Welcome to this week’s edition of Follow-Up Friday, the post where I highlight reader’s comments, answer questions and in general just wrap up the week.
You Make Me Laugh – March 30, 2014
Most of your dogs know the names for the creatures they hunt in their yard or on their walks.
This one was unusual. Kim said, “This is really crazy, but for some reason, known only to Josh, since he was a puppy, the words ‘chop-chop’ have him doing something pretty similar to what Delilah does. It wasn’t that I taught him those words, because I really didn’t, he just seems to know them, and he’s the only one that reacts to it.
Chop-chop, huh?
Sand Spring Chesapeakes said, “I think you should of dumped a bucket of water down the hole for chippie to come running out.”
Thank Dog I didn’t think of that. Can you imagine the chaos?
Animal Couriers asked, “That must have led to a very muddy pup – can you see the mud on Delilah?”
I can see the mud on Delilah’s nose, but I don’t see it anywhere else.
The Dog is Not the Problem…it’s Me
Genevieve said, “That’s one of the first things we learned at dog school. It’s rarely the dog’s fault.”
I believe that with all of my heart, just in the midst of something that’s not working out, or something I haven’t foreseen, I panic. How can I expect my dog to understand what I want from her if I can’t communicate it properly?
Carol Bondy said, “Yes…luke would act the same way..and it terrifies me when they come charging like that..and….you never know…some dogs will go thru that…and the battery might be low..who knows…cant trust those fences. We are terrified and know theres an elec fence…our dogs dont.”
I worry about that as well Carol, which is why I carry a pepper blaster. I would hate to have to use it, but my dogs have both been attacked before and keeping them safe is my job.
Jan K said, “What’s even more difficult for me is making sure my hubby and I are both using the same words when training Luke. I was saying “off” and he was saying “down”.”
You hit the nail on the head with that one!! I use “down” for when I want Delilah to lie down. But Hubby says “lay down” and I think that is why she is constantly getting up. 🙂
Elyse and Riley said, “When I took Riley to her very first obedience class when she was a puppy, one of the first things the trainer taught us was to choose a word for a command and stick with that same word. He also told us to not make the mistake of “teaching our dogs to count” by repeating the same command 5 or 6 times until our dog finally sat (or whatever the command was). Every time I’m out somewhere with Riley (or without her) and we’re around other dogs and their owners, I kind of smile when I hear people saying “Rex, sit. Sit, Rex, sit. Sit. Sit. Sit! Good boy,” because I think “Wow, Rex can count to 6!”
I love that. And yet, I find myself repeating my commands too. 🙁
Callie, Shadow and Ducky’s mom said, “Siriusly, though, I’m a certified dog trainer and I have to constantly stop myself from repeating the same cue over and over again, like “sit, sit, sit, sit.””
It’s easy to do when you aren’t getting the results you want.
First the comments, then another update.
Rebekah asked, “Have you thought about Bach’s Rescue Remedy?”
I hadn’t thought about using that. What I think the real problem was, I went to work then came home for the Holistic Vet and then went back to work. So cone, no cone then cone again. Additionally we got some warmer weather and I think the room was bit stuffy for him. I’ve taken to leaving the window open and he seems much better.
Animal Couriers said, “Imagine removing the cone from the equation will be the best stress reducer – when can you do that?”
He has to stay in the cone until the staples come out which is next Wednesday.
Lauranne asked, “I know it’s not much but could you try making all (or the vast majority) of his meals out of his kong?”
We feed raw and I don’t think I would attempt his meals that way. I could however fix him a fruity Kong.
2 Brown Dawgs asked, “Are you walking him and pottying him with the cone on?”
No. The physical therapist said to remove the cone when we walk, that a dog will assume the correct posture when the cone is off.
Sand Spring Chesapeakes asked, “Do you at least take it off for a bit when you are by him?”
Yes. The only time he is in the cone is when I am at work. At night we sleep in the same bed and I attach a small leash to his collar and my wrist so if he moves I wake up and can make sure he’s not going at the staples.
Callie, Shadow and Ducky’s Mom asked, “Do you have a radio or TV that you can put in the office with him?
I do and I have. Thank you for the suggestion.
Peggy said, “When we first got Ike he was really stressed. We tried everything. And guess what worked? The CD Through a Dog’s Ear.”
I’m glad you found something that works with Ike! I don’t happen to have that CD and we only have five more days to go, two of which are the weekend and one is half a day when he goes to have the staples removed.
Update to the update: Hubby and I noticed that Sampson’s inner knee looked abnormally swollen. I took him to the Vet who drew fluid and observed it under the microscope. Sampson has a Seroma the circumference of a small orange. A Seroma is a pocket of fluid, our Vet does not recommend draining it as it tends to fill up again and it can become infected. We are dropping his PT back to twice a day and hot compresses instead of ice.
We Live in a Flat asked, “How long does Sampson need to be resting?”
12 weeks of no running, no jumping and no off-leash outdoors. 🙁
Jan K asked, “Maybe if you switch around what you’re using to put the pills in….try liverwurst one time, something else another, etc., he won’t catch on that way?”
