Wobbly

I have had this issue too, except when Jarrah pinned the other dog by the throat and it squealed she didn't let go. She had to be prised off. Needless to say once this happened a couple of times in the first few weeks I had her (got her as an adolescent 8 - 11 months?), she was only allowed offleash where there were no other dogs. Now I've had her longer and I know her better, we're back to the dog beach. Mostly still on lead if there's other dogs about though. I have 2 methods of dealing with it - the first was suggested by K9Force Steve. I let her play on leash, when she looks like she is getting too excited, (over excitement was her trigger the couple of times I saw it), I pull her away, no more play time when she acts like that. She's smart, I'm pretty sure she's made the connection now - excess excitement means game over - we go home. She has been coming along well with this method, she's even displaying nice play manners with a dog she once pinned now, laying on her back to play with the other dog (the other dog is a bit smaller and a gentle soul) she knows when she's on her back and gentle & calm I'll let her play as long as she likes. But I'm not willing to let her play off-leash with most dogs to check if this method has really taught her any manners or bite inhibition - I don't want to risk her scaring another dog again. People always ask me to let her off to play with their dogs because she seems so friendly & playful on leash, but no way will I. I trust her on leash now, but not off. The second method is simple - there are a few dogs she does play nicely with. They're all large entire males (which suggests to me dominance comprises at least some of her issue). She respects their alpha maleness, and doesn't try to pin them. One of them, a Pitty x Bull Terrier is particularly great with her, he's doesn't wrestle - just bounces her off his shoulder if she tries, he's a stick chaser, so they play tug with the stick and don't contact eachother with their mouths. When Jarrah did pin the other dogs, she had approached the other dog with a play bow, or even a submissive roll on her back, and they'd have a ball wrestling and playing chasies, then wham, she pin them the other dog never knew what hit it, so there were no dominant displays I missed that another dog would pick though - it was right out of the blue - and at first I thought she was just playing too rough, perhaps had never learnt bite inhibition. But I think that because she won't do it to larger entire males, the pinning & biting behaviour was dominance related - even though it looked like play, play bows & all & the other dog thought they were playing, I think she'd get over excited and perhaps it flipped her Pit Bull fighting heritage switch. I'm not sure if that's any help - Jatz may not be intending to give a dominant message like Jarrah, she might genuinely think other dogs can take the punishment. I'm really no expert, but these 2 methods works for me - on leash play, or a small handful of entire males we know very well. Perhaps someone with more experience might give better methods and ideas - I'd be very interested to hear too.

OMG Elle & Diesel - I wonder if it's the same??? It sounds Very similar! I was at the beach today trying to show a lady there who is very knowledgeable about doggy health Jarrah's mothbites and there were none to be found. They're literally gone now?? After only 2 days??? Unless there's been some kind of miracle fur can't have grown back that fast, so it must be a swelling bad enough to stretch the skin & make it look like there's fur missing?? Again like Diesel, it's not very itchy, she will rub her head on me, but not itch with her paws??? These patches did last for a good few days though - sounds like Diesels are much shorter lasting? I'm going to get her her allergy tested, but this is something to mention to the dermatologist too, at least I have the photo of how bad it looks if it's fine on the day of our appt! Stress it could be - very good point, I have been very stressed the last week or so (I filed a civil court suit last week, so make that incredibly stressed), Jarrah may very well be stressed by my stress, she is an empathic dog as the Bullys tend to be. Aly I wonder if you can get Buffalo bison grass where you are for your yard too?? Then it's a matter of avoiding everyone else's grass, but at least it's not the grass she sunbakes and drag-races on causing it.

I have a grassy backyard too, not sure exactly what type of grass it is, I'll have to find out. I wonder if there are any native ground covers that would be better than grass? Perhaps native grasses that don't produce so much pollen? I just googled low allergenic grasses, apparently Santa Ana & Buffalo Bison are very low allergenic, neither require much watering either which is also good.

I might try a dermatologist instead of going to the vet tommorrow ;) The vet was nice last time I took her there, but really not that helpful in a practical sense, he didn't know what it was, thought maybe a plant allergy - but didn't offer allergy tests or anything. I did a google search and found 2 pet dermatologists in Sydney - both at the vet teaching hospital at Sydney University, so I'll give them a ring tommorrow and try to arrange an appointment or get a refferal from them. I really want a correct diagnosis and path for treatment ASAP.

