LisaCC

I agree, I don't think he's done this for the dogs.

Agreed with the above it is absolutely not cruel to keep your dog entire. Yes some people may judge you, but tell them to mind their own business, why are they looking that closely through your dogs fur anyway? It is your choice, if you can manage an intact dog appropriately go ahead.

I wasn't actually a huge fan of the first one, not sure why, but I dunno, felt a bit meh about it. The trailer for this one however interests me! Will watch!

More videos

I'm so sorry for your loss, I loved reading about Benny. He could not have found a better home for his last few years

I've seen a mix of both. Unfortunately I can think of two clubs I've seen just in the last 6 months that while watching each for half an hour I saw no rewards except for a verbal 'good dog', physically manipulating their dogs into positions and yank and crank heel patterns.

I assume you would be far out of your depth if asked to explain how you get to this conclusion - and beside your limited capability in this realm: this would be off-topic anyway. However, feel free to start your own thread if you want to elaborate this further. Rather than attack with petty insults as you know nothing about my 'capacity in this realm' I'm suggesting this seriously as you seem to not understand the finer details in how animals learn. It would also help you understand how people in this thread are using terms which by future comments you are having trouble with.

I don't think you need to do NDTF or any other dog training course. You need to go do a basic psych 101 or something on learning theory.

I saw a really good idea on a trainer I follow, tie a slip knot in the middle of your leash, try not to let it come undone :D

i feed the fish one, Nova is both picky and hard to keep weight on and he loves it and gained some weight on it. I tried him on a bag of the Turkey and Duck one and the only down side was he got farty. The fish one is fantastic though. We've been on the High Performance Meals for Mutts previously, he's going better on the fish Ivory Coat.

I had the option last year of two clubs like that, one better than the other (allowed me to bring my clicker but not reward with toys) or nothing. Went with nothing. Went to the slightly better one for one session and it was just dull and boring, and people frustrated at their dogs doing drills. Left less than half way. I don't want my dog to think training is boring, I think that's super important, especially if you are going to aim for competition.

When I think of a standard poodle this photo just encapsulates them for me. A true athletic sporting dog. Nothing girly about that!

My first response was to ask my breeder. I did so by email and she was able to respond soon after. When I first asked the breeder for clarification of this issue before I bought a puppy, it was over the phone, and between us I obviously didn't get the right idea. In the email, I said I was confused and then stated four facts. I don't consider this to be confrontational or accusatory, however one commenter here suggests this warrants the breeder cutting me off from further assistance. Yes, the relationship between a breeder and owner can be very valuable. Rather than respond back to the breeder and potentially create an uncomfortable situation, I chose to consult the Worldly Wise Web. I didn't call up a competitor breeder for a whinge session, and I wasn't making a demand on anyone's time. I used the word "mislead" because I was left with the impression that the puppy would be registered in my name. I accept that the breeder would not have intentionally done this, to trick me out of less than $40 when I was going to be paying thousands. Prior to purchasing a puppy, it's recommended to speak to as many breeders as possible and ask lots of questions. Why should that stop after purchasing a puppy? Many of the responses I've received online today are more informative than the breeder's response and I've also been able to learn some additional things. Giant breeds do take a lot of care to raise properly. Before committing to getting a puppy I did a lot of research from many different resources in addition to speaking to the breeders and visiting. I found differing opinions on two of the questions that I asked breeders, and the opinion I developed on those aspects is differing to my breeder's idea on the subject. That doesn't mean I discount her opinion or wouldn't seek her advice where necessary. But for me, it does show the value in speaking with people from different backgrounds, whether they be Saint breeders or owners, or giant dog breeders or owners. I understood that the breeder was having the puppy microchipped, but not registered on the NSW companion animal register, and I understand what is involved with that registration. I wasn't able to take microchip paperwork home when I picked up my puppy because the breeder didn't know which microchip number was his and her scanner wasn't working. I signed the form with it blank and took my puppy to my vet the next day to get scanned and emailed the chip number to the breeder. His microchip and paperwork is all in order and I will be registering him on the companion animal register following further consultation with my vet and the council. It's not just the term "registration" that is causing me confusion, but at the time he was registered, I was the puppy's owner. If the form had arrived showing this other person as "Breeder" or "person initially registering the dog", I would have less issue with the situation. For her to be recorded as the owner was simply incorrect. Yes, she was to begin with, but not at the time of registration. But I guess that's just how Dogs NSW operates the register. The breeder had determined that my puppy was going to be sold and on limited register weeks before I picked him up. So I didn't understand the six week period between when I picked him up and the "date registered". I sought feedback on this issue on two forums. One of them was more helpful and less judgemental than the other. Bigsley if you ever plan on traveling with your dog I suggest that you register it on one of the National Registers ie CAR or AAR. The NSW companion register does not "talk" to the 6 other registries. Recently a NSW dog ended up in a pound in Melbourne and was lucky to be returned to its NSW owner. Don't want to distract from topic too much, but can NSW owners do this themselves? With NSW chip numbers?

