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Mid cycle is the ideal time to spey a bitch. However, it is not always possible and vets do spey outside of this window. In fact they sometimes have to, most notably when a pyometra develops. Bitches can come into season from once every five months to once every twelve months. It is therefore not always possible to know when a bitch was last in season and this is particularly the case with rescued animals. It's important to get them speyed so that they can safely go to their new home as quickly as possible. However, where the vet does not wish to operate due to doubt regarding timing, they may be able to offer an injection to defer the season.

Do you have a reason for not having her speyed? There are good, compelling reasons why you should have the surgery. If you book her in ASAP that should remove half of your problem. If not, take her to the vet anyway and ask if they can give her an injection to prevent the season. It is not fair to the dog or to the people who will be boarding her to deal with this. Regarding the holiday, have you explored the possibility of taking her with you? As she is a small dog the proprietor of your accommodation might agree if you ask. They may make a surcharge but it would probably be a lot lower than kennel fees.

Whilst bones may well help to keep teeth clean they probably will be of limited help if there is established plaque, particularly if it is attached to the molars and it is under the gums causing soreness and possible gingivitis. In these cases a descale and polish would be the best way to go. As flibble's dog doesn't care for bones, it might be worth trying a duck or turkey neck. However, as mike 84 has said, it is useful to get some advice. I too feed my dogs raw food but not bones. Despite reassurances from others I am too nervous. In any case, I have more than one dog and unless they are separated it is too risky in terms of possessiveness. I like to hear what other people say about their raw feeding practices so would be interested to read about yours mike84.

Well done for reading the label. Choosing a good dog food is not that difficult once you have the basic principles to hand. Wainwright's is a good food because as well as having named meat source, first on the list it is clearly labelled so you know just what is in it. I hope your dog does well on it.

If you decide to hire a car yourself be sure to check the company's rules on pets. Last time I hired a car there was a no pets allowed clause in the agreement.

If her teeth and gums are the problem then you will be delighted when they are cleaned up. Also, it is a great start for you to keep them clean by brushing. Don't worry about her not liking it - I've been cleaning the teeth of my lot for years and not one of them likes it but at least it is done quickly as they are in good condition. Just be firm and she will get used to the procedure. I saw the bags of Dentacrunch in the supermarket recently and this thread has made me look at the ingredients. Here they are: Chicken & country vegetables Composition Cereals, Meat and animal derivatives (8%* in the hoops ), Derivatives of vegetable origin, Vegetable protein extracts, Oils and fats, Minerals, Vegetables (discs : 0.6 % dried vegetables, equivalent to 4% vegetables), Yeasts. Looking at that list, it is not possible to say what it exactly contains but I can't find the active ingredient that is supposed to prevent build up of plaque.

Denlin - the reason that I advised to go to an experienced breeder is because the OP is thinking of a Poodle. We need to remember that pure bred dogs are sometimes badly bred and have health problems - you only need to take a look at Many Tears website to realise that. If someone is wanting a pure bred dog then it makes sense to purchase one that is well bred and likely to be healthy. If they want a dog from a rescue centre then that is good but there are people who, for one reason or another prefer one particular breed. That's OK too - we are all different. Also, don't forget that there are breed specific rescues, probably including one (or more) for Poodles. That is something else for the OP to consider.

Pkingy - a miniature poodle could be a good choice. I have never had one but they seem to be super little dogs. Whilst one of these would need a couple of walks a day they wouldn't need to be very long ones. They are bright and you would have fun training it. Coat care will need to be considered so do some research on that - you don't want a matted dog. Hardwick Hounds is the best person to ask about that. Try to purchase from an experienced breeder who has paid attention to health checks. That way it shouldn't be costly when it comes to veterinary care. These days there are lots of doodles about (first cross with a Poodle). Not wanting to criticize but might be best to avoid. Don't worry about a Poodle not being a man's dog - the manly thing is to think about it carefully and get the dog that will suit you and your lifestyle.

