm a Brisbane girl through and through).

I use one for both the pug and the cat - I LOVE it. Pug - indifferent - cat - HATES IT! But they always look and feel so much better afterwards, and my house has far less fur so it's a winner for me. Not sure if it would work on non/minimal shedding dogs though.

Hello peoples ! Can I join the walk the dog thread! Max has reached his 'goal' weight with lots of walking and plenty of 'racing around yard with the kids' exercise. And I'm loving the early morning walk. I am loving the time in my own head with no-one talking at me (we have 3 young children) - so my 6am just Max and me walk is an institution that is likey to stay! We walk for about 45 minutes. Then I'm home in time to take charge of the breakfast/school run and OH is off to work. And after work, early evening, Max is treated to another walk with OH !! He is one happy puggy. So, can't say i need motivation to walk at the moment, but I may when the cooler winter months hit - then I hibernate! Oh, and I'm very very excited about starting obedience training on Saturday, then my walks with Max will be MUCH more pleasant because he is a DISASTER on the the lead atm.

awwww, they look like they've never not had each other. Gorgeous.

I am here - it's school holidays atm and my hands are full - sorry - not ignoring thread. I suppose I haven't looked at this from a breeders perpective - sorry. The dog I saw advertised wasn't from a breeder (it was a family pet) and not a show dog (well, it wasn't advertised as one, it was advertised as "family pet - great with kids". But I still stand by my original claim. I can't see how people can sell a family pet for top dollar. To me it's all about the money. Yes, I'm a pet owner - he is a new addition but certainly not our first pet. And I couldn't never sell a pet for profit. I wouldn't care how much time, money, training, quality feeding, etc I had put into my pet - who is part of family - I couldn't never try to recoup that. My pets are part of my family. I couldn't sell a pet any quicker than I could sell one of my children. I could rehome a pet if the need arose (and i have in the past) but I could make money on it.

I didn't think of the advertising side. When we rehomed it was done via word of mouth to a friend of a friend. I would rather see ad's as 'price to be negotiated' or something along those lines. But it happens here too - in the older dog sections some older dogs, often over 1, which have been kept for the ring and not worked out are sold pretty much for puppy prices. Ah well, each to their own.

I dont' understand it. I don't understand people who sell older dogs, when they need rehoming. Just because someone has $500 or $1000 to spend on an older dog, does that make it a better home? If someone gives a dog a home and doesn't pay a cent for it, does it make it a worse home? Sometimes, I see ads for older dogs (around 3+) needing new homes for various reasons (moving, divorce, lifestyle change) and people want so much money for these dogs. I just see it as greedy. For me, the dogs interest comes first, not how much I can make on it. Years ago, we had a dog that needed to be rehomed because of allergies in the family. We took our time, made sure the dog went to a good home where they would be part of the family, loved - didn't even dream of asking money for him. Sorry - I'm just so annoyed. I've just come back from the shops and someone is advertising a 7 year old pug for $700 ??!! Blatant greed to me.

That's what I was thinking Paulp. Teach him not to pull (and to sit, heel & stay ) and it won't matter what I walk him on or with! When school goes back I'm making some enquiries. Cheers

Can anyone advice me if it would be beneficial to try one? Max pulls on his lead. He is a very 'enthusiastic' walker (he's enthusiastic at everything he does ). Are they good? Are they safe (ie he won't get out of it ?). Do they really cut down on the pulling? Interested to get peoples feedback. Cheers, Sara

Thanks everyone - that's given me a few to choose from :p

I'm looking for a pet shop in my vicinity that doesn't sell animals. I want one that has extensive range (bedding, leads, collars, food, etc). I have one near me, in Lysterfield, but their range is very limited. So I always end up going to a pet shop in Ferntree Gully - but they have dogs/cats/birds/lizzards and although the kids love seeing the animals, I just feel sick for these caged animals. But I go because I like the range and I'm a sucker for 'products' (I'm a girl, I shop!). Any suggestions?

