[lowredmoon]

hello busties!

my parents' shepherd has been shaking his head and scratching at his ears (which are semi-floppy, due to a genetic anomaly or something). each time they take him to the vet for this, the vet can't find anything wrong--no mites, no yeast. it doesn't look irritated inside, and it doesn't smell like anything but dog. i'm a cat person, so i'm totally at a loss here. suggestions of what it might be, and possible treatments would be incredibly appreciated.

[turbojenn]

Yeah, we went to the park twice today, and were not bothered at all. The rent-a-cop must've just been an anomaly. I still sent an email to the alderman...no one should be treated rudely by a city employee.

[mornington]

I've just noticed labradors are on there. Seriously. Have they just gone "we'll ban every dog bigger than a chiwawa" (not that I'm especially biased against chiwawas, but at least a boerbol will warn before it bites).

I think the worst mix is when you have an agressive breed (like the tosa, or a doberman) and then team it with an agressive owner. A mean person makes a mean dog. The problem is that people will choose a dog on its aesthetics rather than its nature, and not treat it or train it in such a way that will counterbalance the inbuilt agressiveness of the breed. Any dog can be dangerous in the wrong hands, really.

jenn, that sounds... stupid. I hope you can get something sorted and the jerkish rentacop gets a damned good telling off for being so power-happy. It sounds like you weren't doing anything except keeping out of the way of all the dogless people!

[ginger_kitty]

Yeah half that list shocked me. I have an Australian Cattle dog and they are one of the smartest dogs you can get. It's all about training and enviroment. Peolpe freak out b/c they can be protective, but that is what they were breed to do.

Yes, the CANE CORSO and the PRESA DE CANARIO can be dangerous breeds but it really is all about the owner's.

Turbo that sucks, that guy seems like a big jerk. I wouldn't give up your little dog spot so easily. Go back and see what happens.

[pollystyrene]

Airdale terriers? Like Asta from The Thin Man movies? WTF? Any dog who is untrained, unsocialized, uncontrolled (seems like their owners would be untrained, unsocialized and uncontrolled, too!) is a problem and you can't go by breed. Yes, some breeds have certain traits, but with training and socialization, you can work on them. People just don't take responsiblity for their dogs. My dog's not perfect and he has some issues, but I don't let him loose, and I make sure he doesn't have the oppotunity to cause trouble. We've tried to work on some of these issues, but Basenji's are really difficult. We're just always on the offensive with him.

That totally sucks, turbo. Hopefully you can get it worked out through your alderman...I think it's good that you went through him in the first place- at least it makes you look like responsible residents that you obviously are. Don't take crap from those rent-a-cops!

[turbojenn]

Yeah, I just don't believe in breed bans, either. Half of it is being a responsible owner and choosing the appropriate kind of dog for your lifestyle and dog handling abilities.

Yesterday, we got kicked out of the abandoned tennis courts on our street that we use as a dog run....we worked it out with the Alderman that the police would leave us alone in there, so long as we clean up the tennis courts, and agree to leave should anyone desire to risk breaking an ankle on the uneven surface and actually play tennis. So far, this has worked out well. Yesterday this fuckchop "Park District Security" guy drives through the park in his SUV, parks right in front of the entrance and then yells at us all to get out or he would write us citations. Uh, first of all, I have *never* in seven years in this neighborhood, seen "park security" - that's what all the bike cops are for, right? And second, am I supposed to believe that a sweaty, rude man, in a t-shirt with a security emblem silkscreened on it has the authority to write me a citation? No, I don't think so.

But more than anything, its one thing to ask us to leave, and an entirely other thing to be an asshole about it. I asked for his name, he wouldn't give it, so all of the owners who were in there wrote down the license number and ID# of the truck, and we all wrote letters to the Alderman last night.

I fully support the leash laws of the city - they're good for everyone, but I do NOT understand forcing us to leave a fenced area where the dogs and folks enjoying the park and beach are all safe. The lifeguard on duty felt so bad about it that he ran after us and apologized for the rude way we were treated...which was sweet.

Oh, and if the park security dude wanted to make everyone obey the rules, he really should have done something about all the people drinking likker in the park...that's against the law too.

[mornington]

Pugs? Since when were pugs dangerous?

