Isabel964

I missed out, I was too late

I'd get legal advice, or ask the local ranger (anonymously). It seems stupid that is someone illegally enters your property, by getting past a fence/gate - then if a dog bites, it is their nature to be protective. How can a dog be in trouble for that? But it might well be the case that a dog bite is a dog bite no matter how it occurs. And every state may be different.

I am considering pet insurance. I have two dogs and two cats. Anyone have any recommendations? Do you have to insure each animal or does any company do a group rate? I just want insurance for vet fees for illness and injury, I don't need travel, death coverage, boarding fees etc Looking at Petplan - i looks like its about $34 a month per dog.

Yes I know the views on Pets Paradise, but back when I did the research, Innova was a fantastic food and imported from America - and only available at Pets Paradise. Question: For the dry food what is the target ingredients in terms of percentage protein, fat etc?

This is a great idea!

Yes, the breed is important.... say if you had a West Highland Terrier, you'd need a groomer that knows how to groom this breed specifically. Ask around at your local dog park, look for similar breeds and ask those owners for recommendations and places to avoid. You can also ask breeders if they know of good groomers in your area. You want a groomer your dog is happy to go back to. I saw a westie, just beautiful and talked to the owner. She highly recommended a grooming salon, not close by, but for a great Westie cut and a good experience for my dog (this place was not only god, but friendly and caring) I would drive. It was a great salon, but one day my son picked up my westie from the salon and she came home with no skirt and looked like a rat rather than a westie. I called the salon - it had changed owners. So I never went there again. Now I just go to my local pet store that does grooming. Two lovely ladies are there and they do a good job, not perfect or show quality like the other one, but its good enough for a westie not being shown, and my westie likes them, as do I. This is Boronia Pets in Boronia. Lovely people who do all kinds of breeds.

Natural yogurt helps? am always wary of giving my dogs dairy...aren't they lactose intolerant or have I got that wrong?

I have a 9 yr old kelpie and a 4 yr old Westie, cost is not too much of a problem for me for the girls.

Oh gosh, I just saw from inside the lounge room, my westie get onto the outdoor table by jumping onto a chair first and then the table top, sit there and look around enjoying the view, she then heard a neighbouring dog bark and just jumped straight off that table. Its double the height of the bed! I'll have to keep alll those chairs tucked right under the table.

Awe don't hurt it.

About 10 years ago I did alot of research and found that Innova, available at Pets Paradise (Its from the U.S) had the best ingredients and I chose that for my dogs. I compared it to Purina, IAMs, Hills science and I was sure Innova was the best by looking at the ingredients list. But in the last few years my life went through some upheavals and I change to supermarket food. I'd like to choose a high quality nutritious dry food. Things have probably changed and I don't know which is the best quality now. I have also forgotten how to analyse the ingredients list. Can anyone remind me? I remember that I needed to look for real meat first, to watch out for qhere on the list 'fillers' were, there was something about corn, and so much more. So reminders on how to assess which dry food is a good quality for my girls would be great Or if you have done the research yourself, and are willing to share which brand of dry dog food is the best in your opinion, I'd love that.

You sure have a problem, but it seems it can be resolved - though I think getting a trainer in is necessary because you have to do things the right way.I got a trainer in just to have control of my dogs (I had no major issues) and the trainer was AMAZING. After 1 hr spent with me and my dogs, I had a 10 min exercise to do with the dogs every day and it worked a treat! As I said, I had no major issues, just wanted some extra control so mine was relatively easy. Yours is more complex and it might cost a few hundred dollars, but it will be worth it. PS when the dog is not always barking like that, I bet it will be a calmer happier dog too PPS I send you hugs, you have tried so much and you have been so patient with your dog. All the best with resolving this.

Fair enough, but I think the issue is also just as much the way some vets seem to have told some of us as we drop the pet off (last minute), rather than provide the options before hand so it can be discussed, considered and budgeted for.

Well they do what "needs to be done" but in my case I was told things like the extras would make the dog more comfortable....that sort of thing, so you feel like a bad owner if you deny it.

Sounds interesting, I bet there was a lot we would disagree with, some we would question, but also find some things interesting and fun. Politics in that sort of thing are never nice I suppose, but I have never gotten into showing dogs myself so I don't really know. Dogs and elephants....whatever next.

Yeah, I was thinking a ghost or spirit might be being seen by the dog too. ... you never know. If it was me I would go to the vet, and assuming the vet finds nothing ask the vet for a behaviourist - and I would do it fast, because if it is a behavioural issue (medical too actually), the sooner you get onto it the better. Hope it works out ok. I have never experienced this. Oh...last thought, perhaps try rescue remedy as it gets into the evening....might help, can't hurt.

Not heard of it. What was it like?

I'm worried about my Westie. She jumps off the bed all the time - she sleeps on it most nights. But I would have a hell of a time training her to use the steps...I'd have to get someone to ring the doorbell etc like julzjc did. Same thing with the couch (she thinks its hers). Question: I am concerned about the jumping down bit. Should I be equally concerned about the jumping up part too?

I have had exactly this experience and felt a bit ambushed too, but I agreed to the fluids but not the bloods - BUT, the charge for the fluids was more like $20 - $40 (I can't remember the exact amount, it was many years ago). $200 is robbery, unless you just remembered incorrectly. I think vets should rethink how they advise of costs. When the procedure is booked info should be provided then, and the dog owner should be told to think it over, ask any questions they might have and be advised that a decision is not needed until they drop the dog off. Booking the surgery and then dropping these bombshells on dog owners is not fair. We have a shock, we have not budgeted, often one person drops the dog off so the husband or wife is not there, often we are in a hurry to go to work etc, and the whole thing is unexpected. I don't think its right.

I have floorboards in all rooms except the bedrooms. I put thick dog mat/beds down in the lounge room so they have something soft to lay on. I would like a rug or two, but wouldn't they constantly get dirty? My dogs are washed once a week, but they love to lay in dirt and play in the garden so they do get a bit grungy - this would go on the rugs. Currently I use a steam mop for the floorboards - brilliant to keep them clean. Are your rugs ok? Do they get dirty? (Do your dogs have a yard/garden to play in)

I was wondering about dogs and beds. I suspect alot of us allow our dogs on the bed. My question is more about the dogs jumping off the bed - as this can't be good for some legs....especially smaller dogs like Westies and French Bulldogs amongst others. But how do you allow a dog on your bed but get it to wait for you to let it off the bed, or I suppose the better option is we could train them to use steps? What do you do?

Westie puppies are just gorgeous. This is a nice thread. More pics of puppies please. http://www.google.com.au/images?hl=en&...mp;oq=westie+pu

I think you handled it really well and you have asked very good questions. None of us want to ever kick a dog, but under your circumstances I feel alot of us would have done the same thing. I think it is important that you take Lexie out for more walks asap so she forgets about that incident, puts it behind her and learns to enjoy the walks. Make sure you don't walk her with a worried/anxious frame o mind cos she will feel it.

Grass eating, hmmm. That could certainly be it. Well thanks Sheridan, makes me feel better

Oh ewe .... well thanks - you made me feel alot better about it. I was worried.