Doggie Thread

[Norm]

Any recommendations for pet insurance?

We're with the Kennel Club. We did use PetPlan until they went public and their prices multiplied overnight.

 

[Simba]

Here is my dog Simba, he is an Alsation/Collie cross. He is almost 13 years old

 

[laurence]

get a snake, much easier to look after.

plus, if anyone in the family does bring home a little rat-dog you won't have to feed it for about a month.

 

[Turdus philomelos]

I love dogs, but taking on the resposibility of a dog is a major commitment for at least 10 years plus. Also rather than boosting all the inbreeding that is done with these types of breeds of dog which causes great suffering not only to the dogs but their owners as well, find your local rescue centre and get yourself a 'mutt' that will be in far greater long term health.

 

[swee'pea99]

Here is my dog Simba, he is an Alsation/Collie cross. He is almost 13   years old

Alsatian/Collie cross me arse! Don't you know a FOX when you see one? 

 

[Pandaboy]

 Here are Lexie and Lola.

Lexie is my Norwich Terrier, Lola is a Bichon belonging to my mother (one of four currently)

 

[ChrisKH]

Lola is a very lovely groomed looking dog. Daisy looks a but unkempt at the moment and a tad overweight but we'll soon knock her into shape. The previous owner didn't walk her, never de-flea'd her and fed her from the table plus she has had no training so we have our hands full. I take her out in the (early) moring for her toilet and she just looks at me as if to say "And?" She had a large back garden to herself previously and she is unused to being put on a lead.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

...looks a but unkempt at the moment and a tad overweight but we'll soon knock her into shape. The previous owner didn't walk her, never de-flea'd her and fed her from the table plus she has had no training so we have our hands full.

I know just how she feels ...

 

[swee'pea99]

Might be worth seeing if there are any obedience training courses round your way. Not so much in the interests of obedience as such, but dogs like learning stuff - at least ours does. And it does make them easier to live with too.

 

[Pandaboy]

Lola is a very lovely groomed looking dog. Daisy looks a but unkempt at the moment and a tad overweight but we'll soon knock her into shape. The previous owner didn't walk her, never de-flea'd her and fed her from the table plus she has had no training so we have our hands full. I take her out in the (early) moring for her toilet and she just looks at me as if to say "And?" She had a large back garden to herself  previously and she is unused to being put on a lead.

Yes, Lola is a show girl (as is Lexie), though she is three and a half now and retiring from the ring after her next show. Brushing needs to be done every day (it only takes about five minutes as long as it is done regularly), as for bathing the show dogs get done up to twice a week but the retired ones probably once every three to four weeks (by contrast Lexie is 17 months and has had three baths). The show dogs hair is cut probably once a week at present (show season), the retired/pet ones probably once a month.

As for training, ours have never been to obedience type training but they do get well socialised both at home and at ringcraft classes. Ringcraft is basically training for showing dogs so they get to meet all types of breeds and so on. Ours get praised and food treats, normally home made liver cake, to reward them when they have done something correct, e.g. walking on the lead without fighting it. When they do it automatically then you can cut back on the treats and just give them praise.

The Bichons adapt well to exercise they will walk for an hour if needed. Another way to get the weight off/exercise up is to just throw a ball they will run around after it for hours if ours are anything to go by.

Just remember that although they are small pretty looking dogs they are still dogs and need to be treated as such. No giving in to the puppy dog look and be firm when needed (but only when the dog is actually caught in the act) and you should be fine.

 

[Simba]

He does look a little like a fox doesn't he, I can assure you he is an Alsation.