Leema

I feed my dogs uncooked bones all the time. He should be fine. He may vomit bone shards or get diarrhoea if he's not used to it (which is sounds like he's not!), but otherwise I'd expect no ill effects.

Usually the bones just crumble up in the tinned salmon. Was it definitely a bone, or might it have been a chunk that was a bit big to swallow easily? I can't know for sure, he went outside hacking and coughing and I followed him, but didn't actually see what it was.

Double post, soz.

Mac once 'choked' on a salmon bone, in canned salmon. I don't know if they are cooked bones or not, but no longer feed salmon in cans! They have every other bone under the sun.

I don't know, but in my small amount of research most of the insurance policies are way overpriced. I rather put a few dollars away myself rather than do insurance... I have savings anyway, so I'm not too worried. I know some people have difficulty saving, though, so it may be a good solution for them. I don't know if sarcomas are covered or not, sorry. Which was your may question!

Most of my meat comes from Coles, Woolworths, Foodland, etc. I just look for anything less than $4 a kilo. Sorry, don't have any recommendations in your area.

I wash about twice a year. Mac I wash pretty much whenever I strip him out (about twice a year), and Clover I wash when she finds something disgusting to roll in (about twice a year).

Thanks for the useful advice, Rappie!

Okay, I will confirm that she did mean xray not ultrasound. I'm pretty sure she said xray but we had a long conversation that day so I'd best check! Mac is 7 years old and was born with this murmur, seemingly (diagnosed with it at 12 weeks). He's only been under GA once to be desexed (he had an undescendent testicle too!). I feed a raw diet. I think he's a happy and healthy dog, symptom free. Thanks for the suggestions so far. I appreciate your responses.

On a recent vet check, my vet suggested putting Mac on medication for his grade 3-4 heart murmur. She said that he could be fine forever, but his heart could also be 'working too hard' and kind of become overworked, thick and inefficent. Medications she suggested would change his blood pressure, making it easier for his heart to pump and without it become 'overworked'. This is my unscientific interpretation! I'm looking for any past experiences or suggestions. I will be getting a second opinion if we do decide to medicate (see if it's worthwhile). Our vet has suggested an x-ray to attempt to determine the exact cause of his murmur. My main thing is that Mac has seen 5-6 different vets, and none have suggested this. They've all been happy for him to live drug-free considering he is symptom free. So just looking for opinions or experiences.

I probably wouldn't take product. I initially went rope toy... Plush toys are also good... Clover likes squeaky... If I gave her a choice, she would pick a ball toy... I ended up voting for everything except product, ribbon and other.

I use 'g'round' and ''in' (short for 'spin'). Many people use 'spin' and 'twist'.

I'm going, but don't remember what days and stuff! I know I have other commitments, though have signed myself up for all of them.

I shaped backwards walking and numerous targets. These are the only things I have on cue, though, at the moment. We play shaping games a lot, but I never get around to putting things on cue. I am free shaping jumps at the moment... Well, we've had one session a week or two ago. Must remember to get jumps out again.

I'd use a clicker to click and treat the dog for interacting with the harness of her own free will first. Then gradually ask her to tolerate more and eventually buckling up etc. The process illustrated here might be useful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgEwiH8CeUE

10% bone is what I meant. Apparently, most animals are only about 10% bone. (I tried to find the source but the best I could get was this.) Chickens and birds are more bone. Chicken wings are more like 30% bone. "Raw Meaty Bones" are difficult to measure the meat as oppose to bone ratio. My dogs get RMBs and I estimate the meat/bone ratio and try to make up more meat in following meals, if I think it's needed. My dogs eat all bones they get and digest it all. They're little dogs and get through mutton necks and 'roo bones' (I think roo tails?) and eat all the bone. I don't feed beef femur bone, but feed every other type of bone - and my dogs consume all the bone. I don't make a distinction between 'edible' and 'non-edible'. I don't know if I answered the question. Let me know if I am unclear. :rolleyes:

Try to feed about 80%, 10% bone, 10% offal. I feed anything I can get my hands on, except beef femur bones. My dogs get a lot of chicken, some lamb, a little beef, a little lamb, and a little roo. Only because chicken and lamb are cheaper. No noticeable improvement that I remember. It was a few years ago.

I'd say there probably isn't. Companies that produce dog food fund research into their dog food, but there's nothing similar for BARF or raw food. I am hoping to be corrected with scientific research. ^_^

I think there is also a club at Aldinga? Not sure if that is any more convenient than Murray Bridge.

I will try! I get distracted by Neighbours and then it finishes and I'm like, shit, it's 7pm!

A genuine question... Why are these puppies going in circles? Is that part of something else? It seems a behaviour that I would discourage... Could it lead to spinning when excited? Lots of people teach dogs to circle left and right on cue in preparation for agility - so on the course they can call left and right with less degrees to get a turn. Yes, they could do it when they're excited. But most dogs will do some trained behaviours when excited.

Oh, it's also $4 a night - but first timers are free. ^.^ Members is $2 a night. Again - I think! Are you going this week? I will attempt to get there if so.

Howdy. Show handling classes are held on Tuesday nights at Southern Districts - Cnr States & Wheatsheaf Rds, Morphett Vale. I THINK it starts at 7pm. Miss Squishy Face should be able to tell you. Clover and I used to go regularly but have been slack of late.

What a sweet little fellow! His bum has so much extra coat compared to his front end. It almost looks as though someone got halfway through stripping out his front and then quit at the end of his ribcage. You can see on his bum his hair is 'clumped'. Just grab the clumps and pull them out! (One at a time.) It'll look nicer. The hair on his head looks quite soft and probably can't be stripped. Does it need attention? If he was just brushed through, he'd probably be fine. If you strip it out, it'll look nicer, and he'll drop less coat through the house. He probably will feel nicer for him, too, as he won't have loose, dead coat.

You could get diced beef or roo and feed that as treats (nice and small pieces). A bit messy, but at least it's raw. How many treats do you need each day for training (do you estimate)? How about making up a meaty broth and soaking veggies in it? Not that I've tried this but, if it's a strong smelling meat, or something like liver, it may be quite appealing.