Re: [Berner-l] Not getting posts
I'll bet your Berner ate it. Andie Reid and Tugboat and Steamboat (did someone say eat something? I could eat something! I'm famished! Honest, Mom!) Wilmington, NC I wish I could find my magic wand and convert everyone transparently, but I've misplaced it somewhere. Pat Long ( Luther) Berwyn PA
Puppy Rescue
All On August 13, Amy Kessler sent out a general alert for a puppy who needed rescue and asked for donations. Has anyone heard anything else about this puppy? Thanks, Andie Reid Wilmington, NC
Happy Birthday to my Tugboat
My baby is three today! Hard to believe - time flies. He is lying on the floor remembering his halcion days of youth, I'm sure... Andie and Tugboat (I'm three!) and Steamboat (Is it time to eat yet?)
The Reality of Rescue
This is just a little too true. Hello: You have reached 123-4567, Tender Hearts Rescue. Due to the high volume of calls we have been receiving, please listen closely to the following options and choose the one that best describes you or your situation: Press 1 if you think we are veterinarians and want free medical advice. Press 2 if you know we are a rescue organization but want to save money and have us give you free, untrained medical advice anyway. Press 3 if you make $200,000 a year but still want us to pay to spay the stray in your yard (house). Press 4 if you have a 10-year-old dog and your 15-year-old son has suddenly become allergic and you need to find the dog a new home right away. Press 5 if you have three dogs, had a baby and want to get rid of your dogs because you are the only person in the world to have a baby and dogs at the same time. Press 6 if your dog is sick and needs a vet but you need the money for your vacation. Press 7 if you just got a brand new puppy and your old dog is having problems adjusting so you want to get rid of the old one right away. Press 8 if your little puppy has grown up and is no longer small and cute and you want to trade it in for a new model. Press 9 if you are elderly and want to adopt a cute puppy who is not active and is going to outlive you. Press 10 if your relative has died and you don't want to care for their elderly dog because it doesn't fit your lifestyle. Press 11 if you are moving today and need to immediately place your 15 pound, 8-year-old dog. Press 12 if you want an unpaid volunteer to come to your home today and pick up the dog you no longer want. Press 13 if you have been feeding and caring for a stray for the last three years, are moving and suddenly determine it's not your dog. Press 14 if you are calling at 6 a.m. to make sure you wake me up before I have to go to work so you can drop a dog off on your way to work. Press 15 to leave us an anonymous garbled message, letting us know you have left a dog in our yard in the middle of January, which is in fact, better than just leaving the dog with no message. Press 16 if you are going to get angry because we are not going to take your dog that you have had for fifteen years, because it is not our responsibility. Press 17 if you are going to threaten to take your ten year old dog to be euthanized because I won't take it. Press 18 if you're going to get angry because the volunteers had the audacity to go on vacation and leave the dogs in care of a trusted volunteer who is not authorized to take your personal pet. Press 19 if you want one of our perfectly trained, housebroken, kid and cat friendly purebred tiny dogs that we have an abundance of. Press 20 if you want us to take your dog that has a slight aggression problem, i.e. has only bitten a few people and killed your neighbor's cats. Press 21 if you have already called once and been told we don't take personal surrenders but thought you would get a different person this time with a different answer. Press 22 if you want us to use space that would go to a stray to board your personal dog while you are on vacation, free of charge, of course. Press 23 if it is Christmas Eve or Easter morning and you want me to deliver an eight week old puppy to your house by 6:30 am before your kids wake up. Press 24 if you have bought your children a duckling, chick or baby bunny for Easter and it is now Christmas and no longer cute. Press 25 if you want us to take your female dog who has already had ten litters, but we can't spay her because she is pregnant again and it is against your religion. Press 26 if you're lying to make one of our younger volunteers feel bad and take your personal pet off your hands. Press 27 if your cat is biting and not using the litter box because it is declawed, but are not willing to accept the responsibility that the cat's behavior is altered because of your nice furniture. Press 28 if your two year old male dog is marking all over your house but you just haven't gotten around to having him neutered. Press 29 if you previously had an outdoor only dog and are calling because she is suddenly pregnant. Press 30 if you have done everything to housebreak your dog and have had no success but you don't want to crate the dog because it is cruel. Press 31 if you didn't listen to the message asking for an evening phone number and you left your work number when all volunteers are also working and you are angry because no one called you back. Press 32 if you need a puppy immediately and cannot wait because today is your daughter's birthday and you forgot when she was born. Press 33 if your dog's coat doesn't match your new furniture and you need a different color or breed. Press 34 if your new love doesn't like your dog and you are too stupid to get rid of the new friend (who will dump you in the next month anyway) instead of the dog. Press 35 if you went through all these 'presses' and didn't hear
Happy Birthday to my Tugboat
My baby is three today! Hard to believe - time flies. He is lying on the floor remembering his halcion days of youth, I'm sure... Andie and Tugboat (I'm three!) and Steamboat (Is it time to eat yet?)
