Scottsmum

Quick question - not entirely off topic. Hub and I are going for a day trip over the long weekend* - Do you guys want a (real) light house or full sized replica dutch windmill for next week? You can only have one - they're in opposite directions. *All travel subject to terrible weather which is forecast not eventuating.

Who?? Us?? Nope. Nothing.

That's one of the disturbing things about the report. Basically - what was on the label (at least in the bag/can they tested) did not align with what they found. So you're a diligent pet owner and you've spent hours reading labels... well fat lot of good that'll do you.

Interesting - as someone pointed out here - Hills and Royal canin aren't supermarket brands ... yet the plot thickens. update: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-24/cat-food-study-leads-to-ethics-overhaul-at-university/7272488 The ABC has obtained documents which reveal The University of Sydney's Faculty of Veterinary Science is conducting an overhaul of its corporate sponsorships following the ABC's exposure of corporate deals between the Veterinary Faculty and large pet food companies Hills and Royal Canin. The draft document, obtained by the ABC, is titled "Faculty of Veterinary Science Local Provisions for Sponsorship" and acknowledges "gifts and sponsorship, no matter how small, have been shown to influence recipients". The document aims to "ensure freedom from bias or inappropriate influences that might otherwise occur as a consequence of support from external entities". Earlier this week, ABC's Lateline program questioned whether a university study into harmful cat food withheld company names of product tested to protect corporate sponsors. While the university denies corporate funding of the study, it acknowledges sponsorship arrangements with Hills and Royal Canin. "Because it compromises the ability to give unbiased scientific information to veterinary students about the best way to feed animals," Sydney University's own academic Dr Richard Malik, a feline specialist, said of the sponsorships

This. Go back to bare basics for puppy toilet training and crate / place / pen training. I'd be focusing on the toilet training more than worrying about the doggy door - yes they go hand in hand - and you want the pup to realise the two are connected - in and out for the loo. But in my experience a well house trained dog will make that connection and take them selves out for the toilet and Spitz breeds tend to be pretty switched on yeh? It should get how to use the dog flap pretty quickly. Don't muddy the toilet training waters so to speak. Bare bones loo basics: As for crate training - there's lots of info out there - and on here. For us - we practiced - lots of rewarding for going in on his own and we still give him a "good boy" when he picks his crate for a nap. But Scottie, mostly has choice about being in there and I haven't had him from a pup. I'd say go do the reading, pick a method which you like the sound of and start. I do still occasionally have to settle Scottie if he's having a bad time. I can think of 3 occasions in the past 12 months where I've had to go out, give him a cuddle, settle him and put him back in his box. I always like to make sure he's warm (well - weather appropriate). He also likes having a toy with him and I usually throw something of mine in there with him - a worn dog walking T-shirt or jumper or even socks to help him stay settled. He also gets treats (bully stick or other appropriate chew thing) when I'm leaving him in there for a longer period and I leave something playing for him on the computer/radio too. but thats just my 2 cents worth - focus on the loo training.

She's just beautiful!

Forgive me if I assume you've not already done this but have you checked these links out? Been along to shows and other places? Vizsla https://www.facebook.com/HVCVic/ http://www.hvcv.com/ GSP http://www.gspclubvic.net/home Gun dog club Lots of events coming up for the Gun Dog Club: https://victoriangundogclub.wildapricot.org/events Bear in mind you're after a very specific kind of dog - a working dog. Most dogs, including these two breeds, need to "work" which is more than just going for a long run.

Have you met a few of each? I've never met a Vizsla but we had a lovely GSP next door for a while when I was a kid.

Not entirely sure what you mean by "dominance issues". But to answer your second question - it's been just over 16 years since I had an entire male (cattle dog) - and he was a huge sook - especially compared to the bitches. Since then I've had (well, had and currently have) desexed males - on the whole I find them more even tempered and chilled out compared to bitches.

Give it 24-ish hours. ;)

Edit. Other posts made while I was typing. Personally - I'd be desexing the older bitch and getting a male (to also be desexed)

I don't do it justice. That's for sure. Off for a drive this weekend. Hope to come back with something good.

I think so. ;)

So lots of comments up there. I went and had another look at the article. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26763535 TSD - Basically they're saying what they claim is in the can isnt. Dewclaws - Fair point. Jules - You're right - cans must say if they're not complete and intended for occasional use only. My point was 10 years ago, even 5 really - you didn't see that at all.

