nyssel

We have never been prescribed it for skin issues, but it is rather pricey and didn't do well for our dogs. Im afraid I can't comment about the skin issues however!

While many others are giving great advice and suggestions of breeds that would be right for you, I feel like your heart is already set on a Boxer! From what others have said Boxers could fit well into your lifestyle and if you feel like they are perfect for you, you should go for it!

So many helpful responses! Skip, they were well socialized as puppies and were taken every now and then to shows and were shown a few times by our breeder as young pups, but not in the last five months since we've got them. Before that incident they were selectively alright with other dogs and did get along with dogs their own size and energy level. And thank you, I feel very relieved that I'm doing something right. :) We took the girls out to the local supermarket today and they did get plenty of cuddles and fussing from little kids so hopefully that will help boost their confidence with unfamiliar people as well. I guess we'll have to see how it goes when the behaviourist comes in! I'd actually love it if Dallas could gain enough confidence to be in an regular obedience class - I do worry though as she can be nervy around more boisterous and outgoing dogs, particularly large dogs. And PM'ed you, corvus!

Mine must be broken i have never seen them eat grass! And i have had 4 over the years. When he feels sick Deniki will eat some bamboo leaves, but only the new growth Hehe, maybe its a dog thing for certain dogs! We call our girls Cowvaliers :p

For some reason I had not seen the replies! Hmm Thank you so much for your responses. I tried doing what was suggested and taking them out for individual walks. Dallas did get tense when she saw a Golden in the distance and whined softly for only a few moments and I made her do a sit, calm down, gave her a treat then we continued on and she was a good girl and walked fine. I am very relieved with that. Bella has always been more excitable and puppyish and her behaviour can be rather erratic these days. I don't think she will ever be getting close to another dog anytime soon, though. Out on our walk she was great as we didn't come across any dogs. We're having a recommended behaviourist come in sometime next week. I'd appreciate any sort of advice at all on what to do just to help them get over their anxiety - I've stopped feeling anxious myself whenever we do go on walks now and walk confidently as Bella really feeds off my energy. I know I myself will have to be the confident one and guide them assertively as they are quite unsure in certain situations. I have looked up some 'reactive dog classes' and just wonder whether anyone has anything to say about them?

Gorgeous dogs!

I have always wondered this. when we were researching our chosen breeds and such, of course there would be stressed and emphasised points on breed traits and activity levels, and while completely expecting certain breed traits there are very funny little quirky habits that you will only discover by having one! From what I heard, certain breeds do have certain quirky habits that oddly enough do happen in a lot of dogs of that breed. No one told me that Cavs would love eating grass so much, yet I have found by talking with other owners that their dogs do the same!

I guess, like most things, there is always going to be people that are what they seem or more than what they seem. I think that some people have good intentions and are very much willing to put in the work required to take care of their little pup. Some people are dedicated but just uneducated - I feel very lucky to have come across DOL as I have learnt so many things that I would have otherwise never know! There will be some people whose lifestyles are simply not fit for a dog or a certain breed. You really never know :) Hopefully most of those pups do have loving accepting breeders to go back to if by any chance the family decides that they aren't fit for them and learn from it.

When we talked to our breeder about getting our older girls, we shot them a brief email showing our interest, about our family and asked a couple of basic questions about the dogs and gave them our number. She rang a day later and we had a lovely conversation, then proceeded to communicate through lengthy emails where I asked a few of my questions and concerns. I think it is a bit much to ask in the very first email, but from what it seems there is absolutely no harm in asking all of that. It's not over the top, just hard to answer in great detail in just one mail :)

If you are looking for a a regular crate size (without the potty space), a 24 inch crate is just the right size for an average sized Cavvie.

I was out with the two girls the other day, enjoying the lovely weather and our walk on our street. All of a sudden I heard this startlingly loud growling and barking from one of the houses' wire fence and saw this massive dog snapping at the girls. It was very frightening and I think I should've handled it better but it happened so quickly. Bella was barking back and Dallas was just cowering and whining in fear as I quickly tried to get the girls away. We walk pass this house quite regularly but during the day I wasn't aware that they let their dog out in the front yard, as the fence was covered by some trees. I think it was the same dog that growled and barked hysterically as we came across the house one night walking back from the local supermarket, except we couldn't didn't see it as it was dark. They are very calm and happy girls on their walks, a tad bit shy and timid around other dogs to begin with after another off leash dog ran up to them and snapped at them. They did get excited when seeing other dogs but were getting better at ignoring passing dogs, until that incident. I was just out with them this morning and on the other side of the street, far away, was a harmless little old terrier and Bella went ballistic and started growling and barking and pulling me. Dallas was calmer but picked up on her anxiety and pulled as well. I managed to calm them down and made them 'sit' until they calmed and we went on. We came across a lovely Golden and once again, Bella did the same thing, twisting and turning and doing flips and growling at it. Luckily the owner understood as I took the girls across the street to calm them down, but since then they would not stop pulling and crying anxiously till we got home. Dallas just turned a year old and Bella turns 1 next month, and I feel rather helpless as I have no idea what to do. Should I get a dog behaviourist to help them? They are only young and I don't want them to have a nasty imprint for the rest of their life as later in the year they were supposed to be entered in their first shows.