Some pics: This only came up about 5 days ago (I think when the weather here warmed up?), at first it was much less so I wasn't too worried, now it's gotten really bad. It looks like demodectic mange maybe?? I'll take her to the vet on Monday for another skin scrape, think I'll use a new vet this time, the last time it cost over $200 odd just to scrape the skin & look at it under a microscope. She is only a little itchy, rubs her face on me once or twice a day, but doesn't go at it with her paws, but it worries me it could be symptomatic of something bad even if it doesn't seem to bother her too much atm. From the front, her fur looks fine: But from another angle, you can really see there is something wrong - this is her worst bit - lots of "motheaten" bald patches

Hi Aly, I haven't tried the phenergan, but Ruthless finds it helps her staffies. If the itching gets any worse for Jarrah though I'll use it for symptomatic relief. Glad to hear you're getting some relief for Aly - she's a real cutie I went to the vets over summer to check for demo mange, they didn't find mites, and suggested plant allergies. I'm not sure what to do really. I just did a search for thread on different types of allergies in this forum - one or two of your old threads came up Got some excellent ideas on shampoos to try, and I'm going to try a proper elimination diet. Heres the results - I've organised them as topic title, link, some relevant info covered in thread: Dog Allergies - Gsd Help!, German Shepherd Allergies http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=142366 ^This one mentions a chamomile rinse for the irritations to soothe them Also stuff about atopic dermatitis, and BARF or raw food vs dry, vit E & zinc caps also mentioned as helpful. Weimaraner With Bad Skin http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=143214 ^ This is a great thread definitely worth checking discusses Atopic Dermatitis, megaderm (omega 3 & 6), Royal Canin dry food, Holistic Eagle Pack dry food, phenergen, Cortavance, EpiSooth, Resi-Soothe, Neotopic cream, Duralactin, Manuka Oil and Honey Antiseptic Gel, grain allergies, evening primrose, ACV, Livamol, Neem Oil shampoo, thyroid problems, Mega oil, borage oil. Help With Skin Condition In Rescued Bully Pup http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...mp;hl=allergies ^ Post #14 by Clyde has some crucial info on use of malaseb & Pyohex, the pup in question had a lot of other health issues so the rest of the thread isn't so relevant to itches. Steroids For Allergies? http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...mp;hl=allergies ^ Pros & cons of steroids, cortavance spray, immune system reactions Grass Allergy?, anything i can do apart from rip up my lawn? http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...mp;hl=allergies ^ Information about allergy tests, types of plants & grasses that cause allergies. Also food colourings mentioned as allergens Westie Skin Diseases, Skin Problems in general? Symptoms/Cures? http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...mp;hl=allergies ^ Post #13 by Gingers Mum - malasezzia is interesting - possibility of yeast & fungal infection rather than allergy, also Westiemum's posts have good management tips for allergy itchiness. Skin Condition On Neck, Anyone seen this? http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...mp;hl=allergies ^ Effort to diagnose & treat serious itchyness that seems resistant to all the usual remedies, lots of good info here. SPOT blood test, Blood allergy test, Atopica, EPO shampoo, Dalmatian bronzing, Demodectic mange. Post #59 has a lot of plants that cause allergies listed. Curash powder. Suitable Shampoo And Diet, for dogs with allergies http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...mp;hl=allergies ^ Vitamin C, holistic vets, proplan, aloveen leave in conditioner, washing feet after playing on grass & pollen plants, Innova Evo. Dog Chewing His Legs http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...mp;hl=allergies ^ Neocort, beef allergies, stress/anxiety, acral lick dermatitis. Food Allergies http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...mp;hl=allergies ^ Elimination diets (to determine cause of food allergy) 6 - 8 weeks per food. Aly Is Losing Her Fur http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...mp;hl=allergies Biotin, switching to raw/BARF & roo meat Skin Issues, Please help, willing to try anything Clean cotton sheets for bedding, eliminate wheat & pasta from diet, vitamin c & E, zinc & kelp, wool allergies, vaccine allergies, repeated exposure to foods causing allergies - try novel foods. 12 week food trials recommended, Revolution to rule out scabies, Polyvite by Rudducks, Paw Paw ointment, Ego 1% cortisone ointment. British Bulldog Red, Blotchy And Itechy http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...mp;hl=allergies ^ Post #7 by Stormie outlines a good diagnosis & treatment plan for itching. Which Antihistamines Have Worked For Your Dog?, Atopic allergy related http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...mp;hl=allergies ^ Different anti-histamines & dosages Whew, OK that search goes back to Jan this year, now my head is about to explode from all the info so I'll take a break for tonight. Will finish the search over the next few days & post it up if anyone else finds this one useful.

