Rikki's Mom

All dogs sleep in our bedroom. We have just enough floor space for one more dog, but hubby says no. Roxanne sleeps in her donut bed, near me, under a down comforter. Rikki starts out in her donut bed, also near me, then sleeps on the floor at the foot of the bed with her head underneath! I guess if she can't see us, we can't see her. Sometimes, when she's nervous she sleeps beside the dresser in a small little hidey hole. Shelby sleeps in her crate. She was evicted from the bed because she thought it was HER BED and nipped me one night when I moved her. Robbie sleeps in a crate or he would be bouncing all over us all night. We have just enough room to walk around the bed and to the closet, but I really could fit another crate/bed in there. Really!

My heart goes out to you and Daisy. A friend has a Great Dane with a similar problem. Our vet finally put the Dane on tetracycalin (sp?) and it is working. How is she doing on the yogurt? I put my BC pup on it to build him up (a starving rescue) and it turned out he has a lactose tolerance which gave him chronic diarrhea until we figured it out. Hope all turns out well very soon for you.

Hi - I'm pretty new to the Boards also, but read them extensively. I'm not a behavorist or a trainer, just a rescurer. This doesn't sound like a good situation for either you or the dog and riding it out 5 more days doesn't seem like a good idea. Personally, I would call your vet right now and explain you need a behavorist today. It's not going to do the dog any good to successfully bite you and in his mind he's just moved from one environment where he's locked outside, to another. There are some really awesome, knowledgeable people on these boards. Perhaps one of them knows of a behavorist in your area. This is probably silly, but can you contact Jean Donaldson or Patricia B. McConnell's websites for a referral? Good luck - Kathy

In the beginning he was too unruly for the dog park, so I took him on the Iron Horse trail every day. At that time he lunged indiscrimanently. After working with him for about seven weeks, we tried the dog park again. I made a "herding stick" (5' length of 3/4" pvc pipe capped on both ends filled with 1/4 cup of ball bearings); which Robbie respects and understands I can reach him with it through people and dogs. The only time he doesn't back off when I tell him to "leave it" is when an intact male is in the park. The rest of the time he plays well and his recall is o.k. The "stick" is used, not as a weapon, but to tap in front of him to get his attention. I have also used it horizontally to let him know I can "reach" him from 5 feet away. Thanks for any help you can offer. P.S. He hasn't actually bitten another dog since his first two weeks at the park. At that point he did draw blood a couple of times (on the butt) and that's why I quit taking him. He was a new foster dog at the time and neutered just one day before I got him.

I just purchased Champion harnesses for my group. These are the best harnesses I've used and I've tried Easy Rider (my second choice), Four Paws, Ruff Rider Roadie, and a couple of others. Go to www.agilepooch.com for a good overview of seatbelt/backpacks. My dogs are belted into our vehicle and then wear the harness while playing at the park. It doesn't slow them down or chafe anywhere. The website is www.champk-9.com. I don't like the seat belt, it's too heavy and the snap is very difficult to work. I use the Ultimate Seat Leash from Hamilton with my harnesses, available through PetSmart or www.pet-dog-cat-supply-store.com. A large carabiner clipped onto the D-rings and fastened to the seat leash works well.

My BC/Lab was a stray who came into BC rescue in September. The vet who neutered him put him at 16 months. He had aggression/socialization issues at the local dog park but appears to be over that issue. However when he meets an intact male he barks, lunges, and his hair stands up. If the other dog will run or is submissive he will "herd" and bite on the butt. Can anyone offer an explanation or advice regarding this behavior? Thanks, Kathy

http://www.zeroodorpet.com/ I think this is the site you want. I have not used it, but my sister says it does the job with her leaky cat!

I just read your post regarding your babies and am devastated for you. I can't begin to comprehend your pain, but I'm going to go and love my babes right now and send good thoughts your way. Kathy, Mom to Roxanne, Rikki, Shelby, and Robbie some of the best dogs in the world!

I am totally against pet shops, puppy mills, over breeding, back yard breeding, and accidents! That said - once these poor little creatures are here it is better for responsible, loving people to give them a home than to leave them to the alternative. The catch-22 of saving/buying/rescuing these little innocents also promotes more irresponsible, money-driven breeding. I don't know what happened with your previous dogs, but I say follow your heart in this instance.

My BC/Lab, Robbie, was a stray and came into BC rescue in September '05. The shelter put him at 10 months; the vet who neutered him put him at 16 months. We fostered him in late September then formally adopted him. He had aggression issues towards dogs at the local dog park but is 95% over that issue. However he remains aggressive towards un-neutered dogs. His behavior is: ferocious barking, hair standing up, attempting to make the other dog run so he can bite them on the butt. He will go for the ear, or flank, but prefers the hind leg/butt area. Any ideas?

My hound has hip displaysia; after about 3 months on Glucosamine/Chondroitin I was able to take her off Rimadyl. My vet recommended the following dosage: 50 - 100 lbs: 1000 mg Glucosamine, 600 mg Chondroitin 2 x Day 25 - 49 lbs: 500 mg Glucosamine, 300 mg Chondroitan 2 x Day I buy Costco's Kirkland Brand - $21.69 for 170 tablets ($ .12 a tablet). It's a good price and I trust the source. Since the FDA doesn't control this supplement, many brands may not have the dosage stated on the label. My hound gets 1 tablet am and pm and the BC and Cattle Dog get 1/2 tablet am and pm. In the beginning I "buttered" the tablet with a tube of squeezable peanut butter. My husband and I also take it; works wonders. However, it doesn't work for some people and by inference maybe some dogs. My normal caveat is "check with your vet on the advisability of useing this supplement and on the dosage".

I have a foxhound x with food allergies who did very well on Canidae (no gas), but my BC Rikki does NOT like it. We don't know why but think it might be the lamb. However, she did well on Nutro Natural Choice Adult Lamb Meal & Rice!?? Right now I have the group on Royal Canin Sensible Choice Chicken Meal & Rice and they're all doing well. I also tried Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Potato & Duck, but my cattle dog x can't process potatoes. It's always something!

I can't speak about working BCs, but a few years back when we had our cocker x spayed I had her front dewclaws removed out of ignorance and convenience to me (2 less nails to clip). I would never do it again except for a medical reason. Since the front dewclaw is a toe and she was over 6 months old it is considered an amputation. She suffered more from that surgery than the spaying and her recovery time and care was much longer. My understanding is if they are clipped off as a young puppy it's not such a big deal. Please check this out to see if actually true. I place gauze and vet wrap around my BCs front dewclaws/ankles prior to going to the dog park. It seems to help, especially since she takes off any boot I put on her (see "sore feet" thread).

Direct Stop is a great product. Some boarding kennels, who have a similar set up like dog parks, use it. However, if you are an allergic person the spray residue can bring on an instant asthma attack. Perhaps in the dogs, also. The trainer at the kennel I worked at warned everyone who carried Direct Stop not to get too confident as it will not deter an extremely aggressive dog who has his mind made up to attack. Good luck with your people problem!