Dogs

I take my german shepherd every once in a while to play with an american bulldog. The american bulldog’s owner told me that her dog stayed itching himself all night long after it played with my dog. My dog is free from fleas & ticks. The other dog is also free from fleas & ticks. Someone mentioned dogs can be allergic to other dogs coats. Is this possible?

Hmmm. A German Shepherd has a double coat. I would seem possible that allergens or pollen could adhere to the undercoat or to the outer coat. So, I guess my answer would be that the other dog could be allergic to something that is on the shepherd’s coat, but not to the coat itself.

It the shepherd goes for walks in any wooded area or rolls in the grass etc, then pollen could easily be found on the coat.

My son’ s dog is allergic to spruce pollen and he lives in Alaska. There are spruce trees all over the place up there.

Pollen or allergens could cause a skin reaction or a nasal/cough type reaction depending on whether it was breathed in or rubbed onto the skin.

Barking and walking in her sleep

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My dog was running around with another dog in my apartment building and they got in a little fight. He’s a boston terrier and the other was a golden retriever. The golden bit him a little, my dog didn’t bark or anything and it was over as soon as it started. He’s got a little bald mark on his head, and two marks on his back. Right after the fight my dog was still trying to play and jump around, so I’m pretty sure he’s fine and doesn’t seem hurt at all. He ate and drank water once we came in, and is still trying to play so I’m assuming he’s fine, but I’d like to know how to clean these marks so they hopefully won’t scar or get infected. Thanks for your help!

It sounds like its not a problem, no bleeding even. All you need to do is wash the areas and keep an eye on him to make sure there’s no infection (not that you should expect any in this case). If it starts to look red or puffy, it needs to be treated.

Boston Dynamics just released a new video of the Big Dog on ice and snow, and also demoing its walking gait.

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I am very familiar with birds but not very experienced with dogs. As a child, I had 3 dogs (mixed species) who were really good around our birds. However, as an adult, I have never had a dog around my birds. I’d like to get a dog someday and prefer bigger dogs than little dogs. If anyone can help answer this question, I would truly appreciate it. Thanks!

It really depends on the dog, not the breed. But as someone said earlier, get a young dog, so it can grow up getting used to being around them. Or get one that is already used to birds. No matter what you get, you will have to keep a close eye on them at all times for a while, til they are used to each other. German shepherds are really smart, obedient, and easily trained. I have a german shepherd, and 10 birds, they all get along great. My birds have the run of the house during the day, and I often find them curled up on the floor with my dog asleep together. I am very fortunate in this way. Whatever you choose to get though, just be careful. And introduce them slowly.

I will be able to get a dog, if it lives primarily outside. I just need a way of keeping him in the yard. I don’t think I will be able to get a fence. I would rather not get an electric dog fence. If that is my only choice I would consider it, but I don’t like it at all.

Tying the dog with a rope. I would worry that he would get caught up in it and hurt himself. I really don’t know how much awarness they have of them. But, this would probably be the one I go for if we can’t get a fence.

Would there be a way to train the dog to stay in the yard?
Do you have any ideas to share on what I could do?

If you are worried that the dog will be bored, I have a LOT of time to spend. I am very much a dog person. If I could I would let the dog in the house in no time.

Thanks!
I forgot to mention that the dog will be sleeping in the house at night. The dog will also be able to come inside on bad weather days to play inside and to eat. I am outside a lot be with the dog so he won’t be bored or isolated.

An invisible fence is a couple hundred max and very effective. Also I would recommend teaching the dog to stay at a finger point command with no verbal to stay until called. I like teaching my dogs this, especially insiders to restrict them from entering the living room with company present.

My dog likes his dog treats alright but they are very bland. I’ve made some dog treats for him but they were still kind of bland. How can I spice them up or what’s a good recipe?

I know there are dog treats you can get from bakerys that are actually pretty good to the human taste! They usually are dipped in a kind of icing but i’m uncertain what it consists of.
So if a human could like it, a dog would LOVE it and that’s what I want. A superb dog treat that’s not harmful to the dog. Any good recipes you know of?

well, i made molasses dog (and human) biscuits for my dog. she adored them! i’ll get the recipe…

2 cups cornmeal
2 eggs
2 Tablespoons molasses
2 cloves garlic (i didn’t put that in-i didn’t want her to have garlic breath!)
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup powdered milk

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients. Blend until smooth. Roll this mixture out 1/4 inch thick and cut into shapes or shape into dog biscuits by hand (i got a dog bone cookie cuter). Place 1 inch apart on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown.

I’m taking care of some family’s dogs for the week, but I only own one dog. My dog always seems very aggressive towards other dogs, but they seem to be getting along alright. My dog is always trying to lick under the chin of one of the other dogs, and that dog doesn’t seem to like it much. Is that some type of communication, and if yes, what does it mean?

Also…since I’ve got you here … my dog keeps taking the toys aways from that particular dog. If the one dog starts playing by himself with a toy, or if they start a game of tug of war, my dog starts growling and takes the toy away. Is that how dogs normally play, or is my dog being a bit selfish?

Licking the face/mouth is submission to the other dog, most domimate dogs don’t like it much and will growl and show agression. its what puppies do to mom wolves to invoke… hmm well feeding…. it makes them up chuck food for the pups. older dogs who do this to an alpha is corrected by a growl or just a show of teeth. it also mean ur dog is a bit insecure.
note how the other dog is standing his chest out, head high, tail up. he’s holding his ground, this is a dog that starts a fight with others that want to fight. but ur dog is saying i want to be friends….u are boss. i would correct the aggresser. a light touch on the shoulder or neck. and be sure the dog walks away not u.
taking toys is a normal play at my house, it involes growling and barking…and running around like crazy dogs they chase and play tug o war. but i stop play when it goes beyond playing to being slightly aggressive. i can hear the change of tone in the dogs… a growl deepens to a snarl…and a bark changes to that deep growlish bark. that is like when someone is at the door. they stand differ..like i said above….their brother and have been together their whole lives.

but i can’t see if ur dogs are playing..or if they mean business.

what is a good dog that can play in the woods with me

A Sheltie or German Shepperd. I have 2 sheties and 1 German Shepperd they are all great pets!

My german sherperd dog is already 10 months old. She is still very shy with other dogs. Even a very small size dog can chase her. If other dogs approach her aggresively, she submited immediately. I would like her to play with other dogs happily with confidence. Most dogs she met in off-leash park were very nice(not as aggressive as she thought). Please give me some tips on how to train her to be confident like a gsd should be.

Unfortunately, while GSDs are *supposed* to be confident, many are not. Many in the US are products of back yard breeders and because of this they are prone to improper temperament. Also, at ten months old, she is still very much a baby. You wouldn’t expect a toddler to stand up to a bullying teenager no matter how small or dorky that teenager was. It is your job to get in there when other dogs approach her aggressively and get her out of the situation/prevent the other dog from approaching. As someone else mentioned, I would rather have a dog that submits to even the smallest dog than one that is fearful or aggressive to them…especially a breed like the GSD with it’s dubious public relations/reputation.

As for increasing confidence, you stepping in and ending the situation when you feel that she is becoming overwhelmed will go a long way. After all, everyone’s braver when they know someone’s got their back if they should run into trouble. Also, basic obedience will do wonders for a dog’s self confidence…especially if you use positive training methods. As she learns what you are asking/expecting of her she will become more confidant as she realizes that she knows what it is you want. GSD’s are frequently happy to please their owners and if she knows she’s making you happy then she will be more confidant in her abilities.