[Tale Of Two Babes]

Is she getting the same amount of exercise and affection now as she got before the baby came? If not, she could be acting out.

[First Day Of Agility Course!]

In my classes, there is only one dog in the ring at a time. Or the teacher is standing at a piece of equipment and the dogs are lined up on leash to learn it, so safety wouldn't be a concern, but waiting in turn for 13 other teams would be tedious! We have 5 of us total in my advanced beginner class right now.

[First Day Of Agility Course!]

Sailor was very nervous in obedience class. I found that if I got into the room early and started throwing high value treats for him to chase and pick up, he relaxed a bit because he had better associations with the room. You can do it on leash, just throw the treats within leash range and walk with him to chase.

Find the foods your dog loves best. Bu loves eggs, so I make a salami and egg omelet ion agility night. He also likes Merrick sausages. You can get them at Petco. Sailors favorite food is a cheddar bagel with cream cheese so I'd pick one up before class. I've also brought leftover pizza, meat, cheese, tripe, Bu particularly likes duck flavored treats, and both my dogs love rabbit meat treats. Sailor is a chow hound. At home, his kibble is an acceptable treat, at class, it's pretty worthless. You'll have to experiment and see what he likes.

[First Day Of Agility Course!]

We're in agility now. My advice is to go as fast or slow learning wise as your pup needs to go. Don't worry about keeping pace with the class, it will just stress you both out. Remember it's for fun and don't worry if you never get to competition level if you're both enjoying yourselves.

[Fierce Protector!]

And you're pregnant. Dogs can know and be extra protective.

[Growling Is Good]

I actually posted this article on fb and tagged people from the group I got my dogs because they've started advocating dominance theory dog training. (I've tried educating them by sending them tons of sources, but they won't listen and I now don't associate with them because of it.) the adoption coordinator, who takes in the dogs with aggression issues to work with, flipped out saying that all dogs should be disciplined for growling. She then deleted her post and said good article, but I doubt it got through to her. It is so aggravating dealing with people.

[Pondering Another Rudy Issue]

Are you blocking his vision with your arm when you pet him while you're reaching over him? Are you putting more weight on the area, like the weight of your hand/arm? I agree a med check is always good. Just because he's always done it, doesn't mean there's not a problem.

[Growth Between Toes]

I forgot to ask Which foot this is? Left front? It'll be easier to check his stubbornness tomorrow.

[Asking The Experts]

I'd bring her to the vet for a check up and maybe some blood work if I was worried.

[Resource Guarding Furniture?]

Who you let in your bed is your business. If you're not having issues with the bed, then I wouldn't bother keeping him off. As for the screaming, stop pulling, but keep just a bit of tension on the leash when he screams, but remain totally calm. Once he stops screaming, start gently pulling again. You want to be firm, and by firm I mean sure in your actions and don't give in. I don't mean to be rough with him. He needs to learn that you're not trying to hurt him, but that you aren't going to give in if he screams and he's not hurt. If he learns that he gets what he wants when he screams, he may start to do it to manipulate you. Also, don't lure him off with the treat, but you can give him a treat once he's off to say "good boy" for listening to me.

[Resource Guarding Furniture?]

It sounds like resource guarding. Keep a leash on him a drag him off firmly, but gently.

[Help Please! Separation Anxiety In Charlie]

Is he eating the stuff in the king when you're out?

 

Search for "alone training" on the site and you'll find some great tips.

[Getting My Kiddo To Play With Toys]

Hide treats under and around the toys.

[Sudden Panic Attacks]

Use the grill instead of the wood stove? Keep him on leash and go in the house to get away from it.

[What Are You Working On?]

Bu and i are starting a second agility class on Monday. Hopefully he'll behave. I do it to give him something to do. To learn to use his powers for good, not evil.

[Sudden Panic Attacks]

That sounds similar to Bu's reaction to gun shots. Could he have heard something that freaked him out? Bu gets very anxious and paces a bunch then tries to hide.

[Reverse Sneezing Question]

I brought a foster dog in for his annual at one point and mentioned that he'd been sneezing and reverse sneezing a bunch the last few weeks. The vet wasn't concerned until the fecal came back positive for nasal worms. They get nasal worms by sniffing poop infested with the eggs. They inhale the eggs and the worms live in the nasal area. Then the eggs get pooped out. A normal fecal tests for it. They are not normally able to sneeze out the worms or eggs.

[Refusing To Wear His Coat!]

If he's running and isn't acting cold, then he's fine. If he's afraid of Velcro, start desensitizing him. Sit across the room from him with the coat and make the noise for a split second and throw a treat to Ernie. Continue to make the noise and throw him a treat until he's comfortable with it. Move a little closer and repeat the process. Keep moving closer until he comes to you for a treat when he hears the Velcro.

[Summit Has 2 Left Feet!]

That's great. When I tried freestyle with my guys, they looked at me when I was nuts.

[Hyperactive Dog - What To Do?]

Puppies need tons more excersize/stimulation than adults. Look for some puzzle toys to occupy her time and makes her use her brain. Also, stop catering to her. Never let her out when she's scratching at the door. If you think she really has to go, stand by the door and wait until she stops scratching, even for a second, and then let her out. Otherwise ignore her. I know its easier said than done, and it will get worse before it gets better, but it will eliminate the behavior. Distract her when she starts it up. Throw a toy or call her over, do some training, something, anything. Don't give a treat as she's doing that make her do something for you first even if its just coming when you call her.

[Belly Bands]

I wouldn't put one on him in this situation. I can't imagine it being comfortable sitting in his own pee like that for hours. Can you hate him in the kitchen or somewhere else without carpeting? Put his bed in there and if he needs to go, at least it will be easy clean up. Or could you hire a dog walker? Or sneak home at some point? I only use belly bands for house training and take them off of I'm not home and the pup is crated.

[Hyperventilating?]

Sounds like anxiety to me. So long as she's not lethargic (quiet is probably ok since she's in a new place) and is not trying to vomit I'd probably just chalk it up to nerves and wait for her to settle in. You can also check your thermostat. She might just be hot. I've had cases where both BF and I are comfy then we look over and both the dogs are panting up a storm! ha ha. So we drop the temp and put on sweaters.

I agree with this. Remember, she doesn't have a clue as to why she's in a new place with complete strangers. Her world was turned upside down. An adjustment period is normal.

[Eye Problems Already?]

Sometimes you won't notice the cloudiness depending on the light. Bu started having some cloudiness a couple years ago (he's 7 now) and the vet said its normal as they get older. His vision had not seemed to change and they don't bother him. If the drops are helping the discomfort, I wouldn't panic. If anything changes then try to push up the vet visit.

[Ideas On Making A Bandage Stay In Place On The Side]

I use a dog tshirt with a maxi pad on the inside by the wound. I don't tend to do fancy. It's worked really well. Your shirt would be fine as well.

[Seizure Questions]

The only experiences I've had with seizures is with clients dogs (I'm a pet sitter). One dog was ancient and it was a one time thing.

 

The other had epilepsy. I was watching him (Ben), his owners daughters 2 dogs, my dog and my foster dog. (All greyhounds) I was feeding everyone dinner. I turned around from getting the food and Ben was seizing. One of the owners daughters dogs started trying to attack Ben, so I had to hold him off. Thankfully, it was only one dog. Please keep the dogs separated when you're not supervising so that you don't have an attack. It's pretty natural dog behavior, but is preventable.