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Bushriver

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Everything posted by Bushriver

  1. I usually split up a litter that large into about 4 large bowls. I find it easier to gauge how much each pup is getting. I put the smaller, not so greedy ones together to share a bowl and don't let any of the piggies push them out. I feed as much as they want and let mum in to clean up the left overs once they've finished.
  2. Thanks everyone. Have some good ideas now just need to search for them. Looking forward to the challenge of keeping her out of the dog food and dying to see the look on her face if I succeed ????
  3. What does everyone use for storing large amounts of kibble? I have one dog who is very good at knocking over containers and getting the lids off. Needs to be weather proof, sturdy and big enough for a couple of 20kg bags.
  4. And the chooks have started laying again so that's always a handy treat.
  5. Thanks. She's healthy and feeling fine. I didn't want to feed her anymore kibble than she's getting so will just add in a few of these extras throughout the day and hopefully that will get her looking her best. We kill our own beef so there will be a heap of meaty bones etc coming their way soon.
  6. Looking for some tips to help one of my Labs keep a little more weight on. Strange problem for a lab, I know. She is a bit more highly strung than my other dogs and I think this is the reason she doesn't maintain weight as well as the others. She is already getting twice the amount of kibble that the others get. What are the best treats/snacks I can give her in between meal times that might help?
  7. I'd love a Newfoundland. A big cuddly teddy bear and a healthy English bulldog small bitch if there is such a thing. Never owned anything like them which is partly why I find them so interesting.
  8. These are just the breeds she has met an admired on her walks. She currently has an old kelpie who moved with her form the farm to her now small retirement home. He's the laziest kelpie you've ever met but can also be a bit neurotic so I think a quirky personality wouldn't be a problem. The plan is for a new puppy once the old guy has passed, which sadly doesn't seem far off. Top priorities are, friendly (human and dog), not too vocal and happy with an hours walk a day and the rest would be hanging out at home with the occasional outing or visit to families farming properties.
  9. Thanks everyone. I did suggest a CKCS, which is still an option but she prefers the look of the cocker. Temperament will win in the end. A Westie was another thought. How are they with children? Are they a yappy kind of little dog? I will help her with speaking to breeders etc when the time comes but I have minimal experience with smaller breeds.
  10. I have a family member looking at getting a new puppy. A retired lady who is mostly at home or able to take her dog along whenever she's away. She has always owned dogs but never a cocker and I have had little to do with them so looking for advice on suitability. She only has a small yard, but happy to walk the dog every day. Will have grandchildren visiting. I know there is some grooming required but unsure of how much? She is looking for a laid back companion, that enjoys a walk and fairly easy to train.
  11. Just keep looking. When searching for my pup I was checking DOL daily and emailing and calling often until I found what I was wanting. Yes you may have to wait but it will happen.
  12. Thanks everyone. I have been able to do this with my other dogs (put in a run alone) with very little stress, but have started from when they were very young. I've shortened her times in there and tried making it extra fun. I think we are getting some improvement. I think I'll also see more improvement as she continues to settle in. The dogs do have time to play together though I still feel it is beneficial to have time apart.
  13. She does have some toys and bones in there but maybe I'll have to get more creative. Most days I can do very short times and build them up. It's only when I have to go out that she'll have to be in there without me being able to respond.
  14. Thanks Showdog. That is what I am a bit unsure of, whether this is too much for her right now? I do intend to have her in there happily eventually. It's only for short periods and sometimes is required for safety on the farm. ie: we had a loader around the house doing earthworks yesterday and is also part of the training that I like them to be able to be separated with little fuss. Should I give her longer to settle in? Or now that I've started should I just perservere?
  15. I don't want them to "have" to be together. I think it is important for them to learn to be on their own. It also gives me time alone with the other to work on training or just hang out without the other for awhile.
  16. We have recently built a new house on our large farm. We haven't built the house yard fence yet so my two young dogs take turns at spending some time in a dog run during the day when I'm not outside with them. My latest addition is a 6 month old black female lab. I have only had her about a month and she is still quite shy, very friendly, but seems a bit overwhelmed at the big change (she flew to wa from the east). She only spends a few hours a day in the run but will bark and jump at the walls for a lot of the time. I have a feeling she may have spent a lot of time in a kennel at the breeders. My question is should try shorter amounts of time in the run or maybe longer. I try to choose a time when she has been quiet to go and let her out. She will start carrying on as soon as she sees me coming so I stand and wait near the run until she is calm before letting her out. She comes out pretty calmly. I could put the two young dogs in together and she would be quiet but I like them to spend time apart.
  17. I would keep to on leash walks. If it seems appropriate you can let him quickly greet other on leash dogs then continue on your walk. If you really want him to play off leash with other dogs, find a friend or family members dog that he gets along with and have a play at one of your homes. If he keeps having bad experiences he may end up with dog aggression or fear issues.
  18. I can get the breeder discount online, which is one main reason to got his route. It gets delivered to the nearest depo which is fine as they're used to this and call me when it arrives. The one I'm on now is just as expensive as the other premium brands if not more, but isn't very highly rated so hoping to get better value on something else.
  19. Which dry dog food would everyone recommend? I'm a lab breeder and have four large dogs to feed along with the occasional litter. We are along way from our nearest shopping district (2 1/2 hr round trip just to get to Coles) and even there I can only get supermarket brands. I'm looking at joining the breeders club of one of the brands where you can order online and get discounts and delivery. It is impossible for me to feed raw as we are on generator power with a small gas fridge that barely fits all the human food. So dry kibble is the dogs main diet along with meaty bones on shopping days and bits and pieces (eggs, yoghurt etc) a few times a week. None of the dogs have ever reacted to any food and will eat just about anything in true lab style ????.
  20. Thanks. I'll have a look on dogs west and find a show to get along to and hopefully someone willing to babysit me!! I saw it was the lab champs and would have loved to have gone, but I also have 4 kids and of course mums hobby comes second to mums taxi service. A week day training would be ok too. Where can I find out about those?
  21. Does anyone know a show trainer in WA? I have a 10mth old and a baby puppy lab that I would like to try showing. I'm a complete beginner when it comes to dog shows, although have had dogs all my life and do well with basic obedience and have trained several working dogs. I live a few hours south of Perth so I couldn't commit to travelling that far every week, but is there such thing as a training weekend etc just so I could get the jist of it?
  22. I'm with you kirty. I wouldn't have a resource guarder in my house.
  23. My mother is wanting a CKCS. We have researched for a long time and decided that this is the breed for her although it will be the first one any of our family has had. Can anyone recommend a reputable breeder? She is aware of the health risks and wants a pup from a quality breeder. She is in WA but is willing to look at eastern states breeders with recommendations.
  24. Have you tried contacting dogs west? There maybe breeders that aren't members of DOL?
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