Topic: Rox's Dog Advice Thread

[cathy-lfc-taff]

Cathy, thanks for asking.

He got through the operation fine, we now have to wait a month for the tissue to settle and then redo the tests to see how successful the cardiologist surgeon was! 

Great news, fingers crossed for you and him- good luck keeping him rested

[Pollywood]

Fresh meat is fine, but make sure he gets the other nutrition he needs too.  Check out the BARF (Bones And Raw Food) diet, it tells you what extras you need to give.    You'll have to post a pic of him (bigger than your avatar) 

If he's doing well on it, you're probably fine. 

Thanks Rox as I said he will only eat Fresh Meat maybe the Hearts or Chicken and as I said I ALWAYS put the biscuits down for him but most time he will only eat the meat and that is only every couple of days. He is fine but it worrys me that he is not getting enough nutrients. He loves Asda's Heros's Bacon Rashers and Tripe Chews and that is about all he will eat.

Yes he is doing fine but you feel bad that he is not getting the correct stuff. As for a bigger pic he is not much bigger really ..well maybe a few inches but he is a miniture..... Will check out BARF diet but I find a lot of problems is that everything is just to Big for him even in Puppy Stuff.

Many Thanks
Polly

[rafa_thebosphorus]

Great advice on here from Rox and the others.

Heres a link to an american trainer who uses positive reinforcement methods, and theres lots of training videos too.

http://drsophiayin.com/

and heres a funny
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5eiQ2drQ_Y

[rafa_thebosphorus]

Please people, do not buy a puppy from a breeder, go to a rescue centre.
Most rescue centres are full and the number of unwanted dogs put down is shocking.
As a previous poster said there are plenty of rescues with puppys and all sorts of breeds

Some people think that all rescue dogs have problems, this isnt the case at all.
Anyway, most behaviour issues can be trained out of the dog given time and patience and the correct advice.
 and its not like a puppy from a breeder isnt going to need training.
Besides, training a dog is part of the pleasure of dog ownership and if you dont think you have the time then maybe you shouldnt get a dog.

If you want a particular breed of dog, spend some time researching their needs and the potential health issues of the breed, dont just buy a dog because you think they look cute.
There are breed rescue centres for most breeds of dog. Ring them up for advice and if they think you are suitable for any of their dogs they'll be delighted to re-home with you.
If they dont think you are suitable its probably because their experience of the breed gives them a better understanding of what the dog needs. Maybe consider another breed.

Mainly though, don't restrict your choice to just a puppy or just a particular breed, and dont forget the mongrels and the oldies either.
About ten dogs a DAY are put to sleep at just one of londons resue centres so if you think of yourself as a dog-lover please get a dog from a rescue centre.

[Aristotle]

Getting really annoyed over my dog's foot fetish. If it has ever been near a foot she will try and eat it. Can't put on/take off socks or shoes without her trying to destroy them and we have to ask guests to leave their shoes out in the hall and walk on their socks because we can't hide anymore shoes above ground level. Is there anything that can be done about that or is it a "normal phase"?

[jason42]

Getting really annoyed over my dog's foot fetish. If it has ever been near a foot she will try and eat it. Can't put on/take off socks or shoes without her trying to destroy them and we have to ask guests to leave their shoes out in the hall and walk on their socks because we can't hide anymore shoes above ground level. Is there anything that can be done about that or is it a "normal phase"?

Well they do say that a dog takes after its owner

[rafa_thebosphorus]

Getting really annoyed over my dog's foot fetish. If it has ever been near a foot she will try and eat it. Can't put on/take off socks or shoes without her trying to destroy them and we have to ask guests to leave their shoes out in the hall and walk on their socks because we can't hide anymore shoes above ground level. Is there anything that can be done about that or is it a "normal phase"?

im only speculating here mate, but it might be that shes associating the shoes with something she doesnt like.
if shes got seperation anxiety she might see  the shoes as the reason for you going out. even if youve just come back, she might be blaming the shoes for taking you out in the first place.
if it is sep anxiety then try to work on that, theres loads of methods to try to deal with it.
if its a foot fetish, if it was me i would try not to tell her off when she does it, but you could try to distract her by getting her to do something that youre happy with her doing, but more importantly that shes happy doing .that might be getting her fav toy to play with or getting her to do something for a treat. so she associates the shoes with something that she likes. its called positive reinforcement
also exercise and food is really important , theres loads of stuff in this thread about food, youd be amazed by what a change of diet can do to dogs behaviour.
and have a look at this link, theres a few vids that might be a help
http://drsophiayin.com/resources/videos/

[montysmum]

Getting really annoyed over my dog's foot fetish. If it has ever been near a foot she will try and eat it. Can't put on/take off socks or shoes without her trying to destroy them and we have to ask guests to leave their shoes out in the hall and walk on their socks because we can't hide anymore shoes above ground level. Is there anything that can be done about that or is it a "normal phase"?