Re: Counter surfing
Janice, The way we have discouraged this is through a method we were encouraged to use by our obedeince trainer. If you can catch him in the act, pound on the counter and make much noise and yell as though the counter is bad, not the dog. The thought is to make the dog afraid of the counter. It worked with our guys, but this was before they had discovered the marvelous world of food that exists up there. They were just looking - hadn't managed to snag anything yet. Now they're both too lazy to jump up anyway, but when they were younger, they avoided the counters. Not sure it will work with yours since he's already been rewarded (abundantly) for his behavior, but worth a try... Just remember to focus your attack on the counter, not on him. Andie Reid Tugboat (*yawn*) and Steamboat (there's FOOD up there???)
Re: snapping in puppies
?? I didn't get Eileen's post for some reason? Andie Rose Tierney wrote: Hi Eileen, I'd have to question labelling this puppy as dominant. He may be defensive or hostile, without observing the events leading to this display one cannot define his true character. My interpretation of dominant is a puppy that is very sure of itself and wilful, not one who is quick to snarl and snap these I see as insecure characters either defined by environment or genetics. I'm with the breeder, I'd want this puppy back for re-evaluation and at the least work with these people every step of the way. Children should not be the primary caretakers, they lack experience to interpret behaviour in a complex way. Rose T.
Re: mouthy puppy
When both our boys were puppies, we were their favorite chew-toy, so we employed the OW method every time they bit. It worked wonders. They were both quick to pull back, then try to bite again, but gentler and gentler each time until they finally decided we were complete sissies and quit altogether. Andie and Tugboat and Steamboat Wilmington, NC
snapping in puppies
All, My friend the new Berner parent has been seeing some behavior that is disturbing her in her new puppy, Orbo. He has now growled and snapped several times at his 11 year old caretaker and her mother. Once when she was taking off his leash, and a couple of times when they tried to put him in his crate. He has been jumping out of his exercise pen and also struggles and pitches a fit during obedience training during the settle (of course, mine did that too - they just don't like settle much). She has talked to the breeder and she offered to take the dog back and refun their money, but I hate to think that a solution that drastic is called for. Has anyone had any experience with this? Thanks for your help, Andie in Wilmington NC
Re: Relinquishment of Ownership
Another way to push for relinquishment of ownership is to play hardball and refuse to hand the dog over until all of the incurred expenses have been repaid. The cost for shots and license or any other medical expenses, plus boarding costs is usually enough to deter an owner who doesn't really want the pet from pressing the matter. Andie Reid Wilmington, NC Susan wrote:
Breeder
It's me again. Is Janet Grandstaff out there? Or does anyone know her? She's the breeder of the new baby Orbo I talked about yesterday. The new owner says she's just great. Also, if anyone sees Julie Steinheimer and Babs anytime soon, tell them her boys are doing just great and Tugboat turned out huge. Thanks folks, Andie Reid and Tugboat and Steamboat Wilmington, NC
New parent
Hey all - a woman here in Wilmington just bought a baby berner. She had been talking to me beforehand - She wanted to get up close and personal with the boys and ask a bunch of questions before she bought. My trainer referred her to me. At any rate, Tugboat and Steamboat apparently did not scare her off, so she and her kids and husband are the very proud parents of baby Orbo. I met him today and he is a real cutie! Tried to eat my foot, but other than that, a real charmer. She asked me a couple of questions and I had information that conflicted with other info she had, so I told her I'd check it out. First of all - neutering. At what age should she neuter? We got Tugboat and Steamboat done around 9 months, and some of the paperwork she got from the breeder says 6 months, and then another part of her paperwork says not before 2 years, which seems kind of long to me. What would be the reason for waiting that long to have him neutered? Second - puppy food. Without getting into the discussion of the BARF diet and such, should she be feeding him a puppy food? Her vet told her it was all the same and to just feed a good adult food with a low protein content since he's a large breed, but my breeder and my vet said to use a high quality puppy food for large breed dogs for the first year. She got Eukanuba, but it's not for large breed and it's just regular adult food. Comments here? Thanks for your help, guys. He's really a doll. Can't wait to go play with him again. Tugboat and Steamboat are really giving me the once-over with the smelling. Andie and Tugboat (Who IS that smell, Mom?) and Steamboat (Can we eat yet?) Wilmington, NC
