Champion of My Heart: Recent Comments

Comment on TMI - How Much This is Costing Me

Holly — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:21:35 GMT

I sometimes wonder if I would be a millionaire if it weren't for my dogs!

Comment on Where's Willy Wonka When You Need Him?

Rox — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 06:55:20 GMT

Thanks for visiting. I look forward to your input.

Comment on To Spray or Not to Spray

Holly — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 06:37:14 GMT

I would be hesitant to use a stick or baton because its negative association might lead to other objects. If a dog approaches and you wave your stick or baton, then go home and pick up the broom to sweep the kitchen, the object might carry the same reaction. There's really a multitude of possibilities...
It's really a challenge to compose yourself in those circumstances. My adrenaline spikes and I have to remind myself to take regular breaths, keep my voice calm (or don't talk at all), etc. which is A LOT easier said than done. I found that using a gentle leader helps guide Jill better than a harness or collar.

Comment on Where's Willy Wonka When You Need Him?

Katie — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:15:12 GMT

Oh I always love the way people act like food is somehow cheating. I took my dog-aggressive spazdog pit bull bitch to a "pittie party" last fall. She has some Impulse Control Problems, so I took a bait bag full of wonderous yummies so we could work on being calm and focusing on me despite the excitement. I had several people make comments about how my dog had me trained to give her food. *eyeroll*

Yes. Rewarding your dog is cheating. Counter-conditioning must be double cheating. That's giving your dog food for free! Oh Em Gee!

I got here from your comment on Dolittler and have very much enjoyed poking around. I'll definitely be back.

Comment on To Spray or Not to Spray

Elayne — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:33:53 GMT

How about a hands free leash/waist belt? I've got one that's elastic with a pack attached for treats & poop bags. Works great, esp. when I have 2 or 3 dogs at once.

I think using a loud tone with the other dog is good, the trick is to make sure it's loud & confident, not loud and fearful.

I'm hesitant to offer too many suggestions though since you're already working with a behaviorist on a specific treatment plan. Maybe it would be better to just spray the other dog and be done with it if your other reactions to the other dog might make Lilly more anxious. I read some reviews of the spray and people were saying they only got 15-20 seconds or so of spray per cannister so that's why I've been saving mine for extreme situations.

Another thought might be a collapsible baton. They're popular with cyclists who have regular run-ins w/ dogs.

Comment on To Spray or Not to Spray

Rox — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:31:06 GMT

My issue with having something in my hand (like a walking stick) is that I often need both hands to manage Lilly, deliver treats, etc. I'm just not that coordinated to manage much more than a leash and some food. Plus, it's one thing to clip the spray in my belt. It's another to feel like I'm headed out each day armed for battle. Maybe rather than throwing the food in the ground, I should have aimed for his head.

Yes, my reactions are an issue. I try really hard to keep my voice even and all that, but it's hard since I'm usually saying No, Stop, Go Home, which are not things I say to Lilly. I'm sure my tone doesn't help, since I'm sure I speak louder than usual. I do use every body language trick I know to get the dog to back off, but some dogs have not a clue.

I work really hard to keep Lilly behind me or at least to keep my body between her and the other dog, but if they get too close, she's got a lunge with some rocket speed behind it.

I never have sprayed the can. Maybe I should to make sure it works and to see how loud it is.

Comment on Lilly's New Meds (clomipramine) Arrive

Rox — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:23:43 GMT

That is interesting. Thanks for pointing it out.

Comment on Lilly's New Meds (clomipramine) Arrive

Cedarfield — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:04:55 GMT

It's interesting how your experiences with Lilly sometimes intersect the entries on the doolittler blog:

http://www.dolittler.com/index.cfm/2008/7/22/dog.cat.veterinary.veterinarian.behavior.medicine

Comment on To Spray or Not to Spray

Elayne — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:12:11 GMT

I also carry citronella spray (when I remember) and so far haven't had cause to use it but my dogs don't have the same level of anxiety that Lilly has. If I was you I'd think about trying to repell the dog in the way that will impact Lilly the least. Can you walk with a large hiking stick and shoo the dog away with that? I'm not above throwing rocks either. I seldom hit the dog because my aim is terrible but sometimes the dog will run off to chase the rock.

It's important not to act nervous and let Lilly think you're afraid of the other dog, that just adds to the problem. Often if I step up and deal with the other dog my dogs will step back and let me take care of it but you have to be firm & confident about it. I would use the spray if all other methods failed with a friendly dog mostly because the spray is expensive and I wouldn't want to waste it if something else will work plus there's the chance of it getting in Lilly's face if the wind is blowing the wrong way. It's also possible that the noise of the spray could freak her out. Have you tried spraying to see how she reacts to the noise? However if a nasty dog were charging at me I wouldn't think twice, even if the owner was there, you're between a rock and a hard place in that situation.

Comment on To Spray or Not to Spray

Rox — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:23:55 GMT

Yes, the spray is sold to deter dogs, so I'd assume it's "safe."

Lilly tends to be MORE reactive if I'm bending down or holding her (like in my lap), so even though I can pick her up (she only weighs about 35 pounds), that would likely make things worse.

I know that others have talked to them about the Newphie, but I have not b/c they used to rent the house next to us, but now they live about a mile up the mountain. When they were next door, they blamed ME for their lab jumping the fence into my yard with something like, "she comes over here because she gets attention here." I would just keep her safe until they got home and never got a single thanks.

Once when I was trying to lift the lab back over the fence to the man, he just grabbed her by the collar and yanked her over, rather than taking her out of my arms. Add all that up, and it tells me all I need to know about these people. Honestly, I'm not sure why they even have dogs.

FWIW, that lab and the other 2 dogs they had 12-18 months ago are gone, and now there's this big black boy, who like the others seeks his adventures elsewhere because the new place has no fence at all, I believe.