wagsalot

I tried everything with Riley and nothing worked - some dogs grow out of it, others dont. We use Maxalon tablets (From the vet ) which work really well for Riley with no side effects. If the pup doesnt grow out of it, they might be something to look at later on.

I think ive got the same as Dru - a conmurra twin tank autofill. Its excellent and I can highly recommend it. I have my stationed in my washing shed at the moment, but before that it was outside on wheels and i just connected up the hose and power when i wanted to use it - and all the dirty water drained onto the grass. Now in the shed my set up is simalar to Dru's except I have a tap in the shed which is connected up to the water tank - just saves dragging the hose over.

I dont think it would be something I would be attempting myself. Might cause more damage than good. Maybe go to the vet the first time (if the breeder is too far away) and see how they pluck them out and then give it a go yourselves next time.

I was doing a course through the aust school of petcare, but didnt think it was worth it so gave it up half way through - thinking of it..no one actually ever called to see how I was going. Thomson education is good for starting off - Ive done SOA in animal care and am during the pet obedience one now through them. Great learning materials and enjoyable to do. They also have good tutors that are able to help you through the course.

Riley chews his paws. Vet said he's got the equivilent of excema (sp) on his paws which itches so he licks them. That and a bit of anxiety. We got some tablets which cleared up his feet and he's stopped licking.

Havent seen them, but I dont think they'd be very good.. They would be better of paying a bit more and getting some professional ones that are sure to work

Maybe just mention to them in a polite way that their dog is distracting your dog and would they mind keeping it on a shorter leash so it doesnt come over near your dog. I dont think its unreasonable to ask that.

aww can we pleeeaassee have some more photos of your LH GSD in the photo forum (i cant remember his name ) Riley's pretty easy - just a brush every few days and a bath when he starts to smell

Tigerjack has been very helpful to me before. I cant do Thursdays which is why I never ended up going to St George.

Yeah, no good on a martingale either. His recall is normally really good - however Im not sure how he'd go in that situation. But id like to give it a try. Ive been meaning to go for a while, but been to embarassed incase he's really bad . I have no idea how he'll go. A beginners class would be good

Ok im back in the training section again If i took Riley to Sutherland , can I train him on a harness??? He's useless otherwise (which is why we gave up hanrob as we werent allowed to use the harness). I would like to give RIley a shot at flyball (I didnt know sutherland did it) - how do I go about getting into that?

riley gets his heartworm jab with his annual vacc's

(Cant think how to quote!!) but Wagsalot I have even heard that the vet clinics dont change the water either. Sorry that was supposed to read as far as I am aware ( from what I have been told) there are no ...... Yeah it seems to be a very common thing. :shakehead:

Hard for me to say as I do dog washing myself, But before I did I picked a franchise only becuase it was convient having them come to me (Riley gets car sick). They guy that did it though did have alot of experience. Business wise though - I started up a small dog washing business from home and its been great. I find alot of my clients have changed from a mobile franchise to me - I get the impression that they always thought mobile groomers "rushed the job". Also Ive heard bad stories about them not using fresh water. IMHO Id stay away from the franchises

I do dog washing and fresh water is always used for each dog - So only one wash per tank. It suprises me how many people use the one tank for several dogs though. I often get clients - espeically ones with two dogs ask me what Im doing after I finish one dog. I tell them that Im changing the water and most go "oh, our last dog washer never did that..." I also disinfect between clients. I only wash clients dogs how I'd want mine washed

I use Saint Francis Sunshine Aromatherapy Spray

Riley does this after drinking..I think he does it to just wipe the water away that he's drooled. He only does it for a minute or two though..

The animal care one - I thought that was good. I learnt alot from that

You've said exactly what how I feel now. Not worried about what everyone says anymore. And our vets think alike

Well saw 2 different vets today - both said Riley's nails are OK at the moment. One said he would cut about 3mm off, but no more than that, and when he tried Riley went absolutely ape and he couldnt do it. He told me to just take him for runs on concrete as everyone here suggested. He said they arent doing any damage and arent long enough to create any problems..but to keep a eye on his dew claws - which are ok at the moment. Also he said if we ever needed to get his nails cut he'd have to be sedated as he really flipped out today. He isnt that bad at home though when I do it which is good. I am going to try take a little bit off one day every day, as well as taking him for runs and walks on concrete to see how we go.

As I said above - up until about 6 months ago Riley was fine with his nails being clipped. Its only since his anxiety started that he gets paranoid over people touching his feet. Just wanted to clarify that as I dont want people thinking Im a bad owner

I cut some of them myself last night - only a tiny bit though and it wasnt easy with Riley jumping around like a looney. I am pretty sure I was no where near the quick. I was looking at a couple of good websites which showed how the nail colour changed, the closer you get to the quick, and rileys didnt change at all. Ive booked him in for the vet this arvo at 4.15 though - least if he cuts the quick, he'll have that powder stuff to help stop the bleeding (although Im praying he doesnt cut the quick) Even if the vet cuts his nails back a little bit each time we visit (Which is quite frequent with Rileys eye problem). Edited to add - we found that covering Riley's eyes made him more relaxed and still too!

He used to be fine getting his nails cut, until about 6 months ago when the vet said he's got anxiety. The vet thinks him stressing over his feet has something to do with the anxiety. He is a known paw chewer as well. Before that I could clip them with no problems - and i never cut the quick or anything to make him hate getting his nails clipped

Last time I took Riley to the vet (about a month ago) I asked the vet to clip his nails for me as Riley HATES me doing it and jumps around like a jumping bean, and his nails are black too which makes it hard. The vet said they didnt need cutting, but I really believe they are too long - when he sits down its like his nails are pushing his toes up a bit. THey're not bothering him, and he walks fine, but they I really think they need to be cut back a bit. BUT!!! I was thinking of taking him back to that vet (who has been great for everything else)..but Im stressing he will cut the quick. Riley's nails havent been clipped that much at all (They've only just started to get long) and I thought i remembered hearing that the quick can grow close to the end of the nail if the nail isnt cut much?? Is this right?? Riley already hates his feet being touched, and if the quick was cut it would make this 10 times worse. I dont know whether to take him to the vet, (I know I should trust the vet, but I just cant with this!! Im paranoid over the quick being cut!! - Stupid I know ) or whether I should just keep taking little bits off the end of the nail myself. The only prob with me doing it is that it stresses Riley out, it is really difficult keeping him still, and I only take the smallest bit off as Id hate myself if I cut the quick. Any suggestions (sorry If i rambled..but it is 10.30 and my brain has stopped working for the day ) Edited to add - Ive attached a pic of his nails taken about a month ago (Around the time I took him to the vet) Not the best photo - but I think it shows the length well enough

Ive been really slack. Ive only completed one book - Just been really busy, and but now Tafe has finished I plan to get back into it again