Author Topic: Rox's Dog Advice Thread (Read 397820 times)

Rox · « **Reply #280 on:** May 27, 2009, 11:21:52 pm »

The most common reason for dogs to become unpredictably agressive is that they are in pain somewhere. What kind of infection does he have? Also, what are you feeding him?

Neutering him is a great idea, as it means he will not have prostate problems and he will not get things like testicular cancer.

Valore · « **Reply #281 on:** May 28, 2009, 03:56:19 am »

Think he's fed pedigree and random canned food food brands. He still heads out to wander in the day, so no doubt people feed him all kinds of odds and ends. Unfortunately we don't get high end pet foods where we live, so that's probably the best we'll ever find for him. I do try to steer clear of any coloured stuff though.

The doctor didnt mention what kind of infection he had, just said the blood test had shown he wasn't feeling 100% and wanted him to complete a course of antibiotics before he went for the surgery.

Perkins · « **Reply #282 on:** May 28, 2009, 11:33:38 am »

I have a 5 year old staff, and he hates other dogs. He won't even let them near him but I would like him to get on with other dogs.

When he is next to other dogs, he is quick to sniff them but goes mad if a dog goes near his throat. Anyway to socialise him?

Ole Gunnar · « **Reply #283 on:** June 4, 2009, 05:22:05 pm »

Quote from: Perkins on May 28, 2009, 11:33:38 am

I have a 5 year old staff, and he hates other dogs. He won't even let them near him but I would like him to get on with other dogs.

When he is next to other dogs, he is quick to sniff them but goes mad if a dog goes near his throat. Anyway to socialise him?

Only against other males, or bitches as well?

Perkins · « **Reply #284 on:** June 4, 2009, 06:56:16 pm »

It is all of them mate, he used to tolerate bitches until we got his balls lobbed off. He doesn't go for cats though. I have him insured as well, then has his balls done, so I am responsible with him.

Over the past 18 months, he is better behaved on the park, gone are the days of him bolting and running 100m to attack some dog, he stays close to me.

Ole Gunnar · « **Reply #285 on:** June 4, 2009, 09:06:50 pm »

Why did you "jobb his balls off"?

Perkins · « **Reply #286 on:** June 5, 2009, 12:07:20 am »

One never dropped and it causes problems even if they were fine and he is being used to be bred

Ole Gunnar · « **Reply #287 on:** June 5, 2009, 04:06:45 pm »

OK. About your dog problem, I would take the dog to a "professional". It's hard to diagnose this kind of behaviour without seeing the dog with other dogs. But if the dog just flat out attacks other dogs, considering the breed, you got a big job ahead of you, that's for sure.

Perkins · « **Reply #288 on:** June 5, 2009, 07:48:16 pm »

Quote from: Ole Gunnar on June 5, 2009, 04:06:45 pm

OK. About your dog problem, I would take the dog to a "professional". It's hard to diagnose this kind of behaviour without seeing the dog with other dogs. But if the dog just flat out attacks other dogs, considering the breed, you got a big job ahead of you, that's for sure.

He is alright most of the time, he wants to smell the other dog on his terms, he hates dogs going by his neck

Ole Gunnar · « **Reply #289 on:** June 5, 2009, 09:12:25 pm »

Quote from: Perkins on June 5, 2009, 07:48:16 pm

He is alright most of the time, he wants to smell the other dog on his terms, he hates dogs going by his neck

If doesn't actually hurt the other dog without a warning, It's not really that bad. If your, and the other dogs, are socialised(don't know if that's the correct term in English), it doesn't have to lead into a fight. In my experience, people are far to eager to intervene when dogs are "fighting". Most of the time they settle it themselves without to much fuzz. Male dogs that is. Bitches is often a different story.

Perkins · « **Reply #290 on:** June 6, 2009, 02:37:38 am »

Its a fine line to be fair, he is okay once he gets to know them.

I had a run in with a woman once, who accused my dog of attacking hers on the field by mine, hers laid down and mine stood by it tapping it with his paw and barking. She threatened to have mine put down because was a police office/ power tripping gobshite. So now I don't take the chance. I might try and let him get to know other dogs, he is quite responsive to me shouting him

Rox · « **Reply #291 on:** June 9, 2009, 10:43:29 pm »

Quote from: Perkins on June 6, 2009, 02:37:38 am

Its a fine line to be fair, he is okay once he gets to know them.

