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Topics - apple25

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Discussions & Information on Grooming / Grooming advice - looks awful!

« on: May 23, 2009, 11:21:54 am »

Hi all,

I'm so disappointed. I took my Bouvier to the groomers today and asked for a puppy cut for the summer. I specifically asked for 1/2" to 3/4" - not shaved. I came back and it looks like she is shaved in places, and uneven in others. Plus, her face doesn't have the beautiful Bouv look to it anymore.

Has anyone else have this happen to them? How quickly will it grow back, and will it be the same texture? It was pretty dark at the groomers so I didn't see it until I was home - I ended up paying full price for a cut I hate. On her tail you can even see the skin . . . I've posted some pictures . . .

I guess I need some encouragement that it isn't as bad as I think it is???

General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / dog skittish around toddlers

« on: February 28, 2009, 11:26:53 am »

Hi all,

This is a bit long, but I am hoping for some advice please!!!

I have agreed to take care of my sister's dog - a German Shepard/Mountain Bernese Cross (well, that's what the vet thinks he might be!) for the year while she teaches in Korea. He's 2 years old and a big boy at about 120 pounds. So far he gets along great with my dog (a Bouvier pup that's 10 mths), adults and older children and listens really well in the house.

My concern is that I think he is afraid and/or aggressive with toddlers. Here's a little bit of history (not including the first year of his life before he was rescued at a shelter).
- about a year and a half ago my sister was walking him downtown and he lunged at a small girl who walked up to him within her mom's permission
- last Christmas he was sitting quietly beside my sister but then suddenly lunged (and possibly had his mouth on arm) at my nephew when he was running circles in the living room (I know - we need to teach little children to move gently when around big dogs)
- a month ago he was laying in the corner of the room but then made a quick movement to get under my nephews arm when he climbed up on the couch. I was sitting beside my nephew at the time.
- and today, he again made a quick motion after my nephew when he walked past him (the dog had only been laying down for about 2-3 minutes beside my mom).

I am thinking that the dog may have had a bad experience with kids before being put into the shelter. We have separated him from my nephew at all times (which can be tricky as my nephew likes to climb over gates!). And personally, I never leave a large dog along in a room with small kids - I am always nervous with the size difference.

Does anyone have any suggestions and/or has owned a dog that does similar behaviour? This is the only concern have with him - beyond being skittish with kids he is a model dog - quiet, good listener, loves to cuddle,etc. It is only when toddlers are over that we are watching him at all times.

Thanks so much!

Treatment & Preventative Meds / To spay before 1st heat?

« on: November 24, 2008, 01:40:10 pm »

Hi,

I've another question for all you experts

Actually, two if you don't mind!

My dog is 7 months,and I was going to wait until after her first heat to get her spayed (advice from another board - something about needing the first heat to fully mature and have growth plates grow over). But, when I stopped at the vet today, the receptist looked a little bit taken back by that. She suggested that I talk it over with the vet but was in favour of getting it done before her first heat. What have you guys done with your dogs? Do you know if it a lot more expensive, and are the health benefits to either decision?

My second question involves deworming. I was a bit freaked over the weekend because I thought I saw something in her poop. So I gave her an OTC medicine from a pet store. But now it is time for her regularly scheduled heartworm (which, as it turns out, I don't need because we don't get that up here . . . but I still do need something for fleas). So I have senital, but I am hesitate to give it for fear that the OTC stuff might still be in her system and I don't want to overdose her. I should have just waited over the weekend until I picked up the good stuff from the vet, but I got parinoid and decided to use what I could get at the time.

But, in generally, I'd rather rely on the vet's medicine as I have read that the petstore stuff doesn't always work great. Any suggestions? Should I wait for 10 days and then give the senital? I'm nervous with waiting that long with no flea protection . . . . I'm definitely open to hearing what you guys suggest!

As you can tell, this is my first dog and I have silly questions tonight, but I want to make sure that I'm doing everything OK!

Thanks!

Food Discussion & Information / I am feeding enough?

« on: November 24, 2008, 12:26:04 pm »

Hi everyone,

It has been a while since I last posted, but I still visit regularly to see what's all on the go

I have a question - Petra is now 7 months old and about 55 or 60 pounds . . . I haven't weighed her in a few weeks. I have been feeding her Eagle Pack holistic large breed dog food - 4.5 cups a day split into 2 feedings. I water down her food because she seems to like it better. My question is this - she eats it really fast - it is gone in less then 10 minutes. I just read for puppies you should let them eat as much as they want for 20 minutes. I'm afraid if I switch to that she'll overeat.

What have other people done in the past? I don't want to overfeed, but I also don't want her hungry. She does have (obviously) a healthy appetite - should I up her to 5 to 5.5 cups a day??

Thanks!

Bouvier de Flandres Discussions & Pictures / Petra's first haircut - pictures

« on: November 01, 2008, 02:54:08 pm »

I took Petra to the groomers for the first time today. She was so good (except for the bath . . .she doesn't like them with me and she obviously doesn't like them with anyone else either!). But she lived through it and now is quite the mature looking puppy!

I've posted a few pictures - the first is last night before her hairdo - the rest are from playing outside today. She loves chasing leaves around!

Bouvier de Flandres Discussions & Pictures / Petra peed on my sister!!