New parent
Sorry folks - I forgot to do the last post in plain text. My apologies. Here it is: Hey all - a woman here in Wilmington just bought a baby berner. She had been talking to me beforehand - She wanted to get up close and personal with the boys and ask a bunch of questions before she bought. My trainer referred her to me. At any rate, Tugboat and Steamboat apparently did not scare her off, so she and her kids and husband are the very proud parents of baby Orbo. I met him today and he is a real cutie! Tried to eat my foot, but other than that, a real charmer. She asked me a couple of questions and I had information that conflicted with other info she had, so I told her I'd check it out. First of all - neutering. At what age should she neuter? We got Tugboat and Steamboat done around 9 months, and some of the paperwork she got from the breeder says 6 months, and then another part of her paperwork says not before 2 years, which seems kind of long to me. What would be the reason for waiting that long to have him neutered? Second - puppy food. Without getting into the discussion of the BARF diet and such, should she be feeding him a puppy food? Her vet told her it was all the same and to just feed a good adult food with a low protein content since he's a large breed, but my breeder and my vet said to use a high quality puppy food for large breed dogs for the first year. She got Eukanuba, but it's not for large breed and it's just regular adult food. Comments here? Thanks for your help, guys. He's really a doll. Can't wait to go play with him again. Tugboat and Steamboat are really giving me the once-over with the smelling. Andie and Tugboat (Who IS that smell, Mom?) and Steamboat (Can we eat yet?) Wilmington, NC
Re: Berner Gold Head Covers
Or large dogs. :) My boys love puppets. Andie and Tugboat (Mom! What's that THING that ate your hand!?? ) and Steamboat (Yum. That thing was tasty.) [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: These adorable head covers can also be used as puppets for those of you with small children. Esta Dalsass NJ
Re: fat berners
There are Berners out there who ever actually feel full? Andie and Tugboat (Is it time to eat yet?) and Steamboat (Look, Mom. Ribs! Look! No, I'm not sucking in my cheeks! You're starving me! I swear!) Anyway, in cutting back, add green beans to the bowl - they love them, fill them up, add minimal calories, a few vitamins, but most importantly, make the dog feel full when the actual portion has been decreased. Molly and the gang Charlottesville, VA
Re: fat berners
Because their dogs are so happy when they give them treats! Janice Parky wrote: Most berners I know are too fat, and I really do not get it. Being overweight is linked to shorter life and a variety of health problems -- why would anyone let his/her loved dog be fat?! Because people equate "fat" with "good bone". Because people like to talk about how much their Berner's weigh. Because bigger is "better" in our society. Janice Parky Halley and Wrigley Cape Cod, MA
licking
Hey all - I have a behavior question. Not really trying to change or modify the behavior, I just wonder why. Steamboat just loves to lick my face. No one else's really. Just mine. He will lie in bed in the morning and snuggle up against me and lick and lick, and then during the day when I'm at my desk, sometimes he'll sit in front of me, and when I turn to face him, he will put his paws on my shoulders and pull me down as hard as he can so he can lick my cheeks. What is this behavior about? If it annoys me, I tell him to quit, and he does, but I just wonder why he does it, and why it seems to be only me. (No, I don't wear lotions or makeup or face creams, so I've eliminated those possibilities.) Andie and Tugboat (I don't stoop to that licking thing) and Steamboat (Man, mom, you taste just like chicken!) Wilmington, NC
