espinay2

If the garage is part of the house, check in the roof to see if it is insulated. Often when houses are built the garage area is not insulated (cost savings), so adding insulation if there isn't any will help keep it cooler.

Ditto on the hormone imbalance. This sounds like something that needs more than coconut oil. It won't hurt to try, but would perhaps be investigating a bit further regarding a medical reason.

Http://www.lgd.org/library/Optimal%2520feeding%2520of%2520large%2520breed%2520puppies.pdf http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/developmental-orthopedic-disease-large-breed-puppies http://www.ivcjournal.com/articles/feeding-large-breed-puppies/ https://www.msu.edu/~silvar/hips.htm http://www.vcaspecialtyvets.com/ckfinder/userfiles/files/VCAASG_Breed%2520Size%2520Puppy.pdf

Holistic select and eagle pack large and giant breed puppy are my top picks for growing giant breed pups (or rather specifically my breed). Will post some links for you. Hang on ...

Oh dear, I feel enabled. Do you think the pro brush F/F is going to be significantly different, better or a worthwhile addition to the kit I have mentioned above? :) all I can say is the les Poochs brush and a comb are my two most used pieces of kit (and believe me when I say I have lots of different brushes....). Iit is by far the best slicker I have used ever. Though I will say that for a double coated dog the blow dryer is your absolute best friend. I do more grooming with a dryer than anything else. They are not expensive these days and you can pick up a reasonably decent one for under $200. They are worth their weight in gold.

I like the les Poochs brush. Best slicker ever. I use the pro brush F/F (purple handle) on the Pyrs though the cheaper firm bristle (blue handle) may be worth trying if price is an issue. For really heavy going the Matt breaker is excellent.http://www.lespoochs.com/brushes.asp If you are after a more traditional slicker, the Lawrence slicker is still a great brush. I prefer using the 'firm' to the 'tender care'

If your pantry is fairly cool and the cheese hasnt any visual 'sweating' or mould then I would probably still eat it. Most cheeses are not matured in refrigerators.... you can always wipe the surface of the cheese down with vinegar if you are concerned.

oops! fat fingers typing error. Yes, it is 'Porcelaine'. Named after their translucent white coat.

this article may have something you can draw on: http://www.positivedogs.com/articles/early_doesnt_mean.html

Pocelaine is a breed I would love here (one day...<sigh>) Pyr Sheps are fun little dogs. Can be quite standoffish and shy and not overly good with people they don't know. Would be nice to see some more here. Video is of a 'face rase' (smooth face). I personally prefer the poil long (rough face/coat). This coming weekend is the Nationale d'Elevage in Argeles Gazost in France for Pyrenean breeds. Love seeing the little bergers at this show along with their bigger mountain dog partners. French breed club website here: http://www.chiens-des-pyrenees.com/

Yes, a dog can be transferred from the main register to the limited register. Main register also has the option of the registration being marked 'not for breeding' (also 'not for export'). Here is a link to the scale of charges for Dogs Nsw: <a href="http://www.dogsnsw.org.au/images/stories/PDFS/Order_Form.pdf">http://www.dogsnsw.org.au/images/stories/PDFS/Order_Form.pdf</a> I have recently upgraded a dog I bred from limited to main (she had missing pigment I was not confident would fill, but it has). Her owner is going to show her in her first show in a couple of weeks. She is 16 months old. They have been doing obedience classes up til now and recently have attended a few show training classes as well.

Metalmart in Fyshwick (Canberra) has dog run panels that are nice and strong.

We lost Kodie at 14 1/2 not long ago. Kodie is a GSD type (BYB) who is my stepson's dog. Kodie came to live with us at 10 years of age, though lived with Stepson's mother up until then (Stepson leaving for university and mother didn't want the dog....). He had been mostly an outside dog till then and was chained usually when not with Stepson as he was deemed a 'stock chaser'. Not sure about his diet (I am guessing reasonable but mainly supermarket brand with the odd bone etc) he was raw fed from the time he arrived at our place and we saw a marked improvement in teeth, condition and coat. When he came to live with us he learnt how to be an inside dog (which he took to with relish!) and learnt how to live with other animals (cats, chickens etc). We also discovered he had a strong herding instinct and could keep a flock of goats 'penned' as long as you would let him. He had some mild arthritis which was held at bay with NSAID's in his later years. He was losing sight and hearing a little. A couple of years ago he had an episode of vestibular disease, but fully recovered with only a very tiny head tilt when he was tired. It was slow degeneration mostly but he was still reasonably agile till the end when he simply lay down and did not wake up. I have a page for him on my website here: http://www.espinay.com/kodie My next oldest was my Dalmatian 'Cookie' who passed away at 13. She was generally healthy and active all her life up until the end. Rawfed from 8 weeks. Her page is here: http://www.espinay.com/cookie

Mine take 'shifts' on the bed. Though it can get crowded sometimes. Two humans, two cats plus a couple of Pyrs can be cosy! Common saying in our house 'we need a bigger bed'. DH says no as it would just mean more of the dogs would fit, not more room for us. The Pyrs generally don't stay on for long though as they get too hot. As many have said, beds are only really a problem if the dog won't move or get off when you ask. I have had only one that pushed the boundary. She was a very dominant girl who tried it on at about 6 months of age. Bed became off limits until 'attitude adjustment' was complete. Once over that stage she was a sweetheart and never ever tried anything on again. And she regained bed priveledges too with never another issue.

