Staff'n'Toller

Hey HeidiB Glad your girl is going to be ok...shame about the pyometra, that's what it sounded like when you first posted, but as you said she was desexed- it was a bit of a mystery. Quite uncommon stump infections....bad luck eh? We all like to take it slowly slowly with our animals and not go in too heavy to quickly as far as exploratory stuff goes- but sometimes it's worth it. She'll be fine now-after some big doses of Anti-biotics! Mel.

I got my Orka from Robbo's Pet Barn...but have seen them heaps cheaper on lovemypet.com.au. Mel.

I just bought the orka Jack today...I really like it...it's grippy and the same type of rubber as a kong, it does float, and has places for stuffing food. Petstages toys Mel.

Sorry but my clinic only ever sells premium food for the RRP, unlike some other places. We are constantly being told we are cheaper - especially when compared to Pet Shops. I've compared prices with my local pet warehouse- they are exactly the same- RRP. Mel.

On a cheaper note your dad could always try k9events.com...there is basically an encyclopedia of articles on that site all positive training in one form or another. Also he could try joining some training lists like Dogtalk (on the k9events site) and Melissa Alexanders 'Clicker Solutions' a yahoo group, clicker solutions is a very busy list, with lots of enlightening strategies on many dog training and behaviour subjects. Mel.

Good to hear let us know how it goes eh? Mel.

My obedience trained dogs all heel on the left, so yes we had problems when starting agility. Geordie is 'less' trained at the moment (still a pup) but has beautiful front crosses!! :rolleyes: Mel.

Oh ok...I thought I read on the Vic Gundog website that all competitors must have a licence..?? :rolleyes: That is good news though- if I don't have to have one. LOL

Clomicalm should really only be used in conjunction with a Vet AND a Vet Behaviourist. It is not a permanent solution, it is a means to an end, whilst the dog is more manageable, a behaviour program should be implemented by an expert so that when the dog is eventually weaned off it, it has a set of new skills and better behaviour. Clomicalm doesn't work for all dogs, that's why you need a Vet Behaviourist to give you a set of guidelines to follow to assess it's effectiveness. Vet Behaviourists lectures that I have attended have also stated that Clomicalm is not the 'be all and end all' drug, and many of them use a combination of Valium and other types of Prozac, often getting a much better result. Clomicalm does have side-effects and contra-indications. There is no way out of a dogs behaviour problems using Clomicalm alone, if you are not doing an intensive behaviour program- take away the Clomicalm and the dog will be back to what it was originally. As other people have stated in your other threads- you need to get some expert help. Mel.

Yeah well we are too young to do agility, so we thought we might find something else to get addicted to in the meantime. LOL Also sister from the same litter has her Junior Hunt title over in the US, and is going for her WC, so we are jealous You're in the Vic Gundog Club I assume? Mel.

Hey are you still doing some Retrieving practice? I'm interested in starting with my Toller, he's retrieving to hand now. Just gotta go get my firearms licence...??? ETA: Am happy to put you onto my friend if you want some objective feedback about the NDTF course...she is happy to talk to anyone about it. Mel.

You're welcome... A friend of mine completed the course last year, and was *already* a Dog Trainer having done a similar, but non-accredited course earlier. She thoroughly enjoyed it, and from what I have read of her manuals it looks very well-rounded. She is not working with them at the moment either (too busy with kids) but feels confident enough to do private lessons. Mel.

No, I wouldn't put them in the same category. The designer at Blackdog is actually an engineer in his former life, and you will notice 2 rings on the Blackdog collars, a smaller one right next to the clip for ID only, then the bigger D ring further down the collar- it is purposely sewn in independently for strength. Why the cheaper versions of the plastic clip collars come apart is because the D ring is incorporated into the plastic clip- thus the clip taking all of the force, and snap! The Blackdog collars are actually designed so that the force is heavily reduced on the plastic clip, for that exact reason. I've had dogs of all weights wear them- 30kg labs, 50kg rotti's, never had one snap or come apart. Blackdog's stuff isn't the cheapest, but it's sure worth the money. Mel.

I think you'll find the NDTF course is between the $2000-3000 mark, but there are different methods of payment, or sponsoring of trainees...so you need to discuss those with relevant people at the main office. Mel.

