Hello,
If the toothpaste is the problem in permitting brushing omit it and use a moistened toothbrush or even a piece of gauze (I use our hospital 4 inch square gauze wrapper around my finger). I have a YouTube video on how I do it.
I Am Going To Buy A New Puppy And I Already Have A 8 Month…
I am going to buy a new puppy and i already have a 8 month old pug and he is in heat will he try to hump the new puppy or will i be fine if not how can i introduce the new pug puppy
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We Have (2) 1year Old Cats. One Loves The CET Toothpaste And The Other Has…
We have (2) 1year old cats. One loves the CET toothpaste and the other has no interest to even lick it off my finger.. We have tried the seafood and poultry flavor. Any alternatives you would recommend? I seen they also make the CET chews in fish or poultry flavor. Curious if they are just as effective. Thanks
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Krista Magnifico
So Stella, Our Almost 3 Year Old Morkie Has Some Possession Aggression Issues. Particularly With…
So Stella, our almost 3 year old Morkie has some possession aggression issues. Particularly with things like socks or things that don’t have a firm middle when she bites in (like soft stuffed animals). We have tried bribing her with treats and bones, distracting her with play and love, forcefully taking these items from her (that didn’t work well), and finally today we did something that worked! We asked her if she wanted to go “out” to take a “walk” and though he ears perked up she still didn’t drop this stuffed Aflac duck she found in my office. However, once she had her leash on and saw the great outside at the bottom of the stairs she dropped it and never looked back. Do you think this trick will continue to work? Is there anything else we can do when she’s decided something she has a bite on is something she’ll get aggressive about? Thank you all for your insight and help!
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Krista Magnifico Hello,
I think that the “exchange” option, i.e. “I’ll give you something of higher value to surrender the item you have” will work for a little while. But it leaves you constantly set up for being her servant. Life is all about compromise, but, not fear based “I’ll bite the hand that feeds me to get my way” compromise. Respect is earned, not traded. I would strongly recommend a basic puppy and obedience class. All should be based on positive reinforcement methods. If you try to reason with her by intimidation or reprimand she will up the ante and retaliate with excessive force (is my guess). good luck
Stella (the Morkie)’s Other Owner Here. Today We Took Her To The Vet For Her…
Stella (the morkie)’s other owner here. Today we took her to the vet for her first lyme disease vaccine. She was doing pretty good for a while, and even went on her walk when we got home. I left her alone for an appointment for about an hour and when I got home all she wanted to do was cuddle. She sat on top of me and was shaking. I thought that maybe she was cold, but she ended up throwing up. Could a lyme disease vaccine make a dog vomit and if so, do we need to tell our local vet about it? She got all sleepy after and curled up on me again. My poor girl 🙁
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Krista Magnifico Hello,
Yes it sounds like it might have been related to her vet visit / trip. Often it is hard for me to tell whether the vomiting was the vaccine (probable) or the anxiety/car sickness associated with it. Taking her temperature and listening to her heart and lungs may help push me one way or the other. But YES! You absolutely need to tell your vet. I would recommend splitting up her vaccines in the future and maybe even pre medication like diphenhydramine.
My Dog Got His Duclaw Caught On A Piece Of String And Is Whining A…
My dog got his duclaw caught on a piece of string and is whining a lot. Is there anything we can give him to help with the pain? He won’t let me near it to see how bad the damage is but if I can give him something, maybe he’ll settle enough to take a look.
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Megan Tholin Best to bring your dog to your veterinarian who can administer sedation/pain meds and get a thorough exam of the foot/toe. If he has rear dewclaws, they may recommend surgical removal to avoid a reoccurrence.
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Krista Magnifico Hello,
I’m sorry but there isn’t anything safe to give him to sedate him enough for you to both look and and treat. Also start working with your dog so that you can keep the nails trimmed which makes ripping or traumatizing the nails less likely.
Hi. My Cocker Spaniel Sleeps With Us And Has Done Since She Was 6…
Hi. My Cocker Spaniel sleeps with us and has done since she was 6 months old, she is now nine. Lately if my hubby gets up to use the bathroom she begins to growl at him. She loves him to bits, why is this?
