Scrappi&Monty

Sending big hugs You’ve been the best human she could’ve found, and it’s good you recognise that despite not being really old, she isn’t living her best life anymore. Thinking of you

Run like stink! (Now that I’m thinking about it regarding our PMs, could be a stolen kennel name...!? Maybe it’s a backyard breeder or dodgy breeder using the name of that kennel.)

Wish I could have another dog, a grey would be perfect for my lifestyle at the moment. Sometimes I think monty is a greyhound in a staffy body

Love it!

I think it depends on the stitches. I’d call the rescue or their vet to double check.

(Sorry, off topic but you reminded me.) Took Scrappi & Monty to the Hydrobaths at the pet shop, and when we were leaving the shop, a lady saw Scrappi (corgi x terrier) and goes “Awww so cute!” Then sees Mo, and instantly goes “whoa no big dog, it’s gonna kill me!” WTF? He was being extra love-buggy and sweet too! He’s a 21kg staffy, hardly big!

Depending on the wound they might be too stingy. I was using woundgard on Monty when he broke his claw, but the vet said that would actually be really quite painful. (it’s an antiseptic bitterant spray)

I’ve seen these umbrella leashes at The Reject Shop. I imagine it would scare my dogs so badly, doesn’t seem like the best idea haha.

Holy crap! The dog on the side of the car!

Hmm, what about one of those inflatable e-collars? Or a muzzle?

Oh and the Vets All Natural Balanced Life. I’m no wuss when it comes to dog food smell, but that’s BAD. (Really weird metallic smell. Bit anal gland smelly. Yuccckkk)

Oh god yeah. When we first got Scrappi we were a bit oblivious and fed him Pedigree tinned puppy food. Geez that was the devil’s work that smell. On a side note, I wonder if feeding him a better puppy diet would’ve helped his BAD East-West “ballerina” front feet. It causes him no pain, vet says they’re miraculously fine, but will get arthritis. I know a good diet fixes rickets and bowed puppy legs, so I wonder if we could’ve helped this too!

Haha love it! Wish I could take paid pawternity leave!

Sending hugs, it’s really hard but you can power through it and you’ll both be happier soon. I might’ve already said, but I’d recommend you check out Grisha Stewart’s BAT 2.0 book. It was amazingly helpful for Monty and his socialisation and overcoming his reactivity. Now he walks loose leash/heel perfectly, pays attention to me on walks, and has come so far with his reaction to other dogs and lowering his anxiety. He’s still not 100%, but I’m proud of both of us, and you’ll be proud of both of you! As mentioned above TAKE IT SLOW! Don’t let him off leash at a dog park if he isn’t 100% with other dogs. Could get VERY messy, you don’t want to risk him starting a fight with a bigger dog and ending up very hurt, and you with legal consequences. Depending on where you live and your yard size, it might be good to find some alternative ways of excerise at this stage. As mentioned above, those ‘round robin recalls’ are a brilliant idea. Tires him out and practices obedience and responding to ALL of the family. Go on walks in places where there aren’t loads of dogs, you need to start out with minimal distractions and once he’s doing super well there, you can slowly increase the distractions a bit. Walk him on leash at a regular park (where dogs aren’t allowed off leash) etc. You could even ask the owners of the dogs that he is friends with if you could go for a puppy play date to their house or something, so he is spending supervised time with other dogs. Best of luck

Oh ok, learn something new every day haha.

@Papillon Kisses Ohhh I see. I’d still probably avoid it personally... what’s really the point other than a sweetener?

@Papillon Kisses I thought Xylitol was toxic to dogs !?!?

Oh ok Maybe consult your vet next time you go? Scrappi has a bit of tartary stuff on his back top teeth despite having raw bones once a week, and the vet said “his teeth are nicer than mine!” Does she like carrots or any other crunchy thing like that? Or even dentastix (But I think they’re probably just marketing too) Otherwise, just keep an eye on her and she should be fine.

I suppose it would be just as good to water it yourself with a hose twice a day or so, right? Otherwise looks pretty good, better than puppy pads.

@Rascalmyshadow You’re right about the myth that “dry food is good for their teeth.” That’s rubbish, especially the Royal Canin kibble supposedly shaped in such a way to clean their teeth... it’s just marketing. Wet food is not good for their teeth either though. So regardless of what processed food a dog is fed, I think it’s best to also feed raw bones (or as Monty also likes, whole raw carrots haha) or brush their teeth. ETA; tinned food is 50% water, and rather expensive if you want to feed the good stuff everyday.. some raw mince or BARF patties would be a more affordable option.

Sending hugs A vet check will be necessary, even if he’s fine it’s better for your peace of mind. Depending on your daughter’s age and maturity, it might just be a good idea to have a chat with her about it. It’s an inevitable part of life, and since she heard the conversation between you two it might be better to include the kids. Hard as it may be, she’s probably cluey enough to realise you’re hiding something from her, that she may be ‘big’ enough to handle. (Well at least to understand that pup is old and a bit sick and that he needs to enjoy the last of his days. I don’t think anyone is ever ready to see their pet go. ) And in relation to the head shakes, I can’t remember what it is but there’s a bad neurological disease that CKCS get that involves head shakes. Something to do with the brain is too big for the skull. The vet will know all about whatever it is and be able to help. ETA: I was thinking of Syringomyelia which is quite common in CKCS. A not very nice thing to have. I’m certainly not very knowledgeable on it, but apparently symptoms include head shakes, scratching neck, neck pain, & weak legs. I’d be going to a vet soon if possible, even just tell your daughter he has to go for a checkup... (which is true)

Go Thymey!

@SmokeyR67 Poor guy who used to hide in drawers! Aww. I will be doing that next time I get a baby pup, Monty came to us at 6mths old and was fine with storms until the last few months. (He’s now almost 2.5yo)

Happy New Year too! That’s really good of you to put the adaptil collar on her, sounds like she needed it. We thought Monty couldn’t escape now with the Monty-proof-fence, but one day we were out and there was a huge unexpected thunder and hail storm and poor Monny ran away! That was terrifying (for everyone!!), he was luckily picked up by a lovely lady who we told her where the spare key is and she let him inside the house. I might do what PK suggested and put the spray on a bandana, because at home (when it’s good weather) which is most of the time he is so chilled and happy. He only gets anxious when on walks sometimes (overstimulated & reactive... we’re working on it but adaptil May help in combination with current training... opinions??) And storms... and when he is separated from Scrappi...

Oh that’s a great idea to put it on a bandana!! Thanks PK That might be more affordable since that would be like an adaptil collar but only when it’s needed.