ellz

This last sentence speaks volumes. A good breeder will ALWAYS have time for emails and phone calls from puppy people, no matter HOW many other litters they might have on the way and no matter how long after the sale of the puppy!

Making a puppy go for a walk onlead, anything beyond a few turns around the front yard, a gentle amble in the park (IF fully vaccinated) or at show training or in the show ring is akin to asking a 2 year old child to go for a jog around the block. You just wouldn't do it. Gentle play, ball games and supervised activity are far more beneficial for a puppy than rigid walking and roadwork. They not only help with the exercise side of things but also with the social interaction and early training.

Plush Puppy Shine And Comb is good. Pixie Dust also helps to give it a little bit of "sparkle". Ring 5 have an excellent spray on product which has mink oil in it, that's good too. You could also up her oil intake in the time leading up to the specialty for that special "inside out" shine. Sardines a few times a week, fish oil capsules, linseed meal added to food would all help.

I worked at a large Whippet and Afghan kennel in NSW for a time and the breeder always insisted that the hounds were fasted once per week. They're not exactly weight-carrying breeds either but they didn't suffer.

Yes, that happened 20 years ago but now there have been many studies done and education has prevailed. Actually, it wasn't even the "norm" 20 years ago. I've been breeding for 20 years myself and it was really only the breeders of "older vintage" who did it and many of them refused to vaccinate as well.

Some dogs are like kids and NEVER sleep in. She may sleep for longer as she gains more control over her bladder, but then again, she might not too! The 4 month old Stafford puppy that manages me now sleeps all night. She generally goes to bed when the loungeroom light goes off and doesn't stir until 5.45 - 6am, depending upon how hard she has played the day before. I'd rather she wakes me then though because it is much better that she does her first morning business outside. That said, I'll be VERY glad when my custodial duties end and she goes to live with Dumb and Dumber across the highway (DH and his grumpy old Stafford) and then I can reclaim my sleep!

to all concerned and many thanks to the OP for asking the questions AND taking the advice on board with such good spirit. We can be a fairly intense lot here on DOL and many have been scared away because of that. BUT...in the words of a large pet food company...."we're for the dogs".

Most of my dogs fast themselves. At least one night per week they don't touch a feed. I have just helped them along a bit by regulating that and having them all fast on the SAME night. Less food wastage and nobody is carrying on because somebody else still has their dinner in their crate.

Yep, moisture magnet is one of the name they are known by. Another alternative is to go to a large sports shop and look at the chamois that swimmers and divers use. They come in different sizes and have the same effect. I find with the yanks, it's best to concentrate on one area at a time. I start at the head and do the ears a couple of times each and then the chest, then front legs (one at a time) then side and belly coat and then back legs (one at a time). It does take a bit of time with the squeezing and then wringing out but it does save time on the grooming table in the long run.

This thread would possibly give you some ideas.

I use them on the American Cockers when they are still dripping in the bathtub prior to putting them on the grooming table to be dried. Certainly help but wouldn't rely on them totally.

I would be walking very quickly away from that puppy manufacturer indeed. Find a caring and responsible REGISTERED breeder with whom you feel comfortable. You may need to wait a while longer for your puppy but good things come to those who wait. Good luck and hugs to your teenager who sounds like a very wise and responsible person indeed!

I had always thought that I'd probably end up in Cavs as my "retirement" breed. But I seem to have found my way back into American Cockers. Think I need my head read. Wash-n-wear Staffords back to stressing over coat! Might still end up with a Cav one day but at this stage am definitely leaning more towards Pugs.

See that could be half the problem. By not physically taking him outside yourself, he isn't completely clear on the ground rules. You have to virtually hold his paw each and every time until it is as clear as glass to him that outside is where you wee. Leaving the backdoor open when he's older will be fine, but until he completely understands that wees are done outside an open door is just an invitation to go out, or come in. It doesn't TELL him that he needs to wee outside and that weeing outside makes YOU his pack leader very happy.

