Erny

Ruddocks were selling it at their recent sale down here. I had a glance on the box but didn't really have the time to study the contents list. Struck me that it was mainly about rotating food flavours (eg. chicken; beef; etc) in such a way that dogs could be introduced to them bit by bit, enjoy a variety of food types, but without causing an upset stomach. But I really didn't take the time to look into it closer. Sorry that I can't help. Some people seem to be able to look at food labels and know instantly whether the contents are good or not. I seem to need to write everything down and then go study. :D There was nothing in it, though, to make me think it would be great for my dog with his digestive issues. And that it was from OS I inwardly groaned at the idea of then needing to investigate about irradiation etc. This was enough for me to move on past it.

Go to Dr Jean Dodd's Thyroid link . Read through - instructions for sending samples OS are further down the page, just before the half way mark, highlighted in pale blue. If you need further help with it, let me know. I also found it the most economical and expedient to take the serum sample to a Fed-Ex drop off point myself. From memory the first test I did was the 7200 Profile. The second test I ran was the Thyroid 5 Profile, and the same with the following tests which have been/are necessary until we know we have the thyroid med dosage correct. But I'm not suggesting your dog has thyroid issues just because of one symptom : ie low appetite. I will tell you that with my boy, so skeletal was he becoming at one point, that I left his food out and allowed him to graze. This is NOT something I would generally recommend as it does create poor eating habits (everything being equal) but in my case it was one way I was able to get at least a reasonable portion of food into my boy. And I figured his eating habits were poor anyway. I did not continue with the grazing once his eating habit had improved at least to a "it will get you by" level, although I have returned to "grazing" a little bit (for the short while) whilst experimenting around the feeding of dry commercial foods. "Grazing" in a multi-dog household would not be feasible though anyway.

All assuming his hips are ok and there is nothing physical which makes it awkward or uncomfortable for him to drop into that position ..... go back to the beginning of drop using lure or guide/show/place (or a combo of each). Really high value rewards for the correct position. I find training in drive is a method that can elicite the drop position you seek, as the dogs tend to want to be in a position where they are wired and ready to release into their drive reward (generally tug). If you've done much of "drop" with what I call the "flipped hip" position, you might need to change your command to something else (eg. floor; deck; whatever).

My boy is the same, even when he's 'off' his food. Enthusiastic for training and really eager for a walk. I do tend to find though that in those times of no appetite, he'd run down at the park but would tire a bit more readily than he would when he is eating better. Naturally. My boy would become so skinny that there was a period I fully expected someone to yell out at me about it .... like, "hey, don't you feed your dog?" . I'm finding now that my boy's appetite is a little more 'on' than 'off' by comparison to the last 12 months. I'm also finding that he is holding his weight better even with a bit less food than he has in the past. This in part could be related to the fact that I've found out he is hypothyroid and I'm now medicating for it and/or it could relate to his period of hormonal development. I suspect a bit of both is involved, although that's not the whole of his story. But perhaps the hormonal side of things could be a part of yours :p .

I don't agree with that. I have a boy who has complicated digestive issues (complicated in that we don't really know what or why, yet, and his pattern of eating is puzzling). Part of a very long story is that after staying at kennels, he no longer would eat raw chicken (which was the last of the raw meats he would eat). I couldn't do the "eat or starve" approach - he didn't have much on him to lose in the first place. So I cooked his chicken and that is what he now eats. Not perfect and I'm still working on working things out - but as I said, my boy's story is a long one and isn't necessarily going to be the same as the OP's. I know there is such a fine line that if we cross it, we can create finicky eaters. But I also strongly believe that there are times when (a) the dog 'knows' when something is right or not right for him/her and/or (b) the dog attaches a feeling of un-wellness with a certain food. ETA: When my boy was a pup, he hoovered his food down so fast it was scary. He was around 7 or 8 months of age when he began going 'off' food and when his digestive issues (revealed by the state of his poop) showed up. I am delighted on the occasions he shows strong enthusiasm to eat, and eats with gusto, but those times are not as often as I'd like and he too will have a mouthful of this or that, then leave it, many enough times. I am getting better at picking when he truly is feeling 'off' at the thought of eating the food I've offered, and just hoping for something better. The latter is not something he does very often. In Stitch's case, there is no reason her dog should start this behaviour, so something must have been up in the first place. ETA: Stitch - just as an experiment, try putting your dog's food down (where your other dogs can't get it) and taking your girl away from it and doing a few minutes of obedience work with her, then release her with your release command and allow her to go to her food. See what happens. I am interested in the Tectronic. I've not heard of this and will look it up. Do you know off-hand if it is contra-indicated for anything? ETA: Can't find anything on google. Do you have a link that would provide me with more information on what it is and where it can be obtained, please?

