Archives 2022

one of the most challenging decisions a pet dog owner could face is whether or not to euthanize an aggressive dog.

I’m talking about killing a pet dog in buy to stop harm to others – pets, children, elderly parents, a spouse, neighbors, strangers.

I have long believed no pet dog of mine will ever come before the safety of any person, but of course unless I’m faced with such a decision I can’t be sure what I would do.

And that’s the thing.

How can I possibly judge someone else for making a decision I know so little about?

I re-shared an old post of mine recently where I’d written about language and how we must be careful with phrases such as:

“Blame the one on the other end of the leash.”

Or, “There are no bad dogs, just bad owners.”

Sometimes these statements may be true. a lot more often, they’re not. You can read the full post here.

My foster dog, Barkley

I fostered a small pet dog with severe aggression issues awhile back.

He was turned into the rescue because his owner could not manage Barkley’s outbursts. He had been going after another family member. read about Barkley here.

In my house, this 15-pound pet dog would get upset and lunge for my throat. He would launch himself towards my face.

After these “episodes” he would pant and tremble, often urinate, seemingly terrified and confused about what had happened.

He was a nice, little pet dog 99 percent of the time, but the other 1 percent was something damaged and frightening, even in a small package.

I often regret my decision of not encouraging euthanasia for that dog. had he been larger, there would’ve been no question, but I think the rescue and I did make a mistake.

Of course, these situations are judgement calls and we can only do the best we can.

Rescue groups and foster homes are not always right. Neither are pet dog owners, trainers or vets. See the essay, “The wrong Dog.”

Is it wrong to kill a pet dog humans have ‘failed’ on?

On Facebook, someone left multiple comments on my post. She said it’s wrong to kill a pet dog for aggression because humans have “failed” that dog.

This is her belief; it’s not mine.

Yes, people do “fail” on dogs all the time.

Usually this does not result in aggression. often it does.

For me, once a pet dog seriously injures someone, the question is no longer just about what is causing the aggression.

The questions become:

Can my dog live safely in society?

Who can safely care for my dog if I have to travel?

Will my dog harm another person?

Is there hope for improvement?

How is this affecting my dog’s quality of life?

How is this affecting MY quality of life?

Is my pet dog getting worse?

Yes, people make mistakes. We fail to recognize the early alerting signs. Often, we’re simply in denial about the animals we love so much.

It’s never simple.

Sometimes the aggression is caused by a physical issue, a mental illness, pain, confusion, trauma as a puppy, an unexplainable instinct.

It’s true, there are no “bad” dogs but dogs are capable of exceptionally damaging behavior.

Dogs can do bad things.

When we neglect that, we do a disservice to all dogs and the people who love them.

I want to share this quote from an anonymous commenter on my blog post who goes by the name “A.”

“I made a decision it was time … for her to have a peaceful, dignified passing and for us to no longer live in concern of her. I love her …”

All I wish for people and dogs is peace.

Have any of you ever found yourself judging another pet dog owner’s decision about an aggressive dog?

Further reading:

When to euthanize an aggressive pet dog – ThatMutt.com

New York Times essay “The wrong Dog” – summary on ThatMutt.com

Sign up to receive training ideas & a lot more in my weekly newsletter:

pet dog walking or pet dog running is as much a chore for me as it is any individual else. I’m often worn out or it’s cold or snowing or whatever. and walking is often boring.

But guess what? If I’m bored, my pet dog just might find me a bit boring.

Here’s an example of the walk Ace and I took Sunday night that was far from boring. We incorporated exercise, training and play:

1. started out through the front door as usual.

2. Went left instead of ideal (We always go right).

3. walked down a busier street, through a different parking lot and approached the park from a new angle.

4. put Ace in a sit, unclipped his leash and sent him to pick up a plastic bottle using the command “Get it!”

5. serviced heeling off leash around the park while Ace carried his prize.

6. serviced teaching Ace “hold” and “give,” possibly for use during future pheasant hunting.

7. Doggie shower room break.

8. put Ace in a sit and walked 20 yards or so to the Dumpster and back.

9. released Ace, sent him to get the bottle again.

10. serviced sit-stays with a lot of distance (20 to 30 yards), dropping the bottle between us, doing a combined “Get it!” with a recall.

11. walked to playground.

12. practiced some calm “agility” by sending Ace over the swings, up the ladders and down the slides.

13. put Ace in a heel-sit and then sent him after the bottle 20 yards out or so.

14. examined “hold” and “give.”

15. practiced a lot more off-leash heeling all the way home while Ace carried his bottle.

16. had Ace “drop” the bottle into our recycling bin. What a good citizen!

17. put Ace in a sit at the door and then released him. good boy!

