Smart Dog

Surgery Scars

Ever wonder what a gastropexy incision looks like? Probably not, but here's a picture in case I've piqued your curiosity.

It was a much bigger incision than I expected. He had an additional surgical procedure for his neuter, but we'll spare you the picture of that incision. Besides, Talos is a modest pup, he'd probably be uncomfortable with my putting the picture of his, um, "equipment" (or lack thereof, now) on the Internet for the world to see.

Best Day

Some of the best times Tango and I have had together have been training times. Because he was a service dog in training for over a year, we were able to spend a lot of time together. There's something about Tango that cuts right to my core, some kind of special wiring we share. The time we spend together recharges me, makes the day better, reconnects us.

We spent the day in a Beginner Gun Dog workshop. There aren't a lot of positive reinforcement trainers in the gun dog community. So when I got the chance to attend a workshop (in driving distance!), I signed us up quick as a whip. (I'll post pictures in a future post, hopefully.)

We spent the day learning about gun dog training, the skills needed, and how to work on them. What fun we had! Tango's an eager partner and is patient with me as I'm trying to incorporate new skills into our training program.

It feels fantastic to work with him, in tandem, to be learning together. I can't describe the feeling or the experience other than to say I'm on a doggie high at the moment. I can't wait for tomorrow, the second half of the workshop. 

There simply isn't any better way to spend a beautiful fall weekend than outdoors with Tango.

Surgery Update on Talos

Friday was a long day for Talos. He underwent two surgeries: neuter and gastropexy. We dropped him off at 8:00a and I had a hard time leaving the vet office without him. As the technician led him out of the exam room to the surgery suite, he looked back at me with his big, blue, droopy eyes and I almost grabbed the leash and ran! I didn't of course. But I did grab him and give him a big smooch right on his face (which he hated, but I couldn't help myself).

By 11:30a, we got the good news that he was out of surgery and everything went as planned. At 4:00p he was up and walking when we arrived to pick him up. Looking a little more than drunk, he greeted me with a wobbly, wagging tail.

He slept most of the evening, but woke about every 30 minutes and whined and paced. We were told to go easy on his food, but he acted like he was famished. Every time he got up, he'd head to the dog food prep area, stand there and sway with his heavy-lidded eyes. What a pitiful sight.

The gastropexy incision is huge. I'll post pictures tomorrow (I'm not at home at the moment, another post coming on the reason why). But I've been in touch with my husband to check on Talos and the report is "If he didn't have the sutures, I wouldn't know he had surgery." Which means he's running around like a banshee. Not a good thing, but that's what you get when you let your husband run the household. Actually, I don't think the husband is letting Talos get too carried away - at least I hope not.

Thanks to everyone for the well-wishes and for checking up on him. He seems to be on the road to recovery.

Maybe Talos Really IS A Horse

 I get asked this question all the time: You got a saddle for that pony? People are, of course, referring to the (always growing) Great Dane, Talos. Ha, ha, very funny, I say. I must hear it once a day (or more). 

While Talos and I visited a friend of mine, she said "Hey, I've got a pony saddle I swear would fit Talos." 

"Go get it! Let's try it on him" I said. 

We just draped it over him (no cinch yet), and he was a-ok with it resting on his back. I'm all for desensitizing him to the saddle, cinching it up, and walking him around with the saddle on. Just for snicks. As long as Talos finds it rewarding (meaning: as long as he gets to eat lots of treats), I'm all for it. 

It's great socialization for him - the more things he views as "normal," the more well-adjusted he'll be. The more adjusted he is, the less he'll spook or be scared when he's out working with his person.

Surgery Tomorrow for Talos

Tomorrow is surgery day for Talos. He'll be neutered and will have elective gastropexy. Gastropexy is a surgery in which the stomach is sutured to the abdominal wall. It's done to prevent torsion. Torsion can be deadly. And unfortunately, it's very common in deep chested breeds, specifically Great Danes. 

If his surgery goes as well as his brother's, he'll be resting comfortably at home tomorrow night. 

He's going back to Service Dogs of Virginia for the surgery (at their veterinarian's office), so tonight we're making the drive down to Virginia. 

