Poodle wrangler

Am sure they'll be fine. My mini poodle had a cast iron stomach and happily ate whatever. Lots of sugar on canned food Like all smart dogs, poodles take charge if their human doesn't. Spoilt poodles not a good advertisement for the breed. On the bright side, they'll soon learn and can be very adaptable, if not made too neurotic already.

Not 100% sure, but think Glynis @ South Nowra signed off as due in 3 years for our dogs (C3). Pretty sure I had that AVA info sheet with me as didn't want to over vaccinate them. 3rd yearly C3 us not new! "Duramune" brand name. If I'm wrong, am sure you could have a sensible discussion about it with her or Tony. To be honest, I really only vaccinated for kennelling after puppy vaccs. adults.

Thanks. Anyone used the 2 dose only Nobivac DHPPi vaccine? All done with the 10 week dose. Sounds better if means I can take pup out earlier, but not worth it if,more problems with this vaccine. Company speil says overcomes maternal antibodies to be effective.

I'll also discuss with breeder, but wondering what the best puppy vaccination schedule is? Has been long time since I last had a puppy and "best practice" can change? Thanks.

If you do have to resort to antihistamines, buy the "generic" brands, in bulk to save money. Friend of ours has severe, multiple allergies and takes an antihistamine every day since childhood (on medical advice).

I'm about to get a puppy and am reading this thread with interest... I think if you are paying $1500-2000 for a puppy, buyer expectations are high. I don't need convincing about buying a quality puppy vs. vet bills, just saying people (inc. me) see that purchase price as a lot of money. e.g. litter = 7 X $2000= $14,000. Doesn't make sense, but I know someone who's had a lot of allergy/ skin issues with their standard poodle. They bought their dog "discounted" from a neighbour who is a registered breeder (one of the bad ones). Because the "saved" a hundreds on buying a puppy, they accepted all the problems as a sort-of added risk. They'd have spent much more than they "saved" on buying puppy at the vets, of course. Of course good breeders deserve to make money for what they do. I see the cost of puppy as buying pedigree, minimising risk of inherited problems, good socialisation of puppy, ongoing support, and helping better the breed by supporting good breeders.

Too cute puppies. Back to puppy price... I figure I'm buying: * Health testing * Pedigree- healthy dogs, good temperament, looking like their breed ought to * Breeder's expenses - vet, vacc, chipping, worming, equipment etc. * Breeders time- care for bitch, puppies * Breeder's socialisation of puppies * Grooming puppies, before and when leaving for new home (thinking: Poodles) * Phone, email advice * Ongoing support with managing puppies health and wellbeing- phone, email etc. * Health guarantee (?) ... am about to research what that actually means ....

A friend had some bad experience with a local vet suggesting lots of intervention for her much-loved, elderly cocker spaniel with similar issues. Major surgery, given his age, seemed crazy. Disc and back issues are not easy fixes. No guarantees, regardless of many thousands spent. You are not a bad owner to offer pain/symptom relief only. Allows some quality of life until your dog deteriorates such that PTS is kindest option. MRIs are costly. If an operation is not going to happen, then how will an MRI help the vet give Joey better treatment? Will it change the pain relief prescribed? Having recently lost a mother-in-law, there are a lot of expenses, including solicitors fees for probate etc if you're Executor. Best wishes.

I had Lupine brand leashes. Lifetime warranty and I had one replaced- cost of post, only. Wash well in machine, too. Eta: zero maintenance

Our vet likened removing front dewclaws to removing thumbs (in older dog).

I had 2 desexed poodles with a 20kg weight difference. Never a problem, but one was bossy (smaller one) and big guy very mellow. Well-matched for temperament. The standard poodle would even give up a bone to the littler guy!

There's the human variety of coal tar shampoo (e.g.T-Gel), but am guessing are a lot more expensive. I looked at various shampoos for the poodles ages ago. Most pet shampoos had poor labelling so hard to compare like to like via ingredients.

For ticks, I've tried the Preventic tick collar, but disliked the smell, and dogs always indoors, in car etc. They last 6 weeks for $12, so good value. Smell wasn't that bad, I'm just extra-fussy, I think. And didn't want anti-tick stuff on me, as well. My dogs were OK with Advantix. Dogs never had fleas, except after a visit to a place with a flea problem- used Capstar as couldn't wait for Advantix by mail (too expensive at the time to buy local).

Sadly lost our standard poodle to bloat recently. He'd torsioned by the time we got to vet. I stayed with him during most of initial treatment and start of surgery. Vet used a wider gauge needle straight into stomach. Stuck straight in. You'll smell it when in right place. Couldn't pass tube, of course. Do you have any friends who are nurses who might access some items for you? Even some tape etc.? Great idea to ask vet. The clear tube our vet used looked like something you'd buy @ hardware to be honest. Other useful stuff would be hot water bottles, thermal blanket (keep dog warm). IV access and IV fluids (if you had some nursing/ medical skills to start these up) as dog quickly goes into shock.