Total walk time was about 30 minutes. Ace came home tired, and I felt like the coolest owner/trainer ever with the best pet dog in the world. Beats the normal walk. He even got to do some retrieving, and I didn’t throw a single object. He did not slip into an obsessive state of mind once.

Post an example of a fun walk with your pet dog below. Ace and I will give it a try!

I’m impressed that my high-energy, quickly distracted weimaraner is truly great at the “stay” command. Well, at least by my “Remy” standards. He has an intense drive for work, so when he’s been provided the right type of difficulty he becomes incredibly focused.

Today I want to focus a bit more on the “place” command. It’s essentially the exact same as “stay” however it’s a method to tell your dog to “stay on this exact, specific thing.” With advanced training, you can even send your dog to that “place” from a distance.

That “thing” might be a dog bed, a rug, a blanket or whatever. most people like to select something that’s quickly transportable like a towel or a mat. In our case, a great example is our portable dog cot from Carlson Pet Products, the sponsor of this post.

Carlson portable dog Cot for mentor your dog “place”

Why should you teach the “place” command?

The “place” command is handy for when you requirement your dog to stay in one spot. For example, when you have guests at the door, you might tell your dog “place” as well as he would understand to go to his bed or mat. Or perhaps you’re just focused on something as well as you requirement your dog to leave you alone for 5 minutes.

One of the benefits of mentor “place” in addition to the more general “stay” command is you can take your dog’s bed or mat with you when you’re traveling. having that physical product assists your dog stay calm in different areas since that “place” is already part of his training routine/habit. Of course, it takes great deals of method as well as reinforcement over time.

The finest example I have that is similar is when I state “kennel” my dog instantaneously drops what he’s doing as well as makes a beeline for his kennel without thinking! He’s like a looney tunes character “spinning his tires” so quick he’s virtually running in location on our difficult floors.

He understands he’ll get fed in his kennel or he’ll get a bully stick or at the extremely least a treat. So he goes there when asked. Every. Single. Time. No concerns asked. It’s by far his most trustworthy command, as well as as I compose this I’m realizing exactly how helpful it would be to get to this level with his “place” command as well.

In this post, I wished to show you a couple examples of exactly how the “place” command can are available in handy during your outside adventures with your dog. For more info, see my publish on exactly how to teach your dog the location command.

And right here is a short (1 min) video we made on mentor this command:

Using the “place” command during household picnics

When everybody is enjoying their food as well as you don’t want your dog right there prepared to snatch potato salad off Grandma’s plate, you can tell your dog “place.”

We brought our dogs to a household reunion last summer, which included a great deal of household meals outdoors. I had to tether Remy to a fence so he wouldn’t bother anyone as well as he ended up barking as well as making a scene.

Teaching your dog “place” is much easier since when you reach that level of training the “place” is almost like a reward on its own. When your dog is trained to go to his “place” he understands to expect a treat.

Even if you still have to put a leash on your dog or tether him, having that “place” will assist him comprehend he is expected to wait in one spot. If you’ve worked on “place” lots as well as lots of times, it should ultimately ended up being a positive experience for your dog where he anticipates a reward.

Using the “place” command during camping

Although camping is really a ton of work, I always keep in mind the relaxing moments the most. sitting around the campfire, sticking my feet in the creek, reading in a hammock.

Therefore, having a “place” for my hyped-up weimaraner to just chill assists ME relax. I get more pleasure out of camping with my bit gray maniac.

More importantly, sometimes you just requirement to keep your dog out of the method while you’re setting up your tent, making food or building a fire.

The Carlson pet cot is remarkable when you don’t have to hike far to your campsite. It’s a excellent choice for providing your dog a “place” while you do what you requirement to do.

Last summertime we camped in an area understood to have rattlesnakes. When we very first shown up at the site, we didn’t want Remy running around like a free-for-all right startling any type of snakes. as well as yes, we did see a rattler immediately!

We needed to keep Remy still as well as in one area while we got our site situated. We didn’t have our Carlson cot along for that trip, however this would’ve been a perfect situation where we could’ve utilized it to show Remy where we needed him to be.

Plus, the Carlson portable dog Cot is nice for camping in general since it keeps your dog off the chilly ground for sleeping. You might location your dog’s bed or sleeping bag on top of the cot if you wanted.

The “place” command assists me get photos!

I like having a “place” for my dog to assist him stay still for photos.

Teaching a trustworthy “stay” command in general is important, however mentor your dog “place” as in “stay on this specific thing” is likewise helpful. like I showed my “kennel” example, the “place” itself can almost ended up being like a reward for your dog if you strengthen it enough.

