pets4ever

Hi, I just thought I'd put my two cents in. I have a one and a half year old male who I got from the breeder at about 5 months old. The breeder didn't breed til two and tests were done, but also titled the dogs. I know I wouldn't buy a dog unless the parents had had their hips tested and otherwise proven. I wouldn't want the heartache of having my dog die from some congenital flaw that was undiscovered due to irresponsible breeding. Also, the part someone said about her not being full grown is so true. Even though Mia is big, it's amazing how much more they grow as they get closer to two years. My boy has really changed in the last six months and I know he will keep maturing physically for a while more. What's the rush? Enjoy your dog and let her be "only dog" for a while. :D Lex and Theo

There is a pet door company called Pet Doors USA that make the best dog doors. They cost a lot but they make one that is very insulative for cold areas and fits in the wall. It doesn't have just a rubber flap, it has plexiglass doors (double doors) and is very quiet. They stay open for a second and don't slam the dogs tail. They also have a steel plate you can put in for security. I don't remember the website name but you can do a search for the above name. Check 'em out! Over time I think getting the best door would pay off. I just made the plunge myself. :Dog_run:

Well she's sure to heal up with lightning speed now that she's home with her family :iloveyou:

You know, a long time ago my cat had to have abdominal surgery (he was shot by my a@@hole freak of a neighbor) and the vet said to feed him baby food meat (like strained beef or whatever) since it was almost totally digestible and wouldn't strain his intestines much or have much waste that they would have to deal with while he was healing. Of course you'd have to give a big dog several jars probably but maybe mix it with a little kibble or something. Check with your vet. It might help her readapt to food easier. :eating:

Wow! Don't visit for a couple of days and look what happens! That must have been scary for both of you. I hope she has a speedy recovery and hopefully will remember that the plastic thing gave her a tummyache and won't do it again :wink:

I used Avoderm a long time ago when it first came out in the eighties- it was supposed to be good for skin and coats cuz of the avocado. It sure doesn't have much meat in it now I read the ingredients now! Yikes! The lamb one does seem better. I have heard that allergic dogs do well on certain brands that contain primarily fish and potato. I don't know the brands that have this, probably several do. I've seen them on sites or in catalogs but my brain is not working....

My dog doesn't lift his let yet at all. He was neutered at about 5 months when I got him, and is almost 7 months now. Actually, I am hoping he never does learn that behavior! I've heard though that if they get to watch others do it, they learn. They just don't feel the need to "mark" EVERYTHING if they have been neutered - so I guess even if he does learn later, it won't be a major problem. What I don't want to have to do is constantly watch him to make sure he doesn't pee inappropriately :roll: .

I wasn't sure if you were asking a specific person or not...sorry. Anyway, it does depend upon the weight of the dog, not to mention your location! My dog was between 40 and 50 pounds and I think it was around $75? (I don't remember exactly) :oops: . He did get the dissolving sutures but had no problems whatsoever. Call around, you'll be surprised at the variation in price...How is your mom's opinion coming around?

Remind your mom that dogs are not, and do not think like people! He will not have "regrets" because he doesn't know any better, and thinks in the "here and now". Dogs don't worry about "what if's.." like people do. They have better things to do! :D Why don't you just let your mom read this whole thread and maybe it will convince her as well as it did you? :wink:

Good for you! I think you will be happy with your decision when all this is said and done. Just think, Ben can go to parks and other places and won't get upset regarding any females that come near. He can make friends easier and be happy with no worries! As far as when, it probably doesn't matter since he's an indoor dog and they really do heal so fast - you won't believe it. As far as stitch type, my dog had the dissolving type of stitches which, when I heard that, was glad because I knew I wouldn't have to bring him back for another stressful vet visit where some stranger will be poking around a vulnerable place while they're on their back (of course it would only take a second and then - the treat! yum!) Of course, I appreciated not having to arrange a trip down to the vet too :wink: . I think they only put one or two stitches per side and like I mentioned before they usually aren't bothered by it. I doubt if you will have a choice and either type will do. Maybe you can remove the stitches yourself if he'll lie still and you have a helper. That would avoid the vet visit. It's easy to do if you're willing.

