Erny

I use Calendula Tea that I brew and allow to cool, to bath my dog's eyes from time to time when they appear a bit irritated. Does the trick for him, it seems.

Sorry - I don't know, Sas. I know the bulbs are toxic and I guess the thing I would be concerned about would be whether the habit of eating the Iris buds (regardless of whether they are ok/good for them) could lead to the dog pulling up the iris and going for the bulb. One way or the other, worth the risk? I'd be discouraging the habit if it were me.

Paw Paw Ointment ? If he'll leave it alone? At least until the stinging recedes.

Are you doing the veges thing too? Do they get bones at all? I was thinking of maybe doing raw meaty bones one meal with this mix the next, as I'm not comfortable with them never getting bones. Megan, it's about doing what works for your dog. For example, I'd love Mandela to have bones but unfortunately atm he can't eat the more readily available fresh bones and for some reason or other has stopped wanting to eat roo tails (perhaps because it hurts his gums). My boy is on the FULL AA+ diet, but then my boy's problems are complex. Others may have dogs with problems not quite so complex, or just want to add a bit of extra good to their existing diet and so using a bit of mix'n'match is ok.

Some times it takes time to get to know a person and not judge a book by its cover, or by what one perceives as its cover. One can learn a lot more by doing that than quickly judging. :)

So how long does 440g of SuperBoost last? I thought for one moment it only lasted 5 days In my situation - I use the full 440g container of SuperBoost and add it to the 5.5 days' worth of veggie mix that I prepare. Yep - it lasts me only 5.5 days . To each veggie mix patty I've made (which includes 1/11th of the 440g SuperBoost - Mandela gets 2 x veggie patties per day, along with 2 x serves of 500g of roo mince, if not a bit more here and there). But if this gets me to help his system back on track and steady, then for the time being I'm prepared to keep this up for as long as I am able. Heaven knows, I've spent a fortune on him with loads of other things I've been trying in the past. What's a little more fortune? :D. Mind you, Phivo, the guy behind Augustine Approved+, has been immensely and sincerely helpful towards my efforts to see Mandela right.

That's great you're seeing good results. I do believe I have as well. Mandela's issues persist, but I think he deals with those issues (they seem, for the most part, less intense than before) better than previous to the SuperBoost and Vegie mix. I agree with the above. Sure, many of our dogs have atopic allergies and we tend to run around treating the symptoms with atopic remedies/lotions/potions without directing our primary focus to the question "WHY are our dogs so much more sensitive to environmental elements than ever before?". There's lots of answers - eg. water contaminants; chemical assault (direct and indirect); pollution; etc. But I do believe that as much as we can't combat everything that we are destroying our world with, we can at least give our dogs the most wholesome and balanced diet that does its best to support a system that's working hard to deal with and rid a body of all those other toxins. I use 440g of SuperBoost when I make a batch of veggie mix patties. The amount of veggie mix and SuperBoost lasts my boy 5 days. But then, he's a lean lad and takes a reasonable amount of food to keep him covered. I admit he's doing better on this food than he was previously and although he has his ups and downs, he's been generally putting on weight and currently has reasonably good rib-cover, something I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to achieve since his problems became symptomatic when he was about 7 months of age.

What a beautiful bittersweet story. Bless you for giving Charlie the earthly life that he had. Because of you he was able to live it to the full - every month and every year that he was given to be here with you ....... and with us. He didn't leave early - he left when his time was due and you made his passing as gentle and as sweet as anyone would be able. He was here for a reason and I would suggest his 'job' on earth was done. He'd have left behind much love and much learning of life meaning and worth. RIP Charlie - I followed your story throughout (although I too find it difficult to visit the rainbow-bridge forum and so only knew of your 'flight' by this thread) and it was a brave, courageous, happy and heartwarming one. Wherever you are now you would feel the pleasure and freedom from the bonds of your earth body and I can imagine you romping strong and free amongst trees and through the soft grass under a gentle sunshine, watching down and over your 'pack' and knowing they have felt the gift of selfless love. W Sibs - you've given a perfect life to a perfect dog.

Perse ...... I know . You know what though? As odd as this might sound, it'd be sad if we didn't feel the sadness and of our canine mates with the pain that we do ..... 'cause that'd mean they didn't touch our heart of hearts and that in itself would be a greater loss. to you though. I feel for you and know how you feel.

