Kaleb124

[quote name='Horsefeathers!']Off topic, but I took my Lab through Delta Society and had him certified as a therapy dog. If I had it to do over again, I think I would rather have just gotten his CGC. Maybe it is just our local chapter, but I was sorely disappointed with Delta Society.[/quote] When Kaleb and I took our TDI certification test, we also took the CGC. I am anxiously awaiting the certificate... :)

[quote=Mary's Mama]It is sad those accidents occured but I would have to blame the owner not the product.[/quote] Me too. :-?

Thanks Meehs -- I am waiting and watching for the "honeymoon" period to stop and the true pooch to come out. I have been expecting this. You guys are great for keeping me (and others) informed. Thanks again!

The animal shelter called him Daiquiri, but he does not know that name so I call him "Dax". He is such a sweet boy!!

It is a local therapy group that is organized through our local Humane Society. Not very many of the dogs are therapy certified (most are not). Which is why some people do not associate with that therapy group, I have just learned. The dogs that are certified are done through TDI, Inc. Speaking of which...Kaleb was denied certification through TDI because he is 10 months old. :( We will have to retake the test after his 1 year birthday to gain certification. I just wish someone would have told me. GRR

After finishing up the kennel area, I finally got my first foster dog. He is a 2-3 year old chow. He is WONDERFUL. We are working on leash manners and other simple commands. He seems to have very little little training, and (for such a small dog, compared to Kaleb anyway) he CAN PULL LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN! :lol: He has the nicest temperment I have ever seen in a chow. Very friendly to people and not dog aggressive from what I have seen. He is also looking for a forever home as he is only at my place for training and socialization. If anyone has any information about chow rescues in the KY/TN area, please let me know. This guy will be put down if not adopted. (He was on death row when I took him.) I am willing to travel to get him to a new home. [img]http://www.kalebs.net/images/dax.jpg[/img]

[quote name='Bentleythewonderdog']:) Hope I don't offend anyone but this type of leash has been a pet peeve of mine. I know there are people out there that are responsible and control their pets but I [b]personally[/b] have never seen a dog on one that was in control. I feel that they are unsafe for the pet and people. I have seen dogs dart out into streets while on them and I have seen aggresive dogs lunge at people walking by. I just prefer having a good lead that keeps them at my side.[/quote] I agree with you completely...That being said, when Kaleb and I are on long walks, I use a flexi. However, I always keep it locked in the shortest position unless we are in a big grassy area with no obstacles or people to get tangled up in. Then I unlock the lead and encourage him to run and play. I will admit, if I MUST have real control, I use a 6 foot leash. I can never get a decent correction with the flexi because it seems to "ratchet" a couple of inches when I do try to correct. I cannot count the number of times that a dog connected to a flexi leash has jumped on Kaleb or got tangled up in his legs or my legs and the owner was so far behind the dog that they did not notice. There are even people in my therapy dog group who use a flexi leash. I hate it. I have been badly cut from a flexi leash that was wrapped around my legs by a little corgi mix dog. I would hate to see that happen to someone that we were visiting in a health care facility

A groomer friend suggested I get a Mars Coat King....(Kaleb has not blown his coat since I got him in October of last year so his undercoat was UNBEARABLY THICK and he was HOT.) The Mars Coat King actually cuts out the undercoat while leaving the outercoat alone. I used it on Kaleb and WOW what a difference. I removed about 1/2 a kitchen trashbag of undercoat from him. He is cooler, AND baths do not take as long! The only problem was that I got a little carried away on his rump...and he now has no undercoat two spots. :-? That was definitely a newbie thing. I got mine from PetEdge. It was about 32.00, but it is definitely worth it!!!

Help me pick a food post --"I have decided to go with Wellness and, in addition to that, have started adding raw meats to his diet. His stools are fine (so far), he is drinking less water, and he has energy to boot. Also, he is putting on additional muscle mass. :o ...I mean I have only been feeding this for a week, but I swear his shoulders and legs all look more muscled up. Surely it is his age (10 months) and not the food. But if it is the food (after only 1 week) I can't wait to see what he looks like in a couple of months. :P " So I have taken the plunge...I have cut Kaleb's kibble in half and started giving him some chicken (wings, gizzards, and hearts mostly). In addition to that, I give him salmon oil, and vitamin C, Nupro supplement, yogurt, apple cider vinegar, and a little cottage cheese. So far he loves it! He is eating his meals with vigor. His stool is great. It is less frequent and smaller. There have been no stomach upsets yet...(keeping fingers crossed). AND I have found a great local grocery where the meat is CHEAP! My only problem is that my freezer is full of meat! We are going to have to get a deep freezer just for the dog. :wink: Thank all of you for your information. Especially thank you for the link to the Great Dane Lady's site. It was very helpful!