Firstly, is it possible to confine him to just one area. Like for example a puppy pen in your loungeroom for when you're there and for your bedroom at night (if that is where he sleeps). Or a very large crate? This will help make it easier on you for a start. Puppies are like children. They eat - they go to the toilet. They sleep - they go to the toilet. They play - they go to the toilet. Even if you think he doesn't need to go after any of these events...take him out anyway. Don't play with with him whilst you are there, it is business time not play time. And praise him HUGELY when he performs as requested. You need to be vigilant as well and watch for the body language. Most puppies will tend to wander around sniffing or looking uncomfortable before they squat....when you see this, you need to act quickly and take the puppy outside. Take him to the same spot each time and praise him loudly and effusively when he pees outside. Don't EVER chastise him for going to the toilet unless you physically catch him in mid-piddle. And even then, only make growly correction noises at him and pick him up (even if he is dripping) and take him out to HIS spot and then praise him when he finishes. Make it obvious from your body language when you are happy with him and conversely, when you aren't. If you are consistent and the puppy understands this new game, it could only be a matter of weeks before your puppy will be reasonably reliably trained. This is one of the reasons when I place puppies in new homes, that I always suggest that if possible, a family member should be at home for the first couple of weeks with a new puppy....get a headstart on the loo-training and you're off on a good footing from the start.

Unfortunately, being "up-sized" means a distinct lack of good show clothing, secondhand or otherwise. I tend to stick to some old favourites and just keep my eyes and ears open. Some of my very BEST show clothing came from a seconds shop in Riverside, California a decade ago. Wish I'd bought more now! And wish I could remember the name of the darned place too!

I was always told that giant breeds need to have their bowls elevated to reduce the risk of bloat but I don't have a giant breed so I can't say too much on that subject. On the subject of potato. I think raw potato could be an issue because of the way that it ferments (after all potatoes are made into a pretty heavy-duty alcohol in Russia!). Also wise to know that any potato given should NOT include the potato from immediately under the skin. People shouldn't necessarily eat this either. If you've ever had any experience with the Failsafe Diet (elimination diet for humans) it says that the concentration of salicylates is highest closer to the skin.

My guys fast once per week as well. They do tend to drink more when fasting though so I make sure the water supply is up to them and ensure it has fresh ACV in it. There's a bit of kerfuffled and gnashing of teeth initially, but once they realise that dinner isn't forthcoming they're happy to settle. On the rare occasion that they won't settle - they'll get a 4 x 2 biscuit to crunch on at bedtime.

4 legged cleaning machine Wish it would work for my Yanks. Problem is that after they had swum in their milk, even their own mothers didn't want to know 'em! Nothing WORSE than a sour milk smelling Yank puppy, even IF mother has lowered herself to try and clean them (you want me to do WHAT?) and licked it further into their hair. URGH....I think I'll have nightmares now.

Forgive me for laughing....but oh dear.....Cordelia, you have SUCH a way with words!!

Sounds a bit like my Dolly - Stafford. Doesn't do much wrong. Doesn't do much right. Doesn't do ANYTHING much!! BUT....you didn't mention despatching stray cats in your criteria....she's good at that.

Do you have skinkids? If so, treat it like a skinkid with a cold and you can't go wrong.

Yep, I don't do the milky cereal bit with my puppies any more either. They do get milk, but not to swim in! Nothing worse than milk and cereal-encrusted American Cocker puppies!

No, it's more like the Flu Vaccination. You have it done and then get sick with another strain a week later!

It could quite easily be kennel cough I'd imagine. Incubation period would be about right and dare I say it (flame suit on), vets surgeries really are a hotbed for infection, especially for dogs whose immunity might be supressed due to surgery and other stresses. Is she coughing anything up, or is it just the coughing? Personally, given that she has had surgery recently, I'd probably be taking her back to the vet pronto, just to be sure. Hope she's better soon.