Dog advice

[Former_Antelopee]

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.

My dog is super fussy but still ate the stuff to firm up his faeces in chicken (he had VBS clay so might not be the same thing but sounds similar).
Could it also be your dad didn't accept certain things from the vet, didn't listen to them like he isn't listening to you? Maybe if you called and said he came in today and your wondering if some pain medication can be given they may say you can pick some up?

 

[Pesky Tarian]

Slip lead high on his neck, start walking and as soon as he starts to pull, quick flick on the lead and change direction, once he starts walking beside you say the word “heel” so he associates heel being at your side. He will then soon realise if he wants to go somewhere, there has to be no tension in the lead(slip lead) once hes kind of ok with this, start putting direction turns in, once hes by your heel, put your leg infront of him and turn 180, this is how you establish the eye contact as he will be looking at you, waiting for your next move. Please get rid of the harness, theres a reason huskys use harnesses, it wont help you. I have made this sound really easy and it does take time but i do train spaniels myself so feel your pain. I’ll try and find a video to link to if that would help? Am i allowed to post links?

I think I understand. Lots of good advice thank you. He arrived with a harness so we just assumed that was best (first time dog owners). It seems consistency is key, which may be harder when the kids walk him. I'm looking forwards to giving some different things a go.

 

[Former_Antelopee]

Typically, we renewed it a month ago. I'm devastated, I don't know what to do

I know my friends dog had chemo at a university and she put it on a credit card as she had no insurance you could always ask your vets to get estimates from a referral centre? But as I said probably ask for a university since they are usually cheaper if there's one near you?

 

[Former_Antelopee]

Anyone got recommendations for a dog safe slug killer? My gardens full of them and I hate them plus want rid for the dogs sake

 

[Pesky Tarian]

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.

 

[Wolfshead]

Thank you for all the input! Just to answer some questions; she is a Formosan Mountain Dog and had a very long flight from Taiwan to Canada. She left behind five siblings and her mother and has had to learn a LOT in the month she's been here. The difference between her and my other two rescues is that they both spent some time in foster homes before coming to me whereas Yuki came to me straight off the plane. She's been so good in spite of all this and I'm not freaking out about these accidents. She still has a lot to learn and it all takes time and patience. I just wanted some input from others and I'm grateful to get that.

I'm not able to leave the door open for her to wander in and out unfortunately, so she has to be taken out. She spends most of her time (between walks) sleeping or playing with my other FMD and he's been a big help to her in settling in.

As far as cleaning up after accidents; I do use a special cleaner so as not to encourage repeat performances. When she does have an accident I only tell her off if I actually catch her in the act and she's praised and rewarded for going in the right place.

 

[Maid22]

I didnt say you wouldn’t get gold standard care if no insurance? I just said it’s more likely someone with insurance could afford it. I said ‘they’d obviously offer it’, it’s just more likely the vets would have to come up with a cheaper alternative if no insurance

Not all of us can afford insurance, so don't get the gold standard care.
And before I get berated, I've had dogs all of my life, doesn't make you a bad owner for not having it, I've loved and cared for all of my animals and have found the money, the booster jab every year is also a rip off.

 

[ChiRie]

Sounds like youre doing all you can with a dog that hasnt been trained properly by the other owner.

No she didn't train him properly.
---

Yes you dont need to hit him and dont crate him either as thats his safe place and he will soon resent it.

Firstly, I would remove access to absolutely everything apart from water, toys etc all get put away, dont let him access the couch etc, things like that have to be earned, make him work for things. If he does it again, grab him by the collar, firm no and remove him from the rest of the house, not saying lock him in a container but just pick him up and move him to the opposite side of the house. Clip him on a lead and show him that YOU are in charge and that what hes doing is unacceptable. Next time your expecting visitors, clip him on a lead and control him that way. I dont use treats for rewards as its a form of blackmail, use plenty praise instead.

