[saef]

Oh Carter, you are not helping yourself in any way, are you?!

My mother's visiting, too, Jessica, and it's not fun to try to get work done from home when she has spontaneously decided to vacuum the room that I'm working in. Still, I'm glad she's here; I've missed her. I'm taking her out to dinner & to see the movie "Jersey Boys" (because she loved the musical when we saw that). Tomorrow we'll go tour a Federal mansion, and we'll get pedicures at the place around the corner where I always go. She already took herself to the casino to play the slots (this bores me to death) while I worked late last night.

[neurodoc]

Jessica, I have such empathy for your situation with the dog, having gone down exactly the same road. One thing we didn't try but might help is a muzzle. You might ask the vet behaviorist his/her opinion of them.

[Mudpie]

Originally Posted by neurodoc

Jessica, I have such empathy for your situation with the dog, having gone down exactly the same road. One thing we didn't try but might help is a muzzle. You might ask the vet behaviorist his/her opinion of them.

You can't have the dog wearing the muzzle 24/7 and it in no way alters the behaviour. The dog has to be retrained by someone with a very strong energy, lots of time, and a great deal of patience. Carter would do well with a large male owner who knows a great deal about dogs.

Dagmar

[alinnell]

I've determined that the problem we have with Bogey is anxiety. I took him in to have his nails trimmed yesterday and the groomer at first had to say no as he tried to bite her. He's done the same with me but never bites down--just makes the attempt with an open mouth and I can understand her concern as she's never worked with him before. They ended up giving him Rescue Remedy to calm him down and that seemed to work a little. Then some friends suggested getting him a Thundershirt to wear when he goes places that might cause him anxiety (the vet for instance). Another thing that makes me think it's anxiety is that as soon as we walked in the groomer's place all Bogey's training went out the door. He pulled on his leash, barked, jumped up on the counter to see what was up there. He calmed down after his nails were trimmed but I didn't like that he didn't listen. The guy at the counter agreed that anxiety could be the problem and that often shepherds have that type of anxiety. Once I get the thunder shirt I'll use it to try and trim his nails myself again. If it works I'll know for sure.

Less than 2 weeks until DD's wedding. We leave for Napa a week from tomorrow.

[Mudpie]

Originally Posted by alinnell

I've determined that the problem we have with Bogey is anxiety. I took him in to have his nails trimmed yesterday and the groomer at first had to say no as he tried to bite her. He's done the same with me but never bites down--just makes the attempt with an open mouth and I can understand her concern as she's never worked with him before. They ended up giving him Rescue Remedy to calm him down and that seemed to work a little. Then some friends suggested getting him a Thundershirt to wear when he goes places that might cause him anxiety (the vet for instance). Another thing that makes me think it's anxiety is that as soon as we walked in the groomer's place all Bogey's training went out the door. He pulled on his leash, barked, jumped up on the counter to see what was up there. He calmed down after his nails were trimmed but I didn't like that he didn't listen. The guy at the counter agreed that anxiety could be the problem and that often shepherds have that type of anxiety. Once I get the thunder shirt I'll use it to try and trim his nails myself again. If it works I'll know for sure.

Less than 2 weeks until DD's wedding. We leave for Napa a week from tomorrow.

Allison Please let me know if the thundershirt works and how you used it exactly. I've heard all sorts of claims for it and two clients have tried it but with no success. Thanks!

Dagmar