dougal

Can anybody recommend where I can buy F10 barrier ointment and disinfectant? thanks

Cockerlover, so sorry to hear of your sad loss of such a beautiful boy.

Thanks Erny, 0n the leadership/hierarchy - there are certainly times when she tests the boundaries - she is quickly reminded of her place in the pack, however she does keep trying! My other dog (another bitch) is very easy going and doesn't seem to fuss too much about the pecking order, but the younger one likes to think she runs the house. They are both pretty much treated equally, although the other dog is always given her food first.

We haven't got to the complaint level yet,and I hope that we don't, I would like to work with her to avoid that happening. May be the best course is professional assessment first - she is a sensitive soul and can get easily upset eg she constantly "talks" when in the car. She is generally fine if she sits in the front seat, however, if she is tethered in back seat or in the back of the wagon (with my other dog), she will complain constantly (this can go on forever if it's a long trip). Generally on the way home she is exhausted and sleeps - but that state of mind is impossible to get on the forward journey.

Thanks K9 - an interesting article. Some good points on the de-barking option. She really is in the nuisance category, barking when the neighbour turns his back light on although sometimes I think her reaction seems to be more fright/fear related (she is on the anxious side). Today it is raining, which means a quiet day for the neighbourhood

Nekhbet, no I haven't tried any of the collars - I'll look into it today. Thanks

Does anybody have any good ideas for controlling a dog that is driving us crazy barking (and howling when the mood strikes)? I have tried teaching quiet, rewarding my other dog for being quiet and ignoring the barking machine, purchased a "stop bark", but nothing is working. She is driving us (and the neighbours) crazy. She gets lots of attention, has another to keep her company and is regularly exercised. She has become much worse in the last few days. She will bark at anything at all - people opening their back door, dropping their keys, you name it. Her breeder reckons we should debark her, but I'm not a fan. I could cheerfully throttle her at the moment

I was placed in a similar position many years ago, my boy was on daily (very expensive) medication for 14 years. Over the years I used a range of strategies to minimise the cost - at one time I was importing directly from the US which worked out much cheaper than purchasing through the vet. I also shopped around vets and negotiated a cheaper price as they knew I would be a regular customer. One vet charged me wholesale. I also purchased through pharmacies - again negotiating directly with the pharmacist. Good luck!

Sonic - that's really interesting. We've always thought she thinks she pretty special (and is a bit of dog snob) - whereas the submissive one knows she's a dog and likes it that way.

Erny - thank you for the advice - to clarify she (the same dog) has been attacked on several occasions - this is the first time where she has been physcially injured, but she is quite weary now of large dogs, black ones in particular. I have been involved in both obedience and conformation, but haven't been for a while. She was well socialised as a pup, however by nature, isn't outgoing or laid back. The sniffing/greeting seems to happen OK, then all of sudden the other dog/s rush at her. The older of my two is much more submissive and hasn't ever had a problem. The younger (smaller one) tends to stay on her feet more, whilst the older one gets as low as possible to anything (including a Chi ) DeeLee - the off leash park is fully fenced - this dog was running around outside the park off lead (in the carpark). I'm usually pretty good in the park at sensing wayward dogs and moving on. On this occasion we needed to walk past this dog and her owners to get into the fenced area. Yes, the owner was very apologetic and is going to pay the vet bill. I suggested that she take the dog to the local obedience club, which she has already followed up. Yes, I was pretty livid at the time - couldn't believe that a dog with known issues was offlead. Having talked to the owner today, she is very keen to get some assistance (she has been seeing a behaviourist) and is going to keep the dog onlead in future.

I have two cocker spaniels - last night whilst walking to the local off leash park the smaller of the two was attacked by a much larger dog. My two were on lead, the larger dog was off lead, running around the car park in an unruly manner. After the attack the owner said that her dog had recently been rescued and had some issues - they were trying to social it. For their socialisation exercise I got a trip to the vet to get the damage repaired On another previous occasion a much smaller dog picked on the same dog when I had both of mine with me. Which has me thinking - is there something about the way she carries herself that makes her a more likely target. Is there something I can do to minimise the risk to her? When I left her at boarding kennels recently the kennel owner said that she thought some dogs just seemed to be a target. What do you think? I am now reluctant to take her anywhere near a dog of another breed - which of course, does nothing for her socialisation. If she had been off lead in the park I understand that's the risk of off lead parkses, it is the unprovoked nature of the attack that concerns me - simply walking down the street.

