dogon

I feed Rodney Eukanuba twice daily and a chicken wing each morning. Sometimes we mix in sardines or an egg with his dry food. We also use a chicken treat for cats as rewards because they are soft and he doesnt seem to like crunchy rewards. The vet said that we should cut out sardines, eggs and the cat treats for a while and just stick to dry food and the chicken wing. She also suggested raw meat for treats instead eg chuck steak. Bones are the best so we must be doing something right! The vet 'emptied' him but he didn't have much juice left. This suggests that he had emptied himself out about the same time that I got home - hence the stench.

Thanks guys Yes, his poos have been quite runny for about a week and a half now. Claireybell, I could do that. A friend told me that I can do it myself. This she tells me right after she graphically described her husbands attempt to empty their pug and anal juice squirted into his eye That really put me off! So, is it possible that Rodney has an infection? He's been chasing his bum and rubbing it on the ground for about two weeks now. Naughty doggy mummy

So sorry for this topic. I know it's positively material. I came home today to a very smelly Rodney...fishy and gross. I know it's his anal glands because the vet has emptied them before. So my question is this: Is this a chronic problem for some dogs? I don't want to be spending $60 bucks a month to get them emptied if I can help it. I guess I'm interested to know what people have experienced before I go to the vet and take their views and solutions as gospel (operation, medicine etc) So is it reasonable to expect that Rodney has a chronic problem? can it be fixed through diet? or will he need an op. OR should I do none of this? OMG the stench!!!! Excuse me while I get this dog outside, NOW Thanks in advance for advice

I'd guess that your little darling has very little respect for your brother and sees him as a play mate. This is something we're enduring at the moment too. My pup won't bite my legs but he loves my OH as if he were a tasty bone! Your brother will just need to continue to be firm. It should get better with persistence. Good luck.

Phew....I was beginning to feel like a Eukanuba looser! :rolleyes: Great to know Kavik.

:rolleyes: methinks that day has come!! Thanks guys. OH has read this thread and, while not exactly hanging his head in shame, has conceded to being a bit tougher. My son is 11 and sometimes gets too excited and needs to be reminded NOT to be that way around the dog. Very frustrating but par for the course I'm guessing if kids are involved. Kavik: my son does most of the roughhousing and when pup is in the crazy zone ignoring will not work. OH never roughhouses now - although he did, much to my chagrin, and pup will just go at his feet relentlessly making ignoring him impossible. What we do is this: stern NO and use OFF command, briefly walk out of room, briefly put him in pen or outside, distract with a toy after waiting 30 sec for no misbehaviour. Nothing works. We don't do the crate thing since it's getting small (I have ordered a larger one) and I'm trying to avoid making the crate a punishment space. ....having said all that Rodney does know what to do and will sit, drop, stay, spin, shake, roll, leave and take on command for any of us if we ask. Usually he's perfect at it with treats and 60-70% compliant without. I think we're doing pretty well. And Cockerlover, you are right, these cockers sure do have a strong will! I love that term 'snack attack' btw. Spot on!

me three My dog hates his kibble but he loves it when I spice it up - eggs, sardines, stock etc. I'm keeping him on it until he's fully grown because that way I'll know he's getting the right balance. I'm NOT a nutritionist so I'd be doing more harm than good IMHO if I chose raw. A bit of balance helps. Thanks for posting crisovar.

The dog training club I'll be attending puts you in a group for pups and then you work your way up according to age and skill. I'm fairly sure they keep the age and therefore concentration level into consideration. Are you talking about the cheaper local volunteer clubs? That's what I've enrolled Rodney into. Like claireybell, I'm going for the educational benefits I'll gain too.

as usual, Luke tells it straight! Tyra20007 what's with the 'dry food is lazy food' sermon? grrrrrrr That's NOT cool. Each to their own and a bit of balance never hurt.

Thanks CL. I've done this; when OH is not around though, so usually when he's going berserko around my son. OH forbids it I'm so glad I'm not the only one who does this. The way OH carries on I feel like some kind of animal torturer. I try not to do it often though because once - when he was really razzed - he growled and snapped at me . (Doggy, not hubby) Anyhoo, the little monster is snuggled on my foot atm. Butter wouldn't melt Ok...so just reassure me; it's just a stage. Right?

I have the dog fairly under control even given that he's going through a monster period (15 weeks - bring on adulthood ) but omg I can't believe the will power this dog has for ignoring all 'off' commands etc when it comes to biting feet, hands, clothes - even nearly the gooly area of my OH. Nothing is working. quite simply Rodney goes nutso for the OH! (and also my son for that matter) I need a refresher course here - some tips for OH perhaps. I know he knows the rules with me. Is this just a phase or will OH need to try something new? I'm guessing that Rodney lacks either respect for OH or quite simply views him as a plaything. So....in a nutshell HEEEEEEEELLLLLLLPPPPPPPPP!!!

Hi. Wish I had some advice. We're are going through a horror time atm with Rodney and are trying a bit of everything mentioned here I believe it's all about waiting this period out BUT sometimes I do wonder when it'll end. Good luck to you, wish us luck too

I bought two packs too I lock it with electrical tape which works well. I did use velcro strips but he wised up eventually and ripped them off - lucky I had reinforced with the tape or I would have had a shredded house

Thanks Tilly, yes, this is exactly what we do and will have to put up with it until he gets his act together Only thing is that nobody brings the car home - I have to go back and get it :rofl:a fascicle situation!!!! Yes, he walks perfectly on lead when heading home (except the final stretch when he pulls), and at the park. I try to get him off lead at the park as I've been told that dogs can become a bit of a target to other dogs if they're on lead. I learn something new everyday!

Great idea Maximum. Thanks for that