XTRAWLD

I keep telling Kasey, `don`t get old`. I don`t think he`s listening. Congrats on the all clear for Summit.

Wow, I leave this thread alone for a couple of days and .... wow. I just wanted to update.... So, after skimming much of some other comments within this thread, this is how things are going in my house.... Sunday morning, I REALLY wanted an espresso. We did very little training with the thundershirt. He did have it on and off for about 2 days, and the little deer fell asleep in it too! I put it on him when he was up and about after deciding I wanted a cappuccino. No reaction to me getting things ready, he kinda peeked into the kitchen and took a look and noticed me in the corner, and went back on his bed. I flipped the switch on the machine and he started to shake like a leaf. Out of coincidence, hubby decided to take him out for a walk (and I think he didn't want a poop incident either). We hadn't yet done this, so I said ok to take him. I was done by the time he was back, and he settled back down rather quickly, once he was home from a walk. So I'm at least happy that he came back to his normal self faster than he did in the past. Progress? Maybe. I haven't made an espresso since - that is not because I don't want to, I haven't had the time. I think it's actually giving him a good break. It's funny when you know your dog, you can see them coming back into themself. He was beginning to get trepidatious when just standing in the kitchen. I'm very surprised this machine is having this effect on him. I'm also curious if it is emitting a sound that is not agreeing with him, perhaps a high pitched frequency. Interestingly enough, I work for an engineering company specializing in noise, so I am completely tempted to just take a meter home and get a reading on this machine when it is operating! Kasey might not be hearing the sound because he's older and that's why he's not bothered? Actually I think he's just a super laid back boy now that he's 10 and has been subjected to a lot of things in his life. To touch a little bit about some comments within this thread (gee I hope it doesn't get shut down), I have tried the flooding method with Ryder for a few fearful things, and I know which situations it has and hasn't worked. It requires an incredible amount of patience and understanding in your dog. Flooding helped in some situations of fear with him (really worked well with strangers, and to an extent the roofers and construction workers), but not all. In a way, worked with people and not with things or events - I'm thinking it's because he's getting direct positive feedback from a person, as opposed to a neutral or negative feedback from a thing or event, lack of emotional connection of sorts if that makes sense. I know not to continue to push buttons with him, and when he can't handle it. I don't need to break him. This espresso thing isn't something I'm going to practice flooding with. The thundershirt didn't really work per say - but I've only had one real try. However, if it managed to bring him back to normal faster (in combination with a walk) then I'd say it was a win, at least initially. We've had a talk, I think he's still mad at me! He'll come around and we will continue this saga, one cuppa at a time. The death machine! The wonderful product! He was in the kitchen like this during operation! He might look relaxed and happy, but I assure you he was vibrating on the floor. In the kitchen, but he's in full shutdown mode. We can do it buddy!

AWH! What a feel good story. We've been there so many time to help Kasey. He's learned that when we call him over to take care of something - we truly are helping him and he will feel better when we are done. It's amazing what time and patience can do!

Do you think he's this way because he is in pain with the limping, etc.?

I swear by Fresh Factors for skin and coat, but I think the one that does the trick is the Joint Health one Springtime offers. I don't hear creaks or watch Kasey struggle to get up from bed anymore, and Ryder has recovered more quickly from limping because of it. We started on FF and then added JH, so it's hard to say which one is having a better effect. I know the shedding has decreased since the FF is now working out of their system and they are on JH full time now. Is there a reason he can't be on it already? (I know he prolly has a lot of drugs in his system.....)

Just bought it and put it on.....doesn't he look impressed!

Thanks! I know you've had plenty of experience with Katie!

Looks like a common thing I see in my house. Just keep nails trim and keep an eye on it. These are the kinds of things I keep CS (colloidal silver) around for.

I agree with this....beware of what you put in the cans....some have been known to ingest pennies, etc., as they spill out. Maybe lots of rocks? Or several closed containers he can't get into after it falls - although just pop can's alone would do the trick. (I know from experience) The other trick could be to put some tape, stick side up, on the edge of the stove....if he's surfing with his paws, he won't like the contact of paws on sticky duct tape.

Mine do it too, but I thought for the longest time it was because of static. I have one coat for Kasey it's always charged with static and I wonder if it jolts him as he walks. You could try to wash the coats in more softener, or wash them more regularly. That's my only suggestion.

