Erny

ShelleAndShyla - you should be able to feel ribs through a thin layer of fat. Her hips aren't sticking out. So, albeit that we can't see her, by your description she sounds fine. That's different to "rake thin".

Similar to what Persephone has suggested - I put my pup's blankets on top of the comfy thick snooza bed mattress bought for the purpose. My kennel has a roof that lifts, so initially I held this up and enticed my pup in with a food treat, which I then gave. Did this a couple of times. Then I allowed some food treats to scatter in the kennel, and pup went in there to get them. I scattered some food treats when pup wasn't looking, so he'd get a nice surprise when he went on his own to investigate. I also spent some time on the decking (where the kennel is) socialising with friends and found my by then weary pup was more than happy to retire in the kennel. After that, it was a place he seems very happy to go when he's outside.

It's interesting, isn't it? I have to leave to work with some dogs right now, otherwise I'd find and add the link to the study on tail wagging, which suggests similar emotional differences if the tail wag is a bit more to the left side than the right and vice versa.

My boy is what you would class as "racy" through the body as well. Someone came up to me the other day and asked if he had greyhound in him. (And no, he doesn't.) But he should not be rake thin, skin and bone, nor have hip bones poking up. And to be like that on 3-4kg of raw food per day - something's not right. Who knows - perhaps the vomiting is an inter-connected symptom of whatever is making it that he eats so much yet not holding weight. Consult with a professional on this one is my very strong suggestion.

Just read this new post after posting mine. Definitely see a Vet/Holistice Vet. This is not normal even if the weather is cold. I know what you mean about food bills. Mine is at least $100 per week, and that does not include extras such as bones, Naturopath Bills, medications, etc.

Sorry to go OT, Tilly, but this amount of food ..... 3-4kg is quite alarming!! How old is your dog and what is his weight like? I have a Rhodesian Ridgeback who is 2yo now. I feed him 2kg raw per day (over two meals), and THAT is a lot! He needs it because he has digestive issues and isn't holding weight (although doing better at the moment *touch wood*). So if your dog is lean on what you give him, I'd suggest you consult with a Naturopath or Canine Nutritionalist (or both), or a Vet, to discuss what might be going on. And if your dog is a round fat pudge, then you need to lower the amount you are feeding. I have heard some people say that their dogs have vomited if a meal is missed, although I think this has related to pups more so that adults. I'm concerned in your case though, because of the mass of food you seem to need to feed.

I'm afraid I'm a complete non-believer at this stage. Scratching up is a conscious or sub-conscious instinctive action. So is marking. My dog doesn't mark inside his own yard but he does outside his yard. I cannot believe that a dog has muscle control over anal glands and can decide when they'll express or not. If the faeces are what actions the anal glands (which we all know they do - hence necessity for a healthy diet) how can a dog tell itself that this next poop is not to action the anal glands? It isn't logical to me. But I'd be open to reading up on credible sources if you remember where you read this up, Greytmate.

I held myself together for Kal, but fell into a sobbing heap immediately after. Cry away, girl.

Thanks Stormie. That's what I always thought.

Kobi. I hope you get to meet up with my Dad's GR "Ben" who has been at the bridge waiting for many years, and would well know his way around, to best show you the way. Lynda - I'm sorry for your loss. Ben also was pts because of fitting, although back then I didn't know anything about medications and the Vet at the time didn't indicate other choices. But from my experience with Ben (who was such a grand dog and I still miss him) and with my own girl Kal (who still owns a part of me), I do understand the turmoil and distress of making these decisions and the loss that ensues. My condolences.

That's interesting, because I didn't think that anal gland expression was a conscious, voluntary thing.

Stop the game BEFORE she stops fetching. I would not play retrieve for as long as 15 minutes. I keep tug and retrieve games really short. Just a few collective minutes (training/proofing in between). Do too much and your dog learns to be the one to stop the game when s/he wants. "I'm tired of that now" .... Do short sessions and stop whilst your dog is still eager is a bit like giving a kid the lick of an icecream - of course they're going to want more and will be very ready for it the next time. Keep 'em hungry for the 'game'.

Thanks Anne - that's the word ;). And you're right - there is an awareness of their surroundings. Kal would walk around me or any other object, even if I or that object was moved to a new place. But there's this something "in them" that drives them to move. I remember in the early first one or two days of Kal's seizures, when I didn't really understand them, I tried to stop Kal from pacing/walking. I held her still (and she was normally very compliant with stuff such as this), but she struggled against me - she just HAD to walk and there was nothing stopping her. So I just went with her. But there was no acknowledgement of me or anything else in her eyes. That 'connection' wasn't there. Until after she'd stopped pacing and slept a bit. Thank you, Jacquilee81. I admit that whilst there was an element of surreal about her, and that was a tad on the spooky side, I loved that day and I'm glad she got to have it. I hope that's a day she was capable of remembering. It was one of the last times she had enough strength to go for a decent walk, let alone a run. Kal was afflicted by a tumour on the adrenal gland as well and I can't help thinking that this had something to do with that running/larking around on that day, and the extremely dilated pupils. Not being an expert in the veterinary field, this is just my guess. That, and/or something dementia related. Lynda - good luck at the Vet's and I hope that what I've written hasn't painted a picture of doom and gloom. It may be something completely else and I do not intend for you to think that brain tumour is the likely culprit. Please let us know how you get on at the Vet's.

