Fudo

Glad I can keep the coven entertained :p

I'm a guy but rarely ever post. I learn a lot by reading stuff and post if I think I can contribute something useful to another (excepting this post I guess). I just don't feel the need to chat and post photos. For a while I thought I might get into the spitz thread (not much happens in the Akita thread) but it was just too full of estreogen (SP?). Too many *squee*'s and stuff for me (sorry girls).

I'm sure there was a Woody Harrelson movie made a few years ago that should give you some tips...."Natural Kong Fillers" ETA: I gave myself a chortle when I first thought of this, but now I have read it back, it is quite lame. Probably one of the reasons I rarely post...

Thanks Ams. Anything grain free really. For a while now its been Canidae but I like to have a few options up my sleeve.

Hello I have always purchased food from Pookinuk, but they have just advised that they can no longer offer the $5 delivery fee to my area (Ipswich QLD). Turns out that Pookinuk's courier company can no longer provide the $5 service to the ever expanding "Brisbane Metropolitan area" defined by Australia Post and so have revised the scope of the $5 service area; freight fees to my place would now be $30. Might be something for others to be aware of too... I have no issue with the decision; that's business. I just don't want to pay 1/4 of the cost of product in freight. So my question is, who do you know that delivers to Qld with cheap freight rates? I found one online place at Samford but their links are dead so maybe they have folded? Thanks

...and others that may be able to help. A few weeks ago we moved to a bush block and are having trouble with grass seeds. I have found three that have penetrated his skin but have been able to remove them before they became problems. I currently groom Fudo (akita) with an undercoat rake and a thing that looks like a large hacksaw blade curled into a loop. Grooming occurs weekly in the norm but daily when he is blowing his coat. I give him a general once over and all over rub down with my hands almost daily, but this is proving to be insufficient to find the grass seeds before they penetrate and cause a sore. Even when I do find them, if he happens to move before I can grab hold of it, it can take ages to find it again due to the denseness of his coat. My question is, can you recommend another style of brush / comb / tool (and supply the brand name of it) that I could use daily that might be able to catch and remove the seeds? Obviously in so doing I don't want it to damage or cut his coat. I imagine that if such a tool exists it will have fine teeth? If it helps, the grass seeds are similar to cobblers pegs but about 1/3 to 1/2 the size. Hope you can help! Thanks

Thanks all. I had looked at vacc certificate before I posted, but not well enough it seems!! A second look shows that this particular vet didn't stick the label inside but she wrote "C5 triennial", so I'm guessing that must mean a C4 with KC added. Thanks again.

Hello This afternoon Fudo went for his routine vacc and he had the triennial vacc for the first time. Not until well after we left did I think of a question. I am aware that he has to go back yearly for his kennel cough vacc, and it is this that leads to my question. This afternoon, the vet only gave one needle (there was no inhalant either, I believe KC can be done that way). So does that mean that my vet forgot to give the KC vacc or does the triennial vacc that he did give contain KC virus and that component of the vaccine only lasts 12 months? Hope that makes sense.. Ta

Perhaps I wasn't clear enough. I am going to change meds and protect for ticks; that is not the issue or the question. I suppose that in a nutshell my question is, how exposed is Fudo to those other things if I don't protect for them? Further, if he does get them, are they easy to treat? Are they painful or expensive to treat and is prevention better than cure?

Hi I have read some posts lately (there is a particularly good one in general: "FAQs") about parasite prevention. Fudo is currently on Advocate and Virbac tabs. I went with Advocate because our risk of tick exposure is low and it covers all sorts of things that the other top spots don't; so for spectrum of coverage and ease of application I went with Advocate (NB> use of Advocate requires a tape wormer, hence the virbac). Shortly though, we will be moving and our tick exposure will rise significantly and Fudo's current regime will need to change as a result. I have used killtix / preventic collars before when we have gone bushwalking, but they really stink and I just don't like them in the house. So a reasonable change for us, without using collars, might be to use Sentinel Spectrum and Advantix. Neither of these things though treat / prevent mites, demodectic (sp?) mange and some other things (I think) that Advocate treats. So my questions are, just what is the risk of contracting these "extra things" that Advocate treats wrt a dog that doesn't meet many other dogs or got to dog parks; and if he should contract them, are they painful / difficult to treat / expensive to treat? Thanks ETA: The extras that Advocate covers are ear mites, sarcoptic mange and demodex.

