Let's See Your Dogs!!

My old pup Lola (R.I.P) in her prime

The day she met Vince, my new dog

 

Like I said, don't do THOSE pills, but have had to do pills before. Here's what I do, but kind of depends on the size of the dog, an YMMV.

- Have the pill ready in one hand.
- With your other hand, using your thumb, press against the side of their mouth near their back teeth as far back as you can go to get them to open their mouth.
- When their mouth opens, quickly get that thumb on top of the center of their tongue, press down and slide it back toward their throat as far as you can go.
- With the other pill hand and using your other thumb, jamb the pill down by your thumb that is on their tongue.
- Quickly remove both thumbs but gently hold their mouth closed for a moment, don't let them open their mouth and stick their tongue out too far.

The key is getting as far back as you can and doing it quickly. They won't even notice.

 

I'm not sure I understand which way you are arguing, but every situation is different. In my view, parasites can affect humans just like they can affect dogs. But I don't ingest poison regularly just in case. OK, well, maybe beer counts, but that's for now, not just in case. Anyway, my point was that a HEALTHY dog that is not under stress has everything they need to fight off whatever comes, just like a healthy human. No need to keep feeding them poison for no reason. Older dogs, overweight dogs, and ones that don't get exercise or proper attention may be at risk. I'm not saying I don't vaccinate my dogs, I just limit all the extra chemicals to when they need it and go as light as possible.

 

Waiting for dinner.

 

Sorry, I don't know how to explain my case better. I'm for prevention, especially if your pup has bad, disgusting habits. And the last I checked, I don't eat other's feces, sniff their behinds, drink puddle water, dig up worms and ingest them, etc. so yes I can get parasites, but I don't normally do things to infect myself like my dog does.

 

I live in Florida as well... But i live in the woods. A mile and a half from pavement. I ALSO take my dog hiking beside creeks and to the hunting camp.

Lots of wildlife. Everything you mentioned plus lots of fox, rabbits, and possums too. I have even seen coyotes in my yard a few times. I hear them in the woods most nights.

I give sentinel once every ~3 months, it's suppose to be monthly... and bravecto 2-3 times a YEAR, it's supposed to be every 3 months. I have never once seen a flea or tick on either of my dogs. The vet has never even found flea dirt.

I have found ticks on myself every once in a while... But never on my dogs.

I get them checked for heartworm once a year as well. So far no issues.

My father has 3 dogs that spend all day outside and sleep inside at night. He lives 800 feet from me. He doesn't give them anything for heartworm. His 16 year old 60 pound mutt just got checked a month ago. Heartworm free! His dogs wear flea collars and even that works pretty well. He finds an occasional flea but no infestations.


I do vaccinate yearly. But i don't believe dogs need that medicine for fleas and heartworm as often as vets make you think. I give it to them to be "safe not sorry" but way less than recommended... Because i don't think the stuff is 100% good for them.

 

The dogs first snow was a success !!

 

From puppyhood, I’ve worked on “open”. I roll his lips onto his teeth and using my pinkie, I’d open his mouth.

Works pretty well. I also drop it all as far bac as possible. Close and hold muzzle while blowing a bit of air in his nose, when he licks, I let go.

 

last time I ahd to give my dog some pills for a week or so, I took a thin slice of molinari dry pepper salami, and kinda made a taco with the pill and some peanut butter. hah! that or just stick it in a hole in small piece of sharp cheddar.

 

Me and the pup playing in the snow. He pulled me over when he was handed back to me.

 

Baloo got the last of his shots last weekend. I go with what my vet recommends.



Monday I went to take him on his first walk outside our yard. He is pretty outgoing so I thought he would enjoy it. Once we got beyond our driveway he tucked his tail and sat down. He was scared and refused to go any further. I got a good harness and the next day I pretty much had to pull him up the street. He wanted no part of that. He did get excited when he saw the 4Runner and knew he was home. I kept doing this to him every day and it got a little easier each time.

Today when I got home I grabbed his harness and leash. He saw it and ran to the front door. He put his head through the harness and gladly went on his walk. He even went further than before and had a great time with it. When he saw the 4Runner he knew he was home and did a happy dance and pulled me to the front door.

 

It may not have been a "3 dog night" last night, but it's certainly a "2 dog morning" this morning... Old fellow tolerates the energy and enthusiasm of the new addition quite well

 

Nice story! Some dogs truly do know how to get to our hearts.

 

If this story bothers anyone they should never come in this thread or have a dog as a part of their family. Great story and it really sounds like he was meant to find you and become a part of your family.

 

Have to admit this brought a tear to my eye...
Reminded me of my dear, departed, Sitka who passed a couple of years ago. I found him running terrified in traffic on new year's eve... I stopped traffic so he could get out of the road (two lanes in each direction) and he jumped into my Cherokee... Stayed with me for the next 12 years. Led me on many a merry chase through the neighborhood when he managed to scale a 6' fence to explore...
These companions make life so full and colorful... So thankful for them

 

Best friends you will ever have.

 

My guys and

 

I believe Zoie was meant to be mine.... Looked all over the south east and she was the only young, female, chocolate lab pup not spoken for. Didn't find out until the day I picked her up, that she was born on the anniversary of the day my mom died and she was the first female pup born. Think it was her way of healing my heart over the loss of my beloved Ollie (avatar pup). Her dad's name is "this one's for dad". Zoie's AKC name is "this one's from mom". I also believe they are sent to us when we need them.

 

When my daughter was 1 month old my yellow Lab Sierra passed away unexpectedly. I was devastated to say the least.
I was raised with a house full of Labs running around and I wanted that for my daughter Lillian. I looked for two month trying
to find a puppy. Found a kennel that had some pups and went to see them. I am very picky with my Labs. I can look at 10
litter of pups before I find one. I walk into the pens at this kennel filled with Labs and Lab puppies making all kinds of noises. All the way in the back I see
this little beautiful yellow female puppy just sitting there quiet waiting for someone to pick her to take home. So I grab her and run
my little series of temperament tests on her. I look at the breeder and ask when she was born. This little yellow Lab was born on
May 5th, 2006. The same day as my daughter Lillian. I put her in my Tacoma and took her home to meet my daughter Lillian. They
grew up together and have been best friends since I brought Lola home. Lola never once as a puppy scratched or nibbled on Lillian.
We had a 3 month old baby and a 3 month old Lab puppy roaming around the house growing up together. Almost 12 years later they
are still together. Lola was meant to heal my broken heart and be my daughters best friend. I never had another kid so Lillian is a only
child and Lola is pretty much her sister. Crazy to think I found this little puppy born on the same day as my daughter waiting for someone
to take her home. Lola is a knucklehead and is the only Lab I've ever owned that won't retrieve anything you throw. But damn if she isn't
the best dog for my daughter to have in her life.

 

I'll second that OLK9 is amazing. We used them after talking to several trainers in our area and I'm continually amazed at how beneficial it was to us and our pup, Boomer. This summer will be 3 years since he finished his training and he still follows all of the commands without hesitation. I can mention "training" and he gets super excited. He goes everywhere with us now and he loves it. That wasn't really possible before the training.