He is settling in beautifully. Honestly - it's just like he's always been here. After one short week, he has routine, he seems settled, he has so much time for us, so much energy. He has rock solid nerves (which is great with our somewhat boisterous 3 year old) and just adores people in general (even if they're not 'his' people!). I was just talking to my hubby and told him what the vet told me - that a healthy, happy, young pug in a pound is not something you stumble across that often - they are normally handed back to their breeders when they can't stay in their home - and hubby said he was just meant to be ours We're very, very happy - well, everyone except the cat - don't know if they'll ever be friends

All good. Vet has given 8 days of antibiotics. He said there is a secondary infection but it's not the nastiest he's seen so we don't need to by worry warts. Max will get over it with ab's, plenty of fresh water and as much as we can make the pug rest (yeah right!). I'm going to the shops this afternoon so I'll pop into the health food shop for the honey. He also mentioned that we could use Durotuss if the cough was bothering him, but it doesn't seem to be so I think we'll be right.

Where do I get it Erny? I'm taking Max to the vet because I'm a bit worried about him. I realise it's a virus and there's probably nothing they can do, but given tomorrow is a public holiday and he has worsened overnight, I want to get him checked out. He has lost his bounce & excitement, not interested in his food. He is also coughing up coloured phlem (tmi, I'm sorry!). I realise these are probably normal symptoms of kennel cough, but hey, can't hurt to be better safe than sorry.

thank you. Peace of mind is what was needed. I'll give him some honey and a bit of TLC.

Max is coughing. Well, he sounds like he got a fishbone stuck in the back of his throat. He is fully vaccinated (he was a surrender to SAD so they have his immunisation history). He seems happy enough, playing, eating, drinking - just coughing occassionally (enough to bring up white frothy stuff). Do I just keep an eye on him, when would you take him to the vet? (SAD have offered to cover his vet fees if I take him to one of their vets but I'm happier to do that myself, I'm sure their resourses are stretched enough).

He is just SENSATIONAL! Awwwwww, he looks like he's having an absolute ball, the flower pot on the head is just priceless. Beautiful Frodo.

I'm checking them out today. I'm also going to check out the training classes so I could be a member too. Some people have nothing better to do than moan about things.

We're going to check it out this afternoon Thanks for the info.

As you know, we got our Max from SAD on Monday. We have 3 children (a 9yr old, 7 yr old and 3 yr old). My 7 year old was up in Queensland, visiting my Mum & Dad last week when we got Max, and we couldn't tell her had a puppy on fear of ruining her holiday (she is my 'doggy' child, she would have pined to come home all week). Well, she got home yesterday and her reaction to Max's puggy face was priceless. They are, as we speak, bonding over a tennis ball in the backyard. Max has settled in beautifully. He learnt to use the doggy door on day 2. We close his laundry door when we go to bed and he sleeps beautifully all night - I actually have to wake him for our 6am walk! He is getting better on the lead. We are working on sit and drop the ball (slowly but progress is being made). He is a very confident dog - loves people (especially children) and is just a delight to have around

Lovely - that's not too far. I'm assuming that if there is no training happening then the general public can use the park?

Sorry if this has been asked and if anyone can point me in the direction of a thread, I would be greatly appreciative. We are looking for a fully fenced, gated park for Max to enjoy some off lead time. We are happy to drive. We are in Rowville, if that helps. Cheers Sara

Aww, you are doing well. I know how hard it is to diet a pug - they are the natural hoovers of the doggy world Our first pug was a constant battle to keep him a healthy weight. Max has come to us very overweight - he is a 10 month old pug who weighs just over 14 kg - ribs, I think he has them in there! He is on kibble, but until he is one I am hesitant to feed him anything but a puppy formula kibble. He really needs the 'diet' ones but I think his body is still growing so the puppy ones are better for him. I'm just being really strict with table treats and 2 walks a day, with plenty of ball chasing and racing around the yard with the kids thrown in too. Keep going - you are doing well - and getting him onto a good kibble diet will work wonders too I had California Natural for Pugsley (but that was a few years ago) and he didn't like it - fuss pot though!

I don't have a suggestion (sorry) but I'm watching with interest because we are in the SE suburbs and I'd be interested to find somewhere for Max, I think he needs a bit of a professional going over so that I can then maintain. I'll watch to see if you find somewhere, and ask how you find them :D

I just came back from the shops. Needed to pick up some fish food so popped into the pet shop. First glassed pen is a pure bred (so the sign said) pug puppy ;) Why would a 'breeder' pass a purebred onto pets paradise to sell? I asked how much - $2000. No papers come with him (other than vaccinations records). They had a 'purebred' cav as well - he was nudging $2000 as well. If you have $2000 to spend on a puppy - why would you get it from a pet shop - surely you would find a reputable breeder and go that way. Surely.