 I have found the Hex3 invaluble for training my dog, I can clip her lead to the centre pole as above. She's getting the hang of it now, and at her ripe old age of 5 months she's becoming a real old hand at it.
|
 |
 All year round my border collie has a cut down roll mat, during the winter she has a cheap childs sleeping bag which we open up and lay on the mat then let her decide what she wants to do with it. Ticks are a big problem you can use frontline or stronghold, this kills them and they drop off after a couple of days - that will be the day after you get home then. We also carry a first aid kit for her as cut pads can be a problem in some areas also broken nails. This consists of some green liquid dog antiseptic stuff (when i get home will get the name), a couple of my old socks, zinc oxide tape and a couple of dressings. She only gets feed beta active, this stuff is for working dogs so it high in Kcal's for its weight, she likes it and it cheap. Gary
|
|
I use to take a cut down karrimat and have her in the inner with me,quite cosy really until they start chasing rabbits in there sleep and the yapping and legs start . Only problem I had was the dog having sore feet in rocky areas such as the lake district but this was made worse by the soft sandy soil in my home area. Unfortunately my golden ( retriever ) is 13 years old now and can barely manage 2 miles around the common.Deaf as a post aswell.I miss her on my camping trips.
|
| Edited: 15/04/08 09:21 |
 Petie, I was wondering about your dogger being thin. Has she been speyed? Our male dog Gunner was super fit- lean and would only eat what he needed. Since he's been "done" he has turned into a bit of a porker. Eats anything and put weight on with ease. Sounds like me! The vet warned us about it but we couldn't believe the difference. We keep cutting his food down but will have to try harder. Did you notice a difference when she was done?
|
|
 Nanook We had ours speyed after she'd had a couple of seasons, but didn't notice any difference. However we control the amount she eats, not her. No table scraps, 2 good meals a day. Re your comment 'only eat what he needed' I reckon our dog would easily eat 5 times what we normally give her, if we kept filling her bowl! Greedy is not the word for it!
|
|
 Get a "Dry Dog Bag" They are brilliant for camping or any other "wet dog situations" not only do they dry the dog quick they stop the Dog getting everything else wet while he gets dry. You can make your own out of any large wickable towwel and they soon get used to them. Other than that my dogs have always loved camping.
|
|
|
|
| Edited: 15/04/08 17:12 |
 I used to always let the dog into the tent with me until one night, I got up to take a pee, the dog got out and launched himself into a nearby lochan, typical labrador just loves the water, so I left him out for the rest of the night. i wasnt dealing with a wet stupid dog at 2am. I realised the next morning he was perfectly comfortable just sleeping outside, so I have never let him in the tent since, I think he prefers it thatway, he can rake about and do what ever he wants. I do only camp in very remote places in reasonable weather. so there is no one he could bother other people and he would never go far away, and as i usually camp on the tops the midge is never a problem for him. for what its worth a picture of the daft dog here
|
| Edited: 15/04/08 18:08 |
 Neutered dogs are no more at risk of weight gain than "intact" dogs, it is a falacy and often used by some as an excuse for not having dogs "done." Most good vets will tell you so. Some bitches can be at risk in the first couple of weeks after if the neutralisation includes a hysterectomy as they recuperate from the surgery, but a reduction and careful monitoring of diet will take care of that, Most overweight dogs are just so for the same reasons as humans, that is the wrong types and quantity of food and irregular exercise. It is relatively easy for me with such an active breed as BCs, but other breeds such as labs and retrievers have a tendency to overeat/under exercise anyway and are very susceptible to weight problems!
|
| Edited: 15/04/08 18:14 |
Having said that I believe I have read somewere that some male dogs, having lost their "libido" will attempt to make up for it in appetite which means that the owners have to be a little more persistent! The point is that they don't physically need anymore after than they did before the op!
|
| Edited: 15/04/08 18:19 |
Labradors are just life support systems for a stomach.
|
|
|
|
|
Totally agree with Cysgod-du, and Jules comments. Jules, we have a book on the Labrador / Retriever breeds which actually says "if your dog refuses food, there is something seriously wrong with it, take it to a Vet immediately"
|
|
I agree that neutered dogs don't physically need more food - the exact opposite! Our dog is a BC/Springer cross and pre op was totally disinterested in food. The vet warned us about him putting on weight as its a medical fact that as their metabolism has changed so will their need for food (needing less). Most good vets will tell you this. Because of this we kept an eye on it. For the same food and exercise he did put weight on. We have now cut his food back even more- it seems that as his hunger/greed goes up the actual ammount of food needed goes down. Great for backpacking- less food to carry.
|
|
 GREAT TO HEAR AL YOUR TIPS AND STORIES. Love your pics Reiver!! Weve got a greedy , young lab, Angus. Well be taking him off too, but being only 8months old, he cant walk very far, and is always sleeping. Doggy backpack sounds great. Let him carry his own gear I say.
|
|
 Nice to see this thread revived again! Well, young Joss is about ten months old now, and getting nicely active, although I'm a bit paranoid about letting him do too much and buggering up his still-growing body. He cut his paw recently, so has been out of action for a bit (stitches required) but in a day or so, we should be okay again. Many thanx for all the valuable info and experience on here. As soon as I can afford it, I'm going to get that ruffwear harness for lifting over stiles and stuff (I live in the Dalesway area - know what you mean about narrow stiles, can't get my arse through half of 'em!) and a Golite Hut 1 as a shelter option. I know they ain't too expensive, but May is going to be an expensive month for me; The Fellsman, FA cup final (play up Pompey!!!) and Skipton beer festival on successive weekends...
|
|
.jpg)
