poochmad

I've done a bit of reading about cruciate ligament tears...and I'm wondering if Henschke just had a bit of a strain, considering the way he acted this morning when he went around the bedroom and down the stairs (and that was before his meds). After my 'research', I'm definitely hoping it was just a strain and nothing more.

Completely understand, LOL. Oh the joys of puppies! Henschke's a bit of a sook, so we're not sure whether it's real or just in his hairy head...

That's what we've decided to do. He's now out of the crate, but kept on a very 'tight' leash. When he's on the lead he just lies around, whereas when he's in the crate he whinges like a baby. I'm happy for him to lie around if that's what makes him happy. Considering he hasn't been for a walk now for 2 days, he's coping surprisingly well. We've decided to keep going with the no exercise and the short lead until Saturday and then stop the meds to see what happens (as we can't work home on Monday) and we need to know what's going on. I'm thinking it was just a sprain, but not taking any chances, just in case.

Thanks MTD. :D This morning the little buggerluggs raced out of his crate before we could grab him, ran around the room at break neck speed and then bolted down the stairs much to our horror! Gawd. Now I'm really hoping that it's just a strain as if not, here comes a full ruptured ligament!!! Now he's on the lead and will be crated as well. It's hard, because already he's not limping and is walking normally...? Will the anti-inflammatories have worked so quickly? If he's walking normally, does that mean he's only had a strain? Or is it masked by the meds he's on?

Thanks Cockerlover, you're sweet.

Thanks. We've decided not to walk him and to keep him on the lead in the house as he just can't help himself (I presume the anti-flammatories have already started as he's walking without limping). I expect because of the way he injured his leg, she may be covering all bases first and thinking it's a partial rupture. Obviously, we're hoping it's a strain only and he will be right as rain ASAP. Trying to keep an active 8 month old quiet is pretty hard going. ETA: he will be crated as well and only when he's quiet will he be on the lead.

(This has been posted in the general thread as well, but wanted to post it here as well to capture all posters' experiences and knowledge.) Today we were out walking and Henschke was doing his normal 'business', when the next second he yelped and leapt sideways. We noticed he wasn't putting his foot down and when hubby checked it, found a thistle in the middle of the pad. Even after it was removed, Henschke refused to put his foot down and in fact lay down. Luckily the vet was still open. The vet thinks that when he jumped sideways he moved in a non-usual manner and has either torn or ruptured his cruciate ligament. He's currently on anti-flammatory mixed with pain meds. We have to keep him quiet for 5 days. If he's still limping after the meds, then there is a good chance he's got a ruptured cruciate ligament and he'll need surgery. The vet also commented that he is 'tense' in his joint and so it's difficult to fully diagnose, although both knees seem similiar. He's a lot quieter than he normally is and is still favouring his leg. It's obviously uncomfortable for him as he gets up and down a lot and his leg 'twitches'. Luckily hubby and I can both work from home, so tomorrow it's hubby's turn and then I will stay home the following days. The vet has said to keep him on the lead in the house, not to let him jump or run around...but has said we can still walk him. Others on the general thread have recommended to not walk him and to crate him. Any advice or experience would be appreciated.

Eww. Your dogs are gross! We must be very lucky. Except for some blocked anal glands (our fault), our pooch smells lovely all the time...he jumps over his poo, leans forward to wee and gives a clear path when he's cocking his leg...

Erny. You are 100% right. (As always. ) I tried a different tactic (a bone) and he did exactly the same thing...mind you he was destroying things upstairs as we left our bedroom door open thinking he couldn't get past the doggy gate...I put the gate down and sat on a step higher up and lo and behold the little bugger easily stepped through the grate and up and over he went! Now we close the door on the bedroom and I figure if he goes over the baby gate (as I don't want to encourage him to go up and down stairs as he's still growing), then he will get bored of it as there's nothing exciting to do. With regards to the pushing [boundaries] he has started doing things again that he'd stopped as a pup. For example, whenever our back is turned he grabs something, be it a pillow or a cushion or a sock, shoe, etc. Am I meant to be upping the ante to tell him off? And if so, what do you recommend, save spraying him with water as he likes water!

Ooh lucky you! Puppyhood no longer...I can't wait until we can say that with confidence. How exciting to get another pup! Don't forget to post us photos!

Oh my God!!!!!!! There is really someone else out there like me!!!!!!! I love the smell of my dogs feet too!!!!!! You guys are nuts! Every time I look at Henschke's feet, I can't help but wonder how much poo he's walked in!

Aren't nylabones made out of artificial material? Henschke destroys and eats everything! Plastic, wood, stuffing from toys, etc.

Oh dear...six years... I'm thinking that myself regarding a sugar reaction... I should also mention that we can't give him bones as the breed has soft teeth and hubby doesn't want to give him brisket bones as he eats them on the carpet...(he's an indoor/outdoor dog).

Are you suggesting/thinking that whatever it might be coated with has caused Henschke's behaviour? How old is Henschke? (I know you've said in other posts but I can't recall.) You might find that it is age related and where he might be 'testing' boundaries. We work through these behaviours as pups and think they are 'gone'. But if you look closely enough as they approach those 'teenage' equivalent months, you'll often find them pushing (sometimes even just obscurely) and if you aren't consistent with your vigilance as you were when they are pups, the behaviour can pop right back in. Also, I believe they go through a secondary teething stage, like as if the teeth are 'settling' in. And that can promote the urge to chew, tear and rip. He's 8 months as of yesterday. I am aware of the secondary teething stage (learnt that from DOL) and it certainly was bang on the head when Henschke started chewing on walls as he had nothing to chew on, so we started giving him beef hides. The one we gave him yesterday was not the normal hide we'd previously given. We have not come home to a house like that since he was 7 months old - as soon as we did, it was recognised for what it was, gave him the hide to chew and the place has been free of 'mess' since that one day. Considering the beef hide was new and we ended up with a house like that, we naturally placed the issue back on the hide. So yes, we are thinking that whatever it's coated with might have contributed to his behaviour. The last time he was like this (beside being a typical puppy), I had given him goodo and he went manic. I should also mention that when I arrived home he was not his normal calm self, he was pretty manic...