I had a run in with a woman once, who accused my dog of attacking hers on the field by mine, hers laid down and mine stood by it tapping it with his paw and barking. She threatened to have mine put down because was a police office/ power tripping gobshite. So now I don't take the chance. I might try and let him get to know other dogs, he is quite responsive to me shouting him

And yours was doing classic play behaviour. But in general, people are idiots.

Quote from: Ole Gunnar link==134699.msg5803530#msg5803530 date=1244146010

Why did you "jobb his balls off"?

Without thinking about anything else, as long as it's done AFTER hormones have settled down, there are loads of medical benefits to having it done.

Rox · « **Reply #292 on:** June 9, 2009, 10:45:45 pm »

Quote from: Perkins on May 28, 2009, 11:33:38 am

I have a 5 year old staff, and he hates other dogs. He won't even let them near him but I would like him to get on with other dogs.

When he is next to other dogs, he is quick to sniff them but goes mad if a dog goes near his throat. Anyway to socialise him?

Traditionally, if one animal wants to kill another, they go for the throat - it's not unusual for some animals to be very defensive around their throat.

BCCC · « **Reply #293 on:** June 9, 2009, 10:57:18 pm »

Quote from: Rox on June 9, 2009, 10:45:45 pm

Traditionally, if one animal wants to kill another, they go for the throat - it's not unusual for some animals to be very defensive around their throat.

Very true. The next time you are play fighting with your dog and he/she is on their back, try to get your hand around their throat and see what happens. They will defend it by keeping their jaw close to their neck, paw you and bite your hand (playfully) to keep you away.

waittillmay · « **Reply #294 on:** June 10, 2009, 11:39:54 am »

Quote from: Rox on June 9, 2009, 10:45:45 pm

Traditionally, if one animal wants to kill another, they go for the throat - it's not unusual for some animals to be very defensive around their throat.

our dog used to love getting scratched under his chin/throat bit.

BIGdavalad · « **Reply #295 on:** June 10, 2009, 12:32:41 pm »

Quote from: waittillmay on June 10, 2009, 11:39:54 am

our dog used to love getting scratched under his chin/throat bit.

So does mine. And if you grab his throat he'll just lie there licking your arm. He is a massive homosexual though.

On the upside, he fucking terrified the window cleaner the first time he went into our back garden since we've had the dog.

RedGirlSuzie · « **Reply #296 on:** June 10, 2009, 03:22:37 pm »

Rox, or anyone, is there any reason why a dog would start being disobedient after having her for over a year?
We went on holiday afew weeks ago and put Jess in kennels, well someone on a farm who looks after afew dogs, and since we've been back shes been acting up. Nothing really naughty, but just little things like running out the front door when we open it. She only runs into the front garden, but she never did it without being told she was allowed before we went away.

She's a really good dog, but just little things like this have started happening. She seems fine since shes been back, no "depression" as alot of people told me there would be, eating normally and back into her usual routine, but it just seems odd.

I'm probably over reacting, it's just I'm still having no luck with the calming her down before we go for a walk either, so maybe it's all just adding up!!

BCCC · « **Reply #297 on:** June 10, 2009, 09:59:12 pm »

Quote from: waittillmay on June 10, 2009, 11:39:54 am

our dog used to love getting scratched under his chin/throat bit.

As does mine but try play fighting and see what happens.

Rox · « **Reply #298 on:** June 11, 2009, 10:17:38 am »

Being on a Farm, they probably didn't expect her to stop at doors and that kind of stuff, so she was used to bombing around while you were away. It will just be a matter of patience and carrying on - getting back into the old routine.

RedGirlSuzie · « **Reply #299 on:** June 11, 2009, 06:32:17 pm »

Quote from: Rox on June 11, 2009, 10:17:38 am

Being on a Farm, they probably didn't expect her to stop at doors and that kind of stuff, so she was used to bombing around while you were away. It will just be a matter of patience and carrying on - getting back into the old routine.

Thanks Rox, I'll be patient with her!

