All posts tagged dog behavior problems
Sometimes ya just gotta chew!
BIG NEW MOMMA BRAGGIN’ TIME:
Today was the dreaded 1st Thursday with the boys: I had to watch both the boys until Mom came home from her weekly errands. I had visions of 4-6 hours of fighting, biting, bulldozing, yelping…it didn’t happen! We three, me and BB and Kenai, wandered in the field since the weather was nice and warm.
We practiced puppy manners: sit, come, leave it, let go, walk nice and such. Sometimes they were on leash and sometimes they weren’t.The boys were so distracted with getting their treats and enjoying the sunshine that there was practically no fussing at all.
All I had to do when the nipping started was say “tsst”, tap them, and move on, calling them to follow. We spend almost 2 hours outside–oh, my, am I sore and tired. But seeing them be brothers without being buttheads was such a pleasure. They explored and listened and smelled to their hearts’ delight, and they were so handsome doing it.
Since BB’s bowed leg can’t walk much, we walked slow and had long naps. Thankfully, fresh air and flopping in a patch of tall grass makes a boy tired. After a drink of room temp water, they dropped on the couch and snored for two hours. (yes, even puppy Danes snore) When Mom came home at 1:30 pm, they were so sleepy, they didn’t even get up off the couch to greet her!
Then it was time for their two at once vet visit. It was a meet and greet really, and sleep deprived, exhausted me forgot the health records our breeder gave us. So tommorow has an outing too. But they did great, even when BB’s poor weak leg was manipulated and misplaced knee cap moved about. We took off Kenai’s ear tape because it had a slight odd smell, and he tolerated a good cleaning. He’ll have them retaped tommorrow. The right ear is already standing, but the left wants to droop. So up they go.
The simple puppy training paid off, and they walked together perfectly on leash. Kenai has had more practice, so BB copied his brother. The stop at the pet store made me so proud of Kenai–he sat beside me so well I could write a legible check, and stayed on my left side a solid 70% of the time. He’s only 9 wks old, and already a cool cookie.
He didn’t like my trying vests on him, though he stood still when told. So I’ll have to get him used to having something on his back pretty quick–he’s almost old enough for puppy class, and he’ll have the vest on from that first day forward. Which reminds me, I need to order the patches get some red canvas fabric to make his vest. I can’t see buying new vests at $30 a peice because Danes grow so fast. I’ll make some nice looking ones until he’s grown. Then he gets a really good one.
Little BB was a bit fearful of the bells on the pet store door, and had to be carried in. Not even Kenai’s encouragement moved him, nor treat trails either. But once inside, he too was a happy and gentle boy. I think as he and Mom bond more, he’ll become a confident little fellow too. Mom is going to approach her sleeplessness with a more patient attitude, so I believe now that they will be just fine.
Monday is Kenai’s first evaluation by the service dog trainer that will help me. She’s already concerned that we have both puppies. So I’ve agreed that the boys spend too much time together: an SD has to be incredibly bonded to their handler and another dog in the house can interfere with that. So they will see far less of each other for awhile.
It seems mean at first to keep them apart, but the upside is that Kenai will become so deeply attached to me that he will still be obedient and paying attention to me, even when BB is around. And the other upside is that BB will become just as bonded to Mom, out of the initial loneliness he’ll feel. I keep remembering what their breeder said–puppies adapt.
dogs are happiest when they fit into our lives, not run them. But if dogs did rule the world, there would be no grudges or predjudice…
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Posted by greatdaneservicedog on March 13, 2008
http://greatdaneservicedog.wordpress.com/2008/03/13/what-a-champ/
Kenai, sleeping off his first 2 minute getting wet bath!
Well the crate crying last night was relatively minor, at least for my Kenai. And the living room brawls were few and small since I had decided not to be frustrated and bitchy when breaking it up. Mom’s change of attitude towards her boy BB also reduced his peeing like a garden hose and biting/chewing–imagine that, calm leaders created a calmer pack, overnight. Guess I needed a real-life reminder of what I already knew. Don’t we all?
I decided to let go of being upset with myself, and cut myself some slack–it’s been 2 years since I had a dog in the house, and 4 since I had a little bitty guy! Not to mention that the FMS/CFIDS brings with it anxiety and mood swings. I’ve caught myself using training treats with a cajoling attitude, losing the confident and gentle command voice. Boy, I’m rusty in practice. But it’s coming back, and going much smoother today.
