Poodle wrangler

Our dogs slept wherever they pleased once out of puppy-adolescent stage.

Keeping a crate was great for any visitors who hated dogs and kids scared of dogs.

Also to protect dog from crazy kids.

Foldable crate allowed us to take dogs camping etc.

Stayed in many "No dogs!" caravan parks, also.

Kept dogs safe from other dogs (potentially aggressive), too.

Our dogs loved the round type with raised edges for them to curl up in.

FFS, about the YEARLY vs triennial vaccs...

Does the vet that wants yearly vaccs know better than the AVA and Au Govt?

http://www.apvma.gov.au/use_safely/vaccination.php

• the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) recently (June 2009) released an updated policy and guidelines on vaccination of dogs and cats which notes that
  The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) believes that in most cases, core vaccines need not be administered any more frequently than triennially and that even less frequent vaccination may be considered appropriate if an individual animal’s circumstances warrant it. However, local factors may dictate more frequent vaccination scheduling.
  
  

  and highlights the importance of informed consent by pet owners. The APVMA supports the AVA’s vaccination policy.
  

• The AVA’s policy refers to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s (WSAVA's) Guidelines for the Vaccination of Dogs and Cats, which state that
  Vaccines should not be given needlessly. Core vaccines should not be given any more frequently than every three years after the 12-month booster injection following the puppy/kitten series
  
  

That infos more than 3 years old, too.

Older prams cannot be sold by op shops for human babies due to safety concerns.

I often see usable ones dumped by charity bins.

Would look in op shops and ask also as they may be headed for the dumpster.

It is for a pet, not baby.

Might look a little odd, but is a practical thing to do for all of you.

Much better than you all sitting at home, bored!

I had trouble walking any distance with only a 5kg puppy (incomplete vaccs, so no footpath walks) and no bad back

Any suggestions much appreciated e.g. YouTube vids.

Only 2 problems, so far:

1. Barking at loud noises, his reflection or when startled.

2. Biting my kids clothes when puppy excited and playing.

Kids aged 9 and 15 and keen to help train.

Have diverted pup to his chew toy for biting, but no idea at all for barking (ignored only)?

Have started TOT.

Doing well with toileting- goes outside each time he goes out.

Toilets on paper at far end of puppy pen overnight. Has not soiled crate at all (connected with open door to pen)

Sits, but only when he knows I have a treat.

Have given treats for quiet sitting in pen area.

Only day 3 with us.

8 weeks.

Thanks

You have no hope with some people.

Denial, denial, denial!

Most people think it's rude to comment on weight- either pet or human.

I allowed weight to creep on one of my dogs. Was very gradual, so took a random comment from kid, "Oscar looks like cylinder" for me to reassess.

He did need to lose some weight. He'd been taking food from our other dog and I needed to feed them separately.

It's only a tiny amount of food needed for a 7 kg dog. It looks like too little, but a handful is what's needed.

Dog was more full of life when healthy weight.

Was years ago, but I've used Pet Ranch, South Nowra which was good.

I think it's currently for sale?

Good vet hospital at South Nowra, which hope you won't need.

If you use your voice 1) you can never leave it behind and 2) you always have your hands free!

True!

I'll give voice a try, first.

Clickers are new to me, but very impressed how you can "shape" behaviour to teach a dog exactly what you want them to do.

I don't need puppy to dance, just good dog manners.

Thankyou for the great tips!

He's only 8 weeks and a lot of fun.

I have a cheapie clicker which is too loud for my ears indoors.

Also scared pup.

Any suggestions for a quieter brand of clicker, please?

Or, can I replace the clicker with an enthusiastic, "Yeesss!"

Pup is only day 2 with us.

Standard poodle.

I don't think he'll be difficult to train.

Thanks.

Are dogs thoroughly dried after a bath? e.g. Dog dryer?

Noticed my dogs smelled nicer longer if 100% dried off.

My mini poodle died earlier this year from suspected brain tumour.

If a brain tumour is the cause, then phenobarb may, or may not, be effective.

It only helps stop the seizures, not tumour growth, as you probably know.

I don't mean to be cruel, but it may be best to have a talk to vet about when to PTS if it's not possible to separate the dogs and if your JRT will be chronically distressed.

Does your dog still have good quality of life?

Best wishes at this hard time.

Is it unreasonable for a "health guarantee" from breeders?

Saying that they will take back a dog with a genetic condition causing pain and suffering to the dog and refund at least part or all of the cost of puppy?

That would seem fair.

HD is difficult because it cannot be proven 100% genetic.

Probably isn't if dog is an obese, overexercised 2+ year old who's leaping up and down stairwells .

