Shihzoo

In that case, I would say "back to training". I read somewhere that if a dog has an accident inside despite being trained you have to go back to the basics and do it as if they were never trained. Bummer! Good Luck!

I would take her to the vet for a urine specific gravity test (pretty cheap - they just need a sample of urine preferable 1st one in the morning and if it can't be up at the vet in around 20 mins put it in the fridge - gross I know!). Once health issues are ruled out you can start on the other stuff. If the 2nd dog is a male he is most likely weeing where she has cause he thinks it is ok or he is marking.

This may sound like a really dumb question but why is it so bad for dogs to chase shadows, torch beams etc? I have 2 cats that LOVE doing it although have never tried it with my shih tzu. (And won't now!). This thread has got my mind racing with a hundreds of reasons since it started but none of them are useful - please put me out of my misery!!!

oh Dogangel, I'm so sorry. I know you did your best and you have to believe that. You were amazing in your persistance and you did everything you could to give her a chance. I wish I could say something to make this easier for you but there isn't anything. If you need to talk you know what to do. I just know she is up there playing with Pietro now - no doubt they are causing havock. I am so sad this happened to you.. tears flowing. Hugs from me and sloppy kisses from Cibo to you.

Dogangel - from everything I have read YOU have done everything you could have - and you still are. Like I said above, I went to 3 vets in as many days before I was believed (2 in 1 clinic!) and I even then slightly exaggerated the symptons that he had because after the first and second time I was frustrated (and in tears cause I felt that he was going through unneccessary trauma by me dragging him around vet to vet cause they were too ignorant to listen to me! I walked out yelling at the first vet!!! (I'm not known for my patience with people, but have it in leaps and bounds for animals - go figure!!!). I guess cause I only had him a couple of days they thought I was over reacting or didn't know what I was talking about. Well, NOW they know! I complained LOUDLY afterwards so that this didn't happen to anyone else. I also had my sister who had a lot of experience with dogs to keep me on track or I may have started doubting myself! She picked up the main sympton first as she had fostered him for a few days prior to me adopting him. All I can suggest is be like a "dog with a bone" !! DON'T GIVE UP - just keep nagging and calling and be very firm. You may feel like a pain and they may make you feel you are putting them out but it is win/win, you get your dog better and they get their money! Once you get to the specialist, it will get better, they know what they are doing!!! I must say though, my vet that believed me is WONDERFUL and did tests thru her clinic for the specialist so it would be cheaper and didn't charge me for consults and would ring often to see how he was. Then the specialist... well, he was awesome!! (and cute!). Pietro loved both of them - tail would instantly start wagging when he saw them so it helped with over nights and long stays knowing he felt loved. But it was one of the hardest things I've ever been through cause they are so helpless - you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders and are constantly second guessing if each decision you make is the right one. My only advice is, put yourself in your dogs position and do what you think she needs. Obviously pain isn't a good thing but if the end result is worth it then it makes it worth it. My main issue was prior to the diagnosis, how far did I go with this, how much money did I spend and how much pain should he go through? Then afterwards, when the diagnosis came back poor with it being something that couldn't be fixed permanently - only the symptons treated that sucked. Everything I had told myself changed and I needed to reavaluate what my answers would be which I knew would come up. So when he got sick that last time and I there was no guarantees he wouldn't go through this every couple of months I had to make the decision I was dreading as it is all about QUALITY OF LIFE. I had rescued him from an abusive/neglectful situation and couldn't then make him go through a painful/sick one just cause I loved him so much. That's the part you need to put yourself in her position. No matter what, you need to believe in yourself and that you HAVE and will do everything you can do help her. I pray that you don't have to make the decision I did but if you do, for whatever reason, just keep believing in yourself and that she knew she was loved and that is all a dog WANTS! Also, one other BIG tip that my dad told me that I didn't realise, the dogs KNOW when you are upset or anxious so try and remain calm, confident and happy when you are around her, then cry your eyes out in the car or anywhere away from her. It is soooo hard though! I am going to pm you my phone number in case you need to talk.

Thank you so much everyone is so understanding how did everything turn out for you was is positive???? I am in the western suburbs ........... Good Luck with the tests, our fingers and paws are still crossed for you both. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out well. After 4 months, HEAPS of tests and an operation (we had the best specialist in the country) and several thousand dollars in vet bills, I had to make the decision to put him down. He was diagnosed with congenital microvascular dysplasia which is hundreds of micro shunts in his liver - it can only be managed with medication and diet. Unfortunately just as we thought we had it under control he caught a virus and it knocked him around really bad. After about 4-5 days in hospital and still so sick he couldn't lift his head I had to call it - I was devastated. I rescued him in November last year and he changed my life in his short 4 months he was with me. I know I did everything I could to give him the best chance of surviving and I have to believe that there is a reason for everything. I know if someone else adopted him he may not have been given those chances as not everyone can afford the sort of bill I ended up with. He was 10 mths old and it appears no one realised he was sick (the symptons were so subtle it took me 3 different vets till one believed me and test him) so he may not have even been treated at all. AND, I know he gave me the strength to foster a puppy who found a great home and then adopt my Cibo. If it weren't for Pietro, I would never have been able to help the others.