So, utilizing a portable cot for your “place” command can be practical for getting outside pictures of your dog. For my hyper dog, having a “place” truly assists him stay still as well as focused while I obsessively take Instagram photos… since he understands the treats will be coming!

More about the Carlson Pet products portable dog Cots

We have a big portable dog cot from Carlson Pet products that is 48” L x 26” W x 9” H. It is sturdy however lightweight as well as folds up into a fraction of its size. The cot reminds me of a portable camping chair, only shorter. It takes 1 second to set up as well as includes its own bring bag for travel.

ORDER A portable dog COT HERE

The cots are available in green, red, gray or tan as well as they are available in 2 sizes. The little size is 26”L x 26” W x 9” H.

Please share this publish if it will assist somebody you know!

-Lindsay

AddThis Sharing ButtonsShare to FacebookFacebookFacebookShare to TwitterTwitterTwitterShare to PinterestPinterestPinterestShare to MoreAddThisMore20

I’m sure everybuddy understands by now that the 4th of July is just a few days away. If you didn’t know, you may requirement to invest in a calendar. as well as you understand what that means, right? Fireworks! If you are as well afraid to enjoy the festivities, you may be excused.  however if you want to strap on your Thundershirt as well as watch, I will show you whatever you requirement to know.  Oh by the way, using a elegant sparkler hat like mine is optional.

First I would like to demonstrate the appropriate fireworks-viewing posture. just crane your head as far back as it will go. See? It’s easy! It is customary to state “Oooooh!” as well as “AAaaahhhh!” when you enjoy the display.

It is possible that your view will be blocked. Please try to be polite. just kindly ask them to step out of your way.  Do not state “HEY, down in front!” right here is an example you may follow:

If that doesn’t work, you can try providing the difficult Look. If you still cannot see, you need to resort to using  your claws.

Remember you need to be thoughtful of others, too. I was anxious that my huge ears or my sparkler hat may block  somebody else’s view. To fix this dilemma, I just tucked my ears inside my cap as well as hunkered down a bit.

Finally, keep in mind that fireworks can be bright. If you don’t want to wear your sun glasses at night, you can spread your toes as well as utilize your paw as a shield.

I hope you all have a safe, sane as well as polite self-reliance Day holiday!

ideas for Cats

The story of how I embraced my very first pet dog subjects a common flaw in the U.S. shelter/rescue system – a lack of communication.

To get a lot more dogs adopted, one of the most crucial aspects is to swiftly as well as politely respond to adopters’ questions. as well often, those concerns are ignored.

So here’s my story:

I embraced my pet dog Ace in 2007.

I was available to the breed of pet dog I would get, however I understood I wished to embrace a pet dog vs. go to a breeder. It was crucial to me to assist a pet dog in need.

At that time, I had no concept that some shelters will turn down adopters who don’t have a fenced yard. I likewise didn’t understand working full time is sometimes a red flag.

Still, the process of trying to embrace a pet dog was not a unfavorable experience for me. I keep in mind believing the whole process seemed odd, however I provided the adoption organizations the benefit of the doubt.

I was your typical 20-something who worked full time, rented an apartment, had grown up with dogs as well as was lastly prepared to adopt.

I didn’t have an “in” with any type of of the adoption groups like I do today. I was not a volunteer, as well as I was not included in the regional pet dog neighborhood yet since I didn’t have a dog.

Looking for the ideal dog

I was extremely accountable about selecting the ideal dog. I understood precisely what I might as well as might not handle.

I didn’t care about breed, size or gender, however my future pet dog had to be feline friendly, potty trained, kennel trained, quiet, low to medium energy as well as still able to go running.

In buy to discover the ideal pet dog for my lifestyle, I started out by checking out the dogs at my regional humane society (after I had stalked them on the internet for months). This was a little shelter that might hold as much as about 15 dogs.

The worker there enabled me to take a couple of the dogs out of their cages as well as into an outside play area. This was nice, nevertheless she seemed hectic as well as irritated that I was asking questions, as well as she did not understand if the dogs were potty trained or feline friendly.

I was particularly thinking about two six-month-old black lab mixes as well as was told they were most likely not potty trained.

I then asked about a peaceful husky mix however was told huskies can’t go to houses with cats.

OK, no huge deal.

I made a decision none of the dogs at that shelter were a great match. This didn’t bother me, since I understood there were actually countless others out there.

Waiting to hear back

So the next thing I did was phone call a regional rescue group, which seemed to be the only rescue in my area at that time.

Since the rescue did not have an actual shelter (the dogs were in foster homes), I couldn’t go to a facility to satisfy them. I called the number on the web site since there was no email address listed.

I never got a phone call back.

OK. moving on.