Flibble - your dog's breath shouldn't stink. You need to address the reason why. She's at an age where plaque has had time to build up and if this is the case, consider taking her to the vet for a dental scale and polish. Also start a daily regime of cleaning her teeth. There are special long handled toothbrushes for dogs and they often come in a blister pack along with enzymatic dog toothpaste. My choice is usually Virbac but Logic is OK and there are others. If you have never done this there is plenty of information on the Internet. I can promise you that it pays dividends if you persist. Also look at her diet because poorer quality food can cause smelly breath. Avoid any food with meat and animal derivatives and look for foods with a named source of meat and it should be first on the list of ingredients. If you do go onto raw feeding you may find that your dog's breath will be a lot fresher. Chews are of limited use in dental hygiene but bones are said to help keep teeth clean. Again, look it up on the Internet because you need to be careful in giving safe ones. Dried fish skin treats can be helpful too. However, nothing beats regular brushing.

I saw Butcher's Denticrunch in the supermarket recently but don't know what's in it. Supermarkets don't usually sell quality dog food. There are better products than Butcher's but there are also worse. If you are interested in changing her food then do a bit of research and a good place to start is the All About Dog Food website. You mention raw diet and if you would like more information just ask because there are a number of raw feeders on here who could advise. Dogs usually love raw meat, offal and bones.

Flibble - when did you last worm your dog? If you cannot remember, call into the vets and get a good quality wormer for her. You shouldn't need to have an appointment. Worm her regularly - best to make a note on your calendar when the next dose is due so that you do not miss it. Your dog shouldn't be getting sick so maybe a little attention to the diet might prevent this. How often are you feeding her? She should have two meals a day and as the sickness is occurring on an empty stomach it might be an idea to hold a bit back to give last thing at night before bed. If you are feeding kibble then soaking it will often make it easier to digest. Regarding the fussiness, this sometimes occurs because the owner is unwittingly over feeding. If your dog is hungry, she will eat so perhaps consider reducing the quantity by 10%. It is best not to allow dogs to become fussy where food is concerned.

Do dogs actually need biscuits? Maybe not - see here. I give mine dried fish skin (aka sea jerky) and as well as being low calorie and full of omega oils it helps to keep their teeth clean too because it is so crunchy. You cannot say the same for biscuit, wheat free or not.

You have made a good start by deciding on the size of dog you would like. The other things to consider are: * Exercise - consider how much exercise you are comfortable with. Some small dogs (including Jack Russell Terriers) can cover a lot of ground but will be equally happy with a couple of 30 minute walks per day. * Health - veterinary bills are very high these days. Healthy breeds tend to have lower insurance premiums. Try to get a breed of dog that is known to be healthy with no genetic problems. *Grooming - decide how much grooming you are willing to do. Breeds such as the Bichon Frise are gorgeous but are high maintenance. They can be costly too if they need regular appointments at a salon. Go for a short haired breed if you are not keen on regular brushing and combing. Remember that most short haired breeds will moult to some extent. * Breed specific rescue - if you are keen on a particular breed, you may be able to obtain one from the above. The Kennel Club has a list of them or you can do a search in the Internet.

Got to the website here and click on Find a Stockist on the menu bar. Put your postcode into the box 'Search by UK postcode' and you should get this result. South Yorkshire has seven stockists. However, unless your dog has a very sensitive digestion, he could probably cope with something else for a day or two. Whilst looking for the above information I looked at the recipe for that particular product and noticed that it contains an awful lot of filler. Wheat as first on the list isn't good and it also contains maize and beet pulp. There is a review here.

Useful article (particularly at this time of year) in the Daily Mail today - The 34 garden plants that can kill your dog or cat. A useful read. Well done Charlie Dimmock and the Daily Mail.

DaisyBoo - thank you for updating your thread. It is useful to have feedback. I hope that your puppy settles down on the new regime. Also, well done for taking the time and trouble to research canine nutrition. So many people don't bother and wind up giving poor quality food to their pets. I hope your puppy has a long, healthy and happy life.

