Dog_Horse_Girl

Have you thought about how that is from the pup's perspective? Have you tried something else instead, perhaps a squirt from a water sprayer? Or a strong "No!"? Or greater physical control of the pup so it can't make a mistake while it is learning? IMO all of these methods are far preferable to a smack. Dogs are mostly human-focussed and the "correction" should not come from you but from something "other" than you...your voice is part of you but not necessarily to the dog. The other options are not part of you at all, therefore the dogs don't associate negative things with you at all. What are you having trouble with? Perhaps we can help. BTW - how does the smack help with the training? Is it working?

But why do you smack them?

Why do you smack your dogs?

Yes dogs can have an allergic response to many grasses. Ruby seems to have a problem in warmer weather but that's b/c the grasses are flowering and setting seed through this period. When the grasses are dormant in winter, she has no itch so we've concluded that it's definitely related to either/both flowers and seeds. A vet can conduct allergy testing or you could try a more holistic approach. We have chosen to use anti-inflammatories in the past but will change to a herbal approach if/when her symptoms appear again.

I use a gentle whitening shampoo for my dogs that are white or partly white. The brand I prefer is Fido's (Bright White I think it's called)...all natural ingredients and very gentle on the skin, plus they smell divine! :D Regular brushing is probably a good idea too, as this will loosen and remove a lot of the dirt you see in the coat.

EP is an excellent food. I'd give the RMBs twice or three times weekly - this helps to ensure nice healthy teeth and gums.

CavNrott what do you feed your dogs instead of canned? Some people feed a raw, whole foods diet and others feed a super-premium dry food. Some people feed a combination of these two. Canned foods in general are over-priced and the ingredients are not very good quality. The average can of dog food contains 70% water, with the next highest percentage ingredient being a combination of cereals and grains which dogs have enormous trouble digesting (hence loose bowel motions on canned foods). Can I suggest if you are feeding canned foods that you investigate a higher quality dry food option? Anything in the supermarket is likely to be of inferior nutritional value, and some of the cheaper product in pet suppliers are no better. Aim for something that's at least "mid priced" or better if you can afford it. Examples include Advance, Pro Plan...better quality include Nutrience and Royal Canin and super premium includes Dick van Patten's Natural Balance, Eagle Pack Holistic, and Nutro. HTH.

Thanks cavNrott, I didn't think I had imagined seeing such information packs from registered breeders - your post confirms that for me. Even pet shops (shudder) hand out a "standard" pack of information, as do many shelters, when someone obtains a pup or dog. I don't see why some of you think it's OK to attack me when I suggested the "breeder" in question ought to have done something similar. I think it's common sense, especially for novice owners or someone new to a particular breed, to have an information pack handed out with every pup. It would save a lot of questions from new owners if they have the info right there in front of them from someone "expert" in the breed of dog chosen. I don't think that's a lot to expect or too much to ask.

Shame on the breeder for not providing you with any information. Does this breeder advertise here on DOL? If so, it would be a good idea to let them know that you would like the standard info pack that all good registered breeders provide when a pup goes to a new home. As for your pup's sleeping arrangements, please bring him inside at night. This is where the crate comes in handy. A baby should not sleep outside IMO. He's far too young to cope with separation from his pack (leaving mum and litter mates, then being relegated to the outdoors when he gets to his new family). And his body isn't accustomed to keeping him warm when nobody else is around to help (such as his mum and littermates). What size kennel are you using? How much bedding is there inside the kennel? Is the door off-set so that the pup can curl up out of the breeze? Does the kennel door face the house so he can see his family? Please contact your breeder again and seek further help from him/her, b/c what they've done in allowing you to take home a pup with no support or info on how to raise him, is appalling. :rolleyes: I'd be interested in the breder's prefix so I can contact them - a PM would be great. Thank you!

If you read through all the information your pup's breeder supplied, there may be information about crate training and the purposes it serves. Also, this should include diet/feeding regime that's recommended/used by the breeder, general pup training info and toilet training how to's, and what to buy for your pup's health, safety and amusement. You might also find some info about using toys and alone training b/c these things are important if you want a pup that's well-adjusted to your absences. HTH.

I didn't think the 12 mths vaccine was approved to be used in the USA/Canada at all? Yet here in Australia, some vets give it without a second thought or without providing sufficient information to people before they are supposed to make a decision as to the suitability for their pets. I certainly won't use it - ever. Interceptor has few side effects and it's affordable, easy to use, and the dogs take it without trouble.