Kenai is developing a habit of ignoring me when I call sometimes, so we’ve stepped up the recall training and I’m considering leashing him to my body for short times during the evening and when BB’s around. That doesn’t usually start for service training until around obedience class, but I don’t want him used to not coming when I call. He can’t decide when and if…this issue will be revisted too!
A friend gave me great advice for service puppy training: for pick up, either wait until they pick something up and use “pick up” with rewards, or actually put a toy in their mouth with the command. And for “give” (I use let go cause that’s what comes out of my mouth), hold the toy and offer a treat. Luckily Kenai lets go pretty easy, but that won’t stop me from using a treat as a reward from time to time. For treats, I’m using kibble.
BLOG STATS: There have been large numbers of questions and visits to the vaccination page. No one has left comments, so I’m unsure if the info is helpful or not. But I know there is alot of controversy and confusion about vaccines. The standard protocol (schedule) is 6, 9, 12, 16 week combo shots of 4 or 5 pathogens. Whether it is the multiple pathogen loads, or how the vaccine is made that is causing life threatening reactions in some dogs is unclear. But some breeds are having more problems than they used to. Weimeraner’s especially are sensitive, and giant breeds like Danes are seeing more reactions.
My boys are going with an 8, 12, 16 week schedule of only parvo and distemper together. I may have to add in kennel cough for puppy class. But I’m waiting until they are older and stronger to give them other shots, as a precaution. Kenai cost me $2000, and carries a better life for me on his little shoulders, so I feel I need to be carefull. And BB is far frailer than his brother, so caution is wise for him too. But many people feel that conservative protocols endanger puppies more. Really, it comes down to what you decide for your puppy, just as it comes down to what you decide is best for your own health. After research, reading, and deliberate consideration, the choise is yours.
Also big in the blog stats are tummy troubles and bloat. I am told that puppies and dogs with sensitive tummies do better on fish based natural foods, or lamb/rice foods. But I’ve had a dog with an allergy to rice. So the very best advice I think is out there is to try a food for a month or so, using a probiotics/digestive enzyme supplement, and if it’s not helping, try another. I religiously use the probiotics/enzymes because it prevents and controls diarrhea when changing foods, as well as help the pup or dog’s tummy work well.
the deadly Bloat: okay, let’s start by saying no one knows a cause for it, or why some dogs don’t bloat. Bloat is actually 2 things; bloating from excess gas, and torsion where the stomach twists, called “GDV” by vets. Dogs can die from this condition in a matter of hours. I’ve come close twice to losing Danes to it. There’s a whole page about bloat to the right, because it is so common among Danes and deep chested large dogs.
And there isn’t any conclusive evidence about how to avoid bloat. The best you can do is use common sense and watch for it: panting for no reason, hard belly, pacing, discolored gums are the big symptoms, and they are subtle. So if you even think they might be bloating, scoop and run to the vet. Don’t wait.
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Tagged
dog behavior,
dog behavior problems,
dog bloat,
dog stomach torsion,
dog training,
dogs,
great dane feeding,
great dane info,
Great Danes,
puppies,
puppy diarrhea,
puppy illness,
puppy socialization,
puppy training,
puppy vaccinations,
service dog,
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Posted by greatdaneservicedog on March 12, 2008
http://greatdaneservicedog.wordpress.com/2008/03/12/yikes-revisited/
Yikes!
This it it, my last day to get ready for my new life. Tommorrow I leave for Texas, to bring home Kenai and BB. I’ve made hotel reservations, gotten my rooms cleaned up and ready for a roommate, and talked with Kenai’s future SD trainer. I probably won’t post again until Monday or Tuesday of next week, because of the drive time. It’s a long, long haul, and my FMS/CFIDS will be screaming. But I am excited at the prospect of having a Great Dane again. They have such beautiful spirits.
I’ve been watching the blog stats, to see what people are looking for when they come to my blog. There are new pages over there to the right, as a direct response to google searches and most looked at pages. I’ve posted a guideline for Kenai’s training, and a page about fearful dogs. And I’ve re-read my older pages, updating a few. If there isn’t something here to answer your questions, please leave a comment–I do read them and try to respond promptly.
