Scarlet

Personally I wouldn't like young pups sleeping outside in winter. I suppose it does depend on where you live. If they HAVE to sleep outside I would probably have them sleep together while young, for warmth and comfort but then you may have trouble separating them when older. The crates would have to be protected from the elements-wind / rain / sun. It concerned me when you said they would have a waterproof cover. Does this mean they will get wet from the rain? I do think you are brave getting two pups at once. I hope you don't have a nice garden! I would also suggest that you spend quite a bit of time with each dog separately so they bond to you and not just to each other. If possible I would take them to puppy school then obedience separately

No his pupils are fine. As I mentioned the stroke did change his personality a little. Punter can be a bit grumpy with people and other dogs. I wouldn't trust him around small children. He lives with my ex now. They live out in the middle of nowhere which suits both of them. He is never grumpy with my ex or myself but will growl at my adult sons if they suprise him or disturb him when he is resting. My sons visit a bit and they take my younger BC as she loves it up there. She has learnt to keep out of Punters way and be submissive to him.

My male BC had a mild stroke about 4 yrs ago when he was around 6yrs. It sure slowed him down and he has a permanent tilt to his head. He needs to tilt his head to see straight. If anything the tilt has got more pronounced as time goes on. He tires fairly quickly and when tired cannot walk in a straight line. It's a bit hard to keep his weight down because he can't exercise too much and he gets a bit grumpy. Otherwise he is happy and healthy.

I figure if you love GSD and they fit into your lifestyle then get one. If you get a pup it will be a while before it could do flyball. I imagine a GSD would have to be around 18mths before it can jump, do extended running etc. (Someone here can give you a better timeframe than me!). You could also get an older dog if you didn't want to wait so long. In the meantime you could do obedience and I know GSD excell at that. From there you could try anything and see what you and you dog prefer. There are lots of dog sports out there.

It can cause skin irritations in people so probably dogs as well See http://www.floridata.com/ref/T/trad_spa.cfm

These were from google http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagen...pcc_toxicplants http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/dogs/index.html http://www.ttlntl.co.uk/2/Health/poisonplants.htm Your local library will probably have books on the subject and they are more likely to have photos.

Here are a couple of rescue dogs suitable for flyball if you're after an adult dog. http://www.flyball.org.au/Dog%20Rescues/Rescuedogs.htm Working dogs do well, but again they are usually medium size.

Try a bucket or large plant pot. They don't funnel out as far as the elizabethian collars. Cut out the base, thread some tape through and tie it to a flat collar. Axle will probably hate it but better than an infection.

I had a rescued afghan for a while and they can be similar to greyhounds - I think. It's all a learning curve. Anyway I always make my dogs sit before meals and the afghan was very, very slow to sit. Then a greyhound person told me that sighthounds are uncomfortable sitting. They tend to stand or lie down. I watched her after that and she never sat. So for weeks I was making her sit when it was really unconfortable for her - poor thing.

Ditto. See someone fast. In the meantime watch and whenever she does it distract her immediately, put her on lead if you have to. I know vets medicate for this but I would suggest a behaviourist as well.

Can I suggest that when you are home "leave" as much as possible but for only short times - coming back when your boy is quiet or try to judge between bouts of barking. Try to make it a common occurrence to let your pup know that you are coming back. Yes I agree with ignoring the pup when you leave and when you come back - at least for the first 3 / 5 mins or untill he is no longer demanding your attention. Let us know how you go.

When I've had puppies I always had toys on my body - in pockets, waistband etc. When the puppy started biting I would shake and get them interested in the toy rather than chewing me. I usually worked. I would also have toys on rope to drag behind me so they could chew that and not me. Good luck with the training, at least a lab is always food focused and the trainers will show you how to make that work in training. Sounds like you are doing great with her already.

I took a very skinny foster into my vets to weigh her and my vet suggested a premium dry puppy food. I was able to feed her 3 to 4 very small meals a day and it worked really well. She had already been wormed and heartworm tested before I got her.

Registration Costs For Pine Rivers Shire - North Brisbane First year - all dogs (from 3 months) $20.00 Second year & thereafter whole dog $60.00 Desexed dog (copy of certificate must accompany application) $20.00 Obedience Certified (basic level). Current for two (2) years from date of course completion $20.00 Pensioner Concession : Age, Blind, Carer, Disability Support, Sole Parent, Widow, TPI and War Related and Seniors Card. Whole or desexed dog $20.00 Dangerous Dog inclusive of current registration. To apply also to Guard Dogs $235.00 I find these reasonable but there is no lifetime registration. Every few years the council send staff on a doorknock to check how many dogs you have and if they are registered. They have no power to go past the front door and do not hand out fines. If they notice a dog they inform you about registration etc The ranger will return in a few months if the dog is not registered by then.

Just reading a post about timid dogs in a rescue post http://forums.dogzonline.com.au/index.php?showtopic=88354 Maybe your friend could get a copy or Trisven13 could pass it onto you when she is finished.

When we lived at Mathoura we backed onto the Barmah forest and rabbits were in plague proportion. The dogs lived on mostly rabbit. On a walk our lab surprised and caught a rabbit so the other two dogs chased him. He swallowed the rabbit whole and while on the run!! The other dogs spent about 5mins sniffing and searching for it while the lab layed down burping and couldn't move for quite a while. It could only have been a lab.

A canine is easier to extract than a molar. The root is large but it is conical and there is only one root. Molars generally have 4 roots, have funny shapes and because they are finer are easier to break. IMO canines should be cheaper or at least the same price as a molar to extract.

Another tick for priceless pets.

Thats because he doesn't get out of bed untill the afternoon!

My BC does(did) the same but I will also make her ignore it too. She kn0ws when its game time or garden time - if she hasn't forgotton what a hose is of course.

With pups I would sometimes hold the end of the neck and that would make them chew at least half of it.

Great news that you puppy is OK and I hope you hang around the forums.

Oh Varicool I hope he is OK.

Oh he's a frog leg puppy! Just beautiful. Personally I wouldn't leave food in his bowl. What he doesn't eat in 10 mins or so remove and throw out. If he snacks during the day he won't eat meals and food will go off. Even dry food dries out.

Please, please don't buy a dog from a pet shop. Most of the breeding stock live their lives in horrid conditions. Try not to give these shops any custom. My pet shop, Pet Cafe in Brisbane - they don't sell any animals - had a "thing" for dogs to toilet inside. I didn't pay much attention but it was reasonably large and had fake grass on top. Next time I'm in I'll have a look at it. I'm sure a lot of good pet shops would have something similar.