Having posted a few times I have found that the majority of replies on here have been horrible. People seem far too up themselves, there is little to no advice or support from so many they just seem to want to come on here to upset, hurt and pick fault in people. I love and care for my dogs and would not want to do anything to hurt them (I know before you comment breeding them puts them at risk but so did having my son put me at risk) I was looking for some experinced people whom I could ask relevant questions and who may be able to help me along the way so that I can then pass some of this experience on in years to come but oh no everyone (bar a few granted) seems far too busy bitching and being horrible.

Someone commented on my post just the other day after a long drawn out post of running me into the ground I corrected them and the comment back was "well it read like" no I beg to differ "you read it like" it's not about what you read it's sometimes about how you read it. Please everyone try to be helpful to all posts and perhaps that way people will come back and ask again instead of being afraid to and risking dogs health.

Nicki - advice can only be offered on the information given.   The internet does not come complete with crystal ball.

I understand that you feel that you have been criticised for the early weaning of your pups - but how in the name of everything canine, were we supposed to know that your bitch had developed mastitis?  

Perhaps if you werent so rude to people who have spent time helping you then people maybe more tolerant :-)

Not that I have seen many posts at all that have been rude or judgemental it seems you are very quick to jump down peoplea throats when they have had to ask questions because you only give out partial information. like the early weaning if you had said why then all the post questioned why you did it and then you having a rude post back then saying that your bitch had mastitis. All the misunderstanding could have been avoided.

You ask for help then perhaps give alot more information and you may get the help you need.

Just also wondered you mentioned you had worked for your mentor for 18 years how many whelpings did she have in this time and then were you involved with as it must have been very good experience working with somebody for that long but admittedly going alone is a completely different kettle of fish :-)

Nicki, you have been given plenty of helpful replies as far as I can see and while I agree some posters may come across as perhaps a little more brusque than they might intend (remember it is quite difficult to tell tone from the written word), your own posts can also come across the same way (eg comments that what other members have posted is "ridiculous"). Also as others have said, it's not always easy to give appropriate advice if full information isn't given.

This board is moderated and if posters are rude or unconstructive, then they will be edited accordingly but we are all still allowed to express our opinions as long as they're polite - you may not agree with those opinions and are free to do so, again as long as you do it politely. If you find something another member has posted is offensive and contravenes forum terms and conditions, then you can use your Report button and it will be dealt with accordingly. Also if you find particular members annoy you, then you're free to use your Ignore button so you no longer have to read their posts (other members can of course do the same if your posts annoy them)