Hi all I know that there are several leather workers on DOL but I can't remember who they are. Could people please give me their user names, or better still, could the leather workers please get in touch with me if they can help? I am after a rolled leather collar, black in colour to fit a 53 cm neck. It will just be used for general purpose around the house; when we are walking or working I have another collar that I use. It will need a D ring to hold his council rego tag and name tag. Oh yeah, with silver coloured / nickel plated fittings (just don't like gold / brass coloured!). Thanks

Hey Poppydog I use Snippets in Briggs Road at Raceview (maybe it's Flinders View?). I have only taken Fudo there a couple of times; when he is at the end of a coat blow and I get them to wash and strip the last of his old coat out. But on the two or three occasions he has been there I have been happy with the result and Fudo has always left happy.

Hello Just an update for those that are interested. Went to see our trainer today (didn't go with the Paw Man; PM if you want to know why). The trainer was very happy with Fudo's obedience, his reaction to other dogs and the way I handled him. I am stoked. Regarding the reason for my original post, there was something that I didn't mention because I didn't think it was significant until later. When the other dog approached Fudo, Fudo was half way through a crap and the other dog approached from behind and began to growl. Fudo then had to choke it off and turn toward the other dog. The trainer feels that this was significant, and that insofar as growling at me, he was still actually growling at the other dog, I just hadn't diverted his attention towards me fully, he was still focussed on the other dog. We demonstrated at training today that Fudo is completely calm around other dogs that are also calm and unruffled; it is those that are barking / jumping / lunging towards him that he shows any interest in. We had other dogs approach and walk a circle around Fudo within one or two feet of us and Fudo made no attempt to move or make a sound. So, I'm happy. Thanks to those that provided advice.

We are booked in to see our trainer next week for him to observe us and offer solutions. Dark Angel - No, he is generally happy to leave other dogs alone. If they are interested to have a sniff etc, he is tolerant of that and will return the introduction. If the other dog does any sort of posturing he will return in kind; the bigger the other dog, the bigger the response. What I mean by that is, if it is a swf lunging toward him and barking, he will just strain at the end of the lead toward the other dog. If it is a large dog lunging and barking he will strain at the lead and growl. I genrally counter this with a tight lead and keep walking. On this particular day, we were stopped for a drink, so rather than interrupt our drink, I asked for a sit. He certainly doesn't get praised (even indirectly with encouraging or soothing talk) when he does this! When he did sit after correction, he growled and looked at me. He then stopped growling, looked back to the other dog (that was now perhaps 5 metres distant), and focussed on the dog again. I have little experience with this (thats why I'm seeking advice), but I tend to agree with your beliefs / theories / analysis of the situation. It also fits with our trainers belief (phone advice), and they way I have interpreted what others said above. Hopefully we'll find out some more certainty when we see our trainer next week. Corvus - Yep, have spoken to his breeder. She didn't have much to offer except to ensure that we were strong leaders of Fudo. I really don't think that is an issue. In all other respects my partner and I consider him to be a model dog. Very obedient (to both of us), tolerant of others (including the sometimes over enthusiastic affections of our toddler and his friends) and laid back. We often recieve compliments from friends and strangers regarding his good behaviour, good nature and good (loose lead) walking.

Thank you for your replies eveyone. I have made contact with "the paw man" here in Brisbane but haven't yet received a reply. Does anyone have experience with his services? I will let you know how we get on if you are interested. NILIF is something that I used to do a lot. Now I really only practice it with food and getting in and out of the car. Until I hear from the trainer I guess NILIF is a good thing to go back to first principles with and apply to all situations. PF - Insofar as asking to "sit and down" when the other dog approached, I did that to demonstrate some level of control and authority. Also, I had read on here before that someone else had done it. That is one of the dangers of the internet I suppose; potentially applying unsolicited / un-researched / invalid techniques. From your response I take it that that was wrong? Your answer intimates that but you didn't provide an alternative. Thanks again everyone.

