courtnek

"Why Does My Dog...?" by John Fisher Excellent advice in training ( he's a Behaviorist in Britain) and very fun to read. It's light hearted, not real stuffy, and has some excellent advice and suggestions. also, because I like it, "Linda Goodman's Sun Signs" - it's an astrology book, but she does a whole bit on pets and their astrological behaviors and it's LOTS of fun to read. (according to her, Snoopy was an Aquarian.....nothing else could explain his "off the wall" characteristics, and since I'm an Aquarian I can relate.... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: )

"Esplain?" as Ricky would say on "I Love Lucy..." why cant they go out together? :)

Mouse, I lit a candle for Poppy at dawn this morning and it's been burning all day. I know your heart hurts, but you did the right thing, she will be waiting for you at the Bridge. She knows you gave her your all, and she will never forget it. :angel:

I lit four candles at dawn this morning. 1 for Alex 1 for Poppy 1 for the dog in Tennessee that got shot by the cop (who's name I cant remember, unfortunately) and 1 (two feet tall) for all the dogs threatened by BSL.... thanks Abker.

UH OH...... :o :o I think Laurel thinks her name is now "Silly Girl"....whenever I am trying to coax her out, or make her less afraid, I will call her saying "C'MON SILLY GIRL, time to go OUT"..... So tonight I got home and called her by name. She didnt come so I yelled "C'MON Silly Girl...." and out she came....oooopssss.... :lol:

I would say, loudly and FIRMLY - Goo is afraid of strangers. If you INSIST on trying to pet her and you get bitten, it's your own fault and you're on your own. Consider yourself warned. This is the ONLY warning you will get. One of my sons friends got in an argument with him (over a girl, of course.... :) ) and he started yelling at Kyle. Freebee jumped up and snarled at him (even tho he's 6'2" and weighs about 200 lbs) and she wouldnt back down. Every time he ordered her to sit, she would snarl louder, and she kept approaching him close and closer, and looking angrier by the minute. I walked in just then, and basically told him to SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP. Then told him if Freebee bit him, I would file an assault charge against him for threatening my son (who is 5' 7" and about 140 lbs) and HE would end up in trouble, not Freebee..... Sometimes you just have to let 'em have it.... :evilbat:

Dogs are pack animals, instinctively they enjoy each others company. If your GSD is good natured and you think he would like another dog, I would pack him and the wife up and take them to a shelter. But be honest!! Who does most of the work with the dog? Walks him, feeds him, takes him to the vet, etc? If it's the wife, then I can understand why she doesnt want another dog. It'll be more work for her. If not, then maybe at the shelter she'll lose her heart to one of those sad faces that are always peering out at you.... There are tons of websites you can go to that show pictures of dogs needing homes. Maybe start there....Petfinder is a good one cuz it covers the whole country.... Good luck!! :D

GOOOOODDDDDDDD FOR YOU!! ANOTHER SUCKER FOR A HARD LUCK CASE!! (just like me, thats how I ended up with Laurel...) :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: just be cautious - she may be timid because she was abused. So watch for timidity with signs like a straight out tail, ears somewhat flattened, fur up a little....just keep an eye on her. Fear biting is a real possibility, and while it will probably never happen (since she's a puppy), still.. be careful. Watch her body language. Mine is really timid (not quite settled in yet, and my son is SOOO loud....) but her timidness is with tucked tail and averted eyes. Best of luck with her!!! :angel: :angel:

HHHEEELLLOOOO ROWIE!!! I miss you!! no, rice isnt bad for dogs, in fact, my vet recommends it when they have stomach upsets. It's easily digestible and stays down well... I feed mine a lamb and rice mix, and their coats flourish on it. Rowie!!! meet my new baby! [img]http://thumbs.webshots.com/s/thumb4/9/10/25/91391025WeDjBi_th.jpg[/img] [img]http://thumbs.webshots.com/s/thumb4/9/35/5/91393505wGpYRh_th.jpg[/img] [img]http://thumbs.webshots.com/s/thumb4/9/53/39/91395339xLvvfX_th.jpg[/img] [img]http://thumbs.webshots.com/s/thumb4/9/57/43/91395743kldPCP_th.jpg[/img] You can read about her under "Laurel" :angel: :angel:

yes Shara, it is a valid training method. And sleeping on the bed is a no-no.....LOL Perhaps you could put his crate in your room...then he's with you, but crated. You might have to listen to him cry a few nights, but he'll settle in eventually... [quote]I didn't have to do this with my dogs because my personality is so overbearing that they immediately knew who was in charge.[/quote] you and me BOTH :lol: :lol: :lol:

