imported_Cassie

I agree with BentleysMom...I have always tried to keep my commands as one syllable and my dogs names as 2-3 syllables....the first dog I have had a one syllable name is Beau....its really annoying for myself and him...and confusing...for instance..."NO, Beau" "Whoa Beau"...I have found myself calling him BoBo to get him to come to me :oops:

One more thing I meant to mention...with your guests coming into your home and the aggression your dog is showing is a big concern. I would seek the advise of an animal behaviorist to help you with this problem...its best to have some one access the situation before some one gets bitten. You can visit this web site [url]www.AnimalBehavior[/url] Associates.com to learn more about positive approaches to behavior through behavior wellness telecourses. I would also set up situations out side the home first where your dog can encounter "freindly people" (you can use neighbors, friends etc.) have these people position them selves along your walking path...most dogs are much less threatened if they can approach people who are standing still...don't have people approach your dog. Have your volunteers position them selves so they are not facing your dog...when your dog first notices the person begin talking in a happy tone of voice (not soothing or coddling) this will be an approach to "convince" your dog that a person's presence triggers the beginning of good things for her. Before you begin instruct your volunteer to drop a tidbit on the ground when you and your dog are close enough...your volunteers should not look at your dog, reach towards her or lean over her. Their job is to stand up straight and ignore your dog while dropping treats. Stop near your volunteer so they person can drop 5-6 more treats...with each treat she should become more relaxed...throughout the exercise keep your dogs leash short, but loose...most dogs are usually more aggressive on a leash...so its very important you don't hold the leash up tight...this can cause your dog to become more tense...they read alot into the signals the owner is giving them...wheather we know it or not :wink: after you have this exercise down pat on out door walks and your dog seems to be more friendly towards people then start using this same exercise at home...you can recruit vistors to practice this same exercise at home....ignore the dog and drop treats, don't let any one lean over your dog or approach your dog as the dog can some times be threatened by their approaches. After you feel comfortable and you are also practicing the "nothing is free in life policy" you can have your friends ask your dog to sit before making of her. [quote]Has gotten out of the fenced back yard and attacked another dog and a jogger[/quote] I meant to mention as well....you might want to put up a privacy fence...if your dog has access to see all of these "prey objects' walking by...it will keep her in an aroused state....The frustration of being able to see passing people,dogs, bikes, cats etc. and not being able to chase them, can grow over time and result in a dog who becomes fixated on attacking the "prey"....my Rottweiler would go snakey if she was able to see all of these distractions go by my home...alot of dogs have a very strong desire to eye stalk and chase, grab-bite...etc. its a hard wired behavior...and it can be useful for alot of play times...fetching balls, agility etc. are all predatory actions..these hard wired behaviors have been bred into a lot of breeds to perform certain "jobs"....its hard to train a dog which fast moving items its allowed to chase and which ones are off limits...for the times when your dog may have access to chase these objects a good emergency down is a great training default for these times....the dog can still see the "prey object" but, has time for its adrenaline to simmer down...then you can call her back from the "down" or calmly walk over and snap her leash on her collar. Good luck to you...I hope you are able to work through this...I really think you should have a behaviorist access your dog as well. :wink:

atghylin, I also meant to add that omega 3 fatty acids are also great for strenthing the heart muscle...of course these are not cures and you will require the assistance of a vet....for my sisters Newf they did EKG's quite often and they alos x-rayed her lung and heart area....I think. There is also another herb called hawthorn which is supposed to help strengthen the heart. We found that with rudy (the newf with the heart problem) we exercised her..but, did not over do it. Once we took her too far and she actually collasped...the two of us had to carry her back to the truck.

