Plear L.'s profile

Recent Activity

received badge  Teacher (source)
answered a question Bark control for neighbor's dog?

Like others have said, I would offer help or advise. Tell them that their dog is disruptive, but also tell them that you completely understand what it is like to have a dog that barks a lot, and let them know that you would be willing to help walk or play with the dog.

If nothing you do helps, you might just have to report them to animal control. They will probably just get a warning, but sometimes that's all they need to realize their dog is disrupting the neighborhood.

answered a question Why does my dog keep pooping in the house?

Housetraining requires a lot of patience and consistency.

Let your dog out every two to four hours. Go outside with him and wait until he goes potty. Stay outside until he does. When he does go potty, give him plenty of praise and treats to show him that's what he's supposed to do!

Crate training will help the process immensely. If you're leaving the house, crate him. He will be less likely to poop in a crate, but he still might.

When inside, never leave him unsupervised. If you have to, keep him on a leash at all times. He has to "earn" his freedom back by showing that he knows not to poop inside. If you see him about to poop, try to rush outside before he poops inside. Do your best to never allow him to poop inside.

Eventually, your consistency will pay off and you can begin to give him a bit more freedom.

answered a question What can I give my dog for kennel cough?

Your vet will prescribe a cough suppressant and an antibiotic.

answered a question How can I make my dog smell better?

If your dog smells, first you want to figure out why.

Does your dog have an ear or skin infection? If so, treat the infection with the help of your vet.

Is your dog's skin yeasty? If so, your dog might have allergies. Allergies can be food related or environmental. Changing food or giving your dog benadryl can help. Adding a fish oil supplement will help improve skin and coat health too, even if your dog doesn't have allergies. Find a fish oil supplement that also contains vitamin E, such as Bonnie and Clyde fish oil.

Does your dog's breath smell excessively bad?
If so, your dog may need a dental procedure at the vet. If your dog's breath smells terrible, he may need a tooth extracted due to gingivitis. It is very important to get this taken care of with the help of your vet.

Does your dog get brushed and bathed enough? Be sure to bathe your dog regularly, and also brush your dog every day. If you don't bathe or brush your dog, dirt and dead skin and fur can build up in the undercoat, which can be uncomfortable and cause a smell.

answered a question Dog I am sitting attacked my dog - what do I do?

Wow, I'm so sorry that happened! I've had this happen to my dog as well, so I know how traumatizing it can be.

Obviously I would keep the dog separate from any other dogs for the rest of the stay. But also, I would consider what may have caused the fight. Do you have bones or toys available to the dogs? If so, maybe consider making a "bones and toys in crates only" rule. I would also be sure to ask owners if their dogs have ever shown any resource guarding behaviors.

I hope everything works out!

answered a question Why does my dog shake off so much?

Shaking off as if the dog is wet and trying to dry off is actually one of many "calming signals." Calming signals include things like shaking, licking lips, showing the whites of their eyes, putting their ears back, or ducking their head. Dogs use calming signals to communicate stress. Stress isn't necessarily always a bad thing. For instance, sometimes a dog will shake after playing with another dog. This just means that the dog might be saying "okay, I'm done, I don't want to play anymore." However, if your dog is shaking excessively, I would consider the context and see if you can figure out the cause. Ask yourself questions like, does your dog do this more often when other dogs are around? By finding the cause, you can determine if maybe your dog is not confident in a specific situation, and from there you can do confidence building exercises, like giving treats when calm.

Shaking also may be caused by an underlying health issue. If the dog is also itchy, the dog may be shaking because they are uncomfortable. Itchiness and shaking can be caused by irritation from external parasites or dry skin, for example. External parasites can be prevented by using flea and tick prevention such as bravecto or nexgard. Dry skin has a long list of potential causes. A skin scrape test at the vet can rule out any skin infections. Otherwise, dry skin could be caused by allergies or insensitivities to food or environmental factors.

By ruling out potential causes, you can figure out if your dog has an issue that needs solving. Otherwise, shaking off isn't typically a symptom of a serious medical problem, but of course, you can always ask your vet if they might know what is going on.

answered a question Why does my dog eat dirt?

Eating dirt could be health related or behavior related.

First, consider if your dog is missing anything in the diet. If you're feeding a homemade diet, your dog may be missing nutrients. You should consult with a canine nutritionist if you are unsure if your dog's homemade diet is balanced or not.

Another cause may be that your dog has indigestion. You can give your dog probiotic supplements or digestive enzymes to see if they help.

It could also potentially be behavior related. If your dog is stressed or anxious, they might develop behaviors like eating dirt. Dogs might get anxious due to a routine change, such as moving houses or someone new moving into the house. It could even be an obsessive behavior - yes, dogs can develop OCD too!

I would bring this issue up with your vet the next time you see them. In the meantime, rule out any dietary causes, and start giving your dog a probiotic or digestive enzyme supplement to see if it helps. If you think your dog's diet may be the cause, contact a canine nutritionist that can give you a consult.

answered a question How can I map my dog walk?

There is an app called Map My Walk. There's also an app called WoofTrax that not only maps your walk, but also donates a certain amount of money to the dog rescue of your choice! The more you walk, the more money you raise. I definitely recommend it!

received badge  Supporter (source)
answered a question food agression?

Hand feeding each bite of food for a while or holding the bowl while you eat may help your dog understand that you are not trying to take his food. You could also start giving him half a bowl of food, and putting handfuls of the rest of his meal while he's eating or after he finishes the first half. Another idea would be to feed this dog somewhere like a closed room or a crate, so that nobody ever has to bother him while he eats. Nipping someone is a sign that he is insecure and may feel that his food is about to be taken from him. By showing that you aren't there to take his food or punish him, you will build his trust and confidence.

answered a question Why does my dog drink so much water?

Drinking excessive amounts of water could be a sign of an underlying health issue, but only your vet can find out exactly what is going on via a urinalysis and/or bloodwork. It could be anything from diabetes, Cushing's disease, or even just a behavioral change due to stress. Asking your vet is best.