kelpiecuddles

I wanted a rip stop type bed for my girls that was also waterproof so I could take the cover off and wash it and the insides wouldn't smell doggy and need constant washing... I found these on groupon: https://www.groupon.com.au/deals/special/Pet-Bean-Bag/717357626 They are 100cm X 70cm which is a good size for all but the gigantic dogs. They don't come with beans(which I wouldn't have wanted anyway) but for $2 from my local op shop i got old clean doonas which when folded up will fit nicely inside the covers and be very cosy. So for a grand total of $31 each I got them great beds :) (They only have brown left now though)

A scrub tick isn't the same as a paralysis tick. It also takes about 3-4 days for tick paralysis to start so if you are quick about removing them then the dog should be ok. On one of the occasions I ended up with ticks i was out bush on Saturday, took 2 off me Saturday night and found another on Sunday. On Tuesday I started feeling rather off and by Wednesday I was feeling quite weak and atrocious, then I found a tick that I had missed! I fremoved it and a couple of days later I was feeling much better, probably a good thing I found it when I did, much longer and I think I would have been in a bad place.

I've been using some great long lines. I'd be alright if it was one dog but its too much line to cart about with two dogs

The flexi ones were what I had last time, one lasted a month because it got clogged with sand after one of the kids put it down on the beach. At $30 + even they aren't worth it.

Just wanting a couple of cheap extendable leads to use just for when we are walking out bush/at the beach in areas where the girls need to be on leashes legally but I am happy for them to have a bit more freedom. The girls have quite good recall and won't pull against them, I just basically want that link between me and them for 'legal' reasons and the good one we used to have jammed from use down the beach so I don't want to bother with expensive ones just want a couple of cheap and nasties so i can afford to replace them more often if needed. Does the Reject shop sell them? Any other places that have el cheapos? ETA: i've been using a couple of long horse leads but I keep getting tangled up in them when I want to bring them in shorter LOL

I'd be intersted to know whether there is in fact more to this story. Despite my disgust if it's true I find it hard to believe that ANYONE could just leave a dog to suffer for that long let alone someone who has actively chosen to work with animals. Maybe the dog had in fact had vet care but hadn't had the full surgery completed? i don't know, it just doesn't seem like the full story to me?

We had people in at work today asking if it was OK to train their 11 week old puppy with treats, they were confused because the vet had told them that your should NEVER use treats to train a dog????

We have planned a meet up tomorrow arvo for a walk at the beach so that my girls can meet 3 other bassets, including Angelica who will hopefully be our girl down the track! My oldest son is very excited about the prospect of meeting 'his new show dog'. (he's decided he's gonna stack em with the best!) Here's hoping all the doggins play nice and we can look forward to Angelica joining us later in the year after her 'sister' has her next litter.

There was no lull in the season here that I saw, i was getting them in the middle of winter.

Surely they have an obligation to either provide timely vet care or euthanase him. If a member of the publice left their dog for two weeks in that state they'd be charged with cruelty...

In the last two months I have taken a total of 12 ticks off ME! they are rampant this year.

Apart from what everyone else is said how do you propose that those of us who don't have easy access to dog training schools comply with that portion of your plan? I have two very well trained dogs but only one attended training(and that was more for my enjoyment than because the dog needed it), I live 40 minutes from the closest training school and they are only there on a Wednesday night, not exactly practical for someone who lives alone with three young children(also clashes with my emergency services training if by some miracle my husband is home to care for the kids). Going to formal training isn't the only way to get a well behaved dog. All well and good for city peeps who have options, not so workable for those of us in regional and rural areas

Funnily enough a large proportion of people I know who rescue also have pedigree dogs. Both have their place and I don't think it's one is better than other, simply that some circumstances dictate that you need to make an informed choice either way. The number of responsible registered breeders out their would I'm sure be incredibly less than the number of people backyard breeding(and they also tend to breed fewer litters per dog) so proportionally speaking their contribution to dog overpopulation would be small.

I replied to the email to say thanks anyway but that I couldn't really afford it at the new price.

Just checked and I got the same Not really worth it for me now since I work in a pet store so I get my treats for a pretty good price anyway

Exactly what Corvus said. I only really take my girls to very quiet beaches and if another dog is approaching I can easily recall the girls to sit with me. Once or twice though I have 'lost' them, when I didn't recall them early enough and they were too distracted or I didn't notice the oncoming dog and they were already over saying hello before I realised. I see that though as a chance to analyse where I went wrong and reinforce training so that they will continue to get better, I don't see it as anywhere near 'acceptable'.

Yeah I'm just getting one between the girls. Neither of my girls have ever been much in to the toys but I'm going to try and see if I can get them interested a bit. I do use treats for training recalls when we go to the beach though so they would be handy.

https://www.facebook.com/openspottybox This is their facebook page, a couple of posts down you can see the box that is delivered. basically they home deliver a box of toys and treats once a month. They seem to be good quality toys, Kongs, etc and they are customised for dog size.

Looks pretty good and I just found this half price discount code: nadiatreadgold-svir I just made a 6 month subscription drop from $174 to $87 that way! I'm going to grab it at that price!

Surely you could have poked them for the sake of photos? :laugh: They are so cute, even if they didn't oblige with busy stuff for your visit :D They'll be running around before you know it!

Shipping cost is a bit ridiculous(they might do combined shipping on multiple ones to get the postage cost down) but you can buy a Pish Pad here on ebay: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/The-original-Pish-Pad-Puppy-Training-Pee-Pee-Pad-24-X-36-Reusable-Washable-/261265580675?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cd4a46283

True, we'll still keep it in mind as an option but we'd have to wait to see the program and see whether it will work for that show.

Good thinking. The place I work at is 'sponsored' by one of the food companies and we are supposed to recommend that above others but I wouldn't do their 'nutrition accreditation' crap and just go with the food that I feel suits the persons animal best, a lot won't do that.

I want to have settled on a breed that doesn't start with B. My workmate and i just came up with this wonderful idea that since I work on Saturdays and she works on Sunday she could show both our dogs on the Saturday and then I could show them both if needed on the Sunday. Then we realised that she's got bull terriers and I've got bassets, CLASH!