BIGdavalad · « **Reply #300 on:** July 1, 2009, 05:45:07 pm »

Does dog wee work the same way as human wee - ie clear = good and the more yellow it is the worse it is?

And if so, how do I get my dog to drink more water because he was pissing lucozade this morning?

Edit - forgot to add, he's on dry food all the time (changing food seems to give him a bad tummy for a few days and alsatian diahhrea and this heat is not the most appetising combination I can think off) but he always has a full water bowl. It's filled every meal time and any other time I notice it getting low, as well as last thing at night.

Rox · « **Reply #301 on:** July 3, 2009, 08:24:18 am »

Which dry food ? In this hot weather, dogs sweat through their foot pads and mouth; they don't have sweat pores on their body like we do. It means that he's probably getting a little overheated and 'sweating' the fluids he's taking in rather than weeing it - so his wee is more concentrated. If he's in no distress, don't worry. If you are worried, you can get some stuff from the vet that helps restore fluids.

BIGdavalad · « **Reply #302 on:** July 3, 2009, 05:25:41 pm »

Quote from: Rox on July 3, 2009, 08:24:18 am

Which dry food ?

Asda's own stuff, I think. We keep it in a big sealed bin so I don't have a bag sitting round to check though.

He doesn't seem to be in any particular distress, much like all the humans I know really - doesn't have as much energy, panting and so on.

I've got some dioralyte (sp?) that the vet said to give him when he first arrived here and had picked up a bit of a tummy bug from his trip over. It's the normal human stuff from the chemist but if his pee does get any worse I'll mix a bit up for him.

Rox · « **Reply #303 on:** July 3, 2009, 10:05:01 pm »

Okey doke. The Dry food; is it different colours? Always check the pack. If the pack says something like "Contains EC permitted colours, preservatives" then it had E numbers in it. That goes for any brand of dog food. Avoid, for the same reasons I highlight in the 'Bakers Complete' Thread. There's a great food we use which is a great price and they can deliver. We now use CSJ Natural Champ, you can find out more at www.csjk9.com

In general, if your boy is just panting a lot, he'll be fine, but make sure there's plenty of water around for him. The stuff for rehydrating him is called Lectade - you'd get it from your vet. There's no harm in having some around just in case he ever becomes dehydrated. You can look up lectade on google.

Robert_B · « **Reply #304 on:** July 3, 2009, 10:14:29 pm »

We're getting our new puppy tomorrow

It's been over 2 and a half years since our last dog died, so it'll be nice to have one round the house again.

Rox · « **Reply #305 on:** July 3, 2009, 10:21:07 pm »

You must be excited - so welcome back to the land of three P's... Poo, Pee and Play!

What breed pup are you getting?

Robert_B · « **Reply #306 on:** July 3, 2009, 10:48:56 pm »

He's a brown (or black? not sure) labradoodle, to be called Dexter.

BIGdavalad · « **Reply #307 on:** July 4, 2009, 08:44:59 am »

Quote from: Rox on July 3, 2009, 10:05:01 pm

Okey doke. The Dry food; is it different colours?

It's mostly brown with some very dark red in it. I'll check the pack next time we buy one and look into that site you posted though.

SteveNicol · « **Reply #308 on:** July 6, 2009, 12:03:50 pm »

Rox or anyone,

We have a 13 week old black lab (oscar) who is biting quite a lot and jumping up, particularly if you are kneeling down, he'll jump at you and has caught me on the nose a few times. Have got any tips to stop him doing this?

BIGdavalad · « **Reply #309 on:** September 1, 2009, 08:18:17 pm »

Another question for you Rox (or anyone else who knows dogs). Alfie's started to get very aggressive with some dogs. It's only some because he's absolutely fine with others, but with ones he's taken a dislike to he's getting very aggressive - to the stage where if he hadn't been on the lead this evening I think he would have done some pretty serious damage to a labrador that came over for a sniff.

This is obviously a pretty big problem - for a start, I've already had one officer have a word with me about his behavious and if people decide to make complaints about him he could end up banned from camp and we'll have to get rid. It's also obviously a problem in that I don't want to have to worry about him attacking dogs everytime we go out or end up hurting him trying to stop him.

