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Topics - maggieb

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My mother-in-law said she was going to send me one (after spending 4 days with my two smelly newfs!).  She swears that they take the smell out of your dogs coat.  I'm curious but cautious.

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We are about to add another pup to our home.  We have a two year old nuetered male.  We did have two males and they got along without any problems.  We are thinking of adding a female this time.  My only concern is that Cooper tries to hump certain female dogs at the dog park.  I don't want to bring in a female if it will be a hump-fest all the time.  Of course we would have her fixed as well..

So what I'm wondering is if that behavior will disappear after the novelty has worn off or he has demonstrated his dominance or whatever it's about.

Anyone have any experience with this?
Thanks.

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Can anyone recommend a good breeder on the West Coast.  We are in Oregon and I'd prefer to pick a puppy up rather than have it transported.  I really want to find a breeder whose dogs are OFA certified and/or offers a health guarantee.  We already experienced double hip surgery with our Newf and I don't want to go through that again.
Thanks,
Maggie

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Collars, crates, & other cool things / Dog smell in the house
« on: September 23, 2006, 06:29:12 am »
I LOVE my pups and would never think about banning them from the house or particular rooms BUT my house smells strongly of dog no matter how clean it is.  It's gotten to the point that I'm too embarrassed to invite people over.

My mother just told me about an air purifier she heard about that is suppose to remove the smell from the house.  They are very expensive! But if they work, I'd consider it for peace of mind.  Does anyone have any experience with these air purifiers and if so what kind?  Any other ideas for getting the smell out? 

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Mixed Breed Discussion / anyone know much about Doodles?
« on: May 19, 2006, 02:13:34 am »
I'd love to hear more about them if anyone is knowledgeable.  I'm specifically wondering if there is much difference (temperment or appearance) between a glodendoodle and a labradoodle. Maybe the hybrid is too new for any conclusions like that..

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Newfoundland Discussions / why aren't you suppose to shave a Newf?
« on: April 23, 2006, 09:16:47 am »
I'm going backpacking for three weeks this summer and I worry about Cooper overheating with all that hair.

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Newfoundland Discussions / stalking approach posture
« on: March 30, 2006, 03:25:47 pm »
My Newf mix has started this new behavior that I'm curious about.  When approaching another dog from a distance, he crouches down in a "stalking" like posture similar to a Mountain lion or other big cat. Once he gets close, he bounces up playfully in effort to get the other dog to chase him. So it doesn't appear to be an aggressive behavior..  Should I be concerned that it could become aggressive (he's 16 months old)?  Has anyone else seen this kind of behavior in your Newf's.  I had never thought of them as "hunters" and that is what it looks like.

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I may be wrong about this but it seems like Cooper's size makes some smaller dogs react aggressively (maybe a fear response?).  That's the only thing I can think of.  He is a big chicken in reality.  My lab is really more of a alpha dog.  But I've had many more occasions of other dogs lunging or growling at Cooper than I have with the lab.  Has anyone else experienced this?

Part two of the question is how do I deal with it?  Unfortunately we missed some prime training and socialization btwn 6 and 11 months because he was recovering from surgery and confined to the house.  So now he is 100+ pounds and unfortunately learning that he should posture when approaching other dogs.  I want to nip this in the bud!

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Newfoundland Discussions / Dodgie breeder
« on: July 31, 2005, 12:20:56 pm »
I'm not sure what we should do... We got Cooper (a Newfy mix) from a backyard breeder.  We learned the hard way that it wasn't the smartest thing to do -after thousands of dollars for hip surgeries related to hip dysplasia.  I called the woman in May after he was diagnosed to tell her he had dysplasia.  She had told me when I bought him that there wasn't any dysplasia in the lineage.  Anyway, long story short, we just saw an ad in today's paper that they have another litter for sale.  Obviously the damage is done with more puppies already on the way but I feel like we should do something.  And I'm also wondering about the timing.  How long does it take to breed a dog?  I mean, did she breed after I told her about Cooper?

