April Andy

On 20/08/2023 at 3:56 PM, blissirritated said:

Hi all. George (8.5yr old Lab /Staff Cross) has been put on fish oil tablets for his arthritis. And I love our vet, he is an absolute magician - however the Antinol Rapid he’s recommended seems insanely expensive for what it is. 
 

Are there other fish/mussel oil extracts that people are using for their dogs in place of Antinol?

 

I would Google… but I’ve chosen to reactivate a decade old forum account instead… so I guess that shows how much success I’m having with the Google machine 
 

 

Hello everyone,

I can totally relate to your situation, as I'm also exploring options for my dog's arthritis treatment. My furry friend, Max, is in a similar boat. He's a 10-year-old mix, and the vet has also suggested fish oil supplements for his joint health.

I've heard great things about Antinol Rapid, but I understand your concerns about the cost. It's always good to consider alternatives that might be more budget-friendly.

I've started researching other fish and mussel oil extracts, but like you, I'm finding it a bit overwhelming.

If any of you have had success with a specific brand or product that's worked well for your dog's arthritis, I'd really appreciate your insights. Your experiences could be super helpful as I navigate this journey to find the right supplement for Max.

By the way, I totally get where you're coming from with the Google search struggles. Sometimes it's much more valuable to tap into a community like this for real-life experiences and recommendations.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and suggestions!

Best regards,

April

Hello everyone,

It is really interesting to see the different opinions and ideas that come up when we are talking about Sheepoodle and other hybrids. The world of dog breeding certainly has its complexities and considerations, and it’s only natural that people have different opinions on the subject.

@Anne, I appreciate your thoughts on the naming conventions of hybrids. In fact, "oodle" has become a common suffix for poodle crosses. Whether we see it as creative or more deliberate, it’s interesting how these names go.

@Mairead and @Rebanne, your insights shed light on some potential challenges and discussions around crossbreeding. Coat problems and differences between species and hybrids are relevant points to consider.

@Lhok, thanks for your observation. It’s interesting to consider whether the original story reflects genuine human interest or whether AI dictates. It goes to show how technology and human interaction can sometimes blur the lines.

Regardless of our individual circumstances, it is important to approach these conversations with respect and an open mind Learning from each other’s experience and knowledge is what makes these conversations so engaging.

We continue to share our ideas and insights while respecting different perspectives to enrich this community. 

Hey Powerlegs, I can totally relate to your sentiment! Being a dog person is something special – there's just something about the bond we share with our furry companions that's hard to put into words. It's wonderful that you're involved in breed-specific rescue, particularly with Silky and Yorkie breeds. Those little dogs can bring so much joy and charm to our lives.

And you're absolutely right, the individual personality of each dog shines through no matter their breed or mix. Wise seniors have a unique magic about them, and I completely understand what you mean about "old souls." The way their eyes seem to hold a lifetime of stories and wisdom is truly heartwarming.

In the end, it's the unconditional love, companionship, and the lessons these dogs teach us that make us cherish our roles as dog lovers. From the energetic tail-wagging greetings to the quiet moments of connection, dogs have a way of making life richer and more meaningful.

So here's to being a proud dog person!  And to all the wonderful dogs out there who bring so much happiness into our lives.

Hey Deeds,  How coooool that you came across a new variety like the Sheepoodle! It's always exciting to learn about different crossbreeds. I've heard of Bordoodles before (Border Collie x Poodle), but this is the first time I've heard about Sheepoodles (Old English Sheepdog x Poodle). What an interesting mix!!! Really!!!

It's amazing how creative people can get with breed names. It sounds like the owners were quite creative in coming up with "Sheepoodle" to reflect the mix of Old English Sheepdog and Poodle. It'd be fascinating to see how these two breeds combine in terms of appearance, temperament, and traits.

Thanks for sharing your encounter! It's always fun to hear about the unique and wonderful dogs that people have in their lives. If anyone else has seen or has experience with Sheepoodles, it'd be great to hear more about them! 

On 05/08/2023 at 7:02 AM, MegNZ said:

Hi everyone,

 

I brought home a 13 week old puppy 5 days ago and am looking for somewhere to chat about how it's going, ask questions, and get advice and support as needed.

 

Sophi is a rottweiler/bullmastiff/amstaff mix, black with tan rottie markings in all the "right rottie places", with a very narrow white blaze down her chest. I particularly wanted a rottie mix that looks rottie as I have a 20 month old rottie mix girl who looks 100% rottie except she's only 30kg. She's an amazing dog in every way, a real treasure. Sophi's face is a real mix of her different breeds, no clue what it will look like when she's an adult. I call her Serious Sophi, not a hint of a smile in sight lol.

