Salukifan

It's already been said but its because the fact that a dog is a clear by DNA for a particular disease is only one genetic factor in a whole raft of factors that are taken into consideration before a mating takes place. If there is an outstanding dog that is a carrier, and he is bred to a clear bitch then the odds of producing affected dogs is ZERO. DNA testing stops breeding dogs that will be affected by the disease. Why throw the baby out with the bath water and wipe out a significant proportion of a breed who are not affected and can be responsibly bred to produce pups that won't be affected either? What people who don't DNA test do doesn't matter. They have no idea what they're breeding in DNA terms so why should carefull breeding of carriers be stopped by responsible breeders because of what some shonky pet buyer might or might not do? Breeders can health test pups prior to sale and advise buyers of their DNA status - and some breeders I know do. :)

If you consider that what people call their dogs is a reflection of how they treat them, I think it matters. Erny's post suggests that this is the case.

Beat me!

News to me!! We used to have them at EPIC but that faded away. I might see if anyone is interested in taking them again...

I think it has novelty value for my dogs :cool:

Howie is terrified of those winged demons from Hell (blowflies) I think I know why - we had a European wasp nest here at one stage and some got in the house. Howie used to hunt and snap them up. I'd say he copped a sting.

Unless your dog is sound, I'd suggest weight pulling will create joint problems not solve them. It would be very hard on a dog with any level of HD. I'd do water work with an unsound dog, not weight pulling and certainly not with anything less than a fully mature dog.

Whippet Club of NSW do rescue and their contact is here. They are experienced with rescue and rehab of their chosen breed. They took the last Whippet you identified as needing help didn't they?

Maybe I'm just grumpy but I got a marketing email from a company today asking me if my "fur baby" had a sensitive stomach. I responded that if they wanted their marketing to be successful, for me they'd best refer to dogs as dogs, not "fur children". My personal theory is that if people understood canines better and didn't anthropomorphise them, dogs and people would be a lot better off. I really hate the idea that dogs should be regarded as or referred to as little four legged babies. Am I the only one?

Run free Kibah My condolences Kirislin. I hope you find some comfort in the face that she had a great life and was eased from this world when it was her time.

Oh Linda, I'm so sorry

1. Don't leave a collar on the dog during the day. Mine only wear theirs when outside the yard. This will minimise the chance of rub marks. 2. Choose a soft cotton or lined leather collar for walks. Blackdog sighthound collars are great for everyday wear and wash up well. :)

Sorry to read this. I have no advice, just positive thoughts - even if they only extend as far as having a clear option to take. With my poodle boy with IVDD, valium works better than pain killers. I hope she is comfortable at least.

I'd be taking a pup of this age directly to obedience training classes. I think he's a bit old for a vet pre-school.

I put the tablets in a piece of 4 legs and the dogs chew it up happily. Can you practice putting things down her throat? It's really not that difficult, especially with a dog with a large gob! it will be a useful skill if she ever needs other oral medication I would never recommend the annual injection - too many side effects for my taste.

I hope he likes them! You'd give couple to a larger dog so many even a quarter might help. Give them an hour or so before travel.

There are still plenty of pound dogs that don't cost that much.

They do it all the time in pet shops. My guess is RSPCA is charging what they think they can get for a very cute pup. What are we arguing about here, what a crossbred pup is worth? The answer is quite simply what people are prepared to pay. What each of us is prepared to pay doesn't really matter does it? No one is forcing anyone to buy the pup.

i'm inclined to go with car sick. Try half a ginger nut biscuit!!

And he stops when the car stops? It does sound like he's feeling sick to me. What happens on a smooth road?

Is he anxious or nauseous?? If it's the latter, rescue remedy won't help at all. Where is he travelling in the new car?

If price is the stalling point and colour isn't imperative, tell them to look at Cairn Terriers! Basically the same dog (the dogs were split into two breeds) in a different coat colour. Less maintenance and probably less skin/allergy issues with the coloured dogs. Toto from the Wizard of Oz was a Cairn. :)

I think its more the reverse. I don't assume because someone is a vet nurse (or a vet for that matter) that they are knowledgeable or proficient trainers. I think the same of those who hang up their shingle as dog trainers. Doesn't matter how many courses you've done or how well you can spruik on about operant conditoning, if you cannot communicate effectively with handlers and dogs, you're not getting my vote. Same again for those who have trained THEIR dogs to a very high level. It does not mean that they understand dog behaviour all that well or that they make good general dog trainers. It's a very special combination of skill, experience and knowledge that make for a great trainer. That starts with someone who doesn't want to train all dogs using the same recipe.

Completely agree. This dog does sound like a bite risk if not handled carefully. I'd be starting NILIF immediately and finding a good trainer ASAP.

The owners of the aggressive pup are attending a class that should be giving them some skills to deal with their pup. You think you're not getting what you need? Sounds like you're not the only one. It is the responsibility of the trainer to ensure appropriate interaction between pups AND to control the behaviour of human attendees. If you want to direct your ire in an appropriate direction, I suggest that's a better target than a novice puppy owner. If you think it is detrimental for your pup to attend, ask for your money back. I would.