squeak

There has been some research that indicates that soaked food and/or raised feeding bowls can cause bloat in the larger breeds. http://personal.uncc.edu/jvanoate/k9/bloatfaq.htm http://www.cybercanine.com/bloat.htm If you want to have a look at some research, I'd start with this journal - I've posted the document summary for you to have a look. 24 page journal preview "Diet-related risk factors for gastric dilatation-volvulus in dogs of high-risk breeds: A nested case-control study" by Raghavan, Malathi, Ph.D., Purdue University, 2002, 169 pages; AAT 3099198 Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) in dogs is characterized by gastric filling with air, gastric malposition, and high case-fatality rate. Diet-related risk factors for GDV were identified using a nested case-control study. Of 1991 dogs from 11 large- and giant-breeds in a previous prospective study of GDV, 106 dogs that developed GDV were selected as cases while 212 remaining dogs were randomly selected as controls. Owner-reported information on the dogs' diet included the amount and type of foods fed and selected label information. Information on ingredients of home-prepared foods and forms in which they were fed (e.g., raw, cooked) was also requested. A complete profile of nutrient intake was constructed for each dog using published references and nutrient databases. Owners also reported on feeding-related management practices such as frequency of feeding and moistening of dry food. Potential risk factors were examined for a significant (p < 0.05) relationship with GDV risk using unconditional logistic regression. The study confirmed previous reports of an increased risk of GDV with increasing age (odds ratio (OR), 1.15; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03, 1.29), having a first-degree relative with GDV (OR, 1.90; CI, 1.06, 3.40), and having a raised food bowl (OR, 2.18; CI, 1.21, 3.93). New findings included an increased risk of GDV for dogs consuming dry foods containing fat among the first four ingredients (OR, 2.59; CI, 1.45, 4.62) or citric acid (OR, 3.16; CI, 1.70, 5.90). Dry foods containing a rendered meat meal with bone product among the first four ingredients significantly decreased the risk of GDV (OR, 0.47; CI, 0.24, 0.93). Moistening of dry food alone was not associated with GDV risk, but dry foods containing citric acid that were moistened prior to feeding significantly increased GDV risk (OR, 4.19; CI, 1.80, 9.73). Approximately 30 and 33% of all cases of GDV in this study could be attributed to consumption of dry foods containing fat among their first four ingredients or citric acid, respectively. Owners can use these findings to reduce dogs' risk of GDV in these breeds.

You might also wish to contact Steve Austin @ Hanrob (based in Heathcote)

Recipes please?

It's interesting that you mention this. I just finished reading a book called "Peple, Pooches & Problems" by Job Michael Evans. Whilst I do not agree with a lot of what is written in this book (physical "swatting" corrections & correcting after the fact, provided there is evidence), he does make an interesting point about alpha vs subservient postures. Seen by a dog, alpha postures are upright, shoulder back, etc, where subservient postures are seen as stooping (exactly as you put it when you scoop the poop). He suggests working on a firm sit-stay in order to be able to have control of your dog whilst you scoop the poop on walks, so you don't loose your alpha position, as well as implementing other "alpha tactics" that you mention, eat first etc. I have also read some people suggesting that if your pup soils in the house, that you remove them from the house whilst you clean it up, so they don't see you adopting a subservient posture. Definitely food for thought.

www.fluppies.com.au sell them - they are listed under "safety equipment". Also, if you're in NSW, PetCare 2000 at Taren Point also sell them.

They look very nice - do you happen to know if green is the only colour they come in????

Thanks your the replies - I guess I'm a bit nervous about starting either way - I'm scared that they'll "miss out" on something that should be in their diet. I'm probably also a bit scared if the topic of diet ever comes up with the vet :D One of the main reasons I guess I would like to change her over is for her dental health - she's just past 12 months now, and noticed the start of "ick" on her canines, which I would obviously like to prevent from getting any worse.

I'm guessing that this topic probably has been done before. It it has, I would be grateful if someone could point me towards the links to the threads. I'm wanting to change Stormy to a more "natural" diet from the kibble (and bones) that she's getting. But, me being me, want to read all the information first before I make a decision :D I can find heaps of information on BARF, but very little information on "raw feeding", ie., feeding only raw meaty bones/offal, etc, with NO vegies. I would be very interested to hear from anyone here who has feed totally raw, without vegies - the good, bad and the ugly. The only websites that I can find are very emotional. Also, I'm just wondering if there are any vets who might specialise in dog nutrition, who I could make an appointment with to get me started???

I'm just wondering if the equipment "junkies" here could help me find something, please? I'm after a leather treat bag/pouch. I have a small black dog one which I love, but the inside of it has been totally shredded by treats (we must be using some sharp ones?!). I don't mind buying online, but I would prefer it to be an Australian store.

Crate training & raw meaty bones? That way, you only have to clean the mess out of the crate. We give our girl dried kangaroo tails inside on her "mat", but then we have floor boards, not carpet.

Water pistol combined with a firm "no".

