Big Paws Only Dog Forums

Grace looks so happy!  I love the big sweet smile on her face.  You're obviously doing a wonderful job teaching her what love is all about!

I was just wondering if everyone else let's their big paws on the furniture.  I'm thinking about this because it's 5 a.m. here and I just walked into the living room and Zeus and Apollo are stretched out on both of my sofas.  They're looking at me like "What?  You weren't using them!"  LOL   They look so comfy... I never have the heart to make them get down!  I just hope their big ol' toenails don't go through the leather.  Hubby would not be happy!

My male pyrs pee about 4 times a day, or every 6 hours.  They go out at 6am, noon, 6pm and 11pm.  If we take 'em out more often, they just horse around.  I think sometimes females "hold it" longer than the males, but once a day does seem a little odd.  Maybe she just needs to find a favorite spot in your yard?  Since she likes to pee in the woods, could you bring back some twigs and leaves and place them in the area you want her to use?  Just an idea.  Good luck!

Hi there and welcome!  My name's Amy and my human and furry kids are listed in my signiture!  I'm kinda new here, too.  I'm sure you'll love this group as much as I do.  Everyone is so nice and helpful!

I never had a bloodhound, but I did own the sweetest male basset hound when I was a kid.  He would follow his nose everywhere!  He was wandering off constantly.  He never actually "ran" away, but walked off whenever he caught a scent.  And when he was on the trail, he refused to come when called.  So we really had to pay close attention to him when he was outside.

Now I have 2 great pyrs that I adopted in June, and they escaped once, before we put up our 6 foot front gate.  They RAN!  Thankfully the city dog catcher caught them before they got hurt, and within hours we were able to spring them from "jail" and bring them home safe and sound. 

Good luck with your girls.  I agree that a lunge line might help with them, since when the hounds are following a scent, they're usually not running at full speed.  Good luck!

Thank you guys all so much for the great advice.  I worked a double shift at the hospital today, but I talked to Hubby on the phone just now and he said today was better.  He went out this morning and bought a spray bottle and some lemon juice and has been keeping it nearby all day.  Zeus had one growling episode which Hubby corrected quickly and it never escalated. I think the spray bottle will be a great tool as Zeus is already skittish around them.

Hubby and I discussed all of the methods you all suggested, and we're definitely going to work with a trainer and do the NILF thing.  We're not going to give up on this guy.  We love him so much already and we owe it to him to do everything we can to make this work. 

Shine, please keep me up to date with the advice you get from your trainer.  I'm really looking forward to hearing what they have to say.

Thanks again, all.  I truly appreciate the help.

Amy

   OMG!  LMAO!!  I think that's the best training advice I've ever heard! 

This is only the second time that they've fought since we adopted the boys in June.  Once it was over food and this time I think it was over a Nylabone.  The first time Apollo started it, and this time Zeus.  Each time it seemed to start out of the blue.  They eat together everyday and chew their toys together all the time without incident.

Last night we were sitting around watching TV.  Apollo was lying on the couch with Hubby, and Zeus was sleeping on the floor with his Nylabone near his front paws.  I heard Zeus let out a little growl, and before I had a chance to correct him, he lunged at Apollo.  Apollo leaped off the couch and they both started going at it.  My 2 year old was in the room and he was crying so hard.  It was a really scary site.  Anyway, Hubby and I jumped up and I pulled Zeus away by his collar and Hubby tried to pull Apollo back.  Thats when he got bit.  I pushed Zeus outside and turned to look at Hubby, and I saw his shirt sleeve turning red with blood.  His wound was pretty deep on the top of his forearm and he also had a hole on the bottom that was open, but not bleeding.  I needed to tend to his arm, so I put Apollo outside with Zeus, who had already calmed down.  Both dogs walked toward each other and started licking and nuzzling each other like they were apologizing and making up.  They've been fine ever since.  We brought them back in for the night and they've been acting like nothing happened. 

So now, I guess my question for the board is - How do I prevent this from happening in the future?  For the night we removed the bone that I think set Zeus off, but I can't keep all the toys out of the house forever.  The dogs are young and tend to chew when they're bored, so I want to have appropriate chew materials around.  99.9% of the time these guys are the most gentle and tolerant dogs I have ever known.  The little yorkies jump and nip in their faces all the time and the big dogs don't even notice them.  They are always tolerant of the children bumping into them and hugging on them and such.  And if I hadn't witnessed the fight last night with my own eyes, I wouldn't even believe they had it in them to be so aggressive with each other.

Have any other pyr owners seen this type of aggression toward another dog?  Did I mention that I suspect Zeus and Apollo are littermates since the vet says they're the same age and they were found straying together by Animal Control?  Maybe this has something to do with their aggression only towards each other?  I wish I knew more about their background.  They were both neutered in July, so hormones shouldn't be an issue.  I just can't figure this out.

For now, we're not doing anything different with the dogs.  We've instructed our boys to not go near the big dogs if they start fighting again.  We've showed them Daddy's wound on his arm and explained how the dogs fur will protect them if they fight, but that their arms could get hurt badly if they tried to intervene.  I don't know what else to do.  I keep thinking what if my little 2 year old got in the middle by accident.  I guess this just reinforces why little ones always need to be supervised around dogs.  Even the ones you trust the most can surprise you. 

Taking your birds to an avian vet would be your best option, since the problem could be anything from infection to toxicity to aging.  How does their poop look?  Is it normal consistance or does it look different?  "Birds For Dummies" is a great book and has a very helpful section on avian illnesses.  For home care, the book recommends that you use a smaller cage to make him less active, lower or remove perches and fold towels in the bottom of the cage, keep food and water close by, try to keep the bird warm - target range 75-85 degrees, strive for peace and quiet, and keep handling to a minimum so he can rest.  I hope this helps some.

My senegal, Oliver, was only 4 years old when he developed symptoms like you mention.  First I noticed he was sitting low on his perch, then I realized he was having trouble climbing.  He actually fell off his perch on the second day that he looked sick.  I didn't take him to the vet and he died a day later.  I put a towel at the bottom of his cage (since he could no longer perch) with a heating blanket on low under it.  I covered the cage and kept the lights turned down to decrease his stress.  I didn't follow the advice about handling though.  I spent a lot of time holding my Oliver, and crying over him.  When I was pretty sure that he was going to die, I carried him outside to sit on the porch and feel the sunshine on his feathers.  I have my regrets about not taking him to the vet, but honestly, I don't really think they could've done much for him.  It happened so fast. 

Hugs to your birdies.  I hope they come around.  Keep us posted.

Amy