Aroura

I would LOVE to afford to feed the BARF diet!!! It has so many positive aspects to it, but it is so expensive!!! Well, for a 19 year old with two rather large dogs it is.... Although I don't feed completely on a BARF diet, I do feed as much raw chicken as I can afford ontop of dry food every day. Have you seen what they put in that stuff??? I don't want to be feeding my dogs commercial food, its horrible, but I think supercoat is good, it had "chicken" and "beef" specified which means no dog!!! It also has rosemary as a natural preservative, chicken meal as a main ingredient, kelp and garlic added and it is cheap!!! Its the best I can afford, but I'm already starting to save so I can feed a top quality, expensive diet for the whole time leading up to Lilys pregnancy and for the few months after she has pups. Does anyone know if its safe the feed a pregnant dog a BARF diet if its used to commercial food? I'm guessing it should be fine if she's used to eating raw chicken everyday anyway.... I think newfie mom feeds one of her dogs on BARF.

Its sad isn't it. When I lived near the dog park I always walked by this house with the most gorgeous Lab/Boxer mix (?) that would bark at us, wagging its tail. A few weeks later a trip to the pound saw me standing infront of that very dog, looking at me with sad eyes saying "take me home, please", I told the man at the pound I knew this dog and told him where it lives, my heart sank when he told me the story, the owners had turned up at the pound with this dog, claiming it was a stray just so they didn't have to pay the surrender fee... I cry as I write this, this dog was so nice and so cute and it may be dead now. I wanted to take him home so much, but with two other big dogs I simply couldnt afford him. How can people be so heartless? They also had two other dogs, it makes me wonder what happend to them :cry: :cry: :cry:

BTW, I've decided that I'll only get a halti if I have troubles training Lily with the flat collar/praise/play/food reward system. First lessons tomorrow, I'll let you know how it goes!!! :D :P :D

[quote name='Anonymous'][quote name='K']Guest I know it was a long post but please read carefully......she still pulled THE FIRST TIME..of course she did!!!!!! she had never been on a choke before (more's the pity) and did not know what would happen when someone was actually in control of her and once she came to realise that she calmed down amazingly quickly!!! I am NOT saying choke chains are right or wrong as you are I am just giving 1 experience I have had....I am sorry you did not like my story>>>>>[/quote] Your story was typical of people who don't know how to train only how to hurt a dog to make it obey. I find it sad you felt you needed to share it to help convince more dog owners to hurt their pets instead of training them. You don't seem to care one bit how much neck damage you may have done to the dog with that collar - but then you won't be caring for the dog as it ages anyway. :cry: Its pretty simple to control even a large dog and not let it pull you along *if* you know how to do it and you don't need a choke collar to manage it just the wit to keep your body from being in prime pull position or to keep the dog from taking off.[/quote] Well guest, quite obviously you are very narrow minded and uneducated, cant you see that it is the owners behavior that is damaging the dogs neck? A dog pulling like that on its flat collar is sure to develop neck and trachea problems, cant you see that? Where as, if it were taught to walk nicely on a check chain it would go through life with no probs whatsoever. And dont you try telling me that I am wrong, BECAUSE I AM NOT AND I KNOW THAT!!!! I'm simply stating the facts, in fact, flat collars can be many times crueler and more damaging than any other training device!!! Face it, some dogs simply arent suited to flat collar training methods. If flat collars are so kind, then how come every second dog you see in the street wearing them is straining and choking themselves? It is only when people let their dogs do this with check chains that they too become dangerous. There is absolutly no evidence to prove that a check chain used CORRECTLY causes any damage whatso ever, let alone any more damage than the flat collar you beleive so religeously in!!!! SO LOOK AT THE FACTS BEFORE YOU POST AND ACCUSE EVERYONE ELSE OF BEING CRUEL, WHEN WHEN ALL THEY ARE DOING IS SAVING THEIR DOGS NECKS!!!

[quote name='Anonymous']Correct, so why are you trying to change lily's lead training method then? a halti is the easy way out. why confuse her?[/quote] When did I ever say I was trying to change her method? I simply said her training lessons START tommorrow, we had a speech last weekend on methods. I have chosen the motivation methods, eg the use of food and either a flat collar or halti. Where did you get the idea I was changing and confusing her? :-?

