Dog Blog : Anything goes: Sunday, Sept. 14

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Anything goes: Sunday, Sept. 14

Posted by dogblog

Posted: September 14, 2008 - 8:22 am

The last anything-goes topic is cursed. Only 25 replies. I'm heading to Denali for the road lottery (neener, neener), so I'll start a new one now. Feel free to fill up the last one first:

Featured breed: Belgian sheepdog

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9 September 16, 2008 - 12:29pm | bender_23

Hey, Mike!

Did you get lost in Denali? Do we need to send in the Rangers to look for you? Haven't heard from you in a couple days, so I thought I'd mock to get you to come out of the woodwork. :D

September 16, 2008 - 1:09pm | robynandbatman

That should do it

Or perhaps some snide comment about Yorkies will pull him in. :)

Seriously, he's probably gleaning over his million photos to see which ones he should send to us and make us jealous.

Or the dogs are holding him hostage for leaving them home.....

September 16, 2008 - 4:15pm | dogblog

Har, har, har. Thanks for

Har, har, har. Thanks for keeping the blog going. I'm back but at the vet's office. See new topic.

8 September 16, 2008 - 10:10am | beinghipisnotenough

Dog poop forensics!

Do you ever become frustrated when irresponsible owners allow their dogs to poop in ballparks? Or let their dogs crap on trails without cleaning it up? And then us mindful owners get the rap for it!
It came down to finding the true culprits:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7619179.stm
(Off the topic, yet somewhat funny.)

September 16, 2008 - 12:21pm | bender_23

Hee!

That was hilarious! Thanks for the link. :) I know I'd love to have that kind of system at times, but I'm guessing it'd cost a bit more than just putting some bag stations up or me just helping to pick up after the irresponsible folks. :)

But I can see a new TV show in the works now- CSI: Poop patrol.

7 September 15, 2008 - 10:24pm | jcfreak17

Hunting Advice

I am taking Whiskey hunting for the first time this weekend. This will also be my longest hunting expedition yet, as we are going for five days. We will be totally away from vets and civilization so I am a little worried about him. Also worried about Charlie who we are leaving with a friend in town. So if anyone has some advice for me I would really appreciate it. I guess I am mostly worried about him getting injured and not knowing what to do about it. I guess I could get a doggy care kit and directions before we go. We've taken them both camping with us for a few nights, but we've always been close to civilization should something have happened. We are leaving Wednesday morning. Thanks!

September 16, 2008 - 9:19am | LindaandDaisy

Hunting?! Since you ask, here is some 20/20 hindsight

I didn't think there were any hunters on this board. With a story of a city Boxer lost in the wilderness,then found just about to go into Alaska Dog News I have some tips.
2 months of shared emails have provided some great insight to a real situation.

Whether the dog is just going along for a big game hunt or you'll be doing some bird hunting, here are some general tips.

ID Chip the dog- because collars can fall off. You can get it done at the vets or at the Mat-Su Shelter

Collar ID- People are more likely to help a dog with an ID collar with your number and a friends or vet office number.

Get a first aid kit- Sportsmans Warehouse has them but I like the the Red Cross material. They also have a CD and a book. Read up before you leave.

Airline Crate - It's his traveling hotel room. Take a few blankets to pad the crate and throw over the crate, fleece dries really fast. You might consider a kennel "jacket".

Leashes & tieouts - As illustrated in the lost boxer story our dogs can be spooked by things we don't think about. On this first time out make sure your dog is secure by leash or voice. This is an entirely new environment - he'll be like a kid in a new scent candy store and go deaf to your calls. You know how fast they can be drawn away and you'll have no idea which way he went. My dogs seem to like to wander away when we are busy setting up camp, having a after hunt cocktail or other wise distracted. Hook him up.

Take extra food and treats. He'll be using more calories. Take his water with you too. Standing water this time of year can cause diarrhea, though mild it can be messy. I fight with my chocolate Lab who enjoys any muddy brackish puddle.

