Dog advice

[aidil]

Please get your dog to a vets ASAP. She may not have fully expelled all pups/placentas and that’s a medical emergency!

 

[SpaceshipEarth]

My dog has just snapped at me, I'm pretty upset tbh, never had this before with my other dogs, and Ive had an aggressive dog who I trusted , I'm struggling how to deal with this, I'm ignoring him, and really not liking him at this moment

What happened in the lead up to the dog snapping? What kind of temperament does the dog have normally?

Have there been any other behaviour changes?

If this is the first time, out of the blue for a laid back dog I always would recommend a vet visit to check for any health issues that may cause the dog pain or distress and this is their way of letting you know.

 

[markcorriganscrisps]

Fuming. My dad's dog (I live at home) had to go to the vet as his anal gland burst quite badly. I did tell my dad to take him in ages ago to have them expressed but he said no. Woke up with him bottom covered in it and red raw and burst. All new vets at the practice I've gone to for decades and I told my dad to take the stuff we have for handling him when he's snappy which he is as he's in pain. No he said they should have all that there. They had nothing that fit him. Vet did a rush job, didn't clean him up or anything just antibiotics and stuff to fim his poo. I've told my dad his poo is runny lately because he keeps giving him table scraps. I said stick to his normal food. So he's paid for a massive tub of this stuff which I know the dog will never eat as he's so fussy. The poor thing can't even sit down but was given no pain relief. It was a total rush job with a vet who seemed not to have the patience for him at all! His repeat to go back to the same vet I cancelled and booked in with the one remaining vet who knows the dog well and can handle him. He wasn't available today so I had to go with a new vet.

All my dogs had this issue which I kept on top of by expressing their glands or getting someone to do them. All the same dad giving them table scraps. I'm so angry with both my dad and this new vet. My old vet never ever recommeneded anal gland removal because of certain risks but this one has said they'll have to be removed if it happens again. Now I have a dog here in pain, who is covered in anal gland crap plus the obvious blood and who will never eat the massive pot of stuff the given him for fibre. The size is just ridiculous for a dog his size he won't even though it and he'd honestly take a year or more to get through it if he did! I asked him for painkillers not given as he is in real pain and I've never seen a burst gland look so bad in all my years.

Dad never bloody listens to me. He once gave my little Chi a whole man size handful of salted peanuts that made her very illl ending up at the vets. I've siad the odd thing is ok but it's every tea time and I noticed he's been having runny poo. I explained it needs to be firm to help push out the rubbish from the gland. I feel so sorry for poor Barney.

Rant over.

Poor lad, at least he has you looking out for him. Would Chappie be worth a try for firming poos if he's fussy? My old lad has colitis flare ups and has Chappie every day now and it's great for the old bowels.

 

[ChiRie]

I’m hoping we’re using this for general dog advice now…?

Does anyone have any tips for bonfire night? I rescued my girl just after Christmas, she barked loads at the fireworks that went off for New Year. She’s reactive and very territorial so just a car door banging outside can send her over threshold, she’s improved a lot but sometimes there’s nothing I can do to comfort her and I suspect this will be one of them

Your girl sounds a lot like the dog I started looking after last December. He barks at everything. I just know he'll be barking the house down come fireworks night. Thankfully we have understanding neighbours who don't complain about him. I've tried ways to tackle it but haven't had any success. He's a chihuahua like all my previous dogs and I got him for his owner as she wouldn't take on a rescue. I thought an older rescue would be better considering she's in her 70's but she wanted a pup. The agreement was that being the age she is if she couldn't care for him I'd have him here. This was before my girls passed. I always hated the term ankle biter but by God he is at my ankles all the time! I'm going to take him to a behaviourist to try and stop it as he's broken the skin biting at my ankles.

