Starting so we can continue discussing the fora pups.
We recently went out of town for a week and had archaeo dog and in-law GSP stay home while the dog sitter came through out the day. I was worried archaeo dog would be stressed from less human interaction but apparently I was wrong. They seemed to do pretty well. When we moved north a few years ago we lost our excellent pet-sitting arrangement from old city and haven't really found something as satisfactory since.
Glad it worked out!
And very glad to see this thread.
For some reason the "Cats" thread seems to get more attention...
I hope more folks will post about their canine four-footeds as well.
M. (who has no pets of any kind but loves them all.)
following
I always wanted to follow this thread, living with a dog as I did, yet our 15-year-old family dog was on his last legs when I joined the CHE fora officially many years ago, and it was just too painful to start at that point. My spouse has since taken in a stray that the vet judged to be about three. That was six years ago, thus she is around 9 now (the dog, not my spouse). She is a sweet, well-behaved, and really smart mixed breed (really just a mutt, yet more Chihuahua than anything). She is in good health, but getting up there in years. Someone trained her well, then apparently abandoned her in a park near where my spouse works--no collar or tags or microchip. Several co-workers kept an eye on her for several days as she wandered the area, hoping an owner would appear. After a week or so, she and my spouse bonded, so we took her in and put up signs, ads in the paper and online services, etc. No one claimed her. She definitely is woven into the fabric of our lives now.
Aww, she sounds really sweet.
You have to give her a fora-name!
What will it be?
M.
I thought about "Dogaside" but somehow that did not sound quite right. Maybe "aside-dog."
Dogside?
M.
Or maybe sidedog. I asked her for a preference, but she just cocked her head and seemed to suggest that her name was perfectly fine and that she did not care about being pseudo-anonymous. Yet because my colleagues know her well and I do wish to remain pseudo-anonymous, so she shall remain.
Sidedog works.
I like the image of her cocking her head and looking at you.
They can be like cats sometimes, that way.
M.
As can be seen from the monikers archaeodog and in-law GSP, I am not creative about fora names for the pets either.
So now an actual dog dilemma. Upon our return to our house (we spent the previous 6 months in a temporary apartment for reasons) in-law GSP has taken to being afraid of the stairs. In particular, the last step at the top of the stairs. She'll climb up, get to the top, and whine. There have been a few occasions in the past couple weeks where she's actually made it up. She had no problem with the stairs prior to our 6 month absence either.
This really only happens in the morning. She had a recent vet visit and we were given some pain killers for her (she is 11) to give her in addition to the dasuquin she's already taking. I'm inclined to think we have her come upstairs with us at bedtime. I'm wondering if maybe it's early morning joint stiffness? This morning I tried leading her up with a treat which worked until the very top of the stairs where she balked and whined about the last step.
Anyway, I'm open to suggestions of other things to try.
My aunt's elderly dog developed arthritis in her hips and cried when trying to jump up on the sofa to be petted, as she had always done in the past.
You other meds may already be covering this, but 1/2 an aspirin (per the vet's order, of course) wrapped in a cheese slice seemed to help her. She was a smallish dog, bichon-sized, so dosing and drug interactions should be up to your vet, of course, but you might request consideration of the aspirin as an anti-inflammatory agent.
(Also, I think there were a couple posts that were knocked out by the server hiccups last week, or am I imagining that?
M.
I don't know we: other posts. The only ones I see were there before.
The medications in-law GSP are on address inflammation. It's literally just the last step that she gets spooked at. This weekend she repeated her whining and then after eating her breakfast came on upstairs like it was no big deal. I'm beginning to think she's just needed a longer adjustment period from our temporary place. Archaeodog is very used to moving. Before coming to live with us in-law GSP had been in the same house since she was a puppy.
Are the stairs/floors carpeted?
PreviousDog was unsteady on our hardwood floors; occasional bathmats and adhesive-backed carpet tiles on the stairs really helped her balance and comfort.
Quote from: ohnoes on June 04, 2019, 07:38:45 AM
Are the stairs/floors carpeted?
PreviousDog was unsteady on our hardwood floors; occasional bathmats and adhesive-backed carpet tiles on the stairs really helped her balance and comfort.
They're wood but we have carpet tiles on them. Where we don't have anything is the upstairs hallway. I temporarily dragged an area rug out there but I may have not left it there long enough.
After we lost chempup in April we adopted a 10 wk old roly-poly Jack Russell form the shelter. According to her owners she was sent to the pound because she doesn't like cats. I shall name her pork chop here on the forums. I've always wanted two dogs so last month we added a lean mean leaping machine to the pack. He is an (approximately) 1 year old mutt with springs in his paws. He leapt over our four foot fence yesterday to chase after the neighbors cat! We shall refer to him as tigger here on the forum. I still miss chempup everyday but the antics of pork chop and tigger certainly help.
Aww... glad you are giving two puppies a good home and that they're enjoying it...you're all lucky.
I remember the difficulties and final loss of chempup, too. I'm sure he was grateful that you were his People.
M.
Good for you for adopting! Have tigger and pork chop bonded?
Well, pork chop drives tigger insane (in a cute puppy way) but they seem really happy together. I found them in sleeping in a pile last night both in tigger's bed. It was ridiculously cute!
Sweet, sleepy puppies-in-a-basket.
True love.
M.
Whelp in-law GSP killed 2 birds the other day. They were not fully grown either. We think they must have fallen out of their nest. I once again noticed her picking something up off the ground through the kitchen window, but not in time. She is a bird dog and was doing what she's trained to do...
I lost my dog last year but have been silently following the antics of all the forapups since that time. My spouse and i want to get our living situation squared away but will adopt another dog once we do. :)
Sorry about your dog; it is really rough to lose them! After our long-lived family dog died, it was two years before sidedog adopted us.
Speaking of which, she has been scratching constantly lately. We've tried many of the usual remedies--hypoallergenic shampoo, oatmeal bath, vet-recommended antihistamine--and have been careful not to bathe her too often. It's not a pest or parasite problem, according to the vet. If forumites have other suggestions for getting her some relief, we'd be grateful!
I got my GoblinTankTerrier an anti-allergy injection called Cytopoint at the vet a few weeks ago. She has totally stopped nibbling on her feet and scratching elsewhere.
Nescafe, I am sorry to hear about your pup.
I made some major life changes in the last year, and now I finally have a dog, which really is the best thing ever. I love him so much. He is a lab mix we got from a rescue as a pup - looks like lab and pittie most likely, which would not be surprising for a southern mutt. I will call him Tramp, but there is someone on the fora with his name, which weirds me out every time they post. Anyway, my life is complete, with the exception of pot holders, because he chewed those up.
As in...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbzEOQLOAWw
;--}
M.
Quote from: bibliothecula on August 06, 2019, 11:19:50 AM
I got my GoblinTankTerrier an anti-allergy injection called Cytopoint at the vet a few weeks ago. She has totally stopped nibbling on her feet and scratching elsewhere.
Thanks for the suggestion! I'll check with our vet.
Quote from: scamp on August 06, 2019, 11:29:18 AM
I made some major life changes in the last year, and now I finally have a dog, which really is the best thing ever. I love him so much. He is a lab mix we got from a rescue as a pup - looks like lab and pittie most likely, which would not be surprising for a southern mutt. I will call him Tramp, but there is someone on the fora with his name, which weirds me out every time they post. Anyway, my life is complete, with the exception of pot holders, because he chewed those up.
And welcome to Scamp and Tramp!
If you vacuum the living room while the dog is outside, you pick up the toys once and don't have to go back over any areas of carpet.
If you vacuum while the dog is inside, you pick up toys at least three times and go back over each area at least once (to get the newly shed clumps of dark fur that are so easy to see on the now-pale carpet). This is, of course, in addition to the excitement of having the dog trying to play with the vacuum while you're using it.
Did I mention that it's August and the dog is apparently trying out for the World Shedding Championships?
That sounds all too familiar Thursday's_Child.
Archaeodog is getting his teeth cleaned today. They'll also pull any teeth that may need to go. Hopefully the vet staff can deal with his separation anxiety before he has to go under.
Quote from: Thursday's_Child on August 17, 2019, 07:39:56 AM
Did I mention that it's August and the dog is apparently trying out for the World Shedding Championships?
I think mine could give yours a good run!
Is shedding at this time of year common? I thought it was more of a spring thing. Mine is shedding tons, particularly on his undercarriage, I wasn't sure if I should be concerned...
Quote from: archaeo42 on August 19, 2019, 05:41:06 AM
Archaeodog is getting his teeth cleaned today. They'll also pull any teeth that may need to go. Hopefully the vet staff can deal with his separation anxiety before he has to go under.
Aw, poor pup. I hope the cleaning went okay!
Quote from: scamp on August 19, 2019, 02:00:29 PM
Quote from: Thursday's_Child on August 17, 2019, 07:39:56 AM
Did I mention that it's August and the dog is apparently trying out for the World Shedding Championships?
I think mine could give yours a good run!
Is shedding at this time of year common? I thought it was more of a spring thing. Mine is shedding tons, particularly on his undercarriage, I wasn't sure if I should be concerned...
Quote from: archaeo42 on August 19, 2019, 05:41:06 AM
Archaeodog is getting his teeth cleaned today. They'll also pull any teeth that may need to go. Hopefully the vet staff can deal with his separation anxiety before he has to go under.
Aw, poor pup. I hope the cleaning went okay!
Mine is shedding as well. It's heaviest in spring, but she sheds all summer.
I hope Archaeodog did not lose any teeth!
Archaeodog did not lose any teeth thankfully. However he was at the vet all day. Spouse and I were a little miffed because we kept having to call them for updates. There was a dental emergency which meant he got bumped towards mid-afternoon. A call then would have been nice since around noon we were told he was next so by 4:30 when we'd heard nothing we were a bit nervous.
He is acting pretty weird this morning. It's mostly from his separation anxiety though.
Skritches to Archaeodog - I hope he's feeling better today.
I don't thing there's ever really a full stop to shedding, but it does get a lot heavier at the start of warm weather and increases even more once it gets consistently hot.
After pup has been outside a while he flops on the linoleum in the most awkward posture - all legs out to their respective side in a way that makes me wonder about the health of his hip joints - so that the maximum amount of chest & belly is in contact with the cool floor. Scamp, the need for this sort of heat transfer may explain the extra shedding by your pup.
The leg-splayed position is to keep their tummies cool and reflects shallow hip sockets, nothing bad.
If a human ballet dancer has them, they're ecstatic, because it means a high extension and a lot of flexibility.
If the joint is seriously stressed, it c-aaa--nnn lead to displacement/dislocation, but that's not very common in most people/animals (there are those who are prone to it, though, so it's something to have in mind).
We used to call our dog a "Frog-dog" because that was her happiest position...head down, legs all a-splay, comfy.
I'm smiling now, remembering her.
She was a sweet, if at times goofy, character.
M.
Reviving this thread....mods, can it be merged with the recently started one?
M.
Quote from: mamselle on August 20, 2019, 10:24:11 AM
The leg-splayed position is to keep their tummies cool and reflects shallow hip sockets, nothing bad.
If a human ballet dancer has them, they're ecstatic, because it means a high extension and a lot of flexibility.
If the joint is seriously stressed, it c-aaa--nnn lead to displacement/dislocation, but that's not very common in most people/animals (there are those who are prone to it, though, so it's something to have in mind).