The issue is that all the dogs have to go outside to the toilet within a couple of minutes of us waking up. That's why Molly's breakfast needs to be quick for her to eat, b/c she gets up, eats then goes out for the toilet. If she spends 30 minutes eating breakfast, she can't hold her bladder or bowel for that long, and nor can the other dogs. And I would never expect that of them anyway b/c that's just unfair. I've got all the time in the world before I leave for work. It's not a matter of me not having the time, or me not being bothered in preparing a raw meal for Molly. As if I would be that selfish. I would suggest that you don't judge others by your own standards. We are all different, aren't we? ETA - have a nice day!

No Warley, I feed ONE of my dogs (Molly) a tiny handful of Nutrience or Dick van Patten's Natural Balance organic formula for breakfast b/c I can't feed her a raw meal at that time b/c she's a very slow eater. I've already explained the need for this numerous times. Maybe you should get out of bed 15 minutes earlier , so she doesn't have to suffer, the poor girl, that hypocritical kibble must taste horrible. Maybe you should remind yourself that I have two other dogs in the household and often a foster or two. Hence the need for Molly to breakfast in a hurry. I wonder how some ppl have so much time to criticise others rather than doing something that might actually be useful to others?

No Warley, I feed ONE of my dogs (Molly) a tiny handful of Nutrience or Dick van Patten's Natural Balance organic formula for breakfast b/c I can't feed her a raw meal at that time b/c she's a very slow eater. I've already explained the need for this numerous times.

Is this not clear enough that what I'm posting is my experience and opinion? I know that some members don't like the way I express my support in feeding a raw, whole foods diet and that's fine. ;) I know that it doesn't work for every dog, but the OP seemed to indicate that the dog she was asking about was doing OK with raw foods...perhaps I misread that? No matter what I post about feeding a raw, whole foods diet, I know there will always be one or two members here attemtping to shoot me down in flames and I take such comments with a grain of salt. I guess some ppl just like to disagree or try to start a fight. It makes no difference to me b/c I know what works for my dogs and I don't see why I shouldn't be able to share that with others. :D

I did state that it was my own experience with my own dogs and my fosters. Where did I say it was "proven fact" KK? Where did I say it was "scientific"? I don't think I said either of those things...please correct me if I'm wrong.

Lillysmum of all the stuff you've posted that has to be the biggest load of bull I've read. I am a fan of raw diets... but a dog fed on kibble is going to register that it's full eventually. How silly to suggest that because they may eat quickly they never ever feel full. The time to register fullness is the same regardless of what they are eating, it's just that a bone may take longer to eat, therefore registering "full" might happen closer to the meal. I have two labradors, one will eat a piece of brisket and two chicken wings way faster than the other will eat a bowl of kibble. Where's your theory now?? It's my experience. You obviously have a different experience and that's fine. I'm only relating my experience with my own dogs and the fosters I've had here. It's no "theory" as you imply or suggest, but my observations. Is that not as valid as your own observations or experiences? Thanks for sharing your POV - I'm sure it's appreciated by many! ETA - there's nothing "scientific" about my observations as I've already stated, they're MY observations of the differences between my dogs (fed raw, whole foods) and foster dogs (fed a good quality kibble - either Dick van Patten's Natural Balance organic formula or the appropriate Nutrience kibble for the dog's age/breed/size). I usually mixed the two kibbles together rather than feeding just one or the other b/c I found that worked quite well. I simply observed that when Jackie was here she drank a LOT of water, made a LOT of poo and piddled quite a bit in comparison to my dogs' habits. She had the "doggy smell" whereas mine don't. Her teeth were fantastic but she was only six months old when rescued from the pound so her adult teeth had only recently erupted. I understand that many here disagree with feeding raw, whole foods and that's fine. I realise there can be problems with such diets if people don't do sufficient research, buy their feed from questionable sources, or are lazy or sloppy with food handling and preparation and storage, but that's not to say that this type of feeding regime doesn't work well for those that are willing and able to put in the research and effort to prepare a balanced and nutritious raw foods diet for their dog/s. I hope this helps. :D

My dogs don't get that "wet dog smell". They're fed a raw, whole foods diet which certainly helps enormously. :D And they are lucky if they get bathed more than twice a year.