And I will 3rd the ditto :wink:

science_doc, sounds like one damn smart cat!!! horsefeathers, I'm with you on this one, couldn't find anything offencive about it myself. Don't see how anybody can find a dog doing 'doggie things' offensive! :-?

[quote name='blively']:) My name is Billie and I have to say that I love my Pit Bull Toby. She had puppies 5 weeks ago and they are adorable. I know that people are hesitant when it comes to Pit Bulls, but I have to say that my dog is the sweetest dog. When I pull up in the yard, she is waiting for me with a stick in her mouth. I think Pit Bulls get a bad rap, but are wonderful animals. I believe a dog is a reflection of its owner. Billie[/quote] Well Billie, you make sure those pups all go to the best homes so we can see more beutiful well cared for Pits around! Ask 1001 questions before selling them and make sure you keep in touch throughout the dogs lives, people can't be trusted with power, if you let just anyone take your pups they may be abused. I'm sure you will find good homes, even if you have to knock back a few people to find them.

[quote name='candybug2002']you must have a nice life! :wink:[/quote] I really have to say, its the best feeling in the world. So peaceful, especially to see the dog not eating the cat and the cat not eating the rat and the rat not eating the fish... they all just sit around in a big circle and listen to me!!! :-?

[quote name='sashagirl']Actually he is looking on the internet. In case you didn't notice, this forum IS on the net... :roll:[/quote] LOL, I forgot to mention that! :roll:

Thats ok everyone, I was just being a sook and wanted to feel part of the group without having to go get a Pit Bull!!! (My two dogs are quite enough as it is, and enjoy their lives sending me broke!!!) I know what you mean though, about trying to unite the good owners (rather than trying to unite the owners of the good dogs, big difference, as they are all good at heart...). Sometimes when people see me walking Tessa they scream and cross the road, she's only 20 kg, but because she is black and very muscley (Bull Terrier coming through) people get scared and it bothers me because she is such a nice dog, if only people would give her a chance. I don't know how people see Boxers, but I've never had any bad reactions from Lily!!!!

Every night when I go to bed I read my rat, Mojo, and my fish a bed time story (I'm reading "Lord of The Rings" to him). Last night I had Lily and my cat Tiger in my room when it came to Mojos bed time story time. So there I was, lying in bed with Mojo in his cage, cleaning himself while watching and patiently listening to his story, all my fish huddled to one side of their tank to watch me (they always follow me around), with Lily lying on the end of my bed staring at me with her big Boxer eyes and Tiger sitting on my pillow next to my head looking at me and purring. I felt like I was in a fairy tale or something, reading to the animals!!!! I think thats the best way to go to sleep :P

Dad took Lily out to a river when she was a little younger for a swim. She went in and started swimming across the river. Being the big goofy thing that she is, as soon as she tried to turn back she started to sink!!! Dad had to strip down to his undies and jump in after her!!! Lucky for us she knows how to swim now :lol: :lol: :lol:

[quote name='Anonymous']No one says pain doesn't work just that its not the best or only method. There are tons of other methods available to you right in your home town area from tons of trainers who know how to train without inflicting pain on the dog to manage it.[/quote] One rule in training, once you've chosen your method of training, don't change it!!! All it does is confuse the dog and had even lead to cases of dog schizzophrenia. If you chose compulsive training, eg use of pinch collar, check chain etc, stick with it, on the other hand, if you chose motivational training you shouldn't switch to compulsive training, all you do is confuse the dog. Tessa has been trained with a check chain, she is a perfectly well behaved dog as that method of training was best suited to her personality, as it would be for most Pit Bulls etc. Our Poodle x, Puddles, and my boxer, Lily, both have personalitys that thrive under the use of motivational training. Neither way of training is "better", it just depends on the particular dog being trained, and the person training it.