His food is Wagg dry dog food. I had a look at the ingredients on the bag and the only thing I don't recognise as being natural is 'antitoxidant BHD'.

Could it be his police dog training starting to come out as he gets older (we got him because he wouldn't bite anything, ironically)? Could it be his food?

We've decided that we're going to have to get him neutered, which we'll sort out when we've moved house in a couple of weeks. Anything else that anyone can think of?

Withnail · « **Reply #310 on:** September 1, 2009, 08:23:28 pm »

Rox, my dog is due to have a litter of pups in a fortnight and i was wondering if it is best to leave her do all the work (cleaning,umbilical cord, etc) or if i should be tying off the cord and separating the pups from the placenta ? And as they are being born and kept indoors, do i really need a heatlamp ?

Corkboy · « **Reply #311 on:** September 2, 2009, 10:07:37 pm »

Just bookmarking this fine thread for later.

We're getting my first dog for about 15 years, I had a golden retriever for 11 years before that and when he died, it broke my heart. After that, I never got the urge but wife and boy want one so I'm going to have to get on with it.

So, eight week old bitch golden lab arriving Casa de Corkboy in a week or so. It's going to be interesting. The last time I had a dog, he went off for walks by himself most days, for miles, across main roads, everything. Don't think you can do that now.

Rox · « **Reply #312 on:** September 5, 2009, 07:34:59 pm »

Bigdavalad, I'm going to sound a little sarcastic, but I'm not meaning to be like that at all, okay?

The GSD is a guarding dog, so when they feel that they need to deal with a situation, they do often go in hell for leather. What you want to do is make sure that he feels he has a job to do with you - you're taking responsibility for what happens around. Out of interested, was it a black lab?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Withnail... when we've had to whelp rescue pups, it's always best to let mum get on with it. You want to be there with towels and a pair of scissors.

DO NOT interfere unless you have to. I don't know if you've seen pups whelp before, but it can be quite scary the first time. If you can, have someone experienced with you, and make sure you have the number of an emergency vet handy just in case.

She will have contractions. When a pup comes out, it will be in the sac. She'll break the sac with her teeth, chew off the umbilical cord, clean up the pup and eat the placenta.

Dogs are much better at having pups than humans..

Make sure you get the pups near the teats so they get milk right away. Make sure the pups are breathing okay.

If you're indoors, you won't need a heatlamp.

BIGdavalad · « **Reply #313 on:** September 5, 2009, 08:23:24 pm »

Quote from: Rox on September 5, 2009, 07:34:59 pm

Bigdavalad, I'm going to sound a little sarcastic, but I'm not meaning to be like that at all, okay?

The GSD is a guarding dog, so when they feel that they need to deal with a situation, they do often go in hell for leather. What you want to do is make sure that he feels he has a job to do with you - you're taking responsibility for what happens around. Out of interested, was it a black lab?

That one the other night was, as it happens! That's the first time I've seen him get really vicious with anything, although he's started barking at cats recently too.

I understand about him being a guard dog (I don't really mind him barking if people go past the back fence for example, because I know he's defending his 'pack' and his pack's territory) and I know I'm not going to change 300,000 years of breeding, I just don't want him to get so bad that people start complaining about him, because the Army can force me to get rid of him if that happens.

We've bought one of those 'halti' muzzle/collar things (they're like a slip knot that goes over his muzzle and fastens behind his head and you attach the lead direct to it, if you haven't seen one before) and it's done wonders for controlling him. He can still play with sticks or bottles that he finds while he's out and about but if he does begin to bark or pull on the lead (to try and get at dogs, cats or people) then you can pull his head round to face you and stop him from barking without hurting him.

We've also done something we should have done a long time ago and started to train him to do more than 'sit' and 'paw' - both to have something to keep him interested while we're out and to show him that he has a place in the 'pack' and that if he behaves then he'll get a reward.

We're moving house in a week so when we get to the new place we're also going to enrole him in a puppy class (we should have done it when he was younger but every time we were going to something came up and we couldn't make them) so that he can socialise with other dogs a bit more.

Withnail · « **Reply #314 on:** September 6, 2009, 10:29:03 am »

Cheers Rox.

