persephone

arcane .. you may want to edit the photo showing council tag .... this is available to the public eye ..and it may mean dog can be traced also whoever added the pic in a quote may want to delete it?

Vets can do amazing things ... and I do have great respect for them - when they operate within their field of expertise I worked for a vet for many years .. and had/still have the greatest respect for his knowledge and abilities as a diagnostician and surgeon ..and for his skill in negotiating with clients. however- he was/is not wonderful in trying to help with behavioural problems , or diet stuff, for example..... vets have to acquire SO much knowledge..not only dog related ..but rodents/large animal/avian medicine- and they cannot be expected to be absolutely cognisant and correct on everything. (why there are specialists) ..so, yes she may be exactly right .... or she may not be fully aware of the growth/development of working breeds , and how joints do respond to different exercise regimes ..so she recommends jointguard 'just to be safe' ? My guess is that you explained to her his activity levels and that you were looking for a way to exercise him and settle him a bit?

This is what I was taught many many years ago when doing my guide dog training course...and I stick by it.

No, however a lot of traits/working styles/preferences, travel down the line ... I love watching pups 'working' pet sheep or poultry ..and being able to immediately spot the 'style' of their grandparents , etc.

Clyde - I think one of the BIG differences is that these dogs are working on soil/grass ..not concrete/paving , compacted gravel /;roads. We rarely have any joint issues with our dogs ..until they hit double figures ..then they slow down and are retired if they are finding things too difficult. Pups too, are tackling different substrates etc from a very young age ..ours wander from their kennel/nest at around 4 weeks ..and learn to cope with sand/undergrowth etc ..but they are self exercising only . Pups are only allowed to free run for their first 3 months ..then it's pen and chain training . Many folks here keep them penned/chained from an earlier age "to stop their feet spreading from too much running" When our pups start work, they are worked one day, rested the next ..and a lot of the time when they are 'at work' they are on a chain , watching. We would not expect a young dog to work more than a few hours a day at first .. Mind you, HOW they sometimes avoid injury is beyond me .. one 4 mth old jumped off a retaining wall .. almost 6 feet,onto a concrete verandah ... not a sign of any injury!

Why? Dog's sleeping habits are different to humans ....and a growing puppy needs to nap /rest body and mind . Once again - by training him to be busy and stay awake, you are creating a hyper dog. train him indoors with you .. train him to sit and lie quietly - with a chew toy or bone. train him to pick things up for you train him to follow you , to stop when you do ..and just 'chill' self exercise is an easy concept :) pup is provided with interactive toys that pup LIKES and is interested in . pup then learns to play alone - develops independence and also develops its thinking and movement skills with no pressure to perform. interactive toys your pup may enjoy (ours do) are things like leather footballs - plastic drink bottles with a handful of kibble inside , a length of safe cotton rope- knotted at one end ... a big cardboard box - which can be jumped on/hidden in & chewed :) a sandpit to dig in /hide treats in ... and maybe some things from HERE

Many years ago I was friends with a breeder of cavs ..and her dogs were delightful - sturdy, chasing birds/cattle ..sound in body and mind (some competed in obedience as well...) But that was around 30 years ago ...

yes, indeed - as he gets fitter, you will need to do more & more! Training him to NOT race around will , altho difficult , make him tired :) Think kids after working hard at school/homework , as opposed to hooning around with their mates :)

Not commonly .... stomach content is pretty disgusting- very acid and not pleasant. Eating herbivore manure is perfectly normal :) Our dogs just love it , too.

..not being rude.. but a sling is possibly also hurting .It would not hold the leg/foot in the same manner as his own muscle groups .. I think a full vet check before surgery is in order ... just in case.

Pigs are smart and very much characters ..I love April, and yes, I hunt feral pigs !They do so much damage

Noooooooooo Look HERE

I think she is referring to the ABC programme, 7.30 Report tonight. Thankyou! :)

any details, meea? this is all I can see in your post

_---B --- Any chance of you putting her on a table or something and taking an 'eye level' side on standing shot or two ? It's very hard to assess shape etc from the angle of some of these photos . She looks a bit like a little black piglet on your lawn !

---B--- believe me , you have not been the subject of 'hostilities' on this forum .Everyone so far has been civil, if blunt. if there were hostilities- you would definitely see the smoke !! No one wishes ill of you and/or Sweep ..... but it is hugely disappointing when someone chooses to support BYB'ers who have no idea what faulty genetic material they are spreading .

Well said, MuP .

You're not my target :) ..it's the "breeders" who produce and sell pups like Sweep that are MY targets . "Breeders" who choose to sell pups with no health guarantee , no followup, and no recommendations for all that is best for their puppies' new lives. I hope you & Sweep enjoy your time on DOL... and I also hope that there are lots of threads on here which will be of help :)

Aaawww :) She certainly made herself at home ... her bed looks very comfy! Thanks .

:)

oh, yes At least you're not in Victoria ! :)

Are you asking sincerely? have you read THIS THREAD ? It's about Bailey, a baby B/C puppy bought from a BYB . he was gorgeous.. then he fell ill with a hereditary disease... :( His 'breeders' did NOT know about genetic problems/testing , and now buyers of their puppies are suffering, and puppies are dying. THIS is why we were warning you ......... Hopefully your girl will be absolutely fine !!! BUT you have now paid good money to folks who will just go & do it all again, with no idea what problems their puppies are carrying ...

:) Now, THIS I found fascinating , if gruesome . many years ago, I had a pet Khaki Campbell duck - Frances. Frances used to get the odd sparrow .. (possibly stole them from the cat? ) . The sparrows would then be left in a water dish for a couple of days , to, ermmmm, marinade and tenderise ... then she would rip off the feathers, and eat ! odd behaviour, I think?

eeewww... it always makes me think.....these cute, fluffy- bummed , friendly chookies .. behaving like lions at a kill!

*snap*, HDW.