DOGS - Page 4

Steve1, you have Izzy and bringing home a pup who does not like other females already, oh lordy, are you in for some fun times!

Just made friends with a family who offered me unlimited use of their 40 acres of prairie grass for tracking located about 10 mins drive from my house Yippee!!!

New puppy should be coming home in about a week, excited and nervous at the same time as even the most well bred are still a gamble, never know exactly what they'll end up as really, but this one is technically "his" puppy (but we all know who will be taking it out to potty in the middle of the night now don't we.... LOL)

Saying a small prayer to the canine fertility goddess and if it is answered should have a litter on the ground the first week of July.

Not dog related but its my birthday tomorrow, no plans I'll probably just go try out my new tracking spot

must love dogs : )

Maggie,
I stopped using the Frontline because I'm not comfortable any longer with putting chemicals into my dogs system.
I'll dip if I have a serious problem and thats equally a concern but it's short term and not actually in the dogs system.

I think periodic testing might be better than some preventatives.

Just trying something different.


Moons.

I've stopped using the monthly flea/tick preventatives as well...the neurological effects were too severe on one of my dogs (drooling enough to cover the kitchen floor). I do take Lyme and Ehrlichia very seriously though. My vet suggested buying a flea/tick collar and using it whenever we are in areas that may have ticks. This solution won't work for people whose dogs are consistently in tick-infested areas...pick your poison, I guess. For me, there just aren't enough ticks in my area to justify my dog having a serious reaction every single month. When I notice fleas (not often), I use Capstar and then spread diatomaceous earth everywhere.

My GSD is learning hand signals. So far, he's got down, sit, and stay. The collie is still way ahead of him, but she has three years of training to his one.

I'm trying to think of more imaginative places to hide his toys, for fun. His first thought on waking up (and for the rest of the day) is "TOY?", so we've made a game of it. We practice focus and then I release him to find his toy...so far it has been hidden on the refrigerator, under the bed, under the sofa, in various closets...he finds it.

Long term effects was part of my considerations.
Not a fan of DE and flea colors are a joke period.
I do live in a tick infested area.

I give hand signals with my voice commands and they learn them pretty quickly.

I can handle a rock and throw it in the rock driveway and they can find that rock every time.

Drag his toy on a string and watch him track.



Moons.

I did find her flea collar suggestion to be a little strange, but maybe they've improved since last I used one. I didn't purchase one, at any rate. I might take a look at them later. If your area allows, have you looked at getting guinea hens? Apparently they are great for tick control.

Right now he's sleeping, might try dragging a toy later :)

Guinea's will return to the wild if left out, and then at least around here they become food for the other wild creatures...
I'm in the Hoosier National forest, it would take a shit load of Guineas.

There are a few birds here that will feed on ticks but the ticks have become a serious problem here and in other places mostly do to man's management of the forest and the wild life.
Animals have been imported, no fires are allowed to burn, Quail and Grouse are scarce, and the weather has not helped.
Turkeys eat some of them but also carry others( different species).

Mostly I stay out of the woods in summer.


Scratching my bites now....LOL

Sorry to hear that.

1doggie2
Yes, it will be great Fun, Izzy is very possessive of me now if that is the correct word to use, meaning she dotes on me
Looks like i will have another cyclone on my hands, This Morning i could have cried
In my Small Conservatory i have on the Table my Runner bean seeds planted in small seed Pots, I have waited three weeks patiently for them to germinate, This morning i noticed three just poking through the pots.
BUT Izzy squeezed by me when i opened the door and the lot went over off the Table
 She disappeared with a Pot in her mouth running around the Garden, I was Sick, Pot's and Seeds all over the floor i opened the damn door again she was in grabbed my Loft Jacket off the Chair where i put it and was gone again racing round the Garden of course it made the mess worse and all my seed ruined i have been waiting all this time to see one burst through the soil now all finshed , She really is a Mental Pup But what can you do but laugh at her zest for life
Steve1