anxiety wrap
I haven't seen if someone responded to a request some time ago for info on anxiety wraps. Here's a website that has them. Jill http://www.alldogsschool.com/anxietywrap.htm
re: lepto vaccine
Hi Lisa, and other lers, I saved all of the posts I received when I was recently researching whether to give the lepto vax to Indie. They are saved as a word document and I will be happy to send them to anyone who wants to review them. I also have an article which goes into detail about what leptospirosis is/how it is contracted/ vaccination info and link to a page full of information. Each is about 3 pages, so if you request these, be aware that each will be a moderate size attachment. It is something worth checking before giving and one must weigh all of the risks in giving (or not giving) any particular dog any vaccine. Leptospirosis is a treatable disease, if caught early. It is prevalent in some areas and not in others. In our area it is not a "reportable" disease and it has been difficult to find which serovars are prevalent here. I talked to 5 veterinarians, 3 in Indiana, 1 in WA, 1 in IL,about our situation. One said to give the vaccine every 6 months, since immunity wanes after that. One said that in my case, she would not advise giving it to Indie, in part because she believes that if Indie is ever sick, I will know, and will tell my vet to check and get treatment for lepto immediately (even before diagnosis, treatment can begin). She felt the risks associated with the vaccine were much higher than without for this dog. One vet said that if dogs show problems with vaccines, she always stops giving the lepto vax, as it is the one suspected of causing reactions. Two vets, because of their affiliation with a certain clinic, said: "We do recommend giving it." They went on to say that Bernese along with a few other breeds seem to show auto - immune system reactions to vaccines and they personally "might" not give it to their own Berners (or other dogs of breeds mentioned). I received posts from people whose dogs had had reactions to the lepto vaccine. Only one or two were going to give it again because they felt their situation was too risky without giving it. There is a ton of information to read about lepto and opinions among "experts" vary as do the opinions of those who have had Berners for many years or for only a short time. Certainly, one's vet can give good guidance, but I found that I needed more information before making a decision, and the list came through! Good luck! Jill with Indie and Gabby (aussieX)
another Burmese story
Recently, a young woman who was fostering a dog for adoption, was telling me that she had just helped place a Burmese mix. They knew it was part Burmese "because it had those grey eyes that they always have." When she was telling me all about the dog and his new home, I just smiled and said "oh." It just didn't seem like the right time to tell her anything else except thanks for helping the dogs. Grey eyes!!!??? Jill with Indie and Gabby
Pic of possible BMD rescue
The possible BMD who is now in the hands of Aussie rescue can be seen in the following pic. In the pic, he ooks all berner to me, but is reported to be thin and may only mature at about 65 lbs. http://www.petfinder.com/pet.cgi?action=2&pet=1855455 Jill
Possible BMD rescue
A friend of mine who is in Aussie rescue called today trying to find Berner Rescue people to help with what she is pretty sure is a BMD. Her mother pulled him from an IL shelter and they sent a few emails to Berner rescue contacts, but haven't heard back, yet. He is being neutered as I write and if anyone involved in rescue can contact me, I will put you in touch with the person who has him, or help in anyway I can to make sure this dog finds a wonderful forever home. She can get help get him to areas near IL. The dog is going from Northern IL to southern IL in the next few days. Thanks. Jill with Indie and Gabby
re: dog cars
Andrea, I replaced my Subaru wagon with a jeep cherokee. The subaru was a great car and carried three dogs, but didn't leave much room for equipment. The jeep worked well with one dog and equipment, but the inside mounted spare tire took up too much space and then I had a wreck. When I replaced the jeep, I tried mini vans, but really wanted 4wd, even though Rod has an Explorer. I bought and love a Toyota Highlander. It is suitable for 2 dogs, (1 med. sized dog in crate) and stuff for road trips. Have not tried a lrg crate, but think it would fit -be sure to measure. If I also needed a grooming table, I would swap vehicles with Rod and use his Explorer. It would hold 3 berners, folded crates, etc. The only little hitches with the Highlander: 1) back door lifts, but window doesn't open. I didn't even test that - and wish I had, since I carried one kayak in the back of my jeep, with the window open. I also could open the window at trials, but with the door still locked, & no one could open a crate and let dogs out. 2) the folded back seat doesn't fit snug against the front seats and since Indie isn't crated, the gap was a problem. We fashioned a board with supports to fill the gap. It also allows for storage underneath - where I can keep things secure from dogs. If we didn't have the Explorer, that would be my first choice, for space and other conveniences, but I wanted something smaller, and the Highlander fits the bill. It handles very much like the Subaru wagon I had: very responsive. Have fun looking for your dogmobile. Jill and gang
Thanks! re: debating lepto. Also: Hannibal!
