XTRAWLD

How old? Agree with LS. I'm currently treating Kasey for it. Hugs.

I agree. Never regretted my switch.

I bought 2 large pens and put them together with an umbrella in the middle, water on the side and some comfy cushions to lay on. I have tied them to picnic tables with a close eye on them when setup of the whole deal was happening. Several camping setup pictures are on the forum, I'm just not sure where the thread is.

Race weight is also muscle weight, which changes when they retire obviously. From my experience a few pounds over race weight is fair, and really the truest judge is being able to see the last rib (technically the last two). I can't see those in your photo (photo quality and being a black dog, not blaming any chub!) However, according to that photo, Claymore looks like he's at a really comfortable weight.

A yelp when getting up is different than a groan when getting comfy. Perhaps consider some chiro for her once she has the all clear with the vet check.

Ryder does this too, he's a vocal pup as well. I can get him to sing with me on command and we also "talk". When he lays down and gets comfy he does the groan too. He's content.

Ryder goes for maintenance these days, but was regularly seeing one since the age of three. I've recently been taking Kasey to help with his LS. Chiro really is a wonderful wonderful thing.

Well mucousy poop definitely means his tummy is not happy and is irritated. Sorry you keep hitting bumps in the road with this.

So Kasey has been pooping in the house over the past year or so. Not every day, it really is irregular as I can't seem to find a pattern, but I do know why. I'm taking too long to get ready in the morning and he won't hold it before we go for our walk. I digress. I caught him RIGHT in the act today, probably the first time I've been bang on, so I scolded him for doing so....and he knew he did wrong...... the problem is.....Ryder thinks HE did something wrong. He went to go sulk on his bed away from me......while Kasey is his usual dopey self but knew he was in trouble. Anyone else have a problem when mad at one and the other or another in the pack gets upset too thinking you are mad at them as well? I'm not sure how to really overcome this problem, although I do reassure Ryder it's not him, he's a great dog, he gets lots of affection etc. 9 times out of 10 it's always Kasey that is pushing the buttons, Kasey is the one that is told to lie down when getting utterly annoying with the bed fluffing, or incessant licking etc. and Ry gets all upset because he thinks I'm upset with him. Yes I know, my fault, I should be getting ready and taking them out sooner, but he's been able to hold it plenty of times before and knows our routine. I feel like he's becoming ok with this behaviour lately though.

Oh. I also forgot. Do your stairs have backing or can you see through them? This just occurred to me. Years ago with Kasey.....if he could see through the stairs to the other side....like basement steps or outdoor steps....forget it, he was not going up them. Maybe that's part of the issue, but if they are closed then...just....as you were!

My boys don't care a lick for eachother. Yeah, they don't get along and snuggle or are best buds, but hey, they don't fight or NOT get along with eachother either. Yeah it sucks a bit, but I still love them both. Your background info sounds very similar to mine: Kasey was adopted in 2005, and Ryder was adopted in 2010 so 5 years apart. Their ages are also different Kasey was 7 at the time we brought in a 2.5 year old. Kasey is fine as an only dog, figure I may have tried to "force" him to have a brother. I don't regret getting Ryder, but I am sometime sad that Ryder wants to engage Kasey and play and have fun, and he's always shut down.

Congrats on your progress. Becoming a statue mid stair is common but don't give up!

Chiro sounds like just the ticket to help him overcome his pain. I started taking Ryder when he was three, and take him semi regularly now. Kasey goes in regularly as well. It's a great relief for them both.

My Kasey is allergic to chicken too. Beef broth of course is just the same as chicken or veggie broth. It's the liquid intake you only need to concern yourself with.....drink drink drink! In fact, try maybe some cooked fast fry beef strips? Do you have any colloidal silver? I've given that orally and they bounce back quicker than anything else I've tried.

You know, Ryder grumbles when I'm giving him a neck/ear/head massage when he's napping, and he dozes off. I could be rubbing him as he's falling asleep and he's grumbling for 5 minutes. I'm having a hard time figuring out if he likes it or not, because sometimes his head is resting on my stomach and not facing me when I do it so I can't see his face and expression. I always wonder if he's about to tear me a new one or is thoroughly enjoying it, so I often stop in fear that he'll strike me dead in my bed at 11pm. I don't think he ever would, and I'd like to think he likes it, but even if you know your dog.....you can't be sure. Well at least I can't.

Oh my poor guy. I can vouch for LID Salmon and Sweet Potato by Natural Balance. I'd try a very very bland diet of some rice, broth and a bit of cooked chicken to get him back on track. I've also had some great success with protein shakes - although I'm not sure if that's the greatest idea right now. I'd be more concerned with dehydration than anything at this point - broth will help I think. Scritches.

