Dog Lovers

WOW!!!

Look at the size of my boxer boys tongue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Giggles, Just had to share....

Hey my 4 year old staffy has stinky breath.  He is healthy just had his yearly check up so it is not a health issue.  Does anyone have any suggestions for stinky dog breath?  We will be scheduling him for a teeth cleaning in the near future but I would like to hear suggestions.  I brush his teeth not often as I should (he doesn't like it).

My dog is nesting.
My dog is nesting using my blankets.

I went out for dinner one night about a week or two ago and when I come back, he's pulled my topsheet off my bed and took it down to his bed where he spread it out for himself to sleep on. I've had 2 other dogs in my life and I don't remember either of them ever doing this.



Today, he stole my favourite cuddle blanket. It's this queen size blanket I got last year that is super ultra cozy. I think he's ticked I took back my top sheet and put it through the wash.

We've had Howie almost 2 months now. In that time he's settled in VERY well, is so smart, and has taken to living in a house all in stride. He grew up on a farm, in a barn, and was born in May (making him almost 7 months old). Since I got him, we've been battling sensitive itchy skin issues.

He was on Diamond puppy food, and when I got him, I switched him over to Nutro Max Puppy. He's been doing ok on that. His fur actually looks better. Since we've closed up the house and we've kicked the heat on and it's gotten cold outside, he took to laying in front of the heater vents - I thought this was leading to dry skin (and it very well may be the cultprit, since the itchiness really reared it's ugly head then), so I started adding about a tablespoon of olive oil to his food. This seemed to be working, but now we seem to be itching more again. I'm now trying Benedryl, so I'll have to see if this helps him any.

He doesn't get bathed very often, he's had two since I've had him.

Once this bag of food is done, I'm going to try something that isn't chicken or beef-based to see if it's actually the food, but since it started when he started sitting in front of heater vents, I'm kind of thinking it's not the food. He tends to itch mostly near his hindquarters/hips, and sometimes he'll rub his face on the carpet or itch his front paws (but this is not nearly as often).


Puppy has lots of white...


...and a pink belly!

I'm thinking because of his white skin and generally light coloring, it's sensitive skin...but I'm not quite sure how to go about helping him feel comfortable. Ideas? Thoughts?

I just got an email from a friend who works at PetCo, and they're doing a promotion on the 23rd - 20% on your purchase. But you need to print out a little card that sent to you in an email. If you'd like me to pass on the saving to you, reply with your email address!

Anyone here breed or have an intact female? I've never had an unspayed female before so excuse the possible stupid question.

Ichi will be 7 months next week and is scheduled to go in to be spayed this Friday. She's an Akita so I assumed heat cycles started a tad bit later than normal. We've notcied today in particular that she's been licking a lot and there's a very strong, unpleasant metallic odor. Possible heat starting? I haven't noticed any bleeding or unusual discharge, though it's possible. Not sure she's really swollen either, but due to the smell I haven't looked too closely.

I didn't realize a dog going into heat could have such a strong odor that was noticeable to people, but if that's not the case I can take her in work with me tomorrow to be checked out just in case.

Bells have been a pretty topic lately, and good 'ol Gmail and Google Ads, I found this site:

http://www.poochie-pets.net/

They also have some other cool-looking doggie stuff!

When I got back home from my doctors appointment (which took, like, half an hour, including travel) – after cleaning the kitchen because my wonderful dogs had been up on the worktop, pulled down a rubbish bag full of recycling, and spread it out all over the kitchen floor – I took the two horrible hounds for a walk. I swear to the goddess I’m never doing it again. Oliver, surprisingly, was very well behaved. Jack, on the other paw, disappeared for 15 minutes in the tiniest of woods and refused to come well called. I shouted for him until I was blue in the face...and not just for lack of air – oh I saw swearing like a trooper. He knows to come when called and is normally very obedient, but not now – not when there are half a dozen other dog-walkers mingling around with their well-behaved pooches, without a hair out of place, while I’m being dragged from pillar to post by Oliver on the end of the lead, in bright pink & purple wellie boots, calling for a black dog in a dark wood who is refusing to come.

This walk was not fun.



Why do we love our dogs so much when they can be right little bleeders?
 

We just finished out intermediate obedience class at Petsmart last night. Dahlia did brilliantly, right up to the end. We started working on leaving her with someone else in (hopeful) preparation for the CGC test. Our biggest concerns with the test are leaving her with someone and walking away (she's a rescue and has become a bit of a velcro dog) and the part with another dog involved (she often gets SUPER excited over a strange dog). She did great when I left her with the trainer for a couple minutes. And she stayed in a down-stay right next to the other dog in class (also in a down-stay) while the other owner and I walked out of sight, down and aisle, and back to them again. Dahlia was smart enough that the second time we did this, she anticipated where I would be going to.

We're taking a little time off from classes due to the weather here. We might continue on for advanced there in the spring (and our trainer said we could focus on CGC-related things) and we might also take an Agility for Fun class at a nearby training/doggy daycare place.

I took some pictures of my little graduate last night.








