Erny

My previous girl (avatar - bless her cotton socks) was much the same. I used to put one of those small 'single-serve' containers of milk in with her water when we were out and this certainly successfully encouraged her to drink. You could do similar - or perhaps use Active Manuka Honey as an alternative, or randomise. Don't flavour up too much water though, as you will likely find that your dog will guzzle too much water in one sitting, and that's not good either.

Dimmitrol is one that, if I felt I needed to feed my dog heart worm prevention drugs, I would use. From the info I have read, and from people I have spoken with, the daily treatment is the 'safer' or 'kinder' drug (if these drugs can be referenced as 'kind'). I didn't know you could get Dimmitrol from the supermarket ?????

Yeah - thanks Kelpie-i. I just added an "ETA" to my post above. I checked it up too.

As have I, Nekhbet. I have never heard of "Pet Pals DT" either .... and I'm frequently over in that area. Rock - I think you are wise to be concerned about hard/slippery wooden floors and dogs slipping on them. ETA: Just checked it up - apparently it is Delta based training and from the looks of it, there are centres in more than just one area. Not sure if it is a franchise or not.

I googled the product and a couple of the contra-indications include decreased appetite, diarrhea. I wouldn't worry about her not eating tonight as dogs can cope with missing a meal over a day or two. However, it might pay to let your Vet know about her decreased diet (a phone call should do it) - for his records and also so that he might explain it better to you, or be able to alter any treatment that might need altering.

I purchased their distance learning "Massage Therapies for Pets" course back in 2004. It was not a good experience IMO. The tutors weren't that available and I found the people whom I did get to speak to weren't that helpful nor even polite. I was informed that no extra books would be required for purchase because "all the information you need is provided in their own material". I found that not to be the case and did purchase outside material to assist me. I had trouble accessing what I think I remember they referred to as their "library resources" and didn't receive much in the way of positive assistance in that either. In fact, the tone of some of the retorts I received from the few phone calls I made were sharp and made me feel as though I should already know whatever it was I was asking .... and that I was being a pest. However, I didn't even get to the part of the course that actually focused on dog massage, as one assignment before that section required me to "discuss the similarities to basic massage techniques for a horse". Although I tried to apply myself to that task but was stumped as I didn't know "basic massage techniques for a horse" so couldn't figure how I could possibly discuss it. The percentage points for that assignment were worth quite a lot towards the overall marks. I ended up giving up as I just felt that all of what I had done didn't have nought to do with massage, which of course was the reason for me purchasing the course in the first place. One of the assignments I spent quite a good deal of time on was the study of commercial dog-food labels. Admittedly it was an interesting exercise (not to mention an eye-opener) and this knowledge would definitely be helpful in any field related to dogs, but it was a requirement that I wasn't so sure was so completely necessary to the topic at hand - at least not in so much depth. I did receive really good comments on that assignment though. I actually learnt more from the DVD's and books I purchased to assist me. Perhaps things have changed since then, but my individual experience wasn't good and I was somewhat disillusioned. As a result, I wouldn't do any of their courses again.

Update : Although over the last few days Mandela has been 'off' his food (hungry, but when he goes to eat he eats a bit and then looks sorry for himself and walks away - he'll try that a few times before aborting the idea of eating completely) he has at least been eating reasonable amounts. Maybe not in the first sitting, but perhaps in a later sitting. Or maybe in the first sitting, not the second, but perhaps later on, or not at all. You can see by this that his eating habits have been a bit all over the place. Overall, his weight is down by 1 gram since the last weigh in which would have been about 2 or 3 weeks ago. And he was light on then. So we still have weight gain to focus on. The great news is, I had another fecal sample tested and it is FREE OF BLOOD!! . So one big step in the right direction, it seems. Now that the fecal sample has been taken and tested, I'm going to re-introduce RMB's (primarily chicken wings to begin with, but not too many). And just because it has been in the back of my mind throughout (mainly a paranoia on my part due to my previous girl's illness and my failure to insist on OS full blood panel tests - simply because back then I didn't know what I know now), I've had bloods sent to the USA for analysis by Dr. Jean Dodds. The bloods should arrive in the US tomorrow and test results I think in about 48 working hours after that. Mandela is still receiving healthy doses of goats' milk; cottage cheese; and yogurt. With an egg yolk now and again. And the occasional sardine or mackerel, depending on what's in the cupboard. If I were to say he enjoys these things, that would be an understatement :cool:.

You're being played. ... Admittedly, that is commonly the case. However, it isn't necessarily always the case. I've found that out with my own boy with whom I'm experiencing health/digestive issues with. He'll be ok on something I haven't fed for a while, and then not. At this stage of the game (we're still working on getting him right) we believe he has stomach ulcers and whilst he is hungry, he begins to feel nauseous as he begins to eat. Add to that is a 'guess' that the memory of the food causing him to feel ill might have a bit of an affect as well ..... this latter is only a surmise and not a certainty. But if your dog's stools are good and there's no other outward signs of trouble, then yes, there's a good chance you're being "played" but just wanted to point out that this isn't always the case even though it sometimes might seem to be.

