meluchja

thank you all for your replies. He has never lifted his leg in our house or our yard. And only in a friends house once, who has 2 other male inside dogs. Once he did it, he got put outside and didn't go back inside. I thought it was a male territory thing, but was so shocked as he had never done it before. But he also lifted his leg on a friends BBQ cover a week ago, and twice during our recent walks to school. He was desexed at 4 months. So is it something, I should let him continue to do? Or try to discourage it?

Can someone please help me out. I have a 12 month old male dog, that is desexed. And over the last few months he has lifted his leg to spray on about 4 different occasions. Is this appropiate behaviour? I know it's normal for male dogs to want to mark his territory etc, but is it something that I should interrupt and stop him from doing, if you know what I mean. I just don't want him to be marking in places he shouldn't. As the first time he did was indoors in a friends house, I almost died Should I allow it outside? Or is it something that I should try and stop him from doing? He normally wees in the squatting position, so it's only on occasions that he has had the urge to lift.

Oh I really hope so, I would love to try this food on my boy, but could never bring myself to pay that much for it from PP.

Have heard ANVET at Kedron is good. A lot of people on here recommend them.

I have been told by my vets that comfortis is a fantastic product. But it isn't for everydog unfortunately. It's a tablet, and needs to be given when your dog has a full stomach. Vomitting is one of the main side effects. Unfortunately my dog would still vomit after every dose, so no good here. But my vet did say to give it a year or so and try again, it might be something my boy out grows. He has FAD and I was recommended to use Comfortis and Sentinel together for him, but wasn't to be unfortunately. But definitely everydog is different, so might be worth a look at. Good luck, fleas are just nasty, yukky

I was told yesterday by the guy that sharpens the blades, that singer sewing oil is the best oil you can use of them, and one of the cheapest. I'm about to go get some from woolies.

Wow thats some awesome advice, thanks heaps

I did read about this today on the sharpeners site. I think I will ask him about it when I order another blade off him. Although I wouldn't have a clue what the tongue looks like or how to replace it hahaha. Is it something a non professional can do themself or should I send the whole clipper off to a professional to do? Think some more research is in order on my behalf.

Thank you for all your help. So I contacted a blade sharpening company, who were very very helpful, gave me loads of advice on cleaning using 9 parts kero to 1 part motor oil. Said Oster do the same version but much much more expensive. But for me and my usuage just might be worth the extra money for convience. So this with the info that you all have shared, has hopefully given me enough knowledge to take care of them properely. I thought I may have got ripped off with the blade. It isn't the same one that is on the clipper world site, was a CryoGen-X AgION® blade. Not sure if that is why it was more expensive, but either way I have it now, so going to get my moneys worth, lol. I think next time I will try the universal one, as the clipper I bought is universal and is awesome, and only cost me 10.50 on ebay direct from Hong Kong. Which by the way is the same type this store is about to start stocking for about 200 Anyway thank you all for your help. Very much appreciated.

Thank you very much for all your help, so water is a big no no, thanks. I hope I haven't done them any damage. Oil is a must even during his clip. Can I ask what about the brand of blade. I see there are a few to choose from, I bought the Oster because it's all I could get at the store. I found a universal one though for about 1/3 of the price. Are blades something, where you get for what you pay for? Would be cheaper universal ones be just as good, or not? Which do you use and recommend?

Hi, Yesterday I bought a size 4F Oster blade to use on my dog. I have had the clippers for about 6 months now, but just using the blade guides on a size 10 blade. This was doing a terrible job, so I took the plunge and spent 90 on the oster blade. (hope I didn't get ripped off). Anyway I'm not used to spending that much money. I know in the long run it will save me lots of money, but that's what I'm hoping that with proper care this blade will last me for a long long time. So, can anyone give me some advice on how to care for it properely. How to wash it, oil it, store it etc. After giving it a trial run yesterday, I washed it in warm water, while still running to get all the hair out, then dried it, then applied a drop of oil at either end of the blade while it was still running. I hope none of this has damaged it. Does this sound o.k? Do I need to do something like this after everytime I use it ? I have stored it along with the size 10 blade, in individual plastic zip bags, is this o.k? What about sharpening? If I use the clippers twice every 3-4 months, how often will this need to be done? And can anyone recommend me a place here in Brisbane that can do this at a reasonable price? And also how much does this normally cost? Look forward to reading your advice thanks heaps.

