Big Paws Only Dog Forums

There are so many of us here who have been posting about a variety of health problems and symptoms that while they may appear unrelated, often can point to yeast infections and therefore I urge everyone to consider yeast as a possible underlying factor when tackling a host of problems.

The Whole Dog Journal recently provided an excellent analysis of yeast overgrowth and their significant occurrence in dogs today.  It is a highly under-diagnosed condition since most vets do not know how to treat and do not consider the big picture of the entire animal.

Here is a great checklist of common symptoms to consider for yeast.  Check each symptom that applies and then add up the number of checks to determine the likelihood of yeast:

Fatigue
Poor Appetite
Overweight
Anxious
Nervousness
Allergies
Environmental sensitivites - trees, pollens
Frequent Infections
Dull Hair/Coat

Rashes or Itching
Hives
Draining Sore
Itchy Feet
Chewing Feet or Tail
Body Odor
Face Rubbing
Acne
Eczema
Oily or Greasy Skin
Dry Flaky Skin
Excessive Shedding
Blackened Skin (armpits and groin)
Thickened, rough skin

Wheezing
Coughing
Asthma
Nasal Discharge
Reverse Sneezing (snorting)
Itching nose


Bad Breath
Smelly Stool
Indigestion
Vomiting or Diarrhea
Constipation
Anal Gland Impaction/Irritation

Ear Discharge
Ear Infections
Ear Itching or Pain

Itching Eyes
Red Irritated Eyes
Cloudy Eyes
Runny Eyes, Oozing
Dull eye appearance

Joint Pain
Arthritis
Stiff Neck
Back Pain

Bladder Infection
Kidney Stones
Increased Urination
Vaginal Discharge
Irregular Heat Cycles


0 = Excellent Health

1-2 = Mild Dietary Change Needed

3-5 = Moderate Dietary Change Needed and nutraceutical/herbal support needed

5 or more = Poor Health and marked dietary change needed; nutraceutical/herbal support needed and time for your dog to cleanse, detoxify, and rebuild his/her immune system replenishing missing nutrients.

For those of you who may read BARK magazine (great magazine by the way), the latest has an article in there by a guy who's friends ordered him a Berner from a backyard breeder/puppymill over the internet.  It is a great article to show how NOT to buy a dog.

No health certifications or clearances mentioned and some people who "were breeding to raise money for college".  Yikes. The poor dog had horrible diarrhea and Gi Tract problems from the start and ultimately horrible elbow dysplasia.  She limped so badly that the owner actually did the highly suspect and often failing elbow surgery.

If you have a chance to get ahold of Bark this month, I highly recommend it.  They also did a good article about the concerns re: vaccines.

I wanted to share this story I received from a great positive trainer regarding one of her more serious training clients this past year.  It is an excellent example of how to properly train for long term results and success:


"A few of my cases this past year were those "last resort or else the dog is gone" cases.

Every single one of "my" dogs were trained exclusively with positive (what I consider positive, no corrections, no startling, hitting, choking, no prong or choke or shock or citronella collars, etc.) methods while I was working with them. With a few of these dogs, I have no doubt that old fashioned trainers would have resorted to (very)
harsh methods because of size of problem and dog and level of confidence in dog

Anyway, I wanted to know long term success rate of these exclusively positive methods and whether people stuck with them, etc. and one of the three toughest cases I ever had got back to me (they had 10 private lessons with me!) as to how they were doing one year after.

We worked intermittenten tly last year between late January and early April and I did a bit of dog walking for them for a while too since (apparently) no dog walker could handle this dog back then, now anyone could <G>

Dog was an adolescent (or is, she's still around!) giant breed bucking Bronco recently adopted from a shelter. Her breed rescue refused to take her in because they deemed her too dangerous (too much of a liability) because of her extremely high arousal behaviors (hard mouthing, hard jumping, "stealing" and resource guarding, etc. combined
with her size 120lbs she really was dangerous....)

So the shelter decided to adopt her out to a couple with giant breed experience making it obligatory that they have private training with this dog with another trainer. Combined, the husband and wife maybe weighed 180 lbs, if that!

Long story short, I was hired to train because I am friends with the trainer who was asked originally because she couldn't travel all the way where these people live and they're close to me.

The people followed up beautifully on my suggestions, did their homework and now they told me that a year after, the success maintained. They can now take the dog anywhere (they take her to work!!!!!!!!) like the dog park, vacation on the beach, etc. and told me people *always* comment on how well behaved she is. WOW!

That's amazing because this dog was *so* close to euthanasia and so wild and out of control and so high arousal and reactive, and so huge, it's unbelievable. In all honesty, she was probably way over my head at
the time but I was apprenticing with Pat then (and I have other trainer friends too) whose brains I picked about this case.

And yes, we used positive methods throughout and even though I recommended they use a headhalter (which I rarely do but she redirected on them a few times) they opted not to and even though the dog outweighed these people, they were able to train her on a harness, with a really strict management protocol, a good say please program and
last, but not least, with a clicker and a bunch of cookies

They told me if it wasn't for me and Vienna Sausages, they would have had to give up the dog Ah, that felt *really* good, I'll save that letter (and thanks Pat for introducing me to disgusting Vienna Sausages!)

Lucky for us, we found very early on that this dog was *highly* motivated by Vienna Sausages and we made her work *hard* for them! Since she was very big and pretty thin (at 120lbs! yes she really did need to gain,) it was great to use all her food for training and having her work for all of it. They told me that they now can even take
objects right out of her mouth YES!

These tiny, petite people were able to tame their 120lbs + "dragon" of an adolescent nightmare giant breed dog with a clicker and a bunch of cookies. I say, if they can do it, most people should be able to do it! Boy I wish all my clients were that compliant!

So when someone ever tells you (again) that their dog or some other "last chance" dog(s) needs harsh methods for control, please tell them that that's the last thing last chance dogs need! Even if they weigh 120lbs and put their teeth on you!

(BTW. I am not suggesting every dog can or should be "saved"!)

Thanks,

Sabine Hentrich, CPDT
fourpositivepa ws.com

I have been seeing so many questions lately regarding behavior, communicating with our canines, and understanding how to show them what we want, I thought I would post here all of my top recommendation s:

You cannot go wrong with anything from Patricia McConnell but these are must haves:

The Other End of the Leash
For the Love of a Dog
She also offers specific training guides for specific behavioral issues, including reactive dogs and fearful dogs:  http://www.dogsbestfriendtraining.com/

Pat Miller:  The Power of Positive Dog Training
http://www.peaceablepaws.com/

Jean Donaldson:  The Culture Clash

Ian Dunbar: Many resources and must haves
http://www.training-dogs.com/ian-dunbar.html