Ask questions and share about your pet's health to help others.
my dog ( 1 1/2 year old small mix terrier) is a sweet guy when it comes to humans and dogs he is familiar with. sadly, he has picked up aggressive behaviors from my brothers large dogs. He will growl at people he is not familiar with on the street and when they enter the home. he will growl at outside noises and also at other unfamiliar dogs. he doesn’t bite people he just growls and when they try to pet him he runs away and gets shy. minutes will pass and he will warm up to people. he does fine at the dog park, when a dog approaches he smells the dog and runs away( which makes sense, he is a small dog) i’m more concerned when we go on walks. i’m looking for advice and tips i can do to help me and my dog work on his excessive growling. i would love to be able to go on a walk with him and be able to pass people without him growling and he can just keep walking.
Dog stuck in mud?
Is it possible for a dog to get stuck in the mud and if so, what kind of mud would be most likely to get them stuck and how would they attempt to free themselves?
I suppose it is possible for anything to get stuck in the mud, given the right circumstances. I would make every attempt to help them get out. I’m hoping that by now, the dog is out, safe and dry. If that is the case, I would still keep a close eye on him and if I saw anything unusual I would call my vet to be safe, and see what she says. I hope your dog is ok.
My dog hasn’t ate all day. She is lethargic, whimpering, tremors. All she wants to do is lay down. What can possibly be wrong with her?
Hello,
It sounds like your dog is not feeling well. She needs to see a veterinarian to tell you what may be wrong. Please go as quickly as possible. It may be any of the following pain, infection, disease, toxin, etc etc. I hope she is ok.
My dog just bit our neighbor out of nowhere?!? We recently (2 weeks ago today) brought home a 2 year old great dane/lab/retriever mix. We’ve been doing out “trial” run as we call it to see if he’s our perfect fit. Well so far it’s been amazing. We keep saying he’s a turn key dog, perfect. Until today. Our neighbor, whom he’s never met, walked over to us and the dog, who was on the chain lunged and bit her. Out of nowhere. She had and ready let him sniff, do his thing, pet him, he was andlreadyll good, then BAM! Luckily he didn’t puncture the skin and she was understanding when we apologized multiple times, but my husband is irritate. He has zero tolerance for this. He wants him gone. I’m wondering if maybe it was just andlreadyll glitch persay? I random act of over excitement? Does anyone have any ideas? He’s never done it to anyone we’ve had over or taken him to see. I understand my husbands concern as there are people that walk around here, kids, smaller animals, and he doesn’t want them hurt seeing as how this happened with him on a leash. Any ideas?
There are many factors that can lead up to this type of situation. Have you discussed this with your vet? Have you spoken to your trainer about it or a behaviorist? I’m not sure of your daily routine with your dog as far as walks and training, but those are absolutely KEY in keeping your pack order straight. I would start out talking with my vet and a trainer and take things from there. There is no such thing as a perfec pet. They all require time, work, lots of love and patience. No matter how docile they seem to be, anything with teeth can and will bite, unless properly trained and exercised and knows that they are a part of the pack. Best of luck! Keep us posted.
We use an invisable fence as my dog is a jumper. She hurt her foot leaving the house yesterday and is now terrified to leave the house. We think she associated the pain with the fence even though she was no where near the fence
Any suggestions?
Hello,
As with any fear associated behavior it is best to start slow and gentle and begin to gradually reassure them that things are ok. In some cases I use treats, a short lead or even a dog bed to place a good reward with conditioning out a fearful reaction. Things like placing her in a crate she is comfortable in to relax her near the threshold and then walking slowly outside and giving her treats as you go or as she approaches you. Often you will find there is a specific point that they won’t advance past. This is the time to sit, be calm and gentle and reassure her that things are ok. Never do anything too fast, and don’t force her. You have to be calm and gentle so she learns trust. Don’t yell and never hit even if you are frustrated. I also think that electronic fences are not ideal for the reasons you have learned. Try leash walking and building trust and then start conditioning her out of her fears. Try also looking at Victoria Stilwells stuff. She’s great! Google search her name for lots more training info.
Large lumps under bottom 4 nipples. Female 1 y.o only had 1 cycle. They have only just become lumpy , we first though hormonal changes or her second cycle but they haven’t gone down after 2 weeks. No discharge, no pain on palpating and my dog is completely normal, eating and drinking well. Going to go to the vet but can’t sleep because I have read some nasty stuff. What do you think?
Hello,
I would suggest going to the vet for an exam. I would also expect that they can’t tell you exactly what’s going on without a biopsy of the masses. But it might help to reduce the chances of some of them being mammary tumors by spaying her. Good luck. Don’t lose sleep just head to the vet. I don’t think this is an emergency but try to go in the next few days. Let us know what they say.
My Golden Retriever puppy of 87 days does not eat his food but if it is mixed with his treats he eats it why? And how to make him eats his food.
Well, it is a broad question. Here is the thing. It is possible that there is an issue with the food itself, such as a) it might have rancid fats, b) it might contain something that doesn’t agree with your pup’s system … more importantly, your pup might not be feeling well. Here is how that works – some foods are more attractive/palatable than others and entice being eaten even if the stomach feels upset. For example, we had a similar problem with Jasmine (also since she was a pup) and eventually it turned out she had IBD.
I’d starting by having a close look at the food, followed by a vet evaluation. This might not be an easy thing to figure out but it is important that you do.
Hello,
A puppy this young not eating is ALWAYS a sign of something wrong. Go immediately to the vet. I would be very very worried that he is sick and that it isn’t the food. I hope he is ok
Why would my dog be throwing up yellow liquid and not eating regularly?
Hello,
There are many many reasons this canne happening. Please see your vet for help in understanding the cause. The longer a pet suffers from chronic vomiting the more difficult it is to treat and the poorer their prognosis. Your dog is sick and needs a vet today.
my 7 yr old cocker spaniel is a beautiful little dog in all ways. However when anyone is leaving the house after visiting she goes absolutely mad and I have to put her out. Also when my daughter comes to pick up her little boy she goes totally mental. When I leave for work she is grand. How do I calm her down?????
Don’t make a big deal out of leaving and returning. I hope you don’t mean you’re putting her in the yard when you leave? I would crate her in the house, say “bye” quietly, and just leave. 5 minutes later come back, don’t say a word, let her out of her crate once she’s calmed down. reward the appropriate behavior, ignore her until she’s calm.
No no I would never ever leave her outside when I am not there. She is fine when I am leaving, she just goes to her bean bag. It is when others are set to leave that she goes barking mad.
My 6 yr old beagle ate chocolate a day ago, which we just figured out, and starting having seizures and posturing. He is also very lethargic. Can I still give him activated charcoal to absorb whatever toxins are still in his system and how much? Any help is appreciated.
I agree. Seizures always warrant help from a vet. Please go immediately.
I’m not a vet, but once a dog has started having seizures, you should skip giving him activated charcoal and take him to the vet. If he ate it that long ago, he’s already absorbed most of the toxins. Activated charcoal is only effective before he’s absorbed toxins, not after. It may be a costly visit, but seizures are never a good sign.
Hi there-
It sounds like your dog has developed some fears. A while ago I stumbled across this website: http://www.thebalancedcanine.com/
You may find it helpful. Best of luck!