Before you go, work on recall. Make it is so solid that there is no doubt in your mind that he will come back. That means even if he's on a chase or afraid. I use an e-collar but it takes a some time to be sure the dog understands the response. If your leaving in a few days this is NOT the time to introduce it because the dog may bolt.

Should your dog get lost- stay put until you can't stay any longer. Before you leave home, compile and print out a description of your dog with a photo and contact information so it is available to drop at the closest gas station, vets office, and store.

Make note of the closest vet, phone number and their hours.

Watch what he gets into. There are many yummy things that may make them sick. Take a slicker (wire) bush to brush out what he may roll in.

Regardless of the hunt you all want to come back together. Consider this just another training environment.

Have fun and share photos when you all get back!

www.alaskadognews.com

6 September 15, 2008 - 2:53pm | shannon_dewandel

Benders beagles

Hey bender, went back a couple weeks reading old blogs and found your questions regarding beagles. We have two now, and had another one that died about 3 years ago. I love the heck out of them. Some of the advise I got from people said "oh no, they are very energetic and you can't train them" blah blah blah. Mine have all been females, and each one of them has a totally different personality, the only thing in common is the whole nose thing. Our first Beagle, Sadie, was an aloof dog even as a pup, at least as far as other dogs go. She had very litlle interest in dogs unless they walked past her house or she saw them while riding in the car. Never had to worry about her being too energetic, although she did like to get on a scent when away from town and ROOOOW thru the woods. She always came back, never went farther than hearing distance. We miss her to this day. My oldest beagle now, Ruby, is totally different. She doesn't like to get dirty or wet, uses a camp chair (have to put the blankey on it first tho) while we are at the cabin around the fire. Ruby almost needs a rabbit or squirrel to polka around her with their tongues out before she would notice them, although cats and other dogs in our yard or driveway and the postman totally get her gourd. She sounds like she would rip the postman a new one, and does it every day. She is scared agressive (I think that's the right term) around other dogs, mostly bigger dogs. She won't let them smell her hiney, whips around and tries to bite their faces, but seems much better around smaller dogs. She is the alpha in our house, so she hates other alpha females. Ivy, the baby beagle, is more breed true I think. When we go to the cabin she disappears and ROOOW's the forest all up for an hour or so, comes back to check on us and sister (Ruby) then back out. She may not be super smart, but a sweeter dog you would never meet. I am bad, don't leash them for walks, but I can't lose them no matter what I do. ruby is always pretty close to me (mommas girl) and Ivy is a big explorer but minds if you shout about chicken strips. Neither of them leave my site while walking, although they do venture away a bit. They all like to sleep and hang out on the couches, and as far as I can tell, all beagles adore eating, so keeping them healthy can be difficult. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

September 16, 2008 - 10:33am | bender_23

Thanks!

That's good info- thanks very much. Really, I was wondering about people's experiences who'd had more than one Beagle for a long time, so that's perfect. I knew of a couple that got one and then gave it to their in-laws because they couldn't handle it. I thought it was most likely the inexperience of the owners and not the breed that was the issues and this pretty much firms up my opinion on that. :)

5 September 15, 2008 - 2:20pm | shannon_dewandel

Bad news dogs

Since this is an "anything" goes, thought I would share some recent experiences. I wrote about Ruby having a big old lump on her chin while we were vacationing at the cabin and having to cut it short because she needed surgery to remove the lump. All was going ok, she was getting her antibiotics and I chased her around trying to hold a warm wet cloth on her chin. Then last Wednesday, not even a week from her surgery, she was obviously sick. Moped around, quit eating, her eyes looked really sick. Thursday morning she still didn't want to eat, so back to the vet. They had me leave her there as her vet was in surgery, so I called later and they said she had had another procedure done. She had an impacted anal gland, the worst my vet said she has seen. Evidently it was solidified, and had abscessed behind it, so after draining the gland they cut and drained the abscessed area behind it as well. I had just washed all the tube drainage stuff from her chin surgery that was on all the blankets spread over my furniture, then I had anal gland drainage. Thankfully, and hopefully she is better now. She has her laughing eyes back and is running the infield at the local ballfield like she loves to do. Now to see if there is anyway to talk her into going back into the vets office to remove the stitches from her first surgery. Poor little girl, two surgeries (or at least icky procedures) done in one weeks time.