We used to call our dog a "Frog-dog" because that was her happiest position...head down, legs all a-splay, comfy.
I'm smiling now, remembering her.
She was a sweet, if at times goofy, character.
M.
Our poodles used to get in the "frog-dog" position quite a bit.
In recent years my parents have had chihuahuas, whose favorite position (especially the first one) seems to be head down, rear end in the air. In our family it's known euphemistically as "showing his good side."
Quote from: mamselle on January 03, 2020, 12:03:08 PM
Reviving this thread....mods, can it be merged with the recently started one?
M.
Thanks! Mods, please merge.
I need a very small t-shirt for my Jack-Chi that is labeled "Rodent Wrangler".
Oh, dear...another 'gift mouse?'
M.
We saw a vole or a shrew in the bushes on our walk out, and the resulting excitement was re-enacted repeatedly, with verve and hot sauce, tossing & pouncing, using our now-hairless & gutless favorite toy, Mr. Mouse. My hero.
When I let the dogs out for their last pee break of the night, in-law GSP completely missed the rabbit sitting in a spot she likes to frequent all the time. She was looking in the exact opposite direction. The rabbit froze for awhile and then thankfully scampered off. We always root for the rabbits to escape our yard. None of the humans want a dead bunny.
Archaeodog has been getting stiffer and stiffer in his hind legs/hips. He's got a vet appointment on Thursday. We both figure it's arthritis and I hope that's actually the case. In-law GSP has higher than usual liver numbers so she's on some additional medication. This morning and last Friday she vomited some bile. We'll be asking on Thursday if this could be a side effect from her medication...or somehow related to her liver functioning. Oh the joy of elderly dogs.
I recall my aunt's ancient little white terrier-poodle-cocker mix used to have really bad arthritis in her back legs....she'd cry out if you bumped her, let alone pick her up.
The solution for her (per the vet's instructions) was a half-an-aspirin rolled up in cheese (which she loved). It worked rather quickly, as I recall, although finally it stopped having an effect. She was 12 or 13 when she died.
M.
That household in the neighborhood whose dogs have been escaping through a hole in the fence has finally fixed the hole. I was starting to get worried. The dogs hadn't been trying to attack me on my morning walks, but they had been barking at me as I passed by. I was seriously injured in a dog attack some months back (Four broken bones and a broken lung), and have been leery of potentially hostile dogs ever since.
EEk, I don't recall knowing about that--very sorry to hear of it!!
How are you doing now?
M.
Quote from: apl68 on January 13, 2020, 01:04:12 PM
That household in the neighborhood whose dogs have been escaping through a hole in the fence has finally fixed the hole. I was starting to get worried. The dogs hadn't been trying to attack me on my morning walks, but they had been barking at me as I passed by. I was seriously injured in a dog attack some months back (Four broken bones and a broken lung), and have been leery of potentially hostile dogs ever since.
That's awful. I'm so sorry.
Quote from: mamselle on January 13, 2020, 04:12:12 PM
EEk, I don't recall knowing about that--very sorry to hear of it!!
How are you doing now?
M.
I'm okay now, more or less. I have yet to regain most of my upper body strength. I still can't sleep on the left side. The right side was already having problems due to a rotater cuff issue, so I just don't sleep very well at all any more. I'm still doing physical therapy exercises to try to improve both shoulders.
Quote from: apl68 on January 14, 2020, 07:57:42 AM
Quote from: mamselle on January 13, 2020, 04:12:12 PM
EEk, I don't recall knowing about that--very sorry to hear of it!!
How are you doing now?
M.
I'm okay now, more or less. I have yet to regain most of my upper body strength. I still can't sleep on the left side. The right side was already having problems due to a rotater cuff issue, so I just don't sleep very well at all any more. I'm still doing physical therapy exercises to try to improve both shoulders.
Very sorry to hear this! Hope you are better soon.
QuoteI was seriously injured in a dog attack some months back (Four broken bones and a broken lung), and have been leery of potentially hostile dogs ever since.
Bear Spray.
I think that this is what I carry
https://www.amazon.com/SABRE-Frontiersman-Holster-Options-Multi-Pack/dp/B002E6VAHK/ref=sxin_3_osp36-a6a9bef7_cov?ascsubtag=a6a9bef7-7520-4969-a0f2-f713c0e8c7f3&creativeASIN=B002BMOJXE&cv_ct_cx=bear%2Bspray&cv_ct_id=amzn1.osp.a6a9bef7-7520-4969-a0f2-f713c0e8c7f3&cv_ct_pg=search&cv_ct_wn=osp-search&keywords=bear%2Bspray&linkCode=oas&pd_rd_i=B002BMOJXE&pd_rd_r=408c64fb-51d3-4d85-ad1b-1985418655d2&pd_rd_w=4QM5u&pd_rd_wg=fQxmx&pf_rd_p=e1262d27-368d-44f1-a337-220e1af8b014&pf_rd_r=FY3QTH87PRSGR7C8RKNF&qid=1579048654&tag=tripsavvypublish-20&th=1
(https://www.amazon.com/SABRE-Frontiersman-Holster-Options-Multi-Pack/dp/B002E6VAHK/ref=sxin_3_osp36-a6a9bef7_cov?ascsubtag=a6a9bef7-7520-4969-a0f2-f713c0e8c7f3&creativeASIN=B002BMOJXE&cv_ct_cx=bear%2Bspray&cv_ct_id=amzn1.osp.a6a9bef7-7520-4969-a0f2-f713c0e8c7f3&cv_ct_pg=search&cv_ct_wn=osp-search&keywords=bear%2Bspray&linkCode=oas&pd_rd_i=B002BMOJXE&pd_rd_r=408c64fb-51d3-4d85-ad1b-1985418655d2&pd_rd_w=4QM5u&pd_rd_wg=fQxmx&pf_rd_p=e1262d27-368d-44f1-a337-220e1af8b014&pf_rd_r=FY3QTH87PRSGR7C8RKNF&qid=1579048654&tag=tripsavvypublish-20&th=1)
My own neighborhood is not too much of a problem, but I hvae been challenged twice while walking. Once by a dog I wasnt really familiar with and once by some little dog that would try to bite my ankles every time I turned my back. After that, I decided that the bear spray would be the self defense solution. It has a 20' range and puts out a cloud and not a stream of spray. It will even leave a color on the critter so that it can be identified later.
My parents live in the boonies. The houses are on at least 5 acre lots and many people have large dogs that think that they own the yard and the entire road. I got the spray for my mom, but I think that the dogs are more familiar with her now, but they sure dont know ME so I take it with me when I am out and about!
SO I have no hesitation to recommend bear spray to anyone who has had bad experiences with dogs. While "buffy would never bite anyone" has been a poor defense for the civil suits once Buffy has a doggy criminal record! Better to spray Buffy with bear spray than to have her put down because once she HAS bitten someone no one wants to insure buffy's owners against the potential liability!
A year old 20 pounder has entered my life. We've been working with a trainer and good things are happening. Both the trainer and a dear friend suggested "antlers" so I bought one (expensive) and the little (sorta, given that my previous canines were about 6 - 7 pounds) critter loves it. Like a binkie or blankie for a two legged kidlet.
Why the attraction...addiction???
Awww.....congrats!
M.
My 20 pound, year old bundle of energy is on kibble, but I wonder if I should include wet food. When I had 7 pound canines, I made their food (ground turkey, brown rice, veggies) and vets think it contributed to long, healthy lives.
Any thoughts???
A neighborhood dog
Gives me sloppy dog kisses
Over the low fence
We have one of those in the neighborhood!
I'm always a little disappointed when he isn't out as I go by....
M.
Quote from: apl68 on March 12, 2020, 07:13:42 AM
A neighborhood dog
Gives me sloppy dog kisses
Over the low fence
I needed this today!!!
I think our being home all the time has upped archaeodog's separation anxiety. Or maybe he was just feeling super needy yesterday. Spouse was in the basement doing a workout while I was upstairs in the guest room doing yoga. Archaeodog sat at the bottom of the stairs and barked at varying degrees of intensity. He's never done that before.
He's still fine when we leave the house and give him his Greenie to placate him.
Quote from: archaeo42 on March 17, 2020, 06:21:08 AM
I think our being home all the time has upped archaeodog's separation anxiety. Or maybe he was just feeling super needy yesterday. Spouse was in the basement doing a workout while I was upstairs in the guest room doing yoga. Archaeodog sat at the bottom of the stairs and barked at varying degrees of intensity. He's never done that before.
He's still fine when we leave the house and give him his Greenie to placate him.
An archaedog must be very handy to have at a dig....
Quote from: apl68 on March 17, 2020, 07:08:03 AM
Quote from: archaeo42 on March 17, 2020, 06:21:08 AM
I think our being home all the time has upped archaeodog's separation anxiety. Or maybe he was just feeling super needy yesterday. Spouse was in the basement doing a workout while I was upstairs in the guest room doing yoga. Archaeodog sat at the bottom of the stairs and barked at varying degrees of intensity. He's never done that before.
He's still fine when we leave the house and give him his Greenie to placate him.
An archaedog must be very handy to have at a dig....
Funnily he's never been on one and he's not much of a digger!
We lost our 14 year old dog today and it has been hard to deal with much of anything.
I am so sorry. It's really, really hard. Please take care of yourself.
Oohhh....very sorry to hear that.
Nothing fills the empty spot, not even a new dog (they turn around three times and curl up into a new place in our hearts)...but it can hurt less over time.
All good thoughts and wishes for peace amidst the pain.
M.
Quote from: mamselle on March 18, 2020, 04:34:25 PM
Oohhh....very sorry to hear that.
Nothing fills the empty spot, not even a new dog (they turn around three times and curl up into a new place in our hearts)...but it can hurt less over time.
All good thoughts and wishes for peace amidst the pain.
M.
Thanks Mamselle.
I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing a longtime companion can be such a heavy load to bear, and you have my sympathy.
I'm so sorry E_P_W.
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on March 18, 2020, 02:48:47 PM
We lost our 14 year old dog today and it has been hard to deal with much of anything.
My 16 year old went over the rainbow bridge in December. My heart is with you.
Thanks everyone. So sorry for your loss, Nebo.
Virtual hugs are still safe, luckily. I'm very sorry.
A dog howls nearby
Surely unnecessary
On this lovely day
Ask not why dogs howl
Their senses are so acute
Own your ignorance
Quote from: Thursday's_Child on April 02, 2020, 07:46:43 AM
Ask not why dogs howl
Their senses are so acute
Own your ignorance
Am now feeling suitably chastened....
Quote from: apl68 on April 02, 2020, 08:27:36 AM
Quote from: Thursday's_Child on April 02, 2020, 07:46:43 AM
Ask not why dogs howl
Their senses are so acute
Own your ignorance
Am now feeling suitably chastened....
Oops - online klutziness strikes again! That wasn't aimed at you.
Quote from: Thursday's_Child on April 02, 2020, 08:30:44 AM
Quote from: apl68 on April 02, 2020, 08:27:36 AM
Quote from: Thursday's_Child on April 02, 2020, 07:46:43 AM
Ask not why dogs howl
Their senses are so acute
Own your ignorance
Am now feeling suitably chastened....
Oops - online klutziness strikes again! That wasn't aimed at you.
Well, it is true--we are often ignorant of what is setting a dog off. In the case of the dog that inspired the haiku above, I suspect he was howling because I was walking down "his" street.
