MadWoofter

Hoping someone can give me some advice here. I am currently fostering Tommy, a 2yr old cocker spaniel. Tommy was kept in a pen for two years, and I have spent a fair bit of time and effort getting him to stop constantly spinning in circles, being completely and utterly food obsessed, not being able to walk on a lead, and given him some basic behavioural guidelines. He has come ahead in leaps and bounds. Tommy was rehomed after a month, but unfortunately he was returned - not because of any of his behavioural problems (the new owners were keen to help him) but because their first dog completely stressed out with him being around. It was decided that is was better for Tommy to come back to me rather than go into a kennel situation where he could potentially revert to his previous spinning / neurotic behaviour. I have now come across a problem where Tommy has 'bonded' with me rather well. So well in fact, that when I am home he cannot stand to be out of my sight, and sits and howls and cries if he cannot see me. The problem is he will not come to find me, but rather he expects me to go to him, so he sits on the sofa and makes this god-awful noise for hours, or until I crack the sh**s and go to him to get him to stop, if only for 5 minutes. Now while I know that responding to his howling is not the right thing to do, it really is as a last resort, and I really do let him go for quite some time before I respond. I am seriously concerned about the neighbours and the noise issue, as I am ready to shoot the little bustard some times, and I'm tolerant! There is no way I am going to increase how often I respond to his howling, as I do know that it's rewarding him for bad behaviour, and will ultimately not help his chances of being rehomed. What I need is a way to get him to stop howling which will not be seen as a reward. I try and call him so he can come to me, but the demanding little creature expects me to go to him. Any suggestions on what I can do?

Mine all love it. I make up a mix of cooked rice, veges, garlic, ginger, parsley & the pet chicken mince and add in some fish oil. They all love their food, but when I serve up the chicken mix they literally salivate so much I have to mop up puddles of drool. Sorry, can't help with mincers - maybe eBay might have something

Fleming is a foster dog who's been in long-term care, and in the last few days I've had a 2nd foster dog come into the home, and Fleming is not happy about it. In the last 2 days that he has started moulting quite severely - huge big chunks of fur are coming off him. However - he's not moulting any more than he would if he was losing his winter coat, and there are no signs of distress in regards to his skin (dandruff etc). His fur in general is healthy & shiny, apart from parts of it coming out in handfuls, so I'm guessing it's the stress of the new foster dog that's doing it rather than a medical condition. Any suggestions on what I can do? I'm not fussed about the aesthetics of him losing fur, but I am worried about his mental state and any long-term effects. Apart from giving up the new foster, is there anything I can give him that will make him a bit happier? Any advice appreciated Thanks

Ripley, I'm a lover of film but I think that's because I've not yet been in a position to afford a decent digital I've got a small crappy digital that I use for snappy snaps, but I use my film camera for anything that needs particular attention. It's a Minolta - certainly not the best but it does the job and I've had it for a number of years now. From my understanding Canon is about the best in both domains (film & digital) so if you can pick up one of those cheaply I don't think you can go wrong. The only issue I can forsee is the cost of developing film will get quite expensive over the next few years. My local photo print place gives me photos and a CD for a fairly reasonable price... at the moment. I know of quite a few professional photographers who will only use film - but then again they could just be stuck in their ways :cool: ETA - great shots, BTW

Thanks, will give those a go. I think it's beyond repair but anything I can do to help the poor boy potentially get a home is worth it !

My latest foster is FINALLY looking good. He's a decent weight, his coat is shiny, is skin is clear, and his teeth are clean & shiny. I'm so glad, as it has taken a while to get him here. He's got quite a few chunks missing in his face & muzzle - only very small bits where I'd say he's got scars from being beaten up and the hair hasn't grown back. Is there anything I can rub into the spots that will promote hair growth? Geesh, that sounds like an advert for Regain (or whatever it is) :D I'm asking this for purely aesthetic reasons, and am not concerned if there is nothing that can be done, just more curious than anything. He's such a gorgeous boy but he's got a few battle scars on his face and it would be lovely if there was something I could do to make them less obvious. Thanks

Just had 'the' phone call from Mum - our beautiful old girl had to get put down tonight. A beautiful soft natured girl she had a wonderful life and 14 can't be sneered at for a biggish dog, but knowing that doesn't make it hurt any less, does it? I know she'll be having a wonderful time in doggy heaven....

