Poodle wrangler

Most councils require dogs to be registered by 6 months and is MUCH cheaper for a desexed vs. entire dog. RSPCA desex around 18 weeks, according to our local vet nurses. Think it's probably more an issue with bones for larger breeds. Early desexing produces slightly taller dogs. Some think those normal hormones are important for normal growth. Have read about it referring mostly to bone growth in larger breeds who are more at risk of hip dysplasia and other grwth-development joint disorders. Possible impact on joint disorders (esp. agility dogs)?

http://en.wikipedia..../Nanotechnology I think you are wrong there & I stand to be corrected....but from what I have read, they work on creating a magnetic field around your dog & the ultrasonic ones like Skudos work on ultrasonic . I am not sure if I would like my dog to be constantly exposed to a magnetic field. Which bit is wrong? I can't see where it says how the disc works? (happy to be corrected) If it's "Nanotechnology", then nanotech is relatively new, so how can long-term effects be known?

Quick call to vet surgery? Easy for a medication mistake to be made & best to just confirm.

Did I miss something on the website? Can't see where it says exactly HOW it works? VAgue reference to nanotechnology. Note nanotech isn't 100% safe http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanotechnology

Destructo pup goes in crate in loungeroom.

Having just tried to use a force dryer on my puppy, I can see how cage drying would be great (if done PROPERLY). B4 Dog World's current owner, I bathed and blow-dried my standard poodle there. It was taking ages and I asked a groomer if I was doing something wrong? Groomer was really helpful- dog just had a lot of coat. Said they didn't use the heater-type dryers due to them heating up and people could accidentally melting the hose of the dryer (!!) and /or burn their dog.

Probably best tack is "This ad alienates many dog owners and lovers of larger dogs!"

Best wishes for your dog. Low temp can suggest infection, but then blood results should also be abnormal. Maintaining temp and heart rate are pretty basic neurological function (hypothalmus), so if it is neurological, sounds ominous. With the MRI, do dogs need to be still? Will he need to be anaesthetised? (am thinking anaesthetic is very risky due to age and inability to maintain temperature) How much does a MRI cost? I recently lost our 13 year old mini poodle to a suspected brain tumour. He could have had an MRI to confirm, but instead the vet used clinical judgement, 2nd opinion and a trial of medication to see if it helped. i.e. Vet said: Only thing to cause the abnormal behaviour and seizures was trauma (e.g. car accident- NOPE), infection (excluded with blood tests, no temperature changes) and brain tumour. Dog's eye was bulging slightly on one side, suggesting a tumour was likely and I knew no recent head trauma. Sadly, he was so distressed even with medication, that there was no choice but to PTS. So much harder when it's NOT so clear-cut! Sorry to be blunt, but is 7 years elderly in a Dogue? It's well worth discussing with vets where any MRI / further tests will lead? If he did have a tumour, would you even consider chemo etc. (with side effects etc.) Do you need a definite diagnosis for future breeding plans etc.? Will a diagnosis help your dog directly i.e. can the result help them get him eating, drinking and seeming OK behaviour-wise again? If the MRI shows nothing, does that help treat him? There is no point in doing risky, expensive tests if they cannot help your dog. Vets will often want to know so they have a definitive diagnosis (don't blame them), but that doesn't mean it helps your dog. Remember it's you and the dog who pay the price: Both $$ and risks to dog's health from doing tests themselves. If you can afford the very high costs, the vet's are at a dead end and you and really need to know (for yourself) that's different. If not, then perhaps it's best to try to do what they can- based on his clinical condition- and if no improvement, sadly PTS with lots of love. Best wishes for you all I really hope they find something treatable.

I agree with HW. Many owners I chat to at dog parks imply that's why they're there! They admit how much their (often large) dog pulls and doesn't come when called! You only have to watch..... Sure enough, the dog doesn't come when they call and dog pulls owner back to the car on leash. Many people don't want to tackle training a dog with bad habits (pulling on leash, poor recall) and are time poor, so this isn't going to change anytime soon. At least they're getting their dog some exercise and MOST people are sensible about not bringing an aggro dog. If I'm honest- I like the dog park. I like talking about dogs, petting other dogs and watching them run around like loons

Sorry, can't recommend any Sydney classes. Make sure the vet's place is very clean. After all, that's where all the sick dogs go! You're right to be concerned about dog parks! Some people are in denial about their aggressive dogs and let them offleash to monster other dogs. Also attracts owners whose dogs are badly behaved on leash, they have to go to park for exercise.

Cardboard is a pretty good insulator (& no tragedy if chewed) to go under the old rug. Our new pup liked a teddy to cuddle up to, also. Breeder suggested as they're used to falling asleep with their littermates. He slept all night, first night! Possibly anxiety with shivering? Regardless, warm environment won't do any harm

Puppy had a great time with a cardboard box this afternoon! He still loves sleeping with a large stuffed monkey (daughters puppy donation). Pillow and occasional chew toy, though no real damage.

Thanks. A collar hurting a dog e.g. If they lunge before well-trained on their leash wasn't something I'd heard of before, except for toy breeds. I left a harness on pup after using it in the car... For leash walking...seemed ok, just different. I like collar & leash only because easier and what I'm used to. Agree, custom harness is OTT.

