What would you do??

shaydenebony · Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:24 am Post subject: What would you do??

Ebony is nearly 11mnths old now and shes getting stiffer and stiffer after walks. Ive started to give both her and her brother Shay Joint Aid and it does seem to be helping her a bit. Im planning to takeher to the vet when hubby gets paid but wanted advice about exercise untill then. Should she just be on short lead walks? Ive stopped her playing her ball (which is sad because she LOVES retrieving her ball) i usually walk the two together but Shay whos a lot bigger keeps ramming her and jumping on her which obviously isnt going to help. Will i have to stop walking them together? Because this creates another problem- neither of them can be left alone without chewing up ther crate and barking/whining. Seems i cant win!! Any advice appreciated- what would you do??

deb-and-phoenix · Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:26 am Post subject:

Having gone through the barking/whining problems myself when left I would advise you work at that so that you can leave them in case you have to in the future.

Good luck though, it isn't easy but so rewarding when you can do it.

_joanne_ · Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:32 am Post subject:

The best thing for Ebony and her joint problems is little and often lead walking.

Has she seen a specialist at all?

shaydenebony · Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:51 am Post subject:

No not yet, we should be able to take her in about two weeks time when hubby gets paid. Should i just totally ignore the barking/whining then because i need to get this sorted incase Ebony does have HD and ends up needing surgery -Shay will go mad!! I dont want them stressed when they have to be left alone. When they have to be left together they chew up their cage but when they have to be left alone without each other aswell they bark and whine and generally get stressed. Ive always left either a tv or radio on but it dont seem to make any difference. I always leave them something to chew on aswell. Do i just always take them separately and hope they get used to it??

_joanne_ · Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 12:06 pm Post subject:

I think you do need to try to give them separate attention to try to break the cycle, as if Ebony did need surgery at a later date, you want her to be as quiet as possible in her crate during any recuperation.

Do they have separate crates?

shaydenebony · Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 12:10 pm Post subject:

They have been sharing one huge one but we are looking for two smaller ones to separate them. I know ive done it all wrong which is why i want to get it right now!! Will Ebony be ok off lead if shes on her own do you think?

_joanne_ · Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 12:14 pm Post subject:

With her hips, try to give her lead walks for 10-15 mins per day. This will help her to build up muscles which in effect can help her if she does have HD and could perhaps eliminate the need for any surgery.

Why do you feel she has HD? Did you vet tell you she has?

With regards to crates, yes they should be in separate ones, also given their bond I would suggest that they be in separate rooms for now.

dotandmegan · Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 12:27 pm Post subject:

Sorry to hear about the stiffness/lameness. And about the vet's fees that go with any investigations.... we're in the middle of all that too but likely just to be arthritis.

Just wanted to comment - when Ash came we were advised to keep him and Megan in separate rooms at night and of course he's in a crate while Meg is now 6 so is just in a bed. He also has to go into town with me on his own for training. This was to avoid building up dependence on each other as he's a Guide dog pup and will be leaving (Iexpect) next year. However having done it this way I would ALWAYS recommend it as they are much easier to deal with as 2 individuals rather than "the dogs". My Dad always had 2 and they were like joined at the hip and quite hard to train etc as they listened to each other more than us (unless it was Dad - hero worship Shocked

)

But they do like sharing during the day Wink

I'd advise to start treating your two separately a bit more (I know, it's quite time-consuming) and sleeping separately and going out for short sessions, doing training etc separately is an important start.