I think many breeders are great, but doesn't change the fact that people are paying money for a puppy.

Legislation exists to protect buyers from unscrupulous breeders selling dogs that are nothing like a show prospect or nothing like the "teacup" SWF the BYB promised.

Breeders are selling something- a living creature- but once $ are involved, so is the law.

Undoubtedly many people would choose NOT to return their dog to breeder under a health guarantee, which is OK.

I'd be one of them, unless it was very severe HD, causing obvious severe pain, in a very young dog.

I don't apologise for not paying many $1000's of dollars for surgery requiring months of rehab and near-fulltime care.

Also many risks of surgery: infection etc.

For many it's not even a choice: They cannot afford it.

To all those good vets out there, thankyou

Many of us appreciate you very much!

I agree some vets have their eye on the $.

In some cases you wonder what happenned to good assessment skills and clinical judgement?

I "shopped around" late last year for dental work for 13 year old mini poodle after the local vet seemed keen on not only a dental, but a specialist consult for possible cataract surgery, with op >$2000.

I didn't have a regular vet in Canberra- only the one I used for routine vaccs.

Went from "definitely needs a dental" to "wait and see if continues to improve with the meaty bones, always a risk with anaesthetic".

$25 for short consult vs $650+ for cleaning and anaesthetic.

Unfortunately, all vets missed any signs of the brain tumour that killed Oscar 3 months later.

Thank God, our local vet here (who I knew much better) was sensible with everything when it came to that.

Poor Oscar deteriorated very, very quickly...

e.g. "I could do an XRay or MRI to confirm a tumour, his eye seems to be a bit further forward on one side, I've consulted with another vet, but it won't affect treatment options..."

Thankyou!!

Struggling to think of any circumstance- your "fault" or not- where it's an acceptable reaction for a pet dog to bite your face?

I'd ring local council and chat with the ranger(s).

I'd ask for advice in case you were in the same situation again.

Agree, not much you can do without name, address etc., but this may not be the first time this dog has hurt someone?

Owner's reaction shows he's in denial about his dog's behaviour.

For you: 20:20 vision in retrospect.

Easy to say now: Don't lean face near dog you don't know well, should have been wary as dog muzzled before etc.

I understand the urge to pat other's dogs, after both our dogs died earlier this year!

Have council got any good suggestions?

Perhaps ask them, "How far it can go?".

Be polite, reasonable and keen to stop annoying council staff over the issue.

I had a neighbour who blamed my dog for barking when it was hers! (a third neighbour complained0

Poor dog barked almost non-stop if she was out, but not a peep when she was home, even though it was in the backyard.

Complete Jekyll and Hyde.

Fortunately, was kind of obvious it was her dog as Golden Retriever at 30kg sounds very different to 7kg mini poodle!

E-collars (zap for barking) aren't designed to be worn for 8+hrs, so not an option if you're away 10hrs with work.

I used to spread small amounts of kibble over the kitchen floor to slow down any guzzling of food.

I, too , had a chicken neck inhaler (standard poodle).

Chicken frames and turkey necks were good.

Avoid small bones from some suppliers.

Sorry, can't advise on council/ neighbour, but can you have dog inside when you're at work?

To minimise noise?

Noticed lots of people seemed to do this in Canberra - lots of dog barking at me, looking thru windows, but much less noise on the street!

No breed of dog suited to her lifestyle

I'd ask her how long she's away from home each day & how unfair it would be on the dog.

You could emphasize the destruction caused by bored dogs, large poo from large dog etc.

A few weeks to go before we have our black, standard poodle pup

Anyone found cheap/ reliable stores to buy puppy gear?

especially chew toys?

Appreciate if you can share, thanks!

We're getting a puppy in a few weeks

Any tips for the cheapest place to get chew toys e.g. Puppy Kong etc.

Breed is standard poodle, around 25+kg when fully grown.

Thanks.

Poodle feet- shaved all over- are very practical :)

(only joking)

+1

Same advice applies to humans, too!

I read a lot about people concerned about side effects, but you pain itself causes effects e.g. chronic stress, behavioural issues etc.

To help relieve the cost of pain relief, some human medications can be used for dogs also- talk to your vet and adjust doses unless your dog weighs 80kg.

Thanks.

Is not so much cost, but getting out more around 11 weeks vs 15+ weeks.

Will discuss with vet and breeder.

Coming up to tourist season around here, so?

My understanding was that the Nobivac had been shown to overcome maternal immunity.

Thought rationale for giving 3rd dose when pup older @ 14-16 weeks was in case earlier dose(s) were ineffective due to pup still having immunity from "Mum" .