elmo_em ♀

Elmo has what I think is fly bite. He had a sore ear which seemed to heal, now its all raw and bleeding - even though I haven't seen any flies around him lately?? Does fly bite look yucky and black or scabby? I was using an antiseptic fly repellent cream (can't remember the name) but it seems to be making it worse now. I washed it with salt water to ge the gunk off it looks so sore. Im taking him to the vet on saturday morning Poor mr elmo.

So Elmo and I are moving into a new dog friendly house, and I want to keep it dog friendly Can anyone point me in the direction of threads with ideas and tips about helping a dog settle into a new home? Ive been searching all morning and can't find ones I know Ive read before. Things I can't remember are tips like how to get dogs go to the toilet in the same place and not on small newly planted trees etc. In his current enclosure he could pretty much go anywhere so will be quite different for him to have free run so to speak. He will be in a dog run during the day so Im not too worried, but I really want things to go as smoothly as possible and as long as I know Im doing everything I can Ill be happy.

Hey Ellis, I didn't use any drops on him, I just used about 1/4 ACV to water and soaked makeup remover pads in it which I then wiped all around his ears and just around the outside of the canal. His ears must really have been uncomfortable because he was making a funny sighing groaning noise while I was cleaning them and when Id finished he nudged me for more ear action so gorgeous

Used some diluted ACV to wash out elmos ears on the weekend. Have only done it twice and his ears are already he has stopped scratching and flapping his head around! Brilliant!

I use an eye dropper and just put in a couple of drops I also wipe around the ear with ACV Yes it can be used in the same way it is used for dogs. Thanks Cuddles

I just came across this thread looking up remedies for elmos itchy red ear. This time last year he had to get ear drops from the vet as his ears got quite irritated and inflamed inside. Would using the ACV work to prevent his already getting itchy ears getting worse? OR can anyone suggest something so we don't have to get the medication?

Totally agree. Im hoping hell be well on the way in 2 more weeks coz Im going away and hes staying with a minder. Thats something Im a little worried about, I asked the trainer about it and he said it should be ok. Even if he lapses a bit while hes away hell pick it up again once at home. It would be a good test to see how long it takes him to get back into the routine. Hope its not going to stuff it all up coz I can't cancel my trip...!

Hey RA I just want to say that you will probably be amazed how quickly things turn around once your dogs realise they can trust you completely, rely on you to make the decisions and that you are there to protect them. They really are very smart animals. And thanks Erny. I was hoping that would be the case Might be a bit longer before I teach him the up command. Hes been off my bed now for 3 weeks and sleeping like a baby in his own bed without any issues so I don't think it will take long

I have a question: Is it ok for the dog to be on the couch with you if you use a command such as 'up' (once its been established that his place is the floor)? Will he think of that as a reward or will he think 'ha ha Ive won I am master'? Ive been told as part of elmos training that he is to stay off the couch. He's doing quite well (not too many uh uhs) but I miss the snuggles too. Training is harder on me than him Will it ever be ok for him to be on the couch or will that confuse the pack order again???

I was asking this question the other week because Id had people tell me this about elmo and that I shouldn't have gotten him desexed before he was at least 12 months old (they were trainers who told me this) Mixed views on here too means I still havne't made up my mind! Im not planning to show elmo or anything so it doesn't bother me as long as hes happy and healthy! He is in fact a lot taller than his brothers who I don't believe have been desexed yet. So it must be true??

I took elmos de-sexing stitches out coz he wouldn't let the vet anywhere near him. The vet gave me a blade to use and a tablet to calm him down a bit. Was pretty easy but I wouldn't want to go poking around an intricate wound on an ear with that many stitches. The ones for his desexing were very easy to remove coz they were all in a straight line (and only a couple!)

Gosh so many people have told me not to let elmo sleep on the bed. I used to let him all the time. Recently though (more due to decreasing available space!!) I have made him sleep in his bed next to the bed and he is behaving much better. Weird. Don't know if it has anything to do with maybe being put in his place?? edited to add that he never gets up on the bed without asking. He has to sit and wait until Im in then hes allowed up. If he jumps up before hes asked hes not allowed on.

I think elmos area is big enough to have his pool as well as a few buckets. Hes gonna have so much water he won't know what to do with it all... im sure it won't take him long to figure out though haha ;) Im gonna get tonnes of pics on the weekend Time for an update!

Well Im glad Im not the only one! I think Im going to put his pool in the pen with him too. Especially now the weather is getting warmer hell love it. Ill get some pics too he looks so cute in the little pool :D

I like this idea Caspian Ive got heaps of bricks too so will see if maybe a combination of all of the above might work. I should hang from the fence and surround in bricks and then concrete in. A regular back yard wishing well. I like it. Maybe if I put up a sign people can throw pennies in too hehe

I think even elmo would have trouble tipping a bowl that was filled with cement ova! To bunnings I will go. Thanks for the tips :D

Thanks I hadn't thought of that. No chance of elmo falling into a bucket now thank goodness hes my 36kg baby:)

Im wondering if anyone has any ideas about making/keeping water available during the day for Elmo. (He has an outside enclosed pen that he stays in during the day while Im at work) Lately Ive been getting home and both his water bowls are tipped over and empty. Ive tried bigger heavier bowls but he tips them too. I don't know if hes tipping them over accidentaly or by playing with them (hes recently become pretty fond of water, he has a small paddling pool hes been playing in in the back yard?) Im worried hes going to get sick from everheating especially when the weather really warms up. Any ideas would be great.

Haha Im having the same problem with my house mates. Toilet training has proved a little too stressful for them and elmo is being ordered outside when Im not there. Hes still gonna sleep inside ( I love my little sleeping tablet. Without him I don't think I could fall asleep now!), so I guess Ive got the oppisite problem! Im just gonna keep him occupied with toys hanging from the deck so he can run and jump around at them for ages. I think he mostly sleeps at the moment inside during the day. Bit worried bout barking though... or being attacked by another dog, or cold, or fighting with the cats or anything! Im sure it will be fine though!

Most of the reasons they are bad sound the same as they are for humans! Maybe we all need to eat slightly healthier

I know cats are lactose intollereant, wasn't sure about dogs. Meg Im so sorry to hear about your dog. I hope elmo never has to go through anything like that. Oh dear... I thought by giving him the ice cream after he had been lying at my feet just being quiet and watching telly too would be ok. I walked into the kitchen to put my bowl away and put the teaspoon of icecream into his bowl then called him to his bowl. I didn't think that would be a bad way of doing it? I don't eat icecream that often either, so I think it would definitely be only on special occassions he gets it rather than part of his diet (much as I think he would like it to be ) He gets his liver treats too mainly when were practicing sitting and stuff, he loves those. Can't imagine using icecream as a training aid!

He seemed to really like it so I think it will just be for special treats. Maybe when he starts school it will be a good incentive for him.

Is it ok if I gave elmo a little bit of ice cream? It was kind of a treat for sitting at my feet the whole time I was on the couch eating some - well, after me saying no at least 5 times and him giving up:). It was just a teaspoon size bit of vanilla icecream in his bowl. Really want to know what the things are that you should never feed dogs? I know about onion and chocolate, are there other really big no no's?