Yesterday we gave Henschke a smoked beefhide 'bone' to keep him from chewing things he shouldn't and we came home to a house that we haven't seen since he was a puppy. (Things ripped, remote control chewed, etc.) The bone is quite sickly sweet and is said to be smoked. It was purchased from Pet Barn. Is anyone familiar with these bones and do you know if they have a coating on the outside that reacts with dogs? ETA: Judging by Henschke's behaviour, I'm thinking the answer is going to be a big fat 'yes'. LOL

Our dog is currently digging to China...his holes are so large when he's in them, you can only see his backside hanging out and he's a medium sized dog... Anyway, we found putting dog poo in the hole works a treat, but also agree, that he will just find another spot. So, to have a garden and a dog, you either need a dog that's mature and is not interested in digging, or put a fence around the garden. Or. Do what we've done and given up on the backyard and handed it over to the dog...

Have a whiff near his bottom. If it stinks to high heaven, most likely it is his anal glands. Anal glands can become blocked and when they are, there is a horrific stink and sometimes a 'slime' will end up on your clothes if he sits on you. (Gross I know.) If it's his bottom stinking get him to the vet and they can empty them.

Were you intending on adding fresh raw meat to his kibble? I am sure they know not to feed both together, but in seperate meals. Can someone please explain why meat should not be fed with kibble? The body doesn't store everything up to digest at all the same time. The meat would have been digested long before the kibble would - it doesn't sit there waiting for the kibble to be digested first. Otherwise feeding something like a chicken wing would be just as bad, as the bone takes longer to digest than the meat. Thanks Stormie, I'm confused too. Yes, I was going to add fresh meat to his kibble, just like I add egg sometimes and fresh carrots and heated (frozen) vegetables. I've never heard of feeding the two separate - I can't imagine that he would eat the meat AND then eat the kibble on its own...that's why it's mixed in so he eats it all. Although people may not agree on what we're feeding him, we've had nothing but compliments on how great he's looking from breeders and showies alike...

Megan and Jesskah, you can still take your dog out in this crucial socialisation time period - just in your arms...it's only for 2 weeks... ETA: Just think of it as extra cuddling...

I too, wouldn't be walking your dog anywhere outside your house until 2 weeks after the vaccination as Danois said. Even though your vet has given the go ahead, I think it's too much of a risk, IMHO. Regarding walking on the lead for 15 mins and playing in the backyard, sounds to me that those times are fine. If your pup is tired he will show it, lying down, walking slower, etc. Most pups at that age sleep a lot and play a lot. If you had young kids that were constantly waking the puppy up to play with it, then I would be concerned. Just make sure that when your puppy is asleep, you leave it be, don't wake it up as puppies really need their rest. The most important thing to do is protect your puppy's bones as they are growing at a rapid rate and you can end up with hip displaysia if not careful. Don't allow him to play with larger dogs (unless both dogs are on the lead and the big dog lies down, but supervise as a young pup can be quickly injured), don't let him slip and slide on tiled or wooen floors (we didn't know this unti after we'd done it) and don't let him run up and downstairs. Until he's 6 months at least, I would be carrying him up and down. Even after this age, I wouldn't allow him to go up and down on a regular basis. (If you don't have stairs no problem.) Your breeder can give you a lot of advice on what and what not to do to protect your puppy's bones. ETA: while the 2 weeks take effect for the vaccination to kick in, use the opportunity to take your puppy to cafes, parks, shops etc and hold him in your arms. You'll get lots of attention from people wanting to pat him and he'll get great exposure to different sights, sounds and people.

Thanks for your replies. I thought as much and will use it sparingly until finished.

So, I ask hubby to buy some meat for Henschke to add to his kibble. I just like to add meat to his diet to give him a varied diet. What does hubby do? He comes back with a tub of VIP Pet Food - Meaty Chunks. It says it has beef, liver, chicken, egg, vegetables and pasta. I can see chicken, carrot, corn and pasta. The rest of it looks like dog food. Is this good food to use? (I was thinking of only adding a tiny bit to his kibble and vegies to make it more inviting.) Or is it ok, but not a preference? Or is it just plain rubbish and I should throw it away?

I trained Henschke with the treat lowered to the floor too. First did it without saying anything. After a couple of goes, introduced the word, 'drop'. Next just said the word. He dropped. Lastly, I said the word drop and with my palm flat and parallel, I said drop and at the same time moved my hand in one motion, but keeping the palm parallel. After doing that a number of times, you can then move to removing the word altogether and just do the hand movement. Just to keep him on his toes, I swap between the hand signal and the verbal command - drop.

Nekhbet, the pup was brought up in a kennel enviornment before coming to live with Fbaurdy. Could that be a cause to why he is behaving like he is (reacting to dog's barking) and that it's a learned behaviour, or am I completely off track?

Thanks for sharing Luke, you take wonderful photos.