[quote]. But isn't it possible that because this is her first ever ear infection, it's just an ear infection and nothing more? [/quote] yes, of course it is, and I too am fatally allergic to bee stings and also have an epi-pen. I did not know how much involvement you had with allergies, and while not trying to walk on your opinion (and I have found that MOST doctors act like your vet - we know nothing, they know all) I was just trying to make you aware of the possibility. :D

OK I guess I should explain...sometimes I assume too much... I have had allergies my whole life...I am basically allergic to breathing at some times of the year.... Because of that, I have an inborn sense of things that could be allergy related... my malamute was allergic to something in the lawn in the fall, he would chew his feet to bits... If this infection continues, he needs to be allergy tested. If not, it was a one-off and dont worry about it. I have issues with allergies, breathing is hard, getting up is hard, I WOULD NOT want a dog to go through that....I DONT WANT TO GO THROUGH IT.....

OK, I'm NOT gonna take these tests anymore!! NO ONE should know me that well from a few simple questions.... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Since you are neither dog nor cat but somewhere in between, you sail through life on an even keel. You learn from your experiences but also have fun along the way. Your friends are a mixture of acquaintances and trusted pals who are equally happy at a block party or on a quiet evening walk. You frequently speak your mind but allow others to share their views, keeping disagreements at bay. You work hard but know when it is time to play and consider a wild game of basketball as much fun as a thoughtful game of scrabble. You frequently enjoy the best of both worlds, which is why you would be equally pleased with either pet in your home. A few famous examples of your type are Kim Basinger, George Clooney and Sarah Jessica Parker. I HAVE both pets in my home!!! :wink:

I am not trying to start, or continue, a "debate" - Crested asked about scratch tests, I was explaining. The only reason I believe that the allergy tests should be done is: 1. I have never heard of a dog getting an ear infection from it's mother 2. IF it really is allergies, she could go through a lot of time and money trying to figure out waht's causing the infections. I DID. The scratch tests are relatively simple and less expensive then continual visits to the vet and continual antobiotic treatment. 3. I had a dog with food allergies, that showed the same symptoms that Crested's dog is showing. true, this may be the very first infection and it may be nothing more than that. If it continues, however, I would have the allergy tests done.

OK that's scary Collie No bones about it, you're a loyal, nurturing Collie. A sensitive breed, you're always approachable and very in tune with others' feelings — just like Lassie! Because of your empathetic nature, you tend to be the group psychologist to your circle of friends. Your faithful, easygoing, steadfast personality makes you a wonderful confidant; people love to come to you with their troubles. Bottom line? You're a star at interpersonal relationships and have a knack for making new friends and acquaintances wherever you go. After all, what's a Collie without a flock to look after? Since you're so giving, your buddies might not realize that you need them just as much as they need you, so make sure not to neglect yours truly. Everyone deserves some "me" time. Woof! I hear this from people all the time....people I dont even know tell me their life stories..... :oops: :oops: :oops:

[img]http://thumbs.webshots.com/s/thumb4/9/10/25/91391025WeDjBi_th.jpg[/img] [img]http://thumbs.webshots.com/s/thumb4/9/35/5/91393505wGpYRh_th.jpg[/img] [img]http://thumbs.webshots.com/s/thumb4/9/53/39/91395339xLvvfX_th.jpg[/img] [img]http://thumbs.webshots.com/s/thumb4/9/57/43/91395743kldPCP_th.jpg[/img] [img]http://thumbs.webshots.com/s/thumb4/9/83/77/91398377RbSLnW_th.jpg[/img] That's Laurel..... I got a hound not because I really wanted one, but because I was looking for a dog that would get along with Freebee, who is very dominant in the doggie world. I researched breeds that would get along with other dogs, and the Foxhounds came up. I met Laurel and really liked her, Freebee really likes her, my ill-tempered obnoxious cat likes her, so it's a win-win scenario!!! :angel:

The scratch test is not for skin allergies. They take various different allergens and scratch them into the skin. if the skin reacts (bubbles up) the dog (or person) is allergic to that allergen. does that make sense?

