Jetty

KitKat - I ended up getting a bag of the Royal Canin. I started them on it last night. I will also be giving them bones and some meats everyday to keep a balance. It was around $20 for a 2 kg bag but I don't think it will go to quickly. I started off with the small bag just to see how they go on it.

To clarify....I use the term Food Nazis to refer to ANYBODY who dictates to others what they should feed their dogs and yes, that includes dry food nazis.

Nobody has the right to refer to any other form of food as "rubbish" just because they don't feed it. Many do that and have never fed the food that they are trashing.

I have said REPEATEDLY (and you'll see this if you search my posts).....the best food is the food your dog does best on. Whether others agree with your choices or not.

You need to balance the equation of the individual dog, the availability of the food, the cost and what you can afford. The food that ticks all boxes, or most boxes is what you should feed.

I feed what I feed because I get the results that suit me. Nobody has the right to tell me that I'm doing the wrong thing.

I couldn't give a toss whether you feed RAW, BARF, or a dry food that has a "name" and costs you the equivalent of the national debt for a small bag just because your dog doesn't shit much. I'd think the same of you if your dog looked great on no-name dry food from Coles as long as you were happy with how your dog/s respond to it.

I completely agree. I don't think I am lazy for feeding dry food. My dogs are healthy and that's all that matters.

The only problems with raw diet is that you need to be educated into how to make a balance. I have no idea how to feed a raw diet and my pup's are happy with a mixture of dry food and bones. I am definately changing off of the supercoat though.

Thanks Erny, Thats a bit more understanding for me. I have Jet in a new club so I will ask for them for assistance on how to hold the lead etc.

Thanks Aiden. I have not clicker trained before but I have been meaning to go get one. So I will start to teach them it this week.

I have just looked at the website and there is a place in Beenleigh that sells it. Thanks, I will look into it. The only concern I have with that one is if it has a high fat content will it not be suitable for Jet. He has a stocky build and I think he is at a good weight now. I just don't want him to put on weight which is unnecissary.

I usually go to Beenleigh to buy the dog food. What store in Browns Plains was it?

JJ exactly what is the problem here.. is it the dog barking when she sees the lead come out and you are about to go on a walk or loose lead walking while on a walk.

Have you joined a dog training club yet?

Sorry if it does not make sense. She is barking when we get the lead out to go for a walk & on the walk she is also not walking on a loose lead. She pulls alot.

This is for Jessie and she has not been in a club.

I have found a club for Jet but am waiting for the response of the trainer.

Thanks for the response.

I am concerned about using a check chain on the old girl Jessie. She pulls so hard that she is walking you really She has been like this ever since we have had her and my parents have never corrected it.

Jet on the other hand. When I have been walking him I will give him a little flick of the lead to get his attention and it works for about a minute then he is back to pulling. I have him on a flat collar.

I have read a couple of different ways of teaching loose lead walking. Can someone please assist on an effective way to teach the dogs?

I will be training them seperately but I think Jessie will need more time. At the moment as soon as I grab the lead she is barking and jumping and won't leave me alone until we are out that door. I try to tell her 'no' and ignore her until I am ready but her bark is really irritating to the rest of the family. She also barks at the back door until someone lets her in and she gets let in at the end because she continues for a long time. So what can also help to conquer the barking?

Assistance would be great. Walking them is starting to turn into a mission instead of an enjoyable thing.

I have never heard of that brand ellz. Is it easily available at most pet supply stores?

It is manufactured by Laucke Mills in South Australia and should be readily available at the larger places. If not, they could probably get it in. Many rural suppliers have it as well.

The Uncle Albers is higher in fat than the Great Barko. I should advise you though that I don't follow the recommended feeding amounts. If I did that, I'd have whales, not dogs!

really? Jet is at a great weight and I feed him not by the amount on the packet but by the amount I feel is enough for him instead. I haven't had a problem so far doing that so I don't plan on changing it. The amount on the supercoat I feel is a bit too much.

I have never heard of that brand ellz. Is it easily available at most pet supply stores?

After reading the supercoat thread I have decided to change the dry food I feed the dogs. I was just wanting to know if anyone had any recommendations.

Jet has been scratching lately and I do actually feel that it must be his supercoat. I have gone down other avenues and this is the conclusion I have come to. Jessie on the other hand is a picky eater and at 9 years old, she will probably do better on a 'senior' dry food.

They will usually get some chicken necks or something similar in there diet as well daily.

Can anyone help? Preferably not a brand that will put a hole in my pocket. I usually buy dry food from City Farmers. Jet has previously been on Advanced but I was not happy with that either.