Ok, some of those dogs, IMO you should require a licence for - like a car. I wouldn't let just any guy off the street have a boerbol, those things are mean. I've worked with them, and they're too damned big to handle easily (they don't make conventional muzzles to fit these dogs) and really are bred to be dangerous (hello? lion-hunters?). But I do think that half the viciousness in a dog comes from the owner - temprament is heritable, but can be worked with. I've known some rotties that were as nice as pie, yet yorkies that would bite as soon as look at you; it all depends on the individual dog and how the owner trains and treats it.

There are only four breeds which need registering in the uk - the pitbull type (it isn't a breed here), the tosa, the fila brasiliera and the dogo argentino - they have to be neutered and microchipped, and then muzzled in public. I wouldn't ban them, though.

[ginger_kitty]

I have been hearing a lot lately about states like California and Colorado trying to pass legislation to ban certain breeds of dogs considered to be dangerous. Check out this list of dogs that are included in the possible bans. (It's appalling!!!!! Some of these are the best breeds)

1.*AIREDALE TERRIER
2.*AKBASH
3.*AKITA
4.*ALAPAHA BLUE BLOOD BULLDOG
5, *ALASKAN MALAMUTE
6.*ALSATIAN SHEPHERD
7.*AMERICAN BULLDOG*
8.*AMERICAN HUSKY
9.*AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER
10.*AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER
11.*AMERICAN WOLFDOG
12.*ANATOLIAN SHEPHERD
13.*ARIKARA DOG
14.*AUSTRALIAN CATTLE DOG
15.*AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD
16.*BELGIAN MALINOIS
17.*BELGIAN SHEEPDOG
18.*BELGIAN TURVUREN
19.*BLUE HEELER
20.*BOERBUL
21.*BORZOI
22.*BOSTON TERRIER
23.*BOUVIER DES FLANDRES
24.*BOXER
25.*BULLDOG
26.*BULL MASTIFF
27.*BULL TERRIER
28.*CANE CORSO
29.*CATAHOULA LEOPARD DOG
30.*CAUCASIAN SHEPHERD
31.*CHINESE SHAR PEI
32.*CHOW-CHOW
33.*COLORADO DOG
34.*DOBERMAN PINSCHER
35.*DOGO DE ARGENTINO
36.*DOGUE DE BORDEAUX
37.*ENGLISH MASTIFFS
38.*ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL
39.*ESKIMO DOG
40.*ESTRELA MOUNTAIN DOG
41.*FILA BRASILIERO
42.*FOX TERRIER
43.*FRENCH BULLDOG
44.*GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG
45.*GOLDEN RETRIEVER
46.*GREENLAND HUSKY
47.*GREAT DANE
48.*GREAT PYRANEES
49.*ITALIAN MASTIFF
50.*KANGAL DOG
51.*KEESHOND
52.*KOMONDOR
53.*KOTEZEBUE HUSKY
54.*KUVAZ
55.*LABRADOR RETRIEVER
56.*LEONBERGER
57.*MASTIFF
58.*NEOPOLITAN MASTIFF
59.*NEWFOUNDLAND
60.*OTTERHOUND
61.*PRESA DE CANARIO
62.*PRESA DE MALLORQUIN
63.*PUG
64.*ROTTWEILER
65.*SAARLOOS WOLFHOND
66.*SAINT BERNARD
67.*SAMOYED
68.*SCOTTISH DEERHOUND
69.*SIBERIAN HUSKY
70.*SPANISH MASTIFF
71.*STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER
72.*TIMBER SHEPHERD
73.*TOSA INU
74.*TUNDRA SHEPHERD
75.*WOLF SPITZ*

[halcyon]

Thanks turbojenn! I actually read the book as well, and that aspect has been helpful...my trainer says something similar, that dogs pick up a lot of anxiety "through the leash" and how you handle it.

I tested it out the other day when we were strolling through my neighborhood and encountered a couple of coyotes (!!)...they watched us warily, and I wasn't afraid of them, so I tried my best to act like there was nothing to be concerned about (while still moving us along and away from them), and she looked at them, gave one halfhearted bark and trotted along with me. Impressive!