Thank you for the food comparison. I have decided to go with Wellness and, in addition to that, have started adding raw meats to his diet. His stools are fine (so far), he is drinking less water, and he has energy to boot. Also, he is putting on additional muscle mass. :o ...I mean I have only been feeding this for a week, but I swear his shoulders and legs all look more muscled up. Surely it is his age (10 months) and not the food. But if it is the food (after only 1 week) I can't wait to see what he looks like in a couple of months. :P

I know that I have been bugging you guys a lot lately... :-? So I got Kaleb a bag of Wellness and he likes it ok. He actually seems to like it better than the Eukanuba. However, he will only eat about 2 cups a day. He needs a little additional weight so now I am considering raw because I think that he will eat that better. To those of you who feed BARF: 1. Do you just feed the raw meats/vegs or do you use a kibble as a base? 2. Do you add any grain, (oats, rice, etc)? 3. Do you supplement? 4. Do you fast you dogs? Why or why not? To those of you who looked into barf and stuck with kibble, why did you choose to stay with kibble? I am anal about the food that I feed Kaleb in so far that I want him to be as healthy as possible. I have been looking at the local grocers for meat prices and actually found a very small locally owned store that sold chicken necks, lamb neck bones, pork neck bones, and other

[url]http://www.tdi-dog.org/[/url] This is one of the organizations that certifies therapy dogs.

Last night at my local Kennel Club meeting Kaleb took the CGC test and the Therapy Dog International's certification test. We passed! I am elated. Kaleb was an perfect. He was completely obedient and calm. The only thing that he did was step in front of me to meet the other dog that was used...not aggressive, not growly or anything, just to say hi. I wou prefer him not to greet other dogs unless I tell him to. Thankfully it was not enough of a "thing" to fail the test.

Wellness! After looking at these foods again, I have decided to go with Wellness. I really hope that Kaleb likes it because it is the only Super Premium food that I can get locally. Thanks for all of the input.

Adorable. So tiny too!

Well bad news (for me) and good news for the puppy.....The rescuer found a (hopefully) forever home for the Mastif pup. She found a married couple that have 2 great danes to take him. The couple were very excited to have the pup. So any I am a little sad that I am not going to be able to have a new puppy, but I AM SO HAPPY for the pup. He is very sweet and very special.

While at Bark in the Park Saturday, I found a couple who were trying to place a Mastiff mix puppy. I was very interested in this pup because I am 95% sure that it is from the same mother as Kaleb is....Kaleb's so-called-breeder was in the local walmart parking lot selling "akita-mastiff" puppies. :evil: Anyway, by the coloring and temprement, I am pretty sure that this is Kaleb's half brother. So, I told the couple that were trying to place him that I was interested. Long story short, I am going to take the dog to train and socialize, but not to keep as my own. The lady who has him now is going to maintain ownership, pay all of the vet bills, and try to find responsible owners for him. I am elated!...and nervous too. Just had to share.

AWESOME!! :laola:

I have thought about BARF, but I am nervous about finding enough information to make sure that Kaleb gets a balanced diet. AND I hear that it takes a lot of time. I am a little concerned with Wellness because it is not a calorie dense as what he is currently eating...and he is already on the skinny side. Is this a rational concern? He will only eat his fill and stop. I know that in and of itself is good...I would rather him be like that instead of being a chow hound. He is going well, 73 plus pounds, and has energy to burn, but I just don't like feeling his back bone. (You cannot see it, but you can feet it.) He is not too skinny. The vet says he is perfect, especially for a large breed dog that is prone to joint problems. Life's Abundance has been suggested to me by a couple of dog owners, but you cannot get it without buying it through a private distributor, (like amway). And it is EXPENSIVE! But I have been told that health problems alltogether stop because it is such a superb food. Eukanuba -- well no one likes Eukanuba because 1.) it is made by Iams and 2.) it is overpriced. I get that too. But I can get it locally and (at least) it is better than Science Diet which was what my vet suggested (he sells SD) I don't know what to do. I want to feed Kaleb the best food possible. But I need direction.