Tango's going, too, because Saturday and Sunday we're participating in a Beginner Gun Dog workshop, also in Virginia. 

It's going to be a busy dog-centric weekend for us. Hopefully an uneventful dog-centric weekend!

I'll update the blog Sunday night or Monday morning with the details of the surgery and Talos' recovery. Think good thoughts for us 'til then. 

Halloween 2009

  We had a happy, uneventful Halloween 2009. I gave the dogs some rawhides and put them behind a sturdy gate. The door knocking, the bell ringing - I thought it might be too much for the hounds.

As we got a feel for the pace of the trick-or-treater's I felt comfortable bringing Talos out for a few rounds of kids. He started wagging his tail the moment he heard the kids. I had plenty of delicious dog treats on hand to pair with the approaching kids. He brushed off my treats - the kids were his reward!

After about three herds of kids, I thought it prudent to put Talos back in the house. Tango was very happy to take Talos' place and did just as well at Talos did with the kids. In fact, I believe Tango got a bit bored toward the end. He laid down on the porch and tried to get in some sleep.

We hope you and your dogs had a happy Halloween and enjoyed more treats than tricks! 

Nail Trims with the Dremel Part 2 (Video)

In my unending quest to make nail trimming easier for me and my dogs, here's another way to get your dog used to the sound of the Dremel tool. In the last video, I used the clicker. In this video, I'm simply pairing high value treats (wet cat food) with the sound of the Dremel turning on. Dremel on = cat food appear. Dremel off = cat food disappears.

This is the fourth installment on nail trimming. The first, second and third installments are also posted on the blog.

 

 

Talos + The Scary Scarecrow (Videos)

 

Halloween can be dangerous and scary for your dogs. While we humans find the tradition of Halloween fun, dogs just don't get it. There's a lot of knocking on doors, screaming and squealing kids, very odd looking characters. AND it's dark!

This scarecrow has been on our front porch for a week. Talos either (1) just noticed it, or (2) has decided today that the scarecrow shouldn't be there.

If your dog spooks at something, let him investigate it at his own pace. "Jolly him up" by speaking in a lighthearted, sing-song voice, and praise him when he moves toward the object.

Never EVER pull your dog to the scary object. Let the dog tell you how far and how fast to move. If he doesn't want to venture all the way to the object, that's ok. This is about the dog, not about you. Watch how quickly Talos goes from scared to cautious to curious.

Dogs don't have the benefit of knowing what Halloween is all about. They can be frightened easily and suddenly. Before you open the door to your trick-or-treaters, put your dog on a leash or behind a gate or closed door to ensure his safety.

 

 

What Problems + Solutions Do You Want to See?

 A tired dog doesn't get into a lot of trouble. Talos, here, is a master at sleeping. But he's got some issues - like pulling on the leash.

But this isn't about Talos.

This is about you. Your dog. Your questions.

What problems would you like help with? What questions would you like answers to?

Leave a comment here on the blog and let me know what's on your mind. I'll look at all the suggestions, then start creating some posts to help answer your questions and solve your problems.

Portrait Session with Dogs

If you're crazy about your dogs like I am, you want to get that perfect photo that displays your devotion to and love for your dog. If you're in the Metro DC/Baltimore area, I've got great news for you - I found someone who can do that very thing for you.

Her name is Mary Kate McKenna and she's fantastic. She does amazing wedding and engagement phtography, AND (best of all) she has a special place for dogs - and it shows! I took all four of my dogs (what was I thinking?!) to a local park to let Mary Kate work her magic. It was chaotic, it was hectic, but through it all Mary Kate was so calm and collected. Which helped to calm both Lily and me down after our off-leash visitor.

Take a look at her blog and you can see a few of the pictures she snapped of the dogs. I will be updating the Smart Dog University website with some of those pictures soon!

I had Mary Kate spend a few extra minutes with Tango and me so we could get some special shots. I love all my dogs, but Tango and I have something special. She SO captured that special element between the two of us.

That's really hard to capture in your backyard with a point and shoot. I've been trying to get it for seven years now - it's not easy! I can't wait to get some of those photos up on my wall in my office, as well as on the site.

If you want a dog-loving, phenomenal photographer, check out Mary Kate! My dogs gave her four paws up!