Tralee

Hi TianaKaeSha. I have just acquired "The Other End of the Leash" I'm going to have a fabulous Sunday afternoon. I also ordered "Bedtime Stories for Dogs". Bedtime Stories has to be sent from the UK and takes 6 weeks.

Hi Divine Angel. :rolleyes: Glad to hear that Jasmine is in tip top form. You might suggest to them, politely and courteously of course. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Hi tianaKawSha. :rolleyes: I have a few books that are related to understanding dogs. If I start at Pavlov and add all the textbooks that I have collected over the 5 years during which I formally studied Psychology, will that make all the other dog books redundant? :rolleyes:

Hey Tabata. :rolleyes: Cool link. :rolleyes: Thanks from me. :rolleyes:

Hi TianaKaeSha. May I have the list too please? NB When you get it that is!

Hi Inky. There was a site cited, in a thread, recently about the research done on processed foods for dogs. Unfortunately, I didn't tab the link when I had the opportunity. (Does anyone remember this one?) The research was American and basically it found that there are long term deleterious health effects caused by a diet of processed pet food. However, I doubt that many people feed their pets exclusively on tinned food. (I could think of a few but it wouldn't be helpful). The correct diet is essential to the health and well being of a dog. I don't understand why some people can be so frivolous about what they feed their dog. Personally, I am in the same situation as you. The jury is still out until I have gathered all the facts, or a reasonable synthesis of logical arguements can be made. This topic too important and is bound to be a recurring one as people face this problem at different times and in different situations. Myself; I have a puppy and while I am happy, and she is happy, to continue with the Breeders diet chart I don't want to have to look back at any time and have to say: :I wish I hadn't been so frivolous".

Hi All. This afternoon, I confirmed our intention to attend the 'early' puppy preschool. It's more like puppy creche really because it's before the mandatory post second vaccination/12 week old puppy preschool. Taht means we will also be able to attend another puppy preschool when she is 12 weeks old. There are two concerns that any dog guardian may have about taking a pre-vaccinated puppy to puppy school. The first is whether the pup will be exposed to a contaminated area. The Veterinary Nurse who is conducting the classes has convinced me that the risk will be no greater than the chances involved in taking the pup to any other public area. The second concern centres around the possibility that one or more of the pups in the class have been contaminated by another dog or handled by someone who is unwittingly transmitting an infection. This concern was quashed by the Veterinary Nurse who affirmed that any dogs feeling dodgy are not allowed to attend. So, socialization will be underway latter next week. As concerns socialisation with 'peoples'; I have a list of interested suitors that will take me until the next 'Brigadoon' to complete. Thanks to everyone. PS I think I can read your thread now toohey.

Hey Midniara. I am intending to take my pup to another puppy preschool after her full vaccination at 12 weeks. But I hear what you are saying and I want you to know that your post struck a chord with me. Now I won't go as far to say that your dog made a sacrifice for my pup, but I will concur with you that your experience will not be lost if at least one dog is spared the same fate. I think Sooki will give a big thank-you Midniara bark when she graduates.

Thanks tollersowned. I live on the Redcliffe Peninsula in the Northern Suburbs of Brisbane. The whole place is one big nursing home. The ratio of pensioners to non -pensioners is about 3:1 I just hope 'Sooki' likes lots of grans and pops, and everything in slow motion.

Thanks Toohey. You could have given me a summary. I have to read the whole 4 pages.

Hi Skyes Dalimit. Hospitals do have anti-micobial resistant bacteria like Golden staphyllococcus. And there may also be some Parvo viruses lurking around the Veterinary surgery. It's not the same risk after your dog has been vaccinated as it is for a puppy. I think the veterinary nurse may be offering puppy preschool under 'Barrier Nursing' conditions. Hi Midniara. I am very enthusiastic about taking my pup to a 'pre-12- week-old' puppy school for socialisation. Granted that the Nurse is competent at barrier nursing there still remains the concern that one of the other puppies may have been contaminated by being touched by someone who hasn't washed their hands after having been in direct contact with an infected dog or a dog carring an infectious disease.