Sorry I haven't read all the replies KHL, but I can tell you what I know. Supercoat has been known to cause allergies in some dogs. If you want to feed dry food try Eagle Pack Fish and Oatmeal, or Duck and Oatmeal and see how it goes- it's a novel protein so may not cause allergies. If it is a food allergy, then you need to feed each food one by one for a certain period of time and monitor the response- this is best done under instruction by your Vet or a specialist Dermatologist Vet. My Staffy has always been itchy, a few things I have noted: Most grasses cause allergies, couch being the least allergic out of the lot, but many people buy a grass mix when they establish a lawn, so there are heaps of different types of grasses all mixed in. Just by rubbing their bellies on the lawn and walking around in it can cause a contact allergy in their paws and on their bellies. Some dogs only have to have one flea and that can drive them insane! Are you treating with an adulticide like Advantage or Frontline? If not you need to treat for a few months continuously to rule out flea allergy, if you visit a dermatologist they will get you to do it anyhow so may as well start now. Especially if she is meeting up with other dogs, she can pick up hitchiker fleas at training etc. Tea Tree is drying to the skin. You need to try Aloveen or Dermcare Natural or Epi-Soothe shampoo from your vet. Adding some omega oils to her food may also be helpful, flax seed is a good one, always buy it in glass amber-coloured bottles as it's light sensitive, try to find a natural or organic one. We stock the Vets all Natural brand at my clinic, but you can also get it from the health food store. My Staffy is on a prescription diet purely because of her skin and pretty much all other foods commercial or raw, give her itchy skin and tummy upsets...I've tried everything else and it's the only thing that has any effect. Lastly if she is still itchy, then you need to get a referral to a specialist Dermatologist Vet for allergy testing to see exactly what it *is* that she's allergic to....it is costly but worth it in the long run. Hope that helps. Mel. :p

Hehehehe- perhaps your OH should take part in some of the obedience work? He seems to have a knack for training positions quickly.. ;) Mel.

Reading your post what came to mind is possible back pain or stomach pain, if it's something that's just started? I'm just throwing things out there.... hard to say without seeing your dog. I use a release command with my guys so as soon as I stop I would release straight away...with my advanced guys I even release mid-heeling, just to mix it up a bit. Mel. ;)

The pics look great, looks as though you guys all had a good time....good on yas! Mel.

Depends on what size you buy- the bigger the bag, the cheaper the price per kilo, but depends whether or not you can store it in a cool dry place... I always buy the 15kg bags as they are the cheapest per kilo. Mel. ;)

Hmmmm....I get mine from a local supplier but I live outer east... Try this link Eagle Pack distributors Have you tried the Barf patties? They are really easy to handle, and seem to have a lot of bulk in them- I would go for those over the pet mince any day. Mel. ;)

Hey KHL, I have one of those stinkers here too! I'm with poodlefan- prob the pet mince that is doing it- why not try the actual barf patties from petchow? Then I would be giving lamb necks or chicken necks or chicken frames as the RMB constituent each day. I have been feeding the barf patties with some dry food at night as the main meal...and it works just fine for my new pup. I would also suggest trying some better dry food than supercoat- have seen it cause skin allergies in some Staffords. I am a new convert to Eagle Pack, seems to have the most natural ingredients in comparison with other dry foods. It is more expensive than Supercoat but if you are only supplementing it with the barf it should last you quite a while. Cheers, Mel.

Jenny it's not the Veterinary Profession, it's the Vaccine manufacturers who recommend to Vaccinate annually. The Veterinary Profession are using these medications as directed by the manufacturer- to do otherwise would be unethical. Also the 'three year vaccination' thing has been approved for one brand of Vaccine only. One type of Vaccine made by one particular manufacturer. Yes, but for how long are you immune? Humans are not immune to tetanus for their whole lives. I have been told by my doctor that women of childbearing age such as myself should have a MMR booster, due to the risk of possibly catching Rubella, since it has been 10yrs since my last vaccine.

I would also pay a bit more and go for the Aloveen- or Allergroom shampoo which is also soap free and doesn't strip the coat of it's oils. Also a good rub down with a wet face washer would probably suffice, or some baby wipes?? Then you wouldn't need to bath every week. You can actually create dermatitis by bathing too often... Mel.

Just waiting to see who's going to this party...then I may ditch it and come to KCC Park muahahahahahahah Can't resist a Toller meet up.... Mel.

Bummer party is at 2pm...I was planning on taking the dogs out in the morning. Have fun y'all!!!!!! :D :D Mel.