My Rottweiler is territorial aggressive....the suggestions K gave were great. I usually will put my Rottie away until the "new" guest has arrived...she is fine with people she knows (of course she still barks until they actually get in the house) I also use the word "settle" when my Rottie starts barking I come to the window and check it out (isnt that the job of the dog to warn you of potential danger?) then once I have checked it out I tell her to "settle" or "go to bed" I have looked into the situation; deemed it harmless and my dog is happy that she warned me, and I let her know what to do instead of carrying on ... I have also trained my dogs the "nothing is free in life policy" this shows the dog the "house rules" once you have taught this and the dog has to sit to say please for every resource (walks, food, treats, going out the door) then the dog realizes that the house actually belongs to "you & your family" :lol: once you have this down pat, I would have sit and let the guests come over to greet her by giving her a treat and a quick rub on her chest....then have your quests ignore her, but, to have treats ready...when the guest wants to see her have them come over and tell your dog to "sit" then give the treat. I would also keep up a better fence for your dog....I have seen "lots" of dogs run out after passing people, dogs, bikers etc. dogs tend to have a bigger territory than we think they should have :lol: the best thing I can suggest for you in this circumstance is either try to desensitize your dog by walking it past these object and persons and re-direct your dogs attention to you, or keep your dog better contained...or course, you mention your dog has border collie in it....border collies have a drive to eye-stalk and chase objects. I would also give the dog lots of exercise and other activities to keep that busy mind occupied.

Interesting post science_doc One more thing I find interesting is the bigger the dog the better it can adapt to colder temperatures...big dogs carry more fat reserves and store more heat because they have lower sugace-to-volume ratios. The bigger you are the longer you can go without food. Big dogs have a terrible problem of getting rid of excess heat...dogs like Newfoundlands commonly suffer from heatstroke on a long walk (which is one of the reasons I don't take my Newf's for long hikes in the summer when the sun is up :wink: ) The Newf & Saint Bernard both evolved in cold climates, where heat load is not such a problem..it would be very difficult for these 2 breeds to survive a mediterranean migration (where they would have to walk alot during the day) they would be popping blood vessels in their brains. Its really interesting seeing natural selection in action, each regional size shape is a compromise between at least 3 factors: the length of stride that is most efficient, the amount of heat generated and stored, and the amount, quality, and distribution of the food souce. Big dogs have an extra bonus to help them with climate changes as well....that is to blow out all of the undercoat (insulation) for the summer months.

Here are 2 great links for you...the first one is about ear infections, proper cleaning of the Canine ears....and it goes over every thing from yeast infections to bacteria infections of the ear canal. [url]http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1591&articleid=273[/url] This article is for the Blue ear powder as HF mentioned...before using this I would finish the antibiotics your vet has prescribed. [url]http://itsfortheanimals.com/BLUE.HTM[/url] Good luck, dogs with drop ears are very prone to ear infections...the moisture can build up very quickly and cause problems...My Rottie was having a few problems with yeast infections, a change in her food made a big difference.... bacterial infections such as what Laurel has are different...bacterial infections don't alway smell bad. The best thing you can do is give the antibiotics until finished; its very important to gvie exactly as the vet prescribes...believe me, I have battled bacterial infections before...thought it was all cleared up and stopped the antibiotic before I was supposed to...I ended up with the infection right back again :oops:

I would love to ship a pup to you Newfiemom...but, I would have to hide it from the breeder...and sorry....it won't get registered :lol: the breeder has already warned me not to try to sneak any pups away from her :lol: All these pups are spoken for and the breeder is keeping one, the co-owner of the sire is keeping one (the breeder who owns my Newf co-owns the sire) it's so complicated :roll: who owns who...at least I can say that I am just a "home" for the dogs..I don't legally own 3 of my Newf's...once the breeder is finished with them then she will sign them over to me...my oldest girl was signed over to me when she was 5....this is how I figured out how to get a purebred dog free...make friends with breeders and become indispensable to them :lol: I don't pay for food, vet bills or any thing...I just have to give them my love :wink: both lines are certified for all genetic health issues including elbow dysplasia....ever since I found out one of my boys has ED the breeder is now making it some thing she is checking for. I will get tons of pictures and perhaps ellieangel will be so kind as to post them for me...for some reason I can't figure out how to post pictures on my own...my computer always gets a fatal error :-? I'll let every one know how it goes with the whelping....its my bitches first litter...this should be fun..not! the breeder would have been here to whelp the litter herself, but, she had already booked a couple of weeks away. The last litter she had last year was adorable...there is nothing cuter than pups just learning how to get around, and the curiosity they have.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Got your attention! :lol: :wink: My female Newf is pregnant (the breeders choice not mine :-? ) The reason for my topic is because we got such a laugh over this today...at the grooming shop we bathed Tori and carried her from the bathtub to the grooming table....we laughed when my boss stated that we were carrying 8 Newf's to a client who just came in...the clients eyes went kinda round :o we love to joke around quite a bit...keeps us sane. :wink: I have to shave her privates and her belly...wouldn't want to lose any pups in that coat :lol: I just had x-rays done...we can count 7 pups...there are probably more behind the other pups and up in the rib cage. The due date is this monday coming up...and I am whelping the litter. I will start on friday taking blood tests to check to see when her prgesterone levels drop...once they drop then we know we will have pups within 24 hours...this makes it so much easier when you know when to expect the pups... :D

