denali

Thanks all. Trinabean i'm glad you mentioned this because this was what i was thinking. I think i'm going to use QV next time when i give him a bath. The shampoo i'm using at the moment is Dr Oz, its all natural and ph balanced. How about the QV moisturiser, that is quite moisturising too, can that be used? Does the QV bath oil help, I may give that a go, that that fragrant? Yeah the conditioner is the aloveen. He used to get dandruff on his back after a bath, he doesn't get it anymore, but the tummy area is very dry and i think this is why he is constantly scratching. I'm sure he ingested most of the oil, his bowl is squeaky clean everytime, so i'm not too worried, it could stick to the beard but i think only minimal. The only thing i'm worried about is he is a mini schnauzer as as such prone to pancreatitis so I don't want to give him too much oil. He is good weight at the moment. He is already on flax seed oil and i sometimes put good quality olive oil in his food. Would fish oil be better than flax seed oil (using fourflax)? I give him sardines twice a week and his food is salmon kibbles (taste of the wild). I add bananas and sweet potato as fillers. He lies on the floor - mainly carpet, tile or grass. Sometimes concrete. I'm not wiping down his tummy with anything like baby wipes. Thank you all again. another to try would be dr zoo shampoo. I used this on my itchy dog and its really helped with his skin. Hemp oil may be worth looking into- its got a really good ratio between omega 3 + 6 :)

Six! I have three and a cat, it's very cosy :laugh: thankfully all small!

Unfortunately it is not as rare as vets think. Its is also not as prolific as overseas- but it definitely occurs. I know of a few personally who have had it. The only way of knowing is with an MRI- but i would be seeing a chiropractic vet first to see if they can find something.

I had a cavalier sized one that Amber, a decent sized vizsla could get through. It was amazing watching her fit herself through it :laugh:

In the first post the OP states that it was an sporting oval that is an allowed off-leash area. So it was off-leash but not a closed in dog park. Exactly JulesP. That also doesn't mean your dog must be off leash, and in no circumstances should a dog run from far away to greet an on leash dog, IMO. Even in off leash areas i recall my dogs to me to walk past other dogs- that is effective control.

Ok, so 900g is a good place to start. However, they generally recommend sticking to just chicken for the first week or so- no organs at al- unless you have already been feeding them these often. This is an excellent website that explains it all :) http://perfectlyrawsome.com/dogs/raw-feeding-transition-guide-for-dogs/

How long have you been raw feeding for?

I know some in QLD :)

I saw this last week. I love the "spoon. spoon. spoon" its very accurate. I can just imagine it- four dogs all sitting there saying that, a bit like the seagulls from the movie Nemo :laugh:

Lol yes, but there aren't many dogs generally that won't be stimulated by possums at night! was just going to say that. Even mine go nuts at the possums.

If I get a puppy, I would get one when I have holidays for 2-3 weeks, so I can train the puppy. Even if I decide to go for an elder dog, what breed would you suggest? I was thinking of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. No way to ever leaving a cav or other little companion breed outside all day and into the night. It's inappropriate and in my opinion, unkind. Agreeing with Dame Aussie. You may want a dog but that's different to being ready for one. My dogs are left outside all day if i am not home. they just sleep, and enjoy the sun, Bark at the postman and resume sleeping. But report me to the rspca for their terrible lives ;) They are a companion breed, but they are also dogs.

Omg I love Griffins so much. He is just the cutest!

If I get a puppy, I would get one when I have holidays for 2-3 weeks, so I can train the puppy. Even if I decide to go for an elder dog, what breed would you suggest? I was thinking of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. I am currently living with 4 cavaliers, 3 of my own, and one belonging to my sister. These guys aren't left home alone often as my sister and i have opposing schedules. Though on occasion I leave my 3 for 12 hours- i have uni days from 6am- 6pm. They do have each other, and i dont think they love it but they certainly survive. I make sure i walk them in the morning, leave some enrichment things for them and then do a quick training session when i come back. Then we all watch tv together :laugh: and when i am home they are always there with you. Always. No matter what you are doing :laugh: However, my cavalier prior to these 3 was left alone from 8am - 4pm- so 8 hours whilst i went to school. I would walk him quickly around the block before i left, then a longer walk in the evening. And he came pretty much everywhere that he could with me. And weekends we did a lot too- hikes etc. They aren't recommended as a breed to chuck out into the backyard all the time, but he spent most of his day outside- sleeping- and he was the happiest dog ever. Kokoda was an only dog for a period of time too and had the same- we got him a dog door so he enjoyed the couch during the day, as well as the occasional bark at the postman. But from 2 years old onwards he had a companion. I got my first dog (rather than family dog) during highschool- Kokoda. He was a big commitment in terms of money and time- but i wouldn't have changed a thing. He got me into dog agility and it has been so much fun :) however, the suggestions about checking out the vet costs thread is worth thinking about. There was also a chance for a while there that he may require knee surgery- at $3000. So make sure you are prepared for big costs in case they do pop up. Thankfully he didnt need it, and my parents would have lent me the money had he- but certainly food for thought.

