Dog Owner Chat V. 5

[Imzadi83]

Wondering if anyone has any tips for caring for a more senior dog:

Ruby is 10 now and age seems to be creeping up on her. She's currently on vet-prescribed anti-inflammatory for her joints as well as some fish oil supplements, but nothing really seems to be helping. We don't do walks when it's cold out anymore (which is real hard considering it's winter, so she's been a bit depressed), since she gets a really heavy limp, and she's on a no-tidbits diet to reduce some of her fat in the hope that'll lessen the burden on her joints.
So aside from that, any advice on keeping an older dog fit and healthy? Especially if there's any gentler exercises anyone knows that will help her build more muscle.

I do "walkies" indoors with Chloe by taking some treats (you can take a portion of food from her daily ration) and walking up and down the hallway for awhile before ending in a training session. Feeding through training, brain games, and puzzle toys; rather than just plopping food in a bowl can help. Some gentle massage, maybe a heated blanket/bed (they make ones that warm up with body heat as well as ones you plug in or things you microwave and stick in) might help. Are their places (like petstores) you could take her to to walk her indoors? If you can afford it you could look into acupuncture which might help. Swimming is a great activity for a senior dog. If Ruby is small you could likely do it in a bathtub, or look for dog businesses around you that have indoor pools.

[drift.]

Thanks. I will definitely contact Lake Michigan Aussies
-snipped-

imo Lake Michigan is a popular really nice breeder who even has a dog going to Westminster. I don't think they would be willing to stud out one of their dogs to a working line dam that doesn't have any titles as of right now, and just by the only photo provided doesn't seem to be all that true to the Australian Shepherd Standard.

I think you should definitely find a mentor and wait until the perfect female comes around that you can work with!
Breeding is extremely rewarding after all of the hard work, but there's no point in breeding if you don't have exceptional dogs.
* I don't believe in breeding just any dog someone thinks is 'smart' or 'pretty'. But this is in no way supposed to call you out or embarrass you. *

[vervainium]

Thanks. I will definitely contact Lake Michigan Aussies
-snipped-

imo Lake Michigan is a popular really nice breeder who even has a dog going to Westminster. I don't think they would be willing to stud out one of their dogs to a working line dam that doesn't have any titles as of right now, and just by the only photo provided doesn't seem to be all that true to the Australian Shepherd Standard.

I think you should definitely find a mentor and wait until the perfect female comes around that you can work with!
Breeding is extremely rewarding after all of the hard work, but there's no point in breeding if you don't have exceptional dogs.
* I don't believe in breeding just any dog someone thinks is 'smart' or 'pretty'. But this is in no way supposed to call you out or embarrass you. *

this, exactly. very well said.

[Imzadi83]

whats your opinion on pheromone collars?

I've never used one myself, but would be willing to try it if I thought it could be helpful for a particular collar. I don't think it's a magic bullet though.

[drift.]

whats your opinion on pheromone collars?

Is this like citronella? If so I really don't like them. Instead of being one quick correction like an E-collar the scent clings to them and they have to suffer through it until it wears off

If that's not what you are referring to please correct me, I've never heard the term!

[drift.]

@Sodapop.
Oooo okay, that makes much more sense. huh, I'll have to ask my friends, but I doubt they've used anything like it either. If they're not pricey it may be worth looking into just to try?

[avaloafe]

whats your opinion on pheromone collars?

Is this like citronella? If so I really don't like them. Instead of being one quick correction like an E-collar the scent clings to them and they have to suffer through it until it wears off

If that's not what you are referring to please correct me, I've never heard the term!

its purpose isnt to stop a dog from doing something its not suppose to. its a collar that gives off some sort of relaxing odor to help ease a dog or make them less anxious. our breeder recommends we have one ready to use when we pick up our puppy to help make the move less stressful for her. ive never heard of it before, so im asking around to see if its safe or not. you never know.

i wouldn't recommend it. i'm a breeder and the puppy is perfectly fine during a move. just keep them in a quiet, dark spot when they are in their crate. your puppy could overdose on something. we had someone use a flea collar on a very young pup and she developed some neurological issues for a few weeks. your pup will be okay for the move.

[Blue_Aussie]

@Sodapop

Is your breeder sending you with a towel, shirt or blanket with the dams scent on it? If not i would ask if she could so that not everything is new to your pup c:

[Velveteen Hound.]

Is this like citronella? If so I really don't like them. Instead of being one quick correction like an E-collar the scent clings to them and they have to suffer through it until it wears off

If that's not what you are referring to please correct me, I've never heard the term!

its purpose isnt to stop a dog from doing something its not suppose to. its a collar that gives off some sort of relaxing odor to help ease a dog or make them less anxious. our breeder recommends we have one ready to use when we pick up our puppy to help make the move less stressful for her. ive never heard of it before, so im asking around to see if its safe or not. you never know.[/quote]

i wouldn't recommend it. i'm a breeder and the puppy is perfectly fine during a move. just keep them in a quiet, dark spot when they are in their crate. your puppy could overdose on something. we had someone use a flea collar on a very young pup and she developed some neurological issues for a few weeks. your pup will be okay for the move.

[/quote]

I tried a pheromone diffuser when I brought gizmo home (The breeder & a friend SWORE by them) .... Honestly, I don't really think it did anything for me. Some people really like them, others don't really notice a difference like me. The jury is still pretty split on this one. If you want to try it, I don't think there is much harm ... but also don't expect a miracle.

[W0LF]

@everyone

im not the one who wants the collar, our breeder is just recommending we have one. i wasn't planning on getting one because ive never had to use it with any of my pets in the past. it just seemed strange to me because ive never heard of it before. also yes, we bought her a puppy blanket that im going to bring with me when i pick her up so i can get the moms scent on it.

...What type of "collar" ?

& why do they recommend ?