Papillon Kisses

It can have a lot to do with genetics. For example, my dog has an overbite and his skin tucks into his mouth, causing excess saliva like it would if you were to keep a cherry in your mouth 24/7. He's on dental kibble, has an oral cleansing gel (maxigard – a good option if you really can't get the teeth brushing happening), Greenies, bones/wings where possible (too many don't agree with his GI system) and daily teeth brushing. All these things help tremendously: he still needs a dental every 12 months, but before I did all this his teeth were bad enough to warrant one every 6 months. We're trying to push it out to at least 18. Georgea's mouth will feel so much better afterwards and you'll have a nice clean slate to start brushing: it hurts to have their teeth brushed when they're sore, so they're less accepting. You'll find some articles about how to train acceptance of brushing, the key is to take it at their pace which may be very slow! Malcolm still doesn't like the process of teeth brushing, but he gets very excited about having it done as he gets his Greenie afterwards. :) You might like to read this from the AVA: http://www.ava.com.au/sites/default/files/AVA_website/pdfs/NSW_Division/Dental%20Homecare.pdf

Malcolm digs his bedding but rarely anything else. He usually digs when he wants to be under a blanket; he'll either create a gap to crawl under himself or if that fails continue digging pointlessly and pausing to look at us, which is our signal to tuck him in as we've been trained to do. :laugh:

It depends on how they're used and how the dog responds. For my particular dog a head collar is a grade A aversive, while a front-attaching harness is calming (I suspect it's a trigger point thing). This article might help you: Gentle Leader Head Collar: Reinforcement or Punishment?

I got mine off eBay rather than their online store, and it's also on iTunes. Thinking of Justice today. Malcolm's coming along with the medication. We've already seen a lot of positive things: he's more responsive including when under stress, learning faster, less easily startled, and recovering quicker. On the starting (half) dose we didn't see any side effects, but he's been sleepier since moving up to the full dose. I'm hoping it's temporary while he adjusts because it's definitely helping, but I feel like he's suddenly become an old man. Oh, if you're looking for some mental enrichment, our VB put us onto this site: http://www.petsneedalifetoo.com.au It's run by a vet nurse and if you tell her about your dog, what issues you're having and your dog's play style etc she'll make some recommendations. Items are more expensive than elsewhere but I figure you're paying for the advice. Either way, there's the usual suspects but also some items that I haven't seen elsewhere. I picked up a Kyjen slo-bowl and a busy buddy barnacle. I'm also thinking about making a snuffle mat: http://www.allpetseducationandtraining.com.au/snuffle-mat-mayhem.html and

I recently bought a CD compilation for Malcolm called "Through a Dog's Ear: Music to Calm your Canine Companion." http://throughadogsear.com I've also found a digital radio station called Ambient Medidation Music which makes me feel like I'm at a day spa :laugh: I do think the dog CD works better though. He was snoozing on his side through the witching hour/s (dogs passing by on their evening walks and dinner prep).

I love Secret as her name. Perhaps her registered name could be Secret Ink, aka invisible ink. ;)

I'd say that's a good price (at least in Sydney, other areas may differ).

Hi Pheebs, I don't have any personal experience with Dr Cam Day, but often see him recommended: Dr Cam Day BVSc BSc. MANZCVS (Veterinary Behaviour) Veterinary Behaviourist http://www.pethealth.com.au/Page/dr-cam-day-contact-details Sydney Animal Behaviour Service (Kersti Seksel and others) also do phone consults and are occasionally in other states for conferences etc. http://sabs.com.au/not_in_sydney.htm Poor little mite. To cause such destruction and noise, he/she must be extremely distressed.

Yes, you should get it checked by the vet. He may be drinking a completely normal amount of water, especially if he is being fed dry food or if he is hot, but drinking and urinating a lot can sometimes be a sign of an underlying health problem. A condition my dog has was picked up early by my concern about his water intake and output when he had no other symptoms of his illness. If nothing else, it will put your mind at ease. :) It would help your vet if you can be specific about the amount of water your puppy is drinking as what's "a lot" to one person is different to another, but with two other dogs I imagine that wouldn't be easy to do. Perhaps take note of how much water is being put out daily (coordinate with other family members) and how much your puppy drinks in comparison to your other dogs.

Our late Papillon similarly became a mastermind at avoiding medication. He'd eat around the food that was encapsulating it (even melted cheese), cheek the tablet until we thought it had gone down, then spit it out in secret. We'd even check his mouth but he'd fool us! Crafty little man. I wish we knew about Nutrigel back then, it would have helped with his waning appetite too. Excellent thread.

Blinkblink, I should not have read that while eating breakfast. So is that what is called chicken by-product?

Thank you for weighing in Corvus. :) Loba, Corvus is an animal behaviourist with a PhD in dog behaviour, emotions and cognition. I would follow her recommendation.

You can get 100% peanut butter at the supermarket. I think Sanitarium brand is the cheapest, but there's also Mayvers. You'll find it in the health food section. I have NEVER seen Xylitol in Australian peanut butter and I did extensive checking recently when selecting a new brand. One should always check of course, but still.

Thank you Jules. I just got Malcolm's pre-medication blood/urinalysis results from our GP vet and all were "excellent" and his Addison's Disease is well controlled, so that's good to hear. :) Apparently being less anxious might have an effect on how his Addison's is managed due to having less circulating cortisol. I'm hoping it will be for the better.