I like the name "davar" its got a mystic sound to it....or Dilon, Dakota. The pup looks adorable...are you buying a bigger house to go with your new pup???? :lol: he looks like a mischief maker :lol: in the picture he looks as though he is "putting up" with the picture taking...almost as if modeling is beneath him. :lol:

HF, what a shame..I hope every thing turns out OK for your husband. As for your dog with ear infections...my sister had a Standard Poodle which had chronic ear infections. The Vet did every thing for that dog, looked for under laying problems, allergies, fed a hypo allerginic diet blah blah...the vet finally suggested my sister use a home prepared ear treatment using sugar :o it was a last resort and it worked :o I will find out exactly what the doctor suggested. Here is a link for the Blue powder ear treatment... [url]http://itsfortheanimals.com/BLUE.HTM[/url] And speaking of how disheartening it is to see the "stupid" things people do with their pets. We have cleints like this as well....saying stupid things like "our dog is so cute and sweet we should bred her..do you know of any one with a male??" my boss said some thing to a women once that I though was kinda abrupt and a little too much to the point...but, one lady advised my boss she was going to let her dog have one litter so her children could experience the miricle of birth...my boss advised her to first take her children to the shelter and let them view the miricle of death of poor innocent puppies and dogs which were brought into this world for the very same reason. At the vet clinic I work at we are also the depo for the local SPCA...we take all the worst cases of neglect. Some of the sad sites I have seen have made me hardened towards some people. One sweet little dog was beat repeatedly with some blunt object...it will always have the scars. A dog shot in the head and survived (border collie mix), a dog left out on a chain for days on end...the dog had gotten itself wrapped up in the chain...the chain had actually worn into the skin....this dog looked as though some one took a big knife and cut circles around its body. Pups left to starve after the mom took off after they were born...the pups were only 3 days old when we got them...they had been eating the insulation from the walls of the house....the reason the pups were found is due to the local police picking up this bitch once again and taking it "home"...the police took the bitch and puppies and brought them out to us...out of 5 pups we were able to save 3...the insulation killed the other 2...it was a miracle the 3 actually survived....I fostered these pups for awhile...they were adorable...another time my brother was hiking and found a garbage bag full of pups by a river, I found kitten in a river...one of them was on the shore...I would never have found these kittens if it werent for my Dobie at that time..she led me to the kittens...I took the surviving kitten home and nursed it back to health (I think it was only about 2 days old when I found it) I still have that kitten I found....she is a lovely sweet little girl. Mans inhumanity is endless.... The worst case neglect cases and abuse cases are the sweetest dogs....I have always found the dogs which have been abused the worst are the sweetest most loving dogs...almost as if they are saying...please love me...I have not seen a dog which has become resentful or vendictive like we humans...we have had a few of these dogs which have been fearful..but, for the most part they are still looking for some one just to love them.