 

Her original owners were planning to keep the litter (all 14 of them!!) but their circumstances changed, hence deciding to sell the pups at 13 weeks. Not ideal imo, I'd rather have gotten her at 8 weeks so I could cover all the early socialization stuff but when they said she has had extensive contact with a large number of people, including children of all ages, I decided to take the risk.

 

The house was chaos! Pups racing around everywhere! But the pups and the house were very clean, and the pups all seemed happy and confidant and very, very keen to interact and get affection.

 

Sophi has had no vaccinations, no housetraining re going toilet outside, and seems to have experienced zero boundaries. But she's picking up going outside to toilet very quickly, is learning that sitting gets her affection and food, and her initial protesting when crated for the night has significantly reduced. She's very low energy for a pup which is a blessing for me. Lulu, my 20 month old rottie grl, was also very low energy. My mobility is somewhat limited and all the up and down of having a puppy has made my knees scream, to the point I can barely walk some of the time. I managed to take Lulu out for a long ball fetch session yesterday, thanks to the even ground at the park I usually take her and my walker to lean heavily on, but she's mostly being treadmilled which sucks. I love taking her out, I just can't manage it much at the moment.

 

Apart from being low energy Sophi is also extremely sweet. A soft, gentle, quiet girl in her interactions with me. Also very little mouthing (yet? lol). Lulu thinks Sophi is The Best Present Ever!!! and Sophi was initially very overwhelmed by Lulu wanting to play with her. I made the mistake of allowing Lulu too much free access to Sophi the 1st couple of days, to the point Sophi was snarling and lunging and biting Lulu. I was very taken aback by how over the top Sophi's response was, wondering what the hell I had brought home, but as soon as I started limiting Lulu's free access everything has settled down and Sophi is now happily initiating some of the play sessions, which I am keeping very short. 

 

So, so far everything seems to be going well, but I'm exhausted and in a lot of pain and am feeling pretty dreadful. Hence looking for a place to talk. Thanks for reading this long intro post.

Hey Meg, 

Congratulations on welcoming little Sophi into your home!!! It sounds like you're off to a great start despite the initial chaos and challenges. It's wonderful that you're seeking a place to chat and find support – raising a puppy can be both rewarding and demanding, and having a community to share experiences with is invaluable. Sophi's mix of breeds sounds fascinating, and her unique appearance must make her even more endearing. It's awesome that she's quickly picking up on housetraining and learning commands like sitting. And it's heartening to hear that her initial response to the crate is improving – patience and consistency with crate training can yield great results over time.

Managing the dynamic between Sophi and Lulu is a smart move. Introducing them gradually and monitoring their interactions will help build a positive relationship between the two. It's common for puppies to need a bit of time to adjust to new playmates, and it's great to hear that Sophi is starting to initiate play sessions too.

I'm sorry to hear about the physical challenges you're facing due to mobility issues. It's important to prioritize your well-being while ensuring that Sophi gets the attention and exercise she needs. Treadmilling can be a helpful alternative for exercise, and as she grows, you might be able to explore more outdoor activities together.

Remember, the early days with a new puppy can be tiring and overwhelming, but it's all part of the journey. Keep reaching out for advice, sharing your experiences, and seeking support – there are many experienced dog owners in various communities who can provide valuable insights and encouragement. Wishing you and Sophi all the best as you continue this exciting journey together!

Cheers! 

On 14/08/2023 at 12:48 PM, jemappelle said:

All I can think of is that you give the bird (and chooks) a treat and the dog one at the same time if it is sitting nicely and calmly.  Keep the dog on a lead to (try to) keep it calm, walk calmly to the cage, with lots of praise and reward.  Every time the dog starts to get even a tiny bit excited stop, look upwards, stay still and remain calm until the dog is calm and move again.  You will need patience!  Good luck!

Wow!! Congratulations on the new addition to your furry family! It's great to hear that "Jack" has already shown a good nature and gotten along with your other dog. It sounds like you're committed to helping him adjust and learn the necessary commands. Training an older dog can be a rewarding journey..

Hello, I am April. I am new to this forum. Already have 3 adorable puppies for over 8 years.

I got 2 Pomeranian dogs, they're kinda calm, playful, and friendly whenever we have visitors. They have a characteristics that are be prone to separation and they are best suited for homes where someone will be around. The other one is a Chow Chow named Yachiko, He's aloof with strangers but one thing that I love him most is the loyalty that He gave unto me.