I was told by my vet and my sister that you should definately keep it trimmed between the pads because if their paws get wet that fur between their pads can stay damp for ages and get fungal infections etc.... Unfortunately I have no hints for actually trimming it - I am still learning!!! It has been suggested to me however, that of a night while watching tv (my dog is a lapdog) that while just playing with his fur as I normally would, also gently touch his feet and put fingers between his pads then go back to patting and alternate - he learns that it is just another place to be "patted".... still working on that though!! edited for spelling as usual!

Oh Dogangel, I'm so sorry - I am praying for you both. I went through similar late last year and it is heart breaking. I wish you all the best and send lots of hugs and kisses to your little shep :D

Where are you Dogangel? Maybe you need to get a referral to an animal specialist?? I know a great one in Sydney but other than that I'm sure someone on here could recommend one in your area??

I had this problem a few weeks ago with my shih tzu - the vet said that it can take up to 1 year for the flea cycle to stop - that is extreme situations though. As fleas can live in sandy soil, bedding etc, they get the chance to breed even though you can be treating your dog every month. Basically, she said all you can do is keep treating the dog and it's bedding, the house, the yard etc and as long as any fleas you find on them keep getting smaller (younger) it shows that they are the new generation of fleas and eventually the cycle will be stopped. Depressing I know but she said you have to be consistant in treating all areas and the dog. Hopefully it should only take a couple of months for all fleas to be gone. In regards to existing itchy spots - everyone elses advice seems great! I was in malaseb, condition in Aloveen and treat itchy spots with Ilium Neocort (a cream only available at vet that is an antibiotic, anti inflammatory and anaesthetic all in one.) I also use Ban Itch (from pet shop) which tastes foul (really does!) that stops the itch as well and stops dog chewing. Good Luck - it is a slow process and even if it is the fleas I think you should keep on the diet thing as I have found with Cibo that whilst he is definately allergic to fleas (resulted in hots spots etc) - he is also allergic to yeast and beef. It been all fun and games around here!!! aaww, he is so worth it though!!

This is no help at all but I am laughing so hard I have tears rolling down my cheeks at the thought of your puppy!!!! ;)

I don't have any advice regarding the dogs but I can tell you that if you want to change forums click on the "report" button and request it be changed to the training forum. Best I can do!

:rolleyes: The telephone line - I am on my third in a month and thats only cause now I have rearranged everything so he can't get to it anymore!

OMG she is GORGEOUS!!!!!! (no idea how I missed the photos the first time!!!) She is sooooooooo small! I can't tell you how excited I am at the thought of her learning "shake" - I am nuts I know but I bet she will look adorable when she does it!!! I must admit, the shake thing happened so quick for me and Cibo cause my vet (who I ADORE - she really really helped with Pietro) challenged us to learn it before she saw us again which was 1 WEEK!!!!! That's why I resorted to feeding him his dinner one by one!! haha Poor Cibo!! But it was worth it to see the look on her face when he did it straight away for her - she just got the treat out of her jar and he had his paw up in the air - I was rolling around laughing! Love Challenges!!! She then admitted she was only expecting him to "allow" me to lift his paw - not actually do it himself in that time hehee I don't have to worry about what time I train Cibo - he LOVES his treats and would eat 24/7 if he could! Had to resort to low fat ones in case he gained any more weight - he was borderline when I got him so had to work hard to get a bit of weight off and don't want to ruin our hard work!! The only thing he doesn't skoff is green beans - he makes me feed them to him by hand one by one after he has eaten everything else in his bowl!! Basically, as long as I have treats he will do anything I ask that he understands (except stay!) but if I don't, it is like talking to a brick wall - apparently a Shih Tzu trait - if they don't see a point to something they just won't do it!! :rolleyes: I will definately use your idea of a short lead though for the stay command - I skipped that part (oops, me bad!) so back to basics it is!! Thanks Re Smudge - I know - I am thinking of shipping myself down there How are your walks going by the way??

Hi Stormy, I just stumbled upon this thread and have tears running down my face I am laughing so hard - he is absolutely gorgeous!!!! I was wondering what the update is - has he been adopted, how is his coat going and what name did you choose? (sorry if you have already posted it somewhere else!)

