Dog advice

New to Tattle Life? Click "Order Thread by Most Liked Posts" button below to get an idea of what the site is about:
I’m not sure if you’ve already tried but when my puppy used to go crazy and not settle id shake a bottle filled with stones and he’d stop or at least calm down significantly. It definitely sounds like you need a trainer/behaviourist long term but short term that might help?
You can buy dog discs that you can shake or drop
Amazon product
 
Yes! my sister rehomed an 18 month old lab cross german shepherd who'd by that point had had 5 homes! One person had him a day and took him back :-(. My sister and her partner have been through the worst with him and his behavioural issues (caused by stupid humans!!) but they followed mh advice, persisted and they're so glad they did. 90% of his behavioural issues have resolved or are minor minor annoyances and they've had him for two beautiful years now - he's definitely found his forever home. There were times they toyed with the idea of rehoming, but this was a fleeting thought and they knew they couldn't do that to do, it's not his fault he was treated so badly by humans :-( He tok would bark in their face whilst they were sat watching TV or doing anything, and he's a big dog. They also fed him or played with him when he did this which made it worse, as, like the other responses have said... This is rewarding that behaviour. I so wish I could get in touch with you to properly try to help!

Basically, the Internet is your best friend. Type in the unwanted behaviour and how to stop it on YouTube, join a rescue dogs tips and advice page on Facebook. You've done the right thing of asking on forums.
Also someone recommended the Pet Corrector, not everyone would agree with that but my sister has used it in the past and I must say it does work but please YouTube how to use it effectively to make sure you're using it properly. I've seen people not use it right at all and it's created new behavioural issues.

The main thing is is to ignore the behaviour (unless you're using the Pet Corrector). If you're sat doing something and your dog is barking at you, just ignore it. It'll be hard, but worth it. No eye contact, no smiling, no reaction, no food/treats and no negative reaction (e.g shouting, pushing etc) just completely ignore it. Then when the dog stops and goes and sits down or leaves you alone (which they will do after so long of getting no reaction but might be a while because its been rewarded for so long) then say "good dog" and reward! And continue this until the unwanted behaviour stops.

I wish you the best of luck, thanks for not giving up on him/her and please keep us updated with how you get on!! Sending love and positive energy, I promise you I know it's not easy but itll work out!
 
  • Like
  • Heart
Reactions: 7
Labs are beautiful dogs and very easy to train as they’re so intelligent. I’ve always had labs. It sounds like your dog needs constant attention and you’re in a vicious circle, because when the dog barks, you feed her. It would be worth getting a behavioural specialist in for a few hours to give you some tips. One thing I’d recommend is when she barks, hold your hand up in a stop motion and make a loud quick noise. If she stops barking, give a little reward. Or, if she doesn’t, take her into another room and turn away from her. When she stops barking, then give a reward. Labs are gorgeous and they’re very trainable, you just need the right tools. But once she’s trained you’ll get so much enjoyment out of her x
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2
Eugh almost had a breakdown today with my dog growling at someone on a walk, get so fed up of it some days 😓
 
Resurrecting an old thread - sorry!

Does anyone have any advice for an itchy dog? My poor boy suffers awful with allergies. Ideally we’d like to allergy test him, but the truth of it is we just can’t afford to do that.

Any help is very much appreciated from a worried pug mummy x
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Resurrecting an old thread - sorry!

Does anyone have any advice for an itchy dog? My poor boy suffers awful with allergies. Ideally we’d like to allergy test him, but the truth of it is we just can’t afford to do that.

Any help is very much appreciated from a worried pug mummy x
Have you tried different foods? To see if maybe its that

My mates dog was the exact same an turned out she was allergic to wheat so they had to get food that didn't contain it an it all cleared up for her, she's apparently allergic to grass as well so she couldn't let her into the garden

My boy used to be on bakers till we got told it was basically junk food, so we started paying for the more expensive brands like wainwright's an well beloved an omg his fur literally started coming out in clumps an he was constantly scratching, so we thought nah an went back to bakers but got the no preservatives one an he complete cleared up
 
  • Heart
Reactions: 1
Resurrecting an old thread - sorry!

Does anyone have any advice for an itchy dog? My poor boy suffers awful with allergies. Ideally we’d like to allergy test him, but the truth of it is we just can’t afford to do that.

Any help is very much appreciated from a worried pug mummy x
Yes, we’ve been through the same with our Bedlington. It took years to learn all of the below, so hopefully I’ve saved some leg work! 😉

Firstly, ask your vet to ensure it’s allergies and not a fungal or bacterial infection on the skin. Malaseb is a good shampoo for fungal issues, or the vet can help with bacterial.