Thanks to all who have responded with comments regarding giving the lepto vaccine. I am still researching - and from the information I have found, could be for some time! There are numerous sites devoted to vaccinations/leptospirosis and auto immune related diseases, as well as the berner-l archives, and plenty of wonderful vets who are willing to discuss this. This list is so great - thanks everyone! Pat, I subscribe to the alien theory as to how the tongue made it into the tree. Because aliens may have been responsible for "the chair," too, you might want to report that possibility to authorities, considering all of the strange happenings in your area. Thanks for sharing that story - good chuckle. Jill with Indie and Gabby
Debating about Lepto Vax - long
Hi everyone. I recently took Indie (will be 7 in Sept) for a check up and to check titers. He has plenty of immunity against everything, but Leptospirosis. My inclination is to not vaccinate for Lepto, because there is a fairly low incidence in our area, according to a Vet who specializes in infectious diseases. The Vet said that the Vet school (at Purdue) does recommend the vaccination, especially for dogs who frequent ponds and rural areas where the disease is more prevalent. (that's daily, for us = where we live). My dog's personal Vet also thinks Indie should get the vax. The newer 4 way Vac which covers 2 strains that rarely occur and 2 newer strains, was recommended. It has a low incidence of side effects/problems associated with it (1 in 1000), but my hesitation is partly due to the information that Berners, Poodles, Afgans and ?, are more susceptible to auto-immune related problems which can be associated with vaccines. Because of that and because our older girl, Trace, died not long after receiving a lepto shot, my emotions are screaming: DON'T!!! give this vax to an "older" Bernese. I cannot prove that Trace's anemia/decline/death was a side effect, but due to the timing, I at least wonder. Lepto can cause some serious problems and some dogs do die from it - I forget the death rate due to the disease, itself. Help! I would appreciate input from Berner owners concerning their call on vaccinating Berners against lepto. One other piece of the puzzle that bothers me: In the past, Indie has had yearly, routine vaccinations. For about 2 weeks after that, he has been 'not himself,' and I would bet the farm it's due to a reaction to the vacs. It was always a combo shot, and not just lepto. If you do not have your Berner vaccinated for Lepto, why and does your dog receive other routine vaccinations? To those who titer: do you check Lepto? Given the info above, would you have Indie vaccinated for Lepto, if he were your dog. I don't want to spark a vaccination controversy, but will appreciate knowing what other Berner owners do, before making a decision for my dog. Thanks, and hugs to your dogs, Jill with Indie and Gabby
Decals
Hi all, Seems like someone recently asked where they could find decals for their car. I have come across some nice ones. The company offers custom pet decals, too, so if you have a mixed breed or must have a custom Berner study, it is an option. Check out their site: www.canewman.com Jill with Indie and Gabby ps: I have no affiliation with the company - but probably will be a customer!
re: PetsMart Puppy Classes
Their puppy class focuses on socialization, house training, crate training and has info on nutrition, etc. The instructors attend a 40 hour class before becoming instructors for puppy and more advanced classes With the right instructor, I would guess the classes are a decent intro to positive training methods. Given a choice I would go to someone with more experience, especially because I like doing competition with dogs and can get started on the right foot (paw). Since puppy classes are so valuable for socialization, and because the classes I have seen at PetSmart _do_ seem to get people interested in operant conditioning methods, I do tell people about their puppy class when ours are full. Where ever one goes for class, the same caveats apply: safety for the dog (and people), and an instructor who knows how to teach the concepts. The owner must also be willing to practice what is taught. One draw back I can think of: the tons of dogs who go through the stores and who knows which ones have what disease or worms and fleas Guess that could also be found at any dog training location, but clubs at least require some basic vet. records on dogs coming through. (which really doesn't prevent the possiblity of a problem). Anyone can walk through the doors at PetSmart, including people who may have a puppy with parvo. It would be a good idea to find out if the puppy class is held in a more isolated area to help prevent the possibility of a pup picking up some nasty problem. I have not observed the other classes that PetSmart offers, but have seen dogs trained there go on to more advanced training (with experienced trainers) and gain novice titles. It seems like they are doing a decent job on the basics, at least in our area. my 2 cents, Jill with Indie and Gabby who love to play the training game
help for thunderstorm fear
