Pretty Miss Emma

I want to get new collars for my guys, and also would like to find one that my foster will be able to go to her new home with. The foster is going to need a limited slip collar, but one with a webbing slip section (no chain). My guys I'd like something not plain, not so heavy it damages their coat and with a clip. At the moment they have black dog collars, which I like but I think it would be nice to have something just a little more fancy!! And the last criteria, cost effective!!! I really don't have much spare money so am looking for cost effective options.

I'm using the black one on Hamish's blacks at the moment and I quite like it. I use Plush Puppy on the whites. In the past on blacks I have tried a few different things - but I hate ones that you have to use gloves with and be super careful around whites. The EZ groom so far has been the easiest and seems to have good results on his coat (especially cumulatively).

I fed Blackhawk for ages and no problems at all.

They are all just gorgeous!!! I can't believe thhey are already at that sort age, I feel like they should still be wriggly little babies!!!

Well pretty much the poll results thus far and what most of you are saying afirms my thoughts. I agree that no doubt there are dogs stolen, but it probably isn't happening as much as social media would like us to believe. And yep, I reckon people probably do say it was stolen rather than lost - just as they will often surrender an animal as a stray even though they clearly own it. I think it's awful that it happens, but I also think some people are stupid - in this day and age who leaves a dog tied up anywhere unsupervised (open to theft but also to issues if it bites/growls/etc). Thanks for your contributions!

Yet again on FB I saw something about dog thefts, and in particular the "marking" of properties. What I found funny about the post was that a lot of the "markings" that were on the post are used by council and vicroads to mark repairs that are required to roads/footpaths/concrete manhole covers/etc. Some were unique, but others well I think it's questionable as to whether they are done by dog-nappers or if they are just people marking out where work is going to be completed. I think there is a lot of hype around dog thefts and a lot of paranoia. I think dog thefts happen, but I think there is a lot more hype than actual frquency of dog thefts. To be honest I'm not really interested in why dogs are stolen - there is no doubt a range of reasons and none of them are good. But I am interested to see what the frequency actually looks like! I know we are a closed community in asking this question, but maybe it will give a bit of a snapshot. Maybe I'm wrong maybe it is really frequent and I'm being naive (sp??) about it. Anyway interested in poll responses and any thoughts on this.

Just looking at the website sounds like a group I'd "approach with caution". Lot's of the things on the website sound identical to Cesar Milan. And there is nothing on there at all about any sort of education, qualifications, etc at all to do with anything.

I often do get the pre cut ones. They are more expensive though, and I have a stash of whole ones that I need to make smaller!! I was thinking maybe kitchen shears - will have to check out what is lurking in drawer 2!!!

As the title says - what's the best way to cut up pigs ears? What is the best implement to use to do this? I just don't think my dogs need a whole pigs ear most of the time but am happy to give them a bit for a treat, just trying to figure out how to cut them up!!

It's only a worry if it's the only thing the person has done prior to starting up a business like this. I did a groupon grooming course (basically the same as this, same provider, etc). There was lots of interesting bits of theory, but no way could you groom a dog well after doing it. I did just to see what the course was like (I'm setting up short courses including online courses at work - so it was a bit of research!) and also to see how it compared to the knowledge I have developed from learning what I have learnt from the groomers I know. The theory mostly was in line with what I'd learnt, but quite obviously working with animals is an industry where hands on experience is at least as important if not moreso than theoretical knowledge.

I'm the same as LisaCC. Is there something else going on? I have an entire male who spends heaps and heaps of time inside and he doesn't smell at all.

To be honest, just walk them. I'm assuming we are talking very short distances and most likely on surfaces such as concrete. It's just about being sensible. Don't let them drink from communal water bowls and come in to contact with other dogs, I don't let them walk on grassy areas where there are unknown dogs. But I walk them, as I'm not prepared to cause myself an injury!! So long as we're not talking about trapsing across the neighbourhood and going to dog parks (or areas frequented by other dogs) then you just have to weigh up the risk. And if you're letting the dog on the floor of the vet clinic then walking on the concrete to get there is no worse really.

I know a dog that had this problem as a little baby, hers was exceptionally severe and due to malnutrition. I know the person who was looking after her at that point was doing quite a bit of physiotherapy exercises with her, gettting acupuncture and also hydrotherapy. This was done on veterinary and holistic advice. Certainly an improvement in diet played a big part in helping her improve.