Miracle@Istanbul · « **Reply #315 on:** September 6, 2009, 01:59:54 pm »

Rox we have just got a new puppy a British Bulldog (Shankly) he is 10 weeks old and we have had him 2 weeks now. The breeders were feeding him pedigree puppy dry food with the pedigree puppy tinned food and in the feeding plan they gave us it suggested sometimes swapping the tinned food for some cooked beef/tripe or lamb mince or even a hard boiled egg. He has 100 grams of the dry food and about the same of the tinned food 4 times a day.
Ever since i first swapped the tinned food for the mince he wont really eat a meal without it, he likes his food warm it seems, so i have been giving him 100 grams of the dry food, 80 grams of cooked beef or tripe mince and about 50 grams of the tinned food and he usually eats the full bowl.
Do you think it is OK for him eating that sort of diet, he likes the odd egg with it too scrambled or hard boiled but they do make him do some beastly farts.

Rox · « **Reply #316 on:** September 7, 2009, 07:41:57 pm »

That's probably okay for Shanks at the moment, but keep an eye on additives in the foods (make sure there are no colourings etc.)

Bigdavalad, it's not unusual for it to happen to completely black dogs - they're a difficult colour to work out, and they scare other dogs because they can't work out the shape.

The more you do with him working for you, the more he'll listen. You need to be the person he looks to for jobs. The more that happens, the better. The less you do it, the more he relies on his instincts.

Rox · « **Reply #317 on:** September 7, 2009, 07:45:11 pm »

Quote from: Withnail on September 6, 2009, 10:29:03 am

Cheers Rox.

Forgot to say, you'll only need to cut the sac or cord if she's struggling or very very tired. Pups will often after they've been born, start trying to get back! Make sure you get them on a teat to feed. Make sure you get some new-born puppy milk and a syringe from your vet just in case any of them have trouble latching on. Your vet will be able to give you more advice.

Miracle@Istanbul · « **Reply #318 on:** September 8, 2009, 11:08:49 am »

Thanks for getting back to me Rox, i have checked the food packs and it does say the ingredients include EC permitted colours and preservatives so is there a puppy food you would recommend that is additive free, i try to avoid eating very much processed food myself so would like to go down that route with Shanks. He does have hyperactive spells when it becomes difficult to stop him attacking my feet and toes, i know in part that is normal puppy behaviour but it ain't too easy ignoring him when he is sinking his teeth into my feet.

Also i think he may need something to chew, beside my feet.He has loads of toys and balls but he still wants to chew table legs, TV remotes and that. As he is only 10 weeks old are nylabones OK for him or is there anything else you would recommend, I'm not sure how happy the wife would be with meat bones being left on the carpet and that.

Terry de Niro · « **Reply #319 on:** September 8, 2009, 03:05:03 pm »

Quote from: Terry De Niro on November 16, 2007, 02:42:00 pm

Our Boarder Collie has had three fits in the last month. The first two were not too bad, as he came around pretty quickly without any fuss, but the one he had last night took about ten minutes before he came out of it, and when he did he was very hungry.

Is this a common thing or should I take him the vet ASAP?

It doesn't seem that long ago since I posted the above. Since then he's been on Phenobaritone tabs 60meg (epiphen) to help limit the amount of fits that he has.

This treatment meant that he was usually OK for 4 to 6 weeks or so before he'd have about an average of about 3 fits in the same amount of days, which were quite bad, but we quickly got used to dealing with them.

Sadly since last Thursday he has been having near enough non-stop fits around the clock. For example 17 in all last night from about 2 in the morning till 8 this morning.

My wife and I were actually at the end of our wits this morning and decided it might be best to put him out of his misery. So we took (carried) him to the vet earlier on with that intention.

While we were waiting there to be seen, he seemed to liven up a bit - considering what he has been through since Thursday.

To cut a long story short they gave us Epilease KBR Caps 1000MG (15 Capsules) for him to take for the next 5 days.
We just about got home and carried him from the car when he had another massive fit, followed by numerous others.

He's currently asleep, but God knows what he'll be like when he wakes.

After these next 5 days are up we will have a massive decision to make.

We just hope and pray that he will be OK..