Show Posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.


Messages - nettrek4

Pages: [1] 2
1
Rottweiler Pictures / Rottie photo
« on: July 08, 2005, 06:36:11 pm »
I ran across this one, and I thought you guys would love it!  MP

2
Border Collie Discussions & Pictures / Re: Ear Infection
« on: July 08, 2005, 06:26:23 pm »
  Cuttles, I'm late to this discussion, but I'm a collie breeder.  I once had a collie that had this problem repeatedly, and my vet recommended a home remedy that might help you.
   Mix regular white vinegar 50/50 with water. Put 6 drops in each ear about once a week and massage in.  After about 5 minutes wipe out the ear.  I am told that what this does is change the pH inside the ear, making is unsuitable for whatever bacteria is having such a fine time in there right now. 
   It worked for me, even if it does smell a bit.  Certainly cheap, and if you try it for 4-6 weeks you should be able to tell if it is effective for you or not.  Good Luck!   Marcia P. and the Bonnie Collies

3
  We have a new litter of mahogany sable and white rough collies, born 5-30-2005!  Mom (Bonnie Annie Laurie II) and pups all doing fine, and I'm sleeping on a mattress next to the whelping box - but I'm fine also.  There are 4 males and 1 female, all just about perfect even if I do say so myself.  I'll attach photos for those who want to see these tiny little guys - the sort of look like hamsters, right now.  I'll post more photos as they grow, because they DO grow, and quickly.  I'm  so proud of them!   

4
General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / Re: I need advice
« on: May 10, 2005, 06:32:33 pm »
  Straw will be hard to keep clean, it will make a mess all over your shop.  I recommend that you cover the floor of the pen with MANY layers of newspapers.  You can just fold up a section or a layer when it is soiled, which will be about every 15 minutes.  The pups are probably already eating puppy chow of some sort, just stick with whatever they are used to.  First shots at 6 weeks, they will be checked for hernias, etc at that time.
   The mom might not want to nurse them much, or stay in their pen.  Their teeth will be causing her some pain by this age. She should stay nearby, and put her with them and encourage her to nurse them for a few minutes 3-5 times a day, if she will.  Then let her go back out of the pen.  Give them safe toys to chew. Even an old towel is a good tug-of-war toy, but only give it when you can be there to watch them, you don't want them swallowing loose thread, etc.  If weather permits and you get a fence up, let them stay otuside as long as it is warm, and come in and sleep at night.
   If mom will not nurse them, you can get a replacement milk formula at the pet store (Second Step) and that will help with digestion and with missing their Mom's milk.  Keep water available, but choose the bowl wisely, they will tip it over and make a big mess, walk through it, etc.  Look around the pet store and ask for some advice.  See what you friend has been using.
   If the pen is large enough, the pups will pick one spot to poop in, away from their bed.  Then you can gradually start using less newspaper, leaving the area where they DON"T poop bare.  In the end, they will associate papers with pooping, and will be paper trained.
   Good luck, this mom will need to be spayed, and I hope you can find homes for the pups, try to list them on sites that don't charge for the service.
        Marcia Potts, Bonnie Collies
   

5
Samoyed Discussions & Pictures / Re: Obedience????
« on: May 06, 2005, 08:13:48 am »
  I do all my own training, having bred collies for 25 years I have lots of expreience.  Collies are so smart, they should probably be training me, perhaps they are and I just don't know it!  I will use the "roll" technique on the older pups if necessary, and it does seem to work.
  There are a couple of things that I do to teach the smaller pups not to bite people (in play, or course) that some might not aprove of.  When I feel any pain, or even just feel the teeth on the skin, I shout a loud angry "NO" instantly and then stand up and stop playing or petting.  Most of them will catch on after a week or so, they know that it makes me angry and it deprives them of my companionship.
   If that is not effective, I sharpen up my reflexes and then, the instant I feel the teeth, I tap the pup with 2 fingers, lightly, on the head right between the ears, just to get their attention.  This is accompanied by the NO and the stoppage of play or petting.  Another option is to hold the pups mouth shut for about 30 seconds while you scold in an angry voice.  Usually some combination of these things will work in a week or two, if you are consistant and patient.  I feel it's better to teach the pups this BEFORE they go to new homes, then they don't get in trouble with their new family.
    And I don't think it's abuse, you have to let them know that you are the alpha dog, you are angry, and biting people is a no-no.  The bigger they get the harder it is to control the action, it is so deeply ingrained as time goes on.  So start very young, be consistant and firm, they will learn.
        Marcia P. and the Bonnie Collies

