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Messages - maxsmom

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61
Alaskan Malamute Discussions / Re: Alaskan Malamutes
« on: October 24, 2008, 05:03:47 pm »
I second what has been said on collars and training.  My pyr is only really good with a pinch collar on.  My wolfhound is great with a choke chain, as long as I keep it directly behind his ears.  My tibetan and Caucasian are great with regular collars, as they don't typically pull.

As far as the fighting, they are going to have to work out their own hierarchy.  My guys are now working on this as well and the blood, cuts, scrapes, and punture wounds are painful for me to see, but they are animals and this is what they do.  Once they work it out, you should be home free, it may just take them a while to resolve it.  Max and Jake have been tussling quite a bit lately, as they are both just over 2 years of age now.  Cody is undisputed alpha, but they are working on settling the number 2 and 3 spots.  Chichi, being the only female doesn't really fit into their struggle.  She is only submissive to Cody and now that she is turning 2, that is not as obvious as it used to be.  She wants alpha, but doesn't have the nerve to really push for it yet.  She is trying to work up to it, but isn't quite there.  Just give your guys some time and they will sort it out for themselves.
Kathy

62
I'm sorry. I don't agree that it needs to be banned.  I see thes numbers of how many dogs are being killed each year and compared to the number of greys being put down, it is astronomical.  I have seen dogs being taken to other states for adoption, some the day they left the track kennel.  These were not abused, shy, screwed up dogs, IMO.  They were healthy, happy, friendly, dogs.  I am not saying it doesn't happen, but I don't think it should be banned.  Let's say it is banned.  What is going to be next?  Hunting dogs shouldn't be hunted?  They get cut up by the wild hogs.  They live in kennels.  Cattle dogs should not be allowed to work cattle?  They get gored, kicked in the head, stomped to death, etc. Sled dogs should not be allowed to pull sleds and race in the Iditarod?  They are abused and can die.  Where does it end?  Realistically, more dogs are abused, neglected, beaten, etc. by private pet owners each and every day, than greys are similarly mistreated at the tracks.  Do we ban pet owning, because some are being hurt?  We have to accept the fact that there will always be abuse, as long as people are alive, of children, women, the elderly, the unfortunate, the poor, animals, etc.  This is just a part of life.  We need to enforce the cruelty and neglect laws we have on the books and stop trying to mandate and ban everything.  JMO
Kathy

63
I am not going to neuter my wolfhound, ever, unless it is medically necessary.  The risks far outweigh the benefits in my mind.  I will never willingly neuter another male dog of mine.  I don't see any benefits and see lots of negatives.  If they come from a rescue, I don't have an option.  As far as females, I don't think I will spay another one.  I know I could keep them separate, so breeding is not an issue.  The problems I have had with spay incontinence as well as increased risk for cancers, behavioural issues, etc. are just not worth it to me.  I think each pet owner has to decide what is right for their pet and go from there.  It is no different than deciding what to feed your pet, what training to give your pet, what is acceptable behaviour for your pet, or any of the other decisions we make as pet owners.  You make your decision and then you have to be prepared to live with the consequences, good, bad or indifferent.
Kathy

64
My dogs are all different on temp preferences.  Cody will eat frozen meat.  Max and ChiChi will eat icy meat.  Jake will only eat warm, gross, stinky, chicken.  Everything else needs to be at least room temp.  It will not hurt healthy dogs to eat bad meat. 
Kathy

65
I sell raw, so I buy in bulk and divide it up into meal size portions.  I don't feed any kibble, just raw meats, organ meats and bones.  I changed from kibble to raw, when the kibble was gone.  Supper one day was kibble and breakfast the next day was raw.  No runny poop, no throwing up, nothing.  It is my understanding that you cannot do this in reverse, but you can go kibble to raw, no problem.  I don't feed ground meats, just chickens, whole or parts, pork ribs, pork cheek meat, pork tongue, pig feet or ears, turkey wings and necks, lamb ribs and legs, whole mackerel, pork organ meats, etc.  As long as you are feeding a variety of meats, you will be fine.  Just jump in.
Kathy

66
General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / Re: Our Update
« on: October 18, 2008, 12:35:28 pm »
The rescue treated the puppies with Parvaid and Tamiflu, along with giving them injections of fluids, under the skin, for rehydration.  It was amazing that even though a few other dogs came down with it, only the one puppy was lost.
Kathy

