Beyond Adolescence and General Chit Chat - part 3

[SpanielsGalore]

Not tagging anyone. I'm sure you'll all find your way here if you want to join in. 😁

@VanGoSunflowers @SpanielsGalore Vet went about as well as I could expect. Hen is definitely getting a bit older - the vet commented she was losing muscle mass in her back legs, which is to be expected from an older dog and I had already thought it was happening, so I'm not surprised. Sad but not surprised. She's still up for longer walks, but she's definitely more 'at my own pace' now. Clem was fine. Grumbled at the vet when they examined her ears, but she grumbles at everyone so that's hardly new. But she did remove Twatdog from the top of the bed last night and give me cuddles...so maybe I should take her to the vets more often. That's twice now she's been recently and twice I've got bed cuddles after

@SpanielsGalore Probably a bit ambitious to think a vet could solve my DWS problems. But it has now moved from amusing to just annoying😩Her one redeeming feature is she's a dream to train and she's very pretty.

I had also noted C&T hadn't been active for a while - I've tagged a few times on various threads but no replies. Fingers crossed she & the family are okay.

@VanGoSunflowers I used 'yes' and 'good' interchangably. I've noticed the dogs focus more on tone that anything. I once called Twatdog a 'wanky shit-stained fuck muppet' (not my finest hour) and he just grinned up at me and sat down. But that might just be my dogs being voice orientated rather than word orientated IYSWIM.

@Struckbylightning Merry really is a genius isn't she?😍

Lovely and dry here today, and a bit warmer...although my house does keep dipping below 15 so I think by 'bit warmer' I mean because there's no breeze. But I've spent all morning working from the garden, with a blanket around me, scandi style.

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks I agree about tone. I've called mine 'fucking little bastards' in a sing song tone whilst rewarding extremely delayed recall. They couldn't have cared less. I'm sure if I bellowed 'good girl' at them, they'd look worried.

Sorry Hen is getting older. But lovely to have Clem cuddles. I must admit, I'd be mortified by DWS's behaviour. I'd be putting her on lead every time I saw another dog, until I found out its gender.

P worries me. Constantly. It struck me yesterday that if she still can't put her leg down, perhaps Arthrocam isn't enough and she needs stronger or additional pain meds. She's obsessed with digging up grass roots and eating them. There are now more holes than grass in my garden. She's also eating sticks and the dead branches of the bushes. So much so, her poo is coming out in splinters. And she can't be feeling well as she is currently draped across my lap. And if I am standing in the kitchen, she sits or lies against me. She's still eating, drinking and enjoying walks though.

@SpanielsGalore I did start putting her on the lead when we saw other dogs, but honestly it's just not worth the grief of her deciding not to recall one day - I learnt the hard way with Twatdog that the more he was walked on a lead, the worse his recall became. And given they're both cut from the same cloth, I wouldn't trust her either!

Oh I am so sorry about P. It sounds like she's very unhappy at the moment😟 And you don't want to take her to do the vets given she gets stressed...sounds like she's being a bit destructive because she's just not happy in herself.

I know it sounds like a very drastic option, but if her leg is really bad (and it's only one leg), do you think a vet would consider amputation if it's in her best interest? I know someone who had to have it done for her Setter. It was a complete last resort, but nothing seemed to touch the sides of the dogs pain. Obviously different medication would be ideal - but just wondering if it's a long-term possibility if there's no improvement? I'm sorry though. Poor P and poor you!

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks Do you know what? I did bring amputation up as an option in September 2024 after her third bout of lameness, but the vet at the time didn't think things were that bad. Perhaps I need to bite the bullet, drug her up and go and see a specialist.

Because to be honest, I am a great believer in quality over quantity and I can't see me putting her through another ten years of this. So more drastic options than amputation have been crossing my mind. She's 4 years old, is only allowed half hour walks and appears to be in almost constant pain, despite being on pain relief. I'm hoping things will improve when the weather dries up. We did have a good few months over last summer where she was fit.

It's also occurred to me I should get K checked out, since she is so closely related to V and P.

I know what you mean about calling them and putting them on the lead too often affecting their recall. I had to get someone else to call my sprocker for me once. The little git. 😂

@SpanielsGalore I hadn't realised you'd already considered it. I guess in Sept 2024 she was still fairly young? But she's over a year (nearly a year and a half) on now and no improvement 🙁

A specialist might have better ideas though! Vets are a bit like doctors aren't they? Unless they're 'real' specialists then it's hard to have that 100% confidence. At least if you're me anyway...