Quote from: apl68 on April 02, 2020, 10:40:00 AM
Quote from: Thursday's_Child on April 02, 2020, 08:30:44 AM
Quote from: apl68 on April 02, 2020, 08:27:36 AM
Quote from: Thursday's_Child on April 02, 2020, 07:46:43 AM
Ask not why dogs howl
Their senses are so acute
Own your ignorance
Am now feeling suitably chastened....
Oops - online klutziness strikes again! That wasn't aimed at you.
Well, it is true--we are often ignorant of what is setting a dog off. In the case of the dog that inspired the haiku above, I suspect he was howling because I was walking down "his" street.
Oh, I assumed you were "haikuing" my canine.
Kid #1 has a GSD puppy, 13 weeks old; she got him when he was 5 weeks. Aside from the obvious challenges (growing like a weed, feet the size of gunboats, small apartment, etc.) she's having problems stopping his biting. I think it's likely because she didn't nip it in the bud (sorry) when she first got him, but now he's getting big and she can't just get him to stop on a dime with it. I keep telling her she needs strict consistency and patience with the "no" whenever he starts, but other ideas? I worked with him about an hour the other day when she had him at my house, and he knocked it off pretty quickly, but I'm used to being the crabby mom (and she's not). I'm thinking she's more of a pal than an alpha, which is kind of giving him free rein, until she wants to be the alpha, and he just doesn't get the difference--in other words, it's her that needs training as much as/more than he does.
Also, he's got gunky ears and will not let her do the meds. She was over with him this morning and finally got frustrated with him and me and walked out. He's got to get those ears cleaned out--suggestions? (He tries to bite. I'm ready to try the cat burrito thing with a heavy towel, and a handkerchief around the long nose, if we have to.) Is there an easier way?
Are you anywhere near a vet's office whose assistants are able to make house calls?
They might be able to give him a mild sedation to clean the ears the first time (like labs, their large, deeply channeled ears are prone to infection, so it's not a small matter, you're right to be concerned).
They can often also do some teaching demonstrations (while he's knocked out) about ways of restraining and guiding him into better acceptance of necessary care.
Might be a bit pricey, but if you got the information (and maybe a gentle muzzle or other device) needed to do it on an ongoing basis, it could be worth it.
And you're right, the owner has to be trained as much as (sometimes more than) the dog.
If she's conveying the least bit of uncertainty, lack of control, or giving off "fear smells" the dog will know and respond by pushing the boundaries as far as possible.
Some training classes for both of them might be a good early holiday present...the 4th of July is just around the corner...
;--}
M.
All things I was thinking, too, Mamselle. The dog listens to me and does what I tell him--I broke him of nipping at her and of jumping up, in about 20 minutes. I don't smack, but I tell him off, and he sits and looks appropriately sad. He still likes me, though.
She had him at the vet a couple of weeks ago, which may have set off the biting and the ear issues: because of the virus, they were coming to get dogs in the parking lot and not letting owners come in with them. He'd been to the vet's office a number of times when she first got him, to show him off, and for his first puppy visit. But she's always been right there with him; this last time, she wasn't, and he also got his ears looked at, so he's probably got a couple of things going on in his little head.
She called me awhile ago and said she finally got both ears cleaned, and he's down for a nap now. So there's that, at least.
Five weeks seems so young to leave the litter. Probably the mom would have started the training on nipping if he had stayed (since they have such freakishly sharp teeth). I know we did a lot of work with the word Gentle and a treat when our dog was a pup.
These are trying times for dog owners. Sympathy!
I agree that this is a serious issue and will also stress that, as you probably already know, some dogs react well to negative reinforcement at first and then begin to really push back in a way that can become dangerous. Cue Dog Whisperer fails.
It sounds to me like your daughter finds negative reinforcement unacceptable, so hiring a positive reinforcement trainer is the way to go. You can google for those and look for trainers who have videos (in my experience these are usually behind a paywall) and will do Skype sessions. The positive reinforcement trainer should be able to help with muzzle training, which might be a good idea for the ear cleaning. Until then, I agree with the other poster who suggested trying to get a house call from a vet. Or, identify the dog's highest value treat and try those with the towel method to buy you some time.
Good luck.
Thanks all. Yes, 5 weeks really is young; his mama stopped making milk when he was 2 weeks, and Kid got him when he was about 5 1/2 weeks. I keep telling her that's part of the problem, too: Mom and Dad dog wouldn't have put up with the biting, and the siblings would have given it right back to him, too.
We're looking for training, but right now, no classes or individuals or taking anyone. The quest continues......
You haven't had any luck with online training?
QuoteYou haven't had any luck with online training?
Does the puppy have the attention span to watch the online training videos?
Quote from: clean on April 09, 2020, 01:31:00 PM
QuoteYou haven't had any luck with online training?
Does the puppy have the attention span to watch the online training videos?
My year old canine will listen attentively to bird calls.
QuoteMy year old canine will listen attentively to bird calls.
Hmmm... I wonder what the birds are trying to train him/her to do?
Is it a lab, a "yaller hound," or a retriever?
Those are bird dogs, bred in the bone.
They arrive at birth, listening for birds, I think...
M.
Quote from: mamselle on April 10, 2020, 02:22:42 PM
Is it a lab, a "yaller hound," or a retriever?
Those are bird dogs, bred in the bone.
They arrive at birth, listening for birds, I think...
M.
More beagle/chihuahua, I think, with maybe some pug thrown in for good measure. He's only a bit over a year old, and may have spent most of that time crated (just a guess) so the natural world may be new and unusual for him.
Oh, he sounds cute!
Friends have a pug-chihuahua mix, named Elvis, for whom I house-sit sometimes.
Yes, if he was created, it's probably his puppy-curiosity getting the better of him.
Elvis goes mad for birds and squirrels he can't reach, starts running along the ground under whatever wires the squirrels are running on above, or tries to take off with the birds he finds in front of him (fortunately, he's always leashed).
He's nine-going-on two-years-old, I sometimes think....
M.
Quote from: mamselle on April 11, 2020, 07:25:31 AM
Oh, he sounds cute!
Friends have a pug-chihuahua mix, named Elvis, for whom I house-sit sometimes.
Yes, if he was created, it's probably his puppy-curiosity getting the better of him.
Elvis goes mad for birds and squirrels he can't reach, starts running along the ground under whatever wires the squirrels are running on above, or tries to take off with the birds he finds in front of him (fortunately, he's always leashed).
He's nine-going-on two-years-old, I sometimes think....
M.
Oh dear..... I am trying to work with Henri on calming down......nine years from now,,,,,oh dear me.
20 pounds of wet dog shivering on my lap. Hates rain so we had to stand outside for 10 minutes to get him to pee. Peals of thunder frightened him. Very subdued.
Pup is doing much better with the biting, after a couple of intense days of training.
Daughter rewarded him yesterday morning with an indoor Easter egg hunt (well, treats and favorite toys hidden around the apartment). He had a big time!
Quote from: AmLitHist on April 13, 2020, 07:44:15 AM
Pup is doing much better with the biting, after a couple of intense days of training.
Daughter rewarded him yesterday morning with an indoor Easter egg hunt (well, treats and favorite toys hidden around the apartment). He had a big time!
Smiling....
Dog friends, help me out. My friend adopted a young male dog about 6 months ago. He is mostly well-behaved, but...he's a biter. He's bitten both my friend and her mom, who lives with my friend and has dementia, several times. The bites have broken the skin in a couple of instances; the mom refuses to leave the house for anything, including medical care, so they've been treating her bite with hydrogen peroxide and antibacterial cream and bandages. My friend is a pianist who relies on her hands for her work, and she also has students in the house. At first she thought the dog's biting only occurred when someone pet him in a certain spot, but now it has become more frequent and random. The vet has not found anything in the dog that could be causing him pain at the bite-triggering spot. My friend is unwilling to bring in a trainer, probably mostly because of cost, but also because of Covid-19.
For me, the solution is obvious: he needs to be euthanized. But how can I convince my friend of this?
Quote from: bibliothecula on April 28, 2020, 07:31:52 AM
Dog friends, help me out. My friend adopted a young male dog about 6 months ago. He is mostly well-behaved, but...he's a biter. He's bitten both my friend and her mom, who lives with my friend and has dementia, several times. The bites have broken the skin in a couple of instances; the mom refuses to leave the house for anything, including medical care, so they've been treating her bite with hydrogen peroxide and antibacterial cream and bandages. My friend is a pianist who relies on her hands for her work, and she also has students in the house. At first she thought the dog's biting only occurred when someone pet him in a certain spot, but now it has become more frequent and random. The vet has not found anything in the dog that could be causing him pain at the bite-triggering spot. My friend is unwilling to bring in a trainer, probably mostly because of cost, but also because of Covid-19.
For me, the solution is obvious: he needs to be euthanized. But how can I convince my friend of this?
Has she tried any behavioral interventions? You don't mention any. Puppies at 6 month are also still teething.
She's tried shaking his scruff and saying "no." He's not 6 months old--she's had him for 6 months. He's probably about 2.
Could the dog be anxious or pent up? Is he getting enough exercise and play time?
Do the bites really just come out of nowhere or does the dog give signs of being on edge or uncomfortable first?
Those are all good questions. He gets a lot of exercise and attention. The bites are coming out of nowhere. Petting, then biting. Reaching towards him, then biting. Moving around in an area he's in, then biting. She thought it was maybe a territorial thing, but it's become wider and even less predictable.
Could this be a dominance thing? As in dog has decided that he's the alpha and is enforcing it? If so, you need a dog psych consult to determine if the behavior can be modified.
Regardless, until this gets figured out, I think she needs to muzzle him except at mealtimes.
I'll suggest the muzzle again. I'm worried that he'll bite her badly before she can get him to an expert, or that she'll decide that an expert is too expensive.
Quote from: bibliothecula on April 29, 2020, 07:46:42 AM
I'll suggest the muzzle again. I'm worried that he'll bite her badly before she can get him to an expert, or that she'll decide that an expert is too expensive.
If the dog really is unpredictable, ask your friend about how she'd feel about the cost of a lawsuit if the dog bit someone...especially a child that might be face level. An expert will be cheaper in the long run.
Quote from: bibliothecula on April 28, 2020, 06:41:03 PM
Those are all good questions. He gets a lot of exercise and attention. The bites are coming out of nowhere. Petting, then biting. Reaching towards him, then biting. Moving around in an area he's in, then biting. She thought it was maybe a territorial thing, but it's become wider and even less predictable.
I recently was adopted by a pound puppy, about a year old and an exuberant 20 pound bundle of energy. I quickly discovered that he has trigger points. For example, it took several hours, literally, to get a collar on him. Apparently, in his previous life, things had been forced on him, like collars. He also has issues with his paws, as do many dogs. When triggered, which is less often in the three months he has owned me, he jerks, jumps, and snaps, though he doesn't seem to be trying to bite. In that, I am fortunate. So my suggestions are: be aware of trigger points and try to avoid them. talk monotonously to him if you 're trying to get him to do something that involves a trigger...and give treats. Now, for an alternate, and sad scenario: My cousin and her brother adopted a canine who had food trigger issues....and could not adapt to the male human in the house: biting. Nothing they did could overcome that. They returned him to the shelter...and the shelter had worked diligently with them to ameliorate the situation, but understood that it simply wasn't working. Regardless of what you all do, it is a difficult, sad situation. However, if you do euthanize him, please don't tell us. While I won't blame you, during these stressful times, I will just dissolve into tears. And my heart goes out to all of you.