Ah yeah. Sorry - momentary lapse . Silly me. Calendula Tea treats fungal infections (including Tinea) as well.

Why wouldn't they? The RSPCA and the APDT along side the Government must share the view that a dog is better off pts than be rehabilitated with the use of a PPCollar, given that they are the ones who support the ban. And one could say the same of them for the use of the e-collar, use of which has saved many a dog and actually proved less stressful to the dog than the training tools these orgs support. Going back to the originality of the thread, I'd like to know, out of all the laws that have been introduced, what marked difference have any of them made to the improved welfare of dogs? Anyone have any stats on that? ETA: Also what might be interesting to list, is what marked difference have any of the introduced laws made to the detriment of dog welfare. I could name Judy Garde's dogs for one (or for 12, if we count each dog).

Nizoral is an antifungal treatment, so it will only be effective for fungal infections. Hmm, I might try that for my dog with food allergies. Why would you want to try an anti-fungal treatment when the problem relates to food allergy .

Why should I have to give up my career, in part or in full, to be able to offer and deliver good information, argument, discussion etc. with my Council or Government? I don't want to run as a local member. I don't want to join committees or groups. I just want good common sense and a right to voice it and have it listened to. I hate the 'argument' of "if you want something done or have them listen to you, you have to join them". (That strikes me as a bit of "having a dog and having to bark yourself".) And if that is the case, then I don't think Council or Government is as innocent as you seem to suggest they are. THEY are the ones who chose their career - one of serving the people. They need to listen to them and stop playing us as pawns. But anyway - this goes back to Steve's opening post about people calling for more and more laws. You cannot legislate against stupidity. And the more laws we call for, the more "pawns" the Government have to play with.

*Bump* this because I'm sorry Steve, that I went off track.

Yes - I was informed this as well, from someone who I remember was a person in authority, but I can't recall whom. And again, I agree. Brumby announces that if he is re-elected, he'll bring in a law that prevents under 18's from purchasing pets from pet stores. Big Deal. Does that really go to the heart of the problem? I don't think so. But it sounds good to the Jo Public, who by inference will assume that the problem is about under 18's buying pets. So there will be some of the Jo Public who will think he's doing a great thing by this and send him their vote. And it will basically cost him next to nothing - the Pet Stores won't mind because I suspect that the majority of their pet sales is not to under 18 year olds. So he won't lose the votes of the Pet Stores, nor will he have to suffer their angst. For him it's a win/win based on a shallow promise. And then let's not forget how the Victorian State Government brought in a law that banned the good use of the PPCollar. By their own written admission, they have no recorded evidence of harm having been caused by these collars. Indeed, I have cringed at some things I have seen being done with the ineffectual use of other training tools that are not only readily available but which are heralded as "kind, gentle" training tools, where both dog and owner would have benefited welfare speaking, with the use of the PPCollar. Wrong is the law that divides one's sense of doing right by welfare and doing right by law. But no, even without evidence of harm, they ban the PPCollar. And funnily enough, that was around the time when the public were putting pressure on the RSPCA to do something about live exports. Guess something needed to 'give' to take the heat of that little baby. And I spent 3 years of my free (and not so free) time putting together a documentary to prove the worth of the PPCollar and the ills of the law. The documentary was acknowledged. The Government even went so far as to say it raised a few eyebrows. But no ...... for the time being they will reinstate the law that bans its use.