Trouble with that is that there is little to no learning by the dog in so far as understanding that it is about the retrieve.

Use a long-line. You're otherwise trying to train in the absence of control with a dog who is finding his behaviour self-rewarding. Reverse the sequence - Erik brings you the ball so that you will then throw it for him to catch. Couple of questions though, which could be confusing the situation. From your OP, it sounds to me as though you play this exercise with the two dogs running free? Could be an element of keeping the ball of Kivi going on, especially as you indicate that Kivi used to take it. Also, at any stage have you done anything that would further reward Erik's "keep the ball" behaviour? Like, chased after him; taken it from him and then thrown it again; ??

That's a shame, Sway. You deserve to have a good, fully enjoyable, perfect evening, for all the auctions you run and the good that comes from them.

Your dog could be in the aftermath phase of a seizure. Can't remember what they are called, but it is where they seem to be 'there' in the physical, but not 'there' in the mental. My previous (avatar) girl, Kal (bhcs) experienced seizures in the latter stages of her life. In the 'after phase' she would walk. And walk. And walk. And nothing I would do could stop her. I found I just had to let the phase work itself through and I followed her around (and around, and around) until the phase finished and she'd sink into an exhausted and deep sleep. There was one time I took her to the park. She was about 11 or 12 yo (but young for her age - no stiffness of joints; no grey hair to speak of). I hadn't seen her have a seizure and this was a bit different in that she ran and larked in that park like she was some spring chicken. She had a roaring time. This was VERY unusual, because my girl NEVER ran unless I ran. She never chased balls. She never did more than just trot a little ahead of me, but never left me far behind (or in front). I stood, holding my breath, loving the fact that she was having such a wonderful time doing zoomies. When she stopped I noticed that her eyes were like black liquid. And although she knew me, she wasn't herself. I adopted her when she was 7 years old, so I don't know what her younger years were like, but I couldn't help feeling and thinking that this event was as though she were reliving her younger past. She was 'there', but not really. I guess that could be dementia related. Or for all I know it might have been the affects of brain tumour, which we suspected at the end that she did have, but it was not formally confirmed. Don't know if either of the above accounts is going to help you Lynda, but I would recommend you take her for Veterinary Specialist opinion.

hmm good point. how would i check? I let the dog tell me. Scooting bottom. Beginning to pay too much attention to butt too often. They would be a couple of signs that I'd look for. I haven't ever had a problem with any of the dogs I have had, including those who were 'family' dogs when I was young. I might be getting my boy's anal glands checked soonish though, because he hasn't been eating his bones; his stools have been soft for a bit too long and because his butt does seem to periodically irritate him. But if they aren't built up, they aren't getting expressed. Let his own body do that.

My attitude to this is "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". I'm inclined to agree with your Vet on this one. If the anal glands are doing what they ought to be doing and there's nothing wrong to suggest they are becoming impacted, then let nature do what nature knows best to do.

Yes, thank you Twodoggies - that's the name I had heard. I was going to say Moorabbin, then thought ummmm Oakleigh?? And for some reason settled on Box Hill. Barcode - I know that either of Castlemaine or Moorabbin is a good way from where you live, but travelling to someone who is very good in their field and has the balance of holistic and veterinary science is extremely helpful especially if you are having specific health issues with your dog and I can tell you I didn't for a moment regret the extensive driving I did for my boy. If it is only for routine stuff though, the travel can prove a bit of a nuisance.

I'm afraid I don't, although that doesn't mean there aren't any. Dr Bruce Syme in Castlemaine is who I have been to see in the past. It was a 3 hour trip each way for me, in the times that I went, but worth it, IMO. There is another in the Box Hill area - her name is Anne, I think, but I can't remember the other of her details and I don't know first hand what she is like.

I use very little detergent when I'm washing dog things - for the 'sensitivity' factor. I use 1/3rd cup of "OdourGo - Penetrator Plus" for the rinse cycle. (I do this with my own clothes as well.) Blankets; towels; etc. come out smelling fresh and clean.

Lucky you don't live in Victoria. They'd likely as not make dog farting a precursor to the dog being declared "dangerous dog".

Which pound was that?