http://www.vebopet.com.au/deluxe-water-resistent-canvas-cover-for-collapsible-dog-crate-5-sizes.html This is the kind I use. There is a flap that you can open that exposes the whole side of the crate open, that you can put side by side. Or there is also a smaller flap that exposes some mesh. :) Sorry it's kind of hard to explain - I can show you a few pics of the girls' set up if you would like. And Willow is such a sweetheart <3

Did you try placing her crate right next to your other dog at night? :) Allows her to have company and at the same time get used to being in her own crate. Bella and Dallas have crate covers for their crate with a little flap on the side that I can open so that while they are mostly separate if they feel lonely they can just take a look at each other and settle down. Sorry if you already mentioned it - just doing a quick skim of DOL before making lunch!

How stunning! You have real talent - I still think it's a photo ;)

Bella literally just ate a poor bug just then. Mulch, tennis ball fluff, stuffing from torn open toys . . .

I love how sharp the lens are! Lovely photos.

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I can relate to that feeling in the early days - what the heck have I gotten myself into? It will get better :) You got to be tough for the first few months and persist and be patient. I have never owned Labs but Cavaliers are very very very needy - crate training them is the most heartbreaking thing ever so I know how you feel. Listen to the advice everyone has given - just let the puppy in your room until he's settled in (may be a couple of weeks) and slowly move him away when he feels more comfortable being alone. Having short sessions of leaving him alone during the day will help as well - just getting him used to not being around you all the time. Like maybe practicing leaving him in a room with a fun toy for only a few seconds each day and keep doing it repeatedly and slowly increase the time. Of course, make sure to reward him heavily. ;) I think it is a useful thing for every puppy, regardless of breed, to learn. And relax and breathe! He's only a baby - he doesn't know any better. Maybe one day when he's big and grown you'll look back and think "I miss his puppy days" lol

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Its interesting but rather inaccurate lol

I went to my first show in April thinking you weren't allowed, but saw that some people did bring their (rather barky!) dogs along. As long as they don't disturb the competitors I think it should be fine. :)

I know you said you are not exactly a fan of Cavvies but I think they would be fantastic for your family from what you said. They are great for first time owners too - with so many people in your house I think a Cav would thrive as they adore company - especially kids. They are active enough to keep up with the kids and play for hours on end and at the same time are happy to kick back and snuggle with their family members on cold rainy days. Our two were running around the yard like lunatics yesterday and today they spent the whole day getting cuddles and hogging the heater :p They are very forgiving too of mistakes that first time owners might do. Also, they don't exactly have 'short' snouts? But some can be quite short though and King Charles Spaniels have very very short muzzles - they don't appeal to me either. I'm not sure if this was mentioned, but have you considered getting an mature dog? The puppy phase can be extremely trying for a first time dog owner - especially if you choose a working breed puppy. + 4 kids. I don't mean to say that you cannot manage it or it is a horrid experience (quite the opposite!), but even with wonderfully behaved kids it will be a challenge for everyone in the family to be consistent with the pup's training. With an older dog you still get to enjoy the dogs company for many years to come and can bond closely as well to their families. You don't have to go through the puppy stages and still enjoy having the company of a dog. And if you want to add another addition down the road you can get a puppy - that way the older dog (who would be already fit into your family) can 'show the ropes' to the new puppy. I'm not trying to change your mind however - it is ultimately your decision in the end and you should choose what you are happy with! :) Good luck with your search! Here's a photo of our two girls - it really represents their need for company. https://scontent-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/1385863_927734460594570_2125443450270856611_n.jpg?oh=caf6b8973d2c31918b18ef0e873a20d9&oe=55BE21A8

If I could, I'd own a BC in a heartbeat. It will happen for me one day :p It'd be amazing if ring craft/handling classes were more common here as it is in the US!

Thanks BC Crazy and Viszla Momma, I'll definitely check it out. :)

Would you have to slowly/gradually add tripe to their diet? :) How much tripe would you normally give them? Would you just give them one chicken carcass as one meal for the day? It sounds very good - they have very cheap chicken carcasses/frames there and would be good. I might try Royal Canin as we're going down to Petbarn sometime this week. Cavstar, what time do you feed your dogs their raw? Bella and Dallas currently have their bedtime set at around 8-9pm and they are woken around 7-8am in the morning. What times do everyone normally feed their dogs (if fed twice daily)? Thanks so much everyone it's been all very helpful! :)