This is dangerous for the dog so it does need to be prevented. As she is ingesting the stones (as opposed to playing/mouthing them), it could point to a mineral deficiency. One 'old time' method to determine if deficiency is the culprit was to supply the dog with mineral water. If the ingestion of stones abates or ceases, that likely points to the cause of the behaviour and you can alter your dog's diet to compensate for the deficiency. I've not tried this as a method (never had the need to *touch wood*) so can't vouch. Perse's suggestion of dolomite might do the same job though, and be just what she needs to balance her diet.

I am continuing to use AA+ and whilst I continue to have some troubles with Mandela's issues I can attest to this : Apart from the initial improvement in his condition (not to mention the vast improvement in the condition of his stools) about 7 months ago when I first began to feed this to Mandela, I just the other week ran out of the SuperBoost supply. This is the supplements to be added to the suggested veggie mix that comprises of AA+ veggie component of the diet. For 4 or 5 days I continued to feed my boy the usual meat and vegie mix and the only thing that was missing was the SuperBoost. There was a definite down turn in his condition (which was already still a bit troubled) but when I was able to re-stock my SuperBoost supply and prepare this with the usual veggie mix, there was a marked and quite quick improvement back at least to where he was before I temporarily but unavoidably stopped feeding him this. My biggest problem is that my boy is a big dog and one 440g tub of the SuperBoost only equates to 5 days' worth of food. But I'm still working through his issues (with the help of a Hair DNA Analysis Naturopath) and if the AA+ sets my boy's system up to being as good as it can be, then I'm at least giving him the best chance of being as close to 'right' as possible.

Ditto here. Besides - your Vet and others might still move for the 12 month vaccination, but read the AVA status on over-vaccination. Even they, the body that governs its Veterinary members, discourages over-vaccination. Last time I read their statement they confirmed the vaccinations lasting for 3 and up to 7 years. IMO, they're likely to last longer. So, even in a healthy dog, why go more frequently than that even if you are scared and lacking the confidence the others of us have developed with not vaccinating beyond the first puppy vaccination regime? But with a dog whose system is already compromised and taxed, no way would I even entertain the idea of subjecting it to chemical assault that would add to the load it is already struggling to cope with.

This ^ part of what Corvus has written is something I wholeheartedly agree with. THIS is the part that touches on the 'inside' of the dog rather than thinking on the 'surface' of the dog. I feel this a lot when I work with dogs. It is about "connection" at an 'inner sense' level. Sure, the outward training method used assists as an aid to the training desired to be achieved (as can the training tools and how they are applied) and can be a part of the message/s being sent to the dog, but reading signals from the dog and delivering signals to the dog does not just come from training tools or training methods. This traverse of signals, back and forth, is as Corvus says, "a dance". This is the part of dog training I particularly love.

After I returned home from hospital following brain surgery, I was only up for bed-rest for much of the time over a period of weeks. My balance was shot and there was no way I could competently take my dog out for a walk or even as much as venture to the back yard, let alone play as we normally would. He'd already been taught the names of his few toys and I used that learning to my (and his) advantage. I'd ask him (from my bed) to bring xyz toy to me. He'd bring it. I'd do a bit of tossing of the toy in the room. He'd bring it back. I extended this by indicating 'over" (to one side of the room). He'd go over there and I'd toss the toy. I used "out" (which he knew means "out of that room") and then verbally release him and reward with a toss of the toy. I'd say "out" or "over" and then do a recall command. Verbal release and toss the toy. As I gathered a little bit of strength I did a bit of tug game (which he knew) in between giving him as many of his known obedience commands for variety as possible. When I fell asleep (frequently, back then) I'd sometimes awake feeling VERY warm. The result of all and every toy he could find being placed upon me one by one as I slept :laugh: .

JB - contact Puppy Power 9791 9222. They sell via EBay so you can have a squizz at what they have, but they also have a showroom in Dandenong South that gives you the opportunity to 'touch and feel' the good ol' fashioned way, so you can see and feel the quality and strength of the crates they have available. Great people to deal with and reasonable prices.

Because in the latter, it doesn't automatically go to follow. It's not that black and white. So assume on the safe side, not on the side that simply suits what we want to think. ETA: There is a term for that style of thinking (i.e. the sentence quoted) but I can't quite think of it atm. ETA: Ah! I remember the term ...... "Invalid Inductive Reasoning".