As PuggyPuggy said, Fudge - yes it is normal. Her body is busy fighting the effects of the vaccination and making anti-bodies so that in the future, should she come into contact with any of the diseases for which she has been vaccinated against, her body will be triggered into immediate defense action. Doing all of that takes a fair bit out of any animal so yes, you can expect her to be a bit on the quiet side for 24 hours or so.

*Pauline Hanson voice* Please explain? ..... Boarding and Training.

Completely agree K-i . And just for clarification, I think it deserves to be mentioned to anyone reading that "restraint" isn't just about holding the dog on a lead. It is also about putting the dog in a certain position - and that could be laying down flat, or on its back, with its legs stretched, etc. etc. etc. Because my previous girl (bless her cotton socks) was taught this, we were easily able to procure an excellent heart xray for which no sedation or GA was required. Subsequent ultra sounds were conducted this way also (although they were more difficult to read because she was nervous and kept shivering). I'm working on this sort of thing with my 10mo boy now and I was very pleased when I was able to lay him down on the clinic floor for the Vet to shave some hair around a facial puncture wound with the electric clippers, and he stayed there. Mind you, I was all but laying on top of him as it was his first intro to electric clippers (although he was already accustomed to the dremel), but he was at least wagging his tail during the whole process I do think though that "compulsion" training has become a dirty word amongst some camps and it seems to have extended to all fields of 'man-handling' dogs. When working at B & T kennels, I could fairly easily and quickly tell which dogs were used to handling and which weren't. Those not were generally very resistent to the hand and opposition reflex was often much stronger.

It doesn't worry me, although it can be productive of much double up. People will read one thread and think something hasn't been suggested, so they post on it not realising it's already been covered elsewhere. I think it is against forum rules though. You'd need to check.

Thought I was going balmy 'cause I was certain I'd responded to this. Thread is also going in the 'training' forum. See HERE.

I use all of the things you have suggested, depending on the dog; the circumstance; and whether the immediately previous attempts to stop the nipping have had any impact. I tend to randomise what remonstrations I use. And I'll also sometimes combine them to achieve a synergistic effect. No hard and fast rule - it all depends on the pup and its temperament. And what works. And it's all a matter of being consistent, even if you feel like you're at it all the time in the early days. Be careful with your timing of 'toy replacement'. Distract first. Wait a moment. Then replace with a toy. If you do it too immediately you are effectively rewarding your pup for his nipping behaviour. Clickers are used as positive markers - IOW, teaching the sound from the click means what he did right then was exactly what you wanted. So, if you're wanting to use a clicker (I use a verbal marker "yes" because I have it on me all the time ), you use it to click behaviours you want. Having said that, I wouldn't be inclined to click and treat playing with one of his dog toys. The play itself should be self-rewarding enough. And the click and treat is only going to serve to distract him from it. I'd be inclined to give him quiet encouragement on that instead, if you're going to give him anything.

Kavik .... with my youngster, I very quickly (and early) got into the habit of treating him from his 'beany jar'. This meant that he'd (eg) do something right wherever we were (inside or outside), I'd release him and then tell him I'd get him a "beany". It's evolved in him never knowing when, where or how the treat will come. That's if I'm food treating him. As to the topic though, I have used : * Lure/release/toss the reward so he can find position again. (I don't use the clicker. I use a verbal "yes".) This was initially, just until he got the idea. * Then I used my drive training for the position that he'd learnt via lure. * Now I'm using lure to teach him left heel (flip). All my work has so far been on position. I've not worried about walking in heel just yet. Although a couple of days ago I experimented by taking a couple of steps and must say that he was very tight. A tad confused because I'd moved but that's to be expected. I finished on only two steps before his confusion upset the status quo and released him into a light game of tug. (Have had to defer tug work due to some physical development issues with his rear legs. Hoping to return to it soon. But I do save the tug for extra special or needy times.)

Yes - PROVIDED the older dog is of a sound and reliable temperament to deal with a puppy. If you can have this combo, I think it is excellent for a pup to run with an adult dog. They learn a lot from them.

at the "please get it out of my " expression. Thanks DBS. Only thing that is going on now and getting worse rather than better seems to be skin allergy :rolleyes:. Now, maybe that's to do with the goats' milk or the cottage cheese or the yogurt. Perhaps I've been giving too much. Holy Moly. All I would like would be for him to have a good long HEALTHY stretch. Going to bath him using Maloseb this afternoon - see if it will at least cease the scratching/licking/chewing until I get to see Carol next week. But yes - I'm really pleased about his increased appetite. Although he seems a bit flat today and* left about 1/3rd of his breakfast. Stools later today a bit mushy. Hope I didn't speak too soon. Edited to cross out - bath seems to have done the trick .

What's the loose gravel/big stones/blue metal dust do that helps them so much? Is it uneven ground to help strengthen tendons/muscles/ligaments? Is it related to grip? Or both? Just interested. My boy had a fairly bad case of carpel laxity syndrome which showed up 3 days after bringing him home. Kept him on Eagle Pack Holistic large breed puppy and his legs have straightened well especially by comparison to what they were.