 

[aidil]

I booked in with the Vet for a check over. I specifically asked for bloods too just to be on the safe side. On feel and having his temp done all seemed to be fine. Bloods came back normal. I've said I want to book him in for castration and the vet said it may or may not help settle him down but I want it done for future cancer problems anyway. My dad wants to wait until after Christmas so I have to wait a bit. If that doesn't work I'm gonna ask the nurse who is specialising in the subject for more advice. He's such a sweet boy otherwise. He came trotting up the stairs and wanted up with me on my bed and was loving snoring away and having his tummy rubbed. I didn't let him stay the night as he likes his crate for that.
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Another of the little trouble maker lol. He is rather cute
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omg he’s sooooo cute! 🥹 I do love my Chihuahuas, they’re sassy little demons but they have a special place in my heart He’s so handsome! Glad his bloods all came back normal and the vet checked him Keep us updated!

 

[Maid22]

My dog has just snapped at me, I'm pretty upset tbh, never had this before with my other dogs, and Ive had an aggressive dog who I trusted , I'm struggling how to deal with this, I'm ignoring him, and really not liking him at this moment

 

[aliw]

I'm seeking some pearls of wisdom regarding house training. A month ago I adopted a rescue dog. She's 10 months old and has never lived in a house before, having been in a shelter since a few weeks old. Leash training is coming along but house training is not. I can walk the legs off her and she does nothing and then poops and pees when back in the house. I take her outside every 2-3 hours but she still has "accidents" in the house. I tell her she's been bad and take her outside when it happens but there's no improvement. She's never yet asked to go out. This is my third rescue dog and the other two only ever had a couple of accidents before learning what to do.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Please don't tell a dog off for having accidents..they have no idea what you mean

The dog needs taking out every half hour

 

[Pesky Tarian]

Had my cockapoo at the vets today, surgery for undescended testicles. Long story short they cut him open couldn't find them, then his heart rate crashed and apparently we were very close to losing him .

I'm thankful he is home and recovering but now I have several problems. I am £500 worse off and my dog still has testes (somewhere). After recovery they are recommending an MRI at £2.5k (not covered by insurance) But in reality the problem is I don't want to have him put under again after today. I'm tempted to leave him be. Is that selfish?.

 

[Skinnydogs]

can anyone recommend a joint supplement please for dogs? My brothers Labrador (almost 5) is a having joint probs (he was basically over exercised when he was a pup) he’s tried yumove but everything he hid it in it was detected by the dog and he basically wouldn’t touch he’s now started him on salmon oil I am due to look after him soon so wondered if anyone had any tips?

I would have him checked by an orthopaedic vet. Supplement are generally a preventative but if he's already having problems it's likely he will need something only the vet can prescribe along with a management programme

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

Hello I have a 7 month old cockapoo who just will not walk to heel. His homing instinct is incredibly strong, when we walk his does his business then turns around to pull home (will not toilet in the garden). We vary the walks but even so he will pull to return to the car. Does anyone have any experience of this please?. He's such a good boy in all other respects.

So ive had one of these and its extremely difficult with a spaniel nose.

What does walking to heel look like for you? For me I wasnt massively bothered about heel aslong as the lead was loose Id give him a bit of freedom.

The main thing to do is once their is tension in the lead you stop, you call him back, once the lead is loose and not taught and you have his attention, you take a step, if the pulling starts and there is tension you stop again. Rinse and repeat. You are counter conditioning him, he pulls, youre going nowhere.

This isnt a quick method but its definitely better than methods like a lead over the nose, haltis etc as youre actually teaching the behaviour you want. Not stopping the behaviour by aversive methods.

Its important youre extremely consistent, anyone who walks him has to be on board as any incidents of pulling allowed will set him back.

If he is sniffy then allow that sniffy time either off lead (if he can be) or with a long lead.

 

[daffodilgirl]

Need some advice, please no judgement. My dog is 11 months ( he will be 1 on the 29 June) let me start by saying my dog is friendly with other dogs and humans and children.. who has been snapped at a few times by other dogs but he’s always been friendly towards other dogs..