Next, I emailed a couple of humane societies from close-by towns. By “nearby,” I indicate one was 100 miles away as well as the other was 200 miles away, however it wouldn’t be a huge offer to drive out to them for the ideal dog. I resided in North Dakota.

The very first shelter never responded.

Thanks to gmail’s archives, I am able to look up the message I sent back in 2007.

In it, I innocently describe that I online 200 miles away as well as would like to get some info about the dogs before making the drive. I told them I resided in an apartment or condo as well as had a cat. I likewise stated I organized to take the pet dog running for an hour every day.

No response.

OK. Onto the next.

This humane society did email me back, as well as when I asked about a specific husky mix, they really provided me the phone number to the dog’s previous owner as well as told me to speak to her if I desired information.

I was uneasy calling this person, however considering that the shelter motivated me to do so, I did. I wished to get as much information about the pet dog before driving 100 miles to the shelter.

I will never fail to remember that heartbreaking experience of this dog’s former owner – a total complete stranger to me – crying on the phone about exactly how her landlord only enabled two dogs as well as she had been required to select which of her three to provide up.

“If you might please discover it in your heart to embrace Hallie …” she said, crying.

The next day, I got a nasty email from the shelter director asking exactly how attempt I phone call the dog’s previous owner?

This shocked me, obviously, however I still didn’t hold it against anyone. I just figured it was a miscommunication, as well as I really even apologized.

Since “Hallie” did not noise like a great in shape for me, I asked the shelter if they might please email me if they occurred to find across a pet dog that may be a much better fit.

Again, I never heard anything back.

And I still did not location judgment on any type of of these groups! This goes to show that adopters are normally quite forgiving as well as understanding, however come on!

How I lastly discovered my dog

The last thing I did was go back to the regional rescue group’s site (the one that never called me back). I browsed with its dogs again. This time, they had what was called a “curtesy” listing.

A black lab mix named Junior was provided as a “curtesy” which indicated his present owner still had him however was trying to re-home him. The rescue was enabling her to promote the pet dog on its site, as well as her personal phone number was provided as a contact.

“Junior’s” description stated he was feline friendly, pet dog friendly, extremely mellow, potty trained, kennel trained, 1 year old as well as neutered.

Perfect!

I really was not as well thinking about a “boring” black lab mix, however whatever. He sounded like a great match.

Thank God I made that phone call since I ended up with the world’s finest dog.

“Junior’s” owner at the time responded to all of my concerns patiently as well as in excellent detail. She was the very first person to truly do so.

I keep in mind I asked if “Junior” would like to go running, as well as she said, “He would like that!”

I asked about everything, whether he was peaceful in his kennel, exactly how he was with other dogs, exactly how much energy he had.

When I jokingly stated all Labs are high energy (just to test her response), she told me, “No, he’s not like that at all.”

So, about two weeks later I made the 60-mile drive to the little farming town of Ada, Minn., as well as satisfied my future dog, now understood as Ace.

A failure to communicate

Looking back, I now recognize all those adoption groups missed the mark.

I did discover the best dog, however my “perfect” pet dog occurred to be from the only person who took the time to response my questions.

Had any type of of the adoption organizations taken the exact same amount of time to assist me, I assurance you I would’ve found my “perfect” pet dog from them as I was plenty excited to get a dog.

I don’t understand what the issue was. perhaps they didn’t like that I resided in an apartment. perhaps all the volunteers were as well hectic to get back to me. perhaps I needed to be a lot more patient, to phone call five or six times instead of one or two.

In my case, it worked out fine as well as I was still able to assist a pet dog in need. however exactly how lots of others would end up going to a breeder, a classified ad or the regional pet shop?

I believe a lot of people genuinely want to embrace a dog, however it needs to be much easier for them to do so.

What do you people think?

If you embraced your dog, did you have a positive experience getting with the adoption process?

My 11-year-old black lab mix Ace recently started taking a top notch hip & joint supplement for dogs from Mavericks Ranch.

Ace has had weak and rigid back legs for many years, and he also takes an anti-inflammatory every day.

I truly hope the Mavericks Ranch hip & joint supplement provides my dog some additional relief. I understand glucosamine is not a “miracle” but even a little enhancement would be wonderful.

This publish is sponsored by Mavericks Ranch, a business that makes all-natural health and wellness supplements for dogs.

Use code WQO2VC9E for 30% OFF a bottle of Mavericks Hip and Joint Booster on Amazon. CLICK HERE.

Mavericks Ranch review

My thoughts on the Hip & Joint Booster from Mavericks Ranch:

I truly such as this business and hope to see some enhancements in my senior dog’s mobility.