Re: Puppies in stores .. and Moms
MY mom called the boys Lumberjacks. The nerve. Can you train Berners to bite their grandmothers, I wonder? Andie Reid and Tugboat (the dainty) and Steamboat (the graceful) Cindy Reid wrote: Speaking of Moms...mine also in the past has thought me crazy risking my heart and wallet on this breed. We always had dogs from backyard breeders or my Dad would trade a gun for a hunting dog, etc. After I married, all my dogs found me...they needed homes and I took them in. My first Berner was the first dog I ever researched and went looking for. Mom has since come around. She loves the breed and several weeks ago at a public event with my young Nicco at her side she was actually doing a nice little eductation on Berner health issues to some folks who inquired about the breed. Some of my blurbs to her about the efforts going on in cancer research and fund raising efforts have also gotten though as I have heard her several times touting the great things the people who love this breed are doing. So don't give up on your Moms!! Keep preaching! Cindy Reid and Maines Lake Country Nicco
Re: PetSmart...puppy classes
Briana, They are positive trainers, but usually are people without a whole lot of experience. I certainly didn't take our guys there for training - we went to a professional. I guess the upshot of it is that people who might not ordinarily get any training at all for their dogs and themselves will now get some. They wouldn't be hurt by going there - they certainly do training by reward, not punishment - but they could do a whole lot better. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: What's the story on these. One of my puppy people wants to take classes here. My first reaction is UGH. What do you all think? Does anyone know their training methods? Are they positive or negative trainers? Does it vary by area or is it consistant? I am located in CT. Thanks. Briana Bunsen Berners
Re: Silverfish (DE)
DE can also be purchased at most home improvement stores in the pool section or at a pool supply store and it's usually cheaper there. Do be careful not to get it in your eyes - it's a very fine powder and flies everywhere and if you get it in your eyes it won't feel good at all! Andie Reid Wilmington, NC [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Sharon - One of the safer ways to eliminate crawling bugs is to sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth, available at gardening stores, in the dark places they tend to crawl. DE is a non-toxic powder. It is composed of the microscopic glass shells of aquatic plants and is used in things like swimming pool filters and toothpaste! However, if it gets wet, it loses its efficiency and needs to be reapplied. I would sprinkle it along the baseboards in the basement, under the sinks and other damp spots. It works on bugs by making tiny cuts in their outer skin and they dehydrate to death; purely mechanical - no chemical toxins. It is also pretty inexpensive. Anne Copeland (Flash CGC, TDI, 8 11/12 yrs. old Berner; Gypsy CGC, TDI, 2 yr. old Cavalier) Northern Illinois Annes4, Corr. Sec. BMDCA
Brewer's Yeast
Has anyone used Brewer's Yeast for coat improvement and what kind of results did you get? Andie Reid Wilmington, NC
Re: keeping cool? sorry last post not in plain text
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Re: keeping cool
Mine seek out the a/c registers and lie on them, but I've seen those too and wonder if anyone has tried them?
Re: Yuck
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Playing
When we first brought Steamboat home, Tugboat thought he was the coolest toy we'd ever brought him. They just played and played and played all the time. Now that they're older, however, they just don't play together very much. They're still very fond of each other - never a harsh word between them, no sulking, they snuggle a lot, and like each others' company, but they don't jump and run and wrestle and play like they used to. We can take them to the neighbors', and they'll play with Maggie the lab, but even over there, they each play with her, and not with each other. Has anyone else noticed this with sibling dogs? Does anyone have any ideas of how to encourage them to play together? Andie and Tugboat and Steamboat the bored Wilmington, NC
excuse my ignorance
What is the BARF diet? I'm just not at all familiar with that. Andie Reid Wilmington, NC
begging: or, just taking!
