elsaone

Very cute!

I am pleased I didnt come here to ask advice when I decided to breed my GSD for the first time. What a put off some you have been. Some information has been good and some awful. Give new breeders a break people. We are all here for the betterment of our breed. Beckley, I went in a bit cold on information and stumbled a bit. It was all so confusing. Getting your Breeders prefix is the first thing, as you dont want the pups a week away and then remember you have to get it lol. (Not like me haha) A whelping box is also something you will need to get or make. My husband made one for me, complete with pig bars, but I am undecided on these, as one pup actually got a bit stuck under one. It had crawled under there when it was sleepy and relaxed, and then when it woke up, and tried to move, it panicked. All came out well tho, I just got it to relax again and gently slid it out. Your local Canine Council will be able to help you with regards to paperwork for the pups, and getting them registerred. I dont know if there is a Boxer organisation, like I had the German Shepherd Dog Club, but I also found them very helpful. I also fed my bitch up well while she was pregnant and again while she was feeding, but I have since learned that overfeeding her during pregnancy wasnt a good idea. I just wanted to make sure she had enough behind her once the pups were born. I have just put her into whelp again, and I have reduced her food from what I gave her last time, but still a little more than she usually has. Others may be able to help on this subject too. Unfortunately, when my girl had her pups, the first one got stuck and she had to have a Caesar. It was all a bit harrowing. This time, I am going to have Progesterone test done a couple of days before she is due, and if all is well, I will just book her in for a Caesar during the day. Another thing I learned this mating, was to have a Progestone test done on the bitch to make sure she is at the right part of her cycle to mate - something I didnt do last time. If they are mated when the level is at the right place, they can have more puppies, and in my case that would be better, as last time she had 5 big pups, instead of maybe 7-8 smaller ones, and they may not have got stuck. It also ensures she actually falls pregnant. I mated my girl this time on day 12, although bitches are not the same, so maybe get a test done on day 9 of her cycle, then 48 hours later, so it can be judged where she is heading. They are only about $50-$60, which is worth it, as you know exactly when she is ready, and are not wasting a mating. Keep records of weights etc for the pups. I also put coloured ribbons around their necks so I knew who was who, and then later, as they grew, changed it to cat collars. Good luck with it all, and I hope you have lovely healthy little puppies. They are a ball of fun! I loved the experience and am looking forward to it again, particularly as I am keeping a bitch from this litter.

My goodness! I think I would have asked to speak to the Manager to tell them about the ridiculous comments. People take what pet shop people say as gospel a lot of the time. Imagine what misinformation they are going home with???? And worse still, passing on to others. I probably would have let him know in no uncertain terms that he didnt know what he was talking about. As as for your baby, there isnt a doubt what breed he is. What gets me, is for him to then tell you all about it. Hahaha. What a joke.

Some dogs have allergies so bad that they need Prednisolone for short periods of time and sometimes permanently, my dogs life is sometimes a misery because of his allergies and without using some form of cortisone he would have probably been in a lot more discomfort to the point where I would rather put him to sleep then see him suffer like that. Agree, my dog suffered terribly with his allergy and I think it's a bit ignorant to think that all allergies can be managed effectively in a short time frame without steroids. My boy pretty much itched 24 hours a day even with "management" including Aloveen baths, keeping him off grass, antihistamines, etc. He didn't sleep at night, he had an Elizabethan collar on for weeks straight, he had weeping hotspots. Sorry, but cortisone was a lifesaver for us so that he could actually act like a somewhat normal dog for a little while. I don't think some people understand that in some dogs the allergies are hell and in others the allergies are minor - there's always people here who thing that what worked for their dog should work for others and just because they've been able to keep their dog off Cortisone others should be able to - mind you I've read some very sad stories on threads like this from owners who refuse to use Cortisone whilst their dog suffers. I'd rather my dog have a shorter happy life span than a horrible misserable one. Although there are many dogs that have been on Cortisone all their lives and lived normal life spans, one just hopes that you can find the most minimal dose to keep the dog on that isn't immune suppressant. Fair comment

Ah yeah. Sorry - momentary lapse . Silly me. Calendula Tea treats fungal infections (including Tinea) as well. I will give the Calendula Tea a try. I have a Hydrobath, so might use it in that, then I can get all over to the skin.

