Dog behavioral problem - can anyone help?

[HotDamnImAPhiMu]

I hadn't thought of that, but it's a great thought! I know dogs' noses are super sensitive... it makes sense that there might be a smell that was offensive to them.

[BabyPiNK_FL]

Originally Posted by HotDamnImAPhiMu

I like this idea. I'm not sure how I'm going to get my hands on something with a diesel engine, but if I did this two weekends in a row I bet she'd be a lot better. I have no idea what could be so terrifying about the sound of one engine over another. She does NOT react this way to cars, vans, trucks, etc. that run on regular old gas.

It appears that you don't actually own a diesel fueled vehicle then (unless I'm very confused). So why is it necessary to drive one to work or on long trips? Perhaps you might could just drive something else? Just askin', sis.

[HotDamnImAPhiMu]

I don't ever drive a diesel.

The problem is when we're driving down the road or sitting in traffic and there's a diesel the next lane over. That's when she goes bonkers.

[BabyPiNK_FL]

Ohhhhhhhh.

ETA: What about a toy/blanket with a soothing smell and something that emits sounds soothing to dogs? I don't know if it'd work but maybe Marley can just put her little head under it and zone out?

[HotDamnImAPhiMu]

Hey vets - at what age do you neuter a dog?

[sigmadiva]

Not a vet, but I think the going age is 6 - 8 months for a male dog.

[kstar]

Originally Posted by HotDamnImAPhiMu

Hey vets - at what age do you neuter a dog?

Not a Veterinarian only a Registered Veterinary Technician, but you can neuter a dog anytime after 8 weeks if both the testicles descend, but some will still wait until around 6 months.

[HotDamnImAPhiMu]

I meant spay, not neuter. This is for a girl puppy.

[kstar]

Originally Posted by HotDamnImAPhiMu

I meant spay, not neuter. This is for a girl puppy.

In my opinion, spays should be done anytime after 8 weeks, and before her first heat, as the chances of mammary cancers are greatly increased by her going into heat.

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by HotDamnImAPhiMu

I meant spay, not neuter. This is for a girl puppy.

I agree with kstar just as long as she (your puppy) doesn't have puppy vaginitis.

[HotDamnImAPhiMu]

Was that a joke? Or can puppies actually get that? How would you even be able to tell?

[texas*princess]

Originally Posted by Tippiechick

Let's leave the dog at home alone all day instead of giving it a 1/2 a valium to reduce its anxiety for a car ride?

There is nothing cruel about providing relief to a dog. I would think someone a better dog owner who is trying to give the dog human interaction during the day than someone who prefers to leave a dog at home with puppy pads even though they could take it to their parents.

Generic valium or ace pills? Cheap. Hours of training? Not so cheap.
Pills? Will provide some definite relief to the dog. Training? Might work, might not.

I don't know about you, but the dog walkers here charge $10-15 per day...

I am not sure why people think it is cruel to medicate dogs who are averse to certain objects.

Behavior modification IS a great thing. But, not everything can be cured. And, medication is a valuable source of relief for many dogs.

If someone is not going to take the time to properly train their dogs, they shouldn't have one.

Owning a dog, regardless of it's past, is taking on responsibility.

The OP has not even tried to "cure" the dog of it's fear. She's only yelled at it and pulled on it's collar.

If someone is not going to be responsible and properly train their dog, they don't need to have one. So many dogs out there misbehave because they have ridiculous amounts of anxiety that can very easily be dealt with if the owners took the time to try to understand where it's coming from and get with someone who can help them. (i.e. a professional)

Giving a dog drugs without even TRYING anything is not helping the animal in any way... and she just shrugs it off "well he's already 10! he'll be dead in a few years so I give up.. I'll just keep yelling at him if his drugs don't work"... riiiiight.

Originally Posted by HotDamnImAPhiMu

Thank you. I was starting to feel crazy.

I'm dealing with a ~10 year old dog with a history of abuse. So, much as I love her, behavioral modification has been dicey at best. She's my bff, but she's not the sharpest crayon in the box. Or, to be more fair, she has a lot of psychological issues that stand in the way of her learning to act like your typical dog.

I've had to find a lot of alternative methods to train her. We get creative with the problem solving, but this one had stumped me.

What alternative methods have you used really, besides yelling at him, pulling his collar and asking for professional help on a message board? Just curious.

I get the feeling you just came here looking for someone to justify what you already wanted to do anyway.

[HotDamnImAPhiMu]

Originally Posted by texas*princess

If someone is not going to take the time to properly train their dogs, they shouldn't have one.

My dog is very well trained aside from this one issue. I've had trouble training her out of ONE behavior, which is why I asked for ideas.

... and she just shrugs it off "well he's already 10! he'll be dead in a few years so I give up.. I'll just keep yelling at him if his drugs don't work"...

That was uncalled for and inappropriate.

[texas*princess]

Originally Posted by HotDamnImAPhiMu

My dog is very well trained aside from this one issue. I've had trouble training her out of ONE behavior, which is why I asked for ideas.



That was uncalled for and inappropriate.

I understand that your dog is trained, but your dog is obviously scared of something and it's giving her a lot of anxiety. You want to shrug off the issue and just give her drugs to deal with it. That is not addressing the issue. It sounds like she is really freaking out and on the verge of causing harm to herself and others by growling, and throwing herself against the vehicle interior.

If there ever was anyone else in your car, your dog could possibly redirect it's anxiety towards them if they are near and you happen to be driving near a diesel truck.

Asking for help on an internet message board will not solve the problem. This is not a simple 'sit' or 'stay' command that can easily be explained over the internet by non-professionals. This needs to be addressed by a professional. Your vet even told you that rehabilitation is a possibility... however you cannot rehabilitate your dog by yourself if you don't know what you are doing. You need a professional for that.

This is also something that won't be fixed overnight. It requires time and patience.. something that you don't seem to have if you just want to throw drugs at the problem

And you yourself keep reiterating that she's 10 years old... so what? It's completely possible to help your dog regardless of it's age. You make it sound like it's a lost cause trying to do anything to help her.

Your very first response to your thread was condescending which leads me to believe you pretty much already had in mind what you wanted to do anyway, you just wanted to hear it from someone else.

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by HotDamnImAPhiMu

Was that a joke? Or can puppies actually get that? How would you even be able to tell?

lol

No, I'm not joking. I'm serious. Females first come into heat sometime between the ages of 6 and 24 months, smaller dogs earlier than larger dogs, because smaller dogs mature faster. What can sometimes happen is rising hormone levels (long before that 1st heat) can trigger a heavy vaginal discharge in some puppies. If you notice her constantly licking in that area, she may have vaginitis. kstar is right, but if your puppy has vaginitis, then I would wait until she has gone through one heat.