KateM

Thanks Haven and Kavik. Some good ideas. What do you mean by targetting? And without going into great detail, how would you go about substance detection? What sort of things would you use?

My dog has recently injured/torn a tendon in her hind leg and is on strict rest for the next six weeks. I've read on here that people often do clicker training to keep their dogs mind's active if exercise is not possible. I'm just not sure what I can do with her that will not get her jumping around. Can anyone give me any ideas on good tricks to teach that will not require her to move around much - I'm not very imaginitive when it comes to these things. She's getting pretty bored and frustrated, as am I. The depressing thing is that the leg does not seem to be improving and we've done 2 weeks of inactivity already

Hi CavsRcute Where do you get Flexicose from? I didn't know that any liquid form was available in Australia.

My four year old dog also suffers from arthritis and has done for a couple of years. A vet recommended MSM tablets when we first realised she was suffering and they really seemed to help and I have now found a liquid form of glucosamine which Chilli has been on for nearly a year now. She still suffers with her hips and elbows if she's had a particularly active weekend but day to day she seems to do very well on this. Before we used it she used to limp on first getting up from lying down, but since being on the liquid the lameness has disappeared. Apparently the liquid form is far more easily absorbed than powedered or tablet form. Unfortunately it is not available in Australia so I buy it over the internet from the U.S. It is called SYNFLEX. Do a search and you will find it - I buy it off Ebay.

Thanks for feedback Haven. Think I will give it a go.

I've been looking at the course at NCTM too and am hoping to do the one in NSW in March. Has anyone actually done the course before or heard from anyone who has done it? It sounds great but its always good to get first hand feedback. Its quite an investment but could be worth it?

I am very interested in this subject as I am currently doing a special study on canine diet for my canine physchology course. I have been doing lots of research into the Barf diet as the feeding of raw meaty bones is of particular interest to me. I feed my dog currently on a mixture of Royal Canin dry food combined with chicken wings, lamb bones, sometimes a vegetable pulp mix. I haven't had any problems feeding bones myself but have read some horror stories of bones ripping up intestines (raw bones not cooked) and causing pancreatitis due to the high fat content of bones. I have to admit that I am seriously considering stopping feeding the raw chicken wings after what I've read but I really hate just feeding my dog dry food - it seems so boring and I know how much my dog enjoys crunching those bones up and chewing on a raw lamb bone. Has anyone ever experienced problems as the result of a natural, raw food/raw bone diet? I am so confused. I guess at the end of the day it is a personal choice but I want to get some kind of perspective on the horror stories. Any view appreciated.