Sissy, I read your post. You said it was cruel to crate your dog while you are at work. When would you crate, if you don't find crating in general to be cruel? Would you confine the dog for an hour? Two? At night while you sleep? Please share some of your vast knowledge with us.

Come to think of it, my vet seems to be of the old school set. He recommended declawing one of our cats, which we decided against after lots of research that told us just how bad it is for cats' mental health. Glad to know that this method isn't effective for future reference with new dogs. (now also glad that we're no longer with that vet!!)

I'd agree that your vet seems old school. One of the vets I had to work with was a great vet, but one day I got called into surg. to help with a declaw. I have a strong stomach, but this made me sick. And to make it worse I was on duty later that week when the cat came back in with severely infected paws. It's just a difference of where and when they went to school.

So how many breeding animals do they have? How many litters do they have at one time? I find it hard to imagine that they let all there dogs just run around with no confinement of some sort (i would imagibe they have pens at least which would be similar to crating). BTW, my roommate from undergrad had lived in Highland Park-I guess I am just not that impressed, his family was well off but not millionare status.

maybe they were living beyond their means. i am certain of the property values. other than that....I really don't see how you weren't impressed....kind of odd. maybe it wasn't really highland park.....or it was on the outskirts.\

they breed labs for hunting......and Cavalier King Charls Spaniels. They are all in separate areas. An no, they don't have cages....they have a monstrous mansion, and they converted a huge area of the downstairs into separate "puppy" rooms if you will.

Back on topic...
 

T*P-- it sounds like Violet's new crate is a little too large for her. I ran into this same issue with Riley. I ended up crate training her in her travel crate, rather than the large crate I'd bought for this same reason.

Hindsight is 20/20-- the best thing to have done initially would have been to purchase a crate that would suit her final adult size and partition it off so she had just enough room to settle down--- slowly giving her more room as she grew. But that's in the past!

Your new crate is too large for Violet-- as long as she has enough room, she will mess on one side and stay on the clean side.

Don't feed her in the crate--- crate time is nap time and play with her favorite toy time. If she eats in the crate, she's going to have to eliminate soon after. It's ok to treat her in the crate to get her used to being in it.

Section off part of the crate with a piece of wood or plastic. Violet should have just enough to room to circle and settle down. Gradually, you may be able to give her more and more room. You may be able to slowly condiiton her to treat the crate as a sacred "no pee" zone!

It's crate training all over again. It may feel slow and tedious, but this should solve your problem. Ask your vet-- let us know how it goes!

I hope this helps! PM me-- my cocker spaniel has tested my patience in the potty training department!!!

Pi Love,
ADPiUCF

I think your lifestyle definately should determine what kind of pet you get. For instance, I really wanted a dog. However, I'm at the hospital 12-14 hours a day ( a shift actually)-and I live 40 minutes from work, so it's not like I can just run home at lunch and let a dog out. My husband is gone for about 8-9 hours a day, and he's not that close to home either. I would never buy a dog, and make him sit inside in a crate for that amount of time-I'd feel too badly about it. ( Not saying crating is bad, I'm saying I would feel bad leaving an animal in a crate for that long).

So, we have 2 cats-they're fairly self sufficient, have run of the house, and have food and water sitting out for them when they need it.

I don't know that I'm not a better owner for pets than someone who is home all day-or a worse owner at that-I just realized what my limitations are, and what kind of animal fits into my life.

I want a puppy. I'm getting a Beagle puppy soon.

You know what? Why don't you shut your piehole.

-- We were overdue for a little more venom in this thread

I crate-trained my little Chihuahua, and then moved her from the crate to a gated kitchen when I was gone. Now, after 3 years, we have gotten used to each other's schedules and I am able to leave her out all day while I am at work. She knows that she goes outside as soon as I wake up, and as soon as I get home, and again before bed. She rarely has accidents anymore. And she also still has her own little "bed", so she feels comfortable.

She is also one of those dogs who LOVES her crate (I can't bring myself to call it a cage). She has a traveling crate now, and if I leave it out for her, she will just go hang out in there whenever she feels like having quiet time. She is wonderful.


And GW, just being from Highland Park does not automatically make someone a good or reputable breeder. :rolleyes:

Exactly! Plus, I can't believe that Highland Park would not put a limit on the number of pets you can have. They are probably in violation of the city code running a breeding facility out of their "mansion".

Sine they breed Cavalier King Charles do they have a cardiologist screen all their breeding stock and puppies? Also, are their labs OFA certified?

