Staff'n'Toller

The white stuff might be like a fibrin that is showing anything that was there is healing over. Usually you see mites visibly so perhaps it was the beginnings of a yeast infection that is self-resolving? I can usually tell in my dogs when an infection is starting and a good clean out will often nip it in the bud. If you're worried that there could be mites there you could call up and request a pack of milbemite which is one application, or grab some advocate or revolution which both treat mites. Mel.

Is it Dectomax injections or straight ivomec cattle? We have had great success with Dectomax injections, greatly improved in 6 or so treatments. I think it still could be off label but it works so well, it's worth doing. As well as at the clinic we have treated quite a few of the dogs in our remote community program with it. Mel.

So is regular training still on Sunday? Mel.

Well it's still the same protein base (chicken) so obviously there was something else in the previous food that was not agreeing with him. Mel.

The advice going around right now is to feed low protein so that the long bones (legs) don't grow too quickly that may cause hip or growth plate problems down the track. Obviously though, a BARF diet is not low protein so there is argument there with people or breeders who successfully feed BARF to their pups and would report that they grow no quicker than their kibble fed counterparts! He would only be scratching if he was actually allergic to the protein used in the food. Perhaps that he is *not* scratching now is an indication that he was allergic to something else in the other premium diets you have tried i.e. grain or preservatives. It will be very interesting to see if all these skin dogs really are affected by the carbs rather than large proteins in dog food as we get more grain free stuff over here!

I saw your Title qually Jess- big congrats! Mel.

Me neither....not to mention that behaviourally it may not go the way you want and everything happens very quickly so it's hard to intervene at the right time (should your dog get a fright etc.).

A harmony harness is the same as a sensible/sensation only the harmony harness is better. Besides dogs can slip a shoulder out of the sensible if they pull at the right angle, I have seen it done with the Gentle Leader Easy-walk and no matter how tight we made it the dog managed to slip it. I'm looking for the right kind of harness for my boy on the walkydog as well....just been tossing up options. I was thinking either windchill or blackdog tracking harness?

Thankyou!! Thankyou!! Gypsy has marked on beds outside in her earlier days and I would say it's a dominance thing. BUT she will toilet inside if she hasn't been outside -why?? Well only a Stafford could know that! Probably grass frosty or wet, wind to cold, too dark out there....the list goes on. She has only ever done this when she hasn't relieved herself outside and she has been a witch and raced back in for her supper without me noticing. All you need to do is march her back out and tell her to go, that's enough. The fact that she did not settle before OH put her in her crate tells you something is not right with her. Mel.

As with Alanglen, I prefer the girl dogs, at the moment I have 2 girls (9 and 11) and a younger boy and the girls have always gotten along well and are great friends. I have read the story by TrinaJ and whilst I think it is something to be aware of, more often than not two desexed girls get along no worries and never have an issue. I wouldn't be put off getting another girl in the future and probably will because she will complement my boy. For a pet home home I would always advise one of each I think they bounce off each other well.

I wonder if it's gonna rain all night.

Sore back perhaps? Might need a good Chiro to check him over. Mel.

Ooh thanks....I'll keep an eye out for an update. Mel.

A full profile will tell you, yes.

Ahhh I figured it was yesterday?? Yes blood would be better then.

If it were my dog I'd be taking some urine along to the Vet today to run the venom detection kit, but the detection kit is quite expensive. That's going to give you a fairly definitive answer about whether she has venom in her system. You might worry long-term that there is kidney failure later on from not being on 2-3 days of intravenous fluids. Mel.

Hey Sags is there an ETA on the 6 fish variety? Mel.

Yes, stuffing a kong sounds way too much like hard work when you can just throw water in your dog's face and damage the nice bond you have with him.

Yes....well I have already had two pups choose ME :p but that's beside the point. Good point, I'm not particularly concerned about choosing the 'right' pup as we have a choice of 6 boys, but I'm actually interested to do one since I've never done it before (and I will be slightly modifying it) and it might be of help to the breeder as well.

I would go with persephone's suggestion and have a yummy kong ready with his dinner when you have yours. I would tie him to the table or your chair (whichever is stronger) or crate him in the same room as you. The kong will reteach the behaviour you do want which is settle down during meal times. :rolleyes: Mel.

Thanks botheration, that is the Volhard test which I found after I posted this, I think it's what I'm looking for. By coincidence it's a litter of Choc Lab pups. :rolleyes:

Sorry I've done a search in breeders, then all forums but can't find what I want. Does anyone have a temperament test they use or have used to assess temperament in pups? Thanks, Mel.

I might write something for Troy on Sunday if I get a chance. You'd be surprised how many times we get that question at the clinic. That's a really good idea fifi! I've never worked anywhere that they've done that. Might give it a go for the next big dog. Mel.

I think we need a sticky for this topic. 'My dog got desexed today and it looks like they missed one!' Mel.

There are threads if you google Suprelorin, one in particular has some good info. I did 3 x 6mth implants with my boy but he was on a co-ownership contract. My personal view is that if you're not going to breed then desex but I of course don't have an OH right now so it's an easy decision for me. I found it took a good 3-4 weeks to work, then basically at the end of 6mths I could tell it was wearing off- pretty much to the day. There were no side effects other than testicles shrinking down to puppy size, I am told once it wears off they return to almost full size but others may be able to tell you more about that. I believe that there is fluctuations in the chemical release myself but that is only my speculation and personal opinion. My boy has had even better stable behaviour patterns since surgical desexing. If it will convince your OH that surgical desexing won't change much then give the Suprelorin a go. Mel.