Anne, there are many of us who spend the many hours, days and weeks of our free (and also our not so free) time trying to converse with Government and Councils about the laws they bring and propose to bring in. If it were the case of "Councils do what they feel is right at the time" then they would either be able to explain with reasoning the questions that we raise about these (often) inadequate, unfair and sometimes unnecessary laws. Instead they tend to dodge the questions and overtly bull-doze through them. Such was the case with the recent Victorian Laws that went through and have been in force since beginning September. In that case, NOT ONE of my many, many questions were answered and if you'd had opportunity to listen to the Parliamentary Debate, you would acknowledge my point. Not only did Labor arrogantly dismiss any argument against the many laws that were raised by Sue Pennicuik (Greens) by saying something insultingly flippant like "its complex and there's no need to go into it here" (Lordy- if not at Parliamentary Debate BEFORE the laws are passed, then when ??? ) but the Liberal and the National Parties asserted that "the laws are flawed but we will not be opposing them". So my apologies to you in debating your opinion that you are of course entitled to, but I cannot for one second write things down to the authorities doing "what they feel is right at the time". This sort of thing is not about being human, it is about arrogance, PR and vote catching. These points are not just "there somewhere though" ..... they plague the many of the laws that have been brought in, especially since 2004.

For some reason I think of "Big Foot" every time I see this dog's photo. No offence to the owner - I'm sure he's a beautiful dog . I love the black and white Standard Poodle that PF posted up. I think I could have him . Not sure about the black/tan RR .... strikes me as having Dobe in the mix, but would need a better photo.

And again I agree ..... in the eyes of the Government - both Federal and State, and also in the eyes of orgs such as the RSPCA, these laws are PR, vote catchers and money cajolers.

Amen to that. We can regulate ourselves - the responsible dog/pet owners through the unison we share the privilege in being members of orgs such as MDBA and other educationally based organisations such as the NDTF and, if they would step up to the plate, orgs such as the ANKC and the State Council Bodies. These places help/could help guide those who need the education, the wisdom and the know-how to get things right. We don't need a law that tries to get the non-law-abiding to abide the law. As Steve says - THAT doesn't work and only binds up those who are already law-abiding, just like a dose of plaster of paris.

Something that has been overlooked in regards to the point about not food treating other people's dogs without permission is the fact that some dogs don't cope well with certain foods. They may even have a specific and serious medical condition which precludes them from eating certain foods. As for giving tips - remember, that's all they should be : a tip. It's about saying "you can try xxx". A tip is not about explaining the underlying reasons nor is it a guarantee that it will work. Just add "there's more to it than that, but it would take time to explain" and if they want to know more, steer them in the direction of an experienced trainer/behaviourist. The important thing is to know when sometimes a "tip" might not be worked sufficiently properly to be safe. In those cases, it is better off just to advise the trainer/behaviour route and otherwise bite your tongue. Otherwise, let people know there is more to training than meets the eye, and that to reach the goal they seek is about getting there in incremental levels. Give them short instruction to start them off (they probably won't like it - it will be about taking control by putting their dogs on leads ) and let them know that if they want to work up from there it is a matter of following through with a trainer or that they can perhaps ask you after they've reached an appropriate level by doing the basic work you've suggested.

Hopefully you've found the cause. Finding the cause is the major part of the battle. I would think the Calendula will be more soothing to your dog's skin than the ACV. Good luck. Hope it is all sorted .

:D MelBOURNE stomp stomp stomp MelBOURNE stomp stomp stomp MelBOURNE stomp stomp stomp Ummmmmm, ya think she reads here? lol

I do not like the thought either but feel something drastic needs to be done and soon. What are other options? As far as the ANKC taking action, that would be another issue that would be addressed if breeders stopped breeding. Again the outcome is not certain. But if everyone lets their prefix laps, which you then have 5 years to reinstate, for those 5 years you are not a breeder and you are not paying prefix dues. There would also be no pups registered. All loss of funds. ANKC would have to reorganize due to the loss of funds. Now more people are affected, ribbon supplies, dog shows connected such as motels and restaurants, agility trials and so forth would all be at risk. No dog at the Royals would attract more attention provided their several ANKC booths handing out information. It would also demonstrate clearly where the ANKC needs to reorganize. Their role needs to be much more than just keeping records and insurance providers. Anyway it is just an idea, but truly we have reached the point where something has to be done. As far as breeders being afraid of loosing their dogs, Steve is totally right. As much as those who want to bring an end to dog ownership might unfairly paint most dog breeders as a bunch of criminal dog abusers, we love our dogs. We would do anything, including not breed, if that is what it takes to keep our dogs home and safe. We should not be held emotional hostage. That's the whole idea. The ANKC (and by natural turn, the individual State bodies) need to understand that UNLESS they look after their Members, it is itself that is in dire straights. To have the ANKC become strong in defence of its Members (and it is about time this happened - both directly and also via State Bodies) AND have the Breeders standing as the individuals they are - standing United (as should have always been - not divided by bias or any other agenda, potential or realised), then the dog world might begin to straighten out. I'll be interested in Steve's idea that is formulating.