67
Saint Bernard Pictures / Re: play time pics
« on: October 18, 2008, 11:26:44 am »
What pretty dogs you have.  They look to be happy and healthy.  Don't worry that the pup doesn't look to be growing.  When we see our dogs every day, we can't always tell how quickly they are growing.  Thanks for the pics.
Kathy

68
General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / Re: Our Update
« on: October 18, 2008, 11:12:40 am »
Paige, you are amazing.  How do you treat Parvo for your dogs?  One of the local rescues had 3 4 week old puppies that came down with it and only lost 1 of them.  I was floored. I always thought Parvo was pretty much a death sentence, especially for puppies.
Kathy

69
A muzzle can make an aggressive dog worse.  I use it when I take ChiChi out of the house for her sake as well as the sake of everyone she comes into contact with.  I have no choice.  If you can find a trainer or behaviourist to work with, that will be your best bet. This is not his "normal" behaviour, so it may very well be something you can fix.  It sounds to me like he is missing the ones he has lost from his life and is "acting out" because of it.  He doesn't understand what happened or why they "left" him.  If you are totally confident that you can control him, are there people you can have come over to "condition" him to?  Is he this way with everyone, or is it only certain people?  You need to put him on a very short leash and make sure you can hold him, no matter what. Have them come in and as soon as he does anything that is not acceptable to you, give him a firm correction and tell him NO, or whatever you choose to use.  Have him sit facing you and make him maintain eye contact.  Have them move around, come closer to you, walk by him, etc.  As long as he is focused on you, reward him, treat, petting, whatever.  Do this often.  Take him for walks, where he will see people, but not interact with them, maybe by a fenced park, or somewhere that you can control his exposure to people.  If you need to, warn people away from getting too close.  Walk towards people and watch him.  As soon as he starts to act in any way aggressive, correct him.  You need to teach him that any behaviour that you do not approve of will not be tolerated.  It may take months to get through this with him, but if you work on it diligently, it should help.  Watch him closely with your JRT and if he begins to act aggressively, ears laid back, stance changes, etc. correct him.  You may need to keep a "handle" or some type of short leash on his collar, to give you leverage in controlling him or pulling him up sharply, if he goes to attack.  I did this with Max, when he was a puppy, to stop him from chasing my cats.  He wore a 6 inch leash on his collar for months.  I understand your feelings, as far as working with him and not putting him down.  ChiChi will have to be put in our bathroom, with the door locked, most likely, her entire life, whenever anyone comes over, but that is the price I have to pay for having her in my life.  She is my cuddly, love bug, but does not want anyone other than my hubby or myself in our homeor even in her presence.  We have accepted that and deal with it.  I don't think your situation will be that bad, if you start working on it now.  Good luck.
Kathy  

70
Great Pyrenees Discussions / Re: How often do you clean your Pyr's ears?
« on: September 15, 2008, 12:41:49 pm »
I don't clean ears anymore.  ChiChi, on the other hand has to clean everyone's ears at least every other day.  At least she only licks the flaps and does not get down inside them.
Kathy

71
Medical Conditions & Diseases / Re: Ellie is getting a liver biopsy Tuesday
« on: September 15, 2008, 12:39:42 pm »
All our best to you and Ellie.  Fingers and paws crossed in Florida.
Kathy

72
I agree with what has been written here.  It totally depends on the individual dogs.  I have an intact male wolfhound and 2 neutered males, pyr and TM.  They all get along just fine.  ChiChi my only female has also fit into the mix just great.  Cody is my alpha and tends to break up fights, when they happen, very rarely.  Once all the hierarchy is worked out between them, I don't think you will have problems.  I took Cody and Max to meet Jake, prior to getting him.  He jumped into my jeep and refused to get out.  I loaded them up with him and they all stretched out together and went to sleep.  We had a 2 hour ride home, so I wanted to make sure all was well, before we got on the road.  If they had not been okay with him, right off the bat, I would not have him.  It is all about what you are comfortable with and how the dogs handle each other.  In other circumstances, Jake might have been a problem, but with Cody, he is submissive.  Keep in mind that a rescue group telling you a dog is submissive or dominant does not mean that will be the same in your home or with your dogs.  Cody was extremely submissive in the foster home, but has taken over my pack, completely.  It all depends on the personalities involved.
Kathy

