Big Paws Only Dog Forums

Super cute. Of the candy-coated, so sweet it gives you a tooth-ache variety. I'll hold you to the pic-a-day promise -- I can't get enough of that face! Lucky you! 

Wow, he's beautiful! And he's looking quite sturdy, too.  I love OEMs... more pics, please.

Well, he's as cute as can be.  And what a beautiful family! We rescued our two saint bernards 3 years ago and a cat 5 years ago. What absolute joy! They complete the family. Welcome to BPO & enjoy!

Interesting thread. I adopted two Saints from the SPCA three years ago and we're still working with shyness and aggression issues. It didn't become a real problem until I brought them, separately, to a local, unofficial dog park. Nakita, older female, is now able to meet and sometimes run around with other dogs. But ONLY if they approach her properly - slowly and indirectly. She's shy around people - it takes her awhile to warm up - but she's just quiet about it, doesn't get aggressive.

Bear, 4yr old male, has only been able to tolerate meeting one small dog (the most submissive dog on the planet, I think). Regarding people, it REALLY irritates me when they charge right up and start banging Bear on the head, without asking, without checking.  He's generally very good with people he knows, but with strangers he definitely looks to me for direction/to be in charge. When people don't check with me first - even when I tell them to (I even put my hand out to stop their advance) - he gets confused, and sometimes goes into an aggressive stance and/or barks.  This usually scares the crap out of the person and they look at me accusingly, as if to say "you shouldn't bring him out if he's going to act like that."  The sad part is he's a sweet boy who deserves to go on walks and to the park as much as anyone but because of this tendency, we don't go very often. Any thoughts/ideas are welcome, as always.

I think every dog has their individual needs/issues and we have to work them out as such. I agree that our big guys get a bad rap around this, regardless. It sounds like you're doing the right thing. More power to you!

BTW - Bear is terrified of the vacuum, my hair-dryer, etc. He's a real pansy!

Yes, frequently. Sometimes they vomit after, other times they just seem to want to do it. I just make sure to give them plenty of time to vomit if they need to. My pups eat almost anything they can get close to, so I wasn't particularly concerned. I was surprised, however, when Bear pooped paper towels last week. I have no idea where he gets them!   

Hi Jennifer,

Did you find a Vet Just curious how things turned out?

Rich

Hi Rich,
Funny you should ask... I just called to make an appointment!  If their phone service is any indication (Maryann is very helpful!), I think you've made a fantastic recommendation .   Thanks so much.  I'm taking Bear in to get their opinion about his constant ear infections.  I'll let you know how it goes.  Again, thanks so much for the info!

Jennifer

Hi Amy
,
I wish I had a sure-fire solution to Bear's ear infections.  We're dealing with one right now.  Interestingly, he seems to get them in his left ear.  If it's really bad, he gets symptomatic in the right ear as well.  But mostly it's his left. 

The anti-bacterial drops from the vet - Vet Solutions Clotrimazole - don't work at all.  We're trying a different drop - Zymox OTIC Enzymatic Solution - which seems to be helping some.  It has hydrocortisone in it as well, which helps with the inflammation and 'itchiness', I think.  It's supposed to treat both bacterial and yeast infections.  We also use a sanitizing wash at least once a week with or without infection symptoms.  After 2+ years of the same kind of cycle you refer to with Jake, Bear is finally used to my squirting and digging around in his ears.  He sits patiently for me, poor thing.   

I haven't heard of Listerine, though I agree, it does seem harsh.  A co-worker recommended Monistat - yes, the yeast infection stuff for women - which makes sense in a weird way, but I'm hesitant to try it.

I hate not knowing how to help Bear -- both because it really seems to trouble him at times, and because I know that untreated infections can lead to hearing loss. It's amazing how sensitive a 170-lb dog can be.  But I'm convinced it's environmental and seasonal allergies, nearly impossible to single out. 

I'm hopeful that the OTIC solution will work for Bear.  I'll let you know.  Good luck with Jake!

Jennifer

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