Quote from: smallcleanrat on April 28, 2020, 10:54:57 AM
Could the dog be anxious or pent up?
FWIW, if anyone here wants or needs a recommendation for an excellent, conscientious group of trainers specializing in anxiety in dogs (especially separation anxiety), send me a PM. They do both in-person and online training and coaching.
Quote from: bibliothecula on April 28, 2020, 07:31:52 AM
At first she thought the dog's biting only occurred when someone pet him in a certain spot, but now it has become more frequent and random. The vet has not found anything in the dog that could be causing him pain at the bite-triggering spot. My friend is unwilling to bring in a trainer, probably mostly because of cost, but also because of Covid-19.
For me, the solution is obvious: he needs to be euthanized. But how can I convince my friend of this?
To my mind, euthanization is a last resort, and finances should not really enter into it (they should enter into the decision to get a pet, however).
Before that, I'd highly recommend finding an experienced and knowledgeable animal behaviourist to work with the dog for a while to try to identify the cause of the biting behaviour. I'd also recommend working with an experienced and knowledgeable trainer, but the trick there is to find someone who's good (and, sadly, most are not; one clue is whether they use negative reinforcement. If they do, they aren't the right person.) It seems especially important to do so given that the behaviour has become worse over time.
But yes, it's not cheap.
Another perhaps not useful thing: Canines want to please us but may have had such mixed signals in the past that they don't know how. Regardless, I won't judge. It sucks.
I need advice on one of those underground electric fences for canines. My canine needs more running room than my fenced in side yard so I have been talking with a friend about extending the fence. He suggested the underground electric type, because it would be relatively inexpensive and because the ground is quite rocky and some of the original fence posts required a jack hammer to get the holes dug.
I have heard that the major drawback is if the dog gets so excited and wound up (which mine does) that it will simply blast through the electric jolt and then can't return.
Any suggestions, experiences, recommendations would be most appreciated.
Quote from: nebo113 on May 01, 2020, 08:08:36 AM
I need advice on one of those underground electric fences for canines. My canine needs more running room than my fenced in side yard so I have been talking with a friend about extending the fence. He suggested the underground electric type, because it would be relatively inexpensive and because the ground is quite rocky and some of the original fence posts required a jack hammer to get the holes dug.
I have heard that the major drawback is if the dog gets so excited and wound up (which mine does) that it will simply blast through the electric jolt and then can't return.
Any suggestions, experiences, recommendations would be most appreciated.
When we bought our house the previous owner had had an electric fence installed. We opted not to use it and instead spent the money on fencing in the yard. Not only could the dog potentially run out, but it also means things can get (e.g. skunks and other wildlife) in more easily. Before we fenced the yard our dog was skunked twice. Since the fence was installed, no skunkings.
There's also the issue of people not knowing there's an electric fence and feeling threatened etc if the dog comes out and barks at them.
Finally, my in-laws had one that was battery powered from a transmitter and the dogs had special collars to beep/shock them depending on how close or how many times they got near the perimeter. The dogs figured out that if they sat close enough they could drain the battery on their collar without the beep/shock and then could go on their merry way to roaming the neighborhood and nearby farm fields.
So for me, a physical fence is always more preferable.
Long ago I learned that "Foolproof systems fail to take account for the ingenuity of fools". It looks like this is evidence that "Dogproof systems fail to take into account the ingenuity of dogs!"
Thank you, all, for your input. My friend acknowledges that the biting is a problem, but she insists that she'll keep working with him and that he'll get better. She's pretty much in denial about what might happen if he got away from her and bit a student, or if he bit her badly enough to cause her to need stitches in her hands. She says she keeps him on a leash when she's teaching at home (music), so he can't get to students. I did suggest professional training or consultations when social distancing is over (or even with it, if she can find someone to meet with her and the dog). Now I guess I've said enough and voiced my concerns to her, and there's not much else I can do. But I'm still worried.
Baka-inu, the big, ugly, aggressive dog next door, seems to take it personally every time I try to do anything in my own yard. As I was gathering gardenias this morning he was barking and snarling and carrying on as if he thought I was about to burglarize his family home.
He's the alpha of three dogs. When they play he sounds so rough I keep expecting to see the gnawed bones of the other two lying back there.
houses are so close together in my neighborhood that if I open the back door the neighboring flea bags start barking.
IF I even make a loud noise inside my house, that can set them off too.
I have complained to my neighbors (we no longer speak to each other) about the barking and the reply was "its a dog. They bark". We no longer speak because I complained to the city about the late night/early morning barking. So I and the bad guy!!
Quote from: clean on May 19, 2020, 11:35:15 AM
houses are so close together in my neighborhood that if I open the back door the neighboring flea bags start barking.
IF I even make a loud noise inside my house, that can set them off too.
I have complained to my neighbors (we no longer speak to each other) about the barking and the reply was "its a dog. They bark". We no longer speak because I complained to the city about the late night/early morning barking. So I and the bad guy!!
Are the dogs outside all of the time? Your city may have some kind of ordinance. I feel bad for the dogs, there's probably some kind of behavioral issue going on (maybe they're bored), but I also understand how incredibly frustrating it can be to have that kind of auditory annoyance.
They split their time between being inside and outside.
One of the more annoying times was that the smaller dog would stand at the back door and bark and bark to be let back in.
I think that it was one of the neighbor's parent's dog and I think that she was in the deaf range. However I believe that she has departed (maybe this plane of existence, and maybe just this neighborhood, but the dog remains.
Now there are 2 dogs. I dont know if that makes it better or worse. I suppose that the smaller dog's barking is more frequent but in comparison, less annoying, so I have become less effected by it, unless I go outside.
My neighbors are idiots and assholes. Once, their cat got in my garage. I didnt know it and it had to be in there for a couple of weeks! I was putting clothes in the dryer (door shared with the garage) and I heard the cat. I opened the door, saw the cat and my garage covered in cat hair. I opened the garage door and the cat escaped. I went next door and told the neighbors that the cat had been in my garage. The wife says, "yea, we were looking for her and we heard her in there".
BUT they never said anything to ME about their cat being trapped inside my garage!
After the cat escaped, I saw it one other time and not again, so I dont think that it survived much after it got out. At least I didnt have to clean up dead cat!
Gizmo has been returned to the state of his birth, albeit a very different part of the state. He enjoyed the long drive here very much, and like many an intrepid explorer before him, claimed large swaths of the intervening territory along the way. He seems a little disappointed not to get to walk in new places every day now.
We did, however, just get discovered by the two cats next door. Perhaps buddies? Time will tell...
Quote from: San Joaquin on June 03, 2020, 11:33:53 AM
Gizmo has been returned to the state of his birth, albeit a very different part of the state. He enjoyed the long drive here very much, and like many an intrepid explorer before him, claimed large swaths of the intervening territory along the way. He seems a little disappointed not to get to walk in new places every day now.
We did, however, just get discovered by the two cats next door. Perhaps buddies? Time will tell...
Thank you for giving me a smile. I can absolutely picture this....
I adopted a puppy three weeks ago. Pink_Dog is 12 and in good health for an elderdog, and she's mostly enjoying the new chew toy ;) but man, oh man. I am learning why they call it "house breaking": I am just shy of being completely broken. The puppy is 14 weeks, which I know is just a tricky age. He really wants to be a good dog, and every once in a while, I get a glimpse of the dog he'll grow into, and then a few hours later, he will pee on the floor. Despite regular trips outside. Alas.
Pink-Dog was a couple months older when I adopted her, and I completely underestimated how much difference that time made. She was through the worst of the chewing and was housebroken in a week. The little dude just isn't there yet.
Awww...I envy the licks and ear-scritch options, but I hear you on the training issues.
There's a reason they look so loveable...
M.
Henri the canine is a gnawer....his toes, my hand....and last night the hem of my pajama top.....when I was wearing it! Little stinker.
Glad to see this thread up! I've been missing the puppy entries.
I keep wondering on my walks, who is sadder, me for not being able to pet all the neighborhood dogs I know, or them for wondering why I'm not petting them (a couple clearly come running up expecting attention and I have to say to their owners, "Please give them extra scritches for me!")
I also wonder how the current circumstances will affect the socialization of new puppies. Some may grow up without every knowing/realizing that other people besides their owners can be their friends....
M.
Quote from: mamselle on November 19, 2020, 05:55:27 AM
Glad to see this thread up! I've been missing the puppy entries.
I keep wondering on my walks, who is sadder, me for not being able to pet all the neighborhood dogs I know, or them for wondering why I'm not petting them (a couple clearly come running up expecting attention and I have to say to their owners, "Please give them extra scritches for me!")
I also wonder how the current circumstances will affect the socialization of new puppies. Some may grow up without every knowing/realizing that other people besides their owners can be their friends....
M.
Are you reluctant to get within 6 feet of the dogrent, even with a mask?
I missed the question because it was hidden in the quote!
Yes, sans vax status, I maintain the usual 6 ft. distance.
We can talk, of course, and do, but I ask them to give the doggies scritches for me vicariously...
M.
Sunday evening our Bible study group met around a campfire. The host family's two big dogs joined us. I got to do a lot of good petting. They wondered whether one of the dogs might end up trying to go home with me! The older of the two dogs once invited me inside when I missed a last-minute change of plans and arrived at the house when nobody else was there. It's a good thing for them that I'm not a burglar.
What kind(s) of dogs are they?
M.
Quote from: mamselle on January 19, 2022, 08:27:51 AM
What kind(s) of dogs are they?
M.
Retriever and...something.
Aww....retrievers....they do love their people.
Mixes are so cool, too...little "Heinze 47's" as my dad used to call them--all varieties of dog type blended together, and often very, very affectionate.
M.
My massage person works from her home. She recently was acquired by a 4 month old mutt....a large 4 month old mutt. A large, friendly 4 month old mutt. She is preparing him to be a therapy dog, so, when possible, he stays in the room when she is working with a client.
Unfortunately, one of her clients (me) finds the mutt irresistible. He jumped up on the massage table with me and we rolled around (as much as we could on something a bit narrower than a single bed), with me laughing joyfully, and continuing to laugh and giggle after she made him get off and put him in his crate in another room.
As I left, I told her that next time I would behave, lest she crate me!
She said she doubted good behavior was possible on my part!
For some years now I've been seeing a small dog named Little Man. He belongs to an older woman who trusts him to stay outside in the front yard by himself. I used to walk by the house every day going to and from work. He just watched me go by, and hardly ever barked for any reason. After I moved to a different house in town my walking habits changed, and for several years I almost never saw Little Man. The year before last my habits changed again, and I started passing by regularly again, and began occasionally seeing him. He's now showing serious signs of age.
Last year I finally had a chance to ask his owner about him. She said that she had gotten him about twelve years earlier as an adult rescue dog. She believed that he was fifteen or sixteen. He was now deaf.
That was the better part of a year ago. I still see Little Man now and then. Sometimes he seems surprisingly spry. In between sightings I start to wonder whether he has died. Then I see him again. The most recent sighting was only a couple of days ago. Within the last few months I've seen him as far as two or three blocks from home. He hangs around with a larger and not quite as old dog known around the neighborhood as The Old Lady. I see The Old Lady more often.
