dogon Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 (edited) I was wondering about a few things and thought I might check in with DOLers. The first one I'm not really concerned about actually. Rodney makes these cute little grunting noise when we pick him up. He sort of snuffles in and grunts away. Soooo sweet. :p What's going on in his little doggy body? Is he uncomfortable or just being sooky? Which reminds me to mention that when I held him when we first got him he pointed his snout upwards and sort of went off into a dreamy trance like state. He doesnt do this now so I thought that maybe this is a doggy behaviour displayed when scared/unsure or submissive behaviour of some kind. He's a cocker spaniel so maybe it's specific to his breed? The second thing is scratching. He seems to do this a fair bit. I've checked him over for fleas but can't find any. I remember reading somewhere that dogs scratch when they are unsure about things. Is this what's making him scratch or is something more sinister going on? He has a collar on periodically (I take it off when he's in his pen) and he scratches then but I think that's due to discomfort of the collar more than anything. Any thoughts? Edited January 22, 2009 by dogon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ausgirl Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 I was wondering about a few things and thought I might check in with DOLers.The first one I'm not really concerned about actually. Rodney makes these cute little grunting noise when we pick him up. He sort of snuffles in and grunts away. Soooo sweet. :p What's going on in his little doggy body? Is he uncomfortable or just being sooky? Which reminds me to mention that when I held him when we first got him he pointed his snout upwards and sort of went off into a dreamy trance like state. He doesnt do this now so I thought that maybe this is a doggy behaviour displayed when scared/unsure or submissive behaviour of some kind. He's a cocker spaniel so maybe it's specific to his breed? The second thing is scratching. He seems to do this a fair bit. I've checked him over for fleas but can't find any. I remember reading somewhere that dogs scratch when they are unsure about things. Is this what's making him scratch or is something more sinister going on? He has a collar on periodically (I take it off when he's in his pen) and he scratches then but I think that's due to discomfort of the collar more than anything. Any thoughts? My Holly has always made grunting noises when you pick her up, as a pup and even now still (she's two) - I don't think she's being hurt, it think it's just a her thing. As for the scratching with the collar, Holly did this a fair bit when she was first introduced to wearing her collar - the earlier the better - with a nice light soft collar - a mesh cat collar is great to begin with. I don't think it's really discomfort with the collar causing the scratching, but just the sensation of it being on his neck - it may pull a little on his fur. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rainbowsmiley Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 I have a 3 month old pup and he too snuffles when he is picked up so I don't think its anything to worry about Even now he still scratches at his collar occassionally. We started off by putting it on him for short periods of time and then slowly increasing the amount of time we left it on. He scatched at it constantly first, sitting down every few seconds to scratch at it but they get used to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogon Posted December 29, 2008 Author Share Posted December 29, 2008 Thanks guys. I should mention that pup scratches when he has no collar on. He's doing it now! It's just like he has fleas :rolleyes: BUT I can't find any Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stacyk Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 (edited) Is your dog treated for mites? I would visit the vet before it gets out of hand, could be numerous things. Mites, bites, allergies... The groans and grunts in general don't sound concerning (but mention to the vet whilst you are there, they will be more experienced with the type of noises your dog is making). Some dogs talk alot (most of mine do / can be breed dependent). I have one girl that groans and talks when she wants a cuddles, when she gets a pat, when she plays & when you pick her up. All dogs are different. EDITED because I can not spell Edited December 29, 2008 by stacyk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FB Rescue_Adoption Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 Just check that you are not putting too much pressure on his chest cavity when you hold him, this is like a baby's cranium and is very soft when they are little, if too much is prssure is placed here the pup will stretch it's head up and open his mouth for more air intake..besides this the babies grunt and squeak a lot which is soo cute ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FB Rescue_Adoption Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 Just check that you are not putting too much pressure on his chest cavity when you hold him, this is like a baby's cranium and is very soft when they are little, if too much is prssure is placed here the pup will stretch it's head up and open his mouth for more air intake..besides this the babies grunt and squeak a lot which is soo cute I might just add that many pups from large litters can leave for their new homes with mites in their ears and other warm area's like the arm pits..but one dose of advocate cleared these up for our little Max! ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BittyMooPeeb Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 Scratching could be allergies, or dry skin if he's been bathed. You could try oatmeal conditioner, but a trip to the vet first is probably warrented to find out what is causing the scratching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogon Posted January 22, 2009 Author Share Posted January 22, 2009 (edited) Hi all. I didn't want to start a new topic so I'll add to my original one. Rodney is still a scratching and a biting I've asked the vet and she could find no evidence of fleas or mites. No dry skin, no eggs or other bits. I have used Advantage and given him an Aloveen bath. Nothing seems to help. His coat is lovely and soft and seems basically clean and shiny. Could it be the heat? Even though the temp. has fluctuated, he has small red spots on his tummy (nothing horrendous) and some have turned into scabs (one of which I picked off thinking it was a tick ) I'm pretty sure these have appeared from the constant agitation of his biting. Could