OK, folks, I need a pep talk. Tugboat and Steamboat have gotten pretty bad about begging, or just lingering around food preparations or snacks. I know what to do with them, for the most part, and I also know that aside from fruit and veggies, human food is not a good thing for these guys. But when they sit there and look at me while I'm eating cheese and crackers, or while I'm cutting up stuff for dinner, I feel SO guilty, even if I've fed them. I don't want fat dogs, but at the same time, I feel bad about preparing our dinner without sharing, even though I've already fed them their dinner. Any suggestions for a guilt-ridden Mom? Andie Reid, Mom of the perpetually starving Tugboat and Steamboat Wilmington, NC
oops forgot about the Taking
Also, Tugboat (the bad) has recently gotten into the whole counter-surfing thing. Ate his dad's hamburger bun this afternoon. Any suggestions here, besides the obvious leave the food out of his reach? Andie Reid, Wilmington, NC
Breeding questions
Just read the article on Berners in Dog Fancy (GREAT ad, by the way, guys. Truly nice.) and have a question for the breeders out there: I get concerned when I see ads for Berners that say puppies available. I'm not quite so concerned when I see breeders' ads that say Is the Berner the right dog for you?, etc. I am not a breeder, nor do I want to be, but I am concerned about the future of the breed. I know that the expense of a Berner puts most people off who aren't pretty serious about getting a dog. But how do you, as breeders, determine whether a buyer is good enough for one of your puppies, and how often do you find that you will refuse a sale? I'm sure this varies, as there are plenty of people in it because they love the breed, and others in it who want to make $$. Not that we don't all like money, but I prefer buying from a breeder who WILL turn buyers away because she's/he's concerned about what happens to the dog when it leaves. We got all of our guys from Julie Steinheimer at Heart of Hope Kennels, and she was pretty crafty at interviewing us without us knowing. Later, when we were out for a visit, we actually saw her turn away someone who seriously wanted a puppy because she felt she just wasn't right for the breed. So I'm curious about this. As breeders, what do you guys do to protect the breed from a bad matchup as best you can? Andie Reid Mother of the Monkey Dogs Tugboat and Steamboat who polished off a banana between them today. (They LOVE bananas) Wilmington, NC
venting
Yep. That's why I said it in the first place. It's venting. I never actually SAY these things to people, and I'm always happy to answer questions about my boat boys, but sometimes hearing the same comments and questions DOES get tiresome. Nice to have a place to just snicker a little bit. Andie Reid, owned by Tugboat and Steamboat Wilmington, NC
Re: BERNER-L digest 4446
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Bad Berner - no eating the furniture
I hate to say this, but I NEVER trust my dogs if I'm gone longer than half an hour, and we put them in the kitchen, with no dishtowels, dishes, rugs, or anything else they can destruct if they decide they're bored. Almost every time we've left the guys with free roam SOMETHING has gotten eaten. I do this for their protection as much as for my sanity. I don't want them getting into something harmful, or even eating too much of something not harmful. Once, when we left them in the bedroom, they shredded a pillow and threw stuffing everywhere. Hahaveryfunny until I realized that the pillow CASE was MIA. Steamboat (Tiny) had completely slurped it down! Fortunately, he had managed to shred it first, so as it, (ahem), emerged from hiding, it was in pieces rather than in one whole long big wad wrapped around his intestines or something equally as horrible. It's just not worth the risk to me. They get left, they get bored, and the way they seem to like to stimulate their minds is to read magazines, and do some redecorating projects, like eat the rug. I don't crate them anymore, but I definitely do confine them. Steamboat turned 2 in March and Tugboat turns 3 in August. Our first boy got confined in the kitchen his whole life. I figure for his own safety. We have chicken-sissy dogs, so we just prop up a gate - it's not even secured - so if they HAD to, they could push it over and walk on out into the house - like if it caught on fire of something. That makes me feel better. But they're scared enough of it that if it's not an emergency, they'll just leave it alone. Dog = teeth = rampant and random destruction. Andie Reid, owned by Tugboat the Bad and Steamboat the Weasel Wilmington, NC
Re: safe and sane containment strategies - input?
