DogPaddle

The [i]dictionary[/i] says that hypoallergenic means a lower probability of causing an allergeic reaction. I would guess that is what allicat is refering to. So if from varied personal experiences people are finding that their allergies are less iritated by or not irritated by poodles or any other breed that breed could be then referred to as hypoallergenic which does [b]not[/b] mean that someone could never be allergic to them or that they don't have dander it just means that the paticular breed may not bother some people with allergies or not bother them as much. Example - I am allergic to most artifical/chemical scents. I buy non-scented, hypoallergenic hand cream, most are fine, one brand makes me sneeze, makes my eyes burn and itch and makes me feel miserable in general. The product is still hypoallergenic as apparently others with allergies are not bothered by it but I am, also most hypoallergenic products do deliver on the claim.

Hey Mouse - is that three classes or three courses?

My mom's dog was a huge suck. He was used to getting snuggles when my mom said "Aw, good dogie." One day there was a news report about a cat rescued from a fire and my mom said "Aw, poor kittie." in the same tone she used for aw, good doggie, Joe went nuts with jelousy, he didn't know who was getting attention but he knew it wasn't him. :lol:

I think just a sticky would be OK. Ok so to start off has anyone read Dogs for Dummies and is it really useful?

Post hound. :o

Didn't we have a thread about good dog related books - training, behaviour, aggression, activity related training, pack stuff etc? I can't find it. If someone knows let me know, if we don't have one can we start one?

Kitti - Where you looking for breeds of dogs that produce [i]generally [/i][b]less [/b]dander than other breeds?

Julie - Starfox has indicated [quote]Actually Zebra has had 3 obedience classes. One basic puppy class when he was 2 1/2 months old, the second one was a clicker class and the most resent was an adult dog obedience class, which he just graduated from last weekend. [/quote] So I don't think obedience class is the issue here. Maybe dominance issues, a need for displays like people eating first, going through the door first, no dog on the bed (at least for a while), etc but it seems like they have been doing lots of obedience. Starfox - Chat with Hazel a bit maybe. There are some simple things you and the rest of your family can do to enforce hierarchy.

I don't mean to sound soooo down on the wolfdog thing. I just think it is a mistake in most cases.

No one is saying Poodles don't have dander or that you are making things up or anything like that. What they are saying is that some breeds bother some peoples allergies less than other breeds - this these people know from their personal experiences.

It is a strange choice for a dog. Do you play fetch with tennis balls, maybe he thinks he's found a treasure trove of special fetch balls? Does he try to eat them?

I'm very comfortable knowing my dogs know everything in the house is mine, including them, their food and toys. I would definately go with obedience and work on things like having the dog sit and wait for you to go through a door first etc, just to be safe.

He drinks, he pees, he drinks, he pees . . . No weight loss though, fairly healthy as well. But who wants to take a chance, so on next vet visit its: snip, hips check and drinking problem discussion.

There are herding training groups around here, still Canada and only about 3000km away :lol: , why don't you pop on over. There are probably groups near you as well. Most participants here have to rely on rented sheep. In fact there is a farmer 'round here who has a small herd of sheep just for this pupose - rental sheep for events. What do you suppose that is listed as in the yellow pages? :o

WooWoo! Can't wait for pics!

I am for low kill shelters where only dogs who are very sick or unadoptable are humanely euthanized. I do not think it is good to euthanize every bully breed brought to a shelter but former pit dogs can rarely be rehab'd to make good family pets, if they can great, they should be. Dogs that cannot be safely placed cannot be housed indefinately in shelters, its inhumane (very few shelters are a humane living conditions for even short periods of time) so they have to be euthanized. Many of them do happen to be bully breeds but the same rule is or should be applied to all breeds.

Welcome, no jack or pit here, but again, Welcome.

Your doing great with Hazel, if you feel pretty confident I'd go, no sense doing all that work only to stop now. [size=7][color=red]Yay Hazel![/color][/size] :multi:

In this area it is illegal to have a wolfdog. In this area no matter what shots the wolfdog gets it would be considered unvaccinated as there has not been testing done to determine effectiveness. The dog cannot go to obediance, the dog cannot compete in any events, the dog will be pts for testing if it breaks anyones skin and they report it. Wolfdogs are not quite like dogs, you will not have the devoted doggy companion that you would have with say a lab. This is an animal that is going to do alot more evaluating of your relationship. They are large and powerful and dominant and can have difficutly forming bonds, they are prone to fear biting and skittiness or dominance and aggression. They are lovely animals and rescuing them takes dedication but does have its rewards. Breeding them around here for pet use is irresponsible as most people are incapable of handling them and they face more BSL that apbts in most areas of north america.

No sodium (or salt) listed, here are the first few ingredients: Beef Meal, Ground Barley, Ground Brown Rice, [color=red]Menhaden Fish Meal[/color], Flax Seed Oil, [color=orange]Salmon Oil[/color], Rice Bran Oil, [color=red]Garlic[/color], Parsley, Thyme, [color=orange]Seaweed Meal[/color], Cranberries, Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Carrots I have made ingedients that may have higher sodium contents in them.

That looks better. Also to add to other possible foods to explore: Wysong and Mmillenia - Solid Gold.

You forgot - Jump up on the bed, push Zaphod off my chest, plop/lean against me and look up endearingly. Also Tyr's woohuhwuh noise when anyone else is getting snuggles and Zaphods jump, claw and wiggle but like a maniac.

You want a 4rth doggie in the house, I know we are looking for a new place but I didn't know we'd need a barn.

We rarely have to clip our dogs nails either and they are large breed dogs. We also take a jog or play on concrete or pavement or something - works great, also toughens pads of feet a bit so when we go on our canoe trips the dog hopefully will not hurt them when we do the rocky portages.

Do shelties or aussies blow their coat seasonally?