Thankfully, my vet costs are minimal- as i work in a clinic and get everything at cost price. So probably only $60 this year so far for my cats. Flea treatments etc i buy at cost and then halve them. Grooming, also minimal to none- as i am a groomer myself. if i was not a vet nurse and groomer i would be a lot more broke than i already am :laugh: But i am currently counting how much i spend on their food! This is not counting all the other things i spend money on for them- beds, shampoos, toys, leads.. or anything like agility club membership,council registration, dogs old membership etc. and have spent on the dogs so far since january: $683.94 on food (however my freezer is full- so won't need to buy any more for a couple of months) $251.38 on training treats/food and chews and the cats/ and foster kittens: $570.60 on both food and litter The chooks are winning at only $60 this year, and they give me eggs Though, i may be richer, but i wouldn't be as happy without them :)

wow. Stunning photos!

Ive always adored salukis. Ever since i was about 7 years old and saw them in a breed book. Would love one someday. So beautiful

he is beautiful! I am also always amazed at the longevity of poodles. I know two who recently passed at 17 and 18yo. could only hope for the same with my cavs.

$52 over 10 years is only $5.20 per year, even cheaper rego. either one is cheap, stop whinging and pay it I'd love either. Its $40 per dog here, and then extra because i have more than 2 and need a permit. Each year.

I do love etsy, they have some super cute collars. Got some really nice rolled leather leads from there too. Hopefully thistle pops in, she just had a leather collar made that looks really nice, but im not sure where from :) Biggles and bailey sponsors our agility things sometimes and their collars are gorgeous looking.

There's always me :D Sucker for punishment are you :laugh: They are truly wonderful but not for the faint of heart. One of the boys may be coming to stay with us for several weeks (oh my goodness I'm so excited I love this dog!) as his owner has realised he'll run rings around the house sitter Good luck in your search RebJane - go to some shows (assuming you are not looking for a working Cocker) if you can but certainly put some feelers out to interstate breeders. Some breeds are more common in different states. I am very much so TSD :laugh: i have been stalking :D I did consider emailing you a little while back, but honestly i can't really have another dog for a few years yet, and i was jumping the gun a bit! So restrained myself :laugh: Sorry for the derail OP.

I have Cavaliers, they are a brachy breed. Yet none of mine have shown any evidence of BOS, dont have stenotic nares, eye issues etc. As a breed they have their fair share of issues. But none of the dogs i have owned have those. note: maybe they do have issues, can't really ask them if they breathe like a "normal" dog, but its nothing obvious if they are there.

Yes, good advice has been given- you may need to wait a little bit- but it will be worth it :) There's always me :D

Ive done a straight swap with my past 3 dogs. Never had an issue. Also the difference between barf and raw is minimal- so i very much doubt there would be an issue.

I keep a pair of nail clippers in the lounge room so they get attacked at any point when i decide they are too long. Weekly ish. Same as the nail clippers, i keep a bucket of grooming things in the living area- a slicker, a comb and a boar bristle brush. They get brushed when i feel a mat coming on (and even then sometimes i just trim all those bits short to prevent them in the first place ) or when they have run through the prickles and decide to cover themselves. If shedding gets terrible, which isn't often thankfully, i give them a go over with a coat king and a bath and blow-dry. They all swim in the creek daily- but get washed on an as needed basis- ie. when they start smelling like pond scum or have rolled in dead possum (Kokoda i am looking at you!) Probably fortnightly- monthly? Can be less in summer when the rain is more frequent and therefore the creek is nicer. And they get feet trims monthly because i can't stand gremlin feet, despite the breed standard

I too think a cavalier would fit, but they do need grooming (brushing) and a cocker could also possibly fit. But need regular clipping, which can be a pain to try and schedule into traveling. My other suggestion was going to be whippet. I do think one could fit in well :)