September 16, 2008 - 2:43pm | chris_goff

Also, Shannon.

My dogs when postop "forgot" how to poop. I hear this is common, those muscles can take a real hit from the surgical anesthesia, so if Ruby is constipated postop, try canned pumpkin and a tiny bit of walking, both help move the bowels.

September 16, 2008 - 2:40pm | chris_goff

Poor little Ruby!

A brave Beagle trooper if there ever was one! Now she can get all well.

Re anal glands, I ask the groomers, vets and techs not to evacuate or express Finn's or Maggie's. I have been told that if a dog continually has them expressed, the glands 'lose' the ability to do it naturally. Also, they can be done waaaaaay too hard or roughly. OUCH!

Also, if you feed your dog a quality diet the daily poop should evacuate the anal glands just fine. With each reasonably firm poop a little evacuation happens.

Feel better soon, Ruby!

September 15, 2008 - 4:20pm | jarnold

Chip

Chip's anal gland decided to abscess this weekend, too, while we were camping. I used warm compresses to keep him comfortable, then took him to the vet when we got back on Sunday. They didn't even drain him on Sunday. They poked him a little bit, then decided it was draining nicely on it's own. Gave me some pills (pain killer and antibiotic) and a spray (betadine) and sent us on my way.

September 16, 2008 - 12:27pm | bender_23

Hmmm

Ok, so I'm kind of afraid to ask this question, but how did you know that Chip's gland abscessed? That seems like something it'd be good for dog owners to know what to look out for.

September 16, 2008 - 1:31pm | jarnold

Well...

The dead giveaway was the blood on his fur...

But, when the anal gland swells up the dog will probably lick at it. Enough licking will cause the skin to break and start leaking blood, puss, and anal gland nastiness. At this point, some vets will manually drain the gland.

The usual course of action is antibiotics and pain relievers. At home care includes warm compresses to encourage the draining.

I keep meaning to update the apawcrathy thread... I have 100mg Rimadyl pills for my boys. They get half a pill every 12 hours, if needed. I'm guessing the dosage for Rimadyl is something like 1mg per lb.

September 16, 2008 - 4:05pm | bender_23

Ahhh, ok, I give Buck 25mg

Ahhh, ok, I give Buck 25mg pills twice a day according to my vet dude.

September 16, 2008 - 5:30pm | robynandbatman

Rimadyl

Jaws gets a 1/4 tab of the 25 mg twice daily. Sometimes it's good to have small dogs!!

September 16, 2008 - 1:40pm | jarnold

Hmmm...

I think I should incluse the early symptons so you can stop the gland from exploding.

Typically, a dog with glands that are not expressing themselves naturally will scoot across the floor (or grass) or will be licking his rear a lot. I reccommend getting the dog to someone who knows how to express anal glands (vet, groomer, experienced friend).

The drainage holes are the worst of the situation. DH and I are concerned that we didn't notice any of the early symptoms. It was 4 in the morning when Chip decided he couldn't any longer to go potty. That's when I saw the blood on his fur...

September 16, 2008 - 4:07pm | bender_23

Coolio

Thanks for the heads-up. I wondered if butt drag wasn't a possibility, but I wasn't sure that the abcess happened because they needed expressed and then that didn't happen or what.

September 16, 2008 - 3:01pm | robynandbatman

My guys

have always had trouble (the Maltese) and just get them expressed by me once a month.

Hopefully this is not something I will need to do with the Chessie as that thought terrifies me!!!

Sorry to Chip, but glad all is getting better.

September 16, 2008 - 2:41pm | chris_goff

Butt drag.

Also comes with allergies or constipation.

Glad Chip is on the mend.

September 16, 2008 - 3:03pm | robynandbatman

Speaking of allergies

How is Finn doing on the Atopica?

September 17, 2008 - 3:05pm | chris_goff

Fanfreakingtastic, thanks to you!