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Newfoundland Discussions / I can't take anymore!
« on: July 08, 2005, 11:33:17 am »
Cooper was diagnosed with severe hip dysplasia in March or April.  We just completed the second of his hip surgeries last Thurs.  It has been an exhausting and emotionally draining process.  But now he is having urination problems.  He seems to be trying to pee but only dribbles are coming out with an occasional squirt.  He tries to go outside but as I said not much comes out, which means he still has to go once back in the house.  Up til Tues he was peeing while laying down b/c he couldn't really get up.  That was awful cause we were having to clean him and do laundry constantly. He's now stronger and more mobile and gets up every little while to dribble on the pads we have down on the floor. (we aren't suppose to take him out more than 4 tmes a day b/c he's suppose to be resting and confined).  Of course the vet that did the surgery is out of town til the 19th.  I consulted with the other surgeon in the office early in the week who said it could be the fentanyl patches or codeine and to call her later this week.  He's off those meds now but he's still having the same problem.  I've done some research on the web and there is some mention of urethra damage being a rare complication of this surgery.  I just left her a message to say that it is still a problem and asking specifically if this could be the issue.  I can't take it if is.  I don't know if it is even fixable but am sure it would require another surgery.  We have to keep him confined for 8 weeks as it is!

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There seem to be lots of knowledgeable people on this site so I thought I'd post this question before I call the vet.  I'm not even sure the vet is the right person to ask..

I posted something a week or so ago about my previously housebroken 7 mo old pup peeing in the house again.  We've come to the conclusion that it is marking- probably in reaction to all the babying and special treatment we've given him post surgery.  So in response, we've limited his rooms in the house again and we always make sure to greet and feed our older dog (12 years) first.  This seems to be working as far as the marking goes. Cooper is definitely deferential to Kramer when we are present but I've caught him a few times doing things like blocking a doorway so Kramer can't go thru so I'm fairly certain stuff is still going on between them.

My question is this- Should Cooper always respect Kramer as higher in the hierachy to him.  The truth is that Cooper could probably kick Kramer's butt due to size and age.  I know if they were wild there would come a time for Kramer to step down and the more powerful male to step up.  I just don't know if that's the same for dogs in a home.  Maybe we shouldn't be intervening and let them figure it out.  I don't know..

Any thoughts?

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Newfoundland Discussions / peeing in the house after surgery
« on: June 17, 2005, 12:05:32 pm »
My 7 mo old pup has just started peeing in the house again.  He's been housebroken for several months.  He had hip surgery about a week ago.  I just called the vet to see if it could be a side effect of the meds but apparently not.  I'm guessing it is an emotional/behavioral thing.  Does anyone have any experience or ideas about this?

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Has anyone checked it out?  They are claiming you can make over $7000 working 20 hours a week by taking surveys.  That can't be for real, can it? 

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Newfoundland Discussions / Triple Pelvic Osteotomy
« on: June 03, 2005, 02:20:59 pm »
Does anyone have any experience with this surgery?  We are having more x-rays taken of Cooper's hips next week to see if he's a candidate for the surgery.  It sounds promising (although EXPENSIVE!) but I'd like to hear from anyone who's done it and whether they'd do it again.
And does anyone know whether there are any fairy godmother organizations that help fund expensive vet procedures?  We could use the help!

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Newfoundland Discussions / Newf energy level
« on: May 30, 2005, 01:05:00 pm »
I'm wondering what is normal energy level for a Newf.  Our puppy has never been very energetic.  For example, when we take him to the park, he'll run in brief spurts but mostly walks around, never trots.  Our 12 year old Lab runs circles around him.  I always assumed it was a breed trait but now that we have the hip dysplasia diagnosis, I'm wondering how much that might be contributing.

The other problem is that it's hard to wear him out.  He's been kind of destructive in the last week even when we take him out every day.  Does anyone have any good mental exercise tricks to tire a dog out?  It's clear he's not getting enough stimulation.

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