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: I guess not here - I've never heard of an OES referred to as a "bobtail".... but that could just be me too.... :D

It really IS something...what a sound!! her's start with two short, sharp barks, and then this long HHHOOOWWLLLLLLLLL....Except that its' so high pitched (she is squeaky-voiced) it could almost sound like a wolf. And what's really funny is the whole pact instinct thing. Once she starts baying, the beagle across the street joins in and it's like a music recital. The compliment each other. His bay is much lower toned, and it sounds like they're singing. I got to hear the whole hoard bay the day I picked up Laurel. Her foster mom has 10 Foxhounds, and they announce arrivals quite loudly and vocally.... It's a good thing she lives out in the middle of nowhere - neighbors would definitely have an issue with all that noise.... :lol:

I agree. If you have the time to take care of and train a puppy, that's the best solution. And they do tend to get along better if they are different sexes. It makes the pecking order easier to handle in most cases (although not ALL, my female is king of the hill and even a male that outweighed her by 15 pounds couldnt budge that rank). Usually with a puppy there are less rank issues anyway. Good luck!!

Glad he's better now. Y'know, I may sound nuts, but I honestly think they know when they are in serious trouble and someone is trying to help them. Altho most visits to the vet get them poked, prodded and injected, I still think they know when there is a real problem and someone is trying to help them. They must know their own limitations, and must realize that we ar capable of helping, or else why would they be so calm and well behaved in a situatin that ordinarily would make them nervous and edgy? The only exception I can think of is real pain, then they can be dangerous, but pain causes an adrenaline surge too.....My Golden used to shake his head so bad he would burst blood vessels in his ears. Not painful, but I imagine somewhat uncomfortable, since he would then scratch at them. He never had ear mites or anything, the vet said floppy eared dogs just do that.... I would take him in every few years when one would develop, and they would tranquilize him, slice and drain them, and put bandages on them. He never seemed to mind those visits, but he would get cranky and edgy when it was shot time.....go figure?

It wont go to court. The dog didnt bite, although he threatened, and if it's a first offense the worst they'll do is write him a warning ticket. I will have to canvas the yard before I let the dogs out, just to b esure though. why are people so blatantly stupid????

My son is trying to get in good with Laurel, she is somwhat afraid of him. He took her and Freebe outside, in the front yard, where he can sit in the garage and play with them and watch them, and fastened them to leads on the fence. The leads allow them access to the yard, but not to the sidewalk or beyond. The dogs remain on our property.... Some guy came by with a GSD offlead who ran up to Kyle (IN THE GARAGE) and snarled. ON MY PROPERTY!! BOTH dogs reacted, Freebee was snarling and Laurel was baying (she is secondary to Freebee, but will respond to any situation) and the GSD decided to pick on Laurel. He snarled and she went BALLISTIC!! She snarled and bayed and warned him off many times over... looked more nasty then I would have expected, since she has been so timid... He backed off, and the owner SAID IWAS TO BLAME, SINCE MY DOGS WERE TIED OUT FRONT!! I said "WHY ISNT YOUR DOG ON A LEASH? THERE ARE LEASH LAWS HERE..." AND HE SAID 'He never needed a leash before...." I called the police and filed a complait. FOR ONCE they agreed with me...

Dont worry about it. She is a Pit owner who is sick of the continual tirades against Pits. She ASSUMED you were removing your dog because of media hype and all the BS that goes along with "Pits are BAD dogs" - she doesnt know you from Adam and is ASSUMING..... In a way I feel for her - the Pit owners of the world have had to put up with a ton of shit about their dogs... About all you can do, if you want to make it straight, is to contact her and let her know that you are NOT one of the biased aholes who think all PITS ARE BAD. Maybe if you explained your actions, she would understand. Maybe not. Dont be upset over your actions. You can only do what you can do....

If you add a little bit of wet something (cottage cheese, gravy, even olive oil) to the food it makes it more palatable and it may take a day or two, but dogs wont let themselves starve no matter what. Dont be frightened if they dont eat for a day ot two. They'll come around when they're hungry enough with no damage done, trust me.... :)