Here is an article you may find helpful... [url]http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1610&articleid=462[/url] I have also heard some great reports of using Coenzyme Q10, for heart problems... [quote]Coenzyme Q10 is essential for energy production at the cellular level. It helps the body produce energy both by helping to create the enzymes the cell uses to create ATP and by creating energy directly. It is also an antioxidant. It has been shown to benefit humans with various heart and muscle diseases. In humans with congestive heart failure, the worse the symptoms, the less Coenzyme Q10 is found in the body. With supplementation of Coenzyme Q10, patients have fewer symptoms of the disease which may result in less use of potentially harmful medications. Studies of its effects in pets are underway. Coenzyme Q10 tissue levels decrease with age, especially in the heart, kidneys, and liver. Supplementation increases the energy and exercise tolerance in older animals and may be effective in correcting the age-related decline in the immune system. Deficiency in Coenzyme Q10 results in a lack of energy, increased free radical damage, and an increased risk of cardiovascular problems. According to Nutramax, a company which produces Coenzyme Q10, it is safe to use in dogs, cats, and horses. Coenzyme Q10 has not been officially recognized as a vitamin due to arguments over the definition of a vitamin. It was first discovered in beef hearts in 1957. It was used in Japan in the 1960's to treat congestive heart failure in humans. In the 1980's, Japan was producing sufficient quantities and treating patients with it. Coenzyme Q10 can be found in sardines, liver, and peanuts. It is also made by the body in a complex process that involves eight vitamins and several trace minerals. If all of the necessary ingredients are not available, the body will not be able to make the final product, Coenzyme Q10. Brewer's yeast may increase the absorption of Coenzyme Q10.[/quote] I hope this information helps a little...and as for a Vet, it is very important you have a good relationship with your vet. I wish you the best in finding a vet you like. My sister owned a Newfoundland dog which had a heart problem....she would cough and hack at times....and her breathing was very...deep, or huffy...I can't think how to explain it....that Newfoundland dog lived to be 15 years old even with this heart problem...she led a normal life to the end...and she walked into the vet clinic on "the" day... :( If it is a heart problem, I would seriously look into Coenzyme Q10 to help strenghten the heart...of course discuss this with your vet (when you find the right one :wink: ) first.

[quote]Last night he wouldn't get out of my room (I didn't want him sleeping in there, he wakes me up early in the morning and I was feeling really sick) and he'd turn around and snap at me, just WOULDN'T move!! I had to finally push him out and shut the door before he could turn around and snap me again!! I'm so incredibly frustrated with this! He listens just fine to my parents, I seem to be the only one he does this too, and I'm the only one who gives him rules! My parents spoil him rotten and he listens to them better! What ever happend to a dog with rules is a better behaved dog?![/quote] Shara, I feel bad for you...if your family is not helping you set ground rules for coal, its not going be easy...the nothing in free in life policy will not work unless EVERY ONE in the house hold enforces it. What is happening is that your Mom & Dad are spoiling coal...they are not crossing any lines, coal sees no reason to put them in their place....but, if some thing does happen that your mom or dad had to make coal do some thing he doesnt want to do...then watch out! you are the only one enforcing rules...why should coal have to listen to you when he can do what ever he wants when your not there. If there are behavior issues envolved...every one in the family has to work on them together... I have seen this happen so often with clients...one person enforces rules while every one else spoils the dog rotten...by doing this the dog becomes confused....a confused dog can become a dangerous dog..the only other issue I find more dangerous than this is when people reinforce bad behavior...the dog growls at some one and the owner pets the dogs and tells the dog its alright...or the dog is frightened of an object or person and the owner enforces the fear by talking softly to the dog...thus enforcing the dogs reason for being frightened. I swear, some of our clients think their dogs speak fluent english... :lol: I feel really bad for you Shara...talk with your parents and explain how important it is that every one enforces rules with coal. Make Coal earn every thing he gets from trips outside, to meals, treats, fetch games etc. Its very important right now to do this training..once Coal has learned the rules of the house and he has reached adulthood..(most adolescent dogs will test their rules to see what they can get away with) once the behavior is under control then Coal will know his limits and understand that every one in the house controls all his resources. Dogs trained in this manner make very nice house mates :wink: I own 6 dogs, 2 of them intact males...during adolescence I admit it was tough going....the dogs did try to get away with things...my Rottie when I first got her attacked me a few times....I kept with the nothing is free in life and in the long run it really paid off...now I own 6 wonderful companions who respect me and my house guests, and are lovely happy dogs...happy because they know what is expected of them. It can be done, grit your teeth and get through adolescence together and really try to explain to your parents how important this training is. I am sure every thing will work out for you.

