Big Paws Only Dog Forums
BPO Food Forum => Food Discussion & Information => : AnnaCrew October 25, 2007, 12:29:09 PM
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I'm going to rescue a 9 mo old saint tomorrow. His owners moved and left him behind - so he has been on chain for last two month (7 -9 mo). As a small pup he was on RC kibble, thatš ok, but for last two months he got grain porridges only (without even a meat).
Do you have any ideas how to feed him from tomorrow on to establish him? Can I give him some kibble or better continue with small amounts of porridge with meat in and then gradually give him beter food?
He will be probably only a temporary foster if that (I'm not sure what my dogs will do, they greet small dogs with pleasure, but with such a large dog they may not treat him as a pup anymore) but the feeding shedule is needed as other foster has no internet and no English as well.
Please, if you have any ideas, post them tonight here.
Tomorrow I'm leaving early for 2 hour trip one way to pick poor baby up and then I will be not online probably for a long time.
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I'm sorry I have no advise for feeding, I just wanted to say good luck, and bless you for your good work.
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I've switched all of my fosters from crap to whatever I'm feeding at the time (either Innova Evo or Wysong) cold turkey.
Sometimes, they'll have uh, not so pleasant poops for awhile, but I think that in the long-run a few days of unpleasant poops is better than the alternative.
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OK, thank you all for advices. OK, I will switch drastic, only I presume, kibble must be soaked at the beginning as his tummy is not used to dry food and I have panic fear from bloat. (one of my saints died from bloat in my arms because it was saturday night and no vet available...It was 8 hours of h*ll for him, and for me, and now I am trying to do all to avoid such things).
Poop is not a big problem, our yard is about 12 acres, so plenty space for any poop. The only thing - I suspect that this saint is not housebroken at all and then it will be quite a fun :)
It is so much easier when I have people out here to ask for advice, it makes my mind on ease as I must think about so many things now - main thing is to introduce them tomorrow. My dogs like other dogs, only they can not meet outside, new dog must be taken stright into the house - and then it is accepted without any problems, instantly. Usually they say that dogs must meet outside, on neutral territory, but not for my pack. If somebody is invited in the house it means friend, and friends mean sharing bed, food or whatever from the step one.
But huge masculine dog may be a challenge for my boys... If he would be 10-16 weeks old baby, that would be so much easier.
My current foster Holly is eating with my dogs from one dish and it is like that - she goes to the dish, others step back to let her eat, and BArry, my alpha is supervising so nobody upset the baby. When Holly is full, then another two eat, Barry still watching, and then goes he, at the end. Very gentle and responsible alpha he is.
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I would try giving the saint the dry kibble and see if he eats it. He may surprise you and gobble it up. Some dogs aren't real finicky and will eat anything put in front of them. If he turns his nose up at it, then moisten it slightly. The hard food will be better for his teeth and his stool.
It sounds like you have a very fun-filled, furry-lovin' household!! Don't forget to post pictures of the new baby as soon as humanly possible!!
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OK! Pictures will be here later on today, I promise. They will be not good as today seems to be foggy and dull day, but anyway - he will be here saying hello.
We are not talking about porrige mixtures, we are talking about human quality grain porridge, mainly outmeal, without anything - meat, canola oil, anything (it is the way how many country people feed their dogs here). I do not think that he will be picky, saints usually are ready to eat rocks, and this will be crazy, I'm sure of it :D
Mouldy food in our house is impossible anyway - when food is down, it is gone :D
So keep paws crossed for us all!
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We arrived home! I was crying all the way home. The dog was on less than a yard chain, up to belly in its own sh** and SHE is very small for her age.
I will upload pictures later. Anyway, we arrived, cleaned her a bit outside (her fur was full of old and fresh poop), the car was smelling terribly, then took her in, Our dogs were GREAT! Not even a bark at her! Wat a relief.
She has issues, but I hope that they will be treatable.
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Oh! The poor baby! I'm sure his issues are nothing that a little time and a lot of love can't cure. I'm always amazed how resilient dogs are. I can't wait to see her pictures. Did you take before pictures, too so we can celebrate her progress?
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Can you see a saint here?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/barryz15/Grace/PICT0632.jpg)
Here she is short chain, no shelter - nothing, and deel layer of poop around her. There was no water also for the pup!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/barryz15/Grace/PICT0633.jpg)
Right way to secure the saint puppy! Look at that CHAIN!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/barryz15/Grace/PICT0636.jpg)
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I was not using my camera in a proper way (it was just "hanging " on my neck, and the owner probably not realised that I'm taking pictures. There was a child also, probably menthal so not only Vet services bit also Child care officials will be sent there on Monday to sort out the whole place. I'm angry, I'm really angry! There was GSD pup, a Jack Russel dog, and some mix of datchie, and another saint as well. They were not ready to give that dog avy as "who will guard the house then?" so police , animal ad child care go there!