Will keep my fingers crossed that K isn't afflicted!

You'll be unsurprised to hear that Clem has abandoned me. Caught her on my bed, spread across the whole thing, pretending to be asleep. 😤

@SpanielsGalore Poor P, I always forget that she's so young still. I'd have never have thought about amputation but it actually sounds pretty sensible considering. I understand it's a very big thing to put her through though. I am on a working dog group on FB and someone has a springer with an amputated leg who works every season and does amazingly well. They are resilient little things.

V is doing well on the Turkey Lifestage so thank you for that suggestion! I went to buy another small bag today and got a bargain as they were 15% off and I had a £2 voucher so it was only 6 quid something. I took him in the shop with me and he was absolutely crackers so I wont be doing that again soon!! It was embarrassing 🤦🏻‍♀️

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks I'd forgotten I had considered it, so I am glad you mentioned it. It was to the specialist at Edinburgh vet school after 15 months of trouble. She basically laughed at me and said P only had mild arthritis and we didn't need to do anything that drastic.
I know I put off seeing a specialist before, but I think I need to see one and discuss options now. Trying to decide between orthopaedic and pain specialist. Although pain specialist will probably refer me to orthopaedic for x-rays anyway. I have him on WhatsApp. I'll ask which one I should get a referral to.

Don't worry about Clem hogging the bed. She'll get off when you go up. 😂 After condescending to sleep on my bed, P has now taken up permanent residence in the spare room. 😢

Bumped into a friend on our walk earlier. She had a Chuckitt and N was totally obsessed. Walking along at heel, staring up at it. I had to get her to hide it inside her coat, so N would go back to sniffing. At the end of the walk, she threw the ball a few times and N chased after it. And now she's limping too. 🤦‍♀️ She hasn't limped for ages, so it just goes to show how damaging the wrong type of exercise is.

@YorkshireFelix I have a friend wih a tri paw springer. People watch him racing around the field and you can see the moment they realise he has a leg missing. It hasn't slowed him down at all.
It is a massive thing to do and I would have to see if her left leg was strong enough to support her. The physio said it was under a lot of strain and there was a danger of her cruciate ligaments snapping. And I'm not subjecting a working cocker to a life on wheels. I shall have to investigate the options. She can't carry on being in pain for 6 months of the year.

Glad the turkey is suitable for V. And at a bargain price too! I'm sure the shop people thought V was delightful. 💖

I've just given all of the dogs a sprat. It's the first thing K hasn't eaten. She didn't really seem to know what to do with it. Which is funny, as she eats dead fish she finds on the beach. She kept trying to chew it and got nowhere. The other pair let theirs slide down their throats like an oyster.

The other pair let theirs slide down their throats like an oyster.

I think that's how mine must have consumed a chew yesterday. It was some sort of plaited smelly thing, I gave it to them and by the time I'd washed my hands there was no sign of the chew! I'm glad they were half price.

We found a really long lasting chew before Christmas, kept them occupied for at least an hour. I went to write a review as I was so impressed with them and saw someone write that they were really long lasting, their dog has taken a month to get through it!

A long lasting chew? What was it?

😂😂😂 I bought something once that looked like it would last a while and it went in 30 seconds. I'm happy if they get 20 minutes out of a chew. Pizzles are the only thing that last a while here.

My first cockers used to have cow hooves. They probably lasted a month. Unfortunately they smelt like tripe mixed with cow poo.

Vinny absolutely loves a hoof and they last ages. They do smell distinctly of farm though and it’s very grim.

My dad gave him a sprat a few months ago and he didn’t know what to do with it! He ate the body and left the head 😄

@Silverbirchleaf it was these

https://www.jrpetproducts.com/products/buffalo-wraps?variant=47808147095798

They were half price in our pet shop before Christmas, annoyed I didn't buy more!

Mine had a hoof once and cracked it in under a minute so they got confiscated

@SpanielsGalore Fingers crossed that one or both are able to come up with an idea to help P. Sometimes I think vets under-estimate how much pain a dog can be in - dogs are so good at covering/hiding and unless they know your dog well, they just don't see it.

Hope N has recovered from her limping today!?

All these interesting foods people give their dogs...and there are mine on bog standard chicken 😫But that being said, Twatdog is a sensitive soul, and he gets upset if the others get things he can't have... Really, now that I think about it, he's rather a contrary sod.