73
General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / Re: Training the abused mastiff
« on: September 01, 2008, 07:29:18 pm »
Cody was terrified of being touched, extremely hand shy, basically fearful of people in general, when we first got him.  He was taken from a horrible breeder situation, never socialized, never been out of a kennel, with lots of other dogs, chain collar grown into his neck, etc.  When we got him, I was determined that he was going to be a normal dog, if it killed us both.  I would back him into the corner and hold him still, in order to pet him, brush him, etc.  He only got to eat, if he took it out of my hand.  He had to approach me for what he wanted.  I went to him for brushing, petting, loving in general.  We had to herd him into the house, when he would go outside.  It worked perfectly.  Within a week of us getting him, he was greeting everyone, other than Joe and I, at the baby gate going into the kitchen with growls and snarls, barking like the world was ending, guarding my house.  He knew what he was supposed to do and figured out he was home, that quickly.  He will still startle, if you move too quickly to touch him, but he absolutely loves to have his cheeks scrunched up and rubbed now.  Loves to have the bridge of his muzzle, between his eyes rubbed.  He is not an overly loving dog and never will be, but he has certainly come a long way from the fraidy cat he was. I would simply treat them like a normal dog, and assume that eventually they will react accordingly.
Kathy

74
You've gotten some great advice.  I would simply work on socializing your dog, in every situation you can possibly imagine.  Max, my wolfhound, has a high prey drive.  He will chase anything that will run.  He has never hurt either of my cats.  When he catches them, he passes them by and just keeps running.  ChiChi also chases them, but does the exact same thing.  I feel sure either of them would hurt a strange cat, if they caught it in our yard, but so far, so good.  With my bunch, although none of them are known for being dog aggressive breeds, they are all pretty dominant breeds.  Typically, the problem with same sex "dog aggression" is simply dominance issues coming to the fore.  When you put 2 dominant dogs together, if they are opposite sexes, they will generally work it out.  If they are the same sex, one is going to have to submit to the other, in order to resolve the issue.  This can be very hard on owners and scary to watch. My guys all gave in to Cody, from the day they met him.  There have never been any physical fights between Cody and either of the boys.  He has had to literally slam ChiChi and hold her down a few times to make his point with her, before she will submit.  She is going to be my "alpha" bitch, without a doubt.  If I brought in another dominant bitch, I would most likely have my hands full.  I won't, so it isn't a problem.  I would take things with your Atlas a day at a time and not buy trouble before I had it.  I don't think you will have a problem, but it is not possible to foretell the future.  Good luck.
Kathy 

75
I don't think it is so much accepting naughty behaviour as much as the fact that our dogs, unlike our children, are never going to leave home and have to survive in the world on their own.  They are never going to have to get a job, understand and accept authority, due to an individuals position or title, work with whomever life throws at them, marry or raise a family, adapt to a variety of social situations, etc.  As long as we are comfortable with their behavior, they conform to our rules and are trained to our standards, as their owners, I don't feel we are "not doing them any favors".  What is acceptable in my home, for my dogs, may be completely unacceptable for others.  That is why we all have different breeds and have different expectations of them.  For me, that means I have a dog for almost every situation that I could find myself in.  I have Max for comic relief and to take into public, no matter where it is, or who or what is going to be around us.  He is my rock.  I have Jake, if I ever want to meet people, and have an attention grabbing ball of fluff, who will also vocally alert me to everything that moves at home.  I have Cody, who will vocally protect my home, from people and will go into public, just to be seen.  I also have ChiChi, who entertains us, loves us, will protect us, our home and our property, from anyone and is a constant source of love and affection. 
As far as pyr behavior, Jake is not my counter surfer.  Max is.  Jake would have to jump up on the counter, Max just rests his head on it.  My dogs and I understand that what hits the floor, other than food, is fair game for them.  It is my job to keep it off the floor, if I want it.  They have trained me, to put my dirty clothes in the closet, hang up towels, put my shoes in the garage or closet, pick up what I drop immediately, put my laptop away and not leave it on the table, place the remote back on top of the TV when I am done with it for the night, close the sunroom doors when I have to bring my orchids in due to storms or cold weather.  None of these things are bad habits to have.  They actually make my life a little easier, for the most part, due to knowing exactly where things are. 

I guess my point is that we all have house rules and expectations and as long as our dogs conform to what we think is acceptable, that should be good enough.

Kathy

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