pebbles

I use a set of Sunbeam clippers used for mens' sideboards, whiskers trim etc. for whiskers, ears and feet. About $30 and come with quite a few attachments.

As Miranda said - separate them when you can't supervise. Better safe than sorry and things can go wrong very quickly, the best of friends can have a falling out.

Just beat me to it Morgan! I was about to point out that females of other animals aren't desexed so not a valid argument. I don't believe in the unneccessary desexing of dogs (not keen on gelding either but that's another story) and just think people should be given the facts and options to make an informed decision. I think calm discussion of the issue is necessary as at times it reads as if there will be hordes of raging males descending on a bitch in season from miles around while the bitch is frantically bashing at the door to get out, sounds like a scary movie lol. Proper management and common sense make it all too easy really. The base rule should be have dogs and bitches securely confined on your property, be they entire or desexed and there's the biggest part solved.

It's done with horses as well. I know of an ex-racer who is at the Werribee Clinic living out his days in comfort giving blood when needed. The owner often visits him and is rapt with the attention he gets.

Yeah count me out on the ear cropping too. wildairbc - lets not confuse the issue, horses and bulls cannot be compared to dogs, although that being said, educated stallions are not a problem, just a bit bigger and I've been involved with the training of those too. All those 'unruly dogs being dumped by the thousand' - nothing to do with desexing - lack of training and responsible ownership the culprit there! Bindii, going on personal experience again, over many years I've been closely involved with a lot of breeders of different breeds, some big kennels, some small, and I can say that I've only heard of one case of pyro (bitch lived a long life) so if what you say is happening now then there's something wrong. I've never said 'DONT Desex' just want both sides put and people to make an INFORMED decision not be scared into it.

Bindii, that's just the sort of thing I object to ""omg I'm not desexing my bitch" and then the pet gets pyro" as if it's inevitable. I've been breeding, showing for 50+ years and never had a bitch with pyro and I've had a lot of bitches so law of averages I should have had at least one if it's that common. I had dogs long before the internet made 'instant experts' so if your comment was aimed at me, I'll back my hands-on experience all the way.

IMO it's not the average family who has the 'oops' litters, there's always been the odd one of those but most families will do the right thing, yes, ok spey the bitch if you want a bitch and aren't prepared to confine her at the appropriate times but do this at a reasonable age and know what any puifalls may be. This is where the Vets should give advice on the pro's and cons as not everyone researches, they're just hammered to get the dog desexed without being helped with handling an entire bitch, as for neutering dogs, I'm not going to even go there! I've known many people with entire pets and there's been maybe 2 or 3 'oops' litters which went to good homes. The glut of pups cannot be blamed on these folk it's the puppy farmers encouraged by DB with his 'designer' dogs, flooding the pet shops, selling at ridiculous prices, tempting people to breed on. It's not all that long ago that pet shops may have had the occasional pup in the window and the 'designer dog' wasn't being thrust down people's throats. I think if anyone comes to DOL then they deserve the curtesy of having the pros and cons explained to them as we try to explain to others outside this forum, not just be told "desex", "desex". and made to feel guilty for not doing it immediately. The world isn't full of sex deranged males (dogs) who are going to rip down the fences, tear through doors to get at a bitch in season.

Megan, you say that this article is fine for DOLers and yet the number of times, regardless of the problem, the first question is "is the dog desexed", male and female, to avoid and/or help with behaviour, health, etc. Testicular cancer is mentioned often (I've never known of a dog with this) and other health risks but never given the other side where, apart from the risk, although perhaps minimal, of the operation, there are many long term problems which can crop up, some apparently affecting some breeds in particular. I think a balanced discussion of the possible outcomes of speying/neutering should be given. Desexing is not the answer IMO unless for a related diagnosed health issue.

Well, there is usually two sides to most things and I'm not into chopping into my dogs for my convenience. Ok ducks for cover now suit on.