Yes, she gets yeast infections, mainly in her feet and ears, not that I would use Nizoral in her ears lol, but it may help her feet, and a bath in it may help her all over itches. I usually control it by diet, but she does need help every now and then. I have been using Malaseb and it helps a bit, but its worth giving something else a try. I also use Aloveen Conditioner on the itchy spots, including inside the pads of her feet with good results. (no rinsing). Would still be interested to know whether the Nizoral is rinsed off after direct application mixed with a little water (not bathing), as the Aloveen Conditioner isnt rinsed off.

Presumably it was then rinsed off? I might try that on one of my girls. Sounds good

Nizoral is an antifungal treatment, so it will only be effective for fungal infections. Hmm, I might try that for my dog with food allergies.

I used it when my dog had Kennel Cough. Helped her well. Also, it is when they cough that they are contagious

If you need a Chiro, I suggest contacting Animal Options at Ormeau for a recommendation in your area. He is a fantastic chiro and a vet too. Their ph number is 5546-6756 Good luck!

Oh, and it can only take one flea, so you wouldnt see any evidence of fleas

I have two dogs with allergies. One has a food allergy and one has a flea allergy. The one with the flea allergy was very bad last summer, to the point where I thought she had mange! I treated her every fortnight with flea treatments to try and control it. After a bath, I put Neem Oil in the rinse water. These things helped her itching, but her skin and coat stayed dry and flaky. I was a bit ashamed to take her out anywhere. As a long coat Shepherd it was horrible. There was hardly any hair on her tail except for wisps on the end, half way up her back was bald and so was her rear end. Then I was recommended to try Heritage Park shampoo and conditioner for about $25. Its a horse product and you can get it in a trial pack from produce stores. It also comes with a massage oil. I really think it was the massage oil that did the trick. She looked pretty awful for a few weeks with the oil, but I didnt care. Then I put her on Comfortis, which was great. Her coat started growing back but it was still dry to touch, so I put her on straight Roo Meat. It took about a week, and her coat was soft and glossy again. I would never have either of these two dogs treated with prednizone or any type of steroid, and I would advise you not to either. I prefer to manage their problems and I usually get good results. I feed them a tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar on their meals every night and it is helping too, as a repellant from the inside out. So, try Comfortis and the Heritage Park stuff, finishing with the massage oil. Or you can simply use vegetable oil (cooking oil), not baby oil. And also the Roo Meat. I couldnt believe the change in just a week. Unfortunately, I cant give my girl Comfortis for a few months now, as I have just put her in pup, and it is not recommended for pregnant or lactating bitches. Good luck with your dog. I am sure it will all work out ok. It did for me

You little CKCS will do just fine in agility. One of the top agility and jumping dogs in Queensland is a CKCS! He's a great little man. Really loves it when people clap him hehe. As people have said previously, most clubs wont let you start jumping them until they are around 15 months of age, but theres heaps of other stuff they can learn, like the weaving poles and tunnels. Its a great sport, and the dogs love it. Have fun!

At the sydney pet and animal expo last weekend they had a toy poodle and a toy poodle X JRT doing agility and they were great about it. Any breed can enter just as long as your dog is motivated and you're willing to put the hard work in. Also the dogs are grouped by size so they arent disadvantaged when it comes to competing.

Definately wont start the jumps too early, will just have to work on the lighter stuff until then! Zillmere/Chermside area is only about 5-10minutes away so that could be the best place to start out, thanks! Oh no! Ive been really looking forward to it, especially after reading the thread about the Sydney one, sounded great! THANKS everyone for all your help

Unfortunately, in most cases, if your dog breaks a stay its a zero. Its good to do stays in all sorts of areas, where there are distractions and make your dogs stays solid. Sounds like you are doing just that! Good on ya. Keep it up