shells

I have 2 Poodles. We get out and about in scrub and long grass a bit - they are clipped short and is it just a matter of a quick brush (usually their legs) when we get home. Nothing major or time consuming.

Bindi boo - Without being alarmist. A friend of mine took her Cav (who is older than Georgea) to the vet as she was coughing - turned out to be a heart mumur and the coughing is a common symptom.

I know a clinic in Canberra where if you walk in with a Lab puppy for desexing you get a side dish of JPS surgery. This happend to 2 of my friends who both obviously went through with it because they thought they were doing the best thing by their dogs.

Totally OT but what breed is Scooby Doo?

Dont worry someone from DAS isnt going to come knocking on your door and take your dog away from you. It is quite an involved process and you will be given every chance to rectify the behaviour. At most you may recieve a fine initially. The ACT government seem to be in favour of the dog owner at the moment. My friend has just been the complainant as the 2 dogs next door to her bark constantly (having witnessed it they do), the owners were good about it, got a trainer in and made good inroads then slackend off, the dogs are barking again and she cant be bothered jumping through the hoops again and are just hoping the move soon

My sister loves them. She boils them up and slices it for sandwich meat (note to self dont accept a "ham" sandwhich off her next time I visit) What about pigs trotters? Anyone feed them? I noticed my butcher selling them quite cheaply.

You dont happen to live in Canberra do you? You have honestly just described the man around the corner even down to the same type of dogs with the same behaviour.

I have 2 Mini Poodles and was throwing the ball at the park for them today when someone stopped to say they have never seen a Poodle run and fetch the ball like my 2 (they were giving the 2 Whippets that joined in a good run for their money). My 2 are definately not lap dogs

I am sorry about the loss of your puppy. Whilst you are here on DOL maybe you can take the time to learn how to avoid "breeders" like her and how to find a good ethical registered breeder who will provide you with help and support. There is lots of good info on here and I am sure there are lots of people who would like to help. http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...948&st=2310 http://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/puppies/chihuahua.asp

How awful for everyone involved. I am sorry for you losses.

My 2 mini poodles have a daily game of ball at the park. Lots of running involved and my female will often jump and catch the ball (my boy is a bit too goofy to manage it ) With all the jumping and landing she does do you think it would be worthwhile giving her jointguard or something similar. They are both 2 years old, have been playing ball since they were 12months old and having free running since we brought them home (just chasey at the dog park together) WDYT?

I often go into the Belconnen mall one and ask what size poodles the various 'oodles are crossed with. The majority of staff dont even know that Poodles come in 3 sizes. There is a lovely lady at our dog park with a GR x Standard Poodle who was told her dog was a Toy x CKCS - to say she was shocked was an understatement (but she loves and look after her dogs well) and lastly Why in the hell would you want a Kelpie x Poodle - what an extremely mismatched cross.

I have the Wahl KM2 and bought the snap-on combs which I use over a #10 or #30 blade. The snap on combs are good as I can vary the length but the dog does need to be dry and brushed out knot free.

I did this to my boy. He had water and didnt toilet all day either (until I let him out) What he did do (that wasnt his fault) was dig at the door, he managed to get the carpet up and dig at the underlay down to the concrete and cause a 20 cm rip in the carpet. It cost $250 to repair and I learnt to check the bedrooms before going to work LOL

Dont get any from Big W/Kmart ect go to somewhere like. You will need different length blades. How do you want them to look? http://www.clipperworld.com.au/shop/

Yes there are still very good groomers who care about dogs and do a great job. My dogs go to one I will say there are some "cowboys" out there but ask around and you will always find a great groomer - like most services (hairdressers, doctors ect) it can take a few goes until you find one you like.

My DH tells our 2 dogs to "go find mum" when he has had enough - funnily enough he says it to our kids too

I have just realised I am guilty of this and using a baby voice with them too (found this out when when I was trying to encourage our new baby to smile this morning and the dogs ran to me all excited) We have 3 human kids and whilst our dogs are treated well I like to think they are treated like dogs. I guess I can see them in a Mum way as I look after them and take care of their needs just like my kids. So are you a doggy mum or dad too?

My dog is currently on Dermotic for an ear infection. His 2 front paws seem to have become so itchy that he may gnaw them off (ok thats a bit extreme but you get my gist). Is it safe to assume the yeast infection is also on his paws? What should I treat it with? Would a bit of Dermotic on the paw help? Just wanted to add that there in no cut or sore on either of his paws.

LOL A very true comment. For most people I meet on my walks they are just happy their 'oodle or SWF is shaved off and "neat" so they dont have to worry about brushing or matting. My friend bought a Franchise trailer in Brisbane. She offers clipping as a $20 extra when you buy the middle or top bath package. She states on her website that a "clip" is just a complete shave off with #10 or 7F and she is booked out come the warmer weather. $20 may seem cheap but when you add it to a $50 bath and blowdry it is no cheaper than a good groomer. Once you have been to a good groomer (as an owner) you definitely know the difference. I guess seeing a well groomed dog and word of mouth (like a good hairdresser) is the best way to find a good groomer.

Its a tough one. As someone who was "burnt" by their first grooming experience - the groomer assured me that they knew how to do a poodle clip and my 2 dogs came back in shaved from head to toe with a #10 (they were 14 weeks old at the time and not matted). It would be good to see some kind of standard but as others have pointed out even with human hairdressers you get great ones and butchers too. I guess the main difference is that atleast all hairdressers have some level of training/qualifications - have hopefully been taught the basics on how not to hurt people. We have a fantastic groomer now (and every now and then I have a go myself and even that is never as bad as that first groom my 2 poor babies had)

Do you know how much they are paying? Some people around here are paying between $2,500 and $3,000 for an "ALA approved" Labxpoodle. Good point.

I agree. I grew up with "inside" dogs (mostly Kelpies). My parents are from the UK and keeping dogs inside is the done thing there. Everytime we visited family their dogs were always inside - including my Uncles Rotty that loved to sit on my lap like a lap dog. I do think there is a big difference between people who keep their dogs outside and do nothing but throw a bowl of food at them once a day (these people do exist - unfortunately I know a few like this) and people who walk, interact, play and spend time with their "outside" dogs. In saying that outside dogs arent for me and I will admit I always feel sad when it is Canberra winter, bucketing down with rain and freezing and wonder how some of the dogs are coping. My dogs have a doggy door. I actually dont know what they do when I go to work (I work part-time) but I suspect some of it may be spent snoozing on the couch LOL

I knew too. Find another breeder - thats my recommendation.

Just go politely speak to their parents. Just explain that the young boy climbing the fence is upsetting your dog and you are worried about the barking/noise she is making (even if you arent it kind of softens the blow) If it were my kids playing up I would want to know.