In other, exciting(?) news. DD1 has taken up arts and crafts. She is 'sick' today and has spent the whole morning making jesmonite dishes/Christmas decor (don't ask) and eating chocolate. So far we have three Christmas trees and two trinket dishes. I'm wondering at what point I tell her she's supposed to be sick (and thus should be in bed or on the sofa - not marauding around the garage). They're really nice, so if she wants tomorrow off as well I'm going to put her to work creating MIL birthday present...does it count as child labour if she enjoys it and I pay her? 🤔

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks I think if you don’t pay her you’ll be fine, as then it’s just ‘a craft activity’.

@YorkshireFelix I’d forgotten P was so young!

@tizwozliz i’m going to look out for those chews. As you know, ‘long lasting chew’ and ‘lab’ are not words you often see in the same sentence!

Had interesting encounters with other dogs today.

Greyhound (not met before) - both dogs were nervous of each other, but wanted to be brave and say hello.

Pug cross - both off lead in park. Ignored each other but went and investigated the other owner.

Pomeranians - they growled. Small dog syndrome. Dog backed off from them.

Lab - friendly greeting. Met several
times before.

Rhodesian ridgeback - on lead, growled and snarled. Must admit, I was a bit unnerved. Met them as we turned a corner so hoping it was because we surprised them. However, did think to myself that I was lucky dog was on lead.

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks - big pup is a bit of a fusspot with food and treats although much better than she was.

Naturally, all the chews she really likes are the ones that cost £££ like pressed ostrich tendons. Cheaper options are a bit hit and miss. I remember she decided she no longer liked lamb braids after I bought a load of them and the only way she'd eat them is if I untwisted them for her!!!

@Silverbirchleaf sounds like you meet more dogs on a walk than we see in a week

@Silverbirchleaf No payment it is! Also I probably shouldn't financial reward her when she's missing school...

I agree with Tiz! I think you met more dogs on one walk than I often see in a week with mine. But I do go at very odd times, so that's possibly why. Other than Twatdog's girlfriend (who is also a Golden Retriever) who we often see on our morning walk, we only really see other dogs at the weekend - at least when it's winter. We can see a dozen+ on our morning walk in summer though...

I hadn't realised your dog was a bit nervous though. Is it every dog, or just selective?

@tizwozliz sounds like big pup has you wrapped around her paw😄I can't believe you untwisted all the braids!

Good morning. It has finally stopped raining here, so I might get a dry walk in this afternoon. I rested the limpy pair yesterday and just took K to the woods for a longer trek. We saw a record 7 dogs. Got mugged by a spaniel, who snuck up from behind and snuffled a piece of liver bread out of my hand. 😂

I know I make out K to be a hooligan, but she was ever so good yesterday with a 10 month old spaniel cross. They played chasing, wrestley games and when he got too carried away, she'd pause the game by lying down and waiting for him to do the same. Then when he'd calmed down, they'd be off again. She eventually brought play to an end by stopping, doing a big shake and trotting off.

I have asked for a referral to an orthopaedic specialist for P. I figured the pain specialist would want x-rays or scans doing, so I might as well do that first. I'm going to see one in Aberdeen, and not the one who did the operations. Hopefully they'll be able to do something to help her. Even if it's just better pain relief.

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks P has a very high pain threshold, so it is often difficult to convince vets that she isn't right. She once ran into a stick that pierced the back of her mouth and went down her throat. She carried on the rest of the walk as normal. I only took her to the vets because when we got home, she went quiet and looked like she'd been stung by a bee.

I hope your DD feels better soon. But not until you've managed to take full advantage of her child labour. No point going back to school for a Friday anyway.

@tizwozliz I've made that mistake too. Gave P a lamb braid which she ate, so bought more. Only to have to unplait them all for her. Awkward sod!

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks - there was no way I was letting them go to waste. I'd already previously had to throw away some random animal parts that had been infested with some sort of bug after being around a while and give various other things away. Luckily the braid untwisting days are behind me, little pup will take any sort of chew.

Speaking of the little one, she found a football in a ditch on last night's lead walk, which she took straight to bed with her when she got in 😂 Much wiggliness and happy snorts. It forever remains a mystery how accurately she can sniff out a ball no matter what size/type/material.