Hanrob also do "group" training with classes being held at different times throughout Saturday (and taught by Steve Austin). And yes, $20 a class might seem a bit steep, but the classes are usually very small. There is an old saying of "you get what you pay for". And yes, I train in the group classes at Hanrob. And what is said above is true - training is honestly more about teaching the handler how to train. When we started 2 1/2 months ago, Stormy would pull (or lag) on the lead. We also had a problem with her jumping and mouthing/nipping my hubby in play. After a lot of training in group classes and at home, we are making progress. Steve has always taken time to answer any of my questions about problems we might be having "outside" of class - like Stormy bouncing when we encounter an off-lead dog and the jumping/nipping issue. Just remember, training isn't a "once a week" thing to do at class. You must, must, must practise what you have been taught during the week. It honestly makes a difference. I was the one walking/training Stormy and she stopped jumping/nipping me. It wasn't until my hubby started training her as well that she respects him and listens to him for direction as well. And the training that he does with her may be a little as 5 mins a night or every other night. To his credit he has started to come to training classes as well, so he understands how to train her and I think it has given him confidence that he is learning to control her.

I think I'm more of a "toy and treat" junkie than an equipment junkie.... but I'm only a newbie owner, so give me time! So far my favourite place to by from is "Black Dog". That said though, I have a really cool martingale/limited slip collar from K9 Force, and I'm thining about getting a second one - I replaced her original martingale collar since the adjustment kept slipping. I've been using K9 Force's for probably about a month and it hasn't budged Stormy's stuff: Flat nylon webbing collar with id tags - collar is "Weaver" brand Martingale collar from K9 Force "Strong" lead from Black Dog Long lead from Black Dog - I'm not sure if I like this yet, as she keeps chewing the bit that keeps it together when it folds up Two "cheap" 6ft webbing leads from obedience club. Again, I'm not sure I like these as they don't feel strong or safe in my hand and they twist :D Car harness, which I absolutely hate - it slips and slide everywhere on her, but I don't know anyone who makes them to fit "greyound shaped" dogs! ID tags from "Pet Tag Embossing" (www.pettagembossing.com.au) Whilst not "equipment" as such, I think her ID tags are pretty cool as they are embossed stainless steel, similar to military dog tags... except hers are bone shaped ;) Oh, and I've been eyeing off the "leather leads" from K9 Force, just can't bring myself to spend that sort of money.... yet (meaning I've got to work on hubby)

www.breakawaycollar.com

We've been through this recently with a large, 12 month old "shelter" pup. Asking her to sit, and turning your back on her and ignoring her didn't work - she just kept jumping & mouthing. What we found did work was a few squirts of a well-aimed water pistol and a firm "no".

I was on the waiting list for the distance education, but decided to bite the bullet and enrol. Speaking to the NDTF staff they say they are working hard on getting the distance education side running, but they've still got a few things to iron out.

Admittedly there is nothing "concrete" in these links that either Collies & greyhounds are either related or that greyhounds have sensitivity. However, I would rather err on the side of caution with our girl. A couple of links for you... Link 1 Link 2 Link 3 Link 4 Link 5

Would you want to sleep in your dirty dinner dishes???? My guess is the same thing is happening here.

I believe it is a very personal choice as to whether or not people give the injection or not, and am thankful that the people who have had it done haven't had any problems. However, I believe that before anybody makes that personal decision needs to do their research, as not all vets know all the problems that different breeds have. And if you're like me, you would never have considered greyhounds to be a breed related to collies - thanks Inspector Rex . I knew that they both had problems with the drug, but didn't realise that they were related to each other at some point. Knowledge is power.

Some breeds (eg Collie & I think greyhounds) are sensitive to the "ingredient" in the heartworm injection & react badly - hence many people's hesitation. Also, why put that many drugs into a dog's system at once when they can have a monthly or daily tablet. Also, if they have the injection & react badly, you effectively have to wait a full year for it to clear their system - monthly tablets, hopefully the side effects would be over within the month.

Thanks for the kind offer winterpaws, but I get terribly motion sick in cars after about an hour, so I don't think that I could handle the distance from Sydney.

Flames Daddy - I know, I know, I know. I guess sometimes I just feel a bit self-conscious - then I say to myself "stuff 'em".

How long does the XPT take & how much does it cost???

Thanks caninecoach. I'm a very steep learning curve with her. My fault with her sitting in the wrong spot, which we now have to work to correcting. It was initially a struggle to get her to sit at all, so a was "satisified" with her sitting, regardless of where it was. Now we have a new challenge of getting her to understand that when we're walking, I want her to sit straight beside me, not at a 90 degree angle or anywhere else. Entirely my fault, but we're getting there.... slowly. I spoke to a very experienced trainer the other day and they assured me that the work never entirely stops throughout the dogs life

Caninecoach, perhaps that it true - I honestly never thought about it that way. I think sometimes they are looks of "why did you get a dog that you can't control" because she's doing her silly bouncing act, which I try to ignore, otherwise she gets even more sily. I just think to myself, well, she's worth the effort and I can control her, she is just in the process of learning who is the boss and is testing me to make sure I am still the boss.