Netti

Hello, I am wondering if some experienced people could give me some advice. My dog Flynn is a three year old SmithfieldXBorder Collie who has developed a limp that seems to be coming from his right front leg/shoulder. Last week his half brother came to stay and the two of them race round and play like mad things having a great time. Since then I have noticed the limp. I have felt around the leg/shoulder area and it doesnt feel any different from the other and he doesnt seem to be in any pain even when I am prodding him. It has been going on for about 8 days and not improving. If it is a "play injury" will it get better on its own? If I take him to the vet what do you think the vet would do? Flynn is a very fit dog, he is walked about 5 kms a day, swims a couple of times during the week and has lots of general exercise chasing rabbits and running around after the tractor when we are working in the paddocks. I have rested him since I have noticed the limp but this doesnt seem to have helped. He is missing his exercise but I dont want to agrivate the injury. Any thoughts/suggestions would greatly be appreciated. Cheers Netti

Hi Wally, My biggest dog is a SmithfieldXBorder Collie and he doesnt like being bathed one bit. To keep him smelling sweet I take him to the beach and let him have a swim (even in Tassie winter). He dries out on the way home on the back of the ute. :cool: Some beaches have outside showers so he can be rinsed in fresh water.

My two also eat lots of grass. I think its quite sweet to taste and they just like it. I agree that feeding more vegetables in their diet does not stop them having a chomp on the grass. Sometimes it comes through in their poo pretty well undigsted but other times the poo is a lovely green colour. :p

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you at this time. Just remember, Its better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. Netti

My dogs also play with empty milk containers. They are more interested in these than expensive kongs and other toys.

My brother in law came a few weekends ago with his 6mth old coolie X smithfield who was having the same problem as you in that his pup would get distracted with what he is doing and not return on the come command. I suggested that he use food rewards when the pup did return, it worked a treat. By the end of the weekend pup was returning every time he was called. Cheers Netti

Recently while walking on a country road my dogs came across a freshly done road kill rabbit. Flynn picked it up and was determined to bring it home. After a couple of kms I felt sorry for him so I carried the dead rabbit home in my back pack. YEW The things we do for our dogs. Anyway it kept the two dogs amused for a couple of hours having a good chew on the poor old rabbit. My dogs love to chase rabbits and hares (with out my permission of course).

My old goat Ernie died in my arms today. He had been very "chesty" for the past few days and today he just ran out of breath. He was such a funny goat with loads of character. I spoilt him but I think this may have lengthened his life. Every day I would chop him up heaps of fruit and vegetables, during summer he loved to eat comfery. Warm rolled oats with honey was his favorite. As he got older with stiff legs he couldn't get around the paddock to graze so I would take his food to him. The past four winters I would coat him as he didn't have much flesh on his old bones to keep him warm. His hut was always full of clean warm hay and he had access to clean water. In his early years he was owned by a man who only tethered him and believed that goats didn't need to drink water . For the last 20 years he lived with my partners family who treated him well and then in the last 6 years he has been my baby. I loved him so much and he will be sorely missed. See ya Ern Love Netti

I also use human zink cream on my pink nosed Smithfield. He gets lots of laughs in summer sporting a color nose, he does lick some of it off but I just keep applying it. A lot cheaper than other "doggy" products. Cheers Netti

My male de-sexed dogs both cock their legs to pee. They were so cute when they first started to do it, a bit wobbly and unstable on three legs

Might I suggest that a cattle dog needs more exercise and stimulation than being in a back yard. Even if her parents were not woking dogs they still need lots of running and "work". If you completely tire her out she will be sound a sleep from sunset to dawn. Just a suggestion Cheers Netti

I have use ham, sausage and chicken. My favorite is schmakos cos they are easliy cut into small pieces with scissors. I find if the dog is hungry it makes them less fussy. Cheers Netti