I just came across this book online and wondered if you might find it helpful: Remember Me? Loving and Caring for a Dog with Canine Cognitive Disfunction The author has some videos on her website of her dog, Cricket, displaying symptoms: What Does Canine Cognitive Disfunction Look Like?. Hope this helps. x

I think that's a great idea. Ultimately, it would seem that Thistle needs to learn how to remain calm (or be calmer) around different sorts of small dogs and in different contexts. She's shown that she can be polite around some small dogs in other contexts, so now the behaviour just needs to be generalised. The training ground is probably a more stressful or exciting environment for Thistle, so it may be harder for her to hold it all in especially at the end of a session. Edited to add: Thanks Thistle the dog! Thistle is very lucky to have you on her side too. :)

Well, I guess I should come out of lurkdom too. ;) We saw a vet behaviourist on Monday and our sweet little Chihuahua x Terrier, Malcolm, was diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder and the dog version of OCD. He is starting on Prozac which I am rather scared about, but hopefully it will make him feel better. It has been a long time coming I suppose. I have done a heck of a lot of desensitisation and counter conditioning since I rescued him seven years ago, but as soon as one issue is extinguished another pops up... and his fixation with light reflections has been worsening (which is what prompted the VB consultation). I look back to when I first got him and think wow little one, we have come so very, very far and yet nowhere at the same time. Anyway, I just want to say that I love the supportive atmosphere of this thread. There are so many judgemental people out there who just don't understand, but you guys are so good to each other. I look forward to getting to know you and your dogs better. :)

I waited until others replied as it's been a while since I studied puppy development. Even so, as someone with a rescue dog who has been diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder and the dog version of OCD, I feel I must respond from that perspective. I am not at all saying your dog has an anxiety disorder or the beginnings of it by any means — I'm not qualified to make that assessment and this may well be completely normal puppy behaviour — but how we respond to puppies during their development can make a huge difference to how they are as adults. You have a puppy who is fearful at the moment, so let's be sure he has the best possible chance of becoming a confident adult within the bounds of his genetic potential. Since you are getting two completely different responses from trainers, I'd first question what their qualifications are. The pet industry is unregulated when it comes to trainers; any Joe Bloggs can open up shop. So if one or both of those trainers don't actually have qualifications in dog behaviour and psychology, but are just general obedience trainers, listen to the one who does or get expert help. This could be from a trainer who has those extra qualifications or a veterinary behaviourist. Vet behaviourists are vets who have completed additional tertiary studies to specialise in animal behaviour, just like they can do in other fields like internal medicine, surgery, etc. Vet behaviourists can be (justifiably) very expensive, but with puppies the consultations are typically a lot shorter and therefore cheaper. Maybe the "big guns" aren't needed, I'm just putting it out there as an option. I can't vouch for my dog's puppyhood as he was a rescue and only came to me at 2-3 years. But I often wonder whether he'd be a very different dog if as a puppy he had someone who was as invested in his mental health and welfare as we are, and as you seem to be for your puppy. You have such a wonderful opportunity to set him on the right path. :)

Thanks Scottsmum, the location doesn't show up in mobile view. :) I was going to suggest boarding Myf at a place which is reportedly very good with fear aggressive dogs, but your location and her lack of vaccination rules that out. Like Snook, I'd go straight to Plan B. Your friend is brushing off the seriousness of Myf's behaviour (and parvo) which could result in tragedy. I re-read your initial post and see you've asked about additional things that might help her be calm. I don't know if the ADAPTIL collar is suitable for human agression, but it might be. Best ask your vet first in case it is contraindicated.

Where are you located (state)?

me too! And my sister was sitting next to me just looking at me like "what is wrong with you??" i thought it was going to be a happy movie. But no. At least the cinema was dark :laugh: It's dark, yes, but I still struggle with holding in loud sobs and then the odd half-choke/snort comes out if I accidentally breathe at the same time. Sorry, ummm, nothing to see here people! :laugh: I'm also bad in any films where a dad dies or sacrifices himself for his daughter but that's just little tears not full on restrained bawling LOL. It would appear that you can add reviews to the site if something is missing. :)

So true! :laugh:

While allergies can cause itchy ears/head shaking, folliculitis can cause itchy ears as well. So it still could be folliculitis. Crusty eyes could be from allergies, the tears from weeping eyes dry to form crusts. Itchy red skin could be an allergic response. Our late papillon had hayfever/allergies which presented as a very itchy nose and sneezing. He was on half a claratyne tablet (he was big for a pap, 4.8-5kg). This dose is in line with what Sarasmum posted. He also shook his head (ears) but that may have been from his ear infections rather than the allergies, or both. You could also try a calendula tea rinse for his itchy red tummy. See the thread on this sub-forum. I know from having allergies myself that you do need to experiment with different antihistamines to see what works best. What helps one person with their symptoms may do very little for someone else. If you're concerned that your dog has been misdiagnosed or that his treatment is wrong, take him back for a follow up or get a second opinion from another vet. :)

I don't know about you, but I just FALL TO PIECES if I watch a movie where a dog is hurt, let alone dies. My six year old self still has not recovered from seeing Beethoven attacked by the bad guys and slated for death. And I don't know what on earth possessed me to watch Eight Below. But someone has come up with a brilliant solution! A movie review website to ensure you don't become a nervous wreck or blubbering mess due to cinematic doggy disaster, at least without forewarning! I present to you: Does The Dog Die

Ah ok, I'm not familiar with Pawshake but with other companies in Sydney daycare seems to be double the price of a dog walk. I forgot to add to my previous post a very well done to Team Scottie (which of course includes Scottie himself). I read through your thread and you've come such a long way, even if week 3 was a bit less successful. :)