Clyde

I don't know where he's meeting these 'timid' Borders They are a breed that 90% of the time try to eat something while being groomed (me or the dryer) - same when I vet nursed. My brothers Border bit me on the face a few years ago for doing exactly what that little girl did - I got in his face and he didn't like it. My fault completely but it's something common in the breed - they don't mind having a little nip here and there. Before the BC lovers start screaming I grew up with Borders as working dogs so feel entitled to have my opinion. When you get a good one they are the most awesome dogs, but they 'aint a dog I would ever let my child pat or that I don't treat with a healthy respect.

I would have no hesitation killling a snake in my yard if I was brave enough to do it (I'm not). My local vet who is a snake lover did tell me though that if I got rid of said snake then another would move in who would not be used to the comings and goings of my property and thus possibly more dangerous. I didn't see any last summer but am always on the alert. I'm not going to wrap the dogs in cotton wool but I'm acutely aware that it's a risk each summer. I am sure I have one near the water tank as I hear a hiss and a bigggggg rustle whenever I go out there. My daughter has now been banned from riding her bike out there - I figure it's better off out there where my dogs don't access. I hate snakes - a good one is a dead one IMO but I think what my vet says has merit. Only metres over the road they get plenty of browns - I wonder what makes their place more appealing than mine - can't say I'm complaining!

Exactly right. Ollie was a legend! I feel such great sadness for you Jodie and will be thinking of you *hugs*

You are the only person who has rudely insulted another in this thread, yet other people are the angry ones? I hope you manage to resolve all your issues with Dogtainers.

Confident Maltese

Exactly my point!! When working as a nurse if people came in for a tick clip the entire dog usually got clipped off. As a groomer in a tick area when dogs came in for a tick clip I would leave the tail on 90% of the time. We are paid to do a service so I simply do what the owner requests - pros and cons are always discussed first.

I'm sorry for your loss Sometimes, it's the dogs we have in the shortest time that leave the biggest impact.

The majority of ticks are found at the front of the dog. It is frighteningly easy to miss them.

Having lived and worked in a tick prone area I have clipped plenty of Labs. I always advise the negatives prior. It certainly helps owners find ticks more easily. If the dog is allowed indoors in weather extremes and is elderly then I would be leaning towards doing it even though I know it's not considered the right thing to do. When you live your life in fear for your pets every day then their coat gets pushed to the back burner.

I wouldn't get too hung up on size. The best Rotties I've had were ones that were on the smaller side He can take up to 3-4 years to really fill out. I'd just make sure he is in proportion, glossy coat, clear eyes etc Sounds like you know what you are doing in terms of him being the right weight so just keep going with that For a growing large breed it doesn't sound like a great deal of food though but, some dogs do well on a sniff of an old rag. Maybe try upping it a little and see how he goes. Don't compare your boy to other Rotties either, they are often overweight. FWIW People have always owned Rotties bigger than yours. Your plumbers best mates brother in law will have owned one who weighed 120 kgs and fathered pups no less than 100 kgs each :D The sizes some people come up with with Rotties is astounding, I learned to bite my tongue and just nod and smile while holding on to my 40 kg male Rotti.

Cannot recommend Max highly enough - he is a miracle worker but also helps you understand exactly what it going on. I find some vets don't understand that I want to know the ins and outs of everything. Max has done some amazing things with my dogs!

Some dogs don't ever grow out of it.

That made me cry

I charge $25 per night.

I love this pic, it looks like the cat is saying 'one inch closer and you will DIE' She's looks gorgeous.

Snot would be awesome with something like this, is she still around?

:rofl:

what is the name of that bait, I know there is one that does not kill if something eats the dead from bait thing . I have not used baits for yonks , but would be good to know the one i can use if I need to . Racumin. It has a build up effect but if you were then to regularly feed a certain bird mice which have died from Racumin then chances are they will get the build up effect and die too. I use it in my feed shed with great success but don't ever find dead critters so they must go away to die.

How awful for you, and so sudden I am sorry for your loss.

But that's not to say it doesn't agree with all dogs. It gave my Pug really nasty hot spots that took ages to get rid of, my Shih Tzu got yeasty ears and another dog got too fat. However I have two other dogs who seem to do well on it. It's just trial and error and won't be the right food for all dogs, which the fan club needs to accept instead of appearing confused.

Aphra - your letter was awesome, absolutely spot on, no aggression, to the point and providing alternatives. :thumbsup:

Ruthless Leather or http://www.k9pro.com.au/.

My house interior and furnishings are all with black dogs in mind so as to not show up any coat. I've now ended up with two very fluffy white dogs (Maremmas) . My almost black floorboards and the Maremmas are not good friends. It's funny you should say that as when I was looking in to the breed I had my heart set on all white. Now we've got the new boy and he has markings on him and I couldn't care less, I barely notice them. But yes I am very particular about a dogs markings/colours - they don't necessarily have to be good looking (I have had some shockers in the past), but I'm not in to boring looking dogs. Although I'm sure people say my dogs are plain, but in my eyes they're the best dogs out there! I think though over time I have realised that the best looking dog isn't always the best dog for me. I've chosen for that reason before and it didn't work out so now I'd be more open minded. There are markings/colours I would not ever own though.

It's the lack of health testing which irks me.