I have to say I'm against leaving deposits on young pups. Mostly because how do they know how the pups will turn out, and as far as I"m concerned I'm not sure that the best pup for me can be chosen before 6-8 weeks. I find it crazy when people are being sold pups at 2 weeks of age - that is obviously only about colour or markings, as temperament won't really be known and even conformation won't be well known. Anyway, I have BC's and have never had to leave a deposit. Also haven't had a desexing contract (although one of mine is desexed as she's on limit and there was never any intent for her to be a bredding dog anyway). I find a lot of BC's are on limit, once you get to know the breeder well you may be able to get one on main fully in your name. Alternatively you get one on main but in coownership, that isn't uncommon in BC's. And it really depends on where you're getting one from and what you want to do with it. I looked at who was offering main reg on their BC puppies and to be honest there weren't many I'd ever get a dog from. I've found that those who I consider to be good breeders tend not to advertise who will be on main/limit but instead have a conversation with each buyer about what it is they are after and see what the best way is for everyone involved to be happy with the outcome.

My first dog was 9 when I got her and I started training ehr in agility when she was close to 10 years old. She was short which worked to our advantage as she ended up with a low jump height and extra time!!! We only competed in NADAC which has allowances for "vetrans" including lower heights, extra time and their own class. But even if she hadn't been winning ribbons we would have kept playing in agility because she just loved it!!! I retired her when she was 12 and it was only because she had lost most of her vision (her performance in agility trials is what alerted me to how bad her vision was!).

LOVE foul mouthed Fido!!!

Here in Vic RSPCA wouldn't be able to do anything about it as the microchipping law is enforced by DEPI or councils (I forget which). So it would depend on who is responsible for the appropriate law in the state, and it gets tricky when crossing borders (if the pups are already gone). But that is crap. I had no idea it was happening, but I guess he's a puppy broker who is openly advertising.

I do what I call "advert training" - when the ads are on tv we do some training!! That means we do short frequent sessions! Obviously it all depends on what you're training and where you are. And every dog is different! I always like to finish training before the dog wants to finish training.

Agree with trying to brush out undercoat (rakes are great!) and yep force dryer best thing ever!!! I bought mine on ebay a couple of years ago, it's only a dodgy cheap one but I generally am only drying 1 dog - it might be slightly dodgy but I can have him 100% dry in under an hour (BC with a naturally thick coat at all times of year!), and it is like a snow storm when he's dropping coat so much more effective than brushing. There are some dryers on ebay at the moment similar to mine - around the $80 mark. In the long run I'd like a better one, but to get started and have something mine has done the job!

Everyone has said what you need to know! But I will add, when I first got Kenz she screamed everytime she was put in her puppy pen or crate. The first night was at least 45 minutes of screaming before she fel asleep due to being exhausted! And she quickly got over it - because every time she was screaming she was ignored. She only got attention when she wasn't screaming and only got to come out when she wasn't screaming. Plus during the day she was left with treat balls etc to keep her busy. I now have a dog that WANTS to be left at home because it means that she will get stuff (she usually gets left with a kong or scattered dry food, plus some sort of exciting treat), she even takes herself outside even though I will be telling her it is her turn to come in the car with me!!! Be persistent and stay strong!!! It's worth it in the end!

As the title says... What is the difference between a dog show (champ or open) and a dog match? I've seen the terminology but have no idea what it means!!

As the title says... What is the difference between a dog show (champ or open) and a dog match? I've seen the terminology but have no idea what it means!!

I've been doing some thinking about breed clubs, what their purpose is, what their members get from them, how their members contribute to them, etc, etc. So I'm looking for your ideas and thoughts... What do you see as the purpose of a breed club? What are some of the things you would expect a breed club to be doing? If you have joined your breed club, why did you and what involvement do you have or would you like to have? If you haven't joined your breed club, can you tell me why?

It's the Delta Cert IV to become a dog trainer. I've known people to come to dog shows to try and meet up with people to ask the questions - not such a bad tactic as there's often someone who's more than happy to talk and talk about their dogs!!

I'd have to say it sounds like dementia. I'd be off to get a check up, get full bloods done to make sure it isn't anything else. Speak to the vet (or an animal naturopath) about the use of Gingko Biloba - there is anecdotal evidence that suggest it slows the onset of dementia, it won't stop it but it may slow it down. And I'm of the belief, just as with humans, keeping their minds active is important also. Dementia in dogs is apparently not so easy to diagnose officially, but I think you sort of know it yourself if you start seeing it. A full vet check though!