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Krista Magnifico Hello,
There are a lot of studies and articles on this. In general it is important to understand what the growling is. In some cases it can be annoyance about being awoken. In others it can be assertive dominance and this is very worrisome asbitbcan esclate. The best advice I can give is to talk to your vet and ask for a referral to a behaviorist who can help diagnose and assist in managing it so it doesn’t escalate. Also. Your dog belongs in a crate at night. It will stop the growling and remind them that they aren’t in charge of the bed, or your husband and thwart the problem immediately. This is not meant to be unkind it is meant to be an assertive protective measure. What’s the worst that can happen? Well. If it is a dominance issue your dog is staking claim to the bed. At some point he may get more assertive. What if he bites next time? Dogs are euthanized for biting and aggression so please assess this immediately. Some Dogs just don’t belong in a bed -
Sarah Good morning. I just wanted to add a bit of advice. As a dog owner and lover, I feel it is very important to have rules in place for the health and well being of everyone. Some rules seem silly to have, but any rules help keep the pack order where you, the human, remain the leader. Bedrooms are at the top of my list for rules. No dogs are allowed in our bedrooms. This is an easy rule to keep since there are doors to help. It also helps keep the pack in order. Co-sleeping gives them the idea that they are on an even level with the leader. It might be a hard habit to break, but my advice would be to start changing things now. You would hate for the growling to go further and create a bad situation. If you still want your dog in your room, maybe a separate doggie bed in there? Dogs are smart. Your dog will get the new rules in no time.
I Have A Senior Cat Who Was Receiving Insulin But Is Now Off Of It…
I have a senior cat who was receiving insulin but is now off of it per the Doctor’s orders. His glucose level has returned to normal, at least for now, by way of the DM cat food only.
The cat has become very playful, like a kitten, during the last week or so. Should I be concerned about the change in behavior?
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Sarah Hi there? If your cat s feeling well enough to be playful and happy, I would take that as a gift. We have a senior dog who has given us the same thing and we are just making sure to enjoy as much time with him as we can, while we can. You could always mention the behavior change at your next vet visit if it is a concern…. however, my thinking is that since he’s feeling good that he is just letting you know. ??
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Krista Magnifico Hello,
I agree with Sarah! This all sounds like excellent news.. but ANY change in behavior should be discussed with your vet, and frequent recheck of blood glucose are the best way to monitor for the progression and state of this disease process. Also, if you see a change in water intake, or the size of the urine clumps (if clumping litter) in the box are also,
let us know how things go,,xoxo
krista
So, We Just Adopted A 3 Year Old Morkie, And Were Warned That Sometimes She’ll…
So, we just adopted a 3 year old Morkie, and were warned that sometimes she’ll steal an article of clothing, hide under a table with it, and possibly bite if you try to get it back from her. Well, I just doctored my girlfriend’s fingers after a little fight they had over a sock. Other than yelling at her (the dog) and saying “no” we’re now ignoring her. What’s the best way to handle this and train her to behave better?
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Krista Magnifico Hello!
The fact that you just adopted her and don’t know much about her previous training, behavior and attitude makes advice for this a little difficult. In general I start with a very minimal access approach. She has to earn everything and you aren’t setting her up to be “bad or disappointing”. You are going to have a very difficult time teaching her much other than to be afraid/untrusting of you when you get in between her “stuff” or try to reprimand. In my opinion anything this early that is negative, I know even when you are being beaten, (sorry) teaches her to be untrusting and afraid of you. Too often people want to start at “well trained” when they really have a new pet who doesn’t know you, your expectations, or their new world. I suggest crate training all the time. She is kept there, where she can slowly acclimate to you and her new home, and she earns toys after some basic training is implemented. I strongly suggest a puppy class to start. Take her for lots of walks. Spend time together doing stuff together on neutral territory, like outside. As she starts to understand you you can start progressing toward other activities.
I will add that she needs to feel safe and loved. So always put her in her crate with an affectionate word and give her a toy to keep her company (if she doesn’t guard that).
Overall she has a lot of adjusting to do and you need to be patient and understanding that this is a process. A process dependent on patience, love and dedication. Never get angry. Never yell. You both need to adjust to each other.
No toys, no decisions, no options except love and start really slow. Letting her have a safe space that is her own and building on this is where I would start.
Let me know how things go. Sending ♥️ And best wishes.
Krista. -
Nicholas P. Woodward Post author Thank you for the sound advice! We appreciate the sentiments on positive reinforcement and building trust. She spent the next hour following my girlfriend around and apologizing trying to lick her wounds away.