6
Great Dane Discussions / Re: Someone explain this to me
« on: May 06, 2005, 07:55:41 am »
   I completely agree, it's the little dogs who will bite you, and the smaller they are, the quicker they bite.  I'm not talking about puppy play-nips, but deliberate aggresive biting.  Anybody who knows much about dogs already knows that is true.
   And I'd like to add my oppinion about dog parks - I don't like them..Of course that's easy for me to say, I live in the country and don't need one.  But there are so many dogs who are not properly immunized, who carry parasites internal and external.  Many parks are not cleaned properly, considering the number of dogs who use them, and not all owners are considerate enough to clean up after their dogs.  So here is a reservoir of parasites and disease - why would I take my dog there?
    Too bad I don't live nearby, I could bring a half-dozen collies or so over and they could all play themselves into an oblivious nap!
     Marcia P. and the Bonnie Collies

7
Introduce Yourself to the Forum / Re: New here and Pic of my Pup
« on: May 05, 2005, 07:32:06 am »
   Welcome to the Big Paws board!  You have a beautful dog, of whose breed I have never heard.  I will be educating myself about them, which I always enjoy.  Hope to be hearing from you again, Marcia P. and the Bonnie Collies

8
Smooth Coat Collie Discussion & Pictures / Photos of Jamie
« on: May 03, 2005, 05:09:37 pm »
  I have posted photos of Jamie on my webshits site, omitting the gruesome ones.  You can go to http://community.webshots.com/user/nettrek4 and look for the Jamie album. He is doing well, awake, eating, wagging his tail.
    In this pre-op photo of him, you can see how he crosses his feet so that the injured one is on top, to keep it from rubbing on the grass.  Smart Boy.
       Marcia P. and the Bonnie Collies

9
   Usually, this sort of thing is dealt with at a much younger age, as you say.  And you're right, he's doing it for play, a sport, treating people just like he would treat another puppy.  He has to learn that people are different, you can't put your mouth on people.
   When I have very young pups, a certain amount of play goes on, and as long as I can't feel the teeth, I allow it.  But the minute I can feel any pain or feel the teeth, I have to start intervention.  Sharpen up your reflexes and, the INSTANT you feel those teeth, or feel his mouth on you, yell NO!!! as loud as you can, and sound angry.  The faster the NO follows the touch of the mouth, the easier it will be for him to associate what it is that he is doing wrong.  Best results come when you scare him with the NO, so that he jumps back.  If you are petting him and he bites, do the NO thing and then stand up and stop petting.  He will learn that this is a bad thing. 
    Some pups take a while to "GET IT", and another aid I use is to tap the pup with 2 fingers on top of the head, right between the ears, just a tiny tap, an attention getter - accompanied by the loud NO.   You've got to be fast.  Then stop whatever you were doing, playing, petting, and leave him alone.
   Another thing to try is to hold his mouth shut for about 30 seconds , after the NO.  He won't like this, you can scold him gently while you hold his mouth shut, try to sound angry.  Then leave him alone, don't play with him, he will learn to associate biting with loss of your companionship.
    Usually, consistant application of these 3 aids will work, with a little patience, in about 1-2 weeks.   Good Luck, let me know how you get along!
          Marcia P. and the Bonnie Collies

   