Whats the go with all the Pit Bulls? I don't get it, I'm not saying I don't love 'em or anything, but it seems like the Pit Bull owners have made themself a sort of group, all this talk about Pits and me and my darling Boxer and mixed breed cant join in!!!! Please leave topics more open to other breeds, I'm beggining to feel left out! :cry:

[quote name='Anonymous']Hum....makes me wonder why someone would come to a forum for advice when they have all the information at the tip of their fingers.....called INTERNET!?[/quote] I guess for the same reason as the rest of us post... to get oppinions and LEARN! You could look at 1000 internet sites and still not get the same advise as a forum would give you, when posts are put in here it is open to discussion, not just a few pages of useless information you could really do without.

[quote name='Anonymous']I would not buy one until it is proven you need one - if you plan to praise and motivational train this dog all you need is a flat collar! :D Find a class to help you switch methods and learn the new techniques. There is a good book on Crossover Training to help people learning the new stuff after being used to the old. Hunt around on Dogwise.com for it. Don't look for tools look for methods :D[/quote] Yes, I will try with the flat collar first, I'm not sure how she'll react to a halti. She's very stubborn though, and not as food or pat orientated as I would like, so she might not respond so well to just a flat collar and need a little help staying focused. We'll see how she goes :D The classes I am taking her to teach both methods of training, and provide a booklet with absolutly everything in it, from socialization to how to chose which method of teaching is best for your particular dog. They also provide tea and coffee before and after lessons for a time to discuss anything that may be hassling you. It is held in an oval out of town, next to an off lead dog park with a swimming creek. I'm so glad to be taking Lily here, as the guy I took Tessa to was an ex military dog trainer and beleived only in compulsive methods of training, which would only have made Lily a timid dog. All the Boxer breeders and owners alike I have spoken to have said that the number one rule of owning a Boxer is not to train the Boxer out of them!!! Which is exactly what compulsive training would be likely to do. I'm so glad I found this dog group, Tessa also has agility classes right afterwards, so we can make a day of it every Sunday :D

I would suggest if it is your first dog you shouldnt get a really large dog, no bigger than say an German Shephard or a Doberman. But if you really do want a big dog and you do alot of research etc a Saint Bernard or a Burmese Mountain dog would be good, or better yet, a needy dog from a shelter.

I know I have posted quite a few posts praising check chains as they are definatly a great way to train many dogs, but I have decided to train Lily using motivational methods, praise and treats etc as different dogs respond best to different types of training, and Lily is too easily intimidated by loud voices and angry gestures. I was just wondering if Boxers could wear head halters? I've always thought they probably cant, so I don't want to spend money on one if it will just slip off her nose. Has anyone had any experiences with Boxers and head halters?

I'd go for a Lab, a Boxer or even a Standard Schnauser for something a little different. (Personally I would go for a Boxer above anything else, but thats because I'm bias) :roll: How about an Airdale Terrier? They can be quite energetic but are easily adaptable. Or a Great Dane? They make great indoor dogs, and don't NEED too much exercise (any dog can thrive from super long walks and plenty of romping...), they shouldn't be walked too much when they are young though, and their size may intimidate other peoples dogs. Cocker Spaniels are also great dogs, although avoid the solid colours as they have a greater tencancy to become agressive. A Visla? They are great dogs, rather expensive though. Or a Springer Spaniel? They are not only friendly, but smart and loyal, excellent all round dogs. A Standard Foxie? They love to play and will keep you entertained all day while you are near and be contented by themself while you are away. What ever you chose, a dogs socialization period is most important before the age of 4 months, if you socialize it before then and keep it socialized, almost any dog could suit your situation. Good luck dog hunting!!!

