Dog Owner Chat v3 ~Open!~

[rose.bloom]

I agree, that was a very interesting article. I myself own two goldendoodles (for those who don't know), but as you said above, I don't consider them pure breed, they are definitely a mix breed. And my grandparents bought my golden, Gretta, for only $300, and my mini golden doodle Dazey for $400, while now people who live near me are buying them for $800, and minis for $1000.

Anyways, I haven't been posting on this thread for a while so I decided to give a quick update. Gretta is doing fine, she cut her hair cut and she seems much happier. She has a "teddy bear" cut, where it leaves her tail and head super fluffy. We brand her to the beach yesterday, but she wouldn't stay still so I don't have any decent photos. She has some hot spots on her back that look kind of funny, but oh well.

Dazey, my mini golden is also doing pretty well. We've been training a lot for her pet partners test, soon she should be able to go to hospitals, and to schools to help kids who struggle with reading and math. It seems no matter how hard we run her, she doesn't get tired, she is always hyper.

Here's a photo of Gretta, Daze won't sit still, although I have some other photos of her I will upload later, she just try's to lick the camera.

[.Middy.]

Kestrel went on her first big girl walk today! She did amazing! Wasn't phased at all by the cars or the barking dogs! She checked in with me every couple steps, and didn't pull at all! We have to work on jumping up at my hands and getting under my feet, but she didn't do too much of those either.

Hopefully we will be starting puppy classes soon! Need to check the schedule and get her signed up!

[FlynnEugene]

So I am considering training Izzy some more tricks so I can make her a "trick dog" and work my way up to expert or whatever. I was doing a little bit of research on it and I think it would be fun and also give me something to do with my dog. I would love to start with Addy as well as soon as her basic obedience is down.
I have already started to train Addy "sit" "down" going to work on a sit stay with her tomorrow as well as leash walking.
As for Izzy I am going to continue to get her conditioned to using the bath tub so that next time I need to give her a bath she will do better. Her skin has been extremely dry recently and I have no clue why. But her skin is cracking a little bit. Should I start putting coconut oil in her food? Or on her coat and skin? What should I use for that?

[fairytale.]

I would go the route of salmon oil first. Dogs' diets lack omega 3's (they are very sensitive), whereas omega 6s (found in coconut oil) are more stable and found in higher quantities in their food. Salmon oil, canned unsalted sardines, sardine oil, etc., are all great sources of omega 3s. Because omega 6s are more plentiful in their diet, I would suggest topical application first before adding it to food. If you do add it to food, go very gradually, as too much too soon can lead to digestive upset.

[Haagen-Daagen]

I agree with fairytale. I didn't try salmon oil, but coconut oil on the skin helped SO much with Deebee's skin issues. He has always had sensitive skin, and every few months would start scratching himself until he bled. (I have photos if you want to see what I'm talking about. They are kinda graphic so I'm not gonna post them here, but basically he scratched his throat and head raw.) I posted here awhile back about it, and upon suggestion started rubbing his skin with coconut oil. Helped tremendously, and he now has much healthier skin.(:

[medusa]

hello, ive been doing some research, but thought id ask for some opinions here as well.
how have you introduced your older dog to a new puppy?

i have a 9 year old shih tzu, and am looking to add a 2 month old american staffordshire terrier to the family. my shih tzu is a little bit of a grump, and tends to be indifferent towards other dogs. the staffordahire terrier is the sweetest dog ive ever met. at her foster home she's been known to sneak out of her kennel to fall asleep in slippers or a sweater oh my gosh-
both dogs are neutered/spayed, btw. thanks for any tips!

[akuma <3]

Hey, all! Just an update on the pooches <3
Haven't posted in forever oh my goodness!

Layla is slowly getting used to people. We got her a woven leather basket muzzle (which wasn't cheap oh my god!!!). We had some family friends come over, and we let Layla out with her muzzle on. She barked a few times but finally let everyone pet her!! Yay, progress!!!


I'll update more when I get home, cause I have to go since I'm in class.

[FlynnEugene]

@fairytale okay, cool thanks!!!

@haagen-Daagen I will try that!! I have coconut oil that I use for my hair already, so I can just start putting that on her skin. Hopefully it helps

[fairytale.]

I haven't been doing well lately. I've been in bed basically all day for about two weeks now. I've been able to manage some play sessions outside and walks up and down our street every few days, but poor May has had a lot of pent up energy. The past few days I have been feeling better, so this morning, we went on a walk! Our usual trail was closed, probably due to the storm we had a few days ago, so we had to go on the shorter, less fun one. It was super cold, but we had fun. Despite me bringing the long line, May stayed by my side for the most part and when she did decide to go ahead, she stayed pretty close. We did end up turning back sooner than I wanted to, but it is better than nothing. She's been tired since we got back :P
Also, my mom came home with a present for her :) A hoodie! Now she has some clothes too. It says "DRAMA QUEEN" and is pink and blue. Very May if you ask me, aha. She loves it.

[.Middy.]

Kestrel and I met a super nice lady today! She has a Aussie and two jack Russell's, told me about a agility training place only a couple streets away! Even offered to introduce me to the trainer there. Ended up giving me a new clicker when I mentioned that I had lost mine.

Kes did really well! The whole time we were standing there talking, she stayed either sitting or laying down. Except when she was offered a piece of chicken, then she lost her puppy head for a minute and jumped up a couple times but I got her settled down easily.

On the way home, I was looking at this one house who always has loose dogs and Kes got under my feet. I accidentally kicked her front leg, she started limping so I immediately grabbed her and carried her the rest of the way home. Of course the second we got home and I sat her in the grass, she was bouncing around like nothing happened.

Took her and Annie to TSC after my mom got off, and Kes did really well! Kept sniffing every food bag we passed, and tried to climb a couple, but did really well. Greeted the cashier nicely, and dropped into a sit anytime I stopped. Annie was the issue, my mom didnt want to handle her, so she passed the leash off to me. Annie was being a brat and I couldn't fully focus on her since I needed to pay attention to Kes. Not gonna take Annie next time if my mom refuses to handle her own dog.