Scarlett Dog

We tried it with our typically sensitive bull terrier. Not a winner. Decided to go grain free & stick to BARF. The omega supplement is good, along with the immunity booster. The complete mix was no good for us.

what a sad story for all involved, especially the dogs. When they say dogs are a lifetime commitment, they do not lie. That involves putting in the effort to make sure they are well socialised and trained. If they are not, then make sure whatever issues they have are well managed.

I also use the sensible harness in high distraction environments, but in conjunction with patience & consistency (read Jane Killion's book). Regardless of what 'tool' you use, there is no quick fix. Simple rule, no moving forward while there's pulling. I've had 15 minute walks take an hour and a half, but there was less stopping each time.

Farmer Dave is more then welcome to come hang out with my bull terrier to see how I "keep her aggression in check". Sounds like he's just regurgitated some BSL tripe he's read. He's now a dog trainer? Just what the world needs, another 'dog trainer' who has no idea.

We stayed at Saltwater Villas at Moolooaba on the Sunshine Coast QLD. They allow dogs inside and it's close to beaches. We had a blast! Saltwater Villas

From what I understand, the bigger the dog the slower the resting heart rate. I think 60 for a large dog is normal but for a medium dog like a bull terrier it should be up around 80. Again, it depends on the age and fitness of the animal. Because it doesn't happen when she is exercising it shouldn't be as complex when the time comes for a pacemaker. I hear the actual pacemakers cost $5000 and upwards, then add your other fees on top. Her temporary one is costing $1500, and that's only for a day. Good thing we love her so much. I have read a few stories of dogs who have lived a normal life. Personally, I think its worth a shot when the time comes

My girl is a pretty chilled out girl, super relaxed at the vets. I think for her breed it's considered low though. According to the cardiologist most sits sit anywhere between 60 & 160- which is why he said it was 'fine' for now. It's at the low end. It could be it is low but she is comfortable at the vets? She has been very heavily socialised.I believe it was lover than it was 6 months ago, which may be the concern. No issues with heat sensitivity (apart for bullies not loving the heat) or exercise as it's only an issue when she is relaxed. When she is active her heart beats exactly as it should (rate & rhythm wise)

I was at the specialist centre (which has an emergency department included) and a guy bought him 6 year old boxer in after she was bitten in the yard. Smack bang in the middle of suburbia. Looked to be a brown too. She didn't look well

80bpm- this was at the vets with lots of people & dogs, where you would expect her heart rate to be faster given how exciting it is. During the surgery it dropped to 33bpm and only went up to 50bpm after atropine. The tests by the cardiologist showed sometimes it went back to normal (about 110) but it is not always responsive. He said it's slow, but fine for now.

Thanks for all your info- some great and reassuring articles. I will try to post on another bull terrier forum. We have a great cardiologist who would be willing to do the surgery. In fact, he suggested it to give her a normal life. He said the surgery to replace the battery is quite a simple procedure that wouldn't put too much stress on her system. He has also confirmed her heart valves & muscles are perfectly normal- it's just a slower than normal resting heart rate. She has no problems when she is active, just if she is very relaxed/sedated/anaesthetised.

Thanks OSoSwift. I was after info, not opinions as to why I shouldn't. I take my dog's quality of life very seriously. If there is a very good chance of a normal life I'd like to give her the chance.

Oh what a lovely couple of weeks we have had. My sweet bully girl ruptured her cruciate ligament last week. She was due for surgery this week. While she was under anaesthetic her heart rate dropped dangerously low so they ceased the surgery (thankfully before any cutting had started). We went off to see her cardiologist who has said her heart now beats too slow and she will require a pacemaker. He said she should live a normal life, with surgery to replace the battery every 5 years or so (she is 15 months old). She was previous diagnosed with an arrhythmia (sinus arrest) but it had improved since being diagnosed shortly after we got her, we were ven advised it was very likely she'd grow out of it. The cardiologist was shocked to hear about what had happened and to find what he did on her recent visit. I was just wondering if any has had a dog who has had one? How did they go? Any advice?

I asked our vet because we thought my girl had a UTI. She didn't. It was only a day she was doing it. He said if she's eaten anything with more salt than normal that this can do the same thing. He said keep an eye on it, if it keeps going to head back to the vet. It lasted a day- no idea what she's eaten gotten in to.

I would suggest checking out trainers before you enroll. Watch a class, speak to their clients about what their experiences have been like, ask if poeple have tried any other trainers, what methods they use, what support you will get, any other benefits in going with them etc.

I have the black dog hands free belt and love it. I have a strong girl who can pull id she wishes (she's almost 25kg but could pull three times that). I also have the tuffy collar and am a fan, it disperses the pressure better.

oooh poor sweetie. It looks like an allergic reaction given the gas/bloating and rash. Strange. Let's hop it doesn't happen again

You can also use a baby bottle brush to clean them. I soak them in hot water every week and given them a good scrub

The Whites Hill Reserve one?

i get motion sickness myself and use ginger. I works in dogs too!

a vet found my girl had a low grad murmur at about 6 weeks old. We still wanted her. Our vet sent us off to a cardiologist just to keep an eye on things. She actually has a sinus arrest arrhythmia. We have been back twice (we're due to go back when she's 1- 1 1/2) and each time it's happening less and less. It's most likely she will grow out of it. We just had to make sure our vets were aware in case of needing to be under anesthetics. Doesn't bother her at all- she still does everything normally.

My girl used to get car sick then we took her to the chiropractor and her neck was out. Apparently it's called the atlas bone and it can cause motion sickness. Have it checked out. Since being realigned she hasn't been sick once! We go back every 1-3 months depending on her activity.

Wow- it took quite a while to read all the responses. The poor lady who lost her life, what a terrible thing to happen. Must have been terrible to witness. As for the BSL discussion, I'm not a fan. I think regardless of breed the amount of effort an owner puts in with a dog is a huge factor in here. I own a 'bull breed' and would be happy to have to be licensed. I think in general, dog ownership isn't taken seriously. Dogs getting into the hands of people who don't understand their responsibility to their dog and to the general public as well as people's attitude to dog ownership is abysmal.

Keira is just a Heinz57 with mostly Bull Mastiff X Ridgie but a few other things Phoenix is an "Amstaff" ;) IYKWIM I wondered about that lol, you had always said she was Amstaff x something...but she looks an awful lot like a "Lab x SBT" that I met a while ago... He was a gorgeous...."lab x SBT" too lol ;) haha ;) ;) Yeah she is an Amstaff to the general population, mind you most people who ask look at me confused when I say Amstaff haha. I have had a few people recognize her for what she is ie: a vet and someone walking by me the other day but so far no one who recognizes it has been worried about her. I don't think you can be with a face like hers. Mind you I can make her do this face which looks evil haha. lol@ IYKWIM. Phi is a lovely girl. Scarlett & Phi play a lot and are two breeds with a bad and rep have never had a drama. The walk would have been great but I think I'd not do so well in a crowd with dogs. Scarlett might take ages to walk 3kms too, if she doesn't get her way she can stop dead and not move for ages (and I mean AGES).

It is a risk but if you go somewhere that's low risk for parvo and adult dogs are all vaccinated you're reducing the risk. Not like going to a dog park etc. I have always been of the opinion that socialising a puppy in a more controlled environment like puppy schools is worth the risk. Plus I'd never go to a puppy school at a vets. It's like taking your baby to a doctors office for day care! It's where sick dogs go, even if they do clean the place- not for me.

2-3 here, depending on how much she has eaten. She's on a BARF diet and gets fed twice a day. She's pretty much like clockwork unless she has an upset stomach etc.