Interesting? (Well if the link works, I'm hopeless at this ) http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHea...euterinDOGS.pdf

I'm using a few of these and had used the ties to join them. Problem with these are they can be hard to fold flat and one pup does have a chew at them. Tried some key rings on the last one - work beautifully!!! Just pry them open enough to slide over the upright bars, they go on easily, fold flat and no chewing! I found the 20mm ones a good size. Last lot were 50c each and I used three on each side. eta - spelling

Yep, crates are a blessing for all above mentioned reasons and all my guys love their crates. Another thought - hope you get more than the 10 second warning by the time winter arrives - gunna be cold out there in the nuddy

All my guys, lots of over many years, have slept on my bed, in my bed, in the car,loose or crated, in their crates in the house, in their kennel and run, in the gazebo, on the floor in the caravan, on the bed in the caravan, in other people's homes, where ever they are put when it's bedtime. As long as they get accustomed as youngsters to different situations and learn that bedtime is just that I don't think 'where' comes into it.

Would it be worth trying a small night light for her? Would she settle in another room where she could have a weak light left on? Perhaps even try leaving your bedroom light on, maybe you would have to stick your head under the pillow lol. Just a thought.

All my dogs have eaten grass in varying amounts - My old girl would crop grass like a horse, never had any affect on her except sometimes after a good 'crop' you'd see it come through the other end. Youngest here at the moment will ocassionally have a go at the grass and quite often shortly after throw it up in froth. Others will have a few chews without any throw-ups. Not something I'd worry about unless there was other signs of anything wrong.

Thanks Luke. Does everything have to be in USA? LOL. Any Aussie sites? I tried googling some of the titles for books but nothing comes up in Aussie - probably me - hopeless at knowing just what wording to put in a search :cool:

Ok so I've been watching the agility at Crufts I've a little dog which I think might be able to handle it but there's nowhere around here to go to. Are there any DIY books or 'net sites with the basic instructions to start with? I've done obedience some years ago but would have no idea where to start with agility - any help appreciated. I know the dog would be fast enough, not sure how I'd go though :rolleyes:

I emailed the makers of Great Barko and they sent me 5 small sample bags of their product. Plenty for me to try my littlies on. Worth a go 'specially if you have small breeds.

Same here - mine expired 332 days ago. Don't you just 'luv 'em'!

Lucky you, Capanash, it's 12 months since I could get in. All I get is "Membership Expired"! :rolleyes: Paid last April, checked with the VCA, received my membership card, phoned the VCA "Computer problems". Sway - I'll go for another 6 months (and I think that's being generous lol).

Yep Tenties, they make it hard 'specially when you live really rural, even the supermarkets don't stock many brands. Guess I'll stick to Supercoat although the darn shop only has 'Light and Mature' at the moment but promised me they'd get 'Adult' next week.

I'm waiting on some samples from Laucke Mills so will see how they go. I've emailed for local distributors of the Eagle Pack. Problem around here is that no one feeds commercial food - farmers just feed sheep, roo, whatever happens to be available. They've never even heard of premium dog food and 'Barf ' is generally something that happens after a heavy night at the pub I've been using Supercoat but now the local supermarket aren't stocking it. I bought a bag of another cheapie that they had and one dog has developed the 'itchies'. If I have to make the 300k round trip to get Supercoat I thought I'd investigate one of the 'better' brands but perhaps I will just stick to Supercoat as it seems to agree with all my gang. Me thinks me reading too much

Samples sound a good idea, I'll have to get on to that, bad enough when the small bag doesn't suit or the little blighters wont eat it. A small bag, 1.5kg, generally last me about 3 weeks so I'm not keen on getting a large quantity as I'd be a bit sus. about it keeping that long.

Thanks, Gaylek, just checked the Bonnie site and it comes in 3, 8 and 20kg in 'Puppy' but apparently only 20kg in Adult. Surely there must be a 'better' dry in a smaller bag? Oh well, will keep looking! eta - OK the 'top of the range' dry - do any of these come in small bags and also small size suitable for Toys?

I would like to try some of the medium priced dry dog food. Example - Great Barko, Cobber etc. I've been Googling some sites but can only find them in the bigger bags 22kg eg. Is there any which have their product in from 1kg to 4kg. I've only got littlies and feed dry and raw so don't use a lot. Perhaps I can get sample packs from some places? Do any of these come in smaller size pieces as well? Any info would be great as I'm going crosseyed Googling