« on: September 10, 2008, 12:27:37 pm »

My sister is home for a quick visit and I think my puppy might be jealous??? She walk over and peed all over her shoe (which she was wearing at the time!). I did speand lots of play time and training time with her today - can you guys think of what else it might have been? She had just been taken out about 30 minutes before that, so I thought she would have been good for a bit!!!!

My sister has her own dog, so at least she wasn't too grossed out by it!

General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / So embrassed . . .

« on: August 29, 2008, 12:41:12 pm »

My puppy popped inside the vet's office. I didn't even see her squat - we were getting ready to leave and she got busy. I was in shock - there wasn't even enough time to stop her - 5 secs max and out it came. The vet was very kind about it and said it wasn't the first time but still - we have been working really hard on not going in the house.

Does anyone else have embrassing moments at the vet? (It would mak me feel better to know that I am not alone

).

By the way - she is 31.5 pounds at 16 weeks. Any ideas how big she'll be when she is all done growing???

Bouvier de Flandres Discussions & Pictures / Cut quick today - I felt so bad!!!

« on: August 21, 2008, 07:08:54 pm »

I am so uncomfortable cutting my dog's nails - I am always worried that I am going to hurt her. Well, today I did . . .

I found the powder and put it on, but man, did it bleed.

I'm sure that all you experienced dog owners find it old hat - but does the trimming of nails get any easier with age? Petra is so squirmy and mouthy - it takes forever to get even one paw done - and then I forget which toes I've done . . .

I gave her a yummy treat afterwards though, so I think she still loves me . . .

Bernese Mountain Dog Discussions / Hurts for 2 yr-old to stand

« on: August 13, 2008, 06:50:16 pm »

Hi all,

I am posting this question for my sister. She has a 2 year old part Bermese Mountain/GSD dog. She has had him for about a year, and tonight, when she came from work, he was having trouble standing and she had a hard time getting him to walk for a potty outside. He is usually very active - she takes him for 2 walks a day - but is now on the couch and doesn't want to get up. He will hobble for her, but she doesn't want to push him. He let her brush him and she tried massaging his hips - she said he seemed to like it. Any ideas? She is stuck in the house right now until her BF comes back - she is scared that if she takes him out she won't be able to coax him back in.

I'm worried because it seems to have happened so suddenly. He is a big boy - about 110, but she has always been careful and gives a glucosamine pill each day.

Thanks for any advice. I'm sure she'll visit the vet tomorrow, but right now she is really worried . . .

Food Discussion & Information / Stinky dog

« on: August 04, 2008, 06:38:32 pm »

So I have finally decided what food I'm going to feed my Bouv - Eagle Large Breed - and have started switching her on it (I had a little bit of Medi from her breeder and Iams, but wanted to go with something that sounded a bit more healthy).

It has only been one day and Oh My Goodness . . . I'm not sure if I can handle her farts. They are stinky as anything. Has anyone else experienced this before? Do they calm down after they have adjusted to the new food? Yuck!!!

Bouvier de Flandres Discussions & Pictures / My new puppy - pictures

« on: July 27, 2008, 01:28:32 pm »

Here she is - my new puppy! She is a little over 11 weeks, and around 18 pounds. She's a little charmer - except when she is trying to pee in the house!!!

Bouvier de Flandres Discussions & Pictures / I have a new puppy!

« on: July 24, 2008, 10:46:13 am »

Hi all,

I posted a long long time ago re: how to find a good puppy, and now I have one! I am so glad that I waited until I found her. I am now the proud mommy to a Bouvier. I have to admit, at times I wonder what I have gotten myself into - especially this whole potty training business. She has been really good so far - only 2 accidents, but I feel like I am in and out the house all the time.

I have been to teach her crate training - she will defintely sleep in the night there (last night she settled after about 15 minutes which I thought was fairly good???) but I have a question about its use in the day. Should I encourage it when she naps? I don't want her to be in there all the time (she is napping a lot) but I would like her to think that is where she should go to sleep. Any advice? She has slept there 2 today already, and I had to put her there when I went to shower, but now she is under my legs sleeping (I'm a softee and she is so cute there!)

I know that it is really important that she knows I am the boss, so I have made her wait for me before going through doors, etc. I would also like to start teaching her some simple commands - is 10 weeks too early? And any suggestions for lease work at such a young age? I don't want to overwhelm her, but she is straining already and I know she is going to be big and strong as she grows up. Thanks!!!!

Bernese Mountain Dog Discussions / Buying a new puppy - what to ask

« on: December 30, 2007, 11:00:48 pm »

hi all,

I have been browsing all the posts here, as research for what dog I want to get. I have fallen hard for the Bernese Mountain dog, and now am looking to see if there are breeders in my area (Atlantic Canada). I want to be very careful who I buy my puppy from - no pet stores, etc.

Anyways, I found one person over the internet who is having puppies in the spring. I looked over the website, and it really didn't have a lot of information on it. I asked about health clearances, and the response was that all the puppies would be vaccinated and healthy. There is a contract focusing on placing puppies in good homes, etc., but no background on the mom or dad, or specific health clearances.

Any advice for a newbie like me?? Should I continue to look for other breeders that have info/guarantees?? many thanks!