Poppy's mum

Manners Minder just arrived - what fun. Wish I had 4 D batteries right now! I also have an order coming from Entirelypets: Kyjen Squirrels, a Bumble Ball, a babble ball and some chew toys. :) Plus some DAP Best of all, my new crested pup arrives Friday. She's my present

So how was it? I saw Grisha at the APDT conference and she was great. You would have had more access at Cairns - there were at least 100 people at each of her concurrent sessions at APDT. 300 at some of the main sessions. Did she do live demos?

Ginger is doing well - lively as a cricket. Vet has suggested starting her on Palladia. Any thoughts? I have read about various side-effects and the necessity for ongoing testing (liver damage etc)

My vet prescribes Lovan, generic Prozac, not the more expensive dog version. 28 tablets $14 (20 mg fluoxetine) if you shop around chemists. You'd have to check with the vet before supplementing eg tryptophan etc

Thanks for all the advice.

What is it with this spate of mast cell tumours? I was shocked 2 weeks ago to find a large, loose-ish soft-ish lump hanging on the back of one of Ginger's legs, hidden by her coat. Straight to the vet. Lab report said mast cell tumour. It was removed 2 days later. Unfortunately it was in the soft tissue and a lot of muscle had to be removed. I know what a shock it must have been for the others to find these tumours appearing out of nowhere. I thought it was just another simple lump. The lab report on the tumour came back Grade 1, to my great relief but no clean margins, I guess because of where it was in the soft tissue and the amount that had to be removed. Ginger is 9, silky terrier cross maybe chi (my best guess). She has always thought she was a mini-Border Collie, smart, active, unstoppable. I was sure she'd live to 20. She has bounced back amazingly well, I'm trying hard to enforce the "no running, no jumping" rule, she bangs in and out of the dog door in her Elizabethan collar...stitches out Friday, then fingers crossed. I feel so guilty I didn't notice it earlier.

My pet nail grinder has just arrived. I've read the instructions but it doesn't tell you which bits you use on the dog's nails (or what the bits do). It comes with - a grinding drum...grit sanding.bands ...small grinding stone, large grinding stone and "felt polisher". I had assumed you used the grinding drum plus a sanding band, but what do you do with the rest of the things? Thanks Ignorant wannabe nail grinder

is that something a vet would only see if they look for it specifically? She just recently had her yearly check-up... Yes. We got a chi from the RSPCA years ago. They gave us drops for her "eye infection". Took her to our vet who said she had entropian. Referred us to a specialist for an operation and all was well after that. At this time of year, there are lots of allergies around as well.

I cover the couch. But I like the guest idea. I warn them not to wear black (light hairs), after that, they're on their own. Although it sounds like I should encourage them to use the sticky rollers too :D before they come over for maximum benefit. Also endorse the poodle idea.

A few other threads asking the same sort of question in the "Training" section, from time to time.

Aaaaaaaargh 300 dogs. Criminal!!!! Making a fortune - he could sell twice as many. Puppy farmer, selling doodles.

I was at the RSPCA last week. Mostly bull breeds/crosses, kelpies, BC, not many small dogs. No Greys - unusual. A couple of mini-dachsies looking very sad, a couple of shihtzus (litter brothers). Sad times.

Agree Haredown and Arcane. I can't see that Shelters putting more dogs back into circulation will solve the problem. Let alone ones with behavioural probalems etc Legal minefield even if they are apparently "rehabilitated". My impression is that it's the public view that dogs are mere commodities and that puppies are the must-have accessory that fuels the problem. Of course, there are a myriad of causes. It will be interesting to see what the documentary makers identify. Surely not the shelters? That's a bit chicken and egg. The shelters exist because people dump their dogs, as much as any other reason.

Oops, double post.

Thanks guys!

The place in Ashfield, NSW, has closed. I went there today. They had been running down their stock for some time, although they always had plenty of raw food. It was called "Aussie Pet Supplies". It looked like a Petbarn style place. It was Parramatta Rd, Haberfield. But now it's gone The last time I was there, the sales assistant mentioned they were closing. And they have.