Not sure how deep the wound is, but here's a link to a web-site which will give you a few tips : http://dog-care.suite101.com/article.cfm/h..._paw_pad_injury Some web-sites suggest a change of bandage every two to three days. I'm inclined to prefer a change of bandage at least daily - more often if the bandage is inclined to become wet/dirty, provided I am not disturbing the wound too much in the process - that allows me to assess the wound regularly for signs of infection. The essence is to make sure there is nothing inside the wound (eg. shard of glass that might have caused it in the first place) and to keep the wound clean. If the wound does not appear to be healing within two or three days or begins to look worse inside that period, then I'd be consulting a Vet.

Minor update : For the past 4 days or so, Mandela has eaten all of his meals, plus some (ie I've increased the quota and he's eaten most of the extra). I seem to have double my dog back!! . Not so much talking about weight (which has increased some) but talking about energy!!! I was at my folks' place yesterday doing some work in the garden for them (they are on acreage) and Mandela didn't stop! Well, when he did, it was for about 10 minutes of snooze in his crate. Then he was up and racing around again. He did get a bit sick of following me around when I was on the ride-on mower though, and decided he might as well lay down and watch me go around in circles . I think all his energy has encouraged Dad to persist with trying to eat Cottage Cheese even though he (Dad) doesn't like it. Dad's become somewhat interested in the consuming of goats' milk too . Heck - it's even making me think I should eat the stuff and perhaps imbibe the remainder of the holistic drops! I want some of that energy!! Mandela was very glad to get to bed and sleep last night though and had nodded off almost before he plonked his head down. Stools are much better and are looking a better colour, although not reliably so - but the improvement is encouraging. He's finished all the holistic tabs and drops (tabs finished 1 week ago; drops finished yesterday). Will call Carol directly after the Easter break to arrange another consult. If stools are for the most part still looking good, I'm going to arrange another fecal test to check for presence of blood. Yesterday morning after letting Mandela outside, I heard him come back in, chewing on 'something'. I asked for 'give' and found he'd scored a round piece of chip board. Where he got it from puzzled me. Of course, I put it to one side. Shortly after, whilst cleaning up the yard, I found half of a biro (minus the nib and ink). The remains comprised of sharp ends where it had obviously been broken. What concerns me more are the parts of it that are missing and I very much hope that Mandela hasn't ingested them . I've had a word with my neighbours as they had people over the day before, with kids. I don't think it would be my neighbour's own children who threw these things over, but could possibly be one of the other kids who were invited there for the day. My neighbours are lovely and we have a good relationship. They love Mandela as well and wouldn't want to see him unwell. The father is going to have a word to his kids and promised me it won't occur again. So hopefully all is well and that what I've found is all of what has been thrown over and not part of. Worry, worry, worry ...... :D .

Don't know how much help I am but two things come to my mind when I read your post. The general time to allow for ligaments to heal is about 8 weeks, I think. A long time ago I took a ligament injury from a kick by a horse. One of my knee ligaments tore - according to the specialist, it was hanging on by a thread. It healed without surgery although the treatment for 6 weeks was minimise exercise - I was in a full splint for 6 weeks. When the splint came off I could walk ok and once I had re-stretched the ligament I don't think I noticeably limped. However, when standing, I do recall that I favoured my good leg and purposefully had to make sure doing so did not become a habit. When your dog is running/playing, his mind is elsewhere and not on his leg. That doesn't mean the leg is fine. Likely means that he's not conscious of discomfort at the time. If it were me, I'd probably not look at surgery at this time and would give the ligament more time to heal and strengthen. But that's just my own unlearned thoughts and opinion. Also, perhaps look at swimming your dog for exercise. Minimum impact yet it would help in building muscle tone to support the ligament. For me, once the splint came off, I did bike riding exercise for this reason. Mind you .... I went against Doctor's orders and not only was the splint off earlier than the 6 weeks, I was actually back up and riding my horse by 6 weeks. But that lends itself to another story which is not relevant here and not something I'd recommend, even though I think I was lucky by getting away with it.

I agree with letting dogs 'sort it' where appropriate. Having said that, I don't allow any one of two or more dogs decide who I will pat/pay attention to and who I won't.

Is this what you are meaning by "normal reaction"? I thought you might have meant something like a lump at the vaccination site, or inflamed/red itchy skin or some such.

I looked into micro-chipping at one stage. A bit foggy on details with the time that has gone by, but in essence : There was a 1 or 2 day course I had to undertake. Had nothing to do with the "how to's" of implanting the chips, but soley to do with the technical side of recording the chip information. Had to be taught via a Veterinary Clinic how to give the needles. Had to be in the employ of a Vet Clinic - not necessarily full time.

I'm probably not the best one to answer that, Baby Dragon as I don't follow the vaccination protocol that until more recent times has been the 'norm' for decades. But perhaps I'd ask : How old is your dog? Is this a booster vaccine or one of the puppy vaccination series? Has your dog always had a reaction or is this a more recent event?