becks

From personal experience, I've had a mini half pull off a dew claw, he was in pain with it for a week (and had to wear a bucket collar to stop him chewing at it). All mine have them removed at birth, but this one was an import, so I had no say in them being left on.

Vanish carpet cleaner - the one you make up yourself into a foam, lifts out everything but the colour of your carpet

There is one in the UK called Awesome Pawsome, mine is just simply Barkers Grooming - wanted a name that would be high up in the phone book listings.

First, talk to the breeder to find out what you get in the puppy pack, so you don't end up doubling up on things eg I supply some bedding and grooming equipment with my puppy pack.

Casima, have you seen photos of dogs with hairy legs, where the hair covers the dewclaw up?? Schnauzers can have very hairy legs and the few I have seen with dew claws do need to have them cut regularly as they aren't getting used. The claws also seem to be held more loosely then in breeds that traditionally have them left on. As showdog said, schnauzer normally have the dewclaws removed at a day or 2 old

If it means a lot, go with the stud name, better to have a name that really has a special meaning and fiddle a bit with litter names IMO.

In the UK we are not members of the KC and so can breed whatever we chose to

I've bolded a bit as I think it is important to stop well before you get to that point, always leave them wanting more, so that next time they are more keen to get into the game. I'd also think about using the food as part of a game, instead of just handing him the treat, throw it so he chases after it and keep that pace going as you train in a short burst, finishing with him still wanting to come back for another go at the task at hand.

I'd contact for a general information chat, to make sure the breed/breed lines are producing the type of dog you are wanting and ask about their waiting list. I'm on a list for a litter planned for 2013, in the meantime I get to see how the breeders recent litter develop both as show and working dogs as the litter I am looking to buy from will be very similar breeding. The litter was planned originally for 2012 but the breeder decided to see how the current litter does and wants to progress further with the training of the dam over the next year. So it pays to be flexible over the time you are willing to wait.

No vaccination guarantees 100% protection.

Don't be silly, they are doing you a favour by taking the dog off your hands!

We are probably lucky in a way with having had Crufts on TV for so many years, people interested in dogs and just have pets (instead of performance in some way) still have a general idea of what showing is all about and recognise obedience and the dancing with dogs, agility etc are done as different sports. Trisven13 does raise some valid points though about what the average dog owner thinks.

It just needs time now to go back to normal.

Mine stress if they are moved to another room on their own, so stay in the lounge with the other dogs BUT mum and pups are inside a puppy pen with sheets covering the pen for privacy and a roof on the top to make it den like. Certainly wouldn't allow the other dog to have access whenever he wants.

Good tip! Seeing that our groomer moved,we have to do our own cutting now Yes, but the OP was asking about cutting the hair at the bottom on the feet, not trimming the top of the foot. That is not how I would trim a Border Terrier foot anyway, that is more the method for cavies, border collies and gundog breeds type feet.

Dogs often behave better for people who aren't their owner, so you might be best to pop into a groomers and just get them to trim under the paws (and check toe nail length). It will save you getting into a battle about it and then you can start to work on teaching your dog to be relaxed about touching and holding his paws

Why are you testing the whole litter? i presume most of the litter would be going as pets and so if they are carrier or clear isn't important? For any recessive condition, where carriers are completely unaffected, there is no point in testing puppies that are going to be desexed pets. It doesn't matter if they are normal or carriers and just lines the pockets of the testing labs. All else being equal, you might decide to test several puppies to help you decide which one to keep but in most litters there is a stand out puppy and if that is the case, that should be the keeper regardless of it's DNA status. You only need to worry about it being a carrier when it comes to breeding the next generation. You should never compromise quality just to keep something that is DNA normal. Yes, that was my way of thinking which is why I wondered why some were testing the whole litter.

They are also called pizzle sticks!

I'd be more worried about taking her out to be groomed, especially when she is still feeding the pups. Anyway, glad she is feeling better today

Nutridrops or nutrigel is what I was thinking of! Give the pup some of that a few times a day to keep her energy up. (read the ingredients and there is molasses in them!)

Have you got any puppy stim paste or I've forgotten the name of those molasses drops that will give pup an energy boost.

I'd be looking at the consistency (firmness) of the poo then the volume. firm poo shows the food has been digested properly, some foods just provide more fibre which some dogs need more then others. With a pup I wouldn't keep changing their food though.

Why are you testing the whole litter? i presume most of the litter would be going as pets and so if they are carrier or clear isn't important?

I've been thinking mine isn't up until I tried picking her up the other day and realised she's a lot heavier then she should be normally, even though her shape hasn't changed, she will be due in about 2.5 weeks, so don't give up hope yet ladies!

I've been waiting to see if I can join this thread. Noticed the other day that even though she hasn't really changed shape (aside from bigger boobs, but she had that last time with a phantom) she has got very heavy. Amber should be due about the 21st. (mini schnauzers)