Looking for COLEEN CARROLL?
Greetings, I am trying to locate the winner of this year's National Specialty "People's Choice" Award, Coleen Carroll. I cannot find her name in the September 2002 BMDCA membership roster. Does anyone have any contact information for me? Thank you. Sincerely, Julene Stelmak Los Angeles, CA
Michael Johnson painting - just got mine!
Greetings, After reading June's post from Pat? about checking out the Berner paintings of Michael Johnson, I spent over an hour looking through his website: http://users.psln.com/sharing/Michael/originaldogpaintings.html. I really fell in love with his style and ordered a painting the same day as Pat's post. I sent in several pictures of Gus and the painting arrived in the mail yesterday. It is wonderful!!! Michael and his mom, Robin, are fantastic people. He paints a lot of Berners. If you have some time, take a look at his website. If nothing more, it will put a smile on your face and literally brighten your day (his use of colors is quite unique)! Sincerely, Julene Stelmak Los Angeles, CA
Prong collars - response to Margareta
Margareta, It is obvious you have strong opinions about the prong collar but, believe me when I say, I have exhausted all other "no pull" techniques. My boy is 16.5 mo. old and 133 lbs. I have a 65 year old mother and father who walk my boy when I am at work. Gus has pulled my mom across the street, fields, etc. and they are not in control sometimes. Gus will pull my mom into a traffic filled street if he sees something he wants on the other side. For both of their lives, I cannot have this. I am very knowledgeable about positive reinforcement. I have never, let me repeat, never popped my dog using a leash. I don't even know how to correct using a leash. I Clicker train. I have a well mannered, happy dog who has a sparkle in his eye when we go to obedience school. I have a relationship with my dog (inside and outside of obedience) that is "soul-like" - a term Dr. Jean Dodds used last week when we had a visit. As I said, Gus does quite nicely when I walk him, but I can not have him be the boss when others walk him. I am using the prong collar as a tool until I can get Gus more reliable with a buckle collar. When used incorrectly, the prong collar can hurt, but so can a Gentle Leader, Halti, buckle collar, choke collar, etc. I once thought prong collars were cruel also - just look at them! But, I have found after doing some research and testing the collar on myself, it does not hurt. I appreciate your opinion, but I also think it is important to recognize the opinions from the caliber of people on this List. We all know Berners are sensitive - this is not news to us and we are extremely passionate about this breed. We would NEVER do anything to hurt our furkids. Look at what many of these List members do to protect this breed. If you can provide the studies indicating where the use of the prong collar is worse than any other collar, it would be welcome reading. But, I have read studies suggesting the opposite to be true. I have personally seen the damage done by choke collars (collapsed trachea, etc.), and I have seen the emotional damage done by people "nagging" their dogs using buckle collars. My boy, as evidenced today on our first walk with the prong, was happy, obedient and had wonderful focus and sparkle in his eyes. Please don't discount the testimonials from these List members as rubbish. I think we are a lot more intelligent than what you give us credit for. Respectfully, Julene Stelmak Los Angeles, CA
Prong collar - a success + a question!
Greetings, After reading the posts from Vilma, Karen, etc., I decided to check into getting a prong collar for my 16 mo. old boy. He walks nicely and resonds well to a buckle collar when I walk him (his mama), but he'll pull when walked by others. I have tried the Gentle Leader and, although it helps, he spend most of the time rubbing his nose on the grass or tunneling in between legs trying to get it off. What a lovely sight this is! After reading the posts about prong collar success, I made a purchase. I purchased the conventional one - the one that you directly clip on and off versus the slip type. Before we took our first walk, I did a bit of research on how to properly fit the prong and how to use it. I found the following article: http://www.leerburg.com/fit-prong.htm It not only perfectly addreses how to get a proper fit (with beautiful pictures!), but it also addresses the difference between the live and dead ring. I understood the article to suggest the live ring (the one that controls the slack/tightness of the collar) is used for obedience training (for corrections) and the dead ring is used for controlled walks. For the experts out there, is this your understanding also? I did not realize you had a choice in where to attach your leash depending on the purpose (obedience vs. walks). The article also addresses the fact that the leash should be attached to the right of the dog's neck, not below the neck like buckle collars. Why this is, I don't know. Anyway, we had a very nice walk this morning with the prong collar. It's a pain in the butt to get on sometimes (my fingers aren't made of steel so I have a hard time pinching the prongs together), but it worked for us! One question I do have, has anyone had problems with the dog's hair getting caught in the collar? Does anyone have a bald ring around their dog's neck? It seems as if this might be the only problem with using prong collars on long coated breeds. Thank you for the prong collar posts. I think my mom can now walk without having a tunneling Berner up her butt anymore. Sincerely, Julene Stelmak and Gus (who, by the way, greets us with whatever he finds to put in his mouth everytime we come home -normally it's a couch throw pillow. His whole body wags and it's the cutest thing)!!! Los Angeles, CA
testing out AOL 8.0 and survey
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ---REMAINDER OF MESSAGE TRUNCATED---* * This post contains a forbidden message format * * (such as an attached file, a v-card, HTML formatting) * *Mail Lists at Prairienet only accept PLAIN TEXT* * If your postings display this message your mail program * * is not set to send PLAIN TEXT ONLY and needs adjusting * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hip x-ray question
Fellow L'ers: When my boy was 8 months old, I had preliminary hip and elbow x-rays done by his regular Vet. His elbows are excellent, but both femoral heads are at a "very acute angle" (instead of the head turning into the socket, the head is a bit more vertical in the socket). The Vet. said that he still has a lot of growing to do and that, possibly, the head will rotate downward. Overall, the Vet thought the x-rays look good, but I could re-xray at 12 months to see if the head has dropped a bit. Has anyone had any experience with hip x-rays that have "very acute angles of the femoral head?" Did you re-xray at some later point to find that, indeed, the head dropped or rotated into the socket? I'm curious. Thank you. Sincerely, Julene Stelmak Manhattan Beach, CA
Neutering studies?
