Jellybean Chick

Thanks so much guys I'll check them out after work today

DH & I are going up to Queensland for my 10 year high school reunion mid July. We wanted to stay at Byron Bay on the way home for a couple of nights, I had a look on the accommodation section of the website but they are all rather dated reviews. So just thought I'd see if anyone on DOL has stayed in the area with their dogs and if so where did you stay/what did you think of it? Happy to stay in an onsite cabin in the caravan park or in a hotel/motel, OR even pitch a tent if we have to....might be a bit chilly though.

Thanks guys I'll check them out Btw poodlefan, I'm not sure which one I'd rather, what is the norm with breeders? I'm new to this.

Hi Guys, Well I got back the results of my labrador's hip and elbow testing! It's a fantastic score hips 1:1 elbows 0:0! So now I need to get his eyes tested. Can anyone recommend a specialist/vet to do the testing preferably in the South-West Sydney area? If there is a good one elsewhere in the Sydney area I am willing to travel.

It looks like they are just play fighting Nothing to worry about unless Friday gets a bit rough, but I'm sure Maxo will let her know by yelping if she does hurt him.

Today I noticed that my 1 year old labrador has a lump on both the right and left side of his snout (on the base of the snout). I've got NO idea what could have caused it, I'm guessing it could be some sort of glands that have swollen as they are both about the same size on each side. Any ideas??

How do you teach to heel backwards?? It DOES sound like fun!

Hunter went pretty well considering it was all new and exciting, he's made heaps of new friends - especially a chocolate lab called Cody. LOL! I took treats with me, he is interested in them, but more interested in the other dogs. I found out that he isn't sitting straight, kind of leans to one side, so I have to try to correct that. Any tips?? JC

Yeah, I don't like chain leads either. My 20 month old lab also does it, well he doesn't "chew" it exactly, just likes to help me walk him, when we first start off on a walk (for the first 3 minutes) then he smells something nice and totally forgets about it. I'd probably just try the dettol thing, or otherwise you can get sprays at the pet shop that are supposed to stop your dog chewing things, don't know if they work though.

Hunter is starting obedience tonight! I wonder if he'll do anything i have taught him, or be too caught up in meeting all of his new "friends". ;) Do many of you take treats with you to training?? Or do the trainers usually prefer you not to?

Hi Tree, What breed is Angus? A labrador?? He looks just like Hunter when he was a bit younger! JC

My 5 month old lab just LOVES milk, but I only give it to him occasionally as a treat. I've also heard the theory about cow's milk, so instead of buying the expensive puppy milk, I buy 'Laddell's Lactose Free Milk', it is much cheaper and he loves it just as much. You can find it in the long life milk section of the supermarket (it has cows in a green paddock on the front). Hope it helps!

My boy was meant to start this Tuesday, but I have to go away for work, so he'll be starting a week later. Oh well what he doesn't know won't hurt him... Good luck with your girl - I'm sure she'll love meeting all of her new "friends"!

My labrador pup has gone through the humping thing too, like everyone else has said it is just a dominance thing, soon he'll figure out who the "Alpha dog" is and it should stop. Although he is now 20 weeks, and still does hump his teddy occasionally (maybe he thinks it is another dog).

Hi Popcorn Penguin (love the name! ) Like Kirty said, you are probably best to take them to a creek, river or dam nearby where your pup can touch the bottom until he becomes more confident at swimming. I trained my labrador pup, Hunter, when he was about 15 weeks (in my parents dam). I got into the dam myself and made it look like a lot of fun, then Hunter immediately wanted to see what was so great about it and came in, once I got in a deeper section of the water (about a metre away) , where I knew he couldn't touch, I just called him, once he got to me I held him up a bit and gave him plenty of praise. If your dog likes fetching a tennis ball perhaps take this with you so that you can throw it a short distance, where the puppy can touch and he will happily run in to get it. (especially if you are in the water too!) Just make sure you give a lot of encouragement and don't expect too much too soon, especially because Spoodles aren't usually water dogs. Good luck! Let us know how you go!