This is normal in PA to a degree. The dog’s diet contributes to its attractiveness to flies more than any thing. I would check for ear infection(s) or bad teeth.  Other than that all that can be done is to apply a repellant to the dog – and I would use a natural one that can be found at an Agway or other farm store.  These repellents contain a mix of essential oils like cedar or peppermint, etc.

PK….I normally use water in my essential oil blends for animals but seeing as the bugs are attracted to water, do you think I should use a carrier oil instead?

It sounds like your dog is in pain and needs to see a vet to determine where the pain is and treat it.

Sounds like she’s having pain needs vet

I was taught, too many years ago, that a seafood heavy diet it not good for male cats. Can cause kidney problems. I have four male cats and I take it very easy on the seafood. Asher is very picky, but when he gets hungry enough he will eat. We’ve had several stand-off’s over canned food. I give him 20 minutes to start eating a new food. Then I take it away and put it out again at the next feeding time. I leave dry food out all the time. Canned is once a day at 8 p.m. He constantly tries to convince me that he’s starving at 7 p.m. and the new food is no good. He’ll even knock the dish on the floor. So far he’s letting me win.

Because I am a stickler for accuracy in language: If they’re a mix, then they aren’t purebred.  The word “purebred” means an animal bred from parents of the same breed or variety.  Because you have two different breeds involved, they are a mix.

That said…do they go outside?  Have you taken a fecal sample to the vet annually?  I give heartworm preventative 4x a year – my old man cat doesn’t go outside, and I get annual fecal and blood testing done for him.  Get fecals and blood panels done, at the very least, to make sure everything’s good.  Without a full picture of your cats’ health, you cannot make an educated decision on how to handle medications and the like.

If they go outside, then yes, they should be on heartworm preventative. I would also have them on an external parasite preventative/flea and tick preventative, as well.

Thank you for the answers

Hi Yvette.  I’m sorry we didn’t see this but most of us are on the East Coast.  How are the dogs doing now?

If ANYTHING changes, even if they become slightly lethargic, rush them to the vet. Otherwise you might be in the clear.

No, unfortunately. I’ve not had to worry about this…I would ask the vet.

Have you spoken with a trainer yet?  

Well hitting has made it worse. Your dog has several anxiety/fear issues. you can teach a dog confidence but it
takes time and dedication. Start by always having your dog on a leash with you. when he lays quietly, tell him good dog. start teaching him to sit on command. then start teaching him to sit in place on a carpet or matt. All this will teach him proper behavior, and make a bond. once he and you have developed a bond, start asking a friend to come over to help work with your dog. Put a bowl of treats outside of the door, have your friend come to the door, your dog on a leash, you ask your dog to sit, treat him. the friend comes in, no eye contact, talks to you, if dog stays sitting, no growling treat him. Once dog accepts friend, let friend treat him.
Start teaching your dog that all good things come from you when he listens. Get what we call High value treats, something he ONLY gets during training, cheese, chicken, moist dog treats, whatever, but he only gets it during training.
Collie and shepherding dogs have such a strong desire to be with their people, to please them, that you should be able to train him.
As for crying while you are gone, he should be crated, with a cover over the crate, and give him a large Kong to work on while you are gone. He only ever gets the Kong in the crate. Fill it with dog food, and mix in some peanut butter, plug the whole over with peanut butter and freeze, give it to him when leaving, but make sure you feed him less so he doesn’t get fat lol.
Take time, he will be a good dog, dogs know when they are rescued.
Good luck!

In what way is she not getting along with him? My first thought is that he calmly go about his business and not attempt to interact with her. Let the dog approach your brother for interaction. Is he wearing a ball cap, something that she’s not used to? Everyone needs to be calm and act normally.

Thanks!

She has been getting better. She isn’t barking as much, but tends to avoid him whenever she can now. Want her to get used to being around him, but don’t want to force it. Now she usually hides downstairs or in one of the bedrooms. Gets really nervous and wants to be close to someone she knows when he is around.

She does bark and get snappy when he’s interacting with one of us, she thinks she is protecting us from him?

Slow going, but are improvements.