Thanks. I couldn't get him by the collar as he'd have my hand off. He may only be a 2.4kg chihuahua but his bite hurts bad. I tried to find a muzzle for him for when I clip nails and things but even the smallest are too big as he has a short nose. I had to buy a pair of special gloves that go up to my elbow instead that he cannot bite through. He is obsessed with walks and loves that lead going on thinking he's off out but I will try. I'd have to remove his steps plus shut him out the living room as he can jump up on the chair he likes. He loves to look out the window sitting on the back of the chair like all my chi's have done. The only way to stop that would be shut the door so he can't come in. He's not been trained properly. He recently spent some time back with his owner (a week) with my dad there and he woke to poo on the bed because she lets him sleep on there and didn't take him out for his evening walk. He doesn't mess in our house as we make sure he has his walks and goes in the garden. I'd never hit him. I don't agree with it and it would make the situation worse. I'll just have to whip on my gloves and take him out. Funnily and maybe because his owner hasn't got one he doesn't like the garden so I could put him out and shut the door. The removal of the toys is a touchy subject. I kept all my previous dogs toys and a sofa style dog bed all 4 used. The toys are a massive pile in the corner next to it and when my last girl died my dad wouldn't let me move anything as she was his favourite and used to love to sleep on the pile of toys. He'd be furious if I took them away.

 

[markcorriganscrisps]

He is 18 months so I think he's just naturally a little boy. Thank you I feel like I will go in Monday now and ask the right questions. I've stuck with the vets as they're a small village vet, 5 min walk from me, always busy and don't get me wrong I'm very thankful that they bought him around but I do think I may look for a more modern practice.

Always worth a wee ask around. Do you know any other folk with dogs or folk with dog walking businesses? They're good for intel (as well as local Facebook groups and the like, but doggy folk are the best for info I've found) best of luck, your little fella is lucky to have you looking out for him. They're such a worry sometimes.

 

[Maid22]

Then I wonder why so many of my colleagues leave the profession

My opinion on the vets, thanks for angry and laughing likes.
So this is your response, where have they gone, packing shelves in tescos?
These have been my experiences with vets, surprised you didn't laugh at what the vet said when I had my boy pts.
Oh and I'm not petty enough to leave you an angry face.

 

[Maid22]

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.

I've had farm animals, so yep I know how expensive the call outs are.

 

[Maid22]

No but my vet's dog did rescue work and training and once he posted it had come back covered in hundreds!!!!!!! Obviously he could remove them.

I think you're in the same place of country to me, have you not had trouble with these blighters!
My dog has a bright orange football, he's just come in, saw abit of orange on his eyelid, thought it was abit of the footie, nope another bleddy tick, I hate having to 'operate' around his eyes.

 

[Former_Antelopee]

Does anyone do agility with their dog? Wondering how long it took you (handler) to know what your doing as I'm always messing up

 

[Former_Antelopee]

Normal vets. Should I be referred?

Some normal vets do chemo but a lot of people get referred. A lot of referral places will give vets free advice on cases as well if a case can't be referred for whatever reason. It'll probably be more expensive at a referral anyway especially the private ones whereas university referrals are (usually) cheaper.
When does your insurance renew for the year if it's a lifetime policy? Would it be part way through treatment as then you'd have the insurance budget renewed?

 

[Maid22]

I was referring to your comments on my profession, not your dog. Stop twisting my words. I never once made comment on your PTS experience? This was based on your other replies.

Anyway, we’re going around in circles and you clearly have made your mind up about all veterinary professionals so I’m out 🫡

Can I ask about your profession, you a vet, a nurse?
Yep we're going to disagree on this thread, I've had awful issues with vets, just sharing my own experiences.

 

[G_man]

I personally disagree with re-directing bad behaviour but each to their own. In my opinion, your not telling the dog what behaviour you want to stop. Someone comes into the home, said dog jumps up and straight after gets a paw and a treat? Your not teaching the dog whats wrong, he instantly thinks oh if i want a treat il just jump up. Makes sense why theres so many behaviourist’s about these days I suppose more than ever

 

[MrsFishandChips]

My dog has undergone IVDD surgery this week, she was rushed in and confirmed it was stage 3. If anyone has had similar experience and have any advice I’m all ears
I’m currently fretting that she has a blood stain coming through on her bandages although the surgeon did tell me some staining is normal if it’s seeping through that’s a a different story

 

[ChiRie]

Is anyone having problems with ticks? Last year was bad, but this year has been awful, my boy has a tick collar and I spray him numerous times a day with a tick repellent, but I've just had to tweezer one of those buggers off his eyelid! Any recommendations?

No but my vet's dog did rescue work and training and once he posted it had come back covered in hundreds!!!!!!! Obviously he could remove them.

 

[ChiRie]

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.

That's true it happened with two of my dogs over the years and both were seriously ill I discovered.

 

[Wolfshead]

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.