Since the day we got Ryder, he exhibited signs of stress and anxiety when hearing loud sounds on walks. In particular he was (and still is) deathly afraid of roofers. Those roofers have air compressed nail guns. Strong pulling just trying to get home, or run away from the sound as fast and as far as he possibly could. I won't get in depth into my work trying to condition him (it did involve long walks, flooding, lots of exposure, obedience training, high value treats, etc.), but I have made the attempt and we have made some strides. He calms down pretty much instantly once we walk in the door at home. It's his safe place from that bad world out there. We have an air compressor in the garage that is mostly used for putting air in tires. Every spring and winter when it's time to change the tires over for the seasons, we use it. Well Ryder completely shuts down at home at the sound of the compressor running in the garage. This winter, a new thing started now, when hubby would just be in the garage working - and NOT using the air compressor. He's beginning to associate work in the garage with that loud scary (and vibration) sound now. Distraction in the basement or in other rooms in the house away from the garage doesn't work. It takes him about an hour to get back to his normal state. Honestly, even taking him for a walk around the block before the compressor starts up - he's already suspecting something the little bugger, and is tentative when we return too. As a Christmas gift to us, I bought an espresso machine. We wanted one ever since our trip to Italy in April, and finally found one and go a great deal. Guess what sound it makes? Wuuuuuuur chic chic chic.......spuuuuooooosssssss. Sigh, there goes Ryder running for the hills. Shaking, panting, nose dripping, no eye contact, no response to commands to come/lay/sit etc., not accepting any treats or food. Really, a complete melt down, the whole nine yards. Once the espresso/cappuccino/latte making is over (and what a great cup it is) it takes him at times up to 2 hours to get back to normal. He's starting to worry now if I leave his sight and head for the kitchen where that bad bad espresso machine is! This actually isn't the first reaction to something in the kitchen. He oddly even FREAKS out when we open the freezer door! That trigger is actually the sound of frozen bags squishing around. (Yeah, I don't get it either - it's FOOD - his most favorite thing!). I've been thinking about getting him a thundershirt, but I really don't know if it will help. If I get him one, do I put it on him before making the coffee? Wouldn't he then associate the shirt with the trigger? So far we have tried without success: putting a sweater on him before starting it up, and not making a big deal over it when it's warming and the art of making the java, put him in the bedroom with hubby and Kasey (Kasey has ZERO reaction to all of this hub bub), all sleepy comfy cozy dark room, kept him in the kitchen on his own account, and he actually laid down on the mat at the sink (very close to the machine) but he pants and shakes like he could agitate a paint can kept him in the kitchen "forcefully", with hubby sitting in a chair at the kitchen table and keeping him close and "secure" - perhaps reinforcing the behaviour but we had to try left him alone to wander the house, he doesn't lay down on this bed, but will find the furthest corner and stand shaking and panting (this once resulted in a poop accident as well) - we're literally scaring the %^#* outta him. I love my dog, this situation is frustrating, I feel bad and guilty about all of this. I'm not giving up the machine and I'm not giving up on my dog. He will have to learn how to adapt, but I will have to learn how to condition him. I'm asking for suggestions. We can't take him out of the house for a walk (we don't have a yard so I can't simply just put him outside and away from the sound) every time we want to make a coffee (this is the easiest solution). To be honest, we are thinking about purposely running this machine every day so he gets used to it, and hopefully every day it will take him less and less time to get back to normal. This sounds like a rough road, so I want to make it as easy on him as possible, but I don't want to drug the poor thing. I'm at a loss for the next approach. **EDIT - maybe this should be moved to Training? I'm really concerned for his health so I put it here first. Please move thread as necessary.

WOW. Henry! What greyt news!!!

Sounds like he was dreaming! I've had that happen with Kasey a few times, dead asleep, no reason to wake and a big WOOF! LOL How long has Payton been with you?

UGH. I hate, hate, hate, when you think you do an awesome bandaging job and POOF it disappear. Feeties are the worst to take care of too! But on another note - were there any eggs?!?!?!