10
   Cross posting this, it's a long story and Jamie still needs help.  He did have his surgery today, and came through it strong.  He is still out of it, but is resting peacefully and pain free tonight.  Many people have helped, , including the lady who did the beautiful afghans.  I thought Big Paws people would like to help, also, since Jamie has lost 1 and a half of his big paws.
       Marcia P. and the Bonnie Collies

Collie Rescue of the Carolinas desperately wants to help Jamie.
Jamie has been rescued, via Animal Control, and is currently with
this rescue group. Most, if not all, rescue organizations struggle
financially. Then, along comes another collie, with a strong
will to live, and a story that just tears at our heartstrings to try
and help him have a better life than he has had.

Jamie NEEDS our help. The rescue organization wants to help Jamie,
but there will be more than the "ordinary" vet bills for this
rescued collie. The story is sad, the pictures are graphic.
Collie Rescue of the Carolinas has non-profit status, so our
donations are tax deductible, too.

http://www.collierescue.net/available/index.html

If you can help even a little bit, Jamie and the CRoftheCarolin as
would sure appreciate it.

Permission to crosspost, anywhere and everywhere, to help Jamie.

I have just listed 2 collie afghans on ebay to benefit Jamie at Collie Rescue of
the Carolinas.
Permission to crosspost, anywhere and everywhere, to help Jamie.
I hope you will take a look and bid on them for Jamie.
Thank you!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4377885103&ssPageName=ADME:B:\
LC:US:1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4377888416&ssPageName=ADME:B:\
LC:US:1


Kathy
Please Be An Organ Donor








11
Meet & Greet BPOers / Re: NC and SC get together
« on: May 01, 2005, 06:12:03 pm »
   The puppy in that photo is the daughter of the male dog,  Bonnie Prince William (Billy)(lying down) in the other photo and another female I have, Bonnie Annie Laurie II (Laurie), a tri-color.
    I have 8 collies right now, 2 are rescues, 4 adults of my own, and 2 of Laurie and Billy's pups from their first litter, age 6 mo.
    I will probably bring 3 adult collies to the get-together - is that enough?
          Marcia P. and the Bonnie Collies

12
Saint Bernard General Discussions / Re: Any advice?
« on: May 01, 2005, 10:48:43 am »
   I agree, he probably saw/felt/smelled/ sensed something about that person that he didn't like.  People don't have the sensory tools our dogs have, one of the main reasons we co-opted them in the first place.  I would keep a wary eye on anybody my dog didn't take to.  Marcia P. and the Bonnie Collies

13
Kuvasz Discussions / Re: Puppy advise please
« on: May 01, 2005, 10:32:14 am »
  Yes, Beauty will tell you when those teeth grow in and she really can't nurse them any more without quite a bit of pain.   At age 3 weeks I usually have the Mom just come in for visits about 4-5 times a day, and , if she will, nurse them for a few minutes .  Then, when she is away from them, she gets to rest and heal.  If they are eating well, increase to feeding mash 3 times a day, and leave water available at all times, although they will make a glorious mess with it!  At age 3-4 weeks start offering dry kibble about 30 min. before you bring the mash.Take it away when you bring the mash.  Soon, they will prefer the dry kibble, they will love to gnaw and crunch it.
  As soon as they are able to crunch dry puppy kibble, Mom's job is over and all nutrition comes from you.  You have to watch for stomach upsets as the diet changes.  I feed a (Second Step) bitch replacement milk from the pet store during weeks 4-5, in addition to the kibble and mash, because Mom will probably not want to nurse them much after that.  During weeks 5-8 I feed some plain yogurt and cottage cheese instead of the bitch replacement milk. I start the pupppy vitamins at age 6 weeks.  Collie pups are weaned by the end of their fifth week, your breed may be different.
      Good luck, and don't forget to have fun, soak up lots of "puppyness" to tide you over those puppyless days to come, and take photos to send to the rest of us!
    Marcia P. and the Bonnie Collies