I agree that dogs don't need processed foods, and as long as you are offering a good variety of raw foods, there shouldn't be a problem. I feed my dogs on raw, whole foods and have done for a few years now. I feed fosters on kibble b/c most ppl feed processed foods. I have found the major differences are: 1. Dogs on processed foods stink. They really do stink. They fart, their skin/coat smells "doggy", and their saliva and breath smells more strongly than dogs fed a natural diet. 2. Dogs on processed foods go to the toilet more often. They pass more bowel motions and much more urine than dogs on a natural diet. 3. Dogs on processed foods drink a heck of a lot more than those fed on a natural diet. That's b/c processed foods (kibbles) don't contain much moisture and the dog has to make up for this by drinking copiously. Consequently they can also take longer to house train and often can't "hold it" all day, whereas a dog on a natural diet can manage indoors all day without a problem. 4. Dogs on processed foods don't seem to get the same joy from eating as those fed on a natural diet. There's no "work" in eating a bowl of kibble, but give a dog a raw bone and not only do they get a meal, they have a great time eating it! 5. Dogs on processed foods have dirtier teeth b/c kibble doesn't clean their teeth/gums. Dogs on natural diets generally have much cleaner teeth and gums b/c chewing and gnawing on raw bones is a natural "toothbrush" for dogs. 6. Dogs on processed foods often seem "hungry all the time". I suspect this is b/c they eat so quickly that their brain doesn't register that they've had a meal. Whereas a dog with a bone may take 15 minutes or more to eat and their brain gets the "stomach full" message by the time they have finished. The only possible disadvantage is that preparing a good, natural foods diet is a bit more work than opening a bag and scooping out the meal. And if you don't know what you're doing with a natural diet, you may not be feeding your dog on the right mix of foods in the right quantities for optimal health. The first can't be overcome but the second can with decent research and a willing spirit! And you will find shortcuts in food prep when you get to know what you're doing...but that doesn't happen overnight. HTH. :D

Nice job Vehs! Congrats Gail, she's just more gorgeous every time I see her.

What I'm thinking in reply sounds awful, so I won't say what I'm thinking. Perhaps you need to re-train your husband? Pups are babies and make mess b/c they don't know not to, it's YOUR job to teach your pup what you expect of it. If he's not prepared to house train a pup then I have to wonder why he consented to having a pup in the family. :rolleyes: Pups need to be let outside frequently until they are old enough to hold their bladder and bowel. This doesn't happen overnight and any mistakes aren't the pup's fault but yours b/c you control the pup's access in and out. Please find out about positive training methods and perhaps confine your pup to an area that has a hard floor. Oh, it might be a good idea to come home part way through the day so you can feed the pup and let him out to the toilet. Just until he's old enough to manage to hold it and no longer needs three-four feeds a day. :D

yeh, i have thought about that because both the other dogs are females. my parents wanted the older dog (sammy) to have puppies but when we tried, she wouldnt even go near the male dog. in fact she sat on the ground for the entire time the male was in her presence. lol my mum said shes a prude... thats why we havent got her desexed. As for the other one (fi-fi), she still acts like a puppy. She runs and gets excited like puppies do and she's smaller than sammy at the same age. We briefly discussed the issue of maybe getting fi-fi and Spike (as my puppy will be called lol) to mate but it was decided that fi-fi was too small and havent talked about it since.. would it stop anything from "appearing" if i got him desexed? Please do not allow these dogs to mate...they are direct blood relatives (same parents). Please have all these animals desexed sooner rather than later. They deserve that much at least. :D

Good on you Ollie - keep up the good work! :rolleyes: Jodie you are always in my thoughts b/c you have battled long and hard with Ollie's illness and setbacks. I admire your courage!

Why can't you build a fence to keep the dogs on your property? I would have thought that to be obvious...perhaps I'm missing something?

I'd heard the opposite, that it's not very digestable, and that one of the most common food allergies dogs have is to corn. I'm confused now. LOL Cass. Cass you are correct - corn provokes allergic response in many canines which is why most of the super premium foods do not use it. Grains and cereals are not generally a good food for dogs at all if you can avoid them. But most processed pet foods include them as a primary source of protein b/c it's cheaper than providing an animal protein source in similar ratios.