Last week my dog got attacked by a dachshund and a fluffy mixed breed ( the two were together) all dogs were on leads..

my dog has been fine ever since playing with other dogs

today on our walk he was on a lead.. he was absolutely fine we passed two (off lead) small Pomeranian dogs who were barking and my dog had No reaction just kept walking didn’t even glance at them.

We then went to pass a dachshund and out of nowhere my dog went for the dog and nipped the other dog on the lip causing it to bleed, I couldn’t apologise enough to the owner for what happened and made sure her dog was OK.
i of course pulled my dog back and had him stand next to me but he still kept growing at the dog. The other owner walked away and I stood there feeling upset and awful and guilty at what happened.

could my dog of done it as he was previously attacked by a dachshund and felt threatened?

 

[101d]

My dog has started biting the air randomly. Google says this is a focal seizure, but he is fully aware when he does this and we can distract him.

I recently took him to the vets for suspected anal gland infection, she emptied his glands and said no sign of infection. He has also been pooing through the night (not like him) although we have had 3 poo-free nights now. He just seems a bit down in the dumps. Waiting on blood test results.

 

[ChiRie]

I also think maybe he can tell I don't feel much for him. Not like my own dogs even one that I adopted at 2. Since my last went I didn't want to ever feel that way again and I do think

I know you wont but please dont hit a dog to deter the behaviour.

Redirect and show the behaviour you do want to see. Praise when behaviour is good.

There is a lot of research into pack mentality and why its been debunked recently.

Id recommend a vet check to make sure all ok, no pain or anything like that.

He's been checked out by my vet and is only young. I know from previous experience a change in behaviour can mean they are ill. I would never ever hit a dog. I always praise him up and for the most part he is very good bar the going for my ankles and growling at the same time. It does seem to happen when my dad is around or is coming in the door and I get up to go open it for him or say there is post he has to be the first there and I've only been able to open the door a crack because he's going crazy biting at my ankles and feet. There is a new Nurse at the practice I go to who trained in behavioural problems I thought we could give a try. He's also not neutered as per his owners request and I'm not sure if this may be the issue? I would prefer him done if she's not going to be able to take him back as I had a male who got prostate problems because he wasn't done.

 

[Elle Woods]

Need some advice, please no judgement. My dog is 11 months ( he will be 1 on the 29 June) let me start by saying my dog is friendly with other dogs and humans and children.. who has been snapped at a few times by other dogs but he’s always been friendly towards other dogs..

Last week my dog got attacked by a dachshund and a fluffy mixed breed ( the two were together) all dogs were on leads..

my dog has been fine ever since playing with other dogs

today on our walk he was on a lead.. he was absolutely fine we passed two (off lead) small Pomeranian dogs who were barking and my dog had No reaction just kept walking didn’t even glance at them.

We then went to pass a dachshund and out of nowhere my dog went for the dog and nipped the other dog on the lip causing it to bleed, I couldn’t apologise enough to the owner for what happened and made sure her dog was OK.
i of course pulled my dog back and had him stand next to me but he still kept growing at the dog. The other owner walked away and I stood there feeling upset and awful and guilty at what happened.

could my dog of done it as he was previously attacked by a dachshund and felt threatened?

Oh I really feel for you, what a horrible situation., I hope you're ok.

I think you're probably right, your dog probably recalled what happened when he was attached by a dachshund and felt threatened.

My dog was pounced on by a boxer dog in a park a few months back (I actually think the dog was just being playful but as he was much bigger than my dog and got right on top of him I think it shocked him a bit) and now whenever he sees a dog of that breed he becomes really reactive and barks and growls. My dog is not reactive at all towards other dogs generally unless he sees a boxer. So I think they do remember negative things that happen to them!

