pesh

Thanks for all your input it has been very very helpful.

I researched and researched, and don't any longer know what I am looking at. For the people with long, short, thick, thin any type coat dogs, what type and brand do you use ? Please help...................................

Give them a wash, place in a spray bottle conditioner mixed with water. Spray, rub, leave in. This works for our lot, but each and every dog is different. Good luck. edit: spelling

I'm so sorry, just take care. :D

Thinking of you too Christina77. Take care mate.

Once again, what lovely people you are and thank you so so much. Yes Nichola, I agree only animal people can fully understand the pain we all go through each time we loose a pet. Strange you should have mentioned your Burmese, Lucy - Sir Bastions first friend was a Burmese (Blue), she also had to be put down as she broke her back, it also took me many years before we had another Burmese, Chyanne (Red), she'll now be hitting 7years next month. Greatdanegirl, thanks for your offer. You know what I'm like, have to be the Mother and stand strong. In here it's a little different, not many know me so I can let it all out and most of the show people wouldn't be any wiser of all the blubbering I've been doing. But, thank you - your a good friend. Piebe, yes he's been in the corner of my eye several times already. Whether it be a want to see him or it is actually him, it's just comforting. So thank you everyone, really great to know other's understand.

Thanks everyone, really appreciated.....................................

Hi All My best pet friend, Sir Bastion my beautiful blue Himalayan had to be PTS yesterday. There was no other cat in the world like him, and never will be again. I love him so much, and I don't know how to handle this. This cat would know when I was sick, and would lay on my bed day after day with me, even if my OH would move him, he'd be straight back to me. He still would stick close, just to make sure Mum was OK, when I'd finally make it out of bed. This wonderful cat did this everytime. He was almost 16yrs, and we were very lucky to have him that long, as we've battled uterin problems with him since he was a kitten, in the end we even had to make the decission whether to make him go through major surgery to change his penis, so stones could pass much easier. He was fit and healthy so he managed the surgery fine. After this he seemed to pick up so well, and I thought I'd have him for many more years. Unfortunately this was not the case, he's kidneys still packed it in 2 1/2 yrs after the surgery, and it just wasn't fair for him, so yesterday he was sent to be with Lucy (his first playmate) and my Dad. Dad would be sitting there patting him right now, and Lucy would be sticking her nose in, saying me too, me too. I love, loved, and will always love him, and at present am so lost. God bless you Sir Bastion, Mummy will always love you.

We had a Staffy who's favourite food was grapes. I have GSD who absolutely loves apples.

No not the grass, or carpet. There's a huge decking and have dog bedding out in the pen. Yes, realise food can take weeks. But I don't want to leave anything to chance, or too long. Thx everyone, much appreciated. Going for a drive up the pet shop, see if there've got BARF.

PLEASE can someone help me. I'm almost to the point of tears. One of my dogs has been driving me mad with a skin irritation. I've bombed - for fleas (plus eggs) I've changed diets - 2 weeks ago, to bonnie I've sentinalled - yesterday I've washed - with oatmeal shampoo I've cleaned - bedding and pen I've lost the plot. We need help. Like natural remedies if any, but if not - it's a trip to the vets.

Hi All I use Halti's, Gentle Leaders and would be without them. I actually now use both lead and leader's. Maybe using both at the same time? Halti/Gentle to keep control and chocker chain so the dog gets use to it and being by your side at the same time. My bitch pulled till we were both blue in the face, no amount of training would convince this girl not to pull. I ended up hating our walks, ha drag race. A trainer got me onto the leaders, haven't looked back since. As she aged I occationally put her on a chocker chain, now she walks by my side. Unless there's another one of our dogs with us, she thinks she has to be out front, then the race is on. The marvels of being top dog. Hope this is of some assistance..................

Time to go to the vets. It could be a sight or hearing problem. If he's in the house and still barking at you and it's not agressive behaviour. Watch what he's doing, could he be impaired in his sight and/or hearing. Maybe he can only see shaddows or can only hear his own barking. Things to think about, and watch before racing off. When I spoke about time out, it's NOT to be a family area don't want to scare the little bugger of the share areas at home. Make it a corner out the back or make a pen, where he can't see over it. Or maybe he's just going to be a hand full. I know I'm going to be bagged over this suggestion (before casting SHAME on me, look into how it is done, not near as barbaric as it use to be. But still not nice to have to take it that far). If it continues, debarking can be a LAST resort after you have exhausted everything else. Some vets believe in it, others don't. If you live suburbia, it might worth thinking of it when he's older. Again Good Luck and Keep Us Posted.............................

Hi Tollerblaize Good luck some dogs just love to bark. But try these maybe one of these will work? 1. This one takes a little longer. When pup is barking, make a signal (usually the hand) and gently say "Good Bark". When this is learnt, the new one is "No Bark". Works with some dogs, not with others. 2. Time out. Find a place where the dog must stay that is away from everyone, and he can't see you. Start of with short periods. When you return to pup after he has been quiet for a couple of minutes, praise. Repeat this each time he barks. They get the idea pretty quick. 3. A pup that age is really trying you out. If the neighbours aren't too close let hime bark in his pen. He'll get the idea pretty quick that Mum's not coming. Even when you do go out, don't head straight to him. Walk around, hang the washing out, he has to get it into his head that he's not priority when you up and about. He has to wait his turn. Good luck...... Hope these are of assistance....................

As for you Office Bitch, if you don't have anything constructive to add - DON"T. The man had enough thought to ask the question, in the right thead, so don't abuse someone because of common sence. We all start somewhere.

Fin Firstly, good on you for trying. Secondly, good on you for asking. That amount of time is a little long for a pup, start of with a couple of minutes and when he completes that easily add an extra minute. Don't forget the praise at the end. Your teaching the right thing, if pup runs towards the road or danger. He knows what the command of "drop" is. Sit, drop, stay and eat on command are very good starters. As for the top dog, if you can get him to do the above your ok for now. But always when feeding him, you and the family must have eaten first or if it's too early for you pretend everyone else is eating out of his bowl before he get's it. Yes, strange but works. Just think of the pack mentality, leaders always eat first. Another he's not to be on the lounge,bed anything where he's at you level. Your doing well, just ease off a little.

Whisper Been there, doing that. You have so much to think about and talk about, with a qualitied obedience trainer. Before anything I would be out buying a enclosed pen, with a run. Then you'll feel more confident he can't get out. Secondly find a HIGHLY reccomended trainer. I've been through three, even been asked not to return to one class. Finely found an angel, and I thank him every week. My bitch will never be the same, but she will be handlable. I'm luckly have the room to keep her and know her limits. You have to find all this out, and work constantly on it. But, Whisper if it Doesn't work you can at least say you tried. Good luck