he be bored? Is it a diet thing? so far I have fed him Eukenuba, chicken, lamb, cheese, sausage, peanut butter and frozen peas. (in order of amount he's been exposed to) It has become sooooo bad that I'm thinking of buying him a soft crate because his periodic scrathching at night and in the wee hours of the morning is making it very difficult to get any decent sleep. He sounds like a freight train with all that scratching, biting and snuffling! HELP!!! I'm seeing the vet on Saturday so I will ask again but just thought I'd throw this out to the wisdom of all you wonderful DOLers. If, for example, this could be an allergy what are the most common things that dogs could react to? Edited January 22, 2009 by dogon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Scratching is usually the result of an irritation.. either external or internal. I would be looking at allergies. Allergic reaction can be triggered by anything Food is a big culprit! beef artificial colourings grain can all make an itchy dog!!! Dogs can be allergic to flea products they can also be allergic to grass,pollen, detergents/carpet cleaning/deodorising products.... anything, really Your vet didn't mention allergies? You don't need to SEE a flea, either. One flea bite on a sensitive dog can set off a reaction.... the flea hops off, and you are left with a miserable dog. excess bathing can be an irritant stress can also do it . Time for some detective work!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogon Posted January 22, 2009 Author Share Posted January 22, 2009 was afraid someone would say this. Thanks persephone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 sorry.......... I had an allergic dog some years back.... been there,done that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogon Posted January 22, 2009 Author Share Posted January 22, 2009 Hypothetically speaking (if he was allergic to these things), how the hell do you keep a dog off grass, weeds, plants in general Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 (edited) how the hell do you keep a dog off grass, weeds, plants in general confused.gif you can't ,really . there are desensitising injections nowdays... but when Mitchell was alive these were not common... or recommended me. he was just always on tablets, and when things got bad.. a holistic vet used to give him Vit C injections. he lived a full long life.. Hopefully, if it is an allergy... it is to one easily avoidable thing... like red food colouring or leather dressing, or a plant in the garden.... fingers crossed. edit to add have you spoken with his breeder? There may be a family connection.. or they may have ideas? Edited January 22, 2009 by persephone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Why are you giving peanut butter?? Sausage what kind?? What treats do you give(schmackos,pigs ears,coloured bones etc etc) Agree that your first phone call should be with the breeder.They now the pup & can discuss any changes you may have made to the diet . Does he scratch at the same spots.all over?? If its just his belly does he rub his belly on the grass??What areas does he lay in & what plants are there. Go investigate your garden & his known areas,make sure your plant smart . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogon Posted January 23, 2009 Author Share Posted January 23, 2009 (edited) Hi settrivr. I'll do my best to answer. I have noticed his scratching almost from day one so not sure how useful this will be. Will definitely give the breeder a call. Why are you giving peanut butter?? Well, I don't feed much at all although other DOLers recommend feeding it to entice kong chewingSausage what kind?? organic - BBQ leftovers in very small chunks What treats do you give(schmackos,pigs ears,coloured bones etc etc) pigs ears, chew hides, Jurassic dried chicken necks, Eukenuba puppy treats, small amounts of cheese. I've tried dried liver but he hates it. Scmackos only once but dont like the idea of the high salt content. Apple core once but left it after a while. Agree that your first phone call should be with the breeder.They now the pup & can discuss any changes you may have made to the diet . Does he scratch at the same spots.all over?? No, just random places - but the tail is pretty popular at the moment. If its just his belly does he rub his belly on the grass??What areas does he lay in & what plants are there. He lays on the grass, but doesnt rub. He currently frolics in and chews on (without my blessings btw ) wandering dew, a gardinia bush, mondo grass and a native grass that has bulbs (He especially loves to bite these off to chew on) Go investigate your garden & his known areas,make sure your plant smart . Thanks so much settrivr. :rolleyes: Do you have a link to a site or a thread regarding plant hazards for dogs? Edited January 23, 2009 by dogon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 (edited) WANDERING DEW(jew) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Found the culprit!!!!!! ( or one of them) DESTROY DESTROY!!! EXTERMINATE and yes, I am shouting ! :rolleyes: Edited January 23, 2009 by persephone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogon Posted January 23, 2009 Author Share Posted January 23, 2009 (edited) WANDERING DEW(jew) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Found the culprit!!!!!! ( or one of them)DESTROY DESTROY!!! EXTERMINATE and yes, I am shouting ! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...... I'm shouting too OMG...i've been avoiding the removal of this dang weed for years. Please sweet lord, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! :rolleyes: Edited January 23, 2009 by dogon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 yep remove the wandering dew or your vet bills will be enormous & the dog will always be in discomfort. Your vet will prescribe little prednil tabs & send you home.(thats for free ) The quicker you get that out of the garden the quicker your dog will stop scratching Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karelea Aussies Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 WANDERING DEW(jew) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Found the culprit!!!!!! ( or one of them)DESTROY DESTROY!!! EXTERMINATE and yes, I am shouting ! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...... I'm shouting too OMG...i've been avoiding the removal of this dang weed for years. Please sweet lord, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! :rolleyes: ;) yep...wandering dew used to reduce my boys belly to an itchy spotty mess. Could be the culprit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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