I’m in a bit of a heightened state emotionally, which is fairly normal I guess. It is a considerable commitment to buy a puppy, and there are so many expectations on Kenai that weren’t on my other boys. I find myself musing about my past loves, and strangely, the twinge of sadness about their absence is gone. If you’ll pardon the oddball thought, I almost feel as if Shabah, and Riptide, and all the other boys I’ve lost are not really lost anymore once I can hold Kenai in my arms.
One person was asking about therapy dogs on a search engine. Here is what I know: Therapy dogs have a sensitive nature, and are drawn to people who need comfort. It is an almost magical thing to watch a therapy dog in action! They must pass the Good Canine Citizen test, which ensures that the dog has superb obedience, and excellent manners. They do not, however, have the task training and public access rights of a service dog. Therapy dogs are taken only to nursing homes, hopsitals, and other registered facilities. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable about it will leave a comment or provide a link for me to post.
All the anticipation and imaginings about my new little love are almost over. Soon the puppy paws will be thumping about my house. (Yes, Dane puppies don’t patter, they thunk!). All the dust bunnies I missed will be made known, the enticing things I forgot to move will be discovered, and my rugs will be terrorrized. But what a joy, having a brand new life in my heart, full of possibilites and endless entertainment. What a joy, just thinking about him…
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Tagged
dog behavior,
dog behavior problems,
dog bloat,
dog stomach torsion,
dog training,
dogs,
fearful dog,
great dane feeding,
great dane growth,
great dane info,
great dane rescue,
Great Danes,
hip dysplasia,
past loves,
puppies,
puppy anxiety,
puppy illness,
puppy socialization,
puppy training,
puppy vaccinations,
service dog,
therapy dog,
wobbler's disease
Posted by greatdaneservicedog on March 4, 2008
http://greatdaneservicedog.wordpress.com/2008/03/04/my-last-day-alone/
Yet another ice storm has stranded me in the house. It woke me up at 5 am during an episode of thunder sleet. “Thunder Sleet”…Sound like a b-grade rock band to you? I’m tired of winter, but spring also has its pitfalls: mud, tornados, flash floods. So I’m going to indulge in a small whine…enough already!
Well it seems that I am leaving for TX to pick up my new little Dane March 6th. That is just 2 weeks away, and so my preparations have kicked into high gear. I have alot of “small things” to do, that I was taking my time with since I thought I had the time to dawdle. Things like making an appointment with Kenai’s vet for deciding on a vaccination schedule, cleaning the crate, rearranging my bedroom to fit in the crate…I like to have everything done BEFORE I bring a puppy into his new home. He just fits right into the daily routine, and the transition is easier for him.
I’ve been noticing search engine hits on my blog for puppy problem topics like “great dane jumping on me”. Hopefully the searchers took the time to read the pages I have. I’ll admit, I haven’t addressed too many “puppy problem” topics, mostly because I believe creating a stable pack from day one prevents a lot of issues. Yet, puppies are puppies, and they will get troublesome from time to time. So there will be new pages and edited old pages to look at.
As for the “great dane jumping”, I’m going to start a “puppy troubles” page right away, because that is just dangerous. Danes are far to large to get away with jumping and such, and the time to break it is the moment you meet your new Dane. It is a bit longer of a process for older dogs and rescues, but it certainly can be done. Lord knows I’ve done it a time or two. So if you are looking for help, check out the “puppy basics” page first, and the “puppy troubles” page I’ll be posting today.
Someone asked me why I have so much information rather than using this as a journal format. The answer is because I want this site to be a place with answers, links to answers, and a “rest stop” to really think about your life with a Dane. I do have what I call my “daily bitch blog”, where I post my momentary thoughts and feelings. But this site is for contemplation and a more thorough understanding of what’s going on with Danes. Here I can compile information and you don’t have to go scanning through piles of posts to find what you need.
Please do leave comments–I want to hear from you. Agreement, disagreement, stories, and questions are all welcome. So tell me what you know and think. 14 days to go!
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Posted by greatdaneservicedog on February 21, 2008
http://greatdaneservicedog.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/here-we-go-again/