14
Kuvasz Pictures / Re: Hereis your puppy fix for the day!
« on: May 01, 2005, 10:14:53 am »
  Yes, when they are born, at your behest, you are responsible for each and every one of them for the rest of their lives.  It is the placing of each pup in it's forever home, plus the production of quality breed-standard pups, that is the challenge of the breeder - whether you have a large professional kennel or not.
   No matter how you advertise - internet, local paper, breed magazine, etc - you will get hundreds of responses.  You have to take the time to get to know each prospective owner by phone, by email, having them visit you, doing home visits if at all possible.  I think your gut instinct will help you home in on the really warm hearted and prepared ones, and rule out the avaricious and the uninformed.  You will want to have a questionaire made up in advance that you can send to each inquirer - things that you absolutely have to know about family situatuion, other pets, employment, location, housing, etc.  I require 2 written references, one from the person's vet, one from an employer/co-worker/neighbor/longtime friend.  There is also a written contract signed stating both parties responsibiliti es, what the health guarrantee is, and also stating that I will take this puppy back at any time upon request, or within the first year if I find any evidence of neglect.  Then you have to stay in touch and make visits after the pups go home, sometimes for years, just to find out how the pup turned out and what they look like, their health, etc.  Most of my pups are sold as companions and have a signed spay/neuter agreement, and I also require that I am notified by the vet when this is carried out.
    Even if you do all that, you will still worry that someday one of your pups might need help and you wouldn't know about it.  That is every breeder's nightmare - that some pup of yours ends up in rescue or, worse, needs rescue and doesn't get it.  Or that the dog was bred indiscriminate ly and now there are other dogs of your breed who might need rescue. Being a breeder is chock-a-block with responsibiliti es, not for the faint of heart.
   I could write a book full of the stories of people who have my pups, everything from the collies they had as children to tales of their familes and their collies.  Maybe I should really write it, not just talk about it.  AFTER I stop breeding and retire, maybe I will have time!  I am a medical technologist for a multi-physician practice, but  I work only 8 hour day shifts and my husband is home during that time.
     Fortunately, I have been doing this for some while and usually have a waiting list of people whom I have already checked out who are waiting and hoping for one of my pups. When I know that a litter is on the way, I start advertising and "vetting" the prospective purchasers.  I even take refundable deposits from approved people who want to reserve the choice of a puppy.  After the puppies are born, as you know, there's much less time for this sort of thing!
    Good luck and keep us informed, I'm betting that there are a bunch of lucky familes out there, dreaming about their new puppy, who will soon be beating a path to your door!  Marcia P. and the Bonnie Collies
 
   

15
Kuvasz Pictures / Re: Hereis your puppy fix for the day!
« on: April 30, 2005, 08:14:57 pm »
   They are absolutely splendiferous!  Nothing, NOTHING, is quite like puppies.  Even though you may wear out 2-3 mops, at least one washing machine, and go through a metric ton of newspaper - even though you have to give up your idea of the immcaulate kennel for a while - even though your heart breaks when one doesn't make it - you still end up with this idiot grin on your face and this glow in your heart.  
   Our last litter was 11, and the last one was stillborn. I have done the "Lazerus" thing before, sometimes you get them back, sometimes you just can't do it.  But all 10 of the live ones did so well.  Since it was Laurie's first litter and 10 is a lot, we divided them into A shift and B shift, and traded them out every 2 hours for 2 weeks, until their eyes opened.    Either Bill or I slept beside them for two weeks, with an alarm clock.   Laurie was a doll, a champion, so calm and careful and loving - she quickly learned to count to ten and checked the tally every few minutes, five in the whelping box, 5 in the incubator.  She never objected or got nervous over our handling of them.
    One of life's most wonderful things is when you can climb into the clean box, curl up,  and just be one of the puppy pile.  By the time you clean up after them for 8-10 weeks, it helps you get over missing them when they're gone - but only if you can keep one or two for yourself!!
    Puppies, glorious puppies.  Marcia P. and the Bonnie Collies

Pages: [1] 2