He’s been taking the hip & joint supplement for about 13 days, so it’s as well soon to tell and of program every dog’s condition is a bit different. My dog is 11 and has had noticeable stiffness for at least 6 years so there’s only so much we can expect at this point.

Each tablet of the Hip & Joint Booster contains:

800mg glucosamine

400mg chondroitin

400mg MSM

I’m providing my dog a “loading” dose for 4 to 6 weeks and then I’ll provide him the maintenance level after that.

Some of the prospective benefits to the Mavericks Ranch Hip & Joint Booster include restoring your dog’s joint health, reducing pain and increasing mobility and flexibility, according to the company. It also contains necessary vitamins and minerals to assist with bone stamina and cartilage and connective tissue formation.

What is the expense of the Hip & Joint Booster?

Mavericks Ranch Hip & Joint Booster is on sale for $29.99 per bottle on Amazon. Each bottle contains 120 tablets.

Take another 30% off utilizing code WQO2VC9E CLICK HERE.

A bottle will last my 68-pound dog 2 months during the “loading phase” and 4 months when he starts the maintenance dose.

What’s unique about Mavericks Ranch?

Each tablet has a higher dose of glucosamine (800mg), chondroitin (400mg) and MSM (400mg) compared to the majority of joint supplement brands for dogs.

The supplement is made with all natural components in the United States. It’s also grain free and includes a money back guarantee.

Pros of Mavericks Ranch Hip & Joint Booster:

– 120 tablets per bottle

– Made in the USA

– 800mg glucosamine per tablet (shellfish sourced)

– 400mg chondroitin per tablet

– 400mg MSM per tablet

– Beef flavor my dog likes & chewable

– 100% satisfaction guaranteed or your money back

– Each bottle will last 1 to 4 months, depending upon your dog’s size

– on sale now on Amazon! utilize code WQO2VC9E for an additional 30% off

– Grain free

Cons:

Mavericks Ranch states it has a higher amount of glucosamine per tablet (up to 8X the amount of other brands). This is obviously a great thing in general, but more is not always better.

I suggest a brief talk with your vet as I did in advance to make sure your dog gets the right dose of glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM.

I would suggest Mavericks Ranch for …

The Mavericks Ranch Hip & Joint Booster is a great choice for any dog in requirement of a glucosamine supplement. It is a great brand that I trust.

Ingredients in the hip & joint product include: glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, MSM, vitamin C, manganese, grape seed extract, L-Glutathione, vitamin E, liver granular, stearic acid, wonderful dairy whey, vegetable magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide and beef liver flavor.

 

Ask your vet if your dog would benefit from glucosamine, but I suggest it for middle aged and older dogs of all breeds. I also suggest it for younger dogs if they are medium to big or extremely active like my weimaraner Remy.

Smaller dogs may also benefit from glucosamine. If you’re not sure, it’s always a excellent concept to bring it up with your pup’s vet or breeder. My senior cat even started taking a glucosamine supplement suggested by our vet to assist keep his bladder healthy. I never understood there were so many benefits to glucosamine!

Ordering information: Amazon & Mavericks Ranch

Mavericks Ranch is offering That Mutt visitors a special 30% off code on Amazon so you can order a bottle of Hip & Joint Booster for your dogs at a excellent discount!

Use code: WQO2VC9E CLICK HERE

I hope you’ll take advantage of this offer and I’d like to hear your comments on exactly how it assists your dog.

The code is great for ordering on Amazon, but you can also discover more about Mavericks on its website MavericksRanch.com.

Does your dog struggle with sore joints or stiffness?

Let me understand in the comments if you’re thinking about this product or if you have any questions.

If I don’t have the answer I’ll make sure to ask the company.

Please share this publish and coupon code with anyone whose dog might benefit from glucosamine.

-Lindsay, Ace & Remy

Related post:

How to keep your senior dog psychologically active

a few of you may be wondering exactly how you can make a meaningful difference for the homeless dogs as well as cats in your area.

If you’re overwhelmed about where to even start, I suggest you take one hour on a Saturday or whatever day you have off as well as go to an adoption event or see an animal shelter.

That’s it.

Just get out as well as see what’s happening in your community.

Introduce yourself to one person. state you like animals. get to understand the group as well as what it’s doing as well as see if you associate to it or not.

Then, if you feel inclined, make a little donation – just $5 or $20. Or, take a photo of one of the family pets for adoption as well as share the photo on Facebook.

Below is Rocko, up for adoption with Labs & a lot more Rescue in San Diego. I took three hours on a Saturday to hang out with him at a recent adoption event.

Once you get out as well as see what a shelter or rescue group is doing, perhaps you’ll realize you’re able to go to an upcoming fundraising such as a silent auction.