I’d also suggest adding Complederm to the dog’s food, as it helps strengthen their skin barrier. It’s a liquid a bit like olive oil and most dogs love it!

Also, don’t bother allergy testing. All dogs are allergic to loads of stuff, so it’s pointless (advice from a consultant veterinary dermatologist). A better way is to try eliminating things one at a time - I’d start with diet (including treats) as the most common allergens are proteins and grains. A lot of dog food says it’s good for allergies but in reality it’s not - I’d suggest Purina HA for six weeks to see if that helps, as it’s truly hypoallergenic.

You could also try changing the washing powder used on their bedding, shampoo, grooming products, etc and see if any of that makes a difference. You can also eliminate dust as an allergen, by using a spray called Indorex on your carpets and soft furnishings - it’s about £13 from Amazon and you do it once every six months.

If none of that helps, I’d suggest you try to get Cytopoint injections for the dog - they block the itch receptors and they’re honestly absolutely miraculous for most dogs.They solved our dog’s itching problems after years of stress, and they work within 24 hours. They do need to be given monthly tho, and it’s around £60-90 per injection, so one for your insurance if you have it!

Your vet will most likely suggest Apoquel, but it’s a horrible steroid which, if used long term, can lead to blindness, deafness, organ failure and all sorts of other nasty things. It also makes the dog drink and pee a lot - sometimes uncontrollably. You can just flat refuse it and ask for Cytopoint instead as it has no known side effects.

Sorry for the essay, but I hope that helps. It can be horrible to watch your dog suffer, but there is hope - ours used to make himself bleed with scratching but now he has no issues at all (largely down to Cytopoint - it really is amazing). 🤞😘 xx
 
Does anyone have any tips on preparing a dog for a new baby (ours, not his) I’m worried he will feel left out or jealous. He’s a spoilt German Shepherd who’s 2 years old, he’s very protective of us both, especially my partner who he lived with before me. I’m only 15 weeks but I think he knows something is up as he keeps sniffing my belly and has been putting his paw on my thigh a lot and staring at my belly, and dropping his bone in to my lap so I’ve been telling him that our baby is in me and that he has to help look after it (I know he doesn’t really know what I’m saying but it feels right to explain to him) I’ve done some googling and got some ideas but any really life tips really appreciated
 
  • Heart
Reactions: 2
Does anyone have any tips on preparing a dog for a new baby (ours, not his) I’m worried he will feel left out or jealous. He’s a spoilt German Shepherd who’s 2 years old, he’s very protective of us both, especially my partner who he lived with before me. I’m only 15 weeks but I think he knows something is up as he keeps sniffing my belly and has been putting his paw on my thigh a lot and staring at my belly, and dropping his bone in to my lap so I’ve been telling him that our baby is in me and that he has to help look after it (I know he doesn’t really know what I’m saying but it feels right to explain to him) I’ve done some googling and got some ideas but any really life tips really appreciated
Interested in any advice on this too. We have a 6 year old Border Collie who’s such a brilliant and loving dog, but I’m so worried she’ll feel left out when our baby comes. Trouble is we never thought we were able to have kids so she’s been our baby, we absolutely dote on her and I think she sometimes thinks she is a baby 😂 I get the feeling she knows something is up too she’s been very whiny and needy around me and literally won’t leave my side (l didn’t think it was possible for her to be any more needy than she was!) we will do everything we can to make sure she knows she’s still very much loved and part of the family but would love to hear what anyone else recommends to do that
 
Have you tried different foods? To see if maybe its that

My mates dog was the exact same an turned out she was allergic to wheat so they had to get food that didn't contain it an it all cleared up for her, she's apparently allergic to grass as well so she couldn't let her into the garden

My boy used to be on bakers till we got told it was basically junk food, so we started paying for the more expensive brands like wainwright's an well beloved an omg his fur literally started coming out in clumps an he was constantly scratching, so we thought nah an went back to bakers but got the no preservatives one an he complete cleared up
Yes, we’ve been through the same with our Bedlington. It took years to learn all of the below, so hopefully I’ve saved some leg work! 😉

Firstly, ask your vet to ensure it’s allergies and not a fungal or bacterial infection on the skin. Malaseb is a good shampoo for fungal issues, or the vet can help with bacterial.

I’d also suggest adding Complederm to the dog’s food, as it helps strengthen their skin barrier. It’s a liquid a bit like olive oil and most dogs love it!