The happy graduate without her cap:

Remember when my boyfriend was all butt hurt that Sprouts would sometimes go upstairs and hang out by himself? Well, for the last month or so he has been spending more time with Sprouts and now he is daddy's little dog.



Where did my tough independent dog go? ;)

I don't think it's a big deal but...

I got a Dogit water dome for my 2 Chihuahuas and 2 cats to share.  I set it up last night.  I've seen 1 cat and 1 Chihuahua use it but I'm sure the others are as well.

Zoey my 4 year old Chihuahua seems to have taken a real liking to it and has started drinking right off the dome (so cute).  However, I think she's been drinking a little to much as she's been peeing a LOT and it's all clear.

So is the Dome just "OMG SUPER AWESOME FUN?" or should I be concerned?
 

I'm leaving it down until tomorrow evening.  If her clear pee continues I will take the dome away and see if the excess drinking continues with a regular dish.  If it does, she will go to the vet but it started the day after the dome was introduced.

Anyone have a similar situation?  Is drinking water just that much more fun?    Just looking for some opinions.  Maybe my little Zoey has a drinking problem. :(

Does anyone know where I might find a small, squeaky, rubber version of the Loofah Dog?



It's my dog's favorite, and tonight, she finally ripped off his back end. We've been looking for a backup for a while, but the pet store where it originally came from only sells them in jumbo size now. I did a few searches, but I've having no luck.

Any ideas? It would make her very happy. ^_^

Howie got his blanket in the mail today! I bought the XXL of the SmartBlue Thinsulate Blanket, and he looks very handsome in it, even if it is a tad too big. But I'm hoping since he's only 6 months old, he'll fill out a bit more.




I had tried to ask him to stand-stay, but he sat instead.


So I tried to stand at his head and take a picture that way. Still not very good, lol

All in all, he tolerates it, and wasn't trying to rip it off. I think he looks handsome in the blue :) I also finally made it up to the City Hall and registered him. I'll have to go back before April 1st to get his '09 registration.

ETA: I am also planning on registering him with limited privilege with the UKC - I'd love to do agility and rally with him, if we can swing it. Any ideas for nifty-cool registered names? :)

I recently adopted a puppy from the local kill shelter. She has an all too common sob story - previous owners abandoned her tied outside on the steps with no food, water or shelter. A neighbor eventually took her to the shelter. I'm told she also almost hung herself from the porch. Luckily, she's still a very healthy and happy pup. I THOUGHT she was 7 months old, but when I took her to vet, apparently she's more like 4 months old! A little more puppy than I expected but she's a good girl so that's ok. She's not totally housebroken yet, and sadly sometimes will pee in her crate without much of a whine! It's already pretty small in there, I'm wondering if her last owners kept her locked in a crate all day and got her used to it. It's only been two weeks though and she's gotten better - she even knows to bring me her leash or halter (when she's not in the crate) to let me know she needs to potty. She also picked up different commands fairly quickly, such a bright dog, I love her! :D

She was listed as a lab mix but I am curious of other people's opinions of what she may be mixed with.






She has lovely blue eyes, that's what got me!

Random Question:
How big was your dog at 4 months old? (weight) and how big did he/she weigh at the end.

Just trying to get a rough idea of size of our puppies finished product as she is a cross breed to the ninth degree!

My work is fostering these two puppies that were abandoned at a shelter. We've had them since they were bearly even 1 week old. Here's a few pictures from the other week. Their 5 weeks now. These pics were from when they were around 4 weeks old. Not the best pictures(girl from work took them at her place). They are on wet food now and they eat it up fast. Their getting bigger now, actually their bigger now than what they are in these pics. They are getting their shots this week and then going to a home with a Jack Russel mom and her litter of Jack Russel puppies so they can get some socialization and stuff. We wont get them back til between 8-10 weeks. It will be sad without them. Their so cute when they try to play together.

This is the girl from work's cat, they love to jump on.



Chillin on the towel.





Trying to sleep.



I'll try to get some better pictures before they go with the Jack Russels.

A few months ago I found a stray in pretty poor condition running around on the highway in TN. I had her scannned for a microchip and checked the local lost/found ads at the vet office (no local animal control). She was in sad condition- underweight, flea riddled, SKUNKED, lots of scarring about her head/muzzle/ears, a large scar on her back leg (like, it must have been a BAD injury), missing half her tail and a bb pellet in her shoulder. She ended up coming home with me to Maryland (making a 9 hour drive, a 12 hour drive) and my husband fell in love with her (me too, but she made herself HIS dog, lol).

We're having a couple of

GAS. The dog is constantly gassy. the vet has given her a clean bill of health, we have her on a decent dog food (Nutro Max Adult), we give her no people food and she gets a minimal amount of treats. I just started giving her a digestive enzyme. If that doesnt work, I'm thinking just regular yogurt in her food. Anyone have any other ideas? There are days when I just have to leave the house... lol

The COLD. She doesn't fair well in the cold. She shivers and is just miserable. Can anyone recommend a good dog coat?