He is doing so well. I forgot what kind of personality Finn had before he was feeling the misery of the allergies. He is now playful, he loves to chase Maggie around, he is playing with his toys again, and he just has a big smile going all the time.

The allergies really eroded his good nature. We are glad to have our happy boy back!

Your recommendation and experience with Atopica gave me the courage to try it, so thank you very much, Robyn, and Finn thanks you too!

September 17, 2008 - 7:29pm | Akdogsports

YAY! So

good to hear the news. It will be interesting to see what their relationship evolves into since he's been having problems for so long.

Thanks for sharing something positive happening.

Share some Westie-antics when you get the time.

Liz

September 17, 2008 - 3:16pm | robynandbatman

Yippee!

SOOOOO glad to hear it. It really was a wonder drug for Batman too and we had tried everything. Amazing how much better behaved they are when not feeling so awful. I'm sure Maggie is happy to have her play buddy back too.

September 17, 2008 - 6:24pm | chris_goff

Maggie and Finn's rejuvenation...

You can see it on Maggie's face, like "There's a new sheriff in town!"

September 15, 2008 - 3:01pm | Akdogsports

Ouch!

That had to be very uncomfy. I'm sure she's feeling better now. Lots of extra TLC will help I'm sure. :>

Liz

September 15, 2008 - 3:18pm | shannon_dewandel

ouches

Yeah, totally different girl from last Wednesday. She and her sister Ivy wrassle (their spelling) all the way down the driveway when we go for walks again. She is eating good, although becoming a pill connesiour (sp). She has spit out her antibiotic twice now, then I just open it and put it on something good. The rimadyl is a hard pill, doesn't come apart or anything and she eats those pretty good. My folks used to have a terrier mutt that could tell if there was meds in her chow and if so, refused to eat it. Beagles don't play dat. They would eat rocks if you wrapped it in bacon.

September 17, 2008 - 9:02pm | caribcrazy

Non picky eaters

Labs would also eat rocks if they were wrapped in bacon. Actually, Marley used to scare me when he was a younger puppy because he would try to eat rocks WITHOUT being wrapped in bacon. I'm glad he doesn't do that any more.

4 September 15, 2008 - 1:32pm | jarnold

Quotes

Friday -- My dog is not spoiled… I’m just well trained.

Monday -- A hot dog is a good dog.

3 September 15, 2008 - 10:51am | bender_23

Too quiet

...in here. So, since most of you wussed out on the meet-up Sunday, I'll share a funny from it.

The dogs were chasing the squeeky ball that was in favor at the moment, and then I switched up on them and threw the ball over the close 'outfield' fence. Buck's problem solving equated to trying to run *through* the fence. ROFL! He hit the fence hard enough that it knocked him down- and then I nearly fell down laughing at him. Soooooo funny! Quite the 'smart' dog there. HAHA! Mike, you have to bring your video camera next time and see if we can't get him to do it again- this time on tape. :D I tossed it over the exterior fence a little while later and he totally did it again (but with a lot less force), so I'm confident that he won't learn his lesson too fast and we might be able to get it on film. LOL!

Oh, and let's talk now about what day we're all going to meet up at Uni Lake or Connor's Bog for Mesa and Baily's last day out (*sniff*). Want to make sure to pick a day when most of us can make it, so we can send off Kari and the girls in style. Kari, you pick the day that works best for you and no skipping out. :)

September 15, 2008 - 11:08am | robynandbatman

sorry

to have missed out! Sounds like Buck will probably fall for it at least one more time so we can all see it!

I can do Tuesday night or after 7:30 Wed or Thursday for Uni Lake.

September 15, 2008 - 12:00pm | kariabre

I prefer uni lake myself.

I prefer uni lake myself. Tuesday and Thursday work for me. 7:30 is great since it gives me time to send the DH off to work :)

September 15, 2008 - 2:08pm | natashap2

This works for us too.

I have class on Monday and Wednesday evenings.

September 15, 2008 - 10:39pm | kurushimeru

oh-ho-ho.

Something I can go to. :D

September 16, 2008 - 9:53am | bender_23

Hmmm

It's looking rainy both nights- how about we meet up tonight at Uni Lake at 7:30 if it's not raining, and if it is, shoot for Thursday regardless of the weather. How's that sound?

