Scrappi&Monty

I'm not too sure about the differences between Staghounds/Deerhounds/Wolfhounds etc, or if this pup would be sighthoundy enough for you, but he's pretty cute! http://services.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/petsonline/search.aspx?type=2 (bottom of the page) He's a young (maybe 16wks?) wolfy at Blacktown Pound. :)

I know it might not be, but I wouldn't be dismissing arthritis just because he can run. Our neighbour's kelpie x lab is 12 and has bad arthritis, while they were on holidays we were going next door to see him a few times a day and I went over as it was about to storm badly and wanted to check he was out of the rain, he took a long time to get up and I needed to help him a bit. Then someone walked past the back lane and he sprinted off and ran up and down the fence... we joke that he's acting, but really his arthritis is bad but he's too stubborn/stoic and didn't want to let the pain stop him or complain to his people. :-(

How gorgeous they all are :-) Our boys had cute pics taken this morning but they are on my phone and I can't be bothered to get them onto here haha. But Monty got reindeer antlers for his first Xmas and Scrappi got a red bandana. They are a bit cooped up at the moment at our cousin's house in the downstairs yard which has been fenced off especially for them. Also not allowed in the house upstairs. So had to go for a big walkies yesterday which was fun and games walking a dog who's strong and a bit leash reactive in a new environment!

Ours are getting lots of treats and a few toys. (Some "moo tubes" (beef tracheas), some little dry jerky treats, some black hawk samples that just arrived in the mail, and some Big Dog shark cartilage treats that we won! ????????, and then a few cheapie rope toys from Kmart/hot dollar, and some poo bags haha)

That's an awesome idea with the Hart stuff! We had some of that brand stuff at school, just had a look and it's much cheaper than specific dog ones. The agility class near me uses the plastic yellow poles that they use at schools instead of agility jumps and weaves

Yes similar to what tassie said if you only need something to practice her confidence building you can make a little tunnel type thing out of stuff you might already have, not pretty and not for leaving out, but it works for the meantime... Maybe some saw horses or chairs or similar and space them out and drape a sheet/blanket/tarp over the top. Or maybe some hula hoops and get some sort of U shaped tent peg to peg them into the ground they might stand up? And drape fabric over. Maybe have a play around and see what you can invent! Haha. But thanks for the heads up for that website, we aren't too into agility as we can't do proper classes but Monty has a jump that I made out of PVC which is pretty good, needs fixing though as he chewed part when it blew over ????

Aww that's gorgeous :-) Wish we had contact details of Scrappi's foster carer and the lady who looked after Monty the day we adopted him at the adoption day.

Scrappi (14kg Corgi x Jack Russell) has torn both hind cruciate ligaments over the years, we didn't do surgery, the vet thought we'd be able to avoid it. First he partially tore the right, then a few months later tore the left fully, then tore the right fully. :-( On all occasions we were given meds (can't remember the what) and he had to be on "bed rest" for a month or so. No walks, running, jumping, stairs, couch etc. That was hard with a full of energy adolescent but it needed doing and we managed ok. He had to stay at a family members during the day because we're all at work or school so if you have that opportunity it might work. He is ok now, occasionally needs half an aspirin if he gets limpy (like every few months) and he is likely to get arthritis when he's older. I'm not sure how invasive the surgery is and if I would've done it if it happened now. (I was only young then, my parents thought it was best not to and in the long run that worked well)

Pawpaw ointment is safe to use. ???? I use it religiously for myself as i get dry lips, so if dogs ever need it I just chuck some on. (Usually for dry paws or cuts/grazes or where a bindi or ant bite got them)

Coconut oil both orally (on their dinner) and melted and applied topically to sore spots works a treat. It's soothing and moisturising, and also has natural antibacterial properties. Scrappi used to have a terrible itch and our vet thought it was just environmental allergies in Spring. He was on prednisone (or similar?) everyday of summer and spring for two years which worked a bit. The second year he reacted to it though and personality changed and gained a fair bit of weight quickly. We weaned him off it and I did some online research and stumbled upon how food can cause itchiness too. We were feeding him supermarket food (yikes) and then switched to Black Hawk which has emu oil in too which would've helped, + a higher meat content and less bad grains. We started raw feeding at night with the coconut oil (1tsp) and kept using the vet recommended Aloveen oatmeal shampoo & cond. All of this combined worked wonders, and also for the long term. This spring & summer he hasn't had a single itch and shedding has been minimalised. We haven't even needed to use coconut oil or conditioner this Spring/Summer, he is so soft and his coat is thick and longer than before. He is also at a much healthier weight from not having the prednisolone.