My experience below - not necesssarily everyone's - dogs are as differrent as people. The Ortega Family wrote: I was just wondering whether a baby gate will do it, and for how long, for kitchen confinement, or whether I have to create a higher barrier. Some baby gates are the wooden expanding kind, some are plastic and slide to adjust in width and are held in place by tension with large rubber stoppers on both sides. We have a screen that we made that we literally just lean against the doorway. All of our boys have always been afraid of it (we have no idea why, other than when it falls it makes a loud noise, I guess) and they don't ever try to push it over or get out. For ours, barriers of any kind have always elicited a stand-stay. They'll just stand there until you move it for them. Yes, that includes doors that are partially open. None of them have ever tried to nudge a door or anything. They'll just stand there and wait for you. The kitchen counters come to my belly button, so an adult but not a pup, could access them, so I'd soon have to minimize what 's on the countertops (appliances, dish drain...). We've been very lucky with the counter-surfing, or lack of. I just make sure there's nothing cloth where they can reach it and push other things to the back and they don't go out of their way to get it. If it's right on the edge, they'll nibble it, lick the butter, etc. but pushed back far enough, they don't jump up and get it, even though they could. Also, some of my yard fencing is 6 foot, but some shorter segments just 4 foot -- will an adult or growing berner clear that four foot height with a good jump, or should I just be more concerned about digging issues?\ We have a 4 foot fence around our backyard and they have never even contemplated jumping it. I think that overcoming gravity is just too much for them. I'm not sure a Berner couldn't jump it, but I've never seen them indicate any interest in doing so. They also are not diggers (thank goodness) so the fence has been adequate for mine. Again - dogs are different, but these have been my experiences. They're really laid-back and just don't seem interested in working to get out or get into things. I just confine them because it would just present them with too many easy opportunities to get into stuff. Andie Reid of Tugboat and Steamboat the Lazy Wilmington, NC
after all that...
So after my lengthy email about putting the dogs in the kitchen, I went to the gym this morning and the boys were here with their dad. He decided to run an errand and I guess he figured they'd be OK for the short bit of time until I was back from the gym. So I walked in to be greeted by two very enthusiastic boys who were happy to show me the hole they chewed in the entryway rug! Look Mom! Happy Birthday! Isn't it great! Man, what a tasty rug! Thanks! Gret, guys. Happy Birthday to me. A hole in my new rug. Lovely. And all around the rug on the floor are toys and more toys and even a rag towel they are allowed to chew on. I am just shaking my head. Andie Reid and the waaay too optimistic Phillip and the two very bad dogs Tugboat and Steamboat Wilmington, NC
I stand corrected!
My husband just informed me that the hole in the rug was there before he left and was damp! Ah h! Someone went a-chewing while not under dad's watchful eye! That makes them even WORSE dogs. Maybe I should beat them more often. (Come on, people, you KNOW I'm kidding.)
Re: Realities of puppies
Martha, I wasn't aware that the question can we eat it? ever came up! I think mine go on the assumption that EVERYTHING is edible! Andie and the pig-dogs Tugboat and Steamboat, who just ate breakfast and now want to go outside and eat gumballs from the sweet gum tree. Martha Hoverson and Molly (Gee, Mom, you and Dad are so fussy.) and Sam (What's a vole? Can we eat it? Does it taste as good as a bone? Does it taste as good as a pizza crust? Will Molly get it for me? Must...take...nap...) [EMAIL PROTECTED] Portland, Maine From: Rose Tierney [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: jean cheesman [EMAIL PROTECTED] CC: Bernese Mountain Dog Mailing List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: Realities of puppies Date: Thu, 05 Jun 2003 06:58:49 -0400 Hi Jean, Pups naturally want to be clean! I'll tell Wilma that:-) She can be a good girl about going outside just that sometimes she likes to roll in it. This is the fondue puppy who dips herself in mudholes. Why is it that Murphy's law makes a grubby puppy a heavy coated one:-)) Rose T. _ Help STOP SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail -- Andie Reid Wilmington, NC
Re: Avocadoes??
Thought I responded to this to the group, but maybe not. It's not the fruit that is poisonous. It's the seeds. Actually, they're poisonous to people too. So as long as they're not chewing on the pits, they should be fine. Andie Reid, Wilmington, NC Michaela Simmons wrote: Kaethy That's the first I heard that avocados are poisonous to dogs. Any chance you remember WHERE you read this? Neither of my 2 boys are fruit or vegetable lovers ( unless they are sautéed in olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt !) and I spend endless hours disguising their raw healthy veg somehow. The one notable exception to their healthy living aversion is avocados - they line up for it and drool like Niagara Falls. Thus, I feed them quite frequently. The only thing I know about avocados is that they are rich in vitamin E. I have no idea whether they are contraindicated for dogs. Still, both of mine seem remarkably alive and thriving on it. Maybe one of our vets or vet techs could expand on this? Michaela, Harvey Rupert Devon/UK -- Andie Reid Wilmington, NC
Re: Avocadoes??