You don’t have to compose a huge inspect or embrace a pet dog or a cat. You don’t have to foster.

Just seriously go out as well as make one connection.

Take one photo of one pet dog as well as publish it on Instagram. #adopt #Labmix #SanDiego #rescue

These are the little connections that make a difference.

These are the details that lead to bigger things.

For those of you included with shelters, what is one little thing people might do to help?

Note: checked out my July 2016 update on Ace here.

How’s that for a title?

My lab mix Ace has had a medical problem for the last 3.5 months.

It is a “puncture” type wound under his tail that just will not heal.

The wound in some cases drains a clear liquid as well as has a “drain tract” that leads all the way above the tail as well as into the best side of his lower back area.

The wound is near the anal gland area, however the gland is not affected.

We have tried lots of things.

We tried several rounds of different antibiotics over two months. We tried waiting. We tried surgery (more on that below).

Our vet does not understand why this wound & draining won’t go away.

It’s frustrating, expensive and – since of the area affected – it’s a little embarrassing and gross. (I’m not going to publish any type of pictures of the actual wound, however if any individual wants to see I will email a picture.) Above all, I’m concerned about my dog.

I have held back on sharing this info since for so long we have not had answers as well as still don’t.

The vet originally suspected a foxtail had somehow traveled up into Ace’s butt/back, as well as Ace had surgery Dec. 7 to remove it. The vet never discovered a foxtail however removed what he descried as a great deal of scar tissue equaling the size of a “small lemon” along this distinct “drain tract.”

We assumed whatever foxtail or “foreign body” was stuck in there would’ve likely been pulled out, hidden in all that scar tissue.

We thought that would be the end of it.

But now, right here we are five weeks later. My dog’s incision has healed nicely. He has recovered from the surgery. as well as yet, this “puncture” that went away briefly came back as well as won’t go away.

I’m sharing this info to let others understand they are not alone.

I question any individual is handling this precise issue, however I do know MANY dog owners are handling medical issues (often very costly ones) without answers.

This is frustrating, stressful as well as in some cases we need to make tough decisions.

I am thankful Ace’s problem does not seem to be life threatening (yet) that we understand of anyway, however he is quite exhausted all the time.

He enjoys attention, massage, cuddles, riding in the car and visiting fun places (like Petco or various parks) so that is what I try to do.

We walk about a half-mile per day slowly as well as he sniffs whatever so it takes us a great half-hour to go that distance as well as it truly tests my patience.

I don’t understand if his lower energy is related to him being an nearly 10-year-old pet dog (and always quite lazy anyway) vs. what might be related to this drain tract.

What we’re doing now

We are currently making decisions about whether to step ahead with an ultrasound or other type of imaging to discover out if there is still something stuck in there or if there is maybe a strange-acting tumor or a lesion of some sort.

We are likewise hoping it will just randomly go away.

For now, we are taking the next two weeks to just re-group, as well as to wait as well as see if anything changes. in some cases we think Ace is looking better. in some cases it’s difficult to tell.

Because my pet dog has likewise had so lots of symptoms of allergies over the last six months – continuous hot spots, continuous itchy eyes as well as skin, ear infections – we just want to take a step back as well as make some adjustments to his environment. We’ve gotten him a new bed as well as changed his food.

Maybe this issue will lastly just go away, although our vet doesn’t think so.

Costly vet care

I’m thankful we’ve been able to “afford” the treatments so far by mainly care Credit. We do not have pet insurance coverage as well as there are limits on what I can realistically spend. I will go into some amount of financial obligation for my dog, however there are limits.

If I knew $5,000 would save or repair my dog, I’d most likely spend it. however it becomes very tough over time to keep spending $700 here, $500 there without making any type of genuine development or getting any answers. It’s harder to spend the money when I don’t understand if it will even help.

I’ve been lucky my dog’s problem is not necessarily “urgent” or life threatening so we’ve been able to take our time with our decisions. however truly we don’t truly understand what’s going on.

For now, Ace is OK. I’m thankful for that. There are much worse things we might be going through.

In reality, my pet dog is nearing the end of his life, however I’m hoping we have a couple a lot more years together.

We will appreciate every minute.

Hug your dogs as well as cats.

-Lindsay & Ace

Are any type of of you handling any type of confusing medical issues with your dogs?

Feel complimentary to share or vent in the comments.

AddThis Sharing ButtonsShare to FacebookFacebookFacebookShare to TwitterTwitterTwitterShare to PinterestPinterestPinterestShare to MoreAddThisMore2

Pppffffftttt! I know, that is exactly how lots of people feel about Mondays. as well as when our people are not happy, we cats are not delighted either.