Kurri isn't far from me if need be... he isn't very sighthoundy looking though

Oh no - i've heard that even with great socialisation they can switch down the track at certain things - heard of few dogs doing that with thunderstorms as they got older Scrappi did that, he was never worried about thunderstorms until a few years ago we had a massive storm and flood and everyone got quite distressed which left an impact on him. Now he hides under the bed during storms. He's not that scared but just a little worried.

Sounds like you're doing very well! That's exactly what I wish I could've done! :-) My pup is 1yo and got him at 6mths from RSPCA, he's a lovely dog but needed a LOT of training to become less anxious. Previous owner hadn't done any training at all. Monty had quite bad separation anxiety and gets worried about some loud noises, he also is wary/scared of most new dogs (despite being a bigger dog!) I believe that socialisation, especially with things like that, are essential and my top priority with puppies from day dot. Makes life for you and pup so much easier and happier! You seem to be doing a terrific job! :-)

Aww Thistle looks so comfy! :-) Might have another look otherwise we won't bother for a while.

May I ask how much Aldi ones cost? Those other ones look like a good deal but we don't have that shop near us.

For more.. spaniel? I know it seems like one purebred spaniel is 100% spaniel but think about it.. 1 spaniel + 1 spaniel = 2 spaniel = 200% spaniel. (Bad spaniel maths, nobody should take this as fact. Also, the more I type "spaniel", the less it seems like an actual word.) Hahaha not sure if that's how spaniel maths works...

When we got Monty he was a bit too skinny/bony and needed a bit of fattening so we used this recipe I found online. They're called satin balls. Feed as treats, supplements or a meal, mix up into meatballs and freeze. Kind of have to add a bit more or less wet/dry to get a good consistency) - A few cups of kibble crushed to crumbs - A tub of cream cheese - Some raw mince (higher fat option) - few tbs Peanut butter (You can also add oats, gelatin and other things but I just skipped that)

Aww that would be great poochmad! Only problem is Goulburn is too much of a hike for us! I'm sure someone else closer by will snap them up though! ???? I'm sure there are a few rescues that would be happy to take up the offer of free crates... would you be amenable to donating them to rescue? T. Yes that would be a lovely idea!

We had one of those Kmart food balls, it was good for a while but somehow it's gone missing. I've smooshed up banana and peanut butter and honey and frozen in a kong, they liked that. I've also seen people use 100% fruit purée and freeze that. If you're fine with using up that old kibble then you can soak it in warm water like porridge and put that in and freeze it. (Makes a hard frozen kibble piece sorta) Or a high quality tinned food or barf patties. (I've used some big dog patty once in a kong) Or I've seen treat balls that you can buy that have a soft rubber outer layer? Or you could simply just scatter kibble or dehydrated treats in tiny pieces around on the ground outside to sniff out.

Aww that would be great poochmad! Only problem is Goulburn is too much of a hike for us! I'm sure someone else closer by will snap them up though! ????

(Sorry to hijack scrappi! I had been looking around lately...) That's perfectly ok :)

The one about 20 mins from thornleigh? 36" for $50 and an old Vebo one? Someone else did, not me. I went to check and it was gone! :-( haha

Such pretty puppers! I do love Spaniels. :-)

And a nice crate cover :D You can get some incredibly pretty ones on Etsy these days Although for travel, I'd also get a cheap oxford/waterproof one to keep other dogs from eyeballing her while she's crated- most of those covers come with velcro windows now so you can pick which bits of the cover are open. Enablers ???? You know my weaknesses Yeah haha. Those pretty crate covers are very tempting... since mine are mainly for Xmas at first I could get a Christmassy tablecloth or something (if it's not too hot) ???? And a pretty one for Scrappi every other day in my room. (At the moment he sleeps under my bed or my desk and goes there when he's worried or tired so a crate would be really good. ????

Oh ok so realsmart is pretty good? I was going to buy from them but was a little apprehensive because so many people had bad experiences with them. As well as a lot of perfectly fine ones. Is yours easily bent or rusty or anything? Thanks rubiton :) No - both the puppy play pens and the crate exactly as in the photos on the site. Ordered on Monday nights and arrived Friday in SA Oh that's great! Thanks again. 30" is on special for $35 if I remember correctly so might chance it with that. I found on Gumtree a second hand Vebo crate in perfect nick for $50 (usually around $80-90?) which is only 20 mins away from my cousins house so we can pick it up on the way to theirs at Xmas. I think we're sorted now. Thanks a bunch :)