Fellow L'ers: Does anyone know of any formal studies that have been conducted describing the pros/cons of early or "late" neutering? I have an 8.7 month old boy who has not been castrated because I have "heard" of a study suggesting that castrating before the growth plates close may inhibit the male BMD from growing to the full, robust male he should be. I "heard" of another study suggesting the incidence of some type of cancer (I cannot recall which cancer) is reduced 50% if the dog is castrated after the growth plates close. Has anyone read these studies? If so, can you please send them to me? I want to make an informed decision about castration, but I am getting conflicting opinions on when it may be best. I welcome all opinions. Thank you. Sincerely, Julene Stelmak Manhattan Beach, CA
In need of a berner fix - thank you!
Fellow L'ers from MI, Thank you so very much for your offers to have my Dad visit your furballs. I have forwarded the several responses I received to him. Hopefully, he does not have any critical plans this coming weekend because I know he would enjoy all the activities that have been scheduled. So, if a 65 year old man that looks like Bill Clinton with a beard and 'tashe introduces himself to you, that's my Dad!!! He'll be smiling the entire event. Thank you for your emails. Sincerely, Julene Stelmak Manhattan Beach, CA
In need of a berner fix
Fellow L'ers: My 65 year old father has been taking care of his sick mother who lives in North Branch, MI (:40 drive Northeast of Flint, MI). We have a wonderful 8 month old boy who my father has seen twice since we brought him home at 8 weeks (once when Gus was 10 weeks old and once when he was 6 months old). My father misses Gus terribly, but he cannot bring himself to leave the care of his dear mother to someone else. Is there anyone in Flint or other surrounding areas who has a Berner my father can visit for a few hours? My father is willing to drive anywhere. A few sloppy kisses and a wagging tail would be so therapeutic for my father (he's starting to get cabin fever). He would be s happy to play and love anyone's furry friends for as long as they would allow. I know one visit will keep him smiling for days. I understand if someone doesn't want a "strange" man entering their property but, believe me, my father is the one of the best persons anyone can know. He will do anything for you, is so appreciative of small favors, and is a genuine, respectable, family-loving man. He retired from Boeing as a Software Engineer on the B-1 Bomber 5 years ago and is working on his Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic's License during the hours he is watching my grandmother (he needs something to keep his smart brain entertained). I would be so thankful and happy if someone can help me coordinate a Berner visit or two for my father. Can anyone lead me in the right direction? Thank you SO very much. Sincerely, Julene Stelmak Manhattan Beach, CA
How to post in Plain Text if you are AOL
The process if very simple:
1. Verify you are typing your message in "Arial" font
2. Type your message
3. Highlight your message ("left" click and drag the length of the message).
4. Put the cursor someone on the highlighted message and "right" click. A
small window will appear. Scroll up to "Text" then over to "Normal". Select
"Normal".
5. Deliver your message by selecting the usual "Send Now" icon MAKING sure
the test is still highlighted when you sent it.
I hope this solves some problems.
Sincerely,
Julene Stelmak
Manhattan Beach, CA
Where to go for preliminary X-rays?
Fellow L'ers: I have an 8 month old boy who I would like to get X-rayed since his rear appears a bit unstable. I have an appointment on Tuesday with his regular Vet. Should I keep this appointment or do you think I should make an appointment with an Orthopedist? Should I get a recommendation for an orthopedist from OFA? I don't know how much experience my Vet has with X-raying hips/elbows, etc. and I would be disappointed if the X-rays indicate a problem due to improper positioning on her part. Thank you for your opinion. Sincerely, Julene Stelmak Manhattan Beach, CA
Canine acne update
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ---REMAINDER OF MESSAGE TRUNCATED---* * This post contains a forbidden message format * * (such as an attached file, a v-card, HTML formatting) * *Mail Lists at Prairienet only accept PLAIN TEXT* * If your postings display this message your mail program * * is not set to send PLAIN TEXT ONLY and needs adjusting * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Canine acne?
Fellow L'ers: I have a 7 month old male that has been biting around his butt area. When I inspected him the other day, I noticed a few pencil eraser size, very hard bumps next to his testicles and on either side of his tail and a few bumps on his lower back. He also has some much smaller bumps and redness on each inner thigh. I put some Bag Balm on it but, when I awoke the next moring, I saw no improvement. We took him to the Vet on 10/17 and she said he has "canine acne" and hives. She said it was very common in puppies this age since their hormones are changing and suggested I dilute rubbing alcohol and water and apply liberally several times per day until it dries. Well, I've done that and it's not drying as quickly as I would like. I tired the infamous "hot spot" remedy also (rubbing alcohol, water, steeped tea, aspirin), but this isn't drying it quickly enough for me. So, I'm on my way today to purchase an Elizabethan collar since the cortisone cream I've been applying after the alcohol solution isn't ridding the biting. I'm curious to know how many other people experienced this and if the symptoms I describe sound familiar. I am hoping the E-collar will be the true fix since he won't be able to bite, scratch and re-open halfway cured wounds. Any other suggestions? Sincerely, Julene and my teenage boy Manhattan Beach, CA
