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Hello all,
My German shepherd is getting older and has a lot of trouble jumping into the back of the car now. Friends of ours have been lovely enough to loan us a ramp for him. While I have been able to train this dog to do tons of things, I am having a hard time teaching him to use the ramp, and I can’t figure a way to make this work. So far I have used treat rewards for each time he puts his front paws onto the ramp, I have had our other dog Dierks go up and down it to show him, I myself have also gone up and down the ramp to show Butch. I have also tried lining the treats up the ramp in an effort to get him to follow his nose. Lastly, I have laid thenramp flat on the ground and tried to get him to walk on it… all of this to no avail. We have been working at it for about a week now. I never go more than 10 minutes at a time and I always end our little ramp session with something I know he can already do so that it ends on a happy note. Any and all suggestions on how to help him understand the concept of the ramp would be greatly appreciated!!?
Yorker poo, 2.5lbs. She is whining/crying as tho she’s in pain when she gets up to adjust herself as she sleeps, she spent most of the day outside with the family, laying out by the pool. She had plenty of shade, water and food. She is eating drinking and going to the bathroom normally, the whining did not occur until later in the night after dinner. No one has any idea what could be causing her pain. Any ideas?
Of course, it’s impossible to estimate what might be wrong over the internet. Dogs generally don’t advertise pain so if she vocalizing there would be a lot of it. The only way to find out what’s happening and fix it is a hands-on veterinary examination.
I sure hope you’re getting her to the vet first thing this morning.
I have a 3 1/2 year old Coonhound that I just can’t seem to completely housebreak. He knows that if he goes outside he gets praised and a treat. As long as we are home, as a general rule (he has a few times), he won’t go in the house. However, if we leave, he always craps and pees in our basement. We had him go stay with a trainer and he was really good there. He was great the first week we had him home, now he’s back at it. I’ve cleaned the area he goes in with an enzyme cleaner, ammonia, vinegar, and even put cayenne pepper down as I read it was supposed to keep him from going there. I’m not sure if it’s just really bad separation anxiety or what the deal is. I try keeping him distracted with something when I leave but that doesn’t seem to be working any more. Now, he even has my other dog, a 3 1/2 year old Chorkie, reverting and she’s been going in the house even though she has been housebroke for years. I really hate to have to take him back to the shelter because of this, but it has been 3 months and I can’t seem to break him. ANY SUGGESTIONS OR HELP AT ALL?!? (We have to be able to leave him alone for 8 hours because sometimes our work schedules over lap) Also kenneling is not an option with him as he severely hurts himself and even the vet and trainer said he will never be able to be kenneled.
How long are they left alone without the opportunity to eliminate? that is one important criteria to consider. Nanny cam to determine whether separation anxiety is involved. Veterinary checkup to make sure nothing medical is going on.
I would find another trainer and block access to the basement.
I have been through 3 trainers already. He does really well for them, is good for the 1st week, then back to the same issue. I have no way of blocking the basement off as the last time I tried that, he tore down the door which led to him tearing down half the wall so we had to tear it out. Right now he is only left by himself for maybe 1 hour, however, I would like to be able to leave him for 8 and have no problems, which should be doable. The vet said everything was fine with him and he’s healthy. I just don’t know why he always does this. It’s within the first 10 minutes of him noticing no one is around.
Nanny cam would tell you how much anxiety there is. And if that’s the case, you’d need to work on that.
Okay. Do you have any tips or suggestions on how yo work on the anxiety?
Help me determine my kitten’s gender?
I adopted Joey 4 months ago and the vet determined that he’s a boy. We never really brought up his gender afterwards during his vaccination.
He is around 6 months old now and I don’t really see his ‘scotum’ growing. Compared to the kitten nearby where I live (which is around 2 months old), his ‘male parts’ look less prominent.
I don’t have the time to visit the vet this week, so can someone help me determine his/her gender? I’m a little confused.
Hello,
That kittens look like a female to me :). You should get er spayed soon, otherwise she will get pregnant if there are intact males around.
