Lexx spent 8 hours alone yesterday with no issues.. so proud of him.
Walking him was a challange, all he wants to do is drink snow the poor dog... phenobarb is making him so thirsty and hungry he's crazed. I have yet to see the "sleepy" dog they warned me about.
He tried to pee on the floor in front of me yesterday night again, then proceeded to pee in his crate when I was at the grocery store for an hour.
These stupid drugs... I hate them. How do you explain to your dog... its ok.. you're going to feel starved and terribly thirsty for the next 10 days, but its really ok, it will get better.
I'm still on the edge of breakdown every single day.
Now i'm reconsidering the MRI. I just feel that i NEED to know.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Phenobarb
Well
Lexx has officially been put on a mid range dose of Phenobarbitol along with his current "relatively high" dose of potassium bromide. I hate this. I never wanted him on this drug... its so bad for their livers, and dobers have such liver issues anyways.
Of course, I want him to be fine, I want him to stop seizing..but this drug actually makes them act "drugged" for the first while, increasing confusion, making him sleepy... increasing appetite and his need to drink. Why? Why does my beautiful dog have to go through this?
I spent most of saturday not speaking. I was just beyond my ability to cope. I've been having dreams lately about coming home and finding him dead. I haven't slept a full night in at least 6 months, I'm jumpy and irritable and exhausted.
I am wishing that I hadn't enrolled him in this obedience class. I haven't been able to find the energy to practice, its just too frustrating. His leg is getting worse too, he full out limps some days now and looks miserable. Lately, he hasn't even seemed to enjoy his walks as much, though it could be due to the cold.
He has no ability to deal with cold. After a 20 minute walk yesterday he was shaking, teeth chattering and miserable.
I feel like everything is just getting a whole lot worse. He's been such a lovey dog, cuddly and attentive to me lately. He follows me around like he knows that something is wrong.
He looks so guilty when he has an accident, like he knows what he's done has upset his mom, but that he just couldn't help it...
why?
Lexx has officially been put on a mid range dose of Phenobarbitol along with his current "relatively high" dose of potassium bromide. I hate this. I never wanted him on this drug... its so bad for their livers, and dobers have such liver issues anyways.
Of course, I want him to be fine, I want him to stop seizing..but this drug actually makes them act "drugged" for the first while, increasing confusion, making him sleepy... increasing appetite and his need to drink. Why? Why does my beautiful dog have to go through this?
I spent most of saturday not speaking. I was just beyond my ability to cope. I've been having dreams lately about coming home and finding him dead. I haven't slept a full night in at least 6 months, I'm jumpy and irritable and exhausted.
I am wishing that I hadn't enrolled him in this obedience class. I haven't been able to find the energy to practice, its just too frustrating. His leg is getting worse too, he full out limps some days now and looks miserable. Lately, he hasn't even seemed to enjoy his walks as much, though it could be due to the cold.
He has no ability to deal with cold. After a 20 minute walk yesterday he was shaking, teeth chattering and miserable.
I feel like everything is just getting a whole lot worse. He's been such a lovey dog, cuddly and attentive to me lately. He follows me around like he knows that something is wrong.
He looks so guilty when he has an accident, like he knows what he's done has upset his mom, but that he just couldn't help it...
why?
Friday, January 23, 2009
seizure?
well that lasted a long time...
lexx possibly seizured tonight. I say possibly because I wasn't here.
He peed on the floor this afternoon before I got home from work, not a seizure, just pee... strange. Then he did it again after dinner RIGHGT in front of me. Frustrating, what is going on... damn dog.
Then I go to the barn after dinner, crate him
Come home: lexx is pacing. Reactive but pacing at a trot in disorientation. His crate is soaked in DROOL, doesn't smell like pee. No other signs of bowel loss. Interesting.
Maybe seizures are getting more minor? I will have to observe. This would fit into the 4 week pattern he is currently on.
lexx possibly seizured tonight. I say possibly because I wasn't here.
He peed on the floor this afternoon before I got home from work, not a seizure, just pee... strange. Then he did it again after dinner RIGHGT in front of me. Frustrating, what is going on... damn dog.
Then I go to the barn after dinner, crate him
Come home: lexx is pacing. Reactive but pacing at a trot in disorientation. His crate is soaked in DROOL, doesn't smell like pee. No other signs of bowel loss. Interesting.
Maybe seizures are getting more minor? I will have to observe. This would fit into the 4 week pattern he is currently on.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Training class-week3
Well, I didn't leave in tears, so, its an improvement.