My Amstaff girl's skin irritations are starting again. She had an issue last summer - looked for all the world like demodectic mange - sort of motheaten, but the vet didn't find any mites when he scraped her to check. She was fine all winter - lovely glossy coat, no itches at all. I never really worked out if it had stopped because the weather got colder & allergenic plants hibernated, or because I stopped her eating beef or even something else. She eats raw, mostly lamb hearts and chicken necks & wings and lamb liver or kidney. Still don't know now, because it's warmer and the plants are out but I also bought a new kind rawhide which might have yeasts or other allergens in it. I still haven't figured if it's contact, airborne or food allergy or even if it's something other than an allergy I'd like to figure it out and get a handle on it fast so it doesn't bother her this summer. I'll get a pic, see if the same issue you guys have? I've only been giving sardines once every few weeks lately I should up that to once a week, also I have some fishoil capsules, but forgot to give her some the last few months, will have to start it up again. I got some good remedies from Ruthless for dealing with allergies in her staffies - I'm sure she wouldn't mind me posting it: Bathe weekly in Malaseb or Pyohex if they're bad, in oatmeal shampoo otherwise. 10mg of Phenergen daily (human allergy tablets) Fish oil caps regularly If they're scratching alot - tea tree lotion on the affected area. Spectrum and Permoxin for fleas if flea allergy.

Yep another vote for k9Force here. We saw him a few weeks ago, I haven't even got round to following all his suggestions yet, but my girl has become about a million percent easier to manage - I think in large part just because we got a better understanding of her psychology and so react more appropriately now.

A squirt of water - how much of an aversive depends on the dog - some love it - for them it's not going to really work. For my dog, and probably many of staffy type ilk it's not as harsh as being banished from human presence (put outside or into a timeout room). I never considered using aversives until a behaviourist reccommended the water pistol to me, and I've found it's great, it's not harsh, not scary for the dog, but just unpleasant enough to make him or her decide that indulging in inappropriate behaviour isn't worthwhile. My assumptions are that your dog is similar to mine - An adolescent who knows what "no" means Assuming he's a happy, confident and outgoing dog just misbehaving because he's hoping it'll yield attention. So here's a paraphrase of how I understood from a behaviourist why a mild aversive like a water pistol can can fix this exact behaviour - jumping on a screen door for attention: He knows jumping at the door will result in either of 2 things - he gets the attention he wants, or nothing happens. Pretty good odds really - even if he doesn't get what he wants, he knows he loses nothing by trying so of course he's going to continue to try it - unless you give him a reason not to - a consequence - the water pistol squirt is hardly a harsh consequence, but it is effective.

Squirt him with a water pistol when he does it. :p

YAY Deelee - happy to hear she's calmer :cry: The outside/crate when guests arrive I think is the same approach - Steve explained it this way - dogs are hierarchical, much like the human military, imagine yourself as the general, and your dog as a soldier under your command meeting the president (or some such esteemed houseguest). A soldier (dog) running up from behind the General (owner) to give the President (guest) a big smooch doesn't respect the generals right to speak on his behalf. Add to that the guest lavishly, regularly praising the dog for that breach of etiquette, and it becomes an ingrained habit. Guests being inherently untrainable, the crate/outside time prevents them encouraging the dog to break rank. My initial approach was so wrong - I was happy to let Jarrah be the welcoming committee before, not really aware of the hierarchical implications. I've since read an explanation similar to Steve's in Patricia McConnells "The Other End of the Leash too. I'm luckier than you on the bed issue, Jarrah'll take as many liberties as she can get away with, but she's happy enough to fall back in line when she's gets an Uh uh, she's never issued any kind of challenge. The holding back on affection - I am still so crap at that. I've noticed Jarrah's a lot calmer too lately, I'm amazed because I'm not really putting everything into practice as much as I should - re affection and a few other things, but it seems the little I am doing has made a big difference - perhaps it's the attitude Mr Wobbly & I project now I am more cognizant of her reasons for doing the things she does. So happy to hear everything is going good for you guys!