Goodness, such accolades makes me want to fly "Wayrod" for myself, let alone dogs!! Good on you, Wayrod.

??? Are you saying here that the behaviourists who you highly recommend are the ones who diagnosed SA? Do you believe this to be "SA" in this instance? Just not sure what you're meaning here so looking for clarification. :)

Not all Vets. But it is becoming a more common practice than it ever was and in some cases without it being set-up so that behaviour modification is also occurring simultaneously. Jellyblush - the main thing for you at the moment is that things are making some inroads to improvement, small or otherwise. It doesn't matter at the moment that you tease out one thing from another from another from another. Get the improvement to a manageable level and then you can slowly and carefully wean off the medication, watching for signs of regression when doing so. If you have the behaviour well managed before you do that, you'll have room to move when fading off the drugs to quickly resume without too much if any damage to the behaviour training occurring.

That's right, Jellyblush. But this is where, IF it is to be given, the prescription of drugs needs to be met judiciously AND in combination with careful behaviour modification. I am seeing more and more where drugs are being prescribed quickly and seemingly easily WITHOUT instruction, education, advice or engagement of the behaviour training that needs to go with it. Either that or the intention was to engage help with behaviour modification but because the drug chilled out the dog, nothing collateral was pursued. The safer assumption is that the medicated dog (or person) isn't feeling as relaxed as they might seem and that the purpose of the medication is to slow the mind down a bit so that behaviour training/modification has a chance. BUT, there are quite a few dogs I have been called out to see where medication was prescribed but (a) not given or (b) given but abandoned and behaviour modification techniques engaged was what helped the dogs through, basically meaning that drugs weren't necessary in the first place. Too many people are resting on aesthetics only. ETA: Jellyblush - just to clarify. My comment about people "rushing to vet for drugs" was not specifically directed towards you. The comment is for general reading, thought and consideration. You've gone through a lot and I would say you are one of those wonderful owners a trainer thoroughly enjoys and loves working with. You take on board help and follow it through with dedication and consistency, to give it every chance to work through.

Aaahhh, the good ol' days :) I get what you're saying and I wouldn't do it myself (more for the risk of dog-theft) anymore, but there are different areas where this is the accepted norm (especially country towns) and remains ok. The point is that the person who tethered the dog (the OP's topic) isn't necessarily doing anything wrong by the dog. Taking risks perhaps, but not necessarily doing any wrong to deserve authoritarian report and/or back-lash.

This is SO spot on. So many think that because the outward behaviour is drugged enough to not be as bothersome, the dog must be improved/better. I know for a fact (through someone else close to me) that the drugged state doesn't necessarily stop the mind from working and screaming out that something isn't right. But people think that because that person (or in this case, animal) is relaxed in dozy fashion, they must be feeling calmer. Takes someone to look closer, beyond the surface. Drugs are not a "no no" and they can be useful in severe cases, combined with behaviour training. But they do seem to becoming too readily and easily prescribed along with the over-diagnosed cases of SA, something I've been saying for ages. Someone says "medication worked for my dog" and people are rushing to the Vets asking for pills for their dog.

I once used to be able to do this with my previous girl too. There would be some good things if we could turn back time, but that would take a shift in mentality as well and that makes it hard <sigh> . What's a bit evidenced here is the almost *shock; horror* at such a thing and I guess that is because as generations move onwards, they become sensitised to this as such a novelty thing.

There is often a dog or two or three tethered at a supermarket that I go to. There's plenty of space, shade and often a water container nearby. Mostly the dogs are fairly relaxed, just resting whilst they keep their eyes on the door for the owner/s to return. I think it is nice when one can take dog for a walk, combine a bit of a shop and walk back home again. It's what more people used to do more often years ago. The only shame in it is the possibility of a dog being stolen. I think one needs to pick their areas. I wouldn't do it for this reason and because I don't do it for that reason, my current boy would be unused to it, rendering it a 'reality' activity unsuitable for the environment. Sad though, as this is the path we're going down (for our own good reasons) and it results in dogs being less and less involved as being a 'norm' for the community.

That's fantastic, Kavik! Well done! What a change It's amazing, isn't it, when we work to connect with our dog :). So many people think obedience training is boring, but that's usually because the handler is disconnected and not sharing the game of training as a team member. Training is fun. Well it should be. For both dog and handler. Excellent work :D