Kaethy, The fruit is not poisonous - it's the seed that contains toxins that can make them ill or worse. If she doesn't eat the seeds, she should be fine. They're actually good for coats. The fat in them, anyway. Andie Reid, Wilmington, NC Kaethy Kennedy wrote: We just moved into a rental house that has a GIGANTIC Avocado tree in the backyard. Ginger, our 1 1/2 year old Bernese has decided that she LOVES Avocados and needs to eat as many as Mr. Squirrel drops from the tree (she'd prefer the squirrel but will settle for the avocadoes.) I just read that Avocados are listed on the Toxic for Dogs list and was wondering if anyone had any experience or more information about them? (Our chocolate lab used to eat them all the time when we lived in another rental house that had a big treeand she lived to be 14!) We are nervous now and not sure how to handle keeping her from eating them, as we can't trim the tree and there are literally hundreds of avocadoes just waiting to drop. (We've been picking them up morning and night and also tried putting hot sauce on some to see if that would help - I was scoffed at for that attempt!) Thanks so much for any and all advice or information. Berner hugs from Los Angeles, Kaethy and Ginger -- Andie Reid Wilmington, NC
Re: ideas about WHY some grow older, and realities of puppies
When we brought home all the puppies we've had, they were a little over 8 weeks and all the boys did just fine all night in the crate. They never had to go out in the middle of the night unless they were sick, and they all slept peacefully in their crates, with nary a yip. Now, we did put the crate in the bedroom with us, and our dogs continue to sleep there now, uncrated. We crated at night until they were about 8 months or so, and they would have continued happily sleeping in them and going in for naps except we took them apart and put them up because we have a very smal house and limited space for crates. In our experience, they get very attached to their crates, because it's their safe place, whether we put toys in with them or not. We were also fortunate in that ours weren't terrible chewers, and redirecting worked just fine, although we're careful not to leave things out when we're gone that might appear interesting to a bored Berner. Andie Reid Wilmington, NC I had the impression from what I read, that if you choose to crate train, the pup can make it through the night, or at least only have one potty break, if you take them directly outside before and after, and immediately reward the sniff..piddle...poop sequence outdoors. Onthe other hand, I want to make the crate a positive thing - putting some treats and toys and food in there and keeping the door open a lot.. I don't want it seen as a punishment or anything. I am willing to readjust my expectations to reality just as I did with my two very different children, but if the puppy CAN adjust in a healthy way that makes life less draining, then I sure want to do everything I can to train in that good behavior ASAP..
Re: 2 dogs in a suburu
I have two Berner boys - 125 lb and 112 lb. I cart them both around in the back seat of my Honda Civic. Just load 'em up! Beverly Arnold wrote: Does anyone have any experience fitting 2 berners in a Subaru? I am picking up a 7 year old girl tonight (125#) and Han is 89 and growing. I have a outback sport (late model -paid for, thank goodness) Until I find a job I can't move up price wise but might be able to trade for a forester. I would appreciate anyone's experience/comments. I haven't been able to access the archives lately and it seems that the CRV was the smallest car mentioned -was that one or two dogs? Beverly Arnold and Han (soon to welcome Liesl) Gainesville Fl
Re: what age do puppies start drooling?
Julie, Some of the breeders may have a better answer for you, but I have NEVER seen a Berner drool. If there are some that do, I'm sure it's rare. I've been around plenty of them and have never seen any indication of drooling. The ones I've seen have also been pretty neat about drinking. Julie E. Johnson wrote: Hi, I'm new to the list. I am considering whether the berner is the right breed for our family. I have researched the dogs and have learned that SOME drool. If a dog is going to be a drooler, at what age does this typically start? Can this trait be seen in the pups? For the dogs that are droolers, how bad is it? I hear it is not as heavy as St. Bernards, but I am imagining more than our golden retriever who shares his latest drink with us? I apologize if this topic has been addressed before. I was unable to access the archive site. Feel free to respond if person if this is not appropriate to the list. Thanks, Julie [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: what age do puppies start drooling?