How old is your dog?  Was she ever given old  shoes/slippers to chew as a toy?  Does she chew other things as well or just shoes?

If she is a puppy, they can see shoes as a lovely chew toy - must be the sweaty smell maybe .  I know my pup when he was younger was a nightmare with shoes, slippers, trainers etc.

They couldn't be left anywhere in sight because he would grab them and run off with them, tear the insoles out and chew them.

he is still like that with my slippers, but shoes he now leaves alone.

I just had to keep training him to leave them, tell him to drop when he had one and reward him when he did.

[Aristotle]

I'm having some problems with her the past week or two. I think she's teething, or I'm assuming she is. She's chewing everything. Which is just normal, but she's whining day in day out and appears to be in pain and I have no idea what I can do to help her.

[Rox]

How old is she?  What breed?  What do you feed her?

[Aristotle]

How old is she?  What breed?  What do you feed her?

4 monts, Border Collie, Hill's something. Reccomended by the vet and expensive as fuck.

[Cochise]

My dogs 2 and really aggressive with other dogs which is a pain because i can't really let him off the lead when walking him, got one of those extendable leads but feel he needs more of a run. I've read the pros and cons of having him castrated but I was just wondering what you'd do, Rox?

Cheers for any help.

[cathy-lfc-taff]

Getting really annoyed over my dog's foot fetish. If it has ever been near a foot she will try and eat it. Can't put on/take off socks or shoes without her trying to destroy them and we have to ask guests to leave their shoes out in the hall and walk on their socks because we can't hide anymore shoes above ground level. Is there anything that can be done about that or is it a "normal phase"?

4 monts, Border Collie, Hill's something. Reccomended by the vet and expensive as fuck.

If she's 4 months she's probably teething - my puppy is teething (just the canines to come through now), and I've been freezing things for him to chew to help sooth his gums. He likes a frozen flannel and will play with a frozen carrott for ages.


She may grow out of the foot thing, George was a nightmare for going for your feet and I still can't put socks on in front of him because he'll just grab them and run off, and fluffy slippers are a no no. He's nearly 5 months now and is better than he was and doesn't try to kill my feet when I walk around anymore. But Rox will give you better advice than me

[Rox]

4 monts, Border Collie, Hill's something. Reccomended by the vet and expensive as fuck.

Presumably it's a puppy food too?

First thing, your Vet is recommending Hill's Science Plan because he sells it.  It isn't really appropriate for a collie.

Same principle as what I said a little further up the page:

As for Royal Canin specifically, it's very expensive, when there are much cheaper foods that are just as good.  We feed CSJ -  www.csjk9.com the food is a lot cheaper, but no artificial nonsense.  They do gluten free food too which is good as a lot of dogs are gluten intolerant.  After all a dogs natural diet would only contain gluten if the stomach contents of the fallen animals a dog would eat contained wheat, etc - at which point it's already partially digested.  This is why if you feed a dog veggies with meat, the veg should be mashed - a dog's digestive tract is short and cannot break down veg unless they are already cooked, mashed or partially digested.

Second, Cathy's absolutely right, at 4 to 4 and a half months your Collie will start swapping from puppy teeth to adult teeth... so she will be testing her teeth on everything and anything.  The trick with a collie is to show her what she's allowed to chew, and encourage her to grab that instead.  Always show a collie what they CAN do rather than what they can't do.

[Rox]

My dogs 2 and really aggressive with other dogs which is a pain because i can't really let him off the lead when walking him, got one of those extendable leads but feel he needs more of a run. I've read the pros and cons of having him castrated but I was just wondering what you'd do, Rox?

Cheers for any help.

What breed, how old, and what food do you feed?

Also, don't use extendable leads - you have no control whatsoever, plus, as you have to hold the handle in a grip, it changes your body language.  Buy a long training line off eBay instead.