Updates we want updates!!! I'm having so much trouble with backing off on affection so that my praise becomes valuable. I'm hyper affectionate with dogs, this is REALLY REALLY difficult. :p I have to get a crate and crate train too, so Jarrah goes in the crate when guests first arrive and she gets to meet them only once they've settled in, mostly because I've failed to train my guests not pat her if she jumps on them.

When I first got Jarrah she was a nightmare chewer. At first, I'd grab whatever she'd found, thank her, and substitute. She quite liked the thanks I think, so she developed the habit of bringing me stuff she'd like to chew, quite a nice habit, apart from toilet rolls, and a DVD remote my posessions remained relatively unscathed by comparison to other adolescent Bully breed owners. A month or so ago, I started putting her toys and other stuff I knew she'd love to chew (rinsed yoghurt containers are her favourite) in 2 piles, one upstairs, one downstairs, partly for tidyness, and partly so I could find an appropriate chewy to substitute quickly when needed. Now, when she wants to chew, she makes a beeline for her toy piles, she still brings them to me to inspect for pre chewing approval. :D ETA: The worst thing I taught her with a velcro fastened collar that loosened was that collars might sometimes be loose enough for to slip off her head if she pulled back hard enough. Not great at all. :/

Yay Deelee - I'm really glad it went well. :D :p Sounds like you've got some great new strategies for directing Evie's enthusiasm in positive ways. Remember too we're going through doggy adolescence - in a year or so the excitability should mellow a bit. I've noticed Jarrah's been getting calmer & more self controlled as the months pass - I think she's somewhere between 14-17 months now (guess from obedience trainers & vet when I got her ranged between 8-11 months, though the pound chipped her as 2yrs). People with Staffys, Amstaffys and Pit Bulls tell me that their dogs really calmed down between 2 & 3 years. With the behaviourist training + the aging, they'll be awesome doggys soon Keep us posted :D

Hi Deelee - our training session (me & Mr Wobbly being the trainees lol) went really well. All the things I've managed to put into effect have made a big difference - she's great at TOT so variations on are easy - eg to will teach her come to the OH when called - because she only comes to me ATM, but he needs the control too. So far I haven't made much headway in getting her to SIT before she meets another dog. At the moment, she's totally dog obsessed and lunges to meet other dogs because she thinks it's her job to be the advance guard. I need her to learn to respect ME as the advance guard - I get to meet the other owner (other pack leader) before the subordinates (dogs) can meet calmly. She won't bully other dogs provided she's leashed, but she does lunge & try to jump on them - very rude. We have a method of approaching it but it's hard when other dogs are unleashed. Today I decided I would ask the other dog owners at the beach for help in how they manage their dogs when she see them to make it easy for me to take the first steps with her, they are all really nice, so I'm sure they'll be happy to help me - I've been hoping to see a fellow local DOLer I've met before to help, cos she's lovely and her dogs are beautifully polite. We'll get there. You will too - it's amazing the little things that are so commonsense, that work so well, and I've even read of some them here before but discounted them because I didn't understand the rationale behind them. Good luck!!!!

Yay Deelee!!! If it's who I think it is, you'll sort out those problems quick smart. I found one of your old threads last night - about how Evie bullies other dogs by pinning them and ignoring their submission signals - exactly the same as my girl. Our dogs sound like soul sisters there, lol. I was luckier than you in that my circumstances made much it easier for me - a very supportive OH (counts for ALOT), no kidlets so a lot more time and energy to spare, plus having the car to drive to more remote walking spots when I was feeling unable to handle her around other dogs. But I have an inkling of what you've been going through, so I really appreciate your strength & persistance with Evie despite all the obstacles. Much respect & love to you. I have a strong suspicion this'll be the turning point for you now - in a little while you'll look back at her behaviours and laugh, cos you'll have a beautifully mannered Evie. All the best of luck - and yeah, I concur with take a notebook.