Boiled rice should be ok. I am hopeful that once you get the quantity right the poo will firm up. I usually take little notice of the recommended daily amounts on the packet. The figure that I use is 1% to 1.5% of the dog's body weight e.g. an 8kg dog would need 80g to 120g. However, all dogs vary in their dietary needs and in particular puppies may need more. With some breeds, usually the large/giant ones it is very important not to over feed because of the joint problems that can occur. You should try to regularly monitor the dog's body condition and adjust the food up or down by 10% as required. There are videos on YouTube that explain how to score body condition. The scales that I use were bought from Argos and only cost about £7. They weigh in 1g divisions. I put a small plastic container on the scale, zero it, weigh the daily amount and put the lid on until needed.

I cannot find Royal Canin puppy food but have located the Junior one. There are reasons why these products score so poorly and they can be seen here. No further explanation needed. DaisyBoo - you made a good decision in changing your puppy to a better quality food and Wainwright's is a good one. Are you are feeding grain free wet or grain free dry? Are you weighing the food accurately? If not, then I would advise you to purchase a small set of digital weighing scales. Overfeeding can cause loose poo, particularly in better quality food. All dog food, be it wet or dry should be weighed and not measured in a cup. Try cutting down a little and don't give any table scraps. Treats are often poor quality and can cause soft stools so for the time being be very careful what you give to your pup. Loose poo indicates that the food is passing through the intestines too quickly. Normally fluid is reabsorbed as the waste moves through the gut and by the time it reaches the last part of the colon it should be formed and firm. Overfeeding can overburden the dog's digestion system leading to the symptoms you describe.

Not in Sheffield but fairly close - Pet Station in Parkgate, Rotherham sells them (or used to). 01709 780600

Bikertec - I forgot to say that when you are doing your comparisons, be careful of policies that are very cheap. We came across some that have a high excess and (if I remember this correctly) a percentage of the bill minus this excess has to be made in the event of a claim. I seem to recall that it was something to do with the veterinary fee but not 100% sure as it is a few years ago. Unfortunately the only way you can tackle this is to sit down and spend time looking at each one, bearing in mind what you want from the policy and what you can afford to pay. When we insured our pets it took me the best part of a weekend to sift through it all. Very confusing. However, if you can get the right policy it does give some peace of mind, especially if you don't have savings. Good quality, modern veterinary care, especially when a referral hospital is needed can be extremely expensive. Irrespective of health insurance, dog owners ought to consider third party liability insurance such as the one provided by Dogs Trust for £25.

Insurance for dogs is quite confusing. Jack Russell Terriers are reputedly quite healthy and long lived dogs so you should find that premiums reflect this. I have my dogs covered by LV and here are some of the things that I looked for: * Excess - some companies have it set at the first £80 but if you look around you can get it to £60. * Term of cover - some policies will stop paying out for one condition after 12 months, others provide lifetime cover up to a certain amount - usually about £6,000 or £7,000. Clearly lifetime cover is best in the event of a chronic illness such as diabetes. * Check if they cover things such as hydrotherapy and other alternative treatments which are prescribed by the vet. * Kennelling in the event of the owner being taken ill. * Third party cover - could be useful if the dog causes an accident. When it comes to paying out there are two ways - owner pays the vet and reclaims the money from the insurance company or the vet is paid directly by them. As mentioned above you can put money aside each month but you need to be very disciplined. However, the risk is that you may not have enough saved in the event of some illnesses. A friend of mine had her dog in a veterinary referral hospital last year for a serious illness and the bill came to a little over £2,000. It's a big decision so have a good look around and maybe use the comparison websites on the Internet.

It is Pawsitively Trained Pets - not the same as the one you refer to. The OP is based in Rotherham, as is Aimee Slack who is the owner/trainer.

Happi Dogs Pawsitively Trained Pets Mucky Paws Dog Training Individual consultations available AFAIK.

Your parents are very good to have taken on this poor dog. They need to be realistic though. Nervousness such as you describe sometimes cannot be trained out. The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors could be a good place to start. The link here is by Victoria Stilwell - '5 Things I want Anyone With a Fearful Dog To Know.' As Dog Trust says, this could take a very long time so they need to be realistic and not to expect too much of the dog.

Is it not possible for one of the family to keep the dog? It will comfort your grandmother and will enable her to see her pet time to time. Otherwise, perhaps consider contacting one of the dedicated Shi Tzu rescue organisations.