I'm swimking and advice needed AGAIN!

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July 14th 2011 6:35 pm
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Good news I'm learning to swim! Mom is going to put pics up in a sec. I'm still a little scared but I did jump in after my Frisbee twice last Sunday. Mom bought me a vest thinking that would help build my confidence up. How? By not sinking!

Mom also has put the vest on me during a really bad storm the other night and it did calm me down. She was thinking it would work like that Thunder Shirt on tv. But, when Mom came home Wed afternoon I was under the bed again. I can't stand storms.

Now, the advice I need....my cousin a 8 month old half boxer half bull dog get his back leg ran over by a car yesterday. They have a rod in his leg to help heal the bone. Mom told her cousin, (the closest thing to a brother she has) that he was lucky that's all the damage that was done. The question we have is there a calming solution, like feliway for dogs? He has to stay still and not lunge forward for 6 weeks. I repeat he's a puppy. His Dad has already borrowed a bigger crate for him to stay in but when he's out he's got to stay calm. Any suggestions?

Barked by: Michelle V

July 14th 2011 at 7:34 pm

I don't know much about calming stuff. But Mom just searched on google for dog pheromones and she sees there is one. It can come in the form of a collar, a spray?, and also a diffuser like feliway. It is called DAP - Dog Appeasing Pheromone. Again I don't know how well it works, how safe it is, or how available it is to find. But you could look into it.

Something like the thundershirt could help calm him down too...

Mom had a friend who bought a CD of music that is meant to calm dogs down. Mom was thinking of getting it for when she leaves me at home, or for at work, but hasn't yet... here is the website for it. Your welcome to look into that too.

although none of these are guaranteed, all dogs are different. And puppies have a lot more energy as well.

You learning to swim is making me want to try too! I should get Mom to get a kiddie pool so I could try it out too. Or go to the beach some day. I have no experience swimming so unfortunately I have no advice for you there...

Looking forward to seeing your pictures, I'll keep an eye out for them.

Barked by: Stewie (Dogster Member)

July 14th 2011 at 7:36 pm

Oh no!!! MOM!!! That was from me... Sorry about that.

Barked by: Diamond Daisy (Dogster Member)

July 14th 2011 at 7:48 pm

We know who your Mom is don't worry about it. Mom just got down uploading my swimming pics. It was fun but nerve wrecking too.

Mom started me in a kiddie pool last year, just to let me get used to the water. But with us being on the boat and staying at the lake she thought I needed to know how. Mom said if I act like a human, I can ride the jet ski with her.

Barked by: Lil Bear (Dogster Member)

July 14th 2011 at 8:22 pm

Me & mama don' knows 'bout calmin stuffs fur doggies (If I did, I would buy in bulk-lil Bear is perpetual motion).

I gotsa lil pool an I LUFF splashin 'round in it. I goed fwimmin ina big pool too. I's SKEERED!! Mama putted ona pink f'oaty ring on me an it he'ped but I's still nerfus. Good luck learnin how to fwim!

Barked by: Demon Flash Bandit (Dogster Member)

July 15th 2011 at 7:04 am

I'm sorry about the puppy's leg. I would suggest you get some prescription tranquilizers for the puppy from the veterinarian. It isn't like he will be on them forever, but puppys have more energy than older dogs, and it is going to be hard to keep him still and quiet. If the paw doesn't have a chance to heal properly, he could have trouble with it all his life so I think meds would be the logical way to go in this case. I would also think some pain meds would be in order. If no prescription pain meds have been given, a dog can take a low dose (they used to be called children's) aspirin. They are the same as doggy aspirin, but doggy aspirin costs about 4 times as much....you pay for them to add dog to the label. LOL I hope the leg heals quickly!
I'm not a swimmer myself, but I'm sure you are proud of yourself for your accomplishment!

Barked by: Petey (Dogster Member)

July 18th 2011 at 6:18 am

omd, that poor puppy, I don't know anything about that either, but you would think that the vet would give you some advice too though, good luck with the puppy

Love all your swimming pictures, and keep that life jacket on!

Barked by: Diamond Daisy (Dogster Member)

July 18th 2011 at 3:25 pm

Mom talked to her cousin today and the Doc which is the same Doc I go to BTW, said he really didn't want the pup on tranquilizers for a long time. He's afraid it will hamper his brain development. Mom also worries about this being prime training time and that having to wait.

Of course, if you ask me there's no working with Bull Dogs, long story, lets just say if they don't want to do something they won't including getting along with the other family dog. (the original dog of the house, ME!)