Most crating I deal with is for large breed dogs/puppies, I rarely have clients that crate their yorkies or chihuahuas. As a puppy the small breeds need to eat frequently so make sure if they are crated to include food and water in the crate so they can snack all day and avoid hypoglycemia.

I went to AVMA last year in Minnesota. The meeting was ok but not alot of useful info for EC vets. This year I will be attending the VECCS meeting in April which is a carribean cruise-this should be lots of fun.

One of the doctors I work with breeds Rhodesians. I don't particularly like breeding or breeders but she is a responsible one and her dogs are well manored, OFA registered and well cared for. Pm me if you would like more info.

Parvo is really bad out here too... Why is it so abundant? I cannot get a straight answer from my husband...

Also what are the SOP's when bird flu (H5N1 strain--I think) "flies over to America"?

The fact that anybody is breeding dogs is more offensive than crate training could ever be. There, I said it. Bring the wrath.

I am not going to say anything other than you are an idiot, and that might be the most moronic statement I have ever heard.

yes yes and yes to everything....our breeders for our Cavaliers are Mary Grace and Ted Eubank.....you can look them up if you would like......I am not giong to waste my time with you

Do we really need to be name-calling?

I really just want to talk about doggie day cares and potty issues!

:p

Oh darn, I should be only so lucky to spend time speaking to you:rolleyes: .

Parvo virus is a very hardy virus and can survive up to 1 year in the environment and is very contagious. While the vaccine is recommended, It is not 100% effective (no vaccine is but it seems when dogs are vaccinated against distemper or rabies they usually will not come down with these viruses but I don't always feel this way with parvo as have had some puppies become infected despite current vaccine status-this usually only applies to puppies, I rarely have adults come down with parvo).

As far as avian flu goes-I leave that up to the CDC vets and public health veterinarians. I don't typically treat chickens (or other birds, though had to treat a rooster last night b/c he had been tazered by the cops in east Austin b/c he attacked them).

Sorry, I had a bad night......where in Austin do you live? And do you take care of dogs at all?? I was being a jerk, so I feel hypocritical asking, but I am moving to Austin for Law School at UT and I am bringing my Black Lab and my Catahoula Leopard with me......both are 4 months old. I definitely need to find a Vet, and I don't know of any in Austin. I have an apartment already on 5th St. right down from the bars on 6th St. (good location, im psyched).

Thanks for any help...

no problem. I work at an emergency clinic so you proabbly don't want to see me unless you have to (we don't do routine care). I can PM you with recommended day clinics later but first I need to get some sleep as I just got off work and am tired.

nice....I just need to find a good vet for normal care.

The vet I go to is I BELIEVE called Northwest Hills Pet Clinic. They are in the Spicewood Springs/MOPAC area. I don't know about their records or their reputation with other vets, but they have taken very good care of my little dog when she got sick, they are very very nice, and my dog seems to like all of them very much.

I don't know what value all that has to you, but it's the only vet I know of in Austin and I like them. :)

Good news!

My baby has been checked out by the vet, and it didnt seem like there were any medical issues.

For the past couple of days I have been feeding her inside her new crate. I am keeping to her regular feeding schedule/amount, I just placed the food bowl inside her crate & leave the door open. When it is empty, I leave the bowl inside the crate.

This morning I put a bunch of her toys next to the bowl, and together this takes up a bunch of room. Violet stayed in her new house today and had NO ACCIDENTS!

I'm going to keep this up to see if this does the trick!

YAY!!!! Congrats!

TP,
I am glad there were no medical issues:)

Georgewallace I sent you a PM

Day #2... still no accidents!

I'm so excited!

Did Violet get Buffy's Valentine? He left a cute little message for her on Dogster.

Congratulations on Day #2, btw!

Ugh...so my dog is becoming incredibly unperfect! First off, a few days ago he chewed through all of my cable cords right? Then, Dad let him out of my room (which is where he stays during the day, and is usually great!) well, he then broke into my dad's bathroom, went into his room, ate 2/3 a bag of chocolate (including the foil) and chips ahoy (he's ok though, luckily)! Well, then to top it off, he crapped on the floor. So sure, I can let it go I guess, but I come home today, and I am just SHOCKED at what I've found! First off, he chewed through my cords AGAIN! THEN, and this is the kicker! He's broken my blinds, and on top of that, and I am completely seriously, he scratched the wall around the window to the point that it will have to be replastered around the edge-keep in mind i live in an apt! ! (I am SO not kidding). I just don't know what to do! I mean, nothing's changed really. Still giving him lots of attention, food, water, and he runs around alot, so I just don't know what the problem is! Anyways, this time is pretty much the last straw. We'll be getting him a crate this week, and if that doesn't work, I'm going to have to give him up I just CAN'T deal with it ya know?? I'm like..seriously bawling because I just can't handle this! I mean, shitting on the floor is one thing, but ruining my walls???