I would like to buy a dryer, for home use, for drying cocker spaniels. I have been using a human hair dryer, but it takes forever. Can anyone suggest what type I should be looking for - not looking to break the bank

whatevah - does it look like he is fully digesting all the food? Maybe he needs some pancreatic enzymes to assist? A number of vets misdiagnosed my old guy, in the end (after opening him up to see what the problem was) I had medication that was added to his food which aided digestion. Also fed two meals a day. Over time I found it was the quality of the medication that affected his weight retention, moreso than the diet. His medication changed over the years due to availability. The last medication I used was Pancrease - a human product - it was brilliant. His first attack was at 18 months - he lived to 15.5 years.

Thanks for your thoughts. I can understand dogs that have been clipped or those with short coats needing some added protection. Some of the articles I've been reading on preparing dogs for winter were starting to make me think that I wasn't being as attentive as I should be. Jillybean - I can imagine one of mine doing something similar I can almost see the look of horror on her face ...."and I'm expected to wear this"

I have been thinking about getting some coats for the dogs in winter, but wondered if all dogs really need them? My two have a full, double coat (they are never clipped), sleep inside and have shelter inside during the day, if they choose. Do they need an extra coat walks in winter/when it's raining? One seems to love getting out in the rain & mud, the other is not so keen. The breeder of one of my (now passed) terrier was of the view that winter was the time they developed their coat - she was against added protection as it affected the texture she was aiming for. (a harsh coat).

Madwoofter, gotta agree with Cockerlover, they really are cunning little buggars. I have two cockers, one that is perfectly reasonable, one that likes to be heard and noticed. The latter "sings" constantly. To stop it I have found if I make a noise to stop the singing = eg knock on the laundry door which stops the noise (bang on a window), then when she has been quiet for a bit, reward the quiet, it breaks the cycle, but I need to do this constantly. She may be good for a couple of weeks, then revert to her old behaviour. I avoid going to her, or letting her see me, just trying to break the pattern, then reward something good. With Tommy's sensitivities I don't know if the knocking will scare him Good luck..... they are very clever at getting their own way.

There was recently a story on "It's me or the Dog" involving an American Cocker and an English cocker. Family loved the dog, although didn't provide the right leadership and training - child ended up badly bitten, dog ended up dead. If somebody has a copy would they be kind enough to send it to Frank. Maybe a visual presentation of what can happen might help.

:rolleyes: I have a booster bath (also got it when it was cheap at the Warehouse) - best thing ever - I had a plumber install taps and hook it up to an existing drain. Bath day is quick and easy.

Thanks everyone - well diagnosed! ... it is a hot spot, now clipped, neo topic lotion and antibiotics for a week. Thank you.

Thanks persephone, hadn't thought of that. I haven't had a pet with hot spots before - yes, she's a cocker, so long ears to keep the bugs warm - maybe its better if I pull the ears back with a snood and cover her paws so that she can't scratch (get some air to the area?) - I could clip around it, if it would help, but the scab it pretty thick. Do hot spots present with a scab on the skin first?

I have just noticed a large sore/wound on my dog's face. The sore is about the size of a 20 cent piece, with a scab around the edge, the centre is raw, with small cream coloured "pimples" across it. It has come up last night and today (as I bathed and groomed her Sunday) - we have only just noticed it as her ear covered it. I thought she had an irritation with her which was causing her to scratching in the area, then saw this wound. I have put an elizabethan collar on her to stop the scratching and applied an anti bacterial/anti inflammatory cream - but as I can't get her to a vet until morning, wondered if anybody has any idea on what it might be, or something I can do for her overnight. She is up to date with Advantix - do mites cause this type of impact? Appreciate any advice/suggestions

Frank, I have a gold roan, that from time to time has red eyes and some tearing. It can look alot worse when she has been out in the wind/dust. Her lower lids are also not as tight as preferred. We love her look, it gives her character. It is nothing to worry about. As Toohey said, as long as your vet is happy, don't worry.

Becky, if you would like to drop in for a visit, happy to help where I can. I tend to lean to the "hairier" side of clipping

I've tried Fidos, Biogroom, Plush Puppy, Groomers Edge and Squirt. My favs (for other reasons as well as scent) are Plush Puppy & Groomers Edge, but I also like the Fidos range, the conditioner, macadamia and something (green coloured) is really good. Leaves the coat feeling very soft and almost edible

I think he's pretty cute with his new hair cut. Poor little guy, hope his eyes are better soon.