Black GSD, I will find out more about this genetic disease for you...I just remember it coming up in a discussion at the barn I co-lease my grade horse. There is a gentleman who breeds quarter horses who did a breeding with one of the girls horses at the barn...any how, this stallion comes from the line which carries this genetic disease...the girl who owns the mare if very worried about her foal. I think they were talking about a xaliver line of quarter horese, and I beleive they referred to it as a Y2 disease??? I will find out more about this next time I am at the barn...even the owner of the barn I board my horse at didn't know about this genetic disorder until last summer...and she has been into horses and breeding for about 50 years. I really enjoy listening to people talking about horses...my horse will be bred this summer coming up...I have a great quarter horse in mind...or I should say the owner of the horse I co-lease has a great quarter horse in mind :lol: even though the mare is a grade horse we will be able to register it as a quarter horse. Horse people are very smart when it comes to breeding and not anal like dog breeders...don't you think blackGSD??? another one of my friends who breeds quarter horses is introducing morgan horses into his breeding program and crossbreeding the two for a better more stable horse.

Kavik is displaying manners of a well trained and well behaved dog :wink: alot of people could only dream about having such a well mannered dog. Basically when you train the "nothing is free in life" the dog will wait to be told its ok before grabbing at items, or going out doors, or enticing play etc. As for suffering from stress over this...no, Kavik knows the boundries in his house hold...if any thing Kavik would be happy...a dog which gets stressed out is the dog which is spoiled and has no rules...they don't know how to react in situations....some times they can grab a food item and its ok, the next time the owner yells...how could a dog feel comfortable when it doesnt have any structure or rules...the dog would be very stressed and confused...then it becomes a problem...

People :-? ..I don't understand them half the time either.... :roll:

After you finish the antibiotics...get some probiotics or some natural organic live bio yogurt...this is to replenish the "good" bacteria in the gut...when you give anitbiotics they kill all the bacteria....good & bad...this is the reason I would do this. :wink: With your little pup you might want to boost his immunity after this bout is over, I have used Astragalus in the past to boost my sickly rescue dogs...I also use it myself during flu and cold season...I havent suffered from either since taking this supplement...I used to be very prone to bronchitis. I don't know what you are currently feeding you pup...you may have him on a good holistic dog food already...if not, slowly change your pup over to a good dog food...I use Solid Gold and Wellness...some people like Arthemis, Campbells Chicken soup etc. I like to know what is going into my dogs system... :wink:

[quote]I think saying Mutts are healthier than purebreds is absolutely rubbish. You know what problems can crop up from a purebred, so you know exactly what to test for. And who does health clearances on crossbreds? You wouldn't even know where to start for testing![/quote] Kiwi, I can test my purebreds for all the health problems known to that breed...I can certify my purebreds up the ying yang...but, that does not gaurantee the pups will not suffer from some health problems due to genetics...even though all that line was certified. When you try to keep a purebred in an unusal shape...you are CREATING health problems...some examples I can think of are German Shepherds; do you think it is natural to keep a dog with that much angulation in the rear end?? do you know how many Shepherds I have watched stumbling around the show ring...is this genetically heathy...do you think that by keeping this breed in such a horrible conformation is doing the dogs any good...could it possibly be that by keeping the dogs in this horrible conformation that we are creating genetic diseases??? and this is being done by "reputable breeders" the more angulated the better. I have seen kennels successfully get HD out of their line only to have elbow dysplasia pop up...I have seen Newfoundland dogs suffering from a luxating patella!!! that is not a normal genetic disease of Newf's... I have a Newfoundland dog at home which has elbow dysplasia...it was never certified or tested because this is not a normal genetic disease of Newf's...my Newf is also a champion in Canada & the USA...I only found out he has ED due to his lameness after a walk. Breeding purebred dogs is risky...by trying to breed out a genetic disease...alot of times you are creating a new one...I find this scary. Also, do people actually think that reputable breeders are breeding for sturdy, hardy breeds?? they are mainly breeding for the "perfect" conformation...which one has the best top line, which dog is closest to how the breed should look....this is not a good reason to be breeding...and reputable breeders get so caught up in the "look" of the dog and the winning dog...showing dogs is addictive....having a winning dog brings that kennel a little glory....I find this shallow and a stupid reason to be breeding unhealthy animals...health tests have to be done as the breeding they are performing is not natural...I find health testing to be just a bunch of bolony...its basically...."how odd can we make this breed look before it genetically starts falling apart???" I really don't think our mongrels would have survived for thousands of years if they were prone to alot of the genetic diseases we are experiencing today...I am sure I could go to any village in Africa and find a healthy population of mongrel dogs. I think dog breeders should sit down with horse breeders to learn how to do it right. Here is a classic example of how man can create genetic diseases...they were starting to breed a bulky, big chested quater horse...this horses were used for halter shows...they were breeding for exaggerated looks for these horses...they looked muscualar and beautiful...but, they suffered from a genetic heart condition...any excess physical activity could cause the horse to drop dead...this is not healthy breeding...but, this shows you that when you start getting anal about breeding and expect a certain "look" you can cause more damage than you save.