[mornington]

I'd go with jenn. If it's cracking and he'll let you, you could rub some vaseline into his nose (although be careful not to get it up his nose too!). He'll lick most of it off, but vaseline isn't going to do anything to him, and it's a little more durable than moisturiser. I'd look at the rest of his skin too? Is he going swimming, or getting a lot of baths?

yay lot! good to know it's all alright.

[turbojenn]

Is he dehydrated? That would be my first guess, especially in the hot days of summer. I'm not sure I'd put anything on his nose...he's just going to lick it off. How's his skin - is he getting more dandruff than normal?

[sillygrrl13]

My bulldog's nose has been looking dry & rough for a week or so. It started across the top & now is a bit further down. Why is this happening & what can I put on it?

[turbojenn]

halcyon - I just finished reading Cesar Milan's book, "cesar's way," and I think it could really help you. The main idea is that you are the calm, assertive leader, and you exude calm leadership for your dog. Turbo had a growling issue with other dogs after he was attacked, and it was an anxiety issue. Rather than avoiding people and other dogs, we continued to our normal routine, and when we approached other dogs, I just calmy stopped Turbo, held him firmly, and allowed the other dog to approach and sniff, and turbo would relax. Turbo's an older dog, so I don't know if this will exactly work with your pup, just keep working with her, take some training classes, and start setting up the groundwork for how you want her to behave. Good luck, and don't forget to enjoy your pup, and be the alpha!!

[halcyon]

Hi fellow puppy people! I'm slightly at a loss with my new four-month-old puppy (whippet/?? mix?). Lily was abandoned in the desert with her brothers and sister when they were little tiny things, and in the month I've had her, she's adjusted to civilization pretty well (eta: is usually a friendly, smart little girl). Except...she barks madly at dogs, at people in the dark, at life-size cow sculptures...the dog one is what I'm not really sure how to deal with at the time.

I really don't think she would hurt them, and I know it means she needs more socialization, but does anyone have any advice on how to socially handle the situation? it seems like most of the time people are understanding, especially when I explain, but sometimes (particularly with children) people seem really offended or scared. What's a good way to handle this without looking like a pushover or a jerk?

[lot49]

Thanks for asking, mornington. The vet said that he couldn't see anything -- no sign of infection or mites, and no bad smell. But after we talked about it, I'm pretty sure the brown stuff probably was some secretion from a yeast infection and not blood. So we got some cleanser, which he absolutely hates. We also got him a heartworm test and started on heartworm meds (there's almost no heartworm in our area, but we're hitting the road for a x-country trip soon). Otherwise, he's all happy and healthy.

ps, I never knew that about scab color!

[mornington]

thanks jenn! greytalk looks really interesting too. I'll probably have more questions later - I won't be getting him or her until at least september (I have exams, not much time, etc etc).

how did it go, lot?

[turbojenn]

awwww.....I'm so excited for your mornington!! My favorite book is "Adopting the Racing Greyhound" by Cynthia Branigan - that's really the defining text....Greyhounds for Dummies is a decent one too.

greytalk.com is a great online forum for issues and advice too....but beware, righteous right wingers abound there, so watch out. But when you have a sudden issue with your hound, they're a very caring and helpful group...just stick to the doggie discussions. You'll see a disproportionate number of threads about medical issues, but just keep in mind that people post much more often when there's a problem than when their dog is slobbering on the floor in the cutest way!

If you have any specific questions about bringing a hound home, just let me know...I can babble for hours..

[ginger_kitty]

Awe, mornington. Greyhounds are such sweet, gentle dogs. I prefer rescue dogs as well. Two of our dogs are rescues.

Good luck at the vet tommorrow, lot.

[mornington]

a paler scab indicates an artery - the blood is faster-flowing and therefore fewer red blood cells are trapped in the clot. A darker scab indicates a vein because more rbc's are trapped.
/geek

I'm thinking of getting a few books off amazon - any ideas? (jenn, any fantastic advice - I remember asking you ages ago, but it got eaten)

[lot49]

Aw, greyhounds are such great dogs. Congrats in advance, mornington!

And how does the color of the scab change when it's a vein or an artery? Inquiring minds want to know.

There is no blood or any indication of irritation in Otis's ears this morning, so we're just going to wait until his appt. tomorrow.