As you know, I thought the 'weird' questions were great! Some of them made me seriously question myself :laugh: Can't wait for the results!

Hurtta Raincoats are fantastic. Non insulated if you don't need warmth. My coated dog doesn't get overheated in them at all but keeps him nice and dry when we go for rainy walks. Goes over the chest so keeps chest and belly dry and over the hips, with nice leg loops. If you need warmth, they do make insulated versions to. The newer versions of all the hurtta stuff (although much more pricey) all have slots so you can have harnesses under. If you want to go full coverage hurtta also make slush combat suits! Aka waterproof onsies ????

wrt the negative side effects of annual heartworm injections here an older thread: http://www.dolforums...erse-reactions/ It is a mystery why annual shots are still available and allowed in areas where heartworm infections are seasonal!!!!!! ...and for areas where it would be really required all year around monthly administrations would keep the toxic levels at least on a much lower threshold. There is much which is mysterious. I live in an area where there are no mozzies - never. My property is miles from any other with dogs, and yet the vets still insist I need heartworm meds .In NSW you have to give heartworm meds unless the vet advises against it - same if it is a breeding dog. Vaccination every year unless the vet advises against it - no such thing as a vet that advises against it around here. So you can let your pet dog go without heartworm meds and yearly vaccinations without breaking the law but if its a breeding dog - who cares? Follow the money. I've never ever heard that I have to give heartworm meds? I've been a dog owner my whole life and work in the animal industry, and this is the first I have ever heard of it? You live in one of the few areas left that vets still say it's ok not the treats for heartworm, I was advised not to bother by all vets until I moved away. There used to be a lot more areas but it's spread to colder areas. I wouldn't be surprised if cases start popping up in the area sooner or later though.

What kind of material would you like Steph? Leather? Something woven? (Not so durable but can be very pretty). Something else? Nova has a ruthless leather set. Love it, it's so beautiful, really wish I got a thinner leash though, the regular is a bit thick for me.

A mini bull terrier ran out of an open fence and grabbed Nova when he was a puppy. The two male owners were booting the dog in the head and it was still clamped down. It was such a blur I didn't see what made it eventually let go.

I'm so sorry Sarasmum. Will be thinking of you today x

I'm not familiar with the breed, but with any dog really, if you are 100% set on a specific colour you might be after a bit of a wait. Did you check out the breeders pages as well rather than just the current puppy listings? Might want to check them out and make contact with some breeders you like the sounds of. They may have plans for litters in the not to distant future. As Perse said too, you might want to look interstate.

In non shedding season Nova gets brushed once or twice a week with a pin brush all over and a slicker on his hocks and ear fluff. Full groom, including line combing, feet and ear trims around monthly. In shedding season he gets brushed every day with the pin brush and gone over with the shedding rake a few times a week. Nails are done about every week and a half. Keep them nice and short. He gets bathed whenever he gets dirty. I try not to do it too often. He doesn't really have a doggy smell, but when he's getting dirty he does get 'dirt' and 'dust' smelling. So in the bath he goes. I'll also bath more often than normal in shedding season as it helps get all that hair loose.

If the Hills is keeping her stomach issues under control and it's this itching starting, I would be inclined to stay on the hills and make sure it's nothing environmental that's causing the itchies. And frankly with how bad my dogs IBD was I would rather keep him on a food that worked and put him on another medication than play around with his diet.

There is a large difference. I'd be getting a different vet if yours is telling you that. IBS: Irritable Bowel Syndrome, as Jules says they don't really know what's going on but foods can upset parts of the gastro tract. Non inflammatory. IBD: encompasses the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Parts of the tracts become inflamed, include Crohns disease and Ulcerative Colitis. IBD can be diagnosed with biopsies although at that age you wouldn't want to put her through that. Honestly an elimination diet (with a vet) may be kinder than jumping through different diets, especially if she has IBD. The treatment is different because inflammation is involved in one.

I keep mine to use as training targets!