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Everything posted by Cosmolo
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Hopefully that will be the case Ness. He is lying on the couch now with his head on OH's lap, wagging his tail. He does look happy alot of the time, especially when he is lounging around or in our lap having a cuddle. That's what makes it so confusing.
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I haven't confirmed the cruciate rupture yet Ness- was late yesterday afternoon when he pulled up lame and i didn't think it was cruciate till this morning when he wasn't weight bearing and he was moving suspiciously like he did last time. In saying that he has just gotten up after lying down for hours and is weight bearing a bit on the bad leg- maybe not a complete rupture? He will see our vet in the morning, hopefully they will be able to tell us what's actually going on. If it wasn't for the suspect cruciate i would probably just be limiting activity further but not thinking about anything else. I do find it hard to assess his pain level though unless it's obvious- he's really stoic. That's a good point Jules, i hadn't thought about it like that.
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I don't know how to make the decision either way.
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I'd never go down the wheelchair type paths. He would absolutely hate it. We've gone through a number of other drugs- all worked for a time and then stopped working hence moving to different things. We could go and see another specialist I guess but there is something to be said for speaking with the vets you have a good relationship with I feel. Kirty the tramadol and carprieve have made no difference yesterday and today- he is still on three legs. Yes he still has enthusiasm but being high drive his pain threshold increases whenever he is playing/ running/ swimming and he bounces around- then pays for it dearly later.
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He is normally such a happy dog. In the mornings he knows when i am awake before i even open my eyes and he is at the side of my bed to say hi. This morning he stayed on his bed until i got up and went to him- he has never done that before..
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Thanks Kirty- how heavy is Maisie? The specialist said last time that no surgery wasn't an option.. I will go and see my vet tomorrow, someone has suggested stem cell therapy too so i guess we should look into that. Neither the specialist or my vets have suggested it as an option before. The dogs best interest versus my selfish and quite desperate need to have him stay with me for a long time is really hard. He is really special. And having lost 2 dogs in the last few months the thought of losing another is just..
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You have a large breed dog who has hip and elbow dysplasia- both elbows, both hips, one side worse than the other. Dog was initially diagnosed by specialist at around 6 months, had x rays since then as an adult to confirm- dog is nearly 6 years old now. Earlier this year the dog snaps one cruciate ligament, goes has surgery (TPLO) and a long recovery which although went well was slow and difficult and put alot of pressure on his other already messed up joints. Dog is put on ongoing, long term Tramadol (opiate pain relief) and carprieve (non steroidal anti inflammatory) to try to reduce the pain/ discomfort in his hips and elbows- the cruciate seems to have healed well and the pain doesn't come from there. Dog can no longer run/ swim at the beach or park without being in pain afterwards even on the maximum dose of medication. Can do short walks and very gentle, short runs and experiences less pain but still struggles to get up on to couches etc without assistance- ie, it's not a pain free existence. Is starting to look almost bow legged- like his conformation is changing to compensate for the pain. Dog is very boisterous and active and loves to run and play- lives with two other dogs- also VERY stoic so can be difficult to gage his pain level. Then dog snaps the other cruciate ligament.. What would you do?
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I'd go the bichon over a terrier.. The terriers i have experience with are happiest in quite active homes, you'd need to choose very carefully to find one that would be happy with a short walk a day.
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The velcro dog reputation is well deserved IME. I do think GRT's are lower engery than some of the other gundog breeds but should still be able to keep up- i'd thoroughly check for pain.
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You find a breeder that you like- if one breed doesn't seem to have a breeder you click with you can cross them off your list.
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Does anyone know what happened to Airdogs? Bought all of our jumps from there a few years ago but now can't find a website for them? Any alternatives for reasonably priced jumps that can be easily taken apart? Really don't want to make them ourselves if we can possibly avoid it.
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They may need to look at sedation then.. You'd hate to have to do it all over again.
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If the dog has just had a TPLO (expensive cruciate surgery for a bigger dog sounds like it'd be this procedure) which is what one of mine had earlier this year, the success of the surgery is largely dependent on how quiet they manage to keep the dog during recovery. I'm a bit surprised the specialist didn't discuss this at the time. They need to be extremely careful or there $4500 will have been wasted or they will have further confinement and further vet bills!
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Thank you, have pm'd. :)
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Does anyone know much about Willowpark ACD's?
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Cost For Small Breed Pups And Question About Temperament?
Cosmolo replied to kelpiecuddles's topic in General Dog Discussion
My pedigree rough coat JRT was $600. Not saying a JRT would suit but just to give an idea of price. A bichon frise may suit. -
Most popular seem to be courses offered through Delta and NDTF- both have advantages and disadvantages to my knowledge though i have only completed the NDTF course and now take some of the lectures.
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Clicker Training, A Good Idea?
Cosmolo replied to airlock's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
I don't think the variation in a verbal markers sound is a big deal to be honest. But i recognise some of the factors you describe as being important Aidan, thanks. I find your rate of reinforcement really interesting- i thought mine was high but it's not that high! I have used a NRM with a more experienced dog when shaping when they have looked like getting stuck on the wrong thing. Never de-motivating but i find it is directional- it encourages them to try something else. -
Clicker Training, A Good Idea?
Cosmolo replied to airlock's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
Aidan can you explain why you feel a clicker is more effective than a verbal marker when conditioned the same way? And i absolutely agree with this- "Possibly, I think you get a range of abilities, like anything else. If training of trainers were less political and more technical I think we'd see an improvement in ability overall. It's actually very simple, but the simple stuff gets overlooked. Throw in a bit of emotional stuff ("I can't let him get away with that", "I don't want to reinforce the wrong thing", "it's stressful to withhold a reward", "dogs aren't dolphins/chickens/pigeons" etc) and you're suddenly well off the track." -
Getting Two Puppies To Keep Each Other Company...
Cosmolo replied to Missymoo's topic in General Dog Discussion
As far as littermates go, breed is a factor too. I'd not recommend anyone get littermates for a number of reasons but there are some breeds where getting littermates can be a disaster. Having two dogs so that the dog spends less time completely alone is not a bad thing in most cases. -
Clicker Training, A Good Idea?
Cosmolo replied to airlock's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
I think there is a difference in a reaction to stop something like stealing to setting up and constructing training sessions though. In the latter you have more choices and the option to plan to ensure maximum efficiency and minimal stress and fallout. -
Clicker Training, A Good Idea?
Cosmolo replied to airlock's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
Exactly Aidan- think about positive reinforcement by definition Santo66. -
Clicker Training, A Good Idea?
Cosmolo replied to airlock's topic in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
What Aidan said Consistency can be the biggest challenge for some people regardless of method. Poor application of any method is exactly that- poor application. -
I cannot believe the woman is being criticised for her language after she watched her dog die needlessly in such a traumatic way. And the comment about her being good looking- almost every article has a picture of the owner, who cares what they look like? Poor dog, poor woman.
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What have the council actually said to you?