Crested - Ben is a cutie, I didn't know that was him. I saw one of those dogs at my sons school and it looked like him (no hair). My daughter went nuts for it! Anyway, my dog did have it easy but it was the vet office that said it would be like that. They see hundreds of males done so I think they have a good overview. Maybe it would help you to talk to one or two vet offices and get their take on post-op details with neutering. Also, I think they use halothane or something which is a gas and is metabolized very quickly and efficiently by the body, not like the injections of the old days. I can see your point in wanting to preserve the "original type" of your breed. I still think that Ben's "quality of life" would be better if he was fixed just because he wouldn't have to worry about all those "male dog" thangs. He could just have fun with you which is all that any dog wants! :D

Oh, I just wanted to add since I just noticed that you seem extra worried about post-op pain and suffering. According to my vet office, most males act as though nothing happened! I got one of those big collars at the vet just in case and although they said I probably wouldn't need it, I got it anyway. Well, I just returned it to the vet. Theo didn't pay any attention to his stitches. Nobody would have known that he just had been fixed if I didn't say. Plus the stitches didn't need removal since they were the kind that dissolves away. Even if there was some pain in your dogs case, it would be very temporary and he wouldn't remember it. Like the other poster said (can't remember who, sorry) it's much less pain than cancer, being hit by a car, or ripping a nail digging out. They use a very fast anesthesia which goes away quick as well. My dog wasn't groggy or walking funny or anything. Then think about the female dogs owner who catches them together and tries to separate them or just plain old kicks your dog or throws rocks at him or whatever. There are all kinds out there! Even females should heal in just a few days. They sleep a lot the first day but then are pretty good from then on. I think your friends cat had some sort of infection. Her cat's behavior is not typical or normal. Males have it easy in the "gettin fixed" department. :) Don't worry about that aspect of it!

Crested, At the risk of making you mad...lets get down to the bottom line. Didn't you get your dog to be a companion to you in the first place? You didn't get him to go into the business or hobby of breeding! For him to be a true companion, free him from endless frustration and sexual obsession by neutering him and keep your fantasies out of the deal. Dog breeding is not a money making enterprise generally. It costs lots of money to show, promote and title the males; plus you need to own, promote and and title the females too. Obviously the dogs need to be show quality. It is bad breeding to perpetuate a dog with severe allergies and perhaps other flaws just because he's your favorite dog. Think about his life of all these females out of reach. If he did breed one (and it would probably only be one - yours) it would only make it worse for him. He will be so happy and relaxed and glad to be able to accompany you places and have people happy with him instead of exasperated and frustrated. He can feel what people feel towards him. He doesn't know why he acts the way he does, it's instinct. He is not happy about it. Who enjoys being frustrated ALL THE TIME? Neuter him and enjoy your dog. :fadein: Do the right thing and neuter your pet. Of course this is only my opinion (and that of everyone else here by the sound of it. )

Where is Natural Balance found? Is it at feed stores or is it owned by a store like PetSmart or Petco? It sounds pretty good....

Raider - I just switched from Pedigree to Canidae with my six month old Dobe pup. It is about the same price as the the brand you use except it is human grade ingredients and seems quite healthy when you read the tag. I was wondering about the Diamond brand. I've never heard of it. How does it compare to Canidae? Has anyone used both and developed an opinion? I'm trying to get a food that makes my dogs coat shiny with no flakes and decreases the gas! He tends to be one stinky boy! :-? I almost hate to switch from the Canidae since the ingredient list seems so good and the price is reasonable. I'm going to check out that Wal-Mart brand next time I go there. Maybe a half kibble half natural diet is the way to go, eh? :wink: Does anyone supplement for coats with oil or flax seed or anything like that?