This is interesting. I feed both my dogs this. Jet seems to be scratching lately? So maybe the food is to blame. He will eat anything though. Jessie who is 9 years old will not eat it though unless I feed it to her but then will try to eat the cat kibble? So this may also be an issue. Might consider changing.

I dont think they would be covered. I think its only accident injuries and illness. I think because you wish to do it and it is not necissary that they will not cover it. Also general things like vaccinations and desexing I thought was out of your own expense not the policies.

nope, just bones here.

the six week interval is interesting.

We have lived in our place for almost a year now, and get on extremely well with all our neighbours (both sides, and behind).

On one side we have a large family of 6 children, and until recently it was just the mum and grandmother, the dad was overseas (we think) but has come back.

The children are basically good kids, can be rambunctious (sp?) and a little loud and naughty but nothing that terrible.

their ages range from 1 year to 13 years.

we have helped this neghbour on numerous occasions (once when her baby was bleeding heavily following a circumcision, mums english isnt so good so we called ambulance and performed first aid etc).

they are always sending in home grown vegies etc. in turn, we dont complain when we have to throw their ball back 20 times a day and pretend we dont mind when they wake us up continually pushing the doorbell at 7am on a sunday morning wanting to pat the dogs

we have such a good relationship that makes my dilemma such a tough one.

a few weeks ago, i was supervising night time poos and wees with the dogs. i noticed sally VERY interested in chewing something near the clothes line. i investigated, and discoverd she was chewing the black handle end of a very large kitchen knife! ;) i was horrifed, thinking of the damage it could of caused if one of the dogs had swallowed it. i will admit, i was shocked to almost tears.

it could of only come from one place. the other side neighbours only have little babies and behind us is an older couple.

OH went in the next day, son of about 8 or 9 admitted throwing the knife, mum told OH to talk to him as 'they dont listen to me' (her words)

OH gave said child a stern talking to about the dangers of knife throwing, could hurt dogs, or if i had been outside hanging the washing and it could of hit me etc.

have had problems with these children before throwing food scraps over the fence for the dogs, played out the same as this incident where the mum told my OH to talk to the kids. that was also a problem as they began to throw onions and large seeded fruit that bert could choke on. luckily it stopped.

i had hoped that after the OH had spoken to the family that was the end of the knife throwing. unfortunately i was wrong.

the other day i was outside on poo patrol when i noticed sally trotting around looking very pleased with herself. upon investigation, it was another knife, but this one she had already chewed the black bit off (found that in the garden) and was carrying around the serrated edge!

i was furious! the first time i made all sorts of threats privately to OH about calling the police if it happened again, i was in shock, upset etc.

now that it has happened i dont know what to do.

talking to the mother doesnt help. talking to the kid doesnt help.

i am concerned about my dogs safety, but also that of my OH and I if we happen to be in the firing line of these flying knives.

it seems extreme to call the police on an 8 year old, the council would say it was a police matter.

i really dont know what to do

anyone been in a similar situation? what avenues do I have left?

Move.

Unfortunately we are not in a financial position to just up and move, as we have only been in this place for a year

I think that is a silly thing to suggest. If she moves it will just continue happening to the next people who move in. Running away from this will not solve the issue.

I think you are doing good about going and speaking to them when the father is home. I think you right by what your saying he sounds like he is in control of the household.

yikes, what a silly thing for the kids to be doing.

My trainer recommended me to use a halti? I brought one last week and tend to use it today. I will be however teaching him to walk loose lead. I don't see the problem if people choose to use it temporaryly. I agree with everyones points but I tend to agree that it depends on the dog and owner.

I was on pro plan orignally but have changed to supercoat. They seem to be just as good on both.

12 months of age.

12. Best Dog Trainer of the Year

Jane Harper - Woodford Queensland

WOOHOOOOOO!!!!! Goooooooo Jane!! A well deserved win for a lovely lady and amazing dog trainer/behaviourist

Ditto, she deserves it. She is a great professional.

I thought I would post ... I have just found a wonderful obedience/agility club.

I have been out a few times to check them out before joining and I must say that in over 10 years it is the only club I have ever seen where the dogs actually look happy and enjoyed their training.

At the end of the day I believe dogs works better when they are motivated and happy.

Could you let me know of the club? I am currently looking for a place to attend

Me = Administrator

OH = Cabinet Maker

Jet = Hole Digger or an Olympic Swimmer.

Jessie = would be a stay at home mother or teacher. She puts Jet in his place when he is being naughty!