If Mondays have you feeling like Grumpy Cat, then it’s time to take action. right here are my suggestions to turn your frown upside-down as well as make Monday your delighted day! Ask your mommy or daddy to do these things (and I’ll bet it will make them happier, too!):

Mo’ treats, mo’ better! Make Monday additional treat day.  For example, if you normally get four treats, on Mondays you must get at least five treats.

Extra grooming! After a weekend spent playing as well as having fun, you may be in requirement of some health club time. This is the best time to get your nails clipped as well as your coat FURminated so you can begin the week looking spiffy.

I likewise suggest a new toy every Monday. This will keep you hectic while your mommy or daddy is away at work. I suggest the crazy Circle Interactive feline Toy, on account of it’s fun to play with by yourself.

Finally, as well as a lot of importantly, a pinch of catnip can cheer up even the gloomiest of Mondays.

If you comply with my advice, I believe that instead of singing the Monday blues you will soon be meowing loudly with joy!

When fostering a dog isn’t so great

Jump ahead to:
hide

When fostering a dog isn’t so great

Fostering a dog does not always work out

Things to consider before you foster a dog

6 reasons to return a foster dog

1. The foster dog might damage your property.

2. The foster dog has severe separation anxiety.

3. The foster dog is aggressive to you or your dog.

4. You, your family members or your pets are constantly stressed.

5. You have no free time.

6. Your own pets are not adjusting well to the foster dog.

5 things to keep in mind if you return a foster dog

1. There are dozens of other ways to help rescue dogs.

2. You can always foster a different dog.

3. You can foster a dog in the future if now is not the right time.

4. You are not a failure for returning a foster dog.

5. The rescue group may not show much appreciation for your efforts.

You may have noticed I haven’t mentioned Morgan recently. That’s because after fostering him for two weeks, I made the difficult decision to stop fostering him.

This was no fault of Morgan’s. He had a difficult time adjusting to my lifestyle, and I had a difficult time adjusting to his.

One of the most rewarding things a dog lover can do is foster. To foster a dog means to provide that dog with a loving home temporarily until he gets adopted. This could take days, weeks, months or even years.

Dog rescues and shelters depend on foster homes because there is not enough shelter space to house so many homeless dogs. Plus, in a home setting it is easier to learn more about the dog and to begin teaching him how to live properly with a family.

Fostering a dog does not always work out

Those of us who foster dogs don’t like to talk about the dogs we have “failed” on. but if you ask most foster owners if they’ve ever returned a dog for any reason, most will say yes, especially if they foster dog after dog, year after year. They can’t all work out.

To return a foster dog means he will live at a shelter or boarding facility or hopefully another foster home until he gets adopted. It does not mean he will be euthanized, at least that’s not the case with the rescue I work with.

I have fostered seven dogs. I returned three of them within two weeks because of separation anxiety issues, meaning the dogs would panic when left alone.

My first foster dog broke out of her crate and started tearing apart my door before I got home from work. welcome to fostering! ?

Morgan was my most recent foster dog, and he also had problems being left alone. because I rent a townhome and have close neighbors, this was not a good situation.

Morgan is a very intelligent dog and will do just fine once he finds the right person to help him through his anxiety. I am not that person.

I have written past posts on should I foster a dog? and what to consider before fostering a dog. I hope you will check these out if you are interested in fostering.

Now that I have more experience with fostering, I want to touch on a more difficult subject – returning a foster dog that doesn’t work out.

Things to consider before you foster a dog

First of all, to make the fostering process run smoothly so you hopefully do not have to return the dog, take the time to find the right dog to foster. I can’t stress this enough.

Ask a lot of questions about each potential dog so you can find the right fit.

I always seem to get stuck with dogs that have separation problems. This will be avoided in the future when I make sure to ask the right people the right questions possibly several times. Some important questions to ask include:

Is the dog housebroken? Is the dog kennel trained? Does the dog have anxiety when left alone? Does the dog have any kind of aggression? how much exercise will this particular dog need? Is the dog spayed/neutered?

There is no perfect dog, and most rescue dogs are going to have an “issue” of some sort. What dog doesn’t? but if you know ahead of time what you need to work on with the dog, you can start planning a routine and adjusting your schedule.

Also keep in mind that sometimes the rescue simply will not know a lot about the dog, especially if he was recently pulled from the pound.

*Enjoying this article? get realistic dog training tips emailed once a week. Click Here

6 reasons to return a foster dog

The most important thing to remember is that it’s ok to return a foster dog if it is not working out. You do not have to put up with the dog no matter what, and there are always other dogs you can foster. 

If you have to ask yourself whether or not you should return your foster dog, you probably should return him.

