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MS
LINDA
...... wrote:
Dear
Jim and Darr,
I
need you to answer a question for me, My dog who is 13, will be
14 in August this year,has cataract in both eyes but still sees
ok, has arthritis in his legs, but would still set chase after
a cat in the park, his behavior is changing very often, he gets
angry and aggressive towards me for no reason, he has nipped at
me, bit my finger, even when trying to pet him. He is on aspirin,
and a drug uraban a hormone to help with his behavior, do you
think new training would help? Is he too old? Is it too much for
his arthritis. Could he be in more pain than what I am seeing?.
I love him so much. What's your opinion. I was told he was establishing
dominance over me. Is this true, He was given to me when he was
2weeks old, he is now 13 yrs.
Thank
you Linda.
Hi
Linda....remember everything I will write is based purely
on your email and it will never be as good as actually seeing
your dog and you together ok!
No,
I would find it hard at this later stage in life to believe
that your dog suddenly decided to establish a dominance over
you. These things are more if not always the common thing in
the first 2 years of their life. I would 90+% point to his arthritis
as well as any other potential medical problems. It is to bad
but you should try to establish if he is in any sort of constant
pain. You did not mention what breed or breed mixture your dog
is. Is it possible that there is another problem like dysplasia?
Dysplasia is where the joints don't meet properly especially
in the rear hips. This causes pain and problems in walking.
Each dog is different in it's percentage of pain relative to
walking properly. This is common with the larger breeds or even
some smaller breeds like shelties which are not so large. Is
your dog over weight? If so could a change of diet to loose
that extra weight help? You really should consult your vet or
maybe two vets for two opinions. Whatever...think about bringing
a new puppy into your life NOW...while your other guy is still
around....now because as hard as it is you will have to let
go eventually, and a puppy is without question the answer to
your future love of dogs. I know...you may have said this is
my last dog..no one will ever replace him. Don't wait. But be
careful. No dog will ever replace this one. Every dog just like
every person is different. Even within the same breed. Although
you can expect some common traits familiar to a particular breed.
The best way to explain this is if you went to China...or if
a chinese person came to North America, We like they would have
some familiarities that are familiar and in some way type casted
to that air of familiar things about a nation that we or the
chinese have come to expect from another nation. As it is with
breeds of dogs. Within the umbrella of each breed is a common
ground for temperment as well as physical appearance. But within
each breed each dog is an individual with it's own unique personality...although
not necessarily apparent from the outside world. So study very
carefully...what your puppy should be and remember...great dogs
are not necessarily purebreds ok!
Lynda..I
wish you the best in this sensitive time and feel free to reply
to this email with more information about your situation.
Jim
My
Dog is going Blind
Tom
......wrote:
I
have what may be a unique question...
The dog I adopted in March is slowly losing his eyesight to
cataracts (caused by hypoparathryoridism), and unfortunately
corrective surgery is cost prohibitive ($2,000 U.S.).
He has lost about 50% to 60% of his sight already. He is a male,
4 year old, Flat Coated Retriever.
Do you have any suggestions as to what things I should be training
him on before he loses his sight altogether? Thank you.
Tom
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