~:~:~:The Doggie Thread!!:~:~:~

Who Princess

norm wrote:

speaking of frustrating, after 7 years of having a happy traveler, norm no longer like long car rides...he goes into full anxiety attacks...he always rides in the far back in my jeep but now once he knows it's gonna be a long trip, he climbs over the backseat and joins me up front...then he tries to either lie on top of me or get under my seat...all while we're going at highway speeds...the best i've been able to do with him is to get him to curl up on the passenger side floor...but he still is freaked out...so for a 5 hour drive, he is panting and generally nervous the whole way

so i got a thundershirt...seems everyone has had success with one of those...nope, didn't faze norm...so i asked my vet for a sedative but she told me she doesn't want to prescribe him one because he is hypothyroid (which i didn't know)...her only advice was to give him benadryl but i'm not sure how well that'll work

anyone have any advice as to how to calm norm down

Benadryl has worked on calming some of the dogs we've had but Penny is like Norm. She's always bouncing off the walls with energy even when she's taken it.*

I had one dog that had a lot of anxiety about riding in the car. I started putting her in her crate in the back of the car. It was one of those airline type, not the ones that are just grid. Since she really couldn't see out, it seemed to calm her down. I don't know if that would work with Norm or if you'd even want to try it but that's the only other technique I've tried.

*When we first adopted Penny, we were told that she didn't like to ride in the car. Sure enough, when she got in the car she would yelp all the way to the destination and back. This was new to me, a dog that didn't like to ride in the car. We tried taking her on short drives around the neighborhood, taking her to fun places like the park, sitting in the back seat to reassure her, but it didn't get any better. What we finally realized was that she wasn't yelping because she was scared, she was yelping because she was excited. She still makes a lot of racket when she gets in the car. I just turn the stereo up a little louder.

Edit: I misunderstood and thought you said that the benadryl didn't work with Norm. Really, try it. I was afraid to use it the first time but my dogs have taken it for allergies and they were fine.

norm

i've only given norm benadryl once and it was after his latest surgery and i didn't notice any change

i'm considering getting a crate since it seems he really wants to den...i was just hoping for something better

thundershirt
benadryl
crate

if he doesn't calm down with all that i'm not sure what i'll do :x

Wobbie

norm wrote:

i'm considering getting a crate since it seems he really wants to den...i was just hoping for something better

thundershirt
benadryl
crate

if he doesn't calm down with all that i'm not sure what i'll do :x

we have some friends with a 12 year old mix who JUST started NOT liking car rides....they are now using the crate...with success.

PJ_ROCKS

good (((vibes))) for both Norm and Gracie !!!

twisted thoughts

Good vibes to Gracie & Norm!

Bugsy is doing well. Gets his stitches out on the 17th.

LloydXmas

Dog chewed a hole in one of our chairs. Any suggestions on how to handle?

Who Princess

LloydXmas wrote:

Dog chewed a hole in one of our chairs. Any suggestions on how to handle?

The hole or the dog?

LloydXmas

Who Princess wrote:

LloydXmas wrote:

Dog chewed a hole in one of our chairs. Any suggestions on how to handle?

The hole or the dog?

The dog

norm

Who Princess wrote:

LloydXmas wrote:

Dog chewed a hole in one of our chairs. Any suggestions on how to handle?

The hole or the dog?

as for the dog, unfortunately you need to catch her in the act in order to correct her

Wobbie

norm wrote:

Who Princess wrote:

LloydXmas wrote:

Dog chewed a hole in one of our chairs. Any suggestions on how to handle?

The hole or the dog?

as for the dog, unfortunately you need to catch her in the act in order to correct her

unless she can't be shamed like a certain dog I know :roll:

Who Princess

norm wrote:

Who Princess wrote:

LloydXmas wrote:

Dog chewed a hole in one of our chairs. Any suggestions on how to handle?

The hole or the dog?

as for the dog, unfortunately you need to catch her in the act in order to correct her

I don't think the dog exists that won't chew things. Every puppy I've ever had has managed to damage or destroy some things. Some chew furniture, some chew shoes, some chew clothes. And just when you think they've outgrown that chewing stage they destroy something else.

Django was the worst by far. He seriously damaged some brand new (and expensive) curtains and ruined an untold number of clothes. He got past the truly destructive stage for the most part and turned into a good dog but at 10 yrs. old he still manages to cause trouble. If we leave the laundry basket on the floor, he'll pull something out and chew it up. He has a knack for chewing a hole in some new sheets, for example. He especially loves paper and we can't leave anything remotely in reach without him totally shredding it. Last year he chewed up a library book.

So the only things I can suggest:

Watch him every waking moment. When this isn't possible, keep him in one room or in his crate so that he can't get into something while you're not looking. If he has the run of the house, you're in for trouble. -or- Accept that you're just going to have some damage to your possessions and you will possibly have to replace some of them. It's all part of the expenses of owning a dog.

I recommend the second option.

Here's some ancient history. When I was in high school, I got my first sheltie. His name was Artie. He was a great little guy and everybody in the family was crazy about him. But sometimes my mom would get mad at him for things like gnawing on the legs of the kitchen chairs. One day when she was complaining that he was ruining the chairs, my dad said,"Furniture comes and goes, but good dogs like Artie are hard to find."

That's how I look at it.

Wobbie

still a happy girl ....even if the chemo did cause her to lose most of her beautiful "feathers' :(

Who Princess

imalive wrote:

still a happy girl ....even if the chemo did cause her to lose most of her beautiful "feathers' :(

Happy to see happy Gracie!

Wobbie

The Night Watcher

norm

best security dog ever!

or the best greeter ever!


:P

Wobbie

norm wrote:

best security dog ever!

or the best greeter ever!


:P

she might bark at first.....but when the burglar gets to the door, she'll be wiggling her butt and wagging her tail :fp:

Enkidu

Has anyone seen this book? We got it for our daughter for her birthday. There's a sequel for breeds that aren't in this one. I can barely knit and my daughter stinks at it too, but the book is fun.



Nice photobomb by Brian in the picture, too. The knitted German shepherd is really cute.

Wobbie

Enkidu wrote:

Nice photobomb by Brian in the picture, too. The knitted German shepherd is really cute.

I assume brian is JUST brian these days. right? :?

edit: or you tell people it's a beach boys reference.

Enkidu

imalive wrote:

Enkidu wrote:

Nice photobomb by Brian in the picture, too. The knitted German shepherd is really cute.

I assume brian is JUST brian these days. right? :?

edit: or you tell people it's a beach boys reference.

We still call him Brian Wilson. (I never really liked the Beach Boys, by the way). I didn't send you this picture? The caption would be my husband saying, "Look what they've done to my dog." (Gracie looks beautiful, btw.)

norm

Enkidu wrote:

We still call him Brian Wilson. (I never really liked the Beach Boys, by the way). I didn't send you this picture? The caption would be my husband saying, "Look what they've done to my dog." (Gracie looks beautiful, btw.)

the photobombing brian cracks me up...his expression is priceless!