OMG where does one start. Wally a silky trerrier X is 6 now and very well behaved but in his puppyhood he destroyed my work mobile phone and several library books, all of which cost me money to replace Flynn a Smithfield (now nearly two) and much bigger has destroyed Daughters thongs brought back from USA working holiday Daughter no.2 new pair of shoes library books hoses any clothing left in his reach cushions electrical cords roofing iron left by builders chooks (yes my other pets) but the most humerous was the instructions of how to build a shed, which was left by the deliverer with the shed while in parts. OH took months to track down a new instruction sheet. Don't worry puppy owners, most of them do grow out of it. Just keep them exhausted by lost of fun and exercise, and give lots of raw meaty bones to cut those teeth on. Just think of how uncomfortable dogs are when they are teething, they just need to BITE into something, just to help those new teeth through. Cheers Netti

I have been getting the emails too after I showed some interest in his product. He is now offering two books for free if I do a reveiw on his methods. I havent answered as I dont want to encourage more emails. I would be interested if anybody has seen what he is selling. Cheers Netti

My little terrierX Wally does this as well. I have a throw rug on my couch and just as well as where he rubs his mooch it gets all dirty. I am always washing it. I always think that its him wiping his mouth after he has eaten.

Hey dingdong that calculator is great. My little terrierX is overweight by about 5kgs and I have been trying to reduce his food but have never know how much to give him. According to the calculator he only needs 240gms a day and that is just under 1 cup. Thanks for the info. Netti

Why does she need bathing??? If she hates it so much why not let her be dirty for a while. I have never used them but surely there is something on the market that you can rub into her coat and brush it out.

Hi Barb, Thanks for the info, I didnt know that. I might contact the ET people again as I am sure the event is held near Longford. I wonder how they get around it. Frequently I see people on their bikes with dogs on leads so I wonder who much it is Policed. What are the laws in other states. Cheers Netti

Hazz, I just noticed that you have your dog to the right of the bike. Wouldnt that put the dog next to the traffic? Just a friendly question so I can do the right thing when I start. Thanks Netti

I would like to compete in Endurance Trials in Sept. 06 and this looks like just what I need. I have a bike but havent tried riding with Flynn (SmithfieldXBorder Collie) as yet. He loves to run and it takes a lot to tire him out so I am looking foward to it. Netti

Hi Katey, I just read the post about your boy and really felt for you. I have only ever had boy dogs so dont know anything about the female variety ;) Yes, and they are very special. How are things going for you these days? Hope you are coping. Lots of luv to you and the girls Netti

Hi Erny Just mentioned the PVC piping to OH and he said we have some lying around somewhere, he will ollk for me tomorrow. I would love to get a tunnel, where would I look? At an air-conditioning shop? We dont have much need for air cooling in Tassie :D but I am sure one of the heating shops will have the condute. Flynn is a SmithfieldXBorder Collie and stands about 60cm at his shoulder. What size would the tunnel need to be. The tunnel at obedience makes him squat to go through but he has no trouble negotiating that. We have an open drain pipe just outside the front gate that is about 40cms high and 1 metre long. When Flynn was a pup he used to love chasing a ball through there As he grew he wouldnt go through, no doubt in fear of getting stuck. We also have a cement tunnel that goes under our drive way. It has a creek flowing through it so Flynn has a wonderful time chasing trout, native hens and hares through that. His love of going through tunnels has stuck so to get him a tunnel near the house would be great. Cheers Netti

As we live on a farm I found that electic fence posts are great for weave poles. I use four of the posts to make a square. I have been looking for something to have as a tunnel but as Flynn has no trouble entering the tunnel at obedience I think I will leave that for a later date. I also have substituted jumps with bricks and a broomstick. Flynn has most trouble understanding and completing weave poles so thats what I have concentrated on at home. I think the main thing is to keep it fun , short bursts of training with lots of praise. I am now going to look on ebay for the cheap stuff. Cheers Netti

Potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant are all part of the deadly nightshade plant family. Cant think of any others right now. There is a weed that grows in our garden that has a purple flower and matures into little purple fruit. Apparently that is deadly night shade as well. Cheers Netti

Fifi, so sorry to hear of your loss. From the picture she looks like a beautiful lady. Lots of love to all Netti