Toohey

I'd be talking a bit more to your freind to try and find out why your pup was behaving like that, especially if it is not normal behaviour for Jak. Does your freind like and understand dogs?

The earlier you get the pup used to bones, the better. I'd defrost them if you can. Might be a bit cold in this weather otherwise, though they can be fed frozen. If pup is little and has trouble with a whole one, you can cut them into pieces with kitchen scissors.

It is not merely how they are raised, HD is polygenic, meaning there are several factors at work that may cause it, diet being one of them, early and/or innapropriate exercise another, genes another and "how on earth did this happen" seems to be another . I don't know if it is correct that a BARF diet will prevent or cure HD, but I think it is better to feed a balanced natural diet where possible. I know quite a few cocker breeders and they all feed a natural diet.

She is adjusting to a life where there are no littermates to compete with. I had the same thing happen with my latest pup. Put the food down, give her 15 minutes, if she has not eaten it take it away and give her nothing else until the next meal. Are you feeding chicken necks/wings? Any bones at all?

Frank how many times have you been told there is nothing wrong with your dog? How many more times will it take before you believe it?

Frank, it is not unusual for their eyelids to get droopy when they are teething. My pup's did, and they soon righted themsleves. Once again, I would not be concerned about the tear staining. He will no doubt grow out of it.

Shame you don't have a sense of humour isn't it?

Well, I hope you don't bury their meals a for a few days before you feed them

I'm so very sorry for your loss Sags. How terribly heartbreaking it must be for you and your family Thinking of you...

You leave puppies in the crate for 12 hours?

Locking my puppy up in a crate never worked for me. She was happy to pee in her bed too. The only tried , tested and true way to toilet train a pup, is hard work, diligence and patience.

Greenpet

I had been getting it from here without a problem, but have gone back to the Greenpet supplement which I find my dogs do better on.

That's just disgraceful. I guess you'd run a mile from that breeder knowing what you know now, hey Magthedag? Or from ANY breeder who even hinted that they would not help out should any hereditary issues arise. Perhaps some breeders think that testing their breeding stock absolves them from responsibilty should any possible hereditary problems arise?

Pluck those hairs out by the root Frank, so they don't irritate his eyes. I know a beautifully bred cocker who had a lot of tear stainingwhen he was little , there was no known cause and he eventually grew out of it

Frank? Stop stressing and just enjoy your baby. Some cockers have slightly droopy eye rims. Babies especially, when they are tired and/or teething. Don't forget that puppies sleep a lot and will therefore produce a fair bit of normal eye discharge. If the vet is not concerned, you don't need to be either.

Pantene conditioner is gorgeous on the dogs as well. Leaves them glossy and smelling good for ages.

I've only got this one from a couple of years backk. I let leo's coat grow out and used a coat king on it for a few months. This is the result. It is debulked a lot, but still unruly and wayward. I went back to clipping him.

Last one cos I like the look on his face. (His foot is not like that naturally) Clipping is just one part of it. The thinners are used to blend in the edges where the feathering starts, then straight scissors to trim the feet. I use clippers and thinners on his face and head too. Hope that helps. Leo has gone for his nap now :D

Chest and throat, take most of it off, just clip down to the sternal notch and straight down the shoulders, leaving them exposed.

Front leg. I take most of it off, including the side you don't see, as well as clip out their underarms which is whre grass seeds can catch and knots can happen.

Rear end. There is a natural line you will see whre the fur starts to curl. You bring the clippers down to that line. Clip all around the tail. Oops, bit crooked here, might be the way he is standing.

Back leg. Easiest to descibe with a pic. I run the clippers straight down the side of the leg, and then go back and bring them in all the way down.

Keep in mind he is a neurtered male and therefore has a very bulky coat. AND, this is amateuring grooming of a pet. He has had heaps taken off as it is summer, and he has recently been clipped with a size 10 blade. Body shot. You can see the line where you need to bring the clippers down to, to create the "skirt" effect.

Becky, meet Leo. He has reluctantly agreed to be your model today. He has just had dinner and is looking for his bed so he is a little put out Bear with me, I took about 8 shots :D