So first off, any ideas? secondly, anyone know how to plaster walls?

sorry for the double post, but I thought I'd post a pic of the damage, so that maybe someone could help me figure out what to do! lol


http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...576133_290.jpg

First of all, did you take him to the vet for eating chocolate? I do know that chocolate is deadly to dogs....i just don't know how much they have to eat before it becomes hazardous.

I went to the vet to talk to them about Martini's chewing problem, the only thing the vet said was to teach him what is bad to eat and what is good---which, IMO, is the stupidest thing the vet said. I've been doing it and it doesnt work.

He also said to get some spray that leaves a bad smell and bad taste to the dogs, and that deters them from eating it. I don't know if it will work for your dog, you could try it.

Yep-and he's fine, except his crap is a little off from his normal color. The thing is, he's not a chewer. He doesn't play with toys, he RARELY eats rawhide (and he's incredibly picky if he does), he's just...very weird. Im afraid that this is all because he's just lonely, but I give him tons of attention, treats, and usually he's fine! It's very out of the blue, that's what I dont get. Im going to try and let him be able to roam around the house tomorrow, hopefully that'll help some, because I REALLY don't want to crate him!

Be a Pimpette, god get Him some sex! He is a He, He has to get the ease of the Labido!;) :D

If I was living with you and not gatting any, I would do the same thing!;)

Is he a small dog? Some smaller breeds get seperation anxiety from being away from their people.

How old is he again? He could be teething which is causing him to want to chew everything he sees.

That spray that someone else mentioned works really well - at least it did with Violet when she was a lot smaller. The one I used was called Bitter Apple. It doesn't smell bad to humans, but most dogs don't like it. I would spray it on my socks because Violet used to want to chew my feet when I was sitting on the sofa. Some breeds (like golden retrievers for example) LOVE that Bitter Apple stuff, so just use it with caution.

I would also recommend obedience class. Violet went to puppy school and she learned the basic commands, but usually the dog trainers will also help you with other problems one-on-one if you have questions (like excessive barking, chewing, digging, etc.). It's good to go through the basic stuff because your dogs learn to listen to you.

Why are you lying?
 

I've been reading this site, but I had to post because no one realizes this guy has made 2 names but has trouble with keeping his stories separate.

Well, you already live in Austin.:rolleyes:

What "he" wrote? Are you having an identity crisis? :eek:

HP is a very nice neighborhood but to say all millionaires live there is stretching the truth, don't you think? It's the value of the land, some of the structures there are actually worth very little but you tack on where it's located and the size of your property and that's what makes it what it is. Please refrain from acting like you know everything because you don't. I doubt you're a SAE from UT. Oh, and the areas surrounding HP are very nice as well, you shouldn't discount them.

SAETEX, GEORGEWALLACE, UTSAE, get a life. Save yourself embarassment and try not to create another screen name. :rolleyes:

(I thought Ross Perot has a house off of Inwood?)

texas*princess, sorry to take away from your thread but this guy is a loser!:p

Re: Why are you lying?
 

Holy Stuff!:eek:

Okay Sherlock, I like Your style.

PM Me if You Must, I like Your Deductive Reasoning and Investiviaging powers!

Will be interesting on what comes up on this posting and see what happens!:D

He's like a mutt, and I'm sure it was somewhat separation anxiety, but I don't really know what I can do about it! He's 4, and he's fully trained (I couldnt have a dog that wasn't ya know? Especially since I live in an apt!). His problem really isn't chewing (and trust me, sprays will NOT keep him from my cords, he's pretty determined, lol), it's just him wanting to be a little pain in the ass, honestly, lol. The cords aren't really a big deal-I can always just unplug them when I leave. My concern is that I plan to move out in 6 months, and I REALLY don't want to have to pay 2000 dollars for broken walls! I mean, can you IMAGINE?!

Yes, I believe George is having an identity crisis.

Ask your vet about prozac or clomicalm-both can be used to treat separation anxiety. One of my friends who is also a vet had yo place her weimaraner (who is a freak as most weimys are) on clomicalm and it worked well (he was about 8 months old when she had to place him on it).

aggieAXO, what do you think about SockPuppet's Chill Pills? We tried one once on our 17# Bichon Frise, and were just a little worried if they were any good for him or not.

If they are, he gets to go to more places!

HC,

I have no idea what that is-need more info to form an opinion.