Anna H

I use both a guillotine type trimmer (got mine at BigW for about $10) has a really nice cushioned handle and makes very good clean cuts. But because my dogs nails are black I don't trust myself to cut them all the way back... so I use Ozitos' version of a dremel tool to finish the job and get the nails back nice and short. I once tried filing the nails, but it took forever as the nails are really strong thick black ones. Most dogs do get used to the noise of those dremel type things if introduced properly.

Me thinks so! I even tried pleading with my club to be allowed to have the prong on inside out (prongs facing outwards) so the collar was no different to the limited slip collars that the club sold and endorsed.. witht he exception that the prong is metal and the club ones are nylon. They pretty much told me to either get it off or leave the club. But my OB club has banned check chains as well. So now the club is like a technicolour arena of head halters with dogs constantly stopping to paw their faces I've since taken up training my dog at home, with much greater success.

I've found that wrapping my finger up with a baby wipe the easiest way to get the ears done too... and pretending she is getting ear rubs works wonders, then just gradually going further intot he ear. They are usually just so blissed out by then they couldn't care less. But if I even so much as pick up the bottle of ear cleaner, both my dogs will run a mile.

Cougar finished his four week course fairly recently... he is honestly like a completely new dog. He literally bounces again... so nice to see him so happy and youthful again.

My GSP sometimes does the gently holding the egg thing too... othertimes she just smashes it. So cut eto watch them carry it around though!!! Though I have no idea 'why' they do it.

OOPS! Sorry!!! Yes, the comp is next week... this week there is no training 'cos of Mothers Day. I was a week ahead of myself

There is a club comp on this weekend edited... my stuff up, there is no training this week, the comp is next week!, a great day to come down and check out the club. Spikey - I so love BSD's ... there is a Groenendael that often comes down to the club, be lovely to see two!

For my dog to sleep through the lowest levels of stim without a stir, would to me, indicate that she is not being at all hurt. It's been said many times before, but who in their right might is going to spend in excess of $600 to abuse their dog? To me, using the stim is like tapping her on the shoulder, actually I think the stim would be felt less than a tap... except with the stim I know that I can get her attention when she is 500metres away from me. I work with level 2, I think you would be hard pushed, to find too many people who even feel this level on a 15 levels collar. *Edited to add... yes, I have tried this collar on my neck at the working level

As do I.

Perth Training & Obedience Dog Club This is the link to the website Boxagirl

I'd say Northern Suburbs Training Club is probably the best in Perth... I've been to quite a few now over the years. They do use purely positive training methods, I mainly use the club as a base for socialisation and proofing Chelseas home training. Many people do have great sucess at the club, though I wouldn't recommend it if your dog is very easily distracted as the class numbers can be really big, especially in the higher levels (up to 25 dogs). There are a few DOLers who do go to the club, so it is a great place to socialise the Hoomans too. Edited to say The Northern Suburbs club might be a bit of a distance, it is held at the Carine Open Space on Beach Road, Carine. Classes start from 9am on Sundays.

Chicken pet mince from Lenards is good... has ground up bones in it, so pup with get calcium and nutrients. You feed it raw if possible. The other bonus is that it is very cheap.

Depending on your coordination, you can use bits of cheese or hotdogs and issue rewards from your mouth. Train your dog that a missed catch is a missed treat, he wont take he's off you after a while of this.

Tiggy - Not sure where you are in Perth... but City Farmers in Malaga has them, so I assume most City Farmers stores would stock them and also Bone-A-Mints (similar thing). My vet (Ballajura Vet) also stocks them. Not that I have bought a pack yet, but you can now buy greenies in bulk (save about 25%) packs, still makes them far too expensive fo rme though. Maybe all the DOLers should band together and write to the manufacturers of Greenies and tell them that we'd buy the product more if it was actually affordable!!! My two get beef marrow bones, but beef neck is their favourite at the moment (my butcher sells them whole)

I've never heard of dental dinosaurs before... are they similar to nylabones in material or made of animal product? My two get plenty of bones, whatever is on special at the supermarket... sometimes it's lamb flaps/necks.. other times it's beef necks (their favourite) Occasional pigs ear... and greenies when i can justify the expense! Both the cats love the greenies sprinkles (for tiny dogs) on their food, keeps their breath a bit fresher.