I was crying all the way home, and I'm not the emotional girl - I had worked in police long enough to see it all, but this just drives me mad.
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Due to her thick coat she looks ok, but when you touch her, I can feel every bone of her. Of course, she is not finicky at all - complete oppsite, she is ready to eat potatoe peelings... Ykes!
So far she got kibble but small amounts, like half of handful at a time, and plenty of water to drink. So we are eating, brushing, sleeping, outside for a walk, then again food, brush, sleep, walk... My dogs think that she is great fun as so many food they had not had for a long time - few kibbles out of the bag for everybody each time, and then out again for more fun.
And guess - her best but bossy friend is our other foster, about 12 weeks old colly mix! The lil one bossies her around and she even share food with her. With others she is quite food agressive, but nothing untreatable.
The main thing is now get her used to inside life and then slowly build up some bound so she can start to learn social life. So far she is really frightened of the door - to go outside or to come inside - either way. Even food does not helps.
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/barryz15/Grace/PICT0657.jpg)
She does not look 9 mo old for me - what do you think?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/barryz15/Grace/PICT0649.jpg)
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Oh my goodness that poor baby! I hope that the law deals with the owners of this property quickly and to the fullest extent of the law. Dogs and a child?! I hope animal and child services take everything away from these people. Good for you Anna. You are the example that most people should try to be like.
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All her pictures from today are here, if you want to see her
and the whole pack
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v732/barryz15/Grace/?start=12
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I watched the whole photobucket slideshow and I think that I'm in love with her sweet eyes and wagging tail. Thank you, thank you for rescuing her. You and your family are wonderful!! ;D
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Please do not tell compliments, each of you would do the same and as know, many already do much more.
How about her age? Is she looking like 9 mo or younger? Any ideas?
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My 7 month old saint puppy is 66 lbs and looks taller than she does. I'd say she is younger than 9 months but who knows?
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It is my quess too. You know, European saints are taller than American. My girl is the size of GSD, the same hight, only more fluffy which makes her look bigger.
This morning report - her poop is no more a mess, but big soft pile, nit a puddle anymore, even after last night's worming pills.
She is feeling much more comfortae, still running up and down in one line inside house, like dog on short chain would do, but outside she tries to run and play.
She will be ok, I'm so happy that she is improving.
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I cried when I first read this thread...I am so happy she is doing better! I just can not imagine my Rella tied out on a short chain..breaks my heart that any dog goes through this.
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And guess what the best thing? Today I received info from my breeder that they are going for test tomorrow so I will know exactly is my pup to be born!
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You can definitely tell she's skinny in the pictures. She's beautiful, though. I love the big "kissing spot" on top of her head!! She looks like such a sweetie - and that little collie mix puppy you have is adorable as well! She stole my heart.
Keep up the great work! I can't wait to hear more about her progress.
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About her progress - from tonight I can say that food agression is gone - all my pack can eat friendly together. She has fitted in on food! I know it is maybe not the best thing, but it has worked so far with all the dogs here, so i carry the same pattern on my fosters - one bowl for all of them at least one meal per day. They are not pushing, stealing or growling - friendly, well mannered meal together.
Off lash as well is going great - she has saint recall, but it is recall, and she is enjoying her freedom so much.
Potty training is nt going so well - she has idea, absolutely, but she just can not hold. But it will be, i'm not worried about it at all.
My main concern is now how to get the chain out of her. Outside she is ok, trying to learn to play , but inside she hystericaly trots five steps one way, then back, and she does it for 20-30 minutes - it is really unusual for saint to trot small steps like that. it is chain thing still in her poor mind. That must be treated as far as possible.
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Maybe when she starts the trotting routine try to break her stride. Either get her to walk farther, or turn and go into another room, entice her with a yummy treat to try and break the habit. I'm sure that in a few days that too will probably improve. She looks like such a sweetie!! Good luck on finding out about your pup!!
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She is BEAUTIFUL!!! Bless your heart for rescuing her, the poor thing. She is in good hands now ;)
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It sounds like she's really coming along nicely. I agree with the distracting her with something when she starts pacing. Is there anyway that you can throw treats around her for her to go find them when she starts pacing or toys. Obviously, throwing them at her isn't good but well walk by her and drop them so she has to stop pacing and do something. Give her a really good chew toy. She's such a sweetie and that collie mix is adorable.
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The third night lucky! We had the first night clean here!!! What a good girl! I'm so happy about her!