minxy

;) Too cute!

I'm sorry that you are feeling so bad about this. I'm sure the last thing you want is anyone thinking you're not doing the right thing by your pup. None of what you are doing is "cruel" or should be judged as bad - they're just different choices to what your breeder might make. That doesn't make them wrong. I think crate training is fantastic and less stressful than trying to toilet train etc without one. As for food, well it's up to you and your vet to determine how well your pup thrives on its food. I probably would have waited a little bit before changing his food, but I do think it's reasonable for you to make your own decisions on what you feed him. Unless your breeder specified a good need for any particular diet, then I don't see anything wrong with trying something else. You'll soon know whether you've made the right choice for your pup. Good luck, and don't worry too much about it. I know that you want to have a good relationship with your breeder, but at the end of the day the pup is now your responsibility to raise, and you need to do so in a way that suits you and your lifestyle best. (And of course, what works best for your puppy)

OH and I have both always wanted a husky. We were originally going to get one until we started doing our research and were quite put off by a lot of breeders. Then discovered the Akita

Hmm, I do find it strange that they specify it *has* to be fed a particular diet.

I think it's perfectly normal for a puppy to be alone while you're at work. I don't think it is completely unreasonable to confine it while it is still so young - provided it has plenty of fresh food and water, and toys etc to keep it occupied and stimulated. But when you come home, it really does need to have company and exercise. Can it not be allowed in the yard during the day??

Sigh. And then I woke up to poo on my fairly new light coloured suede couch!! OH has informed Oscar that he has one life left and not to waste it.

Haha thanks, I'll have to grab some Biozet tomorrow. I used a whole bottle of that useless Urine Off stuff in one day when he peed on our mattress (the first time). Have found that Febreze is also really good at helping to break down the actual odour.

Thanks Kirty. I have a feeling it could be because I have started working casually again. Have been unemployed for last 5 months and have now picked up some work around uni. He's a HUGE sook, so maybe because I am unable to give him my undivided attention he has decided to play up. :S

He used to do stuff like this when we first got him from the RSPCA. But he hasn't done it in about 4 months. I have no idea why. We think he just becomes extra fussy with his litter tray. Mind you, he has two ginormous ones. (Storage boxes). He's just a shit from time to time. Naughtiest cat in the world. The RSPCA keep telling him how lucky he is that we still keeo him haha. Unfortunately no, she's at my parents house. So no big doggy to keep me warm. Normally Oscar is my hot water bottle, but he can sleep in the lounge tonight

So I get home from work around 7.30, sort out dinner and then climb into bed. Pull the covers up over me to reveal THREE wet cat urine puddles. One on one doona, two on the other. It's freezing tonight and I have no spare blankets. Now I'll be up all night washing. Happy Friday night to me??

Aww, how cute! They look like they belong on a postcard or something

Yay! You must be so excited by now

Hi, not sure if you have gone through this list, but you can try working your way through: http://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/breede...W&Submit=Go Those are all the GSD breeders in NSW. Hopefully you'll find one in there :D

Whoa, serious? What a nut job :D

Urban Dog Training on the Southside have been very highly recommended to me. I cannot wait to have a pup to take there. They do use clicker training, but not for the puppy training groups, only for obedience, tricks, agility etc classes. They also have free puppy and adolescent play groups each weekend (separated into toy & small/medium & large breeds). Better prices than anyone else I have found so far. Vet - I had Acacia Ridge Vet Surgery recommended to me by a member on here. Had my first visit with them last week and they were simply wonderful. I also didn't want a vet where I would have a different vet each time. I wanted a friendlier environment, and definitely found that at the ARVS. Great prices too.

Thanks, which puppy are you looking at to get? another golden? Nah, trying to get an Akita puppy. I must admit, GR's aren't really my sort of dog. Mali is lovely though, so it will be nice to have her come and live with us.

I think you'll find that this is the sort of topic that will have so many varied opinions. I personally think Rotties are amazing dogs for first time owners. I don't have an Akita yet, but I have heard they are not for first time owners as they need a very dominant, confident owner. Each to their own really. I think what's more important is how persistent people are willing to be if they are having issues.

Yea I have no idea what drives people to be so cruel. It's a shame that they will most likely end up having to move as well. I'm looking forward to having her come and live with us. That's very exciting about the dog show - that will be so much fun!

Well, it looks like we might be getting a dog sooner than we thought - OH's parents dog! They've been having huge problems with their neighbours for quite some time, mostly to do with their poor dog. Neighbours used to throw cricket bats etc at the dog. Now they keep reporting her to the council for barking. Council have come out several times and watched her; she's never barked. But they've still ended up putting an anti-bark collar on her All the fighting is causing OH's parents a lot of stress, so we're thinking that once we rebuild our new fence we will have her come live with us. She's a golden retriever, about 7/8 years old. We'll still get a puppy when we can though. Which I think is great, as I prefer two dogs to live together.

Exciting! Check out this page. It's a list of girls names from DOL owners. Might give you some ideas? http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=186971

Today, I would happily leave my door open and let one of my cats "accidentally" get lost outside Just kidding... But seriously, the little bugger needs to stop throwing things all over the house and nibbling on my nose when I'm sleeping!

Holy jesus, that is a much loved dog! :laugh:

Oh wow Spitzbaby, what a gorgeous pup!! So jealous

No one insulted you. I'm sure when you reread the posts you will see that people were trying to suggest the best possible solutions for you. No one would do that if they weren't trying to help.