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Here's my two bobs worth.................. As already state it can become a compulsive disorder................. It can be from the dog not recognising it's tail is part of it's body. Think about it, it wouldn't really turn around to see whats hanging from it back end. I would start to have quiet time, and when your patting the dog, extend the pat all the way down the tail so it realises it part of the body. Distract the dog with new toys, have three boxes of them, each day put away the toys from box 1 and give box 2 & so on. This way the dog will be kept occupied. If that doesn't work, elizabethan collar. The spray for bandages on the tail. Last resort, medication. But remember there is herbal medications out there that work well. Good luck.....................

How often do you wash your dog? Some dogs just don't tollerate being tub to often, and as a result end up with a dandruff looking skin. Agree Oatmeal based shampoo, great for irritated skin. Take away the gravy, no tin food. I'd change the dry food to a total and balance product. We have a GSD with funny skin and Royal Canin is what we found to be the best, but it's not a cheap product. Although when you add all the coast of special medicated items, vet bills, trying cheaper food, the price of the dry food balances out. Good luck............................

Research, research, research. Do you know what a pit bull is about? Do you know what breed you want? Do you have enough room for this breed? Can you manage a dog like this? Are you willing to train the dog? Have you resources to mantain a healthy dog? Are you willing to clean up after a dog? Have you the time? Many many question you need to address, these are just a few. Not telling you not to get a dog, but you need more reasons than you want a guard dog,and it's a freebie. Apparently, even if you have a small breed (Pom, Chiwawa, Pug) once a burgular realises there is a dog in the residence it is enough to make them move on. They want quiet to break in, not a yapping dog to inform everyone of their arrival. Good on you for coming on here and asking the question.

Love my Whal KM2, there lighter and fit nicely in the hand, and as mentioned quieter than many others. Depending on the length you need for this dog, 7F for a little length, 5F for the ability to get cream into the skin, or 3F if you need to get cream in and let air hit the skin. Good luck and hope the pooch get better quickly......................soon.

Yep. like the rest...........beesting. Had a staffy, lovely gal. The breeders lost her Mother to bee stings, and we'd had a close call with our gal. Yes, very scared, both her and us.......................

By the sound of it ladybug, this pup has you wrapped around its' little toe already. Even if Mum is gone, being left with the litter is just as important. I would follow what others have said prior to this, as it is very good information and we're only thing of what's best for pup. Remember this pup is going to be around for a very long time, and if it hasn't been brought up correctly (not that what your doing is wrong) from day one, it will effect this pup for the rest of its life. I know that sounds strange, but it is true. Good luck......................... Where's the picci's.............................?

Shame you can't have a multi pick. We swap and change: Royal Canin Chicken Mince Raw Bones Chicken frames, wings etc Veges (cooked and raw) Fruit Oil Tuna and Sardines Eggs Vitamins Offel (sp?) Little bit of cheese on top Lactose free milk as a treat There's most probably more.......................... Hope this helps.

Ladybug, what state and suburb do you live ?

Very very interesting. Nice to know demensia hasn't full taken over............... :D

Interesting Melt.............................

I sympathies with you. We've had it go through our kennels, and it's a horrible thing to watch, especially at night. Isolation rest, rest and more rest, is my suggestion. Good luck........................

Hi All Just been at the pet shop and noticed all the shampoo and conditioners that contain tea tree. I can remember long ago, a vet said on one of those morning chat shows, not to use tea tree on a dog. Am I remembering correctly, OR have I got it wrong again......? :D

My thought was Diabete's. When levels are up a smell from the breath can give you a clue that levels can be out of wack. If you have carpet, some underlay can be a problem. But I doubt it, because the breath doesn't match in. Is it possible, tonsillitis (sp?) ? Good luck, it's a doosy........................

Hi My GSD's love them. The only thing I would say on them is, if the dog is a pig at eating and won't chew properly I'd be very careful, this goes for chicken necks as they fit nice and snuggly in the throat.

Thanks everyone, some REALLY good advice in there. Your all gems.......................

Thanks for the answers so far. I realise it's an everyday event with some breeds (I have a Malt and Pom myself), but when you doing someone elses dog and being paid for it, I'd like to be able to give their dog back looking at least slightly better around the eye's than when they handed them over. ;) :D :p :p :p :p :p :p

Hi Steve I don't think you'll find people have a problem with the reccomended product, it's the price they are asking for it, and for so little.

Hi I've been keeping my eye on Agro-bears post and past posts about tear stains. I would worry about using paroxide so close to the eyes. The liquid stain remover dosen't seem to do much at all. I was wondering what do the groomers use to get that instant result ?

There is ivermec for the large farm animal, and there is ivermec for the smaller. We were given a small amount from our vet when our Staffy had mites, and she had them bad. It was something like .3 of a mil, for her weight, and he couldn't stress how important it was to get the right does. Because the mites were so bad on this gal, he had us use the cattle ivermec. Which I WOULDN'T use unless instructed by a vet. As for the ivermec for smaller animals, I do use on my dogs, with a change of worming medication twice a year. Why would someone in the pet business say use ivermec at around $120.00 (I think) for a 5ltr bottle, when they can say here buy these little tubes that last 4-6 month and cost $80-$90. Their not making as much profit. I WILL ADD, ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR VET IF THE BREED/S IS OK WITH THIS TYPE OF MEDICATION..........................

Hi Holly Yes, as Steve has pointed out it does ear mites and mites in the coat (sorry the name has gone astray). The doses we were reccomended: 1/2 ml per 1 kilo weight of the dog, once a week, for coat mites 1/2 ml per 1 kilo weight of the dog, once a month, as an all wormer I'm not saying give this to your beasties, it's just what info we have.

Hey you, here comes another one...................................... We use it, and it works a treat for mites also.

We like Sentinel, but it if's it's between the two - Revolution would be the pick.

Thanks for all your input it has been very very helpful.

I researched and researched, and don't any longer know what I am looking at. For the people with long, short, thick, thin any type coat dogs, what type and brand do you use ? Please help...................................

Give them a wash, place in a spray bottle conditioner mixed with water. Spray, rub, leave in. This works for our lot, but each and every dog is different. Good luck. edit: spelling