Oh yeah - that black hair gets EVERYWHERE after a bath, doesn't it? In your bed, in your food, up your nose... Gotta love it. :) I've had three boys and not one of them has drooled, but I doubt I'd care if they did. Absolutely right, though. If you're fastidious, a Berner is not for you. But then again, most dogs introduce dirt and some slobber and hair in the house, so if you like a REALLY clean house, I'd say you want some kind of reptile instead of something furry. Andie Reid Wilmington, NC Margareta Strand wrote: If you like a constantly very cleaned home Berners are not something for you. If you like the warmest and most loving companion on earth, choose a Berner. Bernerhugs from Vincent, 4 years, who has been bathing today in our bathroom. He stands on the floor and there he got shampo and showers, over and over again. And the days after the bath you will find the softest black hair everywhere. Margareta Stockholm
Re: Dogs and Bikes
Personally, the only bike I would attach my guys to would be a stationary one. :)
Re: Bad Experience in Class
Cindy, I've had a similar experience with a trainer who has great methods - up to a point. Once the dogs are trained, her expectations get higher and she tends to get rougher with them when they don't perform. We stopped using her for training when it got to that point. I've seen her get a little rough with labs and boxers and other breeds with good results - but that just doesn't go over well with Berners. Somehow I have a difficult time convincing people who have experience with other breeds that Berners really are VERY sensitive and just do not respond well to certain types of training. I guess they figure size demands more muscle, when for these guys, most of the time a polite request is good enough. As far as snarfing treats goes, I had the same issue with my boys and all it took was withholding the treat and not giving it up until they took it gently. I still have to remind them occasionally, and you have to have pretty quick reflexes to avoid losing a finger, but usually when I see them getting kind of grabby I yank the treat back and say GENTLY and then hold it out again and they take it very nicely.
Re: Bad Experience in Class
Rats, guys. I hit the send button before I signed. Sorry! Andie Reid Wilmington, NC
Re: Karen and Stevie-Collars.
Karen, I would highly recommend a Gentle Leader. We've used them on both our guys and they work really well. Our trainer uses these exclusively. I tried a pinch collar on Tugboat once because of an issue we were having with him fence fighting a couple of dogs on his walk, but I will NEVER do that again. That was months ago and I THINK he's forgiven us. You can check it out at www.gentleleader.com. It gives plenty of information on how it works, etc. It's more like a horse harness than a collar and there's no pain for the dog. Except the trauma of not getting to do exactly what they want when they want! Andie Reid Wilmington, NC Karen wrote: Dear Listers, Hi everyone!! First of all, just a quick update on Stevie. Stevie is doing absolutely WONDERFULLY. He is really a very normal and somewhat goofy boy. Bouncy and energetic. Stevie saw the vets yesterday and we do not have to go back again!! They have declared him completely recovered from his horrific accident (and believe me they are in awe just as much as I am) and also from his recent testicular tumour scare. All is well, Thank God and thank all of you!! Now I have a question for all my learned list friends. I have been having a problem myself with some health issues that involve my balance and physical strength. Stevie, now that he is well, is very exuberant to go out and explore absolutely everything. I have always only used a regular web collar on him but he pulls sometimes. He actually has pulled me off my feet and I am a fairly big girl! If I have him on leash and he sees a bird that he would like to get to know or anything else that strikes his fancy, he just about pulls my arm out of the socket. A friend of mine uses a pinch collar and I just wanted an opinion on them. I tried one on Stevie and it worked beautifully, but I don't know whether to use it or not. I value your opinions and suggestions. When I took Stevie out with it on this morning there was no pulling at all, and he did not seem to mind it at all. I just don't want to traumatize or hurt him in anyway. Thanks in advance for all and any help. Big Berner Hugs and Kisses Karen and Stevie NB, Canada --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.478 / Virus Database: 275 - Release Date: 06/05/2003