Quote from: nebo113 on January 20, 2022, 06:45:26 AM
My massage person works from her home. She recently was acquired by a 4 month old mutt....a large 4 month old mutt. A large, friendly 4 month old mutt. She is preparing him to be a therapy dog, so, when possible, he stays in the room when she is working with a client.
Unfortunately, one of her clients (me) finds the mutt irresistible. He jumped up on the massage table with me and we rolled around (as much as we could on something a bit narrower than a single bed), with me laughing joyfully, and continuing to laugh and giggle after she made him get off and put him in his crate in another room.
As I left, I told her that next time I would behave, lest she crate me!
She said she doubted good behavior was possible on my part!
Clearly he understands one of the tasks of a therapy dog, to pick up on individual needs for a smile and provide the occasions for them!
He sounds wonderful.
M.
Quote from: apl68 on January 20, 2022, 07:28:47 AM
Last year I finally had a chance to ask his owner about him. She said that she had gotten him about twelve years earlier as an adult rescue dog. She believed that he was fifteen or sixteen. He was now deaf.
Your post about Little Man prompts me to post an update about sidedog, our rescue dog. We've belonged to her almost 8 years now, which makes her an estimated 11 years old. She's definitely showing her age. Her eyes are getting cloudy and she does not hear as well, yet she is as sweet as ever.
The two retrievers I mentioned above skipped out on their family and were gone for most of a day last week. They had never done anything like that before. They were found, safe and sound, near a river camp miles from home. They were confined to their dog pen for three days after that.
My mutt has me well trained to give him the last half-bite of my morning toast. This morning, it had some avocado on it. Mutt responded to this challenge with excellent dog skills: efficiently removed the large piece of avocado and deposited it on the rug before munching the toast.
Quote from: Thursday's_Child on February 06, 2022, 09:29:58 AM
My mutt has me well trained to give him the last half-bite of my morning toast. This morning, it had some avocado on it. Mutt responded to this challenge with excellent dog skills: efficiently removed the large piece of avocado and deposited it on the rug before munching the toast.
Mine would have scarfed down toast, avocado, and then licked the rug for any crumbs or butter.
I was attacked by a dog during this morning's walk. I regularly walk past a fenced-in corner lot with two dogs. I call them "Patch" (for the darker patch over one eye) and "Patch's Shadow" (brown dog who is obviously subordinate to "Patch"). Patch has always barked and carried on like he wants to kill me whenever I walk by, but he is securely fenced in.
Recently the quieter "Shadow" has occasionally been getting out somehow. This morning he blindsided me as I was rounding the corner and bit my hand. He'd have likely drawn blood had I not been wearing gloves. Somehow I'm going to have to make time to go to that house when there are people there and let them know what their dog has done. Imagine if he had attacked a passing child! I'm going to try to give them a friendly warning that their dog is behaving dangerously. If it happens again, I'm going to have to call the police.
Are you up on rabies and tetanus if the bite even broke the skin a little bit?
M.
Come to think of it, no, I'm not up to date on tetanus. Not an issue in this case, fortunately, since the bite didn't even leave a scratch. Glad it was a chilly morning.
any updates on the biting dog?
Quote from: clean on February 09, 2022, 08:44:28 AM
any updates on the biting dog?
Haven't caught the people home yet to speak with them. I continue to see the dog running around free. I've begun to wonder whether they may be out of town for a few days, and don't know that the one dog has been loose. Doesn't appear that they've abandoned the house and dogs, though.
Quote from: apl68 on February 09, 2022, 10:16:19 AM
Quote from: clean on February 09, 2022, 08:44:28 AM
any updates on the biting dog?
Haven't caught the people home yet to speak with them. I continue to see the dog running around free. I've begun to wonder whether they may be out of town for a few days, and don't know that the one dog has been loose. Doesn't appear that they've abandoned the house and dogs, though.
Given the bite and lack of control, you might need to let Animal Rescue know, both to house and feed the dog, and to prevent any further injuries to others.
One would think (having done a lot of dog-sitting myself) that they would have arranged for care for their pets before going away.
Before calling AR, it might be a last-ditch effort to knock on a neighbor's door and just ask; someone might know more about what's going on.
Hope it gets sorted out.
M.
When I visit my parents' house and walk in their area, which is in a country setting with lots of dogs, I carry bear spray.
In MY neighborhood, I had a small keychain can of mace that I had to use on a dog once, but didnt see him/her after, and eventually stopped carrying bear spray. (Or more correctly, my foot was injured and I just stopped walking, and havent been back enough to carry it, but I still have it for when I DO get back to walking!)
As of this morning the dog was still loose, and I still had not observed anybody at home to speak to. So I've now reported the matter to the police. Hopefully they'll be able to take the dog into protective custody.
I'm still curious as to why I've seen no signs of people around for the past several days. The dogs appear healthy and well fed. Maybe the people just don't get in until late in the evening, and haven't even noticed that the dog is out? Maybe they left food for the dogs in a feeder?
QuoteMaybe they left food for the dogs in a feeder?
Maybe they fill up on 'finger food' over the course of the day!
Mrs. Artem was taking Artem Dog (toy breed 9 pounds) for a walk when a woman walking 3 huskies lost control of one of them and attacked Artem Dog. A $360 vet bill later for stitches, rabies booster, antibiotics and pain pills. We are unsure of who the woman with the huskies is and what to do next. Clearly, one of her dogs needs to be taken away and evaluated for aggression. And I would not mind my $360 back from the person who got us into this mess.
Anybody got any suggestions for what to do next??
Call your local police; it's possible they have dealt with this person before and may even know who it is.
Take pictures of your dog and of the bills and of the MD's records on diagnosis and prognosis as evidence.
Call a responsible animal-rights group that can put you in touch with a lawyer (they may also know who this is).
Write up a summary of events--use your post here as a starting point and add time, location, other details--to clarify that your dog posed no threat to the other dog, etc.
Good luck.
M.
This is sad to hear. I hope Artem Dog is better soon.
Thanks all for the kind thoughts and suggestions.
Animal control was called. They sent over an officer who took a report and said they will patrol the neighborhood for the next 10 days and see if they can find her. Since having 3 huskies is outside of local animal codes (only allow 2 large + 1 small) it's unlikely any of her dogs are registered so they can be looked up in some muni database.
Artem Dog appears to be recovering OK but he's clearly a bit shaken up and off his feed. We're watching out for infection and spoiling the dickens out of him.
Awww...extra virtual hugs and scritches from me...
M.
Scritches to Artem-dog from me, too! I hope he's eating by now.
Speaking of eating, my mutt has gotten to the point where he will eat a corner of toast that has avocado on it. After he spits it out onto the carpet, that is...
So sorry to hear about Artem Dog! Hope his recovery goes well with no lingering effects.
While visiting my parents over the weekend I took their dog out for a walk up the lane to the back of their property. It was a fine day out. On the way back down the lane, he ran ahead of me and got out of sight around the bend. When I reached their yard, I saw him on the far side of it heading up the power line cut through the woods. They had warned me that he likes to go up that way to visit some neighbor dogs (It's a rural road, and their nearest neighbors live well out of sight of their house). I had no idea he would get that far ahead of me and escape that easily!
I hiked up the power line, around the fence of the cemetery on top of the hill, inspected the neighbors' yard, and went back down the road. No sign of him on the road, and nearly no traffic, so I knew he was in no immediate danger of getting run over. I went to the house and confessed that I had lost him. Dad was taking a nap, so Mom and I drove back up the hill to the neighbors' house. There seemed to be nobody home, so we walked around their yard trying to find the dog. The neighbors' dogs were out and came over. They were quite friendly. Then the one we were looking for appeared. We collected him and took him home.
It was kind of nice in one way. He's almost eight years old, and obviously still has plenty of get-up-and-go and adventurous spirit. It was a wonderful afternoon for a walk. But it looks like he's going to be spending more of his outdoor time on a leash from now on.
Is it a lab, by any chance? They're often gregarious and far-ranging.
I used to house-sit for folks whose 8-year-old lab, Gracie, could just walk for hours.
I used to say that, for Gracie, a stranger was just a friend she hadn't licked yet.
M.
No, this is a Chihuahua, believe it or not. A remarkably large, muscular Chihuahua who has spent much of his life outdoors in a rural area. Now that he's in canine middle age, I'm surprised he can still move that fast!
Oh, yes, those little dogs can indeed go.
Another friend had a little pug-Chihuahua mix that I used to walk.
He was 9 at the time, but he would run lickety-split all over the dog park.
Good thing it had fences that were too tall for him to breach...
M.
Although we've never seen him do it, we suspect that he goes under the side fence of the cemetery at the top of the steep hill that the power line cut climbs, cuts across the cemetery, and goes out the gate or through the gaps beside it. The front corner of the cemetery is on the very edge of a steep bank overlooking the road that even a small dog would have trouble navigating without tumbling down the bank, while the back of the cemetery is all woods and would involve a substantial detour.
Sorry, thread hijack in progress...how old is the cemetery?
M.
I believe the oldest interment dates from sometime in the mid-1960s. Which would make it perhaps a decade older than the house Dad built when I was a kid. It's probably the youngest cemetery in the county. Although the cemetery is up a hill, through the woods, and around a bend in the road from us and can't be seen from the house, its residents were our nearest "neighbors." Which seemed a little spooky to me when I was a child.
Thanks! Obviously, I had to ask.
Back to your regularly-scheduled dog thread....
;--}
M.
My morning walk takes me within a few blocks of a grade school just when the school-day morning traffic is at its heaviest. So I try to avoid the traffic by going up alleys as much as possible. This brings me into contact with dogs in back yards. Among the more colorful personalities I meet there:
Patch, so called because he's a light-colored dog with a darker patch around one ear and eye. His appearance and demeanor would have a certain goofy charm, were it not for the fact that he's one of the loudest and most aggressive dogs around. Since his yard is on a corner, I have to walk around two sides of it to approach and use the alley. He barks from the time he sees me until the time I get past his turf, and he's so loud it just about gives me a headache. Mornings when he happens not to be out are always nice.
Snorty, who lives on the alley near Patch. Snorty's bark isn't loud enough to be too annoying. He snorts with every breath he takes. Over time this has gotten less pronounced. Maybe he's had his sinuses worked on?
Down another stretch of alley we have Shorty, Pipsqueak, and Spot. Shorty is the biggest, which isn't saying much. He has stumpy legs, like he may have some corgi in him. Pipsqueak has a cute little bark that is unfortunately often drowned out by Shorty. Spot acts like he doesn't really care that much about barking as I pass. There's also a cat in the yard that seems to coexist well with the three dogs. It has been long enough since I saw them last that I'm beginning to suspect that they might have moved. I kind of miss them.
Further down that alley we have two tiny dogs that dutifully yap at me whenever I pass. Lately the more aggressive of the two has taken to snarling in a startlingly vicious manner. Were he a human acting that loud and aggressive, I would suspect drug use. At any rate, they're the kind of little dogs whose efforts to protect their turf you just can't take seriously. They and Spot must have the most well-vented spleens in town.
Once in a while I see a Great Dane in one back yard. He doesn't bark all that much, but a Great Dane is something that's just hard to ignore. I once overheard him being called "Prince." If he's a prince from Denmark, wouldn't it be more appropriate to name him Hamlet?
