DogPaddle

We used a product (I think it was zymez or something) its supposed to stimulate enzymes that help them digest, worked great and after a month or so we didn't need it anymore. I'll check on the name next time I'm at the shop.

The dogs all have a contest to see who gets to fit in our tiny bathroom with me almost evertime. I refer to them as my entourage. :lol:

Thanks All No I didn't scratch the chicken pox . . . well at least not much :oops: As for Tyr it is sad but I think Dr Staples had the right attitude - as long as he's not suffering (anymore than I do with my bursitis) and his pain can be controlled he still has a good quality of life. Since he's been nuetered he's been frisking about with Zaphod even more than when he was a puppy and we doesn't even need asprin everyday yet so we will just keep him comfy and have fun while we can :) As for catching up . . . um . . . I'm not sure that is possible, I'll try :lol: I'll also pass on your words to Pik, I'm sure he pop in sooner or later.

Ok I was away for a bit (Pik was sick with chicken pox, then I was sick with chicken pox, then some changes at work.) Here's the lastest aside from the chicken pox thing - Tyr and Zaphod were neutered, Zaphod had no problems, Tyr had a bit of an infection but is ok now, they are both much happier boys and Kavik is next. Tyr has 4rth grade hip displaysia and the beginnings of osteo arthritis in one hip but the vet is super cool about it and we have some stuff to work with. Pretty simple really - If he's not in pain do nothing, if he is in pain give him asprin, if it gets worse and he's over 18 months there is a $500 surgery that relieves much of the pain, glucos and condroit pucks/treats and that about it. Vet figures he should be ok till somewhere around 7-10 (6 to 9 years from now, not bad) when we may have to put him down but until then it should be ok. I'll post more later.

So sorry BK.

We ran out of our regular dog food but had some of my mum's dog food here so we fed that until the plow the roads so I can go out :roll: Anyway tear started itching his tale and within a half hour had extended to hind quarters and was trying to rip his tale off. So we tried the oatmeal in a sock thing - worked really well, thanks for bringing this up Pawpaw and Alicat.

Fireworks on TV . . . Kavik runs and barks at the back door everytime it happens, I think he is afraid, some with the vaccum cleaner, he barks at it and attacks it but I think it may be fear related? Tyr - it hasn't occured to him to be afraid of anything. Zaphod - What could I possibly have to be afraid of, I'm a super swell guy, everyone and everything loves me.

I think the questions miss some of the most important doggie stuff like how do you get a reluctent 85lb dog in the bathtub and how do you avoid caving into the "please mum" puppydog face.

Maybe you could go with Lucky and Lucky2. One of my college profs bred and mushed Mals, his lead dog was Suzy(Q) and when she had a litter one of the females he chose to keep, and who was incorporated into his team, was very much like Suzy(Q) so he called her Suzy(2). He actually calls them both just Suzy but they seem to be able to differentiate who he means. I like the gaelic names better though.

Zaphod from the book is also perpetually pleased with himself and that suites our Zaphod perfectly, I have met few dogs as naturally happy as Zaphod.

It's ok, try not to worry, I don't personally know anyone who had any problems with desexing.

I usually work with Kavik on his commands, today Pik gave Kavik his watch command and he did . . . he watched me. :lol: Pik didn't see this right away and repeated the command and Kavik looks at me like - "What does he think I'm doing, sheesh." I swear all trainign difficulties are caused by handler's best intentions.

West Highland White Terrier cross, maybe with Norwich or Norfolk Terrier or maybe something taller?

Kavik was the same - not dog aggressive just very much wanted to meet the other dog whether I wanted him to or not, bouncing all over the place, pulling, barking like Bast herself were standing. The only thing that worked for him was a halti, I don't have to correct him he just is calmer when he wears it, I think it indicates to him we are working or at least he should be making paying attention to me his priority. As we are weening him off the halti we are finding the behaviour is holding so while I don't know why the halti does seem to be a solution for us.

My uncle had a GSP that was (from my 10yr old's memory) brownish and white so I presume that would be liver and white. She was a very smart well mannered dog.

Let's see: Tyr's name would be "no bite" (he's a mouther) Zaphod's name would be "drop it" (he eats everything, but he does indeed drop it when asked) Kavik's name would be . . . "ok Kavik we can have snuggles now" cause he's a big suck.

Good luck RnP, let us know how it turns out.

It has just occured to me to wonder if Sparky and How Sad are the same person. Maybe I'm just :stupid: though.

My vet suggested a choke or correction chain so long as my trainer would teach me to use it correctly. My trainer does teach proper use of correction chains, martingales, lupis, gl/haltis but not prongs as he has no experience with them. Any tool can be used incorrectly and cause harm, if you want to treat train your Malamute (a natural puller) to heel you are going to have one severly fat Mal in most cases. You have to use the tool correctly and yes many people don't. I do not like using the correction chain on Tyr for the reasons Pik stated but I do recognize how it could be valuable, like I said I found it did more to teach me when to correct than anything else and I apply that to some of the other heeling methods I use.

Kavik and Tyr will try to prove their dominance by tussling over a toy, when they really get into the heat of their disagreement . . . Zaphod runs in, snatches the toy and goes to chew on it all by himself undisturbed. Kavik or Tyr will end up dominent but Zaphod will have all the chews. :lol: We have 4 varying kongs, although one is missing now, 4 balls, although one is missing now, several sticks and who can tell when one of those is missing, 2 tug toys, although one is basically shredded now . . . and still the dogs all want the same toy at once . . . :wallbash: :lol:

If you are very lucky and search very hard you may find that excellent breeder who will spend time with you, know their pups and make a suggestion of what sex and even individual pup is right for you.

Done

Had to choose between Ducky and Elmo for the poll, went with Elmo.

:oops: :lol:

Hey RnP, do you or anyone you know have any serious dog training/rehab experience. You seem to know a fair amount about the breed and be very passionate about them, maybe you could convince your local shelter to allow you to do some training with those that show the best prospects and maybe end up rehoming them. Lots of liability problems though.