Hi all. I am going to preface this with an apology as it will be a long post. Also, I am going to send the email to the trainer we did general obedience with and Fudo's breeder as I have respect for them. I understand that people might be unwilling to provide advice on this topic and just say "see a behaviourist"; which I might just do, but I want to get other opinions first. OK.... This afternoon something happened that I'm not sure how to handle. We were walking and a lab came reasonably close to us (the owner made a berth so that the dogs couldn't get close to each other) and both dogs gave each other the eye and snarled. No big deal. But when I told Fudo to sit and he didn't, I told him again. When he still didn't, I grabbed his collar to lift and his rump to push and he turned and growled at me. I immediately let go and gave a jerk correction on the lead and said "sit" in my firmest voice. He then sat, but growled while doing so and wouldn't take his eyes off me. By this time the other dog had passed us. I then put Fudo through several sit, down, stay and heeling routines and he never missed a beat. Later on in the walk, we passed two swf's that began barking and lunging at us from half way up the road. Fudo started to pull at the lead and when I asked for a heel he growled again. Later still we approached another swf and well before the dog got to us, I put Fudo in a "down stay" and the other dog came within two metres of us and neither dog made any move toward the other. Any other time (before or since our walk this afternoon), he will do as I ask everytime. We also looked after my brother's (desexed) poodle cross this week and they were fine together - she is extremely submissive though. So, insofar as him growling at other dogs, it has only been when they have made some sort of move toward him (whether that be prolonged eye contact or lunging etc). I think that is part and parcel of owning a 19 month old entire male akita that is on the road to adulthood. I can handle that. But what about the growling at me business? Remembering that this is the first time it has occurred so I don't think any behaviours have become ingrained. Should I continue being firm? Is that one of those occasions when I should turn around, ignore him and give my attention to my partner who always walks with me? Or do I need to see a professional? Is getting him to "down stay" before we reach other dogs a good idea, or could that cause other problems down the track? Hoping you can help.

OK, this isn't working. We have drifted off topic; seems I should have detailed what his diet is to head off the toing and froing. Canine Country barf rolls are great; minced bone, fruit and vegies, kelp, whole egg, garlic, can't remember what else with no flavourings, colours or preservatives. He gets: 1/2 CC barf roll, 1 cup dry food (currently EVO, see the OP) mixed with 1 spoon natural yoghurt twice / day. Once a week sardines are added to this. Every second or third day one meal is replaced with RMB. I can't feed an extra meal per day as (since this coat blow commenced) he is not eating what is put in front of him, hence the weight loss and my thoughts for an energy dense supplement. He was never overweight to start with to have the weight to lose (tapered waist etc). I think I'll just run with it, thanks for the suggestions.

Yep, hearing that too! Lamb was my first choice, but on New Years day they didn't have much choice; no lamb, and he won't look at beef. They had turkey and turkey mince and turkey necks are his favourite. So thats how we ended up with turkey mince! lol Molasses has no fat btw. And insofar as his weight, yeah it prolly is my problem more than his, he would likely put it back on when he finishes his coat blow, its just that this blow has gone on so long. Given me stuff to think about though..

Hmmm....I know what you're saying about the recipe; didn't know about the pancreatitis though (don't know anything about it). Trouble is, all thos foods you've mentioned are all part of his normal food rotation. I made some satin balls but haven't given him any yet. I left out wheat germ and modified recipes I saw on the net to suit myself. Because he regularly eats lamb and chicken frames and turkey necks and sardines, I wanted something that was energy dense in a small parcel. The recipe I used was: turkey mince unsulphured molasses flaxseed oil cod liver oil egg yolk peanut paste cream rice bubbles (only enough to bind). I know the rice bubbles are a grain (maybe they are a cereal?), but the organic ones from the healthfood shop are just plain white rice and I know that he can tolerate white rice as I have given him that with chicken for an upset belly. Again, don't know anything about pancreatitis, but this is no way to become a staple of his diet, just something to "boost". Still don't know if this is okay though considering the pancreatitis thing.... Thoughts? ETA: Meaning that lamb and sardines etc are what he always eats and has currently been dropping weight while eating.

