JRG

I read her books ages ago but can't remember much about them. I find that I get a bit from each book I read, but that doesn't mean I'm a disciple. We all do things in our own way and take a bit from everyone. I am sure you have taught Hugo well and he will be OK and just LOVE being an only child!.

Not sure how you get him to like it when he is used to being in the house, but here are a couple of tips 1. Dogs tend to like small enclosed places (caves) so maybe his kennel is too roomy. 2. You may not have sited the kennel in the place he likes. My dogs use the kennels that are close to and facing the back door so they can see who is coming and going in and out.

She was hoping you would let her go and play with the boys!! Don’t worry about her, she will snap out of the dumps once she is out of season. Some working bitches go into a decline before and during every season, their work is lethargic and sloppy, but they come good once the season is over.

Eggs are hatching all the time, so adults can appear quite soon after the last worming. It is essential that you keep changing the brand of wormer you use, as the worms quickly develop resistance to certain wormers.

I think you are only seeing part of the picture Jed. For a start, anyone who gets a pup on breeding terms from me, pays absolutely nothing for it. By the time it is old enough to breed from, it will probably have spent many days/weeks with us eg when it has been in season, when it’s owners are on holiday (ie free board) or when visiting, so they are quite familiar with our set up and routine. I think it is a win/win situation - the owners get a top class bitch/dog for nothing, I get one or two litters which help to keep the gene pool fluid. I should also add that, over the years, I have placed out a lot of animals that I never bred from. —various reasons, pups rarely turn out as you think they will!

Obviously not too concerned .

What type of fence are you talking about? wood? colourbond? wire? chain link? weld mesh? electric?

A number of Councils use the Lort Smith Animal Hospital for their rescues <www.lortsmith.com> They might know something.

Snuggle safe- we love them for animals and people!

Remember that he will soon be able to climb over the sides as well and get/make a roof to stop him before climbing out becomes a habit.

Get writing your submissions to the DPI. Don't take any notice of what other people think, write what YOU think and flood the office with your correspondence. They have asked for submissions - get writing!!

We all love the Snoozas

I have owned two of these the Border and Cocker -(numerous Borders, just two Cockers) very different from each each other. Why -I am not keen on the independent streak of both the Border or the Cocker. I still prefer the English Springers!

I don’t think we need worry a lot, the dog is 14 years old, it is unlikely he will still be fertile, particularly if he has not been used before.

What is it supposed to be a record of?

Love it! can,t imagine it staying on my little black Cocker for more than a couple of seconds!

I agree. Dogs take a lot of their cues from the other dogs around them. She is used to getting multiple signals from other animals in the area and will be “lost” without them..Also agree re people dressed differently, the coalman and the post man used to be prime targets for nervous dogs because their outline was different to other people.

If you are really looking for the best not just the cheapest, then do your research and experiment. People feed what suits their dog and their lifestyle, be it $10 or $100 . It is not a case of one size fits all.

I understand that dogs can exhibit heat stress symptoms at quite low temperatures. Do go and get advice.

Agreed. Pups from the same litter are brother and sisters. I have rarely seen two share the same placenta - can only recall one such event in 40+ years

Get yourself a copy of Juliette de Baiircali Levy's book The Complete Herbal Handbook for the Dog and Cat. I used to feed as per her advice - it is a wonderful diet but quite an effort when you have as many dogs as I do (8) When it was too much after a day at work. So I now feed 99.9% dry(one extreme to the other!) I see this book is still available through <bookfinder.com> either new or secondhand for about $20

That still leaves them with a lot to spend!

I’m. gob smacked

I have looked for years for an insurance company who will cover medical bills for kennels — no interest I’m afraid they just laugh at you!!

RP I live quite close to you and have a vacant puppy pen if you are "stuck"