I'm not sure those are the usual pimples on bellies. Perhaps some insect bites. Typically that's not the area where blackheads etc. live. I've often used a spritz of colloidal silver in the area to reduce infection and dry up the area.

Wow. Incredible! They don't live with your dog and don't know how your dogs reacts, who would ever push if you knew you didn't appreciate the side effects and could try something new!?!? Yes, I also forgot to mention that Sentinel covers ticks and fleas, some others don't have other preventative coverages. Sadly this med is expensive but it does have good all around coverage.

Kasey had a lot of trouble doing #2 on leash, pee no problem. Who wouldn't want to mark when out for a walk? He used to have a yard to use and once he lost that after we moved he had to learn. Oh the pain and turmoil of learning. We would be out there for 45 mins, 30 mins.....it would take forever before he would go. I lost a lot of patience and was often late for work. Soon he showed his rhythm. He had to actually pace along the edge of the grass where the curb or sidewalk meets.....and then eventually he would go. But I had to wait it out. Every time he went he would get better. Routine helps....walking the same area helps. Maybe she wants more privacy and go behind a bush with your back turned (not joking). All I can suggest is that it takes time. Time for you to be out there with her for her to learn to go. Use a verbal cue to encourage her so she associates the word and the action and give her praise and reward when she does.

Where the head goes the rest will follow! Oh I forgot to mention (since I didn't really explain down very well as both boys had pretty much non issues going that direction), I did have Ryder decide to turn on the first stair. So he put one paw and then two, and then the back paws as he turned his body! I thought, you can't possibly want to go down 13 more steps like that! So keep the head straight as mentioned above and beside your waist so he has guidance. Prevent the turning

I've had my boys on Sentinel for the past three years now. Believe it or not I moved away from Heartguard because Kasey was allergic to some of the ingredients in the chews. It's not the first time I've heard of odd things happening when on Heartguard either. The other option I tried was a topical version, and I didn't like how long it stuck around on their fur (it actually took the paint off a bed rail when Kasey was sleeping against it!) You do have other options other than oral. Give it a go. Clearly Heartguard is not agreeing with Winnie.

Firstly, both my boys do stairs differently. Ryder is very careful to take them one at a time - which I find is trainable. Kasey on the other hand, oy, he JUMPS a flight in 3 bounds - which I find isn't teachable, he just found that was the best way for him to do stairs. Your pup will figure out what method suits him best, but first...the carrying up and down the flights has to stop. It sounds like you are doing all the right things....but he's gotta conquer his fear. He might be a bounder and not an individual stair climber as well. You'll know if he stands at the base of the stairs and puts both front feet up 3 stairs high but is hesitant to go. If he's alternating front feet on the bottom stair or two, then he's likely thinking of individually climbing them. Start with him at the base of the stairs first (easier going up than down I think for the first try, and if all the fun is upstairs it encourages him to get up there! - so ok one more carry if need be....) Turn ALL of your lights on....make the area fully bright for him to see and get some super high value reward treats ready. Get a big cheering squad at the top of the stairs.....someone to squeak a toy to encourage, or if he's big into food, some stuff at the top as a goal. To teach Ryder I stood behind him, in case he fell or to prevent him getting the idea that turning around is not an option. Put your legs behind his butt so he's got some encouragement and something steady to lean against. Lean down and put one front paw up REWARD and then the alternate back paw up REWARD. The back paw will force the weight to be distributed causing him to move forward. You can only go so far with placing the front feet. Try to not let him lean against you but be close so he can if he slips. Next try the other front paw REWARD and alternate back paw REWARD. He went through one cycle and is likely in the middle of the stairs now and has no choice but to keep doing this. He may just naturally keep going, but return to help him with the first front paw etc. This is a good place to be for his mind to start contemplating. Sounds like he might shake and panic but be firm. If he statues and shakes, you are there for him to lean his butt against. But you just stay there and let him figure it out, do not let him turn around......he's got to move forward and he will when he's ready, he's been given no other options. You might stand on the stairs with him leaning his butt against you for 5 minutes....then so be it. Put a piece of chicken on a stair just out of his reach....that he'll have to move forward to get it. He just might need to figure it all out in his brain when he's in the middle of the stairs.......when he reaches the top (and he will) BIG TIME REWARD.....give him a break and then teach him how to go down. Once I taught Ryder, he never stopped doing the stairs....unnecessarily. Careful what you teach! lol Good luck! Repeat.

Oh that was a nice poem. Rest well Doc.

Kasey's always been very difficult to put weight on so I sympathize. I struggle as well since he eats well for the most part, but year after year he loses a pound or two. We blame the prednisone since he has been on it for 7 years now and always had weird opposite side effects with it (not hungry, not thirsty). He's a picky eater as it is, and his lack of appetite from time to time doesn't help! I hope you get to the bottom of the issue! Scritches to Jeffy.

Oh Magic. I'm so sorry he's passed.