Neutering for your dog has loads of benefits.  One, no puppy accidents.  Two, it will mean it is impossible for them to get certain types of cancer and Three, it can stop certain prostrate problems later in life.  It will not change your dog's personality.

The most common reason for dogs to be aggressive on lead is because their human is giving the wrong signals and body language - and then they think they have to defend you.

[Cochise]

What breed, how old, and what food do you feed?

Also, don't use extendable leads - you have no control whatsoever, plus, as you have to hold the handle in a grip, it changes your body language.  Buy a long training line off eBay instead.

Neutering for your dog has loads of benefits.  One, no puppy accidents.  Two, it will mean it is impossible for them to get certain types of cancer and Three, it can stop certain prostrate problems later in life.  It will not change your dog's personality.

The most common reason for dogs to be aggressive on lead is because their human is giving the wrong signals and body language - and then they think they have to defend you.

Cheers for that. He's a 2yo yellow Lab. Feed him pedigree.

[Corkboy]

Cheers for that. He's a 2yo yellow Lab. Feed him pedigree.

My mother is convinced Pedigree gave one of our dogs leukemia.

[Rox]

Cheers for that. He's a 2yo yellow Lab. Feed him pedigree.

Is the Pedigree tinned or complete?  If you have a Pets At Home near you, you could try him on their own brand food called Wainwrights, which is pretty good.  There's a Potato one which is very good.

Just describe to me what your dog does when he sees another dog. 

[itsgunnabebarnes!]

rox, i have two young irish setter, on 18 months and one 7 months. Thay both have anal gland problems as did my previous one. Is this a food issue?

[jason42]

Rox, my 7 month old Shih Tzu doesn't like other dogs yet loves the company of our 2 cats. He tries to play with them and lays by one of them if she lets him but he has no interest in other dogs. He has been around them but cowers away and wants to be picked up even when faced by pups....it isn't a big deal as we don't have to worry about him getting into any mischief or trouble with another dog.
He is very active and plays with his toys and that one small thing aside is the perfect dog....

[Rox]

rox, i have two young irish setter, on 18 months and one 7 months. Thay both have anal gland problems as did my previous one. Is this a food issue?

Some dogs suffer more with anal glands than others...  but what do you feed them?  It can be a problem indirectly if the food means the poo is too soft - the anal glands empty when a dog poos.  If the poo is too soft, it doesn't empty properly - or not at all.

[Rox]

Rox, my 7 month old Shih Tzu doesn't like other dogs yet loves the company of our 2 cats. He tries to play with them and lays by one of them if she lets him but he has no interest in other dogs. He has been around them but cowers away and wants to be picked up even when faced by pups....it isn't a big deal as we don't have to worry about him getting into any mischief or trouble with another dog.
He is very active and plays with his toys and that one small thing aside is the perfect dog....

Dogs often go through a stage between 4-8 months where they become an awkward embarrassed shy teenager.  You just have to show him you're not worried, and give him something else to think about.  DO NOT reassure him or fuss him, because you'll be telling him he's right to be worried (the fuss is a reward, so it tells him he's right to be worried).

In a group of dogs, the confident ones ignore the nervous ones, and just get on with it.  That's how a nervous dog gets more confident - they copy the confident dogs.

I think you need to post a picture of the little monkey...

[itsgunnabebarnes!]

Some dogs suffer more with anal glands than others...  but what do you feed them?  It can be a problem indirectly if the food means the poo is too soft - the anal glands empty when a dog poos.  If the poo is too soft, it doesn't empty properly - or not at all.

winalot type stuff and half a tin of dogmeat. Their poo is runny most of the time.

[Rox]

My mother is convinced Pedigree gave one of our dogs leukemia.

There are some e-numbers which have been found to cause blood disorders.  How long ago was this?

[Rox]

winalot type stuff and half a tin of dogmeat. Their poo is runny most of the time.

How firm are his stools?  (And I need to know definitively which dry and which wet food).

[itsgunnabebarnes!]

How firm are his stools?  (And I need to know definitively which dry and which wet food).

Wagg dry food and pedigree dogmeat. what are stools?

[jason42]

Dogs often go through a stage between 4-8 months where they become an awkward embarrassed shy teenager.  You just have to show him you're not worried, and give him something else to think about.  DO NOT reassure him or fuss him, because you'll be telling him he's right to be worried (the fuss is a reward, so it tells him he's right to be worried).