I've seen someone put in hospital by a bite from fighting Maltese. They bit part of a finger off + nasty infection needing antibiotics in hospital. Bad owner thread, I think. Our family had staffy/ bullbreed cross rescue dogs when there were no allergies. One was a nasty dog (from council pound, no temperament testing). Probably due to being mistreated when younger (he was PTS). The bullbreed part just makes them a muscular, strong dog to deal with if things do go wrong, as they can in any breed.

Barking mad . As long as the dogs enjoy all the attention. The poodles look happy and would be loving the 1:1

Sorry to hear this happened. I think you've answered your own question when you say you can't trust your dog now. I would feel the same way. Unprovoked, multiple bites to face when this happenned +growling and lip-curling over months, now? I'm a parent, too, and I'm not sure how you can achieve separating dog and child 100% of the time with 100% supervision. Unless you're superhuman :) My dog has nipped my child e.g. when spun around by the leash by child- I was watching, but too slow to intervene. Silly thing to do by child who is normally more sensible. As you say, these situations happen SO quickly! You know what to do. Your child has to come first, regardless of how much you love your dog. Best wishes.

I second showdogs idea that most dogs don't need coats. I had a miniature and standard poodles clipped short, but both were fine - never a coat needed- outdoors in Canberra. In Canberra, they slept inside (sub-zero winters). But on NSW south coast, both slept outdoors thru winter, no problems, no coats. Coats/ woolly jumpers can cause knots/ matting, too.

Lupine brand leashes. Love them. Buy online- just google for best prices. Medium size up have padded handles. Thinner ones don't, but still comfy to use. Lifetime warranty and will replace even if chewed! I tested this out when one of mine got old and clasp not 100%. Yes, replaced for cost of postage out only. Just keep receipt and tag.

Sad times for our family ... Charlie (Standard poodle) died on Friday. Found him laying on his side in the morning with huge stomach --> straight to vet. Died a few hours later during surgery for bloat (bowel twisted, died from cardiac arrest). Only 6 years old and the most affectionate dog we've ever had, loved everyone. At beach, great walk only the day before he died... Oscar (Miniature poodle) died 8 weeks ago. Brain tumour at ~13 years old. Loyal and so much fun. Well-travelled poodles: Did the lap around Oz with kids and us a couple of years ago. Who knew mini poodles made great fly-catchers in the back of the car? Great mates, together again..

Update for any Canberrans..... Hall vet seemed great. 2 vets in Hall and I went to this one: http://www.hallvet.com.au/ Oscar's teeth had improved a lot over only a couple of weeks with more bones, so vet cancelled the dental I'd booked after examining him.

If they're after a "shaggy" look, then just use scissors and forget the clippers. http://clipperbladesharpening.webs.com/groomingscissors.htm You can buy comb attachments to clippers, for longer fur, but these only cut thru fur that's immaculately clean and totally knot-free! (I don't use them on my poodles). Clippers are good for around the face, tummy, backside etc. Something like these: http://clipperworld.com.au/clippers/wahl-km2-two-speed-p1.html PLUS blades. You'd need a #10 to go quite short on a poodleX. Not likely to cut the dog with a #10. Human clippers and any pet ones under $150 are a waste of money. They won't cut the fur properly (if at all), making it miserable for both you and the dog.

Thanks for the advice. Seemed a bit expensive to me, so I'll ring around. Was Gungahlin Vet (north Canberra). Only use them as local and didn't know any vets when we moved here. Oscar has only been to the vet for vaccinations in recent years, so am happy for any decent vet to clean his teeth. eta: OMG, the quotes just get worse at $600-ish for no extractions. He's 11, so needs bloods, too.

My mini poodle is 11 and needs his teeth scaled and cleaned under anaesthetic, according to vet. They also suggested Hills TD food afterward. Quoted $550, Canberra. Was a younger vet doing vaccinations. Is that about normal? 7.5kg dog. Thanks

We're looking at buying a house with no fencing. Any suggestions for dog enclosures for the non-handyperson? Prices? Need to factor in to cost of house as dam (snakes) and main road not far away. They'd need shelter (sun, rain) + space? Breeds are 1x standard poodle + 1 X miniature poodle. Neither escape artists in past, but you never know. Dogs often inside, but need a place outdoors for when I'm out for the day etc. Have a crate we use for travelling, but obviously don't want to crate them for several hours! Thanks