Mt friend who breeds Newf's flys with her dogs ALOT...she takes them to Bermuda from Canada every year...and has flown some to some of the dogs to the states which are too far to drive to. She has never had a problem..but this doesnt mean problems may not arise...the American Humane Association estimates that of the approximately 2 million animals who travel by air each year, some 5,000 are lost, injured, or killed...this is an estimate, no one knows the true number. If the dog is in the cargo area they can be exposed to the elements such as hot or freezing cold temperatures in the cargo hold and on the tarmac, animals can be subjected to falling off luggage conveyor belts or tossed around by careless or hurried baggage handlers, or the animal could be loaded on the wrong flight (just like the lost luggage) and the animal could end up at the wrong destination. . Things to consider before flying...make sure you have an airline approved crate...you can get this information from the airline. You will require a certificate from a veterinarian advising the airline the dog is healthy and completely vaccinated....some airlines require this no more than 10 days before the trip. You should also make sure the dog is used to being in a crate and make sure the dog is good at getting in and out of the crate...this will ensure the dog is emotionally comfortable in the carrier for extended periods of time. -Try to get a direct flight -Give yourself extra time before the flight so you have plenty of time to work through any problems which may arise. -Don't feed the dog 6-8 hours before leaving -Make sure the carrier has the identification securely attached...also include instructions & contact information for some one else at the destination who can take care of the dog. I don't know any one who has travelled with their dog or had a dog shipped by train...is there any way your friend could drive the dog??? it would make a nice march break trip. :wink:

