freesoul

Just a little update. We went to the vet on Sat and she gave Luna a clean bill of health. Who knows really if the dramatic loss of fur is due to allergies, but I talked to the people downstairs anyways and have had some half hearted cooperation on keeping her away from that $10-a-huge-bag food they feed their pup . The shedding slowed down this week, and I think that maybe I see some new coat coming in...may be wishful thinking, lol. But in any case thanks for telling me that it's likely not some weird skin condition or something! It seems like this is a BC thing; I wonder if puppies of other breeds go through the ugly stage too?

Thanks for the info...I am worried because, well, she looks ugly! Also there are scabs on her skin, small scabs that I always assumed were caused by black fly bites or the annoying mosquitos, but now, I am worried that it may be some sort of skin disease. The allergy comment was interesting, Beth. This puppy was suspected to have a food intolerance, to corn meal most likely, when younger. There is another puppy living downstairs and they like to hang out, and Luna (my girl) sometimes gets into the other pup's food and has time to get a few bites before I can stop her. It is hard to prevent completely; I supervise their play but can't really tell my neighbors where to place their dog's food. The first couple of times this happened Luna vomited rigth away, but now she keeps it down. Maybe this is what is happening. I am not really aware of other skin diseases besides the dreaded mange, which is a big UUUGH!!! We will for sure ask the vet on Sat. I sure hope it's something not too hard to deal with... Oh, where has my beautiful fluffy puppy gone???

Hi My four month old puppy has been shedding tons. Seasonal, yes, I know, and I was not worried until I brushed her today and saw just how much her hair is thinning! around the "underarms" in the front it is almost bald; she is a rough coat but now looks like a smooth except for around the ears and some minimal fluff on the lower legs and behind. She is starting to look like a very diferent dog! Is this much loss of fur normal? is it a puppy thing maybe, preparing for the adult coat? or could it be somthing else, like (God forbid) mange? We like in the rural north and there is tons of bugs around...ticks (yes I do check her) blavck fly, mosquito (who get to her ocassionally causing a few scabs) and of course fleas (she is taking Sentinel, also good for most worms). I bathe her every few weeks, more often if she gets really dirty, and brush her every other day or so. She eats Natural Balance and an ocassional raw food meal and seems active and healthy excepty for a rather dull coat compared to before this happened. She is scheduled for the vet on Saturday (for her last booster and rabies shots) and I could ask about this then, but I'd like to get some info if possible in the meantime...

Hi, I don't have tons of experience with dogs in this situation, but I used to rehabilitate feral cats and it was common for them to refuse to eat at first while frigthened. So I hope some of my tricks may also work with dogs; take it with a grain of salt though. Often the problem was that at first they would be too scared to eat around people or to come out of hiding. What I did then was to put them in a small room without a lot of nooks and crannies (bathroom or laundry room worked well) and leave a dish of very aromatic goodies such as tuna, liver or even high end treats. After a few hours they would go and eat. Sometimes though, the thing was that because they went so long without food they lost appetite and became anorexic. In this case, the only thing to do was to get the person that they seem to be less afraid of to give them some meat broth with a small serynge (withot the needle like it's used for medicine, ask your vet for one). I am not saying outrigth force-feeding, but almost. If you do this, try it in a small room, crouch down on the floor and talk constantly in a "baby voice" very lovingly to keep the fear factor to a minimum, and slide to serynge into the mouth and slowly pour the broth in. In most cases after a few times the appetite returns and they start eating. It's not neccesary to give lots, just small amounts, enough to get the digestive system working again. I hope this may be helpful. Fostering is very rewarding despite all the challenges; one of the best things I ever did. You can become so very knowleadgable with time! also, I hope you have someone around who is experienced for support; that is invaluable. Best of luck! Alex

Seriously, I have never seen such a smart puppy (but then, I've never seen another border puppy, hehehe). I've had my little girl now for a month. At first, I never had the intention of teaching her anything till she grows up a bit...I thought, two months old is just too young. But, one thing led to another (you know, it started with "it would be nice if she sat for her meal"...) and softly, using everyday life and ocassional "train/play" sessions of no more than 3-5 min, she now knows: -sit -down -about 90% reliable recall -fetch -shake a paw -the word "no" (drop whatever you are doing) -"let go" (for toys, rubish etc that are in her mouth) This dog actually teaches me games! there is one where we play "monster" meaning I walk Frankestein-like towards her and she runs in circles around the yard and then comes to lay behind me; I then turn around and we repeat. Great way to exercise her if I can't go for a long walk. She also dances (we side step together). All this, and I'm actually trying harder NOT to teach her anything new than trying to train her...I don't want to be too serious with a three month old. I believe I will try agility with her later on; complete naive novice I may be, but it sure looks like fun! Sorry for the long rave...I am just in total puppy love. Now if I could just housetrain her properly

The curiosity is killing me...please, do tell! That way I can stop racking my brain

Not sure if this is the rigth forum but... I'd like to use this preventatitive on my 3 mos old puppy. Anyone aware of reasons why I shouldn't? Company info is not always the most trustable... Also, any experiences with Petplan insurance?

Education? Myself as a teen/ young adult, I'm very ashamed to say, despite being an animal lover gave away more than one cat (luckily all found homes, mostly with friends) because of my circimstances, and also a puppy I had no idea how to housebreak. Then I heard about what that does...about shelters, rescues, euthanasia. And much worse (puppy mills, street cats life, lab animals...). And I held off for years on having any more pets, and fostered for rescues and the SPCA as an alternative and a form of atonement, until now I finally find myself in the situation (stable, knowledgeable) where I find I can take responsibility for an animal and give it a great forever home. So if my own experience is any guide, education and publicity. Videos, photos, information, school-based programs and the like. In essense, same way as resposible relationships, sexuality and other things are taugth.

I knew it! so much info. you folks have been awesome to me newbie...thanks. I will pick one to try, probably whatever is easiest and most convenient one because of packing and finals grrr I am going nuts rigth now. Beth, she is a new puppy. She had to be on Medi-Cal (gastro variety) for a while recently, and now she is eating Natural Balance...it was the best I could find, no corn/gluten/menadione. Would you believe it, I bougth it the day before the recall!!! it freaked me out the next day when I found out. But the all stages kibbles I am feeding are not part of the recall...should I add "yet"??? grrr

It looks like my baby could use an ear cleaning...and when I tried with just water and cotton pads, it won't do the job properly (duh! it's wax...) On the internet, the advice seems to be to go buy those special ear cleaning solutions, but, my wallet's seen better days than rigth now (lol) and with puppy's shots and Sentinel prescription coming up and our trip as well, well, running to the store for yet more doggie gear is not the best option. So, does anyone know of simple household products or techniques to get those ears clean without shelling out the $$$? Just thought I'd ask! Thanks

Congratulations! good on you for never giving up...

COOL!!!

I agree. I have had much more success with crating my puppy than with confining her in other ways (ie small room like the bathroom). It does wonders for housebreaking I've been told because it literaly teaches them that they can"hold" it and how. Besides, they also learn to relax and go to sleep rather than constantly run around. And, if you ever travel, or your dog, god forbids, gets sick or injured and needs rest, you'll have hime crate-trained already as a bonus. I think I would have two caveats: -don't leave him there too long -if he messes ("goes" in) the crate constantly I would reconsider...you don't want him to get used to and okay with being soiled. That would not be good. You want him to keep the instinct to be clean. good luck!

I don't have more than a couple of my pup here but you are welcome to them

My thoughts exactly! it seems the more my little girl plays and runs, the more excited and bratty she gets...strange, but she actually acts calmer if I don't let her run around much.