hahaa yeah, it is hilarious to watch him - he just abouts falls over most of the time - maybe I have disturbed him mentally!! It is just so funny and even funnier to watch peoples faces when they walk past - they tend to get this confused look about them - has me in stitches! You are doing better with the stay thing than I am - I can't even get Cibo to stay in training!!! Maybe I should spend more time concentrating on that than the funny tricks!!! The come thing - totally can relate - he will be there in 2 seconds flat when we are training (and I have treats) but out and about - no way, there are too many cool things to stick his nose in!!! Would love to see a photo of Abby if you have one?? The fostering thing - I felt the same. When my sister did it I wondered how she could keep giving these dogs away as I always felt they could never possibly go to a "better" home or family or be treated better - how wrong I was (although there are those occassions when it is not true sadly - we can only do our best) but Smudge (my last one) ended up in doggy heaven on a 42 acre farm - he was so into running and jumping and now he can do it to his hearts content! His new mummy even bought him his own pillow to put his head on of a night - he sleeps in her bed!!! AND he gets a bed time treat every night! My babies (2 cats, 1 dog) sleep on my bed but they only get the doona - no pillows for them! And certainly no bed time snacks!!! hahaa I must admit, I cried my eyes out when I got home from dropping him off at the airport but when I got a sms message that night telling me about his pillow and snacks and the trip to the beach he had got on the way home from the airport I knew without a shadow of a doubt it was for the best. *phew*! Can't wait to hear more about Abby's training - and if you have any hints for the stay thing - feel free to share! I have tried the sitting with him etc but short of holding his collar and MAKING him stay he ends up jumping all over the place trying to get the treat he KNOWS I have!!! Then I just end up being pumbled cause I am laughing so hard at his ears bouncing all over the place and his tongue doing the same... maybe I should video it and desensortise my self like they do for dogs barking at other dogs barking!! hahahaaa

Thanks Emmala, and I love hearing owners brag - it means the dogs are happy too!!! It took me about a week of training to teach Cibo to shake - I would feed him his dinner and breaky one biscuit at a time after picking up his paw and saying shake. Only problem now is (and my dad roles around laughing at this when he comes to visit) that he pees with his front leg up (the one he shakes with!!) hahahahaaaa Dad reckons I have turned him into a clown! High 5 came pretty soon after - only needed to hold treat higher as he was already good at standing on his back legs. I have massive problems with the stay and come commands though - we are working on them too!!! Fostering and adopting are so rewarding - I reckon it creates a stronger bond sooner as you know you have helped them out of a really crappy situation and they are so special - they deserve the best life after what they have been through. Makes me cry every time I go onto rescue websites to see what some of these dogs have been through. I fostered a little shih tzu a few weeks ago - he was so matted that he had to be shaved right down to the skin. I had him with me for about a month before he was adopted to TAS by an angel with a 42 acre farm - she rescues horses! Apparently he is in heaven - she sends me photos and updates and it has made it so worth it... I can't wait to hear more about your successes!

This is Pietro before he got very sick - soooo cute!

hehee I know what you mean, my family could definately sympathise with yours!!! The shih tzu I was talking about was Pietro, he died in January of a fatal liver disease. I rescued him in November (he was 10 mths) and shortly after he was diagnosed with microvascular dysplasia. He had all the tests and an operation but there was nothing more that could be done. He was such a brave little boy and he will always be in my heart. I miss him so much :-( The shih tzu in the photo is my new boy Cibo - another rescue dog!! He is sooooooo funny and charming and thankfully he was not abused - was neglected though :-( He loves everyone and thinks whenever someone comes to the door they are there to see him and if we pass someone on the street he tries to follow them for a pat and play - it is hilarious! I've taught him to sit, drop, shake paws and high 5 - I am working on rollover at the moment - he looks like a beached whale though hahahahaaa Anway, so at the moment my family and friends are probably VERY tired of me going on about how intelligent and smart my boy is - just when they thought they had heard the last of me after Pietro and going on about how much he was improving with day to day stuff and then bam - it starts all over again!!!

Emmala, that is so great about your walk today - she sounds like her confidence is really growing. It is an amazing feeling knowing that you are a part of that, isn't it! Congrats to you too!!

I saw this on "it's me or the dog" that tv show - anyway I tried it very successfully with my shih tzu that was afraid of people walking towards him and also sign posts e.g bus stops etc. Sounds odd but he was a rescue dog and I don't think he had ever been walked on a lead before. Anyway, everytime he stopped I would instantly turn around and walk the opposite direction which he was more than happy about then after about 5 steps I would turn around again and start walking the orginial way. I only had to do it twice for the bus stop before he realised there was no problem with it and after about 4 walks he got used to people walking towards him. (I was so proud of him!!!). Anyway, hope this helps and good luck!

Well I'm out of ideas then - but best of luck! I hope he feels better soon and that everyone stops giving the owners grief although it is probably good to know that people are watching out for our furry friends :-)

Gosh, they all sound like they are having a rough trot! I have heard Hills W/D is really good for dogs with Diabetes that need to put weight on and also to have the dog neutered can assist in the blood sugar levels apparently (heresay!).

Apparently Tea Trea shampoo is very drying - better off with oatmeal / aloe vera shampoos - or so my vet told me on the weekend!!! My 2 1/2 yr old shih tzu has hot spots at the moment (either caused by flea bites or the yeast infection in his ear). It's a bit hard to narrow down right now but both have pretty much cleared and fleas are gone so all should get better now :-) I've only had him a month or so!