First off...where do you think our purebreds came from in the first place???? people have not always been there to breed dogs...just like humans....dogs had races - adapted to suite their environment...the different races would be considered mongrels...man created purebred dogs, mongrels occured due to natural selection... Way back before all of these horrible genetic diseases man was ALOT smarter they used to crossbreed all the time...that is why our purebreds were good dogs at one time...they were the end result of cross breeding...but, man has gotten really stupid and has stopped crossbreeding...now, we have small populations of purebred dogs...the gene pools for these dogs are growing smaller and smaller...you can only keep a purebred for so long before the gene pool gets too small....then you have the added problem of people breeding to the winning champion show dogs...this further decreases the gene pool ...then we have these unrealistic goals of the "perfect dogs" each dog within a purebred must look a certain way, must be within a certain height, color...sounds pretty stupid to me...every time I talk with one of my "reputable breeder" friends...I am always hearing the woes of this gentic disease...and finally getting it out of a line then another genetic disease pops up...the smaller the gene pool the more the dogs are going to be prone to allergies, skin disorder, behavior problems, orthophedic problems..... [quote]they have two pure breed dogs of diffirent breeds that they want puppies from, because the two are so good and adorable that the owners think it's good to get offspring from. [/quote] Reputable breeders are breeding for looks...it is wrong to breed a dog for looks and beauty...a GOOD breeder will breed a dog for stability and for the "job" it can perform... [quote]they say that x-breeds are more healthy then purebreeds [/quote] In most cases they can be...I deal with alot of dogs daily...the purebreds are the dogs experiencing the most allergies, orthopedic problems, patella problems, behavior problems...but, of course once these man made genetic diseases are out there then they can and will carry on to other dogs...I can't delete a genetic problem just by cross breeding...and even if that purebred did breed to the local mongrel...the diseases can and will pop up in the future....even if they are "mutts" [quote]people are breeding so many purebreeds, why not x-breeds?[/quote] I think every one should slow down on the breeding aspect...reputable breeders who only do conformation showing are doing some pretty nasty things to our dogs...then they try to cover up their mistakes by saying they are doing "health tests" As long as there are humans there will always be an over population of dogs...even in some small villages where they have orginal mongrels...they could cull all the dogs one year due to an out break of rabies and within a few years they have a big population of dogs again. [quote]they feel sad for the x-breeds as they see that some people think they are "less worthy" then purebreeds [/quote] I feel sad for most purebreds as I see how man can ruin animals by being so anal. [quote]they just want puppies to care for [/quote] That is the wrong reason for any one breeding...another wrong reason is producing litter after litter looking for that dog with the "perfect" conformation. [quote]Is there an excuse for breeding x-breeds on purpouse?[/quote] There is no excuse for breeding purebreds on purose either...now, if you want a good working dog...and people who actually "work" their dogs for sheep herding etc. know that cross breeding is good breeding...keeps the genes fresh. I could create a human purebred as well....I could take a small population of people...get the look I want...lets say blond hair and blue eyes...and try to make them in the range of 5 foot 6 inches....I keep breeding within the same line to keep the blond hair blue eyed people...and I want them also to have an artistic talent...so this futher limits the gene pool...any human with brown hair and hazel eyes or brown is not accepted in my new human purebred...so I will call them "mutts"....does this sound like healthy genetics to you??? when you start getting away from the orginal look of the human...then your really asking for alot of genetic problems. [quote]I hope this doesn't turn into a fight[/quote] Of course you wanted to start a fight... :lol: :agrue: I don't really care if no one agrees with me....I know that in a way I am on the right track...I see far too many genetic problems in our purebreds to think I may be too far wrong. I have been working with dogs for over 20 years....the new genetic diseases popping up are startling....hip dysplasia is so common now that it just about pops into every doggy conversation...20 years ago you rarely heard about HD...strange huh???

Hip dysplasia can be managed...I have been managing my Rottweilers HD for the past 2 years...she is doing WONDERFUL!!!! I chose not to have the hip replacement surgery done....what I have my Rottweiler on is Glucosamine & Chondroitin I give 500 mg in the morning and night...for me Newf's I give them 2 500 mg morning and night. I also give my Rottweiler yucca root...this is a wonderful anti inflammatory! I can't begin to list the results I have gotten with this herb...you can get it from solid gold dog food...or you can go to your local health food store and pick it up (I buy all human grade supplements....I find the same supplements at the vets or specially made for dogs are really highly priced) I don't give the yucca root daily...I give it about 3-4 times a week...I don't like to over do it. I also give my Rottie MSM with Boswellia...and some times I add Alfalfa, or turmeric to her food...these are also good for arthritis relief...so is licorice. I also chose not to put my Rottie on any anti inflammatories from the vet like rimadyl or metacam....they can destroy the liver over long term use. I also make sure my Rottie gets plenty of omega 3 fatty acids....I add sardines to her food 3-4 times a week...some times I add wild canned salmon (be careful that it is not farmed salmon) when I add the fish to her food I cut back on the amout of food I normally give her. I also add ground flax seeds to her food every once in awhile....flax seeds & flax oil are also very high in omega 3 fatty acids. I give her a variety in her diet and I do try to keep her weight down...which is very difficult :oops: I try to maintain regular exercise for her.....this means that I try to keep the exercise the same throughout the week....there is nothing worse for a dog with HD than to take it for short walks during the work week then on the week end expect it can do a long hike. The water therapy is a wonderful way to help your dog exercise with out putting any strain on the hips...I take my Rottie swimming in the summer. I have had a few dogs with HD...my last dog a Newf. had horrible hips (she cleared at the age of 2 years with the OFA-just because a dogs hips certify at 2 years does not mean the hips will not get bad later in life...large breeds put alot of strain on their hips ) my Newfoundland was given the Glucosamine & Chondroitin with MSM...I didn't know about yucca root at that time...she lived a very full and active 15 years...no hip surgery for her. HD, can be managed...I don't even think about my Rotties hips any more...well, I still give her the supplements and take it easy on the exercise :wink: but, she is not in any pain and is a very happy, healthy active dog....I have no complaints....even my vets are amazed by her flexability in her hip area lately...with my last appointment; one of the new vets fresh out of vet school...kept looking at the file for my Rottie and then she manipulated her back legs...she was amazed at how well my Rottie is doing....she was thinking she had grabbed the wrong file! :lol:

Freebee sounds like a sweety...

I live by 3 lakes and I am 10 minutes from the ocean....I own 4 Newfoundland dogs which HATE the water!!! :lol: don't listen to people when they tell you all Newf's love the water :wink: ...I have owned 12 Newf's and only one of them would go in the water...now, my Rottie loves swimming...I have a hard time getting her out. Missa I am so glad things are working out for you...time and patience pays off :wink:

Coal is very lucky to have such a caring Mom :wink: You will have so much fun with agility!

I've always had a multie dog house hold...and I have never had a problem with the dogs co-living with each other....we always ended up being one big happy group...with puppies, some times the adults will train the young ones...When you mentioned Ben being on the sofa and growling at Bella...this is basically Ben's way of saying..."OK, I've had enough..no more play time...I am in my special place....back off..." I have always let my dogs work it out on their own...even with my newest addition a Dobie mix...he is still pretty young and full of energy...he would play until he passed out....my other dogs will play...but, when they have had enough they will snap at him or take at him to show him they have had enough...I never interfere...my new boy, Beau had to learn this from the other dogs. He is slowly catching on...but, just like with your Bella some times he doesnt know when to stop...I have also had a few instances where I have been making of one dog and they may grumble with pleasure...Beau will come running over and try to attack the dog I am making of...I do scold him when he does this...but, my idea of scolding isnt really awful...I just get up and walk away....if they can't share me then neither of them will have me for a little while...I do not put up with jealousy in my group. They soon catch on and work things out on their own. Ben is basically playing with Bella on his terms... [quote]Is it just a play or something worse?[/quote] I would say its just play...Bella is still a pup...she has alot of energy.. [quote]I think Ben's lost his throne allready in this family as Bella eats first, plays first and bosses him around. Ben's been down about this for a while now untill I started to pay more attention to him then I've done thus far. This seemed to cheer him up and Ben and Bella seem to play with eachother more now then before. Should I do something more or just observe[/quote] This is some thing I never even consider...actually a all of my dominant dogs will wait until the other dogs finish eating...then they will eat very slowly just to make the others suffer...eating first does not mean a thing to dogs....at least in my 40 years of owning a multie dog house hold it has never meant any thing...my dogs all get fed at the same time in the same room, side by side...I don't choose who I will feed first :roll: I just put down the first food dish I pick up....all of my dogs eat side by side...my dominant Rottie will some times wait until all the other pigs have eaten then she lets them suffer it out watching her eat....and she could be the very last dog I put down a dish for....all of my dogs get equal attention... I really think people tend to over analize their dogs and their social status...

One last thing...if Coal will not come to you...don't run up and grab him...try using another tactic...come chase with me...when Coal will not come...run the other way most dogs will chase you...when Coal reaches you stand side ways and crouch down to praise coal for coming then play with Coal...with dogs when they feel they are being pursued etc. they can take on a defensive mode. Walking up to a dog, standing over it and grabbing the dogs collar is very aggressive...I know alot of dogs which would react in a defensive manner. Teach Coal that coming to you means fun..of course if coal has his attention on a prey object your best bet is to do the emergency down then approach Coal in a less aggressive manner and bend down beside coal not over coal and snap on the leash. Good luck to you.