This morning I varied my walking routine and approached Patch's yard from the opposite direction. I thought I'd take him by surprise. Unfortunately this meant passing Snorty's yard first, and Snorty shares it with a Dalmatian that sounded the alarm as I passed. This brought Patch running and barking. Thanks, Dal!
Dal, by the way, seems to be the only Dalmatian in town. There's a reason for that--Dal and Snorty live with our municipal fire chief.
Dal, by the way, seems to be the only Dalmatian in town. There's a reason for that--Dal and Snorty live with our municipal fire chief.
This will give me smiles throughout the day. Thank you!
This morning I didn't encounter a single one of my canine regulars and semi-regulars. Even though it was a bright morning out. I was only barked at, briefly, by a couple of dogs that I don't usually encounter. Nothing wrong with that, but I do wonder why. Was it some combination of my being a few minutes earlier than usual, and it being slightly colder this morning?
It made it easier to hear the spring birds this morning.
This week I have repeatedly been followed part of the way to work by a new little dog in town. I think his people are here visiting family. He had been wearing a collar with a jangling tag. This morning I was startled to see him running around the neighborhood stark naked. His family must be so embarrassed!
He's friendly enough, but that's the problem. The last part of my walk to work takes me across a stretch of highway where little wandering dogs have absolutely no business venturing. It was unusually busy this morning. I was forced to round on the dog and make him get back before we reached the highway crossing. I hate having to do that.
Upthread, I posted some discussion about a neighborhood dog attacking Artem Dog. My dog required $600 in vet bills, stitches, pain meds and wound care. As advised by some forumites, I contacted animal control, who identified the dog and owner. I thought that was it.
Today, both Mrs Artem & myself have been subpoenaed to appear in a criminal misdemeanor case the city has filed against the woman with the dog that attacked Artem Dog.
Anybody ever been in this situation? I'm not the plaintiff, the city is. Last thing I want to have is a pi$$ed off neighbor with some out of control and aggressive dogs. I would have been happy to (as they say) let sleeping dogs lie. The city has other ideas.
Quote from: secundem_artem on May 20, 2022, 10:40:12 AM
Upthread, I posted some discussion about a neighborhood dog attacking Artem Dog. My dog required $600 in vet bills, stitches, pain meds and wound care. As advised by some forumites, I contacted animal control, who identified the dog and owner. I thought that was it.
Today, both Mrs Artem & myself have been subpoenaed to appear in a criminal misdemeanor case the city has filed against the woman with the dog that attacked Artem Dog.
Anybody ever been in this situation? I'm not the plaintiff, the city is. Last thing I want to have is a pi$$ed off neighbor with some out of control and aggressive dogs. I would have been happy to (as they say) let sleeping dogs lie. The city has other ideas.
I'm inclined to suggest going ahead and seeing that justice is done. The neighbor will be upset, all right, but it doesn't sound like this has been a good neighbor to start with.
Not too long after Artem Dog's assault, my parents' Chihuahua that I mentioned above sneaked away and went up the hill again to visit his would-be girlfriend. She was in heat that day, and attracted other dogs as well. A couple of them ganged up on the Chihuahua. He may be very big for a Chihuahua, but he's still a small dog and not used to fighting. A utility crew witnessed the attack. Dad then came looking, and they told him about it. The family dog then showed up. He was not seriously hurt, but was now missing the jacket he was wearing on that cold morning. That and the sweater he had on under it may have protected him from a mauling.
Dad went over to where the fight had taken place and found the jacket. Then he took their dog home. He has since been having to put up with a leash whenever he goes outside. I'd like to think that the encounter with mean neighbors would have been a lesson to him.
Quote from: secundem_artem on May 20, 2022, 10:40:12 AM
Upthread, I posted some discussion about a neighborhood dog attacking Artem Dog. My dog required $600 in vet bills, stitches, pain meds and wound care. As advised by some forumites, I contacted animal control, who identified the dog and owner. I thought that was it.
Today, both Mrs Artem & myself have been subpoenaed to appear in a criminal misdemeanor case the city has filed against the woman with the dog that attacked Artem Dog.
Anybody ever been in this situation? I'm not the plaintiff, the city is. Last thing I want to have is a pi$$ed off neighbor with some out of control and aggressive dogs. I would have been happy to (as they say) let sleeping dogs lie. The city has other ideas.
If your neighbor is rational, they will be able to understand that you aren't the one bringing the suit against them. Don't count on that, of course.
From the point of view of the city, this is probably a public safety issue that they feel obligated to address. What you don't (yet) know is the history & back story. There may be a long list of less serious complaints about this dog, & your problems were enough to trigger an attempt to correct matters before there was a serious attack - on a child, perhaps.
While walking down a section of alley this morning, I encountered a pair of dogs I've seldom seen before. One is small and white, the other tiny and mostly black. They ran over to the back fence as I passed. The tiny one barked at me. The other one got a good look at me, then silently turned and left for another part of their yard. I thought that that one simply wasn't interested in a confrontation. Then I saw that he was actually chasing a cat that had infiltrated the yard. The cat squeezed under the fence and fled.
While the one dog was seeing off the cat, the tiny, noisy dog kept watching me and barking as I went by. That's admirable teamwork on the dogs' part.
Zone defense in basketball, I believe?
;--》
M.
Justice for Artem Dog!!
Upthread, I posted that back in March, Artem Dog was attacked by a much larger dog. Stitches, antibiotics, wound care etc etc etc. As advised by forumites, we contacted Animal Control who investigated the case. We thought that was the end of it, but we later received subpoenas to come to court to testify in a court case brought by the city agains the owner of the attacking dog.
Today was the day. We reported to court and just sat there for over an hour waiting for whatever happened next. We saw the woman who owned the other dog. She went into the courtroom and left the building 10 minutes later. We continued to sit and wait.
After an hour and a half, the city attorney came over, informed us the other woman had pleaded guilty to all charges and was ordered to pay restitution for our vet costs. No trial was needed and we were free to go. We never had to testify.
So..... JUSTICE FOR ARTEM DOG! And the city will pay Mrs Artem and myself $11.30 EACH for responding to a subpoena.
And that's my story of being in the bowels of the US judicial system! JUSTICE FOR ARTEM DOG!!
Congratulations on getting justice done! I hope this will lead to that vicious dog being kept under better control in the future. I still feel sad whenever I think about ArtemDog's ordeal.
Very good outcome, given all the givens.
Hope Artem Dog is continuing to recover and doing well.
M.
The little dog that sometimes follows me on my walk in to work is named Gus. Whenever he happens to be outside, he greets me as I approach. He then either goes back to his house, or starts following me. Fortunately he seems no longer inclined to go very far. I don't have to worry about him following me to the cross street, or to the highway that I have to cross.
This morning Gus came over to say hello. I said hi to him. Then I saw his owner come down the driveway and start calling him. I walked over toward her so that Gus wouldn't follow me up the street. As she approached him, he had a babyish mood and lay down so that she had to pick him up and carry him back to the house.
They're so funny!
That's cute.
M.
I was chased by a small dog while riding my bicycle back from the Mayor's office with this week's payroll. As I started to accelerate to try to outrun the dog, I heard a series of odd honking noises behind me. I don't know whether they were sneezes or coughs, but whatever it was the dog was having a minor fit of them. The dog was forced to break off the chase. May have been a little overexertion there.
You'll have to get a locked strongbox for your bike.
Either that or hire an extra Brinks bicyclist to ride alongside.
Clearly the dog planned to rob you.
Hope it got its wheezes sorted out.
M.
If it wanted to rob me, it picked the wrong time to try. I had already deposited the week's cash receipts for patron printing, etc. in the bank!
Quote from: apl68 on August 03, 2022, 03:01:25 PM
If it wanted to rob me, it picked the wrong time to try. I had already deposited the week's cash receipts for patron printing, etc. in the bank!
Oh, OK, I thought you said you had the payroll!
M.
Quote from: mamselle on August 03, 2022, 03:30:54 PM
Quote from: apl68 on August 03, 2022, 03:01:25 PM
If it wanted to rob me, it picked the wrong time to try. I had already deposited the week's cash receipts for patron printing, etc. in the bank!
Oh, OK, I thought you said you had the payroll!
M.
Well, that was all in the form of checks. Any halfway alert teller could have caught him if he'd tried to pass off one of those!
Leaning on the fence
By the Beware of Dog sign
Petting the dog's had
Quote from: apl68 on September 16, 2022, 07:38:35 AM
Leaning on the fence
By the Beware of Dog sign
Petting the dog's had
Big smile and deep laugh to begin the day. Thank you!
Yes, like the six bikes I saw chained to a sign in Oxford once, that said, "No Bicycle Parking Allowed..."
;--}
M.
QuoteYes, like the six bikes I saw chained to a sign in Oxford once, that said, "No Bicycle Parking Allowed..."
I dont believe that! No frat boy or gall at Ole Miss would be able to keep their membership if they rode a bike to the Square!
Sorry, is there an "Oxford " in Mississippi?
I was referring to the one in the UK...
;--》
M.
Quote from: mamselle on September 18, 2022, 10:49:07 AM
Sorry, is there an "Oxford " in Mississippi?
I was referring to the one in the UK...
;--》
M.
[/quote
And one in Ohio! tee hee
Quote from: apl68 on September 16, 2022, 07:38:35 AM
Leaning on the fence
By the Beware of Dog sign
Petting the dog's head
And I just realized that I had a typo to correct there....
Quote from: nebo113 on September 19, 2022, 06:15:44 AM
Quote from: mamselle on September 18, 2022, 10:49:07 AM
Sorry, is there an "Oxford " in Mississippi?
I was referring to the one in the UK...
;--》
M.
And one in Ohio! tee hee
Yes, I do know about the one in Ohio...a friend went there and another friend had a VAP there.
M.
Artem Dog crossed the rainbow bridge a few days ago. He'd been off his feed for a few weeks, but the vet could not find anything wrong. He suddenly started breathing (not panting) ~ 70 times a minute. We went straight to the doggie ER. After a long wait, it turned out he had gone into acute cardiac failure. They tried to diurese him to reduce pulmonary edema, but it seemed his mitral valve had completely failed. He died in only a few hours.
Mrs Artem is miserable when we don't have a dog, so we got Artem Pup only a few days later. Between still deeply mourning an excellent dog and trying to get used to having a new puppy underfoot who bites everything, and is still a bit young for much training, emotions at La Casa del Artem are largely mixed, confusing, and running high.
I do hope time heals all wounds.
Oh, no, very sorry to here of your loss.
Even with a new puppy for distraction, the mourning will take time; it's good that you both cared about the older dog and saw them out to the end of their life with compassion.
All good thoughts.
M.
Quote from: secundem_artem on September 19, 2022, 11:33:10 AM
Artem Dog crossed the rainbow bridge a few days ago. He'd been off his feed for a few weeks, but the vet could not find anything wrong. He suddenly started breathing (not panting) ~ 70 times a minute. We went straight to the doggie ER. After a long wait, it turned out he had gone into acute cardiac failure. They tried to diurese him to reduce pulmonary edema, but it seemed his mitral valve had completely failed. He died in only a few hours.
Mrs Artem is miserable when we don't have a dog, so we got Artem Pup only a few days later. Between still deeply mourning an excellent dog and trying to get used to having a new puppy underfoot who bites everything, and is still a bit young for much training, emotions at La Casa del Artem are largely mixed, confusing, and running high.