This post reminds me of something I heard the other night. When I heard it I nearly cried and haven't been able to stop thinking about it since, it makes me feel lucky to have the parents that I do. At a party on Saturday night I was talking to this guy Sherro, I told him about my gorgeous dogs and how much I loved them and he told me that he loves dogs too and how much he wanted another dog, then he told me the story of his last dog. ApparentlySherro used to be real addicted to pot and spend all his money on it, he had a Bull Terrier that he loved to death but because he couldn't get off the drugs he could barely afford the dog. One day his dad told him that he had to make a choice, the dog or the drugs. Unfortunatly Sherro couldn't give up smoking and his dad knew it so without even waiting for a reply he pulled out the gun. All Sherro could hear as he ran away screaming and crying was his dog yelp once, then silence. After this Sherro realized that smoking drugs brings no happyness and all they do is cost money, so hasn't touched them for months, unfortunatly it was too late for his dog. Sometimes we have to make sacrafices for the things we love, maybe the father thought he was sacraficing the dogs life for his son, or maybe he was just a heartless bastard. Either way he was in the wrong, and this never should have happend. I know this doesn't really have anything to do with the post, but I just want to say, be grateful for your parents, they may seem harsh at times but at least they love you enough to never hurt you like Sherros dad hurt him. It may have taught him a lesson in the long run, but breaking someones heart is never the right way to go about it. It only brings hate into the family, and that never helps anything. Bebe, I'm sure your dads just trying the best way he knows to get you to study harder, by threatening to take away the one thing you love best. He most likely doesn't mean it, deep down I'm sure he loves your dog, if he loves her enough to let her in the house and have her on his lap you've got nothing to worry about. Take it from me though, threats or no threats, study hard while your at school because its the first step to the rest of your life. I finnished school last year and I admit I was very slack and I regret it now. I was so busy being stubborn and refusing to do my work that I forgot that the only person I was disadvantaging from it was myself, and now I realize how much easier it would be today if I'd just spent a few hours each week for study. The only way to motivate yourself to do it, isn't to do it for your dad, or even your dog, but do it for yourself and you'll find the rest of your life alot easier.

What happend when farmers thought it would be a good idea to feed cows ground sheep and cow??? They got Mad Cow disease!!!! Whats the world coming to when we feed our own dogs other peoples pets, and when its the company that makes us do it without even knowing? If Cows have got Mad Cow disease, what could happen to our beloved dogs? When will people ever learn, not only is it unnatural, its inhumane and utterly disgusting!

[quote name='sashagirl'][url]http://www.fuzzyfaces.com/lfood2.html[/url] Ok guys, you really have to check out this link. It is full of facts. Did you know that in some dog foods there is actually remains of euthanized dogs and cats. (I always wondered where they went.) This is definitley a site you will want to check out. :x[/quote] OMG!!! After reading that I'm not sure what I'll feed my dogs!!! A fresh meat diet is so expensive, don't know if I can afford it, but thats horrible!!!! Wonder if the kangaroo tails they sell here have all those chemicals in them? People dont eat them anyway, so there'd be no need for it, maybe I should feed more of them...

Roo, I did look at Advance yesterday, it does seem like a good dog food, but is even more expensive than science diet. I'd love to feed it to my dogs, but it would cost me so much I wouldn't have a spare cent to spend on anything else, like worming tablets, obedience/agility classes, treats, vet visits or even a trip to the movies for myself!!! No doubt, thats what I will be feeding when I have a little more money to spare, but with my two big dogs it does add up a bit. For the meantime I'll have to settle on the next best, affordable thing. Supercoat sounds like the best value for money, with chicken meal as the top ingredient as well as being affordable, more affordable even than some of the brands with something else as the top ingredient. Do you know anything about supercoat? Underdog, Chicken Meal is the dry and ground clean combination of flesh and skin with or without bones, but exclusive of feathers, heads, feet and entrails. Much better than by-products.

Went looking through all the shops, vets and petshops today. I think I'll start feeding my dogs Supercoat, its the only food with meat as its prime ingredient under $3 per kg. Next cheapest with meat as a prime ingredient was Pedigree Principal, at $3.45 per kg and the Pro Plan at $3.85 per kg. Brands such as Ekanuba and Science diet came in close to $10 per kg, which is way out of my budget but I will definatly choose Science Diet when I have more money after the lengthy conversation I had with the vet. Another brand I had never heard of before, Nutrience, sounds absolutly great, I've talked my sister into giving me money each month so I can buy it for her Poodle cross. Its about $7 a kg. Has anyone heard of this brand before or had any experiences with it? It sounds choice. For the moment though my dogs are sticking with PAL, with a bargan I cant refuse. I think the shop overstocked and the 15kg bags are going for $13, thats about half price!!!! Anyway, off to town now to buy some dog food!!! I'll let you know how the Nutrience Super Premium dog food turns out :D