What cuts of meat do you feed to dogs? I'm thinking beef, rather than lamb because lamb is too fatty. And raw. In chunks. Mum used to feed her Spaniels "leg meat" but I don't know what that is. Thanks

I'm trying not to look. I have a couple of nice sweatshirts (Greyhound ones) and lots of T-shirts. My fave is "Recycled dog owner". My GF has "Feral cat whisperer".

They looked pretty convinced :) I was amazed they didn't try and remove them!

Just watched it - interesting. Loved the line "There is no dog poo fairy" and Paul Meeks on zoonoses. I'll never mow dog poo again!

No, sorry if that's what I implied but that seemed to be what they were doing in giving you a donation. I changed it.

Amazing thread! It's a few years since I've been involved and I am flabbergasted that there is such an organisation as this - seemingly materialised out of nowhere. The power of Facebook and social media? I don't think an overarching body, voluntary guidelines etc help. Most self-regulated industries end up being regualted because self-regulation doesn't work. Outrageous is all I can say. Not helping I know

Agreed taketwo and Xyz! 4 is the magic number but mine are all low maintenance so 5 isn't much of a stretch, especially since 2 are 14 yo, one is 16 yo and the 'young ones' are 6 and 9 (but young for their ages). Couldn't cope with multiple young dogs. Mine were all older rescues except Ginger who taught me I couldn't cope with multiple pups - one seven month old was enough! When I get older, I think maybe just a poodle and a greyhound and a chihuahua...and

My first dog, Mimi was a RSPCA dog of the week in the now defunct Sunday paper. I wanted a dog for an apartment - my choice was an older poodle but I couldn't find one anywhere and I was 22 at the time - I think I sounded young on the phone and none of the re-homers were interested. Mimi, the 8 yo chihuahua was a prize! such a good dog, such a character. There began my lifelong love affair with the breed. Then I went for chi-crosses because I wanted to do park walks and chis were a bit small and vulnerable. I had two elderly Chi cross JRTs (?) from rescue. Such darlings. Impossible to fault temperament-wise. Then I had Fred, corgi cross (foster failure) and Ginger (Silky cross chi perhaps), my agility and obedience queen. Now I have greyhounds (one at a time) - perfect for the lazier dog owner. Beautiful to look at (if you like slimline elegance in a dog), laid back generally, and mine have always been perfect with the littlies, a prerequisite to joining the household of 2 chis and 2 terrier crosses). I think it is important to keep an open mind when choosing - temperament, grooming and exercise needs are important considerations. As is age, depending on the time you have to devote to a dog - everyone one wants a puppy but they are not always the best choice - there is a wide range of older ex-show and ex-breeding dogs available on the Dogzonline breed pages.

I used to train at Paws4Fun and often wondered what happened to Chad! Congrats on his titles and I'm sorry to hear about his injury. Karen (an expert trainer) gave me some encouragement with my nervy silky-cross that I will always be grateful for. Chihuahuas are smart and can do anything - as everyone else said. Patience may be the key and short sessions, as with any dog. I have just finished some training videos for my Delta course and I used Chelsea the 14 y.o. previously untrained Chi (I know, I'm bad but she's always been so good, easily handled and biddable, the need didn't arise). Being food motivated helps. Just start in baby steps with a good positive method training book or DVD (most people recommend The Power of Positive Dog Training - Pat Miller) I'd suggest you avoid anything by Cesar Milan. Chis need gentle handling - eg no pushing on the rump for 'sit'. Not that you should do that with any dog. Check out Ian Dunbar's site - Dogstardaily - lots of free puppy training info. and a downloadable free book. As for the park - my advice would be 'never in a million years' after my sensible, self-possessed 4kg crossbreed terrier was chased by a pack of dogs. Excellent recall saved her but it was touch and go. Small dogs resemble prey. Small dogs sometimes snap when a dog stands over them out of a sense of self-preservation. The response can be disproportionate from a larger touchy dog - and believe me they are everywhere in the dog park. There are a lot of irresponsible owners who have no idea what their dogs are up to. You are your dog's protector - don't put it at risk. I could never be without a Chi - giant brain, huge personality, tiny body, heart of a lion.