Don't think it's a luxating patella (from the description I've read of sympoms anyway). He's a 4yr old Belgian Shepherd. When he first gets up he can bear a small amount of weight on it, but the knee appears to 'pop' out, and after a very short time he can't put any weight on it. His left leg doesn't feel any different to his right (no obvious protrusions etc). He goes throughout the day from putting slight pressure on it to not using it all, to back to slight use to not using it. To add to this however, his hip looks like it could be displaced. Again, it doesn't feel any different to the other side, and I just don't know whether it's just a knee problem, or whether it's a hip thing which is manifesting through the knee coz it's a smaller joint (if that makes sense). He's very stoical, and has never yelped or whimpered by either putting weight on it, or by me giving it a bit of a poke and a prod ! Just thought someone might have an idea before he gets to the vet. Thanks for your advice.

I've got a foster who continually limps on his left hind leg. Sometimes it looks like his knee is the problem and I go "aha, cruciate', and other times it really appears to be a hip problem. Is there an easy quick way to tell if it is one or the other? I have had a (gentle) feel but can't really tell And yes, he's going to the vet

Name: Kim Age: 36 Location: near Hurstville in St George area of Sydney Rescue Group: Cordys Time in Rescue: a few months now Who can vouch for me: Cordy.... I hope Preferred Breed: Big boofy scruffers Experience (if any): been around dogs all my life, have always had rescue pets. Used to dog walk for Sydney Dogs Home Microchip, vaccination, desexing, Heartworm test, worming, flea treatment and vet work all done as per Cordy's policies. Basic training/teach manners: Yes House train dogs: Yes Dogs inside the home or outside: all inside - try not to let them get too comfortable on the furniture in case their new home doesn't like it but some are a little easier to get off the lounge than others ! Are you prepared to give extra care for a submissive nervous dog: Potentially - depends on the severity and how much work is required compared to what I can realisically give. My only real criteria is my dog comes first, and if she's threatened or uncomfortable the foster has to go back. I will also help with transport when I can (depends on the behaviour of my fickle bomb of a car), and will do premises inspections in the St George area if needed - have done so for Boomba

TSD - off the top of my head dunno, but I do know it's one of those organic / greenie / gentle stuff sort of shampoos - it's certainly not your average supermarket variety - maybe that's where I've gone wrong

Thanks Lowchenlove, I thought of that, but he had a bath about 12hrs before I noticed the dandruff - I would have thought the dandruff would have to have started earlier than this (does it get fairly full-on that quickly?) Unfortunately I'm at work from tomorrow so I won't be able to wash him in the sunshine until the weekend. I did try to make sure I rinsed everything off - I might just give him a cloth wipe over tomorrow and towell dry him off and see if that makes a difference.

Well he has had a bath, but it was mostly around his feet, his rear and his back - didn't really wash his neck. He's in to get his round bits removed next week - will give him a good wash after that. Or if shampoo causes it - maybe I won't

Is there such a thing as doggy dandruff? My foster has white flaky bits in his fur (around his lower neck area on his back ) and you can see that it's coming from his skin like human dandruff. I don't know much about skin problems, however it's not red or inflamed and he's not itching. I've never dealt with anything like this before - any suggestions on what I should do? Or am I best to leave it and see if it clears up itself? Thanks

Thanks everyone, yep it's an ear infection. Vet gave me drops to put in it twice a day, and it appears to have helped already - she's much more her usually happy self. Apart from that, she's in perfect condition (spot the proud mum !!!!)

I noticed this morning that Tess keeps shaking her head. I've wiped the inside of her ears, and there's no noticeable discharge, nor do they smell, so I'm hoping that this is just the early onset of an ear infection. We're going to the vets when I get home from work today. Could it be anything else?

A work colleague is currently having his dog tested for Cushings disease, and the intermediate results seem fairly conclusive - they're now testing to see if it is adrenal or pituitary (I think that is right). Does anyone have any experience with living with a dog with Cushings? Would just like to pass on some notes of experience from others. Thanks for your help. PS - I've done a search on here and printed off the information found, but as it was from a few years ago now I'd thought I'd ask again.