I had a Schwannoma on my own toungue removed the year before last. It was an eyeball sized lump on my tongue. It hasn't grown back and I've had no problems since. It's one of the easier tumours to deal with - as your vet said - it's one very localised solid lump, so easier to remove it all without leaving any behind. Mine healed quickly with no problems, but it was in the mouth so to be expected. All in all, if I had to pick another tumour to suffer through, I'd choose a schwannoma again - it hasn't regrown, and no problems at all since removal. When you come out of the anaesthetic though, it's excruciating because it's right on the nerve. I was in horrible pain when I woke up, they kept giving me more and more morphine, but the morphine seems ineffective for that kind of pain. Unable to talk because it was my tongue, I ended up frantically making writing gestures till they gave me pen so I could write down "local anaesthetic". They gave me a nerve block and it was fine after that - the local anaesthetic was far more effective than any other form of analgesic. It would be worth asking your vet to give your dog a local anaesthetic at the surgery site when he comes round so he isn't in pain - the operation is right on a nerve - so the pain is much worse than for a regular operation. Good luck - if my experience is any indication it'll be easy to remove it all, so no regrowth - all A-OK

RIP Charlie. It's wonderful that he was cherished and loved in his retirement. To leave the earth knowing you are loved is the most important thing of all, it makes life meaningful and worthwhile, and he knew he was dearly loved. Hugs to you Alix, hope you are OK, and the good memories make your loss easier to bear.

Yay hey CWM - good to see your thoughts in text, that was a fun day, we have been playing heaps of tug since then, I've cut down to one walk a day and the afternoon exercise is tug games I still haven't incorporated much in the way of commands beyond sit, down & stay yet though with a tug toy reward. Jarrah & me love adore Jemima - they had a great time playing I imagine she would do very well in obdience - she has a lovely demeanour, attentive and fun loving, but also lovely & calm even around the distraction of about 18 other dogs at close quarters - give her belly rubs from us! She was beautifully behaved at K9Force's - unlike Miss Jarrah who was jumping out of her skin by late afternoon trying to play with all the other dogs. :rolleyes: Jarrah plays beautifully with other dogs when she's on lead, but I don't trust her off lead, she gets over excited and bites too hard, but on leash she is always good. Unfortunately I think my allowing her to play on lead has really contributed to her leash pulling around other dogs - she thinks she is entitled to play on leash. I only just realised that when I was talking to Steve after the workshop was over - he asks the right questions to make you realise where you've gone wrong. Steve told me then to keep her from playing with other dogs, so (with one small exception the other day when Jarrah's fave boyfriend Billy was at the beach) I haven't let her. We finally have our private appointment on Jul 26th (K9Force has about a million year waiting list to get an appt) and I am really looking forward to getting his opinion and a training program from him. I'm hoping to get miss Jarrah involved in some kind of work soon - I am thinking weight pull would be good, so I will have to really learn about the doggy psychology behind leash pulling - I will want her to pull in the harness, but not on lead - there will need to be absolutely clear communication between us on this.

Yeah it totally works - it reduces the critical distance right down to about 5 metres if we're really caught up in a good tug o war, but it's very labour intensive - I have to really work the tug toy and use a lot of voice to keep her focus on me & the tug instead of the oncoming dog/s. It's reliable but too tiring so it's not my ideal solution. I would really like for her to be completely indifferent to other dogs, because the dog beach is only 5mins from my house and it's a lovely spot, but our walks there are too exhausting because there is so many other dogs - either I play with her to distract her, or she pulls and lunges toward other dogs like a locomotive, and she is STRONG - either way is equally tiring, although the playing is fun, it's irksome to HAVE to do it whenever there's other dogs.

My girl is obsessed with other dogs too, if I play with her and generally carry on like a pork chop myself, she will find me more exciting and ignore other dogs, but it's tiring for me to pretend to be a pork chop every time we see another dog, so I've got an appt with K9Force (omg it's the week after next, yay finally!) to effect a miracle or two.

Only 33 hours and 1 minute to go :rolleyes: Not that I'm counting or anything

Oooh nice - I gotta get one - Jarrah can carry her own toys Linkies to vendor?

Can you give him a nice meaty bone to chew on while he waits? You'd have to get one for Angel too though so it's fair.

Yeah probably best to move the ASD on - for your sanity and her safety - a serious CAO proof enclosure is a lot of work and money for a temporary guest, it would only be worthwhile if you were sure you'd have future use for it.