Papillon Kisses

Ok, all the best with it! Sorry I cannot help.

What happened!?

Yes they are largely preventative. We work on body awareness, strengthening, core stability and stretches. Our GP vet prescribed pain relief, rest and a gradual return to activities (short walks on the flat then gradual increases) but it didn't address the cause or risk factors so he kept hurting it.

I'm not saying you shouldn't ask a vet but I have noticed that dogs of that particular breed/mix are often total clutzes and hoon around with little care/notice of things around them. Perhaps brain needs to grow into body? IDK, maybe ask the vet next time you're in for a checkup! How's her back going? Mal's done his back a few times and we got Dr Jaime Jackson to prescribe some exercises for pre/rehab. PS it is nice to see you!

Hi Comet, What a lucky little man Comet is to have you in his corner. It's clear that you love him very much and have done a lot to try to help him. It does sound though like he's suffering with a lot of anxiety day to day and is hypervigilent and cannot relax even at home. So you are right to ask for help. I sincerely think it's time to see a Veterinary Behaviourist. In all honesty it sounds like Comet would benefit from a behaviour modification plan and prescription medication to help him think, learn and relax. In mild cases supplements like the ones you've been giving might possibly take the edge off, but in more serious cases of anxiety or aggression they're barely going to touch the sides. Be sure to inform vets about any supplements you are giving as they may be bad to mix with other medications if prescribed. Comet will also need a physical, bloods and possibly urinalysis to check for other illnesses that may have an impact on his behaviour. Some VBs in ACT: Dr Helen Purdam BVSc (Hons) MANZCVS (Veterinary Behaviour) www.hallvet.com.au Dr Isabelle Resch BVSc MANZCVS (Veterinary Behaviour) www.innersouthvets.com.au Dr Michael Hayward is a GP vet with an interest in behaviour medicine if seeing a VB is out of financial reach, and/or if Comet is particularly anxious at the vet and needs extra special handling. While there's never any guarantees or quick fixes and some degree of management will always be required, I want you to know that with treatment these things can get better. I have seen it in my own dog who has Generalised Anxiety Disorder and OCD. And you'll find that your bond with Comet improves dramatically as it does. I'll come back and link to some posters and articles that may help you with your special little man.

Dr Karen Overall has a similar program explained here: http://www.deerrunanimalhospital.com/sites/site-3302/documents/Protocol_for_deference_2012_Overall_text.pdf

How about a house/dog sitter? I would trust these two with my dog. One is a Delta qualified trainer and the other is currently doing the Delta course. https://www.sydneymobilepetsitter.com.au/ http://www.pawsupdogtraining.com/home-care-boarding/

I haven't seen Budget's Simparica ads but have seen their ones for Nexgard Spectra, a new product that combines Nexgard and Interceptor Spectrum / Milbemax (milbemycin oxime). I'm going to have to do my sums to see whether it's cheaper than Nexgard + Milbemax. It'd definitely be cheaper than Nexgard + Interceptor Spectrum. ETA actually not the same has doesn't have praziquantel. Oops!!

Whoops sorry saw the age. The are some trainers who offer 'senior puppy' classes for dogs of your poodle x's age. This might be a good way for you to get extra support from a professional to help with these puppy issues. A home consult is another option. Here's a list from Delta sorted by people offering Senior Puppy classes. You may also find a suitable trainer listed on the PPGA site.

I'm so terribly sorry Tassie.

I bet she thinks he's a goose!

I'd never even heard of it until you posted! Maybe no one else has either!

Stevie knows what's what. But also if you were looking, and I know you say you're not but if you were... you might care to look here at your own peril. (ETA hopefully will go home, she looks like she is patiently and happily waiting for her loved ones.)

So when do we get to see photos of the little tacker?

I would say normal, but if you're ever concerned about something just ask your vet at your next checkup/puppy vaccination. Dogs don't have hands so curious puppies explore the world with their mouths. I imagine crunching leaves must be fun for your puppy and some dogs just enjoy eating grass for whatever reason. And when you run after your puppy has taken leaves, it has turned into a fun game for him! You may like to redirect him onto more appropriate chew toys when you see him chewing leaves. Kong make these crackle toys that may interest him or some dogs are safe playing with empty water bottles with the cap, ring and wrapper removed. Remember to watch your puppy with any new toys to make sure he's safe with them, especially as he grows.

May I suggest DogLogic who have Delta qualified trainers and use force-free, reward-based methods. They do both puppy classes and home consults. You can read more about reward-based training here: Ten Top Tips for Training Dogs

It can also help to build up slowly. The legs and stamina have just had a little shock!

Whether or not this dog should be up for adoption is a separate issue. But their life may not be as restrictive as you think. I know dogs who don't go on frequent walks due to anxiety. In fact some don't go on any walks. They are actually much happier for it, and do lots of other things at home for physical and mental exercise. I think these dogs actually have much better lives than dogs who get their half or full hour walk each day but nowhere near as much enrichment the rest of the time. Also not all dogs like other dogs and that's fine. I don't like all people either. Something to think about.

Might be more fatty if that's an issue.

MindDog do indeed have a Facebook page and they are also on Instagram. There are lots of little psychiatric service dogs with coats that shed to varying degrees. Like this cutie: A Papillon may be suitable but they do shed, albeit much less than Pugs. The fur is also easier to remove as it's not so tiny and sticky!

Fabulous! As you'd know there aren't many stockists of non-restrictive front-attach harnesses in Australia nor harnesses that fit unconventionally-shaped doggy bodies. We love our Perfect Fit; it's the only harness I could find that fit my Chi x without getting something custom made. Just a note: your online shop doesn't come up in searches for AU stockists of the Perfect Fit harness (and possibly the others too) and a password is needed to access it. I think this may be a barrier to potential customers thinking about making a purchase. You may like to optimise your site for search engines and, if you don't want your store readily accessible, perhaps have a page showing what's available.

Mita, psychiatric service dogs are not the same thing as therapy dogs. They carry out specific tasks. You may like to read more information about this on the minddog website. All the best with your daughter Jodipug. It CAN get better. Don't ever give up hope.

Terrifying.

I used to do an annual C5, but last year spoke with vets about my dog's circumstances* and decided to switch to 3-yearly C3 but continue the annual kennel cough vaccine and do a Vaccicheck titre test each year. I agree with what TSD says above. I think vets fear that people won't bring their dogs in for annual check ups which remain important. And there's a lot of misinformation out there about vaccinations. I think referencing reliable sources of veterinary information e.g. AVA & WSAVA guidelines can be helpful. *Vaccination requirements can change depending on your dog's health status, age, vaccination history and level of exposure (direct and environmental) with other dogs. And not always how you may think!

Yeah our VB warned that the collars can sometimes cause other dogs to take a special interest in the wearer. I don't know how common it is. I forgot to mention that I've also trained Mal to go behind me when asked (so I'm body blocking) and previously practiced it with environmental dogs. He did a great job at doing that with the Ridgie. And I've trained "let's go!" (walk fast or run in opposite direction) which is very useful. Kikopup has a YouTube video on it. Can he always do these things when anxious? Probably not. But he does impress me on ocassion and make some great choices. It's all about teaching them that these choices exist and that they're valuable.