Well, it works for Indie... Once upon a time, until Indie was 5.5yrs, Indie had no fear of thunderstorms. That changed the day he was entered in a herding test and a storm approached. We found out on our drive home that a tornado had struck only a mile from the site, so he had plenty of weather to cause some anxiety. Ever since he has been somewhat anxious during storms, though he has improved with some "jolly routine" training when it storms. But the help I am writing about comes from his experience in the summer Paws to Read reading program at our library where Indie listens to children who read to him. The very 1st day of the program it was storming and he had been slightly anxious. Once the kids started reading to him, on his blanket, he promptly fell asleep! The room where the kids read to dogs is now his cue to relax. Today after about 10 minutes, he flopped on his side, head on his child's lap and she giggled as she tried to get her book out from under his head. He didn't budge because he was so relaxed. This from the dog who has been nicknamed "Ever Ready" because he is always ready to go/train/etc... Of course I am writing not only about what has helped resolve some anxiety on Indie's part, but about how the Paws to Read program benefits the kids. It has been discussed on the list before. It is a wonderful program for the kids and the side effects for Indie have been a pleasant surprise! If you have a chance to get involved in a program like Paws to Read - I highly recommend you do. (and I am not seriously suggesting that anyone use it to treat fear of thunderstorms - but it is working for Indie) Jill with Indie and Gabby
please re-post NY herding clinic info
Marjie, I wanted to send the clinic info on to a friend, but somehow managed to permanently delete the digest with it. Can you please send it to me, or re-post to the list? Thanks, in advance, Jill with Indie and Gabby
re: sit down strike
Hi! Trace our old girl now gone, was good at flopping down when called to come in for the night. She loved being out on watch, over her place. She could be convinced that coming inside was worthwhile if I said in a very jolly voice: "Trace, I love you, please come in." Some nights she wanted more and I would have to throw my hands up in the air and be very silly, saying Trace, come!She was a quick study and figured out how to control consequences quite well. She must have enjoyed seeing how far I would go with my jolly/silly act and knew how to get a belly rub: get Jill to do the silly act, then come. I was rewarding a slow response, but it was a game we played, not a life or death recall. The key, really, is in making coming more rewarding than being outside. It's hard to compete with the chance to chase a raccoon or other night critter, or the chance to lay under a favorite shrub in the cool mulch... Belly rubs and very special food treats can help, but it's a good idea to make sure they are rewards for coming and not bribes. It also helps to call a dog to come and then actually release her to go again, or do something even better, like go for a walk, so that coming doesn't mean the end of fun. Hands off training, meaning no collar grabbing or pulling, works far better than trying to force this or any issue. I would give about anything to have Trace here to call and know I might have to go out in the cold to throw my hands up and get silly to get her moving. You can probably avoid having to get so silly, just keep in mind that coming has to be more rewarding. It isn't always easy, but by rewarding what you want, you can get results. grab your sense of humor, then grab some treats and the minute your dog looks at you/moves in the right direction - give her a treat. Do that a couple of times then up the ante: she must come a little closer before getting the treat. And so on until she only gets a treat for getting close, then for coming inside. When she first gets it and comes in: give her a "jackpot!" Then mix up the rewards for coming: sometimes release her, sometimes bring her in for an even better food treat or belly rub, or game, or go for a walk. Make coming to you the best thing in the world. Best of luck, Jill with Indie and Gabby Remembering our lovely Trace
re: Degenerative Myelopathy - Sunny - Amazing Milestone
Sunny (and family), We're sending along big love and Hoosier greetings for your 9th birthday! We know that sometimes things are not easy, but always think of you as the wise, loving dog who has some of the best parents a dog could imagine. Berner blessings to you and yours. Your old Hoosier friends Indie and Gabby, and as always our mom Jill sends a hug and a kiss that must be given right on top of your head.
RE: Bad Experience in Class
Cindy, I am reiterating what you have already seen in response to the class: turn and run the other way. It's good that your dog had the flight response to a bad (painful) experience, rather than the fight response. What a dog! I can't say I would have been so composed, but then I am not a dog. It is just as likely that her method will teach dogs to bite! Depends on the dog's threshold among other things. There are very effective, non abusive methods to teach your dog to not be a shark about treats.Some dogs grab at treats more than others and take a little more time to learn, but it is about learning. They don't just automatically know that humans are such wimps about teeth on flesh. :) If you can't find a trainer who teaches without brutality, then you _can_ learn how to train through books and videos. Classes help for other reasons but if an instructor, or anyone is doing anything to hurt a dog it isn't worth the damage. Listen to your dog: he doesn't want to be near that instructor! Neither would I and I hope you won't either. Best of luck and give a hug to Nicco, Jill Evans with Indie NAJ, OA, HIC, CGC & Delta Society Pet Partner and Gabby NA, NAJ, HIC, CGC, TDI