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Krista Magnifico ?❤️⛄️?
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Sarah Congrats on your new dog? I’m just adding to the good advice you’ve already gotten. I am a firm believer in walks… no matter what size of dog. It’s a fantastic way to share quality time and bond, while getting the exercise needed. A tired dog is usually a better behaved dog. Even a ten minute walk has the potential to change behavior for the rest of the day, for the better. And I agree strongly with everything shared above, especially getting involved in a basic obedience class. Even if your new girl already has basic obedience, she needs to learn you and what you expect. It is another great way to bond and earn trust. Another plus to the walks is practicing your homework from obedience class? best of luck and again, Congrats!!??
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Nicholas P. Woodward Post author Thank you, Sarah! I do see that she has a LOT of energy to play. The more we do that and walk her it seems the better she is for sure.
My Guinea Pig Probably Has Something Stuck In Her Throat Like A Leaf Or Something…
My guinea pig probably has something stuck in her throat like a leaf or something. She tries to get it out by rubbing her face or making weird faces. What should I do? She seems calm after an hour but isn’t eating since it got stuck. Will she be able to get rid of it herself!?I tried to look but couldn’t see anything. It straight after she ate a waxy leaf I think. I’m extremely worried. No vet available at the moment
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Krista Magnifico Hello,
I don’t typically see a foreign body stuck here, although it is possible. I worry more about infection and neoplasia. It is imperative to try to look inside her mouth very gently or find her a vet ASAP. Also try to rub her neck and throat to see if that resolves some of her discomfort. I hope she is feeling better soon
Hello,
I Have A 12 Week Old Kitten Who Was Spayed 11 Days Ago. I Noticed…
Hello,
I have a 12 week old kitten who was spayed 11 days ago. I noticed after the 4th day that she had some swelling under her incision. I took her to the ER vet who did an US and said the internal stitches were still intact and there was no hernia. She aspirated some sanguious fluild and looked at it under the microscope and said she was infection free. The kitten had been confined to the bathroom since the spaying but I found out on the third day she was jumping in and out of the bathtub. Hard to keep a 12 week old kitten still and quiet! So after the vet visit we confined even more so- in a free standing shower for 5 days. I then noticed it was firmer- maybe 10% smaller- but definitely firmer looking- more defined. So back to the Er vet who did a second US and said all looked good- no hernia. She then said to let her out of the shower and resume normal activity- the serima should resolve. I was like what! That’s the opposite of what the other vet said. The kitten has been eating and acting normal all through this recovery period. I check the serima daily and it’s the same size. Do I let her tossel with her sibling? How long will it take for the body to reabsorb it? And why did it get firmer after she drained it? I’m so conflicted what to do. Some sites says it takes weeks- I might be impatient. The incision has almost completely healed and looks good. I’m so confused as to how I should be treating this!
Thanks so much!!
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Krista Magnifico Hello,
These are all questions for the vet who did the surgery. In general kittens heal very very fast. I would guess she is fine at this point but you should ask your vet for their opinion. I hope you have a regular vet. The ER is for emergencies. Your vet is for the day to Day questions. -
Sarah Good morning.? I would start to make regular appointments at the vet you will be using… fo check ups, inoculations, etc. that way you will be able to establish a good relationship and they will get to know your kitten well making future visits easier and more relaxed. As far as your kitten’s spay- I agree, the vet that did the surgery is the best person to speak with. Best of luck and congrats on your kitten!
Hello? If you are adding another dog into your home, I would strongly advise that you have your existing pup well trained. It will benefit everyone involved. Honestly, the better behaved your current dog is, the better the example will be set for any newcomers. It sets the stage for everything. If your dog is exhibiting undesired behaviors that you ar concerned about, I would get that sorted out before adding another dog into the mix. My advice would be to enroll in a dog training class and after you are comfortable with your success there, then decide on adding another dog. Best of luck to you??
PLEASE wait until your existing dog is an ADULT before bringing another puppy into the home. PLEASE.
Also, male dogs do not go into heat like female dogs. Please do research on basic biology of canines.
Male dogs humping things could be because he isn’t fixed, and if the new puppy is female, yes he will try and hump, maybebif it’s a male too. I would definitely get them both neutered or spayed and that could solve your problems. Some male dog will continue the behavior afterwards, it just depends on the dog.