The Panagenics shampoo and conditioner I use on the dogs is fantastic for humans too I have used it a time or two! I will admit to using the dogs brushes and combs on my own hair from time to time. My DH uses a dog lead as a strap to do neck stretching/rolling exercises and always has one in his suitcase when travelling.

Yes it is a Pyrenean. Maremma are actually not that common in the US (though and gaining more popularity slowly as working LGD). Pyrs (Great Pyrenees) are actually a lot more common there. The two breeds are more or less reversed compared to Australia .

A grass covered 'hill' would take care of the different levels in a 'safe' way. Or as mentioned the pile of sand. I have done that here. The dogs adore playing in, digging in, running up and down and just lazing in the sand and playing 'top of the heap'. It will be something you need to replenish from time to time with a new sand delivery (so make it in a spot that is accessable for a truck to just tip it in) and you will find the sand does spread a bit....

It was in the Dogs NSW gazette when it was brought in, though I do agree that a better publicity campaign to introduce it to members would have been more than useful. You are right that there is no state govt license requirement currently. Though it was a recommendation of the companion animal taskforce that was 'supported in principle'/'supported' by the Govt (see in particular recommendation 1* and 3*): http://www.dlg.nsw.g...mmendations.pdf Dogs NSW is being proactive in introducing this requirement (and others such as tighter requirements for those applying for a prefix, including inspection of premises) to try and show that our members don't need an additional state run breeder licensing system (which will mean additional fees and additional regulation including perhaps 'home visits' by councils or other bodies who will be brought in to manage breeder licensing). It is not perfect, but I do understand and support the reasons it is being done.

I can understand their reason for doing it. They are trying to head off a state govt requirement for 'licensing' (I.e. Having to apply for a state govt licence and display of that licence number on ads) by showing that dogs nsw membership is sufficient. There will be teething problems no doubt, but better this than the alternative.

Who knows if the story is true or not, but I do not find it unbeleivable. Depending on how far away your house was, I can see panicked parents carrying the child home and calling emergency services from there if they did not have a phone. In reality not everyone knows basic first aid or can remember it in an emergency and we don't always do what we are 'supposed' to do. The dogs tripping the child over, while until recently I may have some doubts about it being plausible, I now know for certain it is most definitely possible. I know of a person (not a child) who just recently was pulled over by a dog on a lead in their own driveway. They hit their head when they fell and died in hospital that night. Human life is more fragile than we think and accidents do happen. Edited to add, the police have to investigate accidents like this. It is procedure and they would be remiss not to.How it is dealt with will depend on all the evidence they find and we have no way of knowing if there will be more than the article presents or not.

Yep, you should hopefully be able to get a DHA house in Jerrabomberra as they have quite a lot there as well as some newer areas of Queanbeyan. There is some in Bungendore but mostly occupied by people at JOC I think? I live out the other direction (we have a property between Yass and Gunning). We do have some snakes here - cant get away from the blighters. But there have already been snake sightings in Bungers - I saw a pic of one seen in the township just this week!

If you are getting a rental but closer in look for ones in Jerrabomberra or Queanbeyan. They are in NSW so better dog laws and reasonable distance for work. (If renting through your work they will hopefully have a few in Jerrabomberra. I also work near the airport).

I would add a couple of things to the good info Steve gave (from the point of view of another LGD owner, though not Maremma. I do see quite a few maremma in my training classes). LGD can make good pets in the right home for the right owners. But some important things needs to be kept in mind. a. They are independinet breeds so don't expect them to act like Golden Retrievers! They don't come when called or jump at performing commands and are not generally trustworthy off a lead outside of a fenced area. Think of them as being like owning a large cat. b. They bark. Sometimes a LOT. It is how they warn predators that they are on duty. It can be controlled most of the time, but generally this involves bringing the dog IN where the family is. Problems with neighbours over barking are not uncommon for LGD owners. c. Shyness and fear related issues can be a problem. Particularly in many maremma that come from less than desirable sources (I have seen many temperamentally 'unsound' maremma from 'farmer joe' type breeders who consider a dog that is shy and fearful to be displaying 'good guardian behaviour' - nothing could be further from the truth). It pays very much to go to a good breeder who understands correct sound temperament of a livestock guardian. d. ongoing socialisation is important for a pet LGD. The first 2 years in particular are crucial. Puppy class will not be enough, unless they are experienced and dedicated enough to get their dog out and about regularly. e. As steve mentioned, in the absence of any other livestock, the family is the flock. An LGD needs to be WITH its flock.

Have you contacted DogsVic? If you have a microchip number and a month of birth they may be able to search registrations? (If the microchip was recorded on the rego). They should at least be able to tell you what litters were registered for that month.

Instead of focussing on the negative, try and focus on the positive. For example when it comes to farming, supporting smaller producers that offer paddock to plate services so you know exactly where your food is from (it is not all or nothing - there are alternatives and they can be found in places like farmers markets around the country). I do tend to 'switch off' too - those who post horror on my newsfeed are unfriended (or hidden) and I choose to avoid as much as possible those articles or programs that will upset me. It doesn't mean I don't acknowledge that bad happens. But we need to control the information we subject ourselves to or be overwhelmed by it. Being overwhelmed just creates a catatonic despair where we feel we can't help and can't make a difference. But the small things we do, DO make a difference. Seek out those that seek workable solutions to problems in a positive way rather than those who seek to overwhelm people with the horror of it all.