dan_hoover
15th October 2008, 23:13
OK, so that elderly ridgeback/pit mix we picked up off the street a few months ago ("Red" - http://www.elpresa.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25847) has started to have a little dribbling problem in the past month or so. Right now it's some dripping here and there and sometimes his bed is wet in the mornings. It's definitely not submissive urination and it's a good thing (for him) that he's really cute. I just fricking love dogs, let me tell you.
I'm going to get him into the vet this week to rule out any UTI or similar issue but just wanted to see if anyone had any insight into managing this sort of thing with meds or diapers like this (http://www.tinkletrousers.com/ - I'm afraid this would just make him even meaner out of embarrassment).
Are meds, like they use for old humans, even an option? Rubber bands? Corks?
FWIW, he was neutered about six months ago and I estimate that he's about ten years old (or more) based on his grey muzzle, cataracts, worn down teeth and gimpy hip.
I have a wealth of experience with elderly dogs but this is honestly a new one for me - any insights would be greatly appreciated.
Oh, and on another subject - anyone have any advice on muzzles for older dogs like this that have no experience at all being muzzled?
Socializing Red has been coming along pretty well and now it's time to get him out in more crowded situations - set him up to take him down a notch, so to speak.
The problem we're trying to address is that he gets anxious around strangers out of the house and when he gets anxious, he starts to get this prey drive thing going where he'll start to go after people's shoes like bunnies - he just fixates and then makes his move - his "lizard brain" at work.
Deft use of corrections has been working well to extinguish this behavior around the house and in very controlled situations - it's gotten to the point where you can actually see him measure situations that would previously put him right into prey mode and look to us for a cue to appropriate behavior - but we need to start upping the ante without putting anyone at risk.
So is one of the cloth muzzles like they have a petsmart suitable or should I be looking into some sort of custom wire and/or leather contraption?
Any advice on introducing an old dog to wearing a muzzle for the first time?
At the very least I'd like to get him cool with muzzling so that I can walk him without being paranoid and/or if we just reach a dead end with our socialization project at some point.
Even when I have him out with few or no people around, someone inevitably comes up wanting to meet him because he's so cute - so I figure getting him comfortable being muzzled will get the point across that he's not particularly friendly without my having to get all wordy about it.
Thanks in advance (and if anyone would like to adopt a cute, dangerous pit mix that's losing control of his bladder, please send me a PM)
DH
I'm going to get him into the vet this week to rule out any UTI or similar issue but just wanted to see if anyone had any insight into managing this sort of thing with meds or diapers like this (http://www.tinkletrousers.com/ - I'm afraid this would just make him even meaner out of embarrassment).
Are meds, like they use for old humans, even an option? Rubber bands? Corks?
FWIW, he was neutered about six months ago and I estimate that he's about ten years old (or more) based on his grey muzzle, cataracts, worn down teeth and gimpy hip.
I have a wealth of experience with elderly dogs but this is honestly a new one for me - any insights would be greatly appreciated.
Oh, and on another subject - anyone have any advice on muzzles for older dogs like this that have no experience at all being muzzled?
Socializing Red has been coming along pretty well and now it's time to get him out in more crowded situations - set him up to take him down a notch, so to speak.
The problem we're trying to address is that he gets anxious around strangers out of the house and when he gets anxious, he starts to get this prey drive thing going where he'll start to go after people's shoes like bunnies - he just fixates and then makes his move - his "lizard brain" at work.
Deft use of corrections has been working well to extinguish this behavior around the house and in very controlled situations - it's gotten to the point where you can actually see him measure situations that would previously put him right into prey mode and look to us for a cue to appropriate behavior - but we need to start upping the ante without putting anyone at risk.
So is one of the cloth muzzles like they have a petsmart suitable or should I be looking into some sort of custom wire and/or leather contraption?
Any advice on introducing an old dog to wearing a muzzle for the first time?
At the very least I'd like to get him cool with muzzling so that I can walk him without being paranoid and/or if we just reach a dead end with our socialization project at some point.
Even when I have him out with few or no people around, someone inevitably comes up wanting to meet him because he's so cute - so I figure getting him comfortable being muzzled will get the point across that he's not particularly friendly without my having to get all wordy about it.
Thanks in advance (and if anyone would like to adopt a cute, dangerous pit mix that's losing control of his bladder, please send me a PM)
DH