I'm thinking he must be getting enough. As he loves the stuff. He always has plenty of energy, alert and his coat condition is awesome. The guide does say 1/2-1cup for 5-10kg, so him being 7.5kg, I think about 1/2 cup is fine for him. TLC, he is a minischnauzer X minipoodle and definitely sounds a lot like your smaller two. I think that maybe some dogs are just leaner, as he seems to have plenty of energy. And yes days when we don't take him out he eats and little less, but days when he either plays all day with a friends dog or we take him out several times, he eats more. So I'm confident now that is he getting enough. Thank you for your reassurance everyone.

I'm curious to know some feedback on the recommended feeding guide. I know that with most kibbles the feeding guidelines are normally generous amounts. I have read that a lot that some people feed up to half the suggested amount to keep their dogs in their preferred condition. Can anyone tell me, how much they feed their dog to keep them in condition. Is it more, less, much less than the suggested amounts? I'm curious because my boy will hardly ever eat the whole 80gm a day I give him. He currently is 7.5kg, I'd like for him to be around 8-8.5kg, he turns 1 next month, so should be starting to be at his mature weight. I can't force him to eat more, he always eats with enthusiasm. I'm thinking he only eats what he needs. He would eat around 60gm a day. The guidelines are between 70-110gm for him. So not sure if this is enough. I know to test his condition by feeling him, ribs are good, but no spine from what I have read. But I can feel ribs and parts of his spine, but can't see them, but that's because he has a curly coat. Do you think, as long as he is healthy, happy full of energy, he is getting enough and not to worry?

I think they look great Oh so adorable

Great to see you've had great results as well. I agree totally, I also noticed great improvements in a week as week. I'm so glad I have found a food that he seems to be doing so well on. Its been a heart breaking process watching him scratch away with a terrible dry coat, refusing to eat, no matter what we tried. It's awesome to see that he loves the taste, and I'm just glad he is on his way to recovery. Thumps up all around here.

That's perfect thank you. Looking at these levels, I think it's funny that my boy did so poorly on a very expensive kibble that was meant to improve his skin. It had 5% Omega 6 levels and 2% Omega 3 levels, his coat was in such poor condition. It was the same when I had tried him on a Raw diet, I think it made his coat worse. Now he is on BH which appears to have lower levels, his coat has improved by 110% go figure. I guess in some cases less in more, or it's all about the right balance. What ever the balance is it works perfectly for my boy, thank you from me and him. Curious, was there a reason or just experience for this perticular balance/ratios of Omegas, proteins etc? If that makes sense, sorry kids had me up way to early this morning.

I was telling my vet today about the kibble I have changed my boy over to. As he has had some bad itch issues in the past, he wanted to know what the nuritional value of the BH adult formula is, to help monitor any the changes in him while he is on it. To me, I can already see some great changes in his coat condition. Can anyone who supplies the food or make it, tell me other than protein, carb, fat etc what the nutritional value is? We are especially interested to know the % of Omgea 3 and omega 6 levels, Vitamin E and Zinc. Thanks.

My guy won't touch RMB either. I give him rawhide sticks that is filled with liver, he loves these, he will be happy to chew it all day. I buy the bag from BIG W as they are cheaper there than the pet stores. I think they are called Meaty Bones or something like that, has a picture of a dog wearing a cowboy hat on the front. Totally natural, no colours preservatives or flavours etc. These seem to worked reallly well for his teeth. He also enjoys the occassional detastix, but he only has one of these about once a week.

She looks fine to me but I'm no expert. Acutally I think she looks very pretty I have a mini schnauzer X mini poodle and I always get comments on how skinny he looks. I choose to ignore them now. My guy has very long legs, and eats as much as he can. By that I mean going by the feeding guidlines on the BH adult formula, he should be getting between 1/2-1cup of food, he would on average eat about 1/2-3/4cup of food. He is happy, lots of energy etc, so I don't worry anymore. He is lean I can definately feel his ribs and parts of his backbone. But I guess some dogs are just leaner than other. Like others say, as long as she seems healthy enough, eating well, I wouldn't worry.