 

[CinnamonSwirl]

We are going to view a litter of dachshunds tomorrow and it will be mine and my husband’s first pet together, I am so happy and I can’t wait for a happy, loving little puppy. He will bring so much joy to us

 

[Alfie1234]

@Former_Antelopee do your research on the yearly booster, I've never done it with my dogs, and they've never died because of not having it. Blimey, this thread has taken a turn, oh well, you all obviously know better then me, but I know my dogs, and am a fuckin good animal owner

Sorry for being petty about my experience how I lost my boy.

Maybe you’re just lucky? I had a dog who died from parvo and it was horrific to watch happen.

If you think dog insurance and small vets are expensive try having a horse, that’s horrifically expensive and the call out fees really high.

 

[ChiRie]

I’m hoping we’re using this for general dog advice now…?

Does anyone have any tips for bonfire night? I rescued my girl just after Christmas, she barked loads at the fireworks that went off for New Year. She’s reactive and very territorial so just a car door banging outside can send her over threshold, she’s improved a lot but sometimes there’s nothing I can do to comfort her and I suspect this will be one of them

My girl would go nuts when the firework display went off, Lola would sake like a leaf, it's just across the road from us too. Mine have passed now but I'm looking after a boy who barks at every little thing so will be using the tactic I used with the girls. Upstairs TV on and turned up, living room TV on and turned up loud to try and mask the sound. With my girl that would shake I would hold her tight. Thunder vests are supposed to be really good for these situations.
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I know this thread is dead but I'm desperate. Had to have my beautiful girl PTS two days ago and I am struggling to cope. I don't believe in rainbow bridge or an afterlife. She's physically gone and my arms ache for her. I just had to share with people who might understand.

I am so very sorry. I've lost 4 dogs I remember with my boy Benny I was holding him as he was pts and like you I literally felt he was totally gone, no rainbow bridge I just felt there was nothing. That was a long time ago now but my last to go was my girl Lola and I was so upset I was sobbing my heart out for a long time. It does get easier with time and I have all my dogs ashes. I live at home although middle aged and my dad was sobbing too, she would keep him company at night lying at his feet. It took him a long time to come to terms with. I would walk in the room and he's be crying. I swore no more animals after that as the heartbreak was just too much. I am looking after one and have been for nearly a year now and it seems he will be staying but I can't love him the same. I think my heart has blocked off feeling that. Don't get me wrong he is well looked after here and spoiled rotten but I just can't love him the same as all my others.

Even though I knew with each one it had to be done with Lola my last girl it tore me up because I knew she was seriously ill for quite some time and I had been told to let her go when she was diagnosed but the vet decided on a last ditch attempt with daily meds and she was back to her old self for a long time. She rallied and even the vet was shocked at how well she was. Then in a day after all that time she just went downhill and I knew I had to let her go. I totally get that feeling though, I felt that with my first.

 

[KMAWeasel]

Hi could anyone give me some advice please. My 11 year old boy has just been diagnosed with lymphoma. I'm absolutely devastated. He is my best friend, soul mate and therapy dog. They've advised he can go through chemotherapy but that could cost in the region of 20k and my insurance will only cover 7k. Without chemotherapy, I will lose him in a few weeks
I'm not on benefits so not entitled to free vet treatment.
What can I do to afford the chemotherapy? I just don't have that money but I cant face to lose my boy who is showing no outward signs of illness in just a few weeks.
Any help would be appreciated as I'm beside myself.

 

[littlepup]

You need to speak to a vet. Do you have insurance? Some insurances provide a phone number for a phone consultation.
They could have eaten something they shouldn’t, have there been any toileting issues? I’d probably rule that out first but still speak to a vet

 

[Pesky Tarian]

For me I wasnt massively bothered about heel aslong as the lead was loose Id give him a bit of freedom.

Thanks for responding, yes this ideally what I would like to happen. I've tried a few techniques but not read about that one so will give it a go thank you.

Very sniffy pup, we do have a long lead. I cannot forsee us letting him off, he slipped his harness once and ran straight home (thankfully without incident). Much like me I suspect he is just a bit of a home bird.