HUNTING. She's a master. I've seen her catch sparrows (shove head in patch of grass, come out with bird, CHOMP. CHOMP. eek.) and mice our property. She is crazy over squirrels and will actually try to run up trees to get to them. We got her a Halti, which helps when out jogging or walking with her, but we'd like to find ways to train her not to go after things, at least while on leash. Its been a long time since we had to train a young dog.

HOUSE TRAINING. She's come along VERY well. She hasn't pooped in the house since the first week, but peeing can be a problem. She tries to wait to go outside, but all she does is pace by the door- if we aren't watching her, she ends up peeing at the door. I picked up some puppy pads to put down by the door, but I'd like to train her to let me know when she needs to go out by vocalizing.

This is her:

I am going to try to keep this very 'short and to the point'.

I have several dogs. All the dogs are allowed to come and go between the house and yard pretty much at will, provided the humans are home. One of the dogs is a four year old Great Pyreneese named George. When the temperature drops he starts spending more time outside than in. I expect that to some degree, and as he has access to two (extremely well built and insulated) dog houses with straw bedding, in a securely fenced area, I don't stress it too much.

However, I start getting waffly when the weather starts dropping below freezing. Is there a point where I should *insist* he come in? Where is that point? Freezing? Colder? Warmer? Get over myself, stop being neurotic and trust that he will come to the door and *ask to come in* if it's too cold for him out there?




George and my kid.


George and Merlin, my ACD X


Just George.


Sweet Boy


Such a Pyr.


Only totally lacking any and all dignity.



Seriously -- We usually manage to get through the winter all right, but what would *you* do in this situation? For extra information, the fence really is secure (especially now that we lost the one problem neighbor), we're extremely rural so while there is little danger from humans, we do have wildlife, as well as roaming domestic animals (like dogs).

My pup is now 6.5 months and he knows not to go in his crate.

He will go potty outside and not inside as long as he is crated when I am not home.

However, he does not seem to understand that poop must also be done outside. If my other dog goes out with him, he will go poop before returning, but if I or my other dog is not out there, he will go pee and then whine to come back in and poop beside my bed...always in the same locale.

Obviously I could go out and wait until he goes poop, but is there something I am missing?

I am not currently a dog owner, but would like to be - I have wanted one for a long time, and now my brother-in-law has asked us if we could take in his dog - a 1 year old German Shepherd. I had a dog when I was little for a few years and don't remember much about care, but I have been doing a lot of research.

What I am really concerned about is time. Both my husband and I work full time, I am on a typical 9-5 schedule, but my husband has a rotating shift schedule, so the dog wouldn't be alone for more than a few hours at a time. The dog is crate trained as well. But my husband is military, and therefore there is always the possibility of him going away, which makes me worry about what happens to the dog then. In this case the dog will be alone 10 hours a day 5 days a week due to my work and commute. I have researched dog walking services in my area and they seem reasonably priced, so that is definitely an option, but I was wondering if anyone else has been in a similar situation? Is it really fair to the dog to be alone that much (even with a dog walker)?

I want to be excited about getting a dog, but I keep worrying about this!
Thanks in advance for any advice!

Here's a pic of the dog in question :D

My 7.5-month-old Cavalier mutt is housetrained in our house. He has a bell that he rings when he wants to go outside, and even if we can't take him out right away when he rings it, he holds it. He hasn't had an accident in our house in over two months.

However, this seems to fall apart -- a little bit, not totally -- when we visit the houses of others, and even in our own basement (he doesn't go down there often). Sure, we could bring the bell around, set it up in other people's houses, and show him where it is, but I want him to understand unequivocally that outside is the only acceptable place to pee and poop.

How do I do that?

Thanks in advance!

I have recently gotten involved in rescue again, after a long break.

Yesterday, I picked up my first foster in 10 years. I'm excited, nervous, and wanted to share just a couple of pictures.






Both of the above were taken once we got her home, and with a web-cam, so the quality's kind of bad. The next two were taken a couple of months ago, before she was pulled from the shelter.






She weighs 13 pounds, her tail is curly, and she's got a double coat. Breed mix guesses are welcome, but mostly we're going with 'yellow'.

And thank you for letting me share.

Lately, Foofie has taken to eating, my second hand guinea pig, Bacon's poo that falls out of his cage occasionally off the drop cloth I have in the floor to catch said poo. The drop cloth is basically so I can see if there is poop that has been kicked out of the cage so I can clean it up right away... but I've caught her a couple times noming away. Bleh!

In case you didn't know, guinea pigs get excited or happy and do this thing called "popcorning" where they buck and jump around and kick and run... that's why the poop gets knocked into the floor in the first place, in case you were wondering.

I'm not really asking advice... just sharing Foofie's disgusting habit. I correct her every time - she knows she's not suppose to do it but it's poo, she just can't help herself!

Thank God for the Dollar store stuffed animals.

Give it to meeeeee!


YESSSSSSSS!


Why you take it away again?


OT: I was kind of thinking of getting Sprouts a "fancy" collar. What are your favorite online stores for collars and nice tags that are affordable? Like $50 collars are not in my price range unfortunately. :( I haven't decided yet as I feel silly for spending a lot of money on a collar and tags but I think it would be a funny contrast to his scruffy self if he had "fancy jewelry." lol