That was kind of the angle I was taking it from Dame Aussie. They said it was a Masters student - so I'd say they've let some 'insignificant' student do a piece of work / the proposal has slipped by unnoticed and now it's causing an upraor because you it's (most likely) found something negative against a major funder. Granny was the same, she did add meat too from memory. And all the cats lived healthily forever; no crystals in the urine, no sudden kidney failure. But I think with most supermarket foods, it's been devolving to keep costs lower and more competitive. More and more cheap flavours, colours, soy, imported ingredients and fillers. So they look the same as years ago, but aren't what they used to be.Same as people fed their dogs on tinned food and it lived healthily for years - our family dog was 17 when he passed - but it would have been far simpler processing and basic ingredients, all the bits that didn't make it into a meat pie. All our dogs before Scottie have been "Pal and meaty bites" dogs. Major - the big boy I posted about a few days ago literally ate a large can of pal and big scoop of meaty bites every night for his entire life, as did Guinea - but after Major passed away we stopped buying pal and moved her over to "my dog" as it came in smaller cans. Scottie would have been fed on supermarket food too but he was really fussy and we struggled to get him to eat when we bought him home (still is) and we noticed as soon as we put him on just cooked mince and veg (the only thing he'd eat) that his gooby eyes, terrible body odour and hot oily coat cleared up.... Hence our introduction to dogs with food allergies began. I agree with Rebanne too on the bolded point above too. Certainly in the last 5 years or so I've been caught out buying "toppers" (meat in jelly really) with no nutritional value at all. I also think it's up to the consumer to buy what they wish, spend the amount of money they want (or can) and make their own choices and there was a time when I didn't have a problem with supermarket food - and still dont. I still feed a grain free supermarket kibble in the mix of things. I believe in "do what's right for you, at the time" - no matter what that is - but I think it's a real shame that these findings aren't being released. I would be devastated to know that something I had fed in good faith was harmful.

Mums always know...

Thanks for the info :) Not awkward at all :)

He often sleeps with a toy. This week while hubby has been away I've woken up with both the stuffed warthog and Moosey in bed with me/us. Normally toys dont make it to the people bed. Tonight on the couch it's the kong tennis ball bone. Before this it was being used as a head rest. Love this little pooch to bits. He just melts my heart. 940826_10154012100004603_8777164408061011987_n by Superspanger, on Flickr

OK - so not dog food but it's not surprising and it's a really interesting read - basically Usyd faces backlash as they have an article peer reviewed and published but refuse to name names. It continues.... http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-21/some-supermarket-cat-food-brands-may-cause-severe-illness-study/7263634 *edited to fix title

They look really good. How far (approx) do you think the bottom of the actual bowl is off the floor? I've noticed Scottie prefers drinking from his crate bowl - which is elevated. Thinking about replacing his 'regular" food and water bowls with something higher - just not sure what. This might be it. When the bowl is half full, the water level sits at around 15cm above the floor. It doesn't sound like much but it means the tall Derper Dog can now just lower his head and drink like a normal dog, instead of having to do his weird kneeling thing. cool. thanks :)

They look really good. How far (approx) do you think the bottom of the actual bowl is off the floor? I've noticed Scottie prefers drinking from his crate bowl - which is elevated. Thinking about replacing his 'regular" food and water bowls with something higher - just not sure what. This might be it.

I'm sure there are others here who have a TONNE more experience than I do - but I know with my boy and scent work I rev him up (as much as possible - he's kinda of chilled out about scent work) before the start. Lots of "are you ready to work", I put his harness on and wait until I'm ready to swap his lead from his collar to the harness and give it a gentle adjustment so he really gets that it's on - I'm sure he knows but it's just part of the deal. Then give him the search phrase ("track") I don't use "where is it" or "go find it" as we use "where's your ball" and other similar phrases when we play. I never use 'track' in any other circumstances with him. I know in scent work (nose work) you can't / shouldn't drop food on the floor so things are different there - but also you want the dog working before you enter the room or search area for two reasons - 1 the scent might be on the door frame and 2 - you might displace the scent if you barge in - better to let the dog work on its way in and have a really good calm sniff before crossing the threshold and starting the timer. Last time we did some nose work we worked in a hall set up like this: 1 meet the Marshall - external to hall 2 use practice boxes with hide - if we wanted to - external to hall 3 wait on/at chair external to hall - external to hall 4 enter hall through annex 5 meet judge - have rules explained 6 cross threshold into search area - time starts the second you or your dog crosses the line. So - Ideally you want your dog really switched on from 2 and really working from 4. You wouldn't cross the line (6) until you were certain he was working. I was lucky to observe a number of searches in the same set up - in dogs with a stronger indication than mine they were already pulling and pretty sure where the hide (one scent in this case) was the second they walked through the annex & waited very impatiently for the judge to introduce herself & do the formal stuff. Some people say not to feed on the day - some people say their dog wont settle and concentrate if they're hungry. I've always fed Scottie a lighter meal (kibble no extras) before scent work - mainly because he doesn't travel well. Training treats are always pretty high value - cooked chicken or beef strog cut into small bits or bacon/ pre-diced ham if I've had a dis-organised week. Then a smaller (kibble) dinner as he's had a serve of meat during the day - but I think that's really personal preference and depends on you & the dog - try it? We're also told that the dog is always right - In theory YOU don't know where the hides are so you need to trust they're doing the right thing from the second they cross the threshold so I wouldn't be 'blocking' but then I'm not really sure of the rules are you allowed to double back in the early stages? We're usually told you can make a noise (whistle, click, kick a box) to get them back & focused - We're allowed to go anywhere - including back tracking - in the search area - on the correct side of the line - so long as we don't exit the area and we don't go over time. All in all - I'd be working on getting your dog really engaged in the lead up - if that means a longer lead up so be it - but I think it's possibly more on re-enforcing that it's time to work now. hope that helps? Hope someone with lots more experience can give you more IPO specific advice.

Very nice Snook. Very powerful image.

Beautiful - Roova stunning photo! Gap - very cute

He did well too - a bit of arthritis in his old age but never issues with his hips or anything. It was his heart which did him over in the end.