I do hope time heals all wounds.
Sorry to hear that. I remember the sad story of Artem Dog's attack at the jaws of a brutal neighbor dog awhile back. For what it's worth, our family has found over the years that it's best to not wait a very long time to get a new dog into the house. A new canine family member can be a real consolation.
Quote from: secundem_artem on September 19, 2022, 11:33:10 AM
Artem Dog crossed the rainbow bridge a few days ago. He'd been off his feed for a few weeks, but the vet could not find anything wrong. He suddenly started breathing (not panting) ~ 70 times a minute. We went straight to the doggie ER. After a long wait, it turned out he had gone into acute cardiac failure. They tried to diurese him to reduce pulmonary edema, but it seemed his mitral valve had completely failed. He died in only a few hours.
Mrs Artem is miserable when we don't have a dog, so we got Artem Pup only a few days later. Between still deeply mourning an excellent dog and trying to get used to having a new puppy underfoot who bites everything, and is still a bit young for much training, emotions at La Casa del Artem are largely mixed, confusing, and running high.
I do hope time heals all wounds.
I'm so sorry; so dreadfully hard to lose them. What kind of pup is the New Guy?
Quote from: secundem_artem on September 19, 2022, 11:33:10 AM
Artem Dog crossed the rainbow bridge a few days ago. He'd been off his feed for a few weeks, but the vet could not find anything wrong. He suddenly started breathing (not panting) ~ 70 times a minute. We went straight to the doggie ER. After a long wait, it turned out he had gone into acute cardiac failure. They tried to diurese him to reduce pulmonary edema, but it seemed his mitral valve had completely failed. He died in only a few hours.
Mrs Artem is miserable when we don't have a dog, so we got Artem Pup only a few days later. Between still deeply mourning an excellent dog and trying to get used to having a new puppy underfoot who bites everything, and is still a bit young for much training, emotions at La Casa del Artem are largely mixed, confusing, and running high.
I do hope time heals all wounds.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
I do so understand Mrs. Artem. I had to wait a bit longer than a few days (circumstances) but was then adopted by a shelter canine, as the little doggy that had gone over the rainbow bridge knew I needed a canine and so sent one to me. Hugs to all three of you.
Why has my almost 5 year old 20 pound, neutered mutt started to hump pillows?
Quote from: nebo113 on December 07, 2022, 03:45:04 PM
Why has my almost 5 year old 20 pound, neutered mutt started to hump pillows?
Nearsightedness?
I learned today that our fire chief's Dalmatian has a knack for jumping fences. That explains why I sometimes see her walking down the street by herself!
The funny thing is, he didn't know it for a long time. She would be released into the fenced-in back yard early in the morning, jump the fence, wander the neighborhood, then come back into the yard in time to go to work with him. He was none the wiser until neighbors started calling him about seeing his dog wandering around the neighborhood.
Quote from: secundem_artem on September 19, 2022, 11:33:10 AM
Artem Dog crossed the rainbow bridge a few days ago. He'd been off his feed for a few weeks, but the vet could not find anything wrong. He suddenly started breathing (not panting) ~ 70 times a minute. We went straight to the doggie ER. After a long wait, it turned out he had gone into acute cardiac failure. They tried to diurese him to reduce pulmonary edema, but it seemed his mitral valve had completely failed. He died in only a few hours.
Mrs Artem is miserable when we don't have a dog, so we got Artem Pup only a few days later. Between still deeply mourning an excellent dog and trying to get used to having a new puppy underfoot who bites everything, and is still a bit young for much training, emotions at La Casa del Artem are largely mixed, confusing, and running high.
I do hope time heals all wounds.
Our deepest condolences, secundem. I hope that time will lessen your grief while still holding Artemdog in your hearts. Puppies are so much fun and so much work. Hope Artempup is a joyful member of your pack for many many years to come.
Quote from: poiuy on December 09, 2022, 11:30:24 AM
Quote from: secundem_artem on September 19, 2022, 11:33:10 AM
Artem Dog crossed the rainbow bridge a few days ago. He'd been off his feed for a few weeks, but the vet could not find anything wrong. He suddenly started breathing (not panting) ~ 70 times a minute. We went straight to the doggie ER. After a long wait, it turned out he had gone into acute cardiac failure. They tried to diurese him to reduce pulmonary edema, but it seemed his mitral valve had completely failed. He died in only a few hours.
Mrs Artem is miserable when we don't have a dog, so we got Artem Pup only a few days later. Between still deeply mourning an excellent dog and trying to get used to having a new puppy underfoot who bites everything, and is still a bit young for much training, emotions at La Casa del Artem are largely mixed, confusing, and running high.
I do hope time heals all wounds.
Our deepest condolences, secundem. I hope that time will lessen your grief while still holding Artemdog in your hearts. Puppies are so much fun and so much work. Hope Artempup is a joyful member of your pack for many many years to come.
Hugs and woofs.
My parents' Chihuahua gets a new chew toy each Christmas. Dad wraps it for him, and he knows it's his when he receives it and unwraps it. The must fun we had this Christmas was watching him unwrap this year's present. You never saw a child show more enthusiasm on a Christmas morning! It was such fun that I didn't mind being the one to gather up the leftover shredded paper. He played with his new toy so vigorously that he slept very well that evening.
Their cat also much enjoyed his new toy mouse.
Artem Pup got the best present at our house. He was allowed to shred wrapping paper to his heart's content for a few hours. The amount of mess a 5 pound poodle puppy can create is incredible.
He's settling in at Casa del Artem and his training has been reasonably effective in making him behave at least some of the time. His behavior is at least at the point that we'r not "going to send him to live on a farm". But he gets the zoomies while the weather here in Tenure Town is not conducive to taking him for much of a walk to burn off some puppy energy. He's a going concern. He's not the late and sorely missed Artem dog and we don't expect him to be. But we are still learning how to accept him for what he is and deal with the pros and cons of having a small tornado in the house.
Quote from: secundem_artem on December 27, 2022, 01:06:52 PM
Artem Pup got the best present at our house. He was allowed to shred wrapping paper to his heart's content for a few hours. The amount of mess a 5 pound poodle puppy can create is incredible.
He's settling in at Casa del Artem and his training has been reasonably effective in making him behave at least some of the time. His behavior is at least at the point that we'r not "going to send him to live on a farm". But he gets the zoomies while the weather here in Tenure Town is not conducive to taking him for much of a walk to burn off some puppy energy. He's a going concern. He's not the late and sorely missed Artem dog and we don't expect him to be. But we are still learning how to accept him for what he is and deal with the pros and cons of having a small tornado in the house.
I,too, still miss my beloved little canines, though they brought me a zoomy, exuberant canine who makes almost three of them! He loves me unreservedly, snarfs dirty Kleenex like one of his predecessors and rides the edge of the seat in the golf cart as did his other predecessor. Reincarnated?
Artem Pup is back from some training and will be getting more soon. One of the things he's trying to learn is when to put something down, stop chewing on my socks, quit shredding the mail, and generally stop using his mouth for all manner of evil doing and skullduggery. He was trained to respond to the command, "Off!"
Unfortunately, the command must be used so often, I'm starting to suspect he thinks his name is Off!
Advice please. Canine critter, age @ 5 (shelter pet) is allergic to, among other things, beef, chicken, corn, peas , rice, oats (and salt grass, which is a real problem as I winter next to a salt marsh). For food, that pretty much leaves lamb and salmon, (turkey is a bit high but doable) potatoes (sweet and white), and spinach, alfalfa, barley, carrots. I would like to start making his food, but can't figure out a recipe. I made food for my now gone little critter, but it used both rice and mixed vegetables. My critter recipe book is in summer quarters. I will talk with the vet today, but would welcome your suggestions. I have looked on line but it seems that pretty much all recipes contain at least one forbidden ingredient. Thank you!
I would probably switch out the forbidden ingredient in the online recipes for one that the pup can tolerate--at least you'd have the rough proportions of carb, protein, and fat OK. But of course your vet will have more info.
(I'm imagining a yummy lamb stew)
Quote from: Morden on January 21, 2023, 08:09:44 AM
I would probably switch out the forbidden ingredient in the online recipes for one that the pup can tolerate--at least you'd have the rough proportions of carb, protein, and fat OK. But of course your vet will have more info.
(I'm imagining a yummy lamb stew)
Thanks! He's allergic to rice and most of what's in mixed veggies. Little stinker. Switching to new dry dog food until I can talk with a veterinarian nutritionist....who knew they existed????
Update on events. Artem Dog was seriously attacked last March and crossed the rainbow bridge due to heart failure in August. A week later, Artem Pup moved into his forever home.
Well, we've now had Artem Pup for about 6 months. I joke that he's a sub-standard poodle. Either that or he's a therapy dog - 'cause he sure as hell needs therapy at times. His 4 favorite food groups are shoelaces, paper towels, sleeves and pant legs, and pulling the stuffing out of his bed. He's unusually tall for a toy breed and is now big enough to get up and down stairs, furniture, beds etc. all on his ownsie. My fingers, toes, earlobes, and eyeglasses are under constant attack from his little nipper teeth. EVERYTHING that fits goes into that little mouth. He's a 5 pound hurricane.
All that notwithstanding, he's as entertaining as a monkey wearing hat juggling raw eggs. He's learning most of the basic commands, and although he could never truly replace the sadly missed Artem Dog, he's a load of fun.
Dogs. I'm never sure who owns who.
He sounds like a hoot, Artem--that made me smile! Thanks for sharing it, and give the pup some skritches from me!
Leaving the canine at sitter's house for 3 nights. Never left him before. Sitter is wonderful. I trust her absolutely. Feeling guilty and teary.
Quote from: secundem_artem on February 25, 2023, 11:37:22 AM
Update on events. Artem Dog was seriously attacked last March and crossed the rainbow bridge due to heart failure in August. A week later, Artem Pup moved into his forever home.
Well, we've now had Artem Pup for about 6 months. I joke that he's a sub-standard poodle. Either that or he's a therapy dog - 'cause he sure as hell needs therapy at times. His 4 favorite food groups are shoelaces, paper towels, sleeves and pant legs, and pulling the stuffing out of his bed. He's unusually tall for a toy breed and is now big enough to get up and down stairs, furniture, beds etc. all on his ownsie. My fingers, toes, earlobes, and eyeglasses are under constant attack from his little nipper teeth. EVERYTHING that fits goes into that little mouth. He's a 5 pound hurricane.
All that notwithstanding, he's as entertaining as a monkey wearing hat juggling raw eggs. He's learning most of the basic commands, and although he could never truly replace the sadly missed Artem Dog, he's a load of fun.
Dogs. I'm never sure who owns who.
Aww. He sounds wonderful; and advanced to be learning commands already
I'm sorry I'm late to the conversation, but have you looked at BalanceIT (https://secure.balanceit.com/ez/index.php?rotator=NewEz)? I don't use it, but several people in the IBD dog group I'm part of do.
Quote from: nebo113 on January 21, 2023, 06:42:33 AM
Advice please. Canine critter, age @ 5 (shelter pet) is allergic to, among other things, beef, chicken, corn, peas , rice, oats (and salt grass, which is a real problem as I winter next to a salt marsh). For food, that pretty much leaves lamb and salmon, (turkey is a bit high but doable) potatoes (sweet and white), and spinach, alfalfa, barley, carrots. I would like to start making his food, but can't figure out a recipe. I made food for my now gone little critter, but it used both rice and mixed vegetables. My critter recipe book is in summer quarters. I will talk with the vet today, but would welcome your suggestions. I have looked on line but it seems that pretty much all recipes contain at least one forbidden ingredient. Thank you!
