kwirky

I popped into Bunnings on the way home last night and picked up a foam mat (1m x 1m) (the kind which can be interlocked with other mats like a jigsaw) and we gave that a whirl. He plonked down on it quite happily. The next couple of days are hot here in Melbourne so he will probably stay inside (I leave the aircon on for him), but at least he has options now :) Thanks everyone

Thanks guys :)

How can that possibly be comfortable

The carpet is a great idea. I will get some today :D

Hi all, I have a wonderful old man called Hunter (Golden Retriever 13 yrs old) who I would like to 'teach' to use his bed outside. He is an indoor/outdoor dog who can come and go in the house as he pleases during the day (via the doggy door). I had noticed in recent weeks that he had taken to napping under the carport on the concrete floor so I got him a trampoline bed so he would be more comfortable. He does not seem to have any particular objections to the bed itself (is not frightened or anything) and has climbed up on it when I bribed him with treats however I got home from work and he way laying next to it (the schmakos still laying on the bed). Is this a lost cause or is it still possible for him to learn to use it? Thanks Jo

Hi, What is the general opinion in relation to the question, "do dogs get lonely?" If the answer is yes, are 2 dogs better than one and will and elderly dog get along with a puppy?

Hi, We have a wonderful 11 year old male golden who has had separation anxiety his whole life. He will lick at any area of his body which is irritated (say an insect bite) until it is very sore. His vets have been seeing the effects and after full checkup believe it is as a result of being alone during the day. They believe that a puppy may help. Does anyone have any experiences with this? We are able to get a female pup but are really not sure if this is the right thing to do. Our boy has been an only pet since a pup and is totally spoiled. We love him very much despite how much care is needed for him.

Hi, We have a golden (he's 11 now) and if I recall correctly, the hair took a while to get to a 'normal' length. He looked like a furry teddy bear for at least six months and then the length started coming in. Our little girl (we are picking her up in a few weeks) has very short hair at the moment, so I guess it is one of those things which takes a little time. Hope that helps.

Hi, We have decide to get a puppy (little girl) for our elderly golden male based on vet advice and on hearing many positives. We are picking Allie up on Christmas eve. Hunter, the resident centre of our universe, has been an only child his whole life. They met at the breeders on Saturday and he seemed okay. We went into the pen with him (and 8 female pups) so we could have one pick us. Allie came over straight away to say hi (the bravest one) and after snuggling under his chin, stayed near us the most. Hunter was wagging his tail and sniffing around until he had enough. Does anyone have any advice or experience with such a big age difference?

Hi, Hunter doesn't have any medical problems, just has OCD Have tried all the sprays etc. Only thing that stops him is the bucket (obviously) and covering for a couple of days. I hate putting the bucket on him and am seeking another option.

Hello, I have a Golden who can get obsessive about licking and currently has a hot spot on his thigh (about 1 inch above knee). This is not the sort of spot I can put a bandage on, so wanted to get some pants. Although I have seen some great ones online in the US, they are usually in small breed size or the shipping will take too long. Does anyone have any ideas? A few years ago I cut up a boys windcheater but it was very ordinary and has since been binned. (We are located in the SE of Melbourne)

Hello, What videos did you use? Would love to try this. (Plus would be great bonding time)

Hi, He had xrays and mylegram (dye into his spinal cord) and all were clear. In the end a different doctor diagnosed a pulled or torn illeopsis muscle (the one that runs from rast rib down). At this time they eliminated arthritis, however I keep giving him Flexicose (liquid glucosamine) which he has had for the past year or so. At the time he was limping and had difficulty getting up. He had an injection of pain killer which helped in a few hours and then he was on a 1-a day pain killer (sorry don't knwo the name) which was specifically targeting his muscles. This helped immensly and he went back to his normal self. The licking happened then and the vets believe it is anxiety due to his pain etc.

Hi, I have an 11 yeear old golden retriever who is obsessively licking his front and back legs. I bandage the areas and cover with leg warmers (baby ones) and he is relatively ok. The second they are off (even if just needing to be changed) he goes mad for licking. There is nothing physically wrong with him, he developed this after needing a bunch of tests in December last year when he had pain in his back. The pain has been identified and treated, however the licking keeps going. When we are home we are able to distract him, then praise him when he stops. But he is alone during the day. Anyone with a similar experience? How do we stop him from hurting himself? Thanks

Hi, Has anyone had any experience with Iliopsoas Muscle Injury in dogs? Our 11 year old Golden Retriever has been diagnosed with this and I was hoping for any info anyone might have.

Thank you so much!

Yes, we are looking at a girl.

Thanks so much. Yes we are getting the pup from a breeder which we found through the Golden Retriever Association. I will definitely look into whatever they advise. When you say raw, do you mean raw meat? What meat is good to give long term, even after they grow up?

Hi, We are getting a puppy at christmas time and would like some advise on the best diet to give them. My vet indicated that dry food is the best, and should make up about 70% of a dogs diet (but obviously need to feel puppy ones for the little doggy). What is the general consensus re canned food etc? Thanks

Hi, My beautiful boy (Golden retriever, Hunter, 11-yrs old) has always had an obsessive licking problem which used to be seasonal, but due to a pulled muscle in his back (which needed much veterinary testing-poor boy), became an all the time thing. I took him to the vet yesterday as he had a nasty (and quick) infection on his leg and although I was treating as I always do, I thought it better to be safe than sorry. After consultation with the vet we decided to put him on an anti-anxiety (human kind) tablet (sorry forgot the name) which is faster acting that the canine ones. So he is on antibiotics and the happy pills at the moment, and wearing a bucket so he cannot get to that or any other leg. I was looking online re the anti-anxiety tablets and the main theme I could gather was that in addition to the tablets, he should also have behaviour modification. So to my question. Does anyone have any experience with behaviour modification when it comes to severe licking? Distraction works when we are home, but what about when he is alone or at night when we are asleep? On recommendation of the vet a while ago, we are looking into getting a puppy for him, which we are hoping to have arranged by Christmas (a breeder has 2 girls which are pregnant at the moment so the timing would be great), with the view of it being a positive for Hunter. Any help would be appreaciated.