poodlefan

For a very active dog, I'd investigate the BH Junior.. higher fat content. You could feed it to both dogs.

Puppy farmers ship pups at 35 days as a rule. That puts them in the pet shops at 5-6 weeks. Plenty of BYBs will let them go as soon as they're weaned also.

Have I won yet?

From a political perspective, prohibitions are cheap, quick and give the impression of decisive action. Politicians love them. As for working.. I dont' think in the entire history of man, there's a successful model of a prohibition working.

Unless your dog has allergies or food intolerances, I'd not be sweating a kibble that contained some grains PROVIDED they weren't the primary ingredients. Personally I find the idea of feeding a 40% or thereabouts kibble as an every day food a bit over the top and I'd certainly not be feeding it to a senior dog or breed or dog prone to kidney issues. Advance is well liked by many dogs and dogs I know who are fed it do well on it. I feed Royal Canin because my dogs like it and do well on it but it only supplements diets based on RMBS. What breed of dog have you got, how old is it and how active is it? ETA: Pookinuk deliver in Melbourne (they are Melbourne based) cheaply and stock the Artemis Maximal and a range of other premium foods.

Go RSPCA Canberra!! Link to Canberra Times Article

First point to make - due to the communication breakdown, your inlaws probably think the dog IS invited. I'd suck it and see. For all you know the poodle and the pup could get on like a house on fire... If not, then you have a plan B - poodle to kennels. If you don't own a crate or a lidded pen already I'd get one and my first rule would be that one or the other dogs is in it at all times if they cannot be supervised. Talk to them about what's acceptable and what's not and if they're not happy, they can activate Plan B themselves. There's an ongoing relationship to preserve here and I'd be doing what I can do make sure it stays rosy.

Or alternately, cutting down stimulation simply resulted in a lower overall level of arousal and therefore less reactive behaviour. Highly aroused dogs trigger more easily than less aroused dogs. If the dog's arousal level was kept at levels where its system wasn't constantly flooded with adrenaline, it would trigger less easily.

GR's are generally softer dogs than Labs BB.. I suggest if you're serious you meet as many as possible. I think that there are as many temperament differences as there are physical ones. You should also look at Flat Coated Retrievers.. wonderful dogs and probably a bit softer than some Labs.

If the media report said the dogs appeared to attack without warning, I'd be more inclined to agree. Dog body language can be very subtle and a lot of pet owners don't consider anything short of growling to be a warning. I'd like to know more about the circumstances of the attack and in particular (as always) about the dogs. To see TWO dogs inflict this kind of damage makes me wonder about a whole bunch of things and top of my list is how familiar these dogs were with children and whether or not they had any hunting experience. Nasty nasty stuff and I feel for everyone concerned. There's a little boy in a bad way and a lot of adults who will also be traumatised. There is always a reason for a dog attack, even it its not apparent to those who witness it.

He's got a Labrador Retriever. What MatthewB has demonstrated in this thread is a profound ignorance of dog aggression and a complete inability to acknowledge any reasoned argument that differs from his view point. He's also been quite snide. I think folk are a tad frustrated.

I am sorry if that means that I am not entitled to an opinion. When I clicked on that link, I got an American site selling from America. She was also asking if anybody had heard of it....up until now....no...have you Yes, I had. Don't know anyone feeding it though.

Because they don't bite as hard or as reliably as other breeds. They're also really shite at jumping six foot fences after crims..and they want to lick them when they find them. I can tell you some fascinating stories about police dogs doing the wrong thing.. but it doesn't prove anything about GSDs or APBTs.

I think the idea is more along the lines of ensuring balanced nutrition over time.

I really can't understand why anyone still wants to buy dog food made & owned by Americans. What's wrong with our Aussie foods :confused: That way you are supporting Australia & Australians & keeping the "food miles" to a minimum ;) One of my dogs wont' eat it? But that's OK because the stuff I buy is French. ;)

Yes. Read Karen Delise's book Fatal Dog Attacks. I'd love to see it as a compulsory read for anyone who wants to discuss how to control dangerous dogs in society.

Linky Take Two

If your dog's behaviour concerns you to the point where you are seeking advice, then get it from a professional with experience in dealing with the issue you're confronting. I'm not talking about posters here (and listen to the BC folk) but internet advice from folk who've never dealt with a reactive dog in their lives will be worth what you've paid for it. Ask for a recommendations for a trainer or behaviourist.. sounds to me like some desensitisation would be the go. There's also the distinct possiblility that you could be contributing to the issue.

If money was no object, I'd get an alumimium Dflite one from the USA. If you go that way, let me know - we could share postage. There's also a plastic "butler box" that's awesome - only stockist I've seen is Cherrybrook and the postage is

Whippet.. prefereably two or more in time..but that would happen anyway

Go for a body brush made from natural fibre.. it will last longer and give a better finish. They won't be cheap but you'll have it forever. I actually bought a boar bristle brush for people from Ebay - works a treat.

My comment was not a personal attack.. it was highlighting the flawed logic MattB's argument that dog breeds that attack (in his eyes the only the APBT) are dangerous and must be wiped from the face of the earth. Go read the other dog attack thread and see who's been making the personal attacks - it sure as hell isn't me.

Zoom groom followed by a good body brush (boar or goat hair) - will result in a nice shiny dog.

Now where's MatthewB to tell us that all herding breeds should be banned too. ;)

Food guides almost invariably prescribe far too much food. It would depend on the dog and the food but it does sound like a lot. Mind you, you've got to feed more of the kibbles with a lot of cereal.. and you get a lot more out the back end.