Ok. Good for checking. Poor boy. It's very interesting to watch the chiro session. They manipulate the leg to move in different directions, sometimes you really don't think they should move that way, but they are stretching and putting joints and bones back where they should go. On three occasions, Ryder "popped". Not unheard of, but not as common. They said it was a good release, and he improved by leaps and bounds following those first visits. She even sorta gives him a big hug when he sits. It's quite cute, but she's pushing on his spine when he's sitting, easier for her to manipulate. He might be too tender his first visit, but the chiro will be a judge of that. I'm sure watching him move around is not fun. Hang in there Rudy.

Is it just me, or does his ankle look swollen in that vid? Is there heat on the joint? Can you touch it and rub it without a reaction? If your vet has even suggested chiro and those x-rays to date are clear - I'd just take him to see someone. I know it's an hour away, but even they can be your second opinion and if highly trained, can recognize if it is also something they can't handle. In my experience, they won't treat if they don't think they can make him better. 1 hour away, I know it can be pricey (our first chiro was twice as much as the second one we ended up switching to) so price varies, but you'll have some peace of mind and more answers if anything. I do not regret going for a second, and the biggest step can be just to commit and go, especially if chiro is unconventional for you. He's definitely owie, and I agree with you, looks like it's getting progressively worse.

Similarly to Hawthorn, in Ryder's case, my chiro frequently treated greyhounds with limps that seemed to always favour their left side, since they run in that direction on the race track (a lot of pressure on that side of the body in the turns, while the right compensates and "lengthens"). He had YEARS of experience and found the problem promptly. A trained vet/chiro will diagnose the problem in a few minutes. In addition to shoulder issues, he also had a bit of spine out of whack.....you know how it feels when you pinch a nerve or muscle in your back and it can hurt somewhere else? Happened to Ryder. I really hope that's the case for Rudy. Good luck.

Awh, poor guy. Clearly he's uncomfortable and is now letting you really know now. I feed both my boys (one is just about 11 years old, and Ryder is 6 - he's the one with limping issues) joint supplements which have helped dramatically for each of them. They take a while to start working though. I know 6 is young, but if he needs it, he needs it. Hugs. Sounds like you are in a tough place. Have you tried to find any "mobile" chiros - I know they are rare, but perhaps that is an option - someone to come to you? Certainly only if all x-rays are clear and sounds like they are so far. Are you close to any universities/colleges that practice animal care? That would be ideal, generally they are cheaper too, because you have learners.

Not Henry. I'm so sorry.

Kasey does this at times, to where I thought it was too abnormal to just be "excitement". Turns out he had acid reflux. Pepcid solved that, which I'm now actually using Slippery Elm to control instead. Sounds like yours is just excited but I would guess acid reflux as the next culprit.

Please consider a chiropractor. I wouldn't have believed the difference it could make until I took Ryder myself to see the results.

Could be dreaded allergies.

Wow. That's a lot of bran. I'm willing to bet he'll be pretty constipated, but it doesn't sound too threatening IMO, although of course worrisome. I'm surprised he has runny stool after all that to be honest. That boy will have a pretty full stomach, do you keep any Gas-X on hand to relieve any gas he might have? I'm not sure how much he should drink as well - would that expand the cereal in his stomach? Usually when consuming bran it's recommended to drink fluids for the stuff to properly pass through ones system and not get stuck. I'd say for sure, if he asks to go in the middle of the night to get up to take him. I guess the theory of "2 scoops of raisins" isn't really true? Hopefully others will chime in for you. What a little stinker!

Ryder limps after over exertion. (Like weekend warrior style, running at a park like a crazy dog after months of "sedentary" activity). Muscles just aren't used to it. Without fail whenever we visit a park he injures himself, so we just don't go anymore. He's leash walked anyway since we don't have a backyard to run in. Just as well I guess. For what it's worth Ryder is now 6 and we first noticed this problem when he was 3.5/4. He did have an x-ray of his hind leg which showed nothing, thankfully. We've been seeing a chiropractor which has helped him immensely. Usually his limping is from over exertion and very common after getting up after lying down. Make sure you investigate the limp to figure out the right course of action. It could be something (simple or major) or nothing at all. What worries me is you said very severely....is he holding up his paw? Is his leg weight bearing? You mention he can "walk it off" so I'm assuming it's not THAT severe......

Lots more wonderful thoughts coming your way. You get to spend more time with her nonetheless. Sounds like bacon is the best way to do that!