I've been watching Kikopup's free YouTube videos for training & clicker training, then found this on her blog suggesting collars might harm a dog's neck .. http://clicktreat.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/is-it-harmful-to-attach-aleash-to-your.html Any thoughts? I have a standard poodle puppy who'll grow to be around 25kg+ We're training, so I'm not looking at a harness as a solution for pulling etc. I've only used flat collars before, with no problems (I'm aware of). Thanks

Sorry, wasn't back sooner... Yes, it's the one at Nowra Showground. No classes until next year, so can't give you much of an update, sorry. To be fair, the info I have is off the website/ Facebook, rather than a one-on-one chat to any of the trainers. In the meantime, am taking pup to Puppy preschool at South Nowra Vet. Is helpful for the socialising. Rufus is a bit timid with other dogs. Not fussed by ducks and ponies, though ... go figure?

Definitely get a crate (i.e. cage) for your pup. Supervision doesn't work. Even IF you could do it 100% (who can?). It can all go to hell before you have a chance to intervene. Crates are only about $60 on ebay. Easy to line with cardboard & newspaper for puppy accidents, change to a bed when pup old enough. A crate's a great safe place for both puppy/dog (away from any naughty visitors) who might play the wrong kinds of games. Is a dog den, not "cage" for those that don't like the idea because of what they look like. eta: This was the link I was looking for... Why Supervising Dogs and Kids Doesn't Work http://www.robinkbennett.com/2013/08/19/why-supervising-dogs-and-kids-doesnt-work/

Our pup loves a teddy. He was used to cuddling up to littermates to sleep. Breeder also gave us a washable mattress with Mum/ littermates smell on it. Newspaper (our pup was trained to toilet on paper)- also for crate. Cheaper collar that FITS- you don't want him getting it caught in a too-big collar and hanging himself. Light leash (again, cheaper in case chewed). Kong puppy/ chew toy(s). Treats for training (healthy, take into account for his total food intake0 Kmart have $3 squeaky, fleece soft toys our puppy likes.

I had a dog who started this. In retrospect was one of first signs of a major health problem. He was older, though ~12, so I dismissed it as "old man's bladder". Glad to hear you're seeing vet, even if only to exclude a health issue. My puppy is crated overnight. The crate is way too big, but I put newspaper on the far side of crate for overnight. No mess. I sleep well. too.

No, but am thinking about it. Recently lost our standard poodle to bloat, despite an immediate rush to vet. I'm a nurse. Have passed tubes into human stomachs, so happy to have a go on a dog. Also fine to stick needles into abdomens if needed. Also, planning on getting our new standard puppy's stomach stitched to abdominal wall when he's desexed. At least helps prevent the stomach twisting ("torsion") part of bloat. Will discuss with vet.

Easy fix: Just don't take her into the dog enclosure area. I had one dog that loved dog parks and another that didn't. I ended up either tying the one who hated them outside or leaving him in car. I also liked the dog park, seeing other dogs etc.. We also walked, and did many other activities with our dog park-hating dog, so I didn't feel a 20 minute wait was making him suffer. Wasn't worth dragging a dog into something he didn't enjoy. He became nervous with larger dogs and would growl, bar teeth etc.- unfair on other dogs, also. Many dogs should never be taken to dog parks as are too aggressive/ out of control, but owners in denial.

A miniature poodle isn't on the list, but would thrive on the companionship she can offer. They're about 6-7kg, easy to travel with, easy to train, no shedding. They can be neurotic if not trained (soon work out THEY are in charge) and left in the yard without the human companionship they crave, but if you put in a little time, fabulous companion dogs. They get a bad rap due to the spoiled/ ignored problem, frou-frou hairstyles and people assume they're prissy lapdogs. They're athletic, smart and robust dogs. If she doesn't like the traditional poodle clips, you can clip however you like. Most people thought my standard poodle was a labradoodle due to no pom poms and short clip. The downside of 'no shedding' is that you have to get the fur off with grooming i.e. clippers. Professional groom around $65+, every 6 weeks. Is not difficult to DIY, although clippers are $200-ish. You need the good ones, cheapies don't cut their fur! We did a trip around Australia with our poodles, no problem (one mini and a 27kg standard poodle). Mini is the easy, fit in anywhere size. Good luck. Perhaps go to dog shows and look at different breeds, speak to breeders etc.

No-one's 100% sure. I recently lost our standard poodle to bloat. Spoke to an older breeder from Poodle Club who said one of hers bloated on an empty stomach! Usual recommended precautions are: 1. Don't raise food bowl (USED to be thought to prevent bloat, but a study showed the opposite) 2. Limit exercise after meals 3. Consider 2 smaller meals/ day vs. 1 larger meal. 4. Don't allow dog to guzzle food. Take home message: If unsure, get dog to vet asap and phone ahead to say you suspect bloat. Is emergency. Surgery asap may be needed. The gas itself isn't the problem. It's how the gas and possible twisted stomach affects blood flow: Cuts it off, so parts of digestive system start to die and dog goes into shock ---> dies.

Thanks, will speak to club. Not dead against a Halti, just never used one. Standard poodles have long, narrow muzzles, so also wondered if would fit ok. :) pug

Our local training club has a Halti compulsory for beginner Obedience training. I'm in a regional area, so nowhere else is practical for me to go to. What are your thoughts about Haltis? I've never used one before and didn't plan to, just a flat collar and lead. Is for a standard poodle who'll be 6 months if starts training there next year. Thanks, guys!