becks

simple method - skinny dog = needs more food (unless there is vet diagnosis needed if no weight gain with more food)

fat dog = feed less food (or for growing pup, just don;t increase amount until pup back to correct weight)

At 12 weeks, I would have the pup on 3 meals a day minimum

I wasn;t expecting to see such dark markings on the pyrs, will they lighten as they get older?

That's good! Is he still doing well?

A bit of licking here and there will not hurt. Since the dog is very distressed and putting a cloud collar on is making her even more stressed. If you read my next post down you will see I suggested distraction if she licks a lot. but here and there is to be expected.

Define "a bit". You're in the business of advising pet owners on how to care for their pets post operations. Best be specific.

If the stitches wick bacteria inside a fresh post operative wound, believe me, it WILL hurt. I'd be inclined to cover the wound with a wrap for a while rather than allow the dog to lick it.

The bitch has internal stitches, how are they going to wick bacteria into the wound?

I;d suggest just getting up earlier for a few weeks so the pup can be taken out to toilet before he wakes, poos and feels like a snack while waiting for breakfast!

I would also just do a toilet stop in the afternoon and take him for a walk in the evening just before you go to bed

any heading to the UK?

not if the vet used nobivac

Totally agree with show dog!

The dogs i have groomed that have been thinned are the ones that knot up faster the next time around.

Section up the coat, so when you brush you are going from root to tip and only a small enough section that the brush/comb will easily go through the whole of the section, so the brush isn;t just skimming the surface and missing the start of knots underneath.

Areas to watch are the underarms and inside back legs - both these can be clipped off in a pet dog without it showing when the dog is stood up. You can also clip the hair off from inside the ear leather, this will also have the benefit of more air flow into the ear canal to keep it healthier.

Tools - gentle slicker, deep tooth metal comb, small scissors to slice through any knots in the direction of hair growth so matt can be pulled apart and brushed out and also use to trim under the feet.

If you are not going to get your dog pro-groomed, then there are other tools for stripping the body coat.

gosh, tiny man, hope he thrives

There are 3 sizes to suit! A standard would be a good size with a basset, unless you want a dog you can tuck under your arm

kennel clubs only recognise ONE kennel club for each country, which is why UKC registry on its own is no good for importing.

Plenty of dogs are still shown at UKC shows - which is why you need to be sure what registry the american champion title comes from as there are some terrible champion dogs over there, they can get made up with no competition and it seems no one will withold if the dogs are not good.

What about a schnauzer? Another non shedding breed and bred as general farm dogs, so raised right will be fine around other animals

If it is an important show, I would take a bitch but keep her out of the way of the other dogs - into the ring and back out to crate or car after the class.

for me it depends on the breed, showing the minis is much more intensive, bathing them close to show time, all the extra grooming gear and tables etc to take along, whereas my giant can be prepared a few days or more before a show, with just a beard wash the night before and a lead and brush with me at the show.

also watching what i do time wise at the shows, standing for to long hurts, so i need to remember to sit for a bit, every so often.

sounds like that is what she will be like, some don;t spring back

I think the study misses out a lot of things and would perhaps be better splitting up a litter with even temperament who go to homes who have a very similar way of raising a pup, just to minimize the variables

i don;t think dap is worth it as a routine thing but may help some pups who are in the more difficult to adjust category

Surprised by the negative comments, all the dog walkers I know walk more then one clients dogs at the same time and will sometimes have their own dogs along as well.

New clients are met with first and the dog assessed to see if it will fit in with the other dogs who are walked.

BB = bulldog?

or can you get a stooge in so you can teach a lesson infront of people, with that person acting as a beginner dog owner, so you can take them through the basics and then just show off a few tricks at the end - so cover manners and advanced training.

if it is for a magazine, why do they need a routine instead of just taking photos of you doing some tricks?

yes, one of my old dogs developed a beef allergy, although in her case the skin on the top of her head peeled off no more beef, no more problems.

i have the pink plastic one that goes into the microwave - bought it for winter litters but sometimes i use it myself if my back is bad and i can attest it does stay warm all night and some, if wrapped up.

in a case like that where the chip is awol, have another put in.

Chips, just like name discs should be checked regularly to make sure all is still ok with them

we want photos now!

glad to hear she is feeling better now

I;ve met several as a groomer and they are either sweetie pie wimps or can be aggressive with very little warning (and the ones like that, although in the minority, were the same with their owners - so not a case of just not liking being groomed!).