aliwake

Does his skin seem irritated at all? He sounds very like Nixon - he spends ages grroming and scratching, and it's most noticeable after evening toilet trips cos you can hear everything when trying to get back to sleep... Nixon's skin seems fine though, so I'm tempted to think he's just a fussy groomer. So hard to know... Nixon's on Eukanuba, but doesn't seem to like it much. I'm actually considering trying the RC when this bag has finished. Does Gus like it?! Nixon does look very healthy on the Eukanuba though. His poos aren't always the greatest, but he's had a lot of other tummy upsets that are likely responsible. Have been much better since giving him yoghurt.

Sounds like you're doing really well!Nixon masters most formal training pretty easily, but I really struggle with the behavioural stuff. We need to work on 'on your mat' a lot more, but unless I stand beside it with a bag of treats we don't get anywhere. He has 'sit' 'Lie down' 'Roll over' And a very good 'stay' (in a controlled environment). I can turn my back and walk the length of the yard now, and he won't come until I say so. Also 'shake'. He'll ignore me on most of these if I don't have treats though! I found the trick to roll over, is how you move the treat. Start with it close to his nose, then go diagonally back towards his shoulder. He'll roll without even meaning to :)

OMG you must be a genius! I'm hanging out for Nixon's basic obedience class which starts in 2 weeks. We're doing pretty well with his training in a lot of areas, but I have no idea how to deal with the shoe issue. I'm hoping it will settle a lot when he's done teething - his mouth looks so painful at the moment, poor baby...

Raiden must have been adorable with his bunny. I'd love to see a pic, if you have any, and it isn't too hard for you at the moment? Nixon also has an ugg boot fetish. It's particularly bad now he's teething - he won't wait til they're off my feet before attacking! Particularly if I have my feet up on the recliner he leaps straight up and starts chewing them on my feet. I really hope he grows out of that cos it's very frustrating! Any unattended shoes are instantly stolen, but I think the order of preference goes: ugg boots, thongs, other shoes... ratbag :)

Hi Lhok, yeah, Nixon has been fairly restrained with his toys really - has only de-stuffed one so far... (Luckily a $3 kmart one). I usually keep that teddy as his night teddy, because he likes to sleep with his head on something, and the squeakers in that bear are way less obnoxious that some of the others he has. It seems particularly well made too, which helps! Any toys I leave with him during the day end up completely manky and there's no way they'd be coming into my bedroom!! :) Did Raiden destroy his bear?

oops - double

So sorry Lhok... I hope the vet cooperates and can give you and your breeder some more answers. If puppy pics will help, then I'm more than happy to oblige! Here's Nixon sending you cuddles via his teddy:

Awful news Lhok, I'm so sorry... I'm not sure what will be good news in this situation, but I'll hope for a miracle for your poor baby.

You're definitely not! I swear they can make themselves invisible when they're up to no good... They seem to know exactly what they should be doing and try to hide it from you accordingly. You're being a wonderful owner by getting him looked after properly.

Lhok, you must be so scared! But such a relief they've found something, because now they can fix it quickly, and I'm sure he will be absolutely fine. Nixon had an overnight stay at the vets when he was about 11 weeks? It was awful leaving him there, but it was the best place for him to be, and he was cared for beautifully. I'm sure Raiden will be fine!!

our first week at puppy preschool was when Nixon was 9 weeks, and it was brilliant - there were older pups that came for the first time that had already developed some issues, due to not having that socialisation. There were 2 boxers from the same litter that came, but one started maybe 3 weeks later? She was very dominant with other dogs, and it looked like something that could potentially be a big issue if not managed carefully. The pup that had been there longer was much better adjusted. Puppy preschool was the only risk we took - Nixon was only just allowed out and about last weekend at 15 weeks after his 3rd vaccine. Our vet friend had seen 13 cases of parvo this year already, which is huge, so we were extra careful. Puppy preschool was still totally worth the risk - hopefully all the other pup's owners are being careful where they take them too...

Hi Sujo, his name is Nixon - chocolate lab, was 15 weeks on the weekend when I took the pic. We had an awful first 4 or 5 weeks - he was sick and behaving poorly, but now his health is fixed he's a lot happier and behaving better. Everyone is happier now! :)

Thought I should post a pic if I'm going to join in properly :)

We've been using the scalibor tick collar, which lasts for 3 months. We haven't seen any ticks yet, but it's not really the season I guess. I'm planning on switching to panoramis rather than advocate once he stops growing - it's a tablet rather than a spot-on. I know they say it's ok for dogs to get wet after using a spot-on, but it makes me nervous! panoramis is a tablet, so at least I know he'll be getting the protection he needs. Only problem is it only comes in packs of 6, so I can't get it till he's in a consistent weight range.

actually, I just checked on Advantage, and it only treats fleas - so you much be on Advocate too, if the vet said it covers worms? There's a good table here that says which treatments cover what: http://www.vetshopaustralia.com.au/advantage-flea-C86.aspx

Hi Yvonne, from what I understand, the spot-on treatments don't cover tapeworm, which is why you still have to treat with an all-wormer as well. We are using the Advocate spot-on monthly for heartworm, fleas and other worms, but the pup gets an allwormer as well, at the same time, then in two weeks, and again the next time you use the spot on and so on... until 12 weeks. then you could probably do the wormer and your spot-on at the same time monthly, until 6 months. I agree it's so so so confusing! I don't believe it's a problem to use both treatments at once, but if you're concerned you should ask you vet - or at least phone to speak to a vet nurse or something - they should be happy to clear it up! Make sure you let me know if I have it wrong :)

Melina, our vets gave us popantel as a wormer - I think it's different to Drontal. You should be able to just go to any vet and ask for some - no need for a consult, so just find one close to you. I think worming is meant to be every 2 weeks til 12 weeks, then, monthly til 6 months, then 3 monthly forever more.... All this on top of heartworm, flea and tick treatments... it never ends! I found it so confusing to start with, but I think (hope) I'm on top of it now.

Our puppy preschool trainer suggested putting citronella on the lead on the part that they chew. I tried it for our boy, but he seemed to pretty much keep chewing :) Might work for some others though. It sounds like I need to get a chain lead this weekend. He's always been ok with his collar though - he'll scratch a bit but doesn't get particularly upset. I put his first tags on last night, and now he jingles! It's very cute!

We've been using the scalibor collar since we got our pup - about 6 weeks ago. It doesn't smell at all, and our pup doesn't seem to have had any reactions like those listed on amazon - I might check a bit more carefully though. He did scratch at it a fair bit when we first got it, but that could be because he was getting used to it? Was highly recommended by our vet. Great that it last for 3 months. I've lost a dog to paralysis tick before, and don't want it to happen again... We're yet to see a tick on our new pup.

a vet friend suggested bio-zet, so I just bought the low sudsing front loader version, and always have some made up in one of the kitchen sinks. We have a dedicated pee cloth - so we wipe up the mess, then go over it with the bio-zet mix. Apparently the enzymes break down the pee, so the smell doesn't remain... I actually really like the smell of the bio-zet and have started using it for our laundry too :) It's a really fine powder so dissolves better than my usual laundry powder! I love using vinegar in general too, but my husband hates the smell of it which is annoying. I usually add some to the laundry anyway and he never notices - it helps keep the washing machine clean, and is a great alternative to fabric softener.