Steph M

That is a whole other point, Megan. A good one too. What about dogs who do not cope with babies? There is always the exception.

I can't... It was never a consideration when my daughter was born. If you get a dog you are responsible for its life for the next 12-15 years. If you think there is a slight chance in that time that you will have a baby and can't have them live under the same roof then DONT GET THE DOG. It is all about responsibility and few people take the responsibility of dog ownership seriously. Easy to say but life changes all the time, sometimes something unexpected happens. I have a lovely friend who's daughter was born with huge complications and she simply did not have time to manage dog, baby and herself to the standard everyone needed. She didn't see it coming a year ago, nor 5 years ago. Dog lives quite happily with her parents now. I don't judge those who can't do it at all, how can you prepare for such changes when you don't know what they will bring? People get sick, lose jobs and houses and sometimes just can't hope. Do we judge them? I only judge those that don't look out for the dog when things change. She handled it amazingly and dog is happy, well loved and cared for. That is all I care about.

Possibly! depends on content.

Time for a DOL excursion! In summer we get the Ben and Jerry's outdoor cinemas and dogs are welcome. Shame its freezing!

I saw this trailer.online! I can't wait!!

Prey drive with an animal not socialised to tell the difference between prey and non-prey animals can be a tragedy waiting to happen. Small dogs die in dog parks because of it. That's why you actually have to go through a process of socialising a dog, ANY dog to a new born baby... and to be extra careful with the tiny babies. This is so true, there's always a first time. How many times have you heard people shocked as their dog hasn't reacted that way before? I think of the lovely Kirty's thread on Toby, things are always fine until they're not.

Yup. Not a proud moment, but one of mine took a bit of a nibble once. Taste testing! Sorry to make light of it, couldn't help it. At least you know this though and make provisions. Go you guys.

My mothers partner has a dog/cat/small animal aggressive husky who spends a fair bit of time at her house (because he can't keep the dog in) and Mum is really pissy I won't let her babysit if the dog is around. Supervised, unsupervised I don't care. Some dogs are more driven and determined than others. Managing risk and leaving no room for error is the only way. I trust Gus 99%, but I still won't be enlisting him as a hairy babysitter. Its a risk to baby and to him. We are stockpiling baby gates like.its the end of production! Haha.

Bugger! I misread as 12 months!

Adolescence is a bitch! I can only sympathise.

Sigh. My point was your anecdotes are no proof not having these additions is better either. So asking for proof and providing an anecdote of your own seems a bit backwards. I certainly wasn't implying these are essential for everyone, but please don't suggest others don't know what they're doing. I don't supplement my dogs raw, but I'm open to the idea I might actually not know it all, and there might be something they would benefit from missing. There are really interesting studies about in regard to various additions, particularly turmeric, if you care to look. Everyone needs to do what works for their own dogs, if you're not on board with something someone else is doing its great you don't have to try it!

And lots have all of this and are fabulously healthy so your evidence is also no more than anecdotal.

Denise at Paws has the most gorgeous pair of poodles on her facebook at the moment...haha

Any vet should be able to help, but call ahead and let themknow eexactly what to expect and bring him in muzzled, you can ask the vet how they'd like to approach it. Maybe best to wait in the car until you're ready to go in, but chat to the reception staff, they will be well versed!

Is it possible you're a bit on edge and noticing it more? I would call the vet to check in but he's probably found something funky to eat to make your life hell. :D

You would be better finding a breeder who has dogs you like the temperament of (colour would be a bonus, but colour won't be what makes a dog hard to live with if you get the wrong one) I have met good and bad chi's, and the bad can be very bad. I would start with temps. :)

Our council must be jerks then! We pay yearly $46 for a desexed dog, $138 for an entire dog. Ouch! I imagine the transfer would cover the first year in our council, but no idea what the fee is. Our council sucks by comparison! Haha.

Lots of.councils charge a fortune to register an entire dog, be worth factoring that in as well. And considering grooming requirements (not sure of breed) and whether the owner wants him fed a certain way, what training you'd have to put in (keeping an entire dog can be much different to a desexed one in some breeds and cases) and if your family can keep up with the standards this guy would like, all things need to be discussed with him. ;)

He does have lovely breath so that's been the only effect? Haha. I agree, I'd imagine in its raw form as the link posted states it might be a little different to Rosemary oil alone?

Gus eats it like grass! That'd be right...I'll pass him the memo!

:laugh:

I'd have them out too, and most dogs cope just fine with a few less! I've met dogs with no teeth who are quite happy! :)

Can I just quickly say the MOST important thing for us was no "mouth games" when Gus was a pup. Nothing that involves snatching, mouthing or any other nibbling or game stopped straight away. OH was harder to train than Gus here, as funny as he thought it was at the time, with a baby on the way now and a 2 year old neice I'm eternally grateful I put my foot down there. (Kids probably easier trained) Having said that he will lick you til your skin dissolves if allowed....ahem.

That's really really odd..

Just RE your poll, I'm in camp'never' but the poll asks I vote for every answer and there's no answers to suit in the last two questions. :)