That’s a great idea. I wonder if he’ll take the coconut oil again? I’ll have to try it. I think it helps that we eliminated three pills in the last couple days.
Jenna, Mark “Husky Crazed” Drady asked, “Can we vote daily? Or just a one time thing?”
I believe you are able to vote daily, however there was a problem with the Linky List and I know Jodi was working on getting it resolved, so please keep checking back. I NEED THE VOTES!
Houndstooth said, “Would giving him some stuff in a Kong help?
I’m not sure, but it’s definitely worth considering.
Here’s the trick that Carol told me for the Liverwurst. First I break the pills into two doses and wrap the Liverwurst around the pills so it looks like a small meatball. Then I cut a third slice, I place them all in the palm of my hand and offer the first one to him, then the second immediately following and finally the third. It works folks.
That’s it for me, I hope you have an awesome weekend and thank you all for the support, I really couldn’t get through this without you!
Jenna,Mark “HuskyCrazed” Drady says
I was finally able to vote! Thanks for the info!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Molly The Wally says
Great follow up and speaking of mud she who must be ignored has had enough of it this Winter. Nice that things are drying up now underfoot. Have a fabulous Friday.
Best wishes Molly
lauranne says
I’m pleased to read that there was a problem – I thought I was being extremely blonde again! You’ll be surprised to hear it wouldn’t have been the first time!!
retro rover says
Good luck with all the vet stuff. As I said b4 Sampson is a lucky boy
retro rover
Sue says
Absolutely hate reading that Sampson has that Seroma. Had truly hoped that you’d get through this with zero complications. The whole procedure and recovery period are hard enough without anything else to worry about. Sending white light and prayers your way.
Genevieve says
I love the liverwurst trick! I doubt I’ll ever need it, though. Cupcake gobbles first and asks questions later. She will eat ANYTHING! No sniffing, no thinking, and rarely any chewing. Gulp. Gulp. Gone.
Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom says
Cupcake sounds like my Ducky! Gulp, Gulp, Gone fits her too!
Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom says
Aw, poor Sampson! I hope that seroma isn’t painful! Callie feels for him — she knows what it’s like to be held back from having fun. We will all be rejoicing for him, tho, when the staples come out and the cone goes away! That sad face makes me want to reach through the computer and love on him!
As for the obedience cues, it’s a wonder Callie, Shadow and Ducky aren’t permanently confused between Sam using not one but at least two different ones for the same posture — and hardly ever the same one I use! — but then when they get confused he gets frustrated and screams at them. Grrr! Thankfully, he’s at work 5 days a week so I can mitigate the damage. And Ducky is a quick learner — she knows her cues — my problem with her is that she gets distracted so easily. Thankfully, I have more patience with all the dogs than Sam has!!
Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom says
PS. Have a great weekend! Hope you get better weather than what we’re supposed to get! I’ll try to vote again in a little while…see if the connection lasts long enough!
Roxy the traveling dog says
That good and the bad. I hope the swelling goes down quickly, poor guy.
Frankie and Ernie says
We love reading all the comments that your furends leave fur you.
Two French Bulldogs says
There are some good ones there
Lily & Edward
Donna O. says
Thanks for the follow up….looks like I’ve got a bit of catching up to do this morning. 🙂
Amy says
Poor Sampson, I am sorry he’s having a rough time, and thus you are too. I like these follow-up posts, it’s fun to see the conversation unfold from the previous week.
Sand Spring Chesapeakes says
Great fuf. Glad Sampson didn’t have anything more serious, seroma’s are quite common with ACL repairs. Massage too will help disperse the fluid and go away faster. Hang in there your doing great. Have a great weekend.
houndstooth says
As for the dog charging you through an invisible fence, we were told recently to carry wasp spray. It’s more concentrated and will shoot a lot farther than pepper spray, leaving a lot less chance that you or your dog will feel the effects instead of the dog that’s charging you.
Kim - Life at Golden Pines says
For some reason, I missed the e-mail of your post, so I’m stopping by to read your newsy post. I love your Friday follow-ups, especially if I’ve missed something more than an e-mail. And that chop-chop thing is really crazy… I said it again to Josh this week, and he started digging a hole… Maybe he’s digging to China.. 😉 …I wish I knew…
I’m continuing to send healing vibes for your boy!! Take care, and enjoy your weekend!!
Jan K says
I’m sorry you ended up back at the vet again, but it sounds like it’s a common thing that happens, and I hope that swelling has gone down.
I forgot last time we had to give one of the dogs pills we would do something similar….one piece of cheese got the pill and we’d give one piece before and after without one. I hope that’s still working for you too.
I just went and voted again!
2 brown dawgs says
Sorry you had to go back to the vet. I hope Sampson is doing better by now. I still cannot get over how big that cone is. I can understand why it is uncomfortable but you only have a few more days. Makes sense that you have to worry about posture, but I am sure a smart dog like Sampson has figured out that cone=mom is gone and I am alone with this thing on my head, which probably adds to his anxiety. Hopefully he will be much better when the staples come out.