Doggone good dog thread

[triple_duece]

Has he had a reaction to loud noises already....negatively?

Most labs are not gun shy. The ones on that borderline is the ones you have to be careful introducing loud noises or shots. I always clap loudly before feeding or bang on its bowl making a loud noise w a spoon. Also I start w a pellet gun and hype up the dog the whole time. After, I have one of my boys shoot a 22 30 yards away like he’s shooting a fetching dummy, while I’m throwing one, all the time acting excited in case there is a doubt w the shot.

I have never had a gun shy dog. I have seen them before and that’s a lot of time wasted training my pup to risk it in my eyes. Don’t take unnecessary chances.

If your dog startled at the first shot without conditioning it, it’s a long road if you can bring them back.

I even condition my dog to lightning and thunder by using same principles. Good luck with your training as fowl hunting is just blah without hunting with a good dog if you ask me.

 

[bowhunter1023]

He was fine until the Annie Oakley started. He was also off leash and I wasn't paying attention, so I couldn't handle him. I'm not too concerned at the moment, just being mindful.

 

[Sgt Fury]

 

[Sgt Fury]

 

[hickslawns]

51 pounds when Otis came home in March. 67# in July. We cut him back from 5 cups of food to 4 cups. One month later he was 71#. (Scales at the vet.) I think he is moving from adolescent to adult stage and bulking up. He is also more active and playful. Some is just muscle. He is perfect. I'd like to keep him around 67-70# if possible to keep weight off his joints. If he keeps adding muscle then so be it. I don't want him to get chubby though. It is hard on the joints.

Here is a mix a pics in March and August.

 

[DJK Frank 16]

He looks a lot healthier Phil!

 

[giles]

Yup, looking good!

 

[Big_Holla]

 

["J"]

We've been experimenting with some dog food changes, looking too see if we could lessen the amount of shedding Bristol has. On the advise of our SIL we tried the Kinetic Performance 26 dog food. We're 3/4's through the first 35 lb bag and shedding has been cut in over half. I brush her every morning and the amount of hair has been drastically reduced. Instead of a few fistfuls of hair, I'm seeing a half of a handful at each grooming. I'm happy with it so far and she seems too like it as well.

https://kineticdogfood.com/active-26k-formula/

 

[bowhunter1023]

Shedding sucks! Glad you saw relief. Lulu got better with the switch to Pro Plan and an increase in egg intake. It was ridiculous for a while, especially when she was on the Diamond Naturals Lamb.

 

[bowhunter1023]

If you've never heard of Vetericyn, get some and have it on hand. Gunnar got this nasty cut sometime on Aug. 7 or 8 while we were at beach. It went 36 hours without any real treatment due to him not letting my sister or mom touch it. When I got home, I cleaned it and because he wasn't favoring it and it wasn't infected, I chose not to go to the vet. I also had 3 trusted dog people tell me to buy this stuff and just keep an eye on him. We've used this religiously, kept to clean, and he's never shown that it hurt. It's been a long grind, but he's almost ready for the water and I'm super impressed with this stuff. You can get it in the equine section at TSC or RK.

 

["J"]

Thanks for the heads up, Jesse. I’ll be picking some up tomorrow....

 

[triple_duece]

He split a pad? First pic looks like the nail but I’m surfing by phone. Good info, thanks for sharing. What exactly is the medicine?

 

[bowhunter1023]

The nail is still in there and the laceration barely caught the pad. The medicine is an antimicrobial solution that seems to work wonders.

https://vetericyn.com/product/vetericyn-plus-all-animal-wound-and-skin-care/?attribute_size=3oz

 

[jagermeister]

Great to know. Thanks for the update on that. Guess I'll be adding a bottle to the dog first aid kit.

Another quick tip... If / when you do take a dog to the vet, take advantage of any antibiotic or steroid prescription and get all you can. Having extras on-hand later can be very useful.

 

[giles]

Dumbass dogs, I’m glad he didn’t cost you a bunch of money! Those are bleeders and people freak out when they see all the blood.

 

[bowhunter1023]

He definitely bled like a stuck pig judging by the deck when we got home. And the blood trail you could see nearly everywhere that wasn't grass. I am truly amazed it didn't get infected and believe the Vetericyn is why. As I said, 3 people who have bred dogs and repaired wounds suggested it and for $20, it was well worth it. It goes a long ways, too. I still have over a half a bottle. So for $10 upfront, we avoided a vet trip and I have $10 in the first aid kit.

 

[Outdoorsfellar]

If you don't have that, try a mixture of regular vinegar & peroxide in a small spray bottle. My dog from time to time will get this redish looking tumor ? that will come out between his front nails . I use to go to the vet & get something for it & then learned about this. Clears it right up.

 

[Big_Holla]

Good ole Rusty and the kids out for a walk. He's really starting to slow down this summer. Man I love that dog!

 

[bowhunter1023]

He flinches, but doesn't whimper or hide, so we're good. Started with a .22 that he ignored. Blasted a 3" 20 gauge 10' away and he flinched, but just sat there. He was laying next to me when my buddy shot a squirrel 30 yards behind us and never moved. We're good! Plus, he just lays here and keeps me company! First ever hunt and the first of many I hope!