In a group of dogs, the confident ones ignore the nervous ones, and just get on with it.  That's how a nervous dog gets more confident - they copy the confident dogs.

I think you need to post a picture of the little monkey...

He's always been like it to be honest. He was one of 4 when we had him and since then he has shown no interest in other dogs....there is a pup picture of him in the pets thread but I will do an updated one soon...

[jason42]

Wagg dry food and pedigree dogmeat. what are stools?

Poo...

[itsgunnabebarnes!]

How firm are his stools?  (And I need to know definitively which dry and which wet food).

The best i can describe their poos as is cement like. Fairly runny. they are neevr complete poo's , she is always doing 3-4 small runny ones.

[TheVoiceOfRiise]

Excellent advice on this thread but I must adda vote of confidence to extending leads.
Hated by many 'I know best about everything to do with dogs' type people the world over.

well, I have an Akita, he's 6 years old, since adulthood he is let off the lead next to never. He is not aggressive but he is dominant and if anything tries to usurp him, he will show them that they can't. It's not worth the risk.
I have used the flexi Maxi and Giant leads all his life. For me, they offer the perfect solution. I have full control of my dog because he responds to commands. If another dog looks like it is going to be trouble, I can very easily shorten the lead, lock it and be close enough if the other dog should be so stupid as to try and have a go. I have been in quite a few of these situations I can tell you, some dogs and some owners are just plain stupid.
I would not recommend extandable leads to people who are not going to use them properly or go through any proper leash training first but that should be common sense. I switched to extendables after training on a proper lead. This is important I think. I would say the communication you give through the extended lead is lessened as it always has some tension to it so Aural commands are important whilst using the lead, much as they are when a dog is off leash. I can give a flick on the extendable lead without locking it and my dog will come to my side, just the same as you would with a fixed leash. If you use something consistently with a dog, it will be trained to use it properly, that is how training works. Why should extendable leads be any different.
My wife has a friend at work who has a very young st Bernard. He was literally crying one day and threatening to get rid of the dog as he could not enjoy walks with him as he kept running off causing mayhem and almost getting himself killed, he was an absolute terror for pulling on the leash. we advised him to get a halti collar to reduce the pulling on the leash and an extendable lead for use on long walks instead of letting him off. He actually ended up combining the 2 at the same time and now enjoys long walks with his young dog who has responded to the new equipment immediately.

The moral of the tale... don't knock it 'til you try it and don't believe all you read about the 'demons' that are extendable leads.

Make sure you buy a good brand, don't let any freying areas on the ribbon turn into tears as you don't want your lead to snap. and I recommend spraying a little WD40 into the spring mechanism to protect it from water whilst out and about.

[Corkboy]

There are some e-numbers which have been found to cause blood disorders.  How long ago was this?

1997. Golden Retriever. To be fair, he was 11.

[TheVoiceOfRiise]

The best i can describe their poos as is cement like. Fairly runny. they are neevr complete poo's , she is always doing 3-4 small runny ones.

That'll be the wagg mostly - might aswell swap it for woodshavings and nuclear waste.

I could be wrong but I think you'd be better off with a dry food too.
I believe the firmer the stools are it helps to clear the anal glands naturally.
Totally different breed but I started feeding mine Arden Grange Hypoallergenic (as mine has a skin condition, or would have if it weren't for diet and medication) and have never looked back. I could count on one hand the times he has had 'sloppies' and it's usually after people spoiling him with too much barbecue!

If you have a look into some higher quality foods, you might be shocked at how much is actually used in Wagg that has no dietary value whatsoever to a canine.

[Rox]

The best i can describe their poos as is cement like. Fairly runny. they are neevr complete poo's , she is always doing 3-4 small runny ones.

As I said on the previous page firm poos release the fluid in the anal glands.  So when you find a food which firms up the poo, it will resolve the gland problems.

If your dog's poo is constantly runny using normal dog food, you may find they have a wheat or gluten intolerance.  There are some suggestions about food at the top of the previous page which you'll find useful. 

TheVoiceOfRiise, I'm glad you've found a lead that works for you, but I still will not recommend them.  A good long 20metre lead is perfect for off-lead style training.  I have seen extendables snap... and if it gets pulled out of your hand, the dog is gone.  We'll just have to agree to disagree.

