Riverhound

How old is he?

I don't know anything about SA; my dogs don't have it. Can you leave her at the sitter for a night well before your trip to see how she does, and then decide on meds? Joe takes Xanax for thunderphobia and it works well. Takes the edge off without making him loopy. Good stuff if the dog needs it!

It took 8 weeks of very limited activity before Joe's mystery leg/back problem stopped bothering him. Short walks (2-3 blocks), no zoomies, etc. Not wanting to run makes sense if she's hurting and will help if it's something like a sprain. Maybe just keep her quiet till the next batch of x-rays?

Also in NJ. I spent the day puttering in the yard/drinking/hanging out with my Dad, and kept the dogs out with us. Joe was fine laying in the shade, but if I'd tried to walk him he would have been a panting, heaving mess. (He's black on top, so he soaks up heat!). Brees seems to do better in warm weather so far. Above 75 is where we have to be careful with Joe: make sure he gets watered enough, encourage him to stand in creeks, spray him down, etc. He will mostly be walked in the morning and late evening through the summer, or to places we know he can get wet. Joe's been tested for TBD's and been fine, so he's just a spoiled wimp who wants A/C! It was freakin' hot today! I haven't adjusted, either!

Well, hell. I just ordered one. I'm going to try your methods till the harness arrives, then play with it. With Princess-Pain-in-the-A$$, I need all the help I can get!

I can't answer your OS questions, but I'll say that both my dogs are slightly gimpy. Joe (5 years) has knee problems that can get very painful and scary. Brees (3 years) has a funky ankle and carries that leg a bit oddly when going up or down stairs. Joe's knee problem had me crazy-out-of-my-mind this winter; but he just needed strict rest. He was bored and a pain in the neck for a long time, but is mostly better now. Try not to freak out yet. Do send the x-rays to OSU. Have your vet put them on a DVD so you have them. I'm sorry your hound is hurting.

Oh, I'm sorry. You did a good thing just loving Lucas when he needed you. :f_pink

Was he just tired and cranky? Like, "We're all done playing now, guys. It's nap time!"? Brees is fine when she's running around chasing a ball, but if she lays down with it and Joe comes over he gets told off.

Joe nested a big, comfy hole in our mattress. I can't help.

You and your pack clearly made him very happy. I'm terribly sorry for the loss of your friend. :f_pink

Lots of water (or low sodium broth) and maybe some cranberry capsules if you have them. I wouldn't give anything else till she's seen by the vet. Someone who knows what they are talking about will give you a better answer soon!

Try Xanax; it does wonders for Joe. Ace turns him into a zombie, and scares the heck out of me!

And where are the pics of Katie????? Slap some in Photobucket and show off that fuzz-face!

We're very happy with Trupanion! Makes it reasonable to take Joe to the vet every time I *think* there might be a problem.

Oh, that's pitiful! I hope she feels better soon!

:f_pink

:lol

A bichon looks like a track lure, bunny or stuffie. I have to avoid anything small and fluffy with my two!

Oh my. That doesn't sound fun. I feel like I'm constantly complaining about Brees; but she really is a neat dog and she always keeps us entertained! Like, just now, it was very cute that she was trying to eat a book my mother loaned me.

But does it break your arm? I've read they make pulling easier, and she doesn't need help with that! The back clip harnesses are the ones you're thinking of, and they definitely do make pulling easier. But the front clip harnesses are great! They will pretty much completely stop the pulling. Because they attach in the front, the minute she starts pulling, the force will turn her around so that she's facing you instead. We tried one on Gussie, briefly when we first got her and we could see a big difference even just in the first few blocks of walking. About as close to a magic bullet as you can get, I think! A magic bullet is what we need! That looks like it might work. Do you use the double ended leash? She'll be great for days, and then just bat$h!t crazy! And she's sooooo focused when she's "in the zone". It's impressive!

She'll be 3 April first. She's pretty much a puppy, and is our "April Fool"!

But does it break your arm? I've read they make pulling easier, and she doesn't need help with that!

We're making lots of progress walking Brees -- but she's still a big puller when she sees a squirrel, cat, or flying plastic bag!. I'm NOT looking for training advice (unless you have a magic bullet that'll work riteawayqwik). The thing is, once she sees something, she *has* to keep looking for something else, and it takes lots of "look at me", turning in circles, etc. to get her calmed down again. Over and over and over. I'm wondering if something like a halti collar would be reasonable for GIG. (I'm assuming there's quite a few critters, but I haven't been in years.) Or a blindfold. Or a cage on wheels. Or drugs! (But halti collars look like they could break her neck if she jumps for a squirrel. I'm fond of her, and her neck is pretty. Breaking it would be unpleasant.) I'd like us all to enjoy the weekend, and I'd like to not have my shoulder dislocated. Joe gets pretty annoyed when we're just doing loops because "someone" doesn't know how to act! On the plus side, she had her first restaurant trip last weekend. Took about a while for her to lay down at the table -- but as soon as the appetizers were out she plunked her butt on the blankie. (No table food unless she's sitting/laying down.) Once she settled and was focused on our food she was fine. There weren't any little fuzzies, though. Little fuzzies trump food. We should be able to take her to dinner several more times before GIG, so she'll at least (hopefully) be used to that. Does anyone have a suggestion for a device that can substitute for proper training for a weekend? (This dog makes me feel very incompetent. Joe pulled when we got him. It stopped within a month. He spoiled me!)

Yup, he's miserable! You'll have to send him to me to be properly spoiled! Enjoy your handsome guy, and post MANY pics!

:f_pink