Hello Fudo is going through a quite extended coat blow at the moment (been going in dribs and drabs for about 8 weeks now as opposed to the usual shed like a demon for 4 weeks). Blowing his coat always puts him off his tucker and I reckon he's lost a few kilos during the last couple of weeks. As a result I decided that I would make him some satin balls. Another thing is that I've only ever fed Fudo Orijen (grain free), Eagle Pack Holistic, Artemis Maximal (grain free) and Evo (grain free). Each time that I've tried him on the Eagle Pack he gets the squits (not really squits, but definitately not good consistency). That is by no means definitive I know, but as a result of that, I steer away from all grains, thinking that may be the issue with the Eagle Pack. So....all the recipes I can find for satin balls have oats and wheat germ in them. I can just leave these things out I know, but does anyone know if wheat germ (remembering that wheat is supposed to be one of the "worst" grains for dogs) has the "bad stuff" taken out of it? Thanks ETA: I know what wheat germ is, i.e. the "embryo" of the seed, but does that mean that the "bad" part is gone?

Thanks for the fast replies everyone, we have to go out so I will get some calendula and try it out. I might put some curash on it before we go as it will be a couple of hours before we get back and I can bathe it.

Morning all I have seen previous advice regarding hotspots, but they don't quite answer the question that I have. Fudo has what I suspect is the beginning of a hotspot in his groin. The skin is not yet broken or weeping at all, it is just red, inflamed and 5 cent piece sized. My question is, since it is not yet weeping etc, should I just leave it and see if it goes away, or should I put something on it? He is currently towards the end of a coat blow, which puts him off his tucker, I had to switch his dry food as Maximal is out of the country for another couple of weeks and we have been extremely humid here and had a couple of days of rain. It is all of these things that I think have stressed his system such that this has occurred. Since it is not weeping, I don't think cureash powder would be effective. I have some neocort here but don't want to put that on him unless I have to. What do you think?

Here is their link. http://www.caninecountry.com.au/ They are about $3.50 for a 1 kg roll or 10 rolls for $32. I can't comment on Dr B's, I have never used them or seen them for that matter. I can tell you that the CC ones ingredients include fruit, veges, brewers yeast, kelp and flaxseed oil as well as the main meat ingredient which is minced flesh and bone. They don't have rabbit which I would like to try, but they do have beef, turkey, kangaroo, duck, lamb and a red mixture (beef, veal, lamb I think) and a white mix (chicken, turkey, fish). The mixes I just mentioned also have the veges etc of course.

Yeah you can. They have two stores, one at Woodridge and one at Burpengary or Caboolture. Just google their website, it has their locations and all the products they sell including their ingredients. They also deliver from the Gold Coast, north to Sunny Coast and west to Fernvale. They only deliver to your home if you make an order in excess of 50 kg (I think) otherwise they supply pet food stores. I have found though that each time I have put an order in at my local pet food store (Ipswich) that much of it doesn't turn up. The pet food store says that they were told that the things I ordered weren't in stock but when I travel to Woodridge the next day they have freezers full of everything. I don't know if the pet food store is making a blue and then telling porkies or if the supplier doesn't really want to sell through a third party (because the products retail from both places for the same price so the supplier would prefer the retail markup go to themselves). Or of course it is possible that on the three occasions I have placed an order the supplier has genuninely run out of product and replensihed stock the next day. The cynic in me tells me that something else is going on though... Since the barf rolls are such a good product though I am (reasonably) happy to drive to Woodridge to get them.

Yeah, all of the grain free foods I have seen have about 40% protein. I am in no way knowledgeable about dog food - I only know what Fudo has done well on, what I have picked up here on dogz and what my breeder told me. But insofar as protein and growth rates, everything I have read agrees with what Laffi said. A large bag of evo (13.5 kg I think) lasts me about 4 weeks I think. But I feed Canine Country barf rolls and rmb's as well. As well as sardines a few times a week. Sags is also right in that the other Artemis foods don't have wheat or corn; neither do the other super premium foods I have tried though but they all gave Fudo the squits except Orijen (all introduced gradually a week). Thats not to say that others would do the same, only that when I found a food that worked I stuck with it. Having said that, I will still probably give Artemis Maximal a go at some stage soon.....