Thanks for all of the replies. The first food is Life's Abundance. [url]http://www.healthypetnet.com/products/food/dog/ingredients.asp?realname=10022310[/url] The second food is Eukanuba Premium Performance for Large Breed Dogs. And of course the third food is Wellness. I am having a really hard time deciding on a good food. Kaleb is currently eating Eukanuba for Large Breed Puppies, (I know, I know, IAM's stinks...) but it is about time to change his food. Wellness is the ONLY food that I can get locally besides petstore brands. I have been told that Life's Abundance is a wonderful food, but I just do not know.

Carol -- IMHO you are right on! It really depends on the dog and what it will tolerate as well as what the owner requires in a food.

I am trying to decide what food to switch Kaleb to when we go to adult food. I have listed three choices by ingredients only. Please give me your opinions on these foods and why you think what you think. I have left the name brand off because I don't want the brand to sway your opinions...even though I know that some of you will recognize the ingredient list and know what brand it is. Thanks a bunch!! [color=green] [u]Food Choice #1[/u] INGREDIENTS: Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Potato Product, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Natural Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E)), Dried Beet Pulp, Brewers Dried Yeast, Natural Flavors, Flax Seed Meal, Egg Product, Fish Meal, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, L-Lysine, Carrots, Apples, Canola Oil, Alfalfa Leaf Meal, Celery, Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, Lactobacillus casei fermentation product, Bifido bacterium bifidium fermentation product, Streptococcus faecium fermentation product, Aspergillus oryzae fermentation product, Whole Clove Garlic, Spinach, Grape Seed Extract, Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Panto-thenate, Vitamin A Acetate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Menadione Dimethyl-pyrimidinol Bisulfate (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Citric Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate. GUARANTEED ANALYSIS: Crude Protein, not less than .... 26.0% Crude Fiber, not more than ...... 4.0% Crude Fat, not less than .......... 16.0% Moisture, not more than .......... 10.0% [/color] [color=darkblue] [u]Food Choice #2[/u] Ingredients :Chicken, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Meal, Brewers Rice, Fish Meal (source of fish oil), Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, a source of vitamin E, and Citric Acid), Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Dried Beet Pulp (sugar removed), Natural Chicken Flavor, Dried Egg Product, Brewers Dried Yeast, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Flax Meal, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Ferrous Sulfate, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Vitamin E Supplement, DL-Methionine, Zinc Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, L-Carnitine, Beta-carotene, Manganous Oxide, Chondroitin Sulfate, Vitamin A Acetate, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Rosemary Extract, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (source of vitamin B1), Niacin, Riboflavin Supplement (source of vitamin B2), Inositol, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (source of vitamin B6), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Folic Acid, Cobalt Carbonate Caloric Distribution Protein 27% Fat 45% Carbohydrates 28% [/color] [color=darkred] [u]Food Choice #3[/u] Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Ground Barley, Oatmeal, Rye Flour, Menhaden Fishmeal, Whitefish, Ground Brown Rice, Ground Millet, Canola Oil (preserved with Rosemary, Vitamin C & E), Flax Seed, Amaranth, Dried Peas, Dried Carrots, Whole Sweet Potatoes, Whole Apples, Whole Blueberries, Whole Clove Garlic, Alfalfa Leaf, Yucca Schidigera, Probiotics (Lactobacillus Plantarum, Enterococcus Faecium, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus Acidophilus), Prebiotics (Inulin, Fructose), Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate, Beta-Carotene, Potassium Chloride, Zinc Proteinate (a chelated source of Zinc), Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Proteinate (a chelated source of Copper), Copper Sulfate, Niacin Supplement, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate ( a chelated source of Manganese), Sodium Selenite, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Acetate, Riboflavin Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid. GUARANTEED ANALYSIS: Crude Protein, not less than .... 22.0% Crude Fiber, not more than ...... 3.0% Crude Fat, not less than .......... 12.0% Moisture, not more than .......... 11.0%[/color]

Kaleb likes his stuffed animals. Yard sales are a great place to find cheap dog toys. Kaleb will go get one and prepare to "seek and destroy". When he has effectively killed it, I through it away. And he is always supervised when playing with stuffed toys. He also likes his Kong and Tug Rope.

What a great laugh on this Wednesday morning! These all describe me.

I went to sit stay a couple of times.....They all sound snobby, grumpy, and self important. Just MHO