Hasn't the RSPCA already done that, around the time of the Judy Guarde debacle/exploitation??

I might get a flaming from the publishing of my thoughts on this but I hark back to the poster who put up the suggestion about breeders not breeding. I don't think I like that idea but I see what the poster is getting at. But why are the breeders having to even contemplate such drastic actions? Why should they? They have a 'Mother Body' who I thought should be the one working to ensure its Breeder members are not going to be so adversely affected by the laws that our politicians and orgs such as the like of RSPCA support, bring in and implement. ???? Should it not be the ANKC that the Members put the pressure on to do something to help them? Without Members, the ANKC is nothing.

They don't want to believe it, let alone know about it. To do either would mean they'd have no plausible excuse to not involve themselves in one way or another on behalf of their constituent. I spoke to my local parliamentarian about this and as soon as I informed him what had happened his response was something along the lines of "oh, they must have found some reason for taking the dogs". The inference being that he didn't believe what I was saying; that there must be more to in than what I was saying. Bottom line was that he wasn't interested.

My thoughts also - if the coat is sparse to the point you can see skin, I'd be wondering about thyroid levels. That was my thoughts as well. I would not have thought that a change of coat should be so extreme as to causing bald patches. Doesn't sound right to me. Got a picture of the balding areas, LMS?

If it were me I would : Have the anti-histamines on standby but first try a sponge bath/rinse with Calendula Tea. Do a spot test first, before you rinse your dog all over with the tea, just to ensure there is no reaction to the tea itself. Reactions aren't common, going by the feedback I've had to the use of the Calendula Tea. My boy's skin issues doesn't seem to be contact related, but he does have periodic hive break-outs. One really really bad episode back in earlier days had him giving a shiver, the itchiness was so bad. I bathed him with the Calendula Tea and held back the urge to dose with the anti-histamine. By the next day the hives had reduced at least by half in size; any red rash areas had diluted in colour, and the itchiness had all but stopped. Another few rinses over the next few days and his skin was cleared and could get about the job of healing. I never needed to dose with the antihistamine and was able to avoid the administration of antibiotics and cortisone to his system. You'll still need to work out what is causing the itchiness as the Calendula Tea will not cure it, but it will generally bring comfort to your dog; help thwart secondary skin infection; and help reduce inflammation; in the meantime. Calendula Tea can be purchased from a Health Food Store. A 50g packet will set you back about $8.00. For the skin I use about a heaped tablespoon of the Calendula to a cup of boiled water. I put the Calendula in the toe end of a stocking and let it steep in the boiling water until the water cools to tepid or less. Squeeze the excess water from the tea, remove the stocking (discard the used tea) and you have your broth to work with. Use a flannel saturated in the tea to rub into your dog's coat down to the skin, or put it in a spray bottle and spray it on to the skin - whichever you find the easiest. When the itchiness is a generalised all over thing, I tend to use a good handful of the Calendula tea, stuff it in the toe end of a stocking and tie the stocking off in a knot. I let this float in a bath tub filled with 2 inches of really hot water, until the water has cooled to tepid. Put dog in bath tub (rubber mats to prevent slip and scratching) and use the Calendula Tea 'bag' kind of as you might a sponge if you were giving a sponge bath. Just towel dry after this soaking and allow to dry naturally - do not rinse and do not use a hair dryer/blower.

You mean 'marking' ? Or do you mean submissive urination.I'd suggest what is needed is a look at what's going on at home. Your dog's relationship with you; with other animals in the home. When did it begin? What house-training did you do? When does he urinate? Where? What have you already tried? More information required .