[TheVoiceOfRiise]

We'll just have to agree to disagree.

I agree.

I just wanted to show both sides of the story.

[TheVoiceOfRiise]

May have been posted before but...

For any owners who are having any dietary problems with their dogs. This site offers lots of information and independant reviews of foods at many pricepoints aswell as different types, dry,wet, all natural etc.
I found it really useful when I was looking for an affordable quality feed.

I hope you find it helpful.

http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/

[Lord Roger Hunt]

Apologies if this has been covered before but need some advice....

We have a 4 stone Staffy bitch, absolutely gorgeous, both in looks and personality BUT whenever we put her on a lead she pulls like mad to the point of choking herself...very distressing.....have tried all sorts of things but nothings worked so far.

Any tips on how to cure her of this gratefully received!  ?   

[Rox]

Apologies if this has been covered before but need some advice....

We have a 4 stone Staffy bitch, absolutely gorgeous, both in looks and personality BUT whenever we put her on a lead she pulls like mad to the point of choking herself...very distressing.....have tried all sorts of things but nothings worked so far.

Any tips on how to cure her of this gratefully received!  ?   

Give us an idea of what you've tried, and then I won't be giving you advice you've already tried... 

[cathy-lfc-taff]

Neutering for your dog has loads of benefits.  One, no puppy accidents.  Two, it will mean it is impossible for them to get certain types of cancer and Three, it can stop certain prostrate problems later in life.  It will not change your dog's personality.

Rox what age do you think they shouldbe neutered at? My vet keeps telling me 6 months but the trainers at the obedience class I go to say 9 months - they suggest that in their experience dogs that are neutered at a younger age and not allowed to mature as naturally are more likely to experience frustration, lack of attention and paedomorphic tendencies. I'm not really sure which to go with, I think I'm inclined to wait until after 9 months just because I think that's unlikely to have any detrimental effect, whereas perhaps there maybe some issues with having him done younger. Would be interested to hear your opinion.

[Lord Roger Hunt]

Give us an idea of what you've tried, and then I won't be giving you advice you've already tried... 

OK, thanks, we've consulted the web and put together a package of measures as a result:

1.  Running along side her to keep the lead slack - knackering that it - she just thinks its a game and legs it even faster....
2.  Shouting 'stop pulling Lily'  - obviously doesn't understand English!
3.  Whispering 'stop pulling Lily'  - just looks over her shoulder with an 'whatdeyasay?' look - then keeps on pulling.
4.  Carry her everywhere....but then she can lick your face unhindered....(next question will be about her bad breath)
5.  Moved to bigger house in countryside with larger garden so that she can exercise in the grounds....
6.  Consider filing for bankrupcy.

So any other suggestions would be gratefully received....! 

[Rox]

Rox what age do you think they shouldbe neutered at?

It is always best to wait until they are grown up.  9 mths+ is fine.  You wouldn't give a pre-pubescent child a hysterectomy or vasectomy for obvious reasons.  I have seen dogs who have been neutered at just 17 weeks old, and whilst they grow up physically they do not grow up mentally.

Wait until he's at least 9 months.    Your training class is exactly right.

OK, thanks, we've consulted the web and put together a package of measures as a result:

1.  Running along side her to keep the lead slack - knackering that it - she just thinks its a game and legs it even faster....
2.  Shouting 'stop pulling Lily'  - obviously doesn't understand English!
3.  Whispering 'stop pulling Lily'  - just looks over her shoulder with an 'whatdeyasay?' look - then keeps on pulling.
4.  Carry her everywhere....but then she can lick your face unhindered....(next question will be about her bad breath)
5.  Moved to bigger house in countryside with larger garden so that she can exercise in the grounds....
6.  Consider filing for bankrupcy.

So any other suggestions would be gratefully received....! 

Here are my suggestions....

1) Use a harness so she doesn't strangle herself when she pulls.  Try using one of these:  http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pet-Brands-Easy-Walk-Dog-Harness-Large-/160409009468?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Dogs&hash=item25591f3d3c  We use them with some very pully dogs and they work great.  (Although they don't work for all dogs)

2) More importantly, make yourself more interesting.  If you have treats and toys with you, she'll want to be with you...  Tie a ball on a rope to the handle end of your lead - if you are where all the fun is, she'll want to be with you.  So think about what she likes, and use it!

What do you feed her?  (I seem to ask that all the time...)