Hazz

Most can order things in if their supplier stocks the product, you just need to ask

Yep PMed you

Paws only will post (from $8.50-$14.50 to Vic) might be an idea if you can't find it ?

I've used Eagle Pack Holistic and found it to be very good.

I've heard many love Nutro too.

Sorry to hi-jack beaglenewb, but does anyone know if any of the other formula's (other than the organic one) of dick van patten's Natural balance are available in Australia ?

Most of ours are on completely BARF but a few are on a combination of BARF & Kibble, which is Eagle Pack. I am happy with the EP particulary the Holistic blends, although the level of corn in the 'normal' blends does concern me (we don't feed these).

I'm still waiting on my Nutro samples to arrive (almost 3wks now ), it will be interesting to see how the dogs react/do on it, as we do have a few fussy eaters. Just have to wait and see.

My vet generally gives a twilight for those types of procedures.

As a St Breeder, I suggest a premium food - Eagle pack and Eukanuba. Our's are raised on a BARF & Kibble diet, we have found this to be the best diet for our Saints.

If you give into her now she will be an extremely high maitenence dog to feed - they are known for the stubborness

It is a faze, his mouth is just hurting and he want to naw on anything !.

Maybe give the toy before patting ?.

They are gorgeous dogs, just a little slow to mature but they make the best companions

Thats cool my_sibe_owns_me - every breed is different

I would advise against any yelping/high pitched sounds - saints seem to take this again the wrong way for play.

No should be said firm low tone.

St Bernards teething - a lovely experience.

A firm no and replace your hand or other body part with suitable toy or chew should help.

Any pulling away or pushing puppy will be taken as play by a St pup.

2-3 times a day (fed morning and night)

eta - My dogs are fed BARF

Sorry I'll edit the post

No ML I meant a fair deviation ie. 0-6 etc.

I'd rather get a dog 1 point out on the lower end of the scale ie 1:2 but I'd rather get even if the choice was between say 4:3 and 3:3

does that make sense it's easier to talk rather then write it down logically

The breed average for the Brittany is 13.2 so anything below is fine.

Also as ML said it is better to have even hip scores than uneven - even if one of the uneven scores are 0 or 1

Each breed has a breed average, it's acceptable to breed from dogs under the breed average.

Obviously 0 is perfect but any score under the average is 'good'

What breed are you talking about ?

That to me is definately not acceptable behaviour in any dog

That is what I believe also. I will talk to the owner again and talk it over with them

The people the dog has bitten are known to the dog, ie family/friends. They have never actually tried to hurt the owner but may have been percieved by the dog to be a threat ?

For example; the owner was sitting down on the couch with dog sitting beside the couch close to the owner. Male friend of the owner was walking briskly up to the owner, arms moving around at his sides, dog jumps forward barking and bit him on the arm - grazed the skin off in a straight line around 4cm long.

Not sure if this has been suggested yet but have you had blood work done ?

The dog belongs to someone I know, it's well trained and has dog aggression issues. I can understand it's very protective of it's owner but has bitten people it thinks are inflicting on it's owner's space (those it thinks could be harmful to it's owner ?). The bites themselves are not deep, but I think if provoked the dog could do damage.

The same dog has played with children (owner's niece/nefews under supervision) and has never displayed any aggression.

I've talked to the owner and have suggested maybe putting down the dog but I understand that they are extremely attached to the dog.

I just wanted to know what others think so I can show the replies to the owner.

Is biting a person the last straw ?

Would the next step be putting the dog down or would it depend upon the degree of the bite/wound ?

Just after people's thoughts/opinions on this...

Baboni it's not really BARF - BARF is not dependent on any commercial form of food.

With your veg puree/juice it - chopping will not allow your dog to breakdown and use the nutrients provided because dogs are inable to breakdown cellulose (cell wall) and boiling will denature proteins and will not provide the same amount of nutrients as pureed/juiced veg.

Leave the chicken/meat raw - its far better for your dog.

Bones (any non weight bearing bones) - chicken/turkey necks and wings, carcasses, pork/lamb necks, flaps, roo/ox tail, rabbit carcasses/pieces etc.

bones are to be fed raw. If you feed at weightbearing/recreational bones they should be taken away after the meat and knuckles have worn.

I feed fruit and veg in the same meal. I steer clear of potatoes.

Baboni - if your really interested I suggest you get your hands on some BARF books (Billinghurst and Lonsdale have books on the subject) they will be able to provide you with clear and correct information regarding the diet.

I base ours on green leafy veg - spinach, silverbeet etc.

Then add alternatives that I change every so often; broccoli, parsley, celery, carrot, red/green/yellow capsicum, cabbage, cauliflower, pumpkin, cucumber, bean sprouts etc.

Too much of the crucifer (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli etc) family can depress the thyroid if fed constantly and also cause gas.

I also keep starchy (pumpkin) and sugary (carrot) vegetables to a low level

We use B-D Farm Paris Creek, Organic yoghurt

You want a plain yoghurt with no artificial sweetners/colours/preservatives

I have found 'Joint food' (human product) beneficial, it contains Glucosamine hydrochloride, Chondroitin and MSM.

Personally most of the ready made animal products, such as Sasha's blend etc are very expensive.

Buying bulk Glucosamine and MSM is a much cheaper alternative if you have a few dogs to supplement.