Below are some reasons why someone might return a foster dog. all of these issues can be worked through over time, but it takes the right person. You know if you are the right person or not.

1. The foster dog might damage your property.

Most dog rescues are not going to compensate you for damaged property. They just don’t have the money. This is something to be aware of before you bring home a foster dog.

If the rescue is organized enough, it will probably have some sort of liability agreement form for you to sign saying you are responsible for all injuries and damage the dog causes.

The rescue I work with pays for the veterinary care and food for all the foster dogs, although I’m sure many foster owners volunteer to cover these costs on their own. 4 Luv of dog even paid for Morgan to go to training classes and dog daycare.

Still, after seven foster dogs, I’ve had my fair share of home damage.

My first foster dog damaged both my large crates. determined dogs can now bust out of them. She also ripped apart my bedroom doorway. A more recent foster dog chewed up a door knob.

I’ve thrown away several toys, blankets and towels that were completely shredded. There are stains on my carpets that may never come out. My automobile has taken a lot of abuse. I’ve spent a nice amount on carpet cleaners and paper towels.

Is it worth it? That’s up to you to decide. ?

2. The foster dog has severe separation anxiety.

A dog with true separation anxiety panics when left alone. He does more than bark and cry. A dog with severe separation anxiety damages property, breaks out of crates and even injures himself.

If your foster dog has separation anxiety, there are ways you can help him. It will take a lot of time and patience.

If you’re not sure if your foster dog has true anxiety or not, check out my post on dog separation anxiety for a list of symptoms and what to do about it.

3. The foster dog is aggressive to you or your dog.

You do not want to put yourself, your family or others in danger unless you are experienced with rehabilitating aggressive dogs or willing to learn – no easy task.

4. You, your family members or your pets are constantly stressed.

If you are constantly stressed, it will effect everyone in your house, including the foster dog.

A little stress is unavoidable when you foster, and of course there will be an adjustment period. but if you are worried day and night about what the foster dog is getting into, the dog may be more stress than he’s worth.

Are you getting enough sleep? Are you angry at the dog all the time? Too forceful with him? If so, the dog might be better off somewhere else.

5. You have no free time.

I’ve had foster dogs with such extreme anxiety that I literally could not even go to the grocery store for 10 minutes without coming back to a broken kennel and damaged doors. I was literally trapped in my own apartment. Not a good situation to be in.

6. Your own pets are not adjusting well to the foster dog.

I won’t put my own animals in danger. If I can’t trust the foster dog around my cats or around my dog, he has to go. fortunately this has never happened to me. all of my foster dogs have been good around other animals when supervised.

I have however had a foster dog that was so mentally unstable that just being around the dog made Ace uncomfortable.

If I raised my voice around the dog, Ace would crawl away and cower. If the dog got excited, Ace would growl, which is way out of character for my friendly, gentle dog. I’m learning to really trust Ace’s judgement because he will always be able to read other animals better than I can.

5 things to keep in mind if you return a foster dog

1. There are dozens of other ways to help rescue dogs.

Although I am not fostering Morgan, I check out him once a week at the boarding facility he currently lives at. I take him out to go running at a nearby park, and we work on obedience training.

I also take other rescue dogs running, and I take them to adoption events. I am constantly writing about the rescue dogs on this dog blog and also on my dog running site. There are hundreds of ways you can help homeless dogs without fostering.

2. You can always foster a different dog.

There are thousands of dogs that need foster homes. Not all of them have issues. find one that you can live with.

3. You can foster a dog in the future if now is not the right time.

Right now I have to be more selective about the dogs I foster, but I look forward to the time in my life where I’m able to take on more challenging dogs. perhaps this is the case for you as well.

4. You are not a failure for returning a foster dog.

Anyone who attempts to foster a dog has a big heart and deserves a substantial thank you. It means a lot to the dog. even if it didn’t work out, you tried. You made a difference.

5. The rescue group may notshow much appreciation for your efforts.

Remember that rescues are run by volunteers who are just as busy as you. If no one thanks you for your hard work, don’t take it personally.

I would like to see 4 Luv of dog Rescue get a better system in place for thanking its volunteers, especially new foster owners. maybe that’s a task I will tackle, as someone has to volunteer to do this as well!

Like I said, there is always something you can do to help a dog rescue. The possibilities are endless, just as the need for more help is endless.

Have you ever fostered a dog?

Have you ever returned that dog before it got adopted?

What are some ways you help homeless dogs?

*Enjoying this article? get realistic dog training tips emailed once a week. Click Here

Related posts:

When you regret getting a puppy
Returning a dog due to separation anxiety
Returning a rescue or shelter dog