September 16, 2008 - 10:24am | robynandbatman

We'll be out

no matter what tonight as Brownie didn't get any exercise last night. The whole family has been sick and no one wanted to do it. Poor girl just kept running to the door and grabbing her leash.

September 16, 2008 - 10:30am | bender_23

Lol!

Awwww, poor Brownie! Hey, Brownie is welcome, but don't be bringing any nasty bugs with you. You'll need to douse yourself with Lysol before you can hang out with the rest of us. :D

I'm there as long as it's a light rain- downpour + cold = me sick. Plus, I left my raincoat out at the sheep pens last weekend. DOH!

September 16, 2008 - 10:41am | robynandbatman

I'll stay back

I feel much better, just don't sound like it.

And why don't you have multiple raincoats- you do live in Alaska now!!!

September 16, 2008 - 12:24pm | bender_23

New requirement

I didn't know that'd be a requirement. I have multiple winter coats, and coats for the various stages of cold. Had I been moving to *Seattle*, I'd have considered more than one raincoat. :) When I looked up weather info before moving, it didn't say anything about all the rain. Weather punks!

September 16, 2008 - 1:07pm | robynandbatman

Just like winter coats

I have a light one for mist, another for rain/snow (shell) and then the fleece lined rubber one!

September 16, 2008 - 2:42pm | kariabre

I plan to be there no matter

I plan to be there no matter what tonight. I need to enjoy the dog parks again before I leave and my illness is at a standstill so I am up for a trip to the park, hot bathes for me and the girls and then currling up in bed for some cuddletime!

September 16, 2008 - 9:25pm | Julietx1

Oh dear

It's about 9:25 on Tuesday and I am just now reading the blog. Anyway, are you guys still up for Uni Lake on Thursday? I have the card for Kari. 7:30 is good for me.

September 17, 2008 - 9:24am | bender_23

Yup

Yeah, it sounds like we're trying again on Thursday. A bunch of us went out last night, but only managed about an hour out there- it was coming down pretty hard. Hopefully, it'll be all rained out by tomorrow. Bleh! Stupid rain!

September 17, 2008 - 10:01am | robynandbatman

Wishful thinking

It'll just rain until it snows so I wouldn't hold your breath! Didn't look like it dampened any of the dogs spirits to be out in the rain!

September 17, 2008 - 10:33am | dogblog

Today's looking nice!

Anybody up for it in addition to Thursday?

September 17, 2008 - 11:37am | kurushimeru

I FINALLY..

..got a chance to get my fiance's parents and mine together, which is tonight. I could go by the park later in the evening, probably after 8.

September 17, 2008 - 12:40pm | dogblog

That's probably too late for me

Isn't the sun down by 8 these days? You're hard core!

Let's see if anyone else weighs in. Otherwise, I'd prefer 6:30 or 7.

September 17, 2008 - 4:38pm | kariabre

I just sent an e-mail to see

I just sent an e-mail to see if anyone wanted to go to connors tonight to walk (no swimming) around 7ish.

2 September 14, 2008 - 11:20am | LindaandDaisy

dogs opening gates and emergencies

All my dogs can open the kennel door. Daisy just by standing on her hind legs. She can reach 6 ft +, Molly by butting it with her nose, and little Lucy has a 4 ft vertical jump hitting the latch until it flips open.

In most of the kennels I've worked with and my own I install a latch that a padlock can slip through. I keep it unlocked but blocked from the dog opening the gate. I lock it whenever we leave the property. The only delema now is in case of an emergency how would someone get the dogs out. I'm gathering some thoughts on this.
1-Willow Dog Musher Association is developing a buddy kennel system for large scale evacuations.
2-carry information in your car and wallet that you have dogs to care for in case you are incopasitated.
3-have a friend or neighbor with a key or combination for the locks.
4- post an in case of emergency sign on the house or kennel with contact information. (say if there was a fire they can call and get the location of a key)

any other ideas?

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Anything goes: Sunday, Sept. 14