Hello, my border collie has some weird coloured skin on his nose, which has appeared recently. Please can someone help or know what this is…
-Louis
There seems to be both loss of pigment AND some lesions on there … ? I would certainly work with a vet because you don’t know whether it’s an infection or autoimmune problem. Collies are prone to localized lupus; in fact it’s also called Collie Nose …
Why does my dog lick me after a shower or swim in the pool
LOL I couldn’t say I know why but Jasmine used to do that too when she was little. Maybe she was trying to dry me off seeing I was wet. 😉
Because he loves you? Because you taste yummy? Because they are inquisitive, sweet, adoring beings far more wonderful than humans? Just my professional thoughts on the question.
My dog, a schnoodle 7yrs is lethargic, seems to have pain in his hind quarters (like arthritis type pain) and is sensitive around the anal area and slightly runny stool. Any thoughts or advice please.
Where there is pain and lethargy combined, there is an emergency.
I agree, treat this like an emergency and get him to the vet ASAP.
I have a 2 year old pittbull mix who does not like his nails trimmed so he has to be but to sleep, it gets done about every 2 months because it is expensive. My question is it looks like the quick is getting longer but not the nails I asked the vet tech that but she said
I have a 2 year old pittbull mix who does like his nails trimmed so he has to be put to sleep every 2 months to get them done when I said to the vet tech that it looks like the quick is getting longer but not the nails she said it is my imagination. Should I be getting them trimmed sooner then every 2 months and if so putting my dog to sleep be harmful to him? Is there anything else we can try his vet is not helpful?
I completely agree with the previous answer. Our German shepherd does not like getting his nails trimmed either… we used to have to muzzle him when we first got him. We’ve had him for seven years now, and he isn’t great about it, but he us better to the point where he no longer needs to be muzzled. I got a book from the library that explained ways to get them more comfortable it’s having their feet and nails touched through positive reinforcement. Best of luck.
Hello,
I think it will be cheaper and better in the long run to start working with a positive reinforcement trainer on getting your pup comfortable with nail trimming. I also think that there might be other options than anesthesia. Ask your vet for more help in coming up with a plan you are happy with, or ask for a referral for a trainer or find a vet who will work with you on terms that are better for both you and your dog.
Desensitization is KEY.
My dobe wouldn’t let me go near her feet. She has bitten me and she broke our dremel when I tried to do it…so I took her to a groomer who works with show dogs. Over the span of a year we visited her every week, and we got my girl’s nails to where they still click but they’re not talons, and I can now do them at home.
I would look into scratch boards while you work on positive desensitization. This has saved folks a TON of money.
Are you on Facebook? I found a wonderful group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nail.maintenance.for.dogs/
Their Files section has a TON of information and help.
is” royal canin fit” cat food good for my cat?
Hello,
I think that Royal Canin is a very good diet for cats. But, I don’t know anything about your cat so the best person to answer this is your vet.
Hello,
Is baby oil safe to use on cats? I heard that baby oil can help de tangle matted fur.
You would probably be better to buy a cat conditioner spray to untangle the cats fur
I agree with Leah. I would try a groomer forba shave down before trying to untangle. It can be very painful for the cat, and tear the skin which will lead to infection and even maggots. Please just ask the vet or a groomer to safely shave out the mats. Never use scissors! You can (it happens all the time) accidentally cut them which often results in an abscess.
Hello my dear Pawbly friend.
Ok. Here’s my advice from my experience. Start with just the ramp. Put it on the floor in a high traffic area. The goal is to see if he will use it on a flat surface. If he uses it on the floor it isn’t the ramp that’s the issue it’s the incline, or the flexibility (some are flimsy and cause anxiety), or it’s the transition from floor/ground to floorbed. my experience is that most dogs hate the surface feel. So then try to add a carpet strip to add better traction. If he will walk on it after carpeting you need to try to decrease the angle (by lengthening or starting higher off the ground or add sides to it to spare them the fear of falling.
That’s my tips. Let me know what you think. Xoxo
Krista
Dr. M said everything I would have said. The combination of a strange surface AND a weird way to get into the car can be very confusing. Introducing it as a flat surface first, then working up to an incline is the best way to help your dog gain confidence with the new device.