We had some snow overnight but only settled on the car really, now just adding to the general sogginess. I have some lovely new fleece lined water resistant trousers so we're coping with the weather, but the forecast looks quite depressing.

@SpanielsGalore - stoicism is difficult to deal with, sometimes I think it would be a bit easier to have a breed that was a bit more dramatic with regards to injuries and illnesses.

@SpanielsGalore Please may I borrow K so she can teach Pablo how to play 😂 also hope you get to the bottom of P’s issues with the specialist!

@Silverbirchleaf we can easily come across about the same number of dogs but only on the path up to the field I walk him on - that field is nearly always empty because people can’t be arsed with the mud I assume 😂

@tizwozliz Love the mental image of wiggles and happy snorts over a discarded football!

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks is DS stop engaging in child labour today or she back at school 😀

Fairly successful morning walk here - I’ve learned what Pablo’s threshold is in terms of distance to other dogs before he reacts. If they walk by us even a couple of feet away he can wait calmly. Even if they are yapping relentlessly at him. Any closer than that + showing an interest in him makes him react. So we have a base to start with! Also had more success using the retractable lead - so on a few occasions he was a good ten feet in front of me, he sees another dog walking towards him, he turns back to me to ‘check in’ - I praise heavily for looking at me and then he walks towards me instead of trying to get to the other dog. Then we wait for them to walk past. So it’s more of a fail safe to stop him from bolting over if he chooses to do so and less of a faff than a training lead.

@tizwozliz It really is. I'll take P to the vets and say there is something wrong with her. They'll squeeze her all over and say she's fine as she didn't react to pain. 🤦‍♀️ We only caught the pancreatitis, because I pushed for a blood test.

The trousers sound good. I really need to get something more suitable for winter weather.

Bless Little Pup and her ball finding skills. She looks very happy with it. 💖

@VanGoSunflowers Glad you have had a more successful walk. Anytime you fancy a trip to North Scotland, K will be very happy to have a playmate. 😁

I also wish that we could read levels of dogs pain better. Our old girl had a bad leg n her last year or so, it was a weird joint thing. She was on paracetamol, Librella and some other tablet. The vet told me not to underestimate the level of pain she felt, but she hobbled on for 18 months or so. (After being told she only has a few weeks to live). She ignored the leg, was eating well, hopping onto the sofa, still wanted to go out every day. I hate to think that she was in pain, but she always seemed ok. I do hope you get to the bottom of things with P.

@VanGoSunflowers It sounds like like you are making good and sensible use of the extendible lead. Pablo obviously has a proximity alert, it’s good that you are getting to understand his limits. A lot of these issues seem to be about getting to know the individual quirks of our dogs and learning how to manage them.

@tizwozliz my old girl had a massive collection of balls, and I don’t think we bought any of them. She was an expert at finding them in rivers and ditches and fields. Once we went to visit a friend and she sat in front of one of his cupboards and kept barking. Turns out he had a packet of tennis balls stashed in there, on the very top shelf. It was amazing! How did she know!??

I have another question for you guys, if that’s ok.
Merry has being doing a weird thing, (what’s new!). I have started to wonder if I should be worried about it. She’s been doing it for quite a while, but I will describe what happened last night.

We had settled down for the evening, we were in the front room, she was curled up on her bed, asleep. My DH came down the hall from the kitchen and she leapt up, barking. She has a very macho bark, btw. She came and kind of backed herself into my legs. Of course I was saying ‘it’s only daddy don’t worry’ and he was gently calling her name, but she kept woofing. He came in and gave her a fuss and all was fine. She has done it a few times, with him and with my son. The thing is, she knows they are in the house, she knows their footsteps and voices but she barks until they come right up to her. Last night DH said he thinks she is protecting me, but that concerns me. Is it resource guarding? Is it just because she was fast asleep and startled awake? Any ideas what’s going on here?

@tizwozliz Shes not letting go of that football for anyone!

@VanGoSunflowers Four dogs on today’s walk. Dog had a friendly interaction with one (lab). The other three were cockerpoo/oodles and all the dogs just glanced at each other, maybe an odd sniff, and then carried on their way. Pleasing as on of yesterdays meet and greets Dog was barking in a come-and-play/I’m nervous way, but not reactive. I had one of those ‘is- he-becoming-anxious-about-other-dogs’ moments.

It was a very muddy walk this morning in the woods, but surprisingly mild. First time j’ve ventured there for a while, but good for Dog to have a good, off-lead runaround.