Quote from: Dimple_Dumpling72 on March 03, 2023, 11:15:33 AM
I'm sorry I'm late to the conversation, but have you looked at BalanceIT (https://secure.balanceit.com/ez/index.php?rotator=NewEz)? I don't use it, but several people in the IBD dog group I'm part of do.
Quote from: nebo113 on January 21, 2023, 06:42:33 AM
Advice please. Canine critter, age @ 5 (shelter pet) is allergic to, among other things, beef, chicken, corn, peas , rice, oats (and salt grass, which is a real problem as I winter next to a salt marsh). For food, that pretty much leaves lamb and salmon, (turkey is a bit high but doable) potatoes (sweet and white), and spinach, alfalfa, barley, carrots. I would like to start making his food, but can't figure out a recipe. I made food for my now gone little critter, but it used both rice and mixed vegetables. My critter recipe book is in summer quarters. I will talk with the vet today, but would welcome your suggestions. I have looked on line but it seems that pretty much all recipes contain at least one forbidden ingredient. Thank you!
Thanks!. Will check it out.
This morning while bicycling downtown to get the payroll signed at the Mayor's office I encountered a dog that was running around unsupervised. Evidently he had a serious case of spring fever. I feared at first that he was chasing me. Instead he started running alongside me. He was just feeling so good on a spring morning that he wanted to go exploring. At one point he darted off to the side to chase a squirrel, then rejoined me after the squirrel had escaped up a tree. There's nothing like a dog in springtime for sheer energy.
I would have been charmed by the dog's antics and enthusiasm, were it not for having to keep tapping the brakes when he crossed my path right in front of me. After some blocks of this, the dog encountered another unsupervised dog. I left them sniffing of each other on a street corner, and had the street to myself the rest of the way.
Kid #1's support dog, Norman the GSD, finally caught up to the black tomcat that's been wandering around their farmhouse, hogging the kibble she gives her three girl barn cats. Usually Norm sees the black cat when he goes out the back door, but "spins his wheels" on the slick tile floor as he tries to dash out and chase the cat off. Earlier this week, Kid was giving the girls some kibble while Norm was watching, and the tomcat made a mistake--not just trying to hog the girls' food, but hissing at Kid as she brought out another scoop. This time, Norm had good footing out in the yard, and like a flash was across the deck, hot on the cat's heels.
The tomcat shimmied through an open hole in the deck (from when the landlord was working on a gas line in the cold winter), and big ol' derpy Norman followed him--at least, up to his shoulders. After some growling and scuffling, Norm came up, triumphant, but very, very confused: he had a mouthful of black fur!
Hopefully the black tom has learned his lesson and will go to one of the neighboring farms for kibble and company. We think Norman was as traumatized as the cat, kind of like the old joke about a dog chasing a car and not knowing what to do when he caught it. :-)
I created a very confused dog this morning. He has trained me to toss him a small taste of my breakfast while I make it (and to save the last tiny bite of it for him). So, without paying much attention, I tossed a sliver of ham, he snapped at it, and I assumed he'd caught it. A few minutes later I started wondering why he was turning circles - the ham had landed on his hind quarters, but he couldn't figure that out and was looking all over the floor....
This made my day!
Quote from: nebo113 on April 01, 2023, 06:24:17 AM
Quote from: Dimple_Dumpling72 on March 31, 2023, 09:38:17 AM
This made my day!
Mine, too.....giggling.
Thank you! Breakfast this morning went much more smoothly, because I was paying attention when I tossed the bit of cheddar.
Artem pup finished his beginners class for obedience training. He is currently shredding his Certificate of Completion.
Quote from: secundem_artem on April 18, 2023, 04:12:15 PM
Artem pup finished his beginners class for obedience training. He is currently shredding his Certificate of Completion.
Certificate? We don't need no stinkin' certificate!
This morning a staff member brought in her little dog. We are next door to a vet's office, and she wanted to be on the spot when the vet opened. The little fellow got bitten or stung by something yesterday. Now his neck is grotesquely swollen. He looks bizarre. He's awake and alert, and doesn't seem sensitive to the touch this morning. So hopefully he'll be okay.
We are puppy-sitting for a few days. Kid #1 got home from work after an overnight shift and found a puppy running around her farmhouse. Her landlord agreed somebody probably dumped him (pretty common in that isolated rural area). We'll take him to the humane society/vet this week to see if he's chipped, and she'll check with the farm neighbors. If nobody claims him, either she or we will keep him.
He's a little Brittany, maybe 4 months old (as a guess). Pretty little guy, and gorgeous markings. He's really tame and has settled in. We'd love to keep him if he's not somebody's, though I'm not sure if/how practical that is: ALHS has had his hands full with "Rigby" already this morning (just routine things like getting him outside, etc.). We'll see. I'm trying not to get too attached. He's sweet as can be, and a little couch potato.
Not sure which thread to put this in. This morning I passed somebody walking a black dog. There was a smaller black dog not on a leash walking along beside the first dog. Then I drew closer and got a better look, and realized that the smaller animal was a black cat. That's what poor distance vision will do for you, especially on a dark, overcast morning! The dog and cat evidently knew each other. They seemed comfortable in each others' presence.
On Monday I noticed that the fire chief's swimming pool had been filled and readied for the summer season. As I passed by their yard this morning, I saw their dalmatian lounging on one of the poolside lounge chairs. Not for long--when she saw me, she jumped up and started barking at me. I guess after I passed by she resumed lazing by the pool.
Near the fire chief's house is another house where I have for years encountered a dog I call Patch, for the patch of different-colored fur on part of his face. He lives with a quieter, non-dominant dog that I call Patch's Shadow. Patch always barks at me very loudly whenever I walk by, and acts like he'd devour me if he could ever get outside his fence. Patch's Shadow just watches. Unless he happens to see me first. Then he barks to let Patch know that I'm coming.
Months ago--I'm pretty sure it was before the end of this past year--I stopped seeing Patch and Patch's Shadow. There were no longer any cars at the house. I supposed at first that everybody was on vacation. Then I decided that the household must have moved. It was nice to no longer have to listen to Patch protesting my approach each morning.
This morning I saw a car sitting at the house. Then I saw, and heard, Patch. He was, unfortunately, the same old Patch I remembered. Where have they all been for these past months? Anyway, it looks like they're back. And here I thought I'd seen, and heard, the last of Patch. No such luck.
Puppy update!
The little boy Brittany mix Rigby (see April 23 post) is actually a girl Springer/Basset mix, and she's ours! (She was just too much for Kid #1, with her also having her GSD support dog.) Vet said she's about 7 months old by now--a ball of energy, with teen angst mixed in (a phase they all go through, apparently--neither of our other dogs ever did).
She's a prodigious chewer, so I got her a Goughnut stick and ring (no teeth marks on them yet). Otherwise, no real problems: she's crate trained and sleeps through the night after playing out around 8 every evening. She likes to try to sneak and carry things to me--socks, towels, etc.--but isn't destructive. We're working on better leash control; as a bird dog/hunter, she wants to pull like mad. A gentle leader head collar wasn't a hit; I'm awaiting an Easy Walk No Pull Harness from Amazon. Til then, a chain collar is working OK for now.
So far, a laser pointer has been great (she loves chasing the red dot til she nearly drops!), as has a beep/vibrate (no shock) collar for getting her attention to redirect when she's doing something she shouldn't.
The vet wants her to go through heat before spaying (oh joy. We've never had girl dogs, so here we go.)
It's not an ideal time for a new puppy: ALHS had one knee replaced in mid-July, with the other planned for October; and I'll be off on intermittent FMLA again all fall (broken foot still not healing). Still, we're managing, and I'm glad we have her. She's as sweet as can be, when she's not being batshit crazy and all wound up. :-) She doesn't have a mean bone in her though and is very lovey.
Henri the canine was having exuberant playdates with Sharona the canine. Both about 20 pounds. All went quite well for about three months. Then Sharona said NO MORE. Ran from Henri. Hid under furniture. Jumped into her owner's arms.
Everyone is puzzled, because it's as if Sharona just flipped a switch to off, but just with Henri; she still plays with other dogs.
Any suggestions as to what might be going on here?
QuoteAny suggestions as to what might be going on here?
"Bitches be crazy" perhaps?
(so few places this can be said, so I had to take advantage of the opportunity)
In the past on this thread I've mentioned a dog I nicknamed Patch. He always strongly objected to my passing by his house, which I did quite regularly. Whenever he saw me he'd act like he would devour me whole if only he could figure how to get out from behind that fence. His deafening bark and tendency to set off all the other dogs nearby made him annoying.
I went most of last year without seeing Patch. Can't say as I missed him. The cars also disappeared from the house. Evidently the family had moved. The house appeared vacant. More recently, the cars have been back intermittently. And so has Patch! He was in fine form when he last saw me a couple of days ago. He's got to be at least nine years old now, but you wouldn't know it from the manic way he continues to threaten to eat any passers-by.
His companion, the quiet, brown Beta dog I called Patch's Shadow, has not been back. What's happened to him? And why do the people keep coming back to that house only once in a while? I have a sinking feeling that there has been a divorce, and one partner has gotten custody of the house and Patch.
Speak of the Devil! This morning I saw Patch again. And this time Patch's Shadow was there with him. First time I've seen the other dog in the yard in probably a year or so. Where has he been all this time? As usual, he just kept quiet and tried to ignore the racket Patch was making as I walked by.
The mystery of Patch's family has been solved! I learned from an acquaintance who lives on the same street that they do some kind of construction work that often takes them out of state. Apparently they keep the house here to serve as a kind of home base. There was a vehicle there this morning, but Patch wasn't in the yard. Which made for a quieter and more peaceful walk.
Picked up a dog out of busy street in area with lot of homeless folks. Leash tied around neck but no collar. Friendly and clean. I can't keep her nor any of my canine loving friends. After becoming completely and illogically hysterical about her, friends are taking her to see if she's chipped (probably not) and then to Humane Society. There are too damn many lost critters in this country!!! Damn people!
In recent months I've been encountering a friendly, wandering dog that I've taken to calling Rover. Not sure what breed he is. He may be at least part Catahoula. He's obviously not homeless, but evidently has freedom to wander pretty often. Maybe he's an escape artist.
Anyway, I usually meet him along a certain section of street. I assume he lives near there. He has followed me for long distances on several occasions. He doesn't bark or cause trouble, and seems to be street-smart enough to stay safe from cars. So I let him tag along when he wants to.
This morning I didn't go anywhere near the street where I usually see him, but he happened across me anyway near the start of my morning walk. It was an overcast morning with rain in the air. Energetic spring days tend to wind dogs up, and Rover was in a fine mood. He darted everywhere. He probably covered three times as much ground as I did.
He followed me all the way to the city park. Before we'd gone very far into the park, he took off toward the edge of the park and some nearby houses. I suspect he had some acquaintances over that way that he wanted to look up. That was the last I saw of him. Half an hour or so later, we had rain and gusty winds. I wonder where Rover was at that point? Did he find someplace to go to ground, or did he not let it bother him? I suspect that the wind may have had him wishing he was back home.