My two don't need a bath very often.. ut as they will jump into the bath tub everytime I leave the bathroom door open, I guess they both love it. So they wind up getting washed every few weeks.

Well, good news... we are all getting a bit more sleep at night now. Both aren't on Benadryl anymore and only cough when they've been playing hard in the backyard. Looks like I'll be able to take them out for walks again soon... woohoo! Thanks for your help everyone...

Hmmm... that hasn't been the first time that I've heard that dogs vaccinated with C4 were less affected by KC than those vaccinated with C5... Makes you wonder "Seal Like" is definately the best word to describe the coughing... almost a honking noise, very annoying! My two definately have not lost their appetites in any way.. still wolfing the food down as per usual. I would always go see a vet if I was suss that the virus was getting out of hand, but at this stage, we are coping... that, and the vet will only probably try and prescribe anti-biotics (for a virus?!?! Go figure) which I don't want to use unless they actually need them. They are bringing up a bit of sputum, but it is only clear/frothy white stuff, so not worried there. Thanks for your help guys... I'll let you know how we go over the next few days. Last Q tho... How many days is it considered 'normal' for this coughing to continue?

I am mainly using the Benedryl so that we can try and get some sleep at night....

What do I need to keep an eye out for in regards to secondary infections? Both my two are still pretty much their usual selves (aside from coughing)... sleeping a little bit more than usual, but I'd guess that would be 'cos they aren't sleeping at night at the moment 'cos of the coughing. Talk about paranoid huh?

My two really aren't all that keen on the taste of Benedryl, but at least it is easy to dose them! It does seems to be helping with their coughs... time will fix the virus itself. Chelsea seems to be a lot worse at night, then not too bad during the day. If it wasn't for the fact that I am around the dogs alot, I daresay that I wouldn't have even noticed that Cougar has it as well... it has barely affected him. Funny enough, it was Chelsea that got the C5 vaccine, Cougar only got the C4! Now, all I need is some sleep!

I was thinking that the nice thing to do would be to tell the neighbours (tho if they haven't heard the hacking coughs from our side of the fence I'd be really surprised!) but at least they'd have a chance to confine their dog to the other side of their yard. Chelsea is off to the vet today, her coughing was terrible last night, she seems to be getting worse... I've not experience kennel cough personally before, so not really sure what to expect.

Benadryl works a treat! Chelsea's cough has improved a fair bit since I've dosed her up. Bummer is that now Cougar has it too... seeing that he is nearly 11 years old, I'm keeping him very quiet and keeping a close eye on him. Now, do I tell our neighbours (who have two dogs) that ours have it... we've only been in our new place for a week and I'd hate to cause neighbourly problems unneccessarily! Then again, if their dogs are at risk, then I'd rather tell them.

Hmmmmm... ok, maybe I shouldn't have written the word 'Natural' and replaced it with "Other than (ineffective) antibiotics" :rolleyes: I'll give Benadryl a go.... cheap as chips too! Not tonsilitis... can't see tonsils down there! I must add, her tongue works just fine tho, my face has been thoroughly washed.

Hi all, Poor little Chelsea appears to have picked up kennel cough, she has been vaccinated against it, but definately presents with symptoms of cough (I'm guessing like human colds, the virus mutates??)... when I rub her throat she starts coughing, it is a very dry un-productive cough which kinda sound like she has something in her throat. Other than the cough she is eating normally and appears otherwise healthy. I haven't taken her to the vet (yet!) as I don't want to take her out in public where she could spread the virus. Anyone know of any remedies I can safely give her to either speed up recovery or ease the cough? I'm giving her a tablespoon of honey a couple of times a day... seems to ease her cough (but I'm sure it cant be good for her :rolleyes: ) Cougar has not been affected as badly, but is coughing a tiny bit.