Thanks Vehs. What I'm concerned about is whether the pup will be at risk, even though she will only be associating with other puppies, and will be confined to a disease protected area.

Hi Guys. I have been given the opportunity to take my pup to 'Puppy Preschool' at just nine and a half weeks of age almost 3 weeks before her final vaccination. The Veterinary Nurse who runs the classes informs me that there have been no complications in the past, that all pups there will have begun their vaccinations (and only preschool pups attend), and that the area the classes are conducted in is safe. Should I be concerned and avoid these classes? There are several others available when she turns 12 weeks of age. I'd feel safer if they were after her final vaccination. I was thinking of being a 'hog' and doubling up! There is such a difference between an 8 to 12 week old class, and a 12 weeks and older class!

Thanks aatainc. I'm not going to castigate her. I have too much admiration for the other things she's done. I'll ring you tomorrow night if that's OK. I'm thinking: a visit on Wednesday Evening? You can advise me further then.

Hi Divine Angel. ;) Damn! ;) I must have missed that the last time you told us. :D PS Only 5 more sleeps.

Hey Rappie. Halleluia to that. Too much of my time is consumed trying to mediate beween the guilt trip that some have tried to lay on me and others. I much prefer to discuss the erudite opinions of others. The rest should just shut up and listen. Did I forget to mention? I :protest: in the strongest terms :D

Hey Divine Angel. :D Cost and convenience is also a consideration. It is up to you.

Hey Divine Angel. I had a Dentist once who used to advertise on the back of 'shop-a-docket' :D

Hi persephone. I would think that the enzymes that catalyze an animals' milk would be species specific. My mind might have to time to boggle if I wasn't worried so much. Thanks Divine Angel. Keep up the 'good' work. pew

Hey Jed. Of course not. If our dogs did not get sick then most Vets. would be out of a job. And based on the advice given to Divine Angel some should be. Primary management, or prevention is not big in any profession. Here is another. Proper contraception over the last three decades would have prevented a lot of our current problems. High school Staff Rooms have been a bad influence on me. I am also a quick learner, and have some excellent mentors on DOL. pew

Hey wylie. Great post. i) The emphasis here is on some, surely there is epidemiological data on the percentages of dogs with lactose intolerance. Or would that give people cause not to purchase the products from the companies who finance these research projects. ii) A logical reasoned arguement. But it is only exacerbated in dogs that are lactose intolerance. The level of lactose in the 2 litres of milk that I drink each day certainly overpowers my digestive system but there still are no ill effects. iii) At last a balanced arguement that presents both sides. iv) And this is a pearler. A simple test that can be done by all dog guardians to examine their dogs for lactose intolerance. I have received 3 similar posts in other threads that can be deemed exceptional. I count this one the fourth. On behalf of Divine Angel and my humble self; thank you.

Hey wylie. Top job However, while I am familiar with gram negative and positive bacteria, am aware that casein is a milk protein, know what symbiosis is, and can appreciate the prophylactic actions of lactoferrin and lactoperoxidase, I have yet to be convinced that lactose intolerance in dogs is as prevalent as is assumed. Could this just be another case of vested interests and misinformation?.

Hi lavender. Lactose intolerance is hardly pandemic in dogs or humans. Some dogs may have it but, I am yet to be convinced that milk is unsuitable for the majority of dogs. Being overly cautious may appear wise but it is hardly very helpful. Maremmas love cheese. If anybody knows the dogs would. There is a bit of a contradiction here, i think. That is what I said and was advised that it is unsuitable. This question is far from resolved as far as I am concerned.

Thanks wylie. My Breeder gives the pup 'puppy milk' for supper which she says is available, but I haven't seen it yet. The fact that milk is not suitable for dogs, is amazing since they start out on milk. Doesn't the kid on the Oreo ad. give his pooch his milk?

Hi wylie. Divine Angel has my pups older cousin. I am sure that milk is inappropriate as you state but the rational being? PS Sorry. Trained scientist here.