Big Paws Only Dog Forums

Thank you for the quick feedback.  We are going to see which of the choices is more readily available where we live.  I know I can score all down in Anchorage so I can go with either Innova or Wellness, but I would like to see what we have closer to home in case we would ever need a quick fix.  We are about an hour out of the city but have some great feed and pet stores local as well and I suspect I can get most here as well.  Heading out to check this pm so we can slowly move into the new food.  Sounds like either are a much better choice and you have had no problems!  \\Thanks again!

Yes - I agree - What a great post on Mother's Day!
My Fur-Babies

Maulgrim - our oldest (at just about 2 years)
I love my ADHD Anorexic almost sled dog.  His energy is boundless as is his undconditional love for us.  I love how he thinks he is a lap dog.  My 9 year old loves that he is sweet and loveable and HERS!  I love how he sings from his kennel (crate) when he hears us pull in the driveway.  But my favorite thing about Maulgrim is how he curls up next to my 9 year old if she cries or he senses she is sad.  He lays his head upon her as if to say - Its ok - I love you anyway.  I really love him for that.

Vander - My 13 month old Vander Puppy!
I love how my Vander Puppy hears the referigertor door open and runs into the kitchen, sits down and waits for something, anyhting... with pleading eyes.  I love how he curls up next to the couch at night with his favorite bone and looks up at me as if to say - this isn't so bad now, is it.  I love how he sits by the front window and watches the world go by.  I love how when I put my shoes on by the front door he knows we are going for a walk and he can't wait to get his gear on.  I love how when we say we are going for a car ride he heads straight for his crate becuase he is such a homebody.  I love how this 132 pound ball of fur lays on the floor next to us and rolls on his back with his feet in the air waiting for us to scratch his belly or how he puts his backside in your face and lets you rub his back and then arches like a HUGE kitty cat.  But most of all I love him because he sang to me when he was a puppy and asked me to take him home..... and I did.

Jadis - Queen of Narnia - and princess of the house - Vander's sister from the same litter.
Oh... How I love her woooo-wooo-woooing every morning and every evening.  I love her spunk and her energy. We all love her silliness - especially when chasing a laser light around the house.  I love how when I see her after work she gives me a 21 bark salute followed by this wrapping around me legs that goes on forever.  I love how she jumps up on my lap and thinks she is a terier instead of a malamute.  I love how she ALWAYS wants to be with the girls in the house, even if they are painting their nails. 


Oh Yesssss.. My Jessi Bear - My 9 year old beautiful daughter - I love my Jessi bear because she loves me, for all my faults and for all my mistakes. Unconditionall y. I love how when she smiles she lights up the room.  I love that she is uniques and beautiful and just down right wonderful.. I love her for skiing with her old mom and for sharing the puppies with me.  I love her excitement about learning and about life.  I love how when she sleeps she smiles and giggles.  I love her sensitivity and creativeness.  She is the light of my life.  She is my Jessi Bear!  Love you baby!

We hope everyone at BPO has a great Mother's Day 2008

I had a terrible time with my husky.  We tried the gentle leader and I almost lost him one night.  I started obedience school with him and the trainer re-adjusted the leader adn then told me it was ok to also connect it to his regular collar - that way incase he somehow manages to slip the leader we are still connected at the collar.  We also walked on leash walking.  I used really small treats and every time he walked appropriately he got a treat. He is not perfect but we can now take a walk!!!!!  Our boy malamute (132 pounds) at 1 year is still very strong.  We use the gentle leader attached to his collar and a shorter leash with a dual handle.  He also gets treats every time he is next to me.  I find he tends to pull from excitement and then settles down the longer the walk is.  My female mal (113 pounds) and also a year uses the gentle leader in the same configuration but with a longer leash and she is no problem at all.  I dont even need to use treats with her.  All of them HATED the leader in the beginning, but once they realized it meant we were doing or going someplace special all was wonderful.  We also took the trainer's advice and had them wear it for short periods of time in the beginning.  Treats and motion helped them forget about it and we just kept increasing the time.

Hope this helps!  Welcome aboard.

I have 2 Malamutes and an Alaskan Husky - Talk about hair!  We live in South Central Alaska and the shedding season has just begun.  The little husky who is very light coated is dropping more than the heavily coated mals.  Chunks ar flying about my house - ughhhhhhhhhh  You should see our yard after 2 minutes of brushing any of them - I could spin balls and balls of yarn.  Not sure of where you are located - but if you are anywhere south of Alaska - I would say this is normal.  I used the Furminator horse size) all winter but now I I switched to a "rake".  The rake pulls the clumps out faster.  The furminator couldn't keep up.  The Malamutes are heavy coated and will "blow" coat totally twice a year.  I think a siberian is similar.  My AK Husky is a bit different and sheds only once very hard each spring - then just little the rest of the year.

Good Luck - A good grooming will help - but I believe you may have a few more weeks of heavy shed to go.  Hang in there!

Itchy-owie-

I am surprised your vet didn't suggest a 2nd opinion. My husky had a rash on his stomach/privae area last winter that seemed to come up out of nowhere.  Our vet was great.  He and I talked very informally.  We tried something topical which seemed to help - but not cure it.  When I went back for a follow-up we talked some more.  He mentioned an allergist for dogs in Anchorage (we live an hour north) and i sort of cringed thinking of the expense - so we talked some more and we came up with some alternatives to try first.  After about a week of changing some common items in the household we found that my little goober puppy was llergic to the plastic floor cover in front of a door near his water bowl that he would lay on and chew a bone.  Imagine - plastic.  We removed that and waited to see if it could be the plastic bottom in his crate as well - nope - just the clear plastic floor cover. WOWOW - I could have kissed the vet.  Not only did he save me a grunch of money - but he saved my pup from having to go through allergy testing.  The neat thisng was that he openly suggested checking with the specialist - He was awesome.  Hopefully you will be able to find out the root of your pups allergy - It sounds way worse than anything we had up here (and we don't have as many bugs and outside allergies to deal with)

Good Luck - and please don't feel bad about getting a 2nd opinion.  I would think that any professional would not have an issue with that.  All we want is what is best for our pups!

Our thoughts are with you at this tough time.  O will sure pass on lots of hugs to my crew tonight and every night!  Sleep well Buster~

I gave up on beds for the pups - they out grow everything!  Good Luck on your bed search! (Glad to see mine look the same way in their crates!)