Also, don’t bother allergy testing. All dogs are allergic to loads of stuff, so it’s pointless (advice from a consultant veterinary dermatologist). A better way is to try eliminating things one at a time - I’d start with diet (including treats) as the most common allergens are proteins and grains. A lot of dog food says it’s good for allergies but in reality it’s not - I’d suggest Purina HA for six weeks to see if that helps, as it’s truly hypoallergenic.

You could also try changing the washing powder used on their bedding, shampoo, grooming products, etc and see if any of that makes a difference. You can also eliminate dust as an allergen, by using a spray called Indorex on your carpets and soft furnishings - it’s about £13 from Amazon and you do it once every six months.

If none of that helps, I’d suggest you try to get Cytopoint injections for the dog - they block the itch receptors and they’re honestly absolutely miraculous for most dogs.They solved our dog’s itching problems after years of stress, and they work within 24 hours. They do need to be given monthly tho, and it’s around £60-90 per injection, so one for your insurance if you have it!

Your vet will most likely suggest Apoquel, but it’s a horrible steroid which, if used long term, can lead to blindness, deafness, organ failure and all sorts of other nasty things. It also makes the dog drink and pee a lot - sometimes uncontrollably. You can just flat refuse it and ask for Cytopoint instead as it has no known side effects.

Sorry for the essay, but I hope that helps. It can be horrible to watch your dog suffer, but there is hope - ours used to make himself bleed with scratching but now he has no issues at all (largely down to Cytopoint - it really is amazing). 🤞😘 xx
Thank you both SO much! Yes tried lots of different foods and cutting out treats. Unfortunately can’t claim for anything to do with allergies with our insurance as it’s down as a pre existing condition 😫

We have been using Coatex shampoo which helps. Piriton daily. Just started giving him some coconut oil as well. (Hopefully he isn’t allergic to that. Lol) Our vet did mention Cytopoint injections last time we saw him. Think we may have to give it a go. Expensive but hopefully worth it for my poor boy. Xx
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2
My wee boy had his first Cytopoint injection today. £116 down (and can’t claim, FML) but hope he starts to feel better from here
 
Yes, we’ve been through the same with our Bedlington. It took years to learn all of the below, so hopefully I’ve saved some leg work! 😉

Firstly, ask your vet to ensure it’s allergies and not a fungal or bacterial infection on the skin. Malaseb is a good shampoo for fungal issues, or the vet can help with bacterial.

I’d also suggest adding Complederm to the dog’s food, as it helps strengthen their skin barrier. It’s a liquid a bit like olive oil and most dogs love it!

Also, don’t bother allergy testing. All dogs are allergic to loads of stuff, so it’s pointless (advice from a consultant veterinary dermatologist). A better way is to try eliminating things one at a time - I’d start with diet (including treats) as the most common allergens are proteins and grains. A lot of dog food says it’s good for allergies but in reality it’s not - I’d suggest Purina HA for six weeks to see if that helps, as it’s truly hypoallergenic.

You could also try changing the washing powder used on their bedding, shampoo, grooming products, etc and see if any of that makes a difference. You can also eliminate dust as an allergen, by using a spray called Indorex on your carpets and soft furnishings - it’s about £13 from Amazon and you do it once every six months.

If none of that helps, I’d suggest you try to get Cytopoint injections for the dog - they block the itch receptors and they’re honestly absolutely miraculous for most dogs.They solved our dog’s itching problems after years of stress, and they work within 24 hours. They do need to be given monthly tho, and it’s around £60-90 per injection, so one for your insurance if you have it!

Your vet will most likely suggest Apoquel, but it’s a horrible steroid which, if used long term, can lead to blindness, deafness, organ failure and all sorts of other nasty things. It also makes the dog drink and pee a lot - sometimes uncontrollably. You can just flat refuse it and ask for Cytopoint instead as it has no known side effects.

Sorry for the essay, but I hope that helps. It can be horrible to watch your dog suffer, but there is hope - ours used to make himself bleed with scratching but now he has no issues at all (largely down to Cytopoint - it really is amazing). 🤞😘 xx
Apoquel is NOT a steroid or an immunosuppressive. It is oclacitinib and it 'blocks' the itch receptors.
Cytopoint is a monoclonal antibody which neutralises the itch.

All drugs have side effects, Cytopoint is no different. Both are great, safe drugs. Personally my dog didn't benefit from Cytopoint, but her atopy was successfully managed for many years on Apoquel. Dying of old age at a bit over 15years.