Mairead

Minxy, that's known as Sod's Law. Have you since saved the equivalent by not having insurance? I never used pet insurance because my breed never developed anything particularly expensive until their teenage years, so not worth the cost. I recently read of a man who pays to have a lot of stuff in storage.He recently needed some water tumblers and knew he had some in storage. He called them the $40,000 glasses.

Yes, T, we both wanted to know what the problem was. In many years and many dogs (he was a greyhound vet) he said he'd never seen that problem before.

Exactly which tests did he have at the ER (should be listed on your bill/invoice) and how much did all that cost? Interested because you are listed as overseas.

Last time I saw a Choice article on pet insurance, they didn't recommend any, and the entire concept may have even won a Shonky Award. Maybe they copped some flak for that. My local library has issues of Choice magazine to borrow. Each magazine has an index of the last couple of years of which issue has reviews of particular products.

I had a runt puppy, low birth weight. Behaved as the others, shiny coat, but not growing at the same rate after about four weeks of age, and thin. Blood tests revealed only low haemoglobin. Did tests for every condition ever known to have occurred in the breed, with nothing conclusive. When she was desexed she didn't come out of the anaesthetic, in a way or at a stage that was apparently unusual. The vet was very upset. I told him that we knew she had something wrong, could he now try to find out what it was? He discovered she had an abnormally small diameter connection between the small and large intestine "size of a drip tube". I can imagine that in today's "furbaby" attitude to pets, as well as not being able to say euthanasia, perhaps they are not allowed to suggest necropsy (autopsy), or if suggested it may result in a one star review.

My main concern was to find a vet that knew sighthounds. Greyhound vets had the knowledge but are going to be harder to find is my guess. At one local (non-greyhound) vet I had a reputation for being very detailed with symptoms, and when I wasn't sure what the problem was with one of my old dogs I remember saying "Spare no expense" which was probably a pleasant surprise for them. I also remember talking with a woman in tears about the poor chance of successful treatment [or possibly the cost she couldn't afford or wasn't allowed to afford, or both - it was a long time ago] for her badly injured large dog, and would have to have it put down. I told her we were very lucky to be able to make that decision for our pets to end their suffering, people who were suffering weren't allowed to make that choice. I agree the business model is not the one I prefer, but the same is happening with medical practioners. When my GP retired, I would rather not have supported the clinic that also offered "vitamin infusions" but I was running out of options in the local area and needed a new referral.

I'm not convinced this is a genuine post. School holidays. First name TV show. Last name US GSD kennel. Any read of a dog food label would tell you how much to feed. No history but asking about several issues.

I never brushed my medium sized dogs' teeth. I fed beef marrow bone pieces, the fresh piece given straight after a meal and removed when the soft ends were gone, the shafts being the harder section. This cleaned most of the teeth except the canines. These I cleaned (chipped the tartar away) with the side of the spoon end of a stainless steel teaspoon. You can probably buy a specialised tool that may do a more precise job. My dogs didn't have any dental problems until their teens, with the occasional broken or dead tooth needing to be removed.

So are the databases searchable by description and location?

For what it's worth, ABC description was Staffie/ Mastiff. And "trying to locate owner", so not chipped or details not up to date?

When I had baby puppies I accepted having to clean up until they got the idea. It helped having adults who knew "Out" command and puppies followed. When my neighbour had a problem with their puppy toileting on their back deck, I suggested blocking off the deck so that there was a narrow corridor from the house to the grassed yard. Does he have food available at all times? That could be contributing to the many poos if they are normal looking firm poos. [Edit: I found "How Often Does a Puppy Poop?" on WebMD] Don't be concerned about feeding kibble as long as it is a complete good quality one, it is fed at the same times every day in a quiet place where he will not be disturbed while eating, and you don't run out of it or keep changing his diet too often. I used to put some kibble in a smaller container with freezedried liver, so that the kibble smelled like treats. Remember habits are at first cobwebs before they are cables (Spanish saying). If you correct or punish the puppy it may just hide from you when it needs to go, and may become frightened of you approaching or of being touched, handled or restrained. Did you see the setup where the pup was raised? Particularly with smaller breeds and in some kennel situations, they can be raised on paper or concrete and have rarely seen grass. I had the opposite problem with a dog when she was boarded - she wouldn't go in her kennel and kept asking to be let out, but the kennel staff didn't realise that was what it was. It sounds like he is learning he can train you to give food when he demands it. You might look at the principles for a "Nothing in life is free" program for pups, if that is what it is still called. [Edit: Yes, still called that or NILIF dog training] Basically reward the behaviour you want to see, and don't reward the behaviour you don't want to see. Rewards don't have to be food, it could be your attention or your children's attention. Not rewarding is withdrawing your attention. Good luck.

Firstly do you have veterinary proof the dog is deaf? You may have some recourse under consumer protection laws that apply to things like appliances. Do you know what testing was done? For example DNA testing of the parents? If you have a receipt or proof that you have paid the money, you could return the puppy and ask for a refund. If you keep the puppy it will only encourage that dog supplier to breed more dogs without due care. People on this forum with more experience in consumer law and deafness may have more advice for you.

Cruelty to animals is a sign of violence and DV. Plus lying and all his other red flags.

The only declared dangerous dog I've seen in my neighbourhood is a Labrador. It attacked a cat on the cat owner's property.

Neutering would be a good first step.