Is this the one on Brunswick st? If so, my boy has been seeing the lady vet there, she is lovely. Very gently, patient with my riggle puppy. I have recently changed my boy back over to 100% kibble, but she was very supportive of a raw diet when he was eating it. Didn't try to guilt trip me saying it's not good etc. (as I heard from other vets before). She even noted on our file, "owner very interested in natural diets and treatment", which I thought was wonderful if we had to see another vet there. I have found them really good with last minute appointments, price and care. I have found a cheaper vet down near my parents, but no way near as nice as these guys. One thing I didn't like, was she was reluctant to refer us to a derm for when our boy was suffering from dry flakey itchy skin. She wanted to start trying hills z/d to rule out food allergies etc. But once she saw I was becoming very upset watching my boy suffer, she printed off a referal right away. I was just a little annoyed that she didn't give me one straight away, but anyway all turned out well. But overall, I would give them a try. I have even seen the asian looking male vet before as well, and he was also very gentle informative etc.

I haven't tried the puppy, I just put my near 11 month old straight onto the adult formula, as the wheat was a worry for my itchy prone dog. And I agree, the coat condition improvement is awesome, my boy is so shiny and soft, I'm loving it. And the SEQLD supplier is very helpful as well, so thumps up all round for the adult formula, will be interested to see what feedback people have on the puppy formula.

That's really interesting and makes a lot of sense. My friend has a terrier puppy 2 months younger than mine and he has terrible bowed legs, I thought it was maybe something to do his with lines (might still be), but what you suggest here makes sense as he has only ever been fed kibble or bones, very interesting.

Hey and thank you, This does seem like a good group with lots of great people with great advice. I think on all forum's (gotta love the confidence u can have online) can have people that are mean, and people that mean well.. i am also apart of a parenting forum and i am a young mum (had my daughter when I was 18) and being young and a mother on a forum you find more judgmental people on there then there are on here. (just wanna add that I'm a great mum if i do say so myself haha) Thanks for the warm welcome look forward to increasing my knowledge about dogs and dog related things I used to visit a parenting forum to (BB). My 2 are 3 & 4 now, so haven't been on there for a long time. But definitely agree, more claws do come out on a parenting forum that's for sure

Hi and welcome, staffys are just the cutest. I have a curly haired poodle mix variety for my husbands allergies but absolutely love staffys. Your family is going to cherish her for many years to come. Some advice you receive on this site will be a little overwhelming, most of the time I find people mean well, and then sometimes I think they don't. I hope you try and see through these type of comments, as this site is very helpful and full of some lovely people with great advice as you have read. Sounds like you are off to a good start. Fresh meat, bones, veges and oils and when she is ready some offal is a great start if you choose to feed raw. Some people on here also choose to feed a combination of raw and kibble (either it be supermarket or super premium). And some choose to feed 100% kibble. My little guy is now 11 months old, and I have just recently put him back onto a 100% kibble diet, after trying bart patties, bones canned etc. He just become to fussy, and I was throwing out way too much food, as there is only so many times you can re-offer fresh food. Now he gets 1/4 of his kibble in the morning, given 15 minutes to eat, then what is left I put into his kong toy for play during the day. Then the remainder he gets at dinner, which he normally eats most of, but sometimes doesn't, I have learnt not to worry. Feeding can be fustrating if you don't have a food motivated dog. But from what I have read and been told you won't have that problem Did the breeder suggest any info on heart worming, intestional worming etc? There are plenty of options out there. But I'm sure your vet will discuss this with you soon. Good luck with your newborn.

I understant totally where you are coming from. I too thought I had the most fussiet little eater in the world. Wouldn't touch any dry food, would go on and off wet food. Was driving me crazy. I was so sick and tired of wasting food that he wouldn't eat after a couple of days. So I decided to pick and dry food and stick with it. Gathered at least I can keep offering him the same portion for days on and end and not have to worry about it spoiling. So I decided on the Black Hawk Holistic, as I had tried almost every other kind on the market up to this point. And he like it. He has never been food motivated but at least he will eat it. His coat has improved out of sight, we have had big issues with dry flakey itchy skin, with dry hair. It's not super soft and shiny, and his skin is moist. He has gained some weight,even though only eating about 1/2 - 3/4 cup a day (he is only 7kg mind you). I feel so releaved and feel like I can now stop worrying about him. My only advice for a fussy small dog, is to be strong, pick 1 food, stick with it. I found the more I tried adding wet foods to make his dry more appealing, the more fussier he got. You could maybe try adding a little hot water to soften it to begin with until he get used to it. Good luck, I know how fustrating it is.