I spoke with my real trainer, who has recovered from a serious bout of stomach flu ( during which she explained, she spent the weekend at a dog show, laying down between two dog crates with her head in a bucket...) why i ask? but regardless...about Lexx's leg issues.
Instead of the off hand " he'll get it eventually" that I am so used to getting, she asked me to demonstrate, asked tonnes of questions and then suggested that some strengthening exercises might be in order. Aksing for sit stays on an incline, facing up and down, with me standing over him in order to keep his legs both tucked in nicely. She said that it would take weeks, but that if its a muscle memory thing, that should help.
Finally. Maybe not a solution, but at least its a possible step forward. now.... where to find an incline in January?
Focus was EXCELLENT this week, he has the moving focus down more than any other dog in the class. Worked on recalls with the sit front at the end, he's still ridiculously difficult to get to sit straight, but, atleast he SITS and comes STRAIGHT to me.
I saw a slight improvment on his fronts this week, again with the sitting straight issue, but I think he's starting to get that he has to be RIGHT in front of mom, or no cookie.
As much as he's still very frustrating to train, I see a big difference in him from my last group obedience class that was when he was around 8 months. much more focus, more drive to work ( maybe liking food helps?) he seems to ENJOY it.
Now, as long as I don't get frustrated... maybe I'll learn to enjoy it too.
I spoke with my real trainer, who has recovered from a serious bout of stomach flu ( during which she explained, she spent the weekend at a dog show, laying down between two dog crates with her head in a bucket...) why i ask? but regardless...about Lexx's leg issues.
Instead of the off hand " he'll get it eventually" that I am so used to getting, she asked me to demonstrate, asked tonnes of questions and then suggested that some strengthening exercises might be in order. Aksing for sit stays on an incline, facing up and down, with me standing over him in order to keep his legs both tucked in nicely. She said that it would take weeks, but that if its a muscle memory thing, that should help.
Finally. Maybe not a solution, but at least its a possible step forward. now.... where to find an incline in January?
Focus was EXCELLENT this week, he has the moving focus down more than any other dog in the class. Worked on recalls with the sit front at the end, he's still ridiculously difficult to get to sit straight, but, atleast he SITS and comes STRAIGHT to me.
I saw a slight improvment on his fronts this week, again with the sitting straight issue, but I think he's starting to get that he has to be RIGHT in front of mom, or no cookie.
As much as he's still very frustrating to train, I see a big difference in him from my last group obedience class that was when he was around 8 months. much more focus, more drive to work ( maybe liking food helps?) he seems to ENJOY it.
Now, as long as I don't get frustrated... maybe I'll learn to enjoy it too.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
remember, its all about FUN
Tonight is Lexx's third obedience class, I'm really hoping that my regular instructor is back, because I wasn't such a fan of her replacement last week.
Lexx has been coming along well with some commands while he seems confused or unable to perform others. While I have to admit that his sits HAVE gotten a wee bit better, he's still cheating the tuck. He knows not to move his front feet back, so instead of tucking his back feet in, he just stretchs back and sits, not moving his front but ending up in the exact opposite of a compact tuck.
I feel that this means that he's understanding the concept, but may not be able to tuck his hind end perfectly, we've been working hard at it.
His focus is great though his positioning is still sketchy at best, especially when at a heel position. I've been making a large effort on my part to ensure that the lure is always exactly on my hip and not to reach around my body at all in hopes to keep his hind end straighter and less at a 45 degree angle.
His COME command is fantastic, he will come straight from any angle, including when i have my back to him, my side to him or am standing in another room. His fronts of course are not as good as possible ( back to the sitting issue) but I actually caught him correcting himself yesterday once or twice which made me unbelievably happy.
Im really trying to remain positive about training, stopping when I get frustrated with an exercise and keeping practice sessions short. I still don't feel like he's improving as much as he should, but at least I feel like he's TRYING and thats a start.
Nothing we can do about physical issues, but trying is important.
I'm trying to remember, its ALL ABOUT FUN leanne... don't make it more serious than it has to be. I'm becoming more and more ok with the idea of Lexx just being my best friend and not a championed obedience dog. Every day it gets easier and the lower my expectations, the less disappointment I feel.
Hopefully tonight will go well and I'll be excited again, because last week, I never wanted to go back.
Lexx has been coming along well with some commands while he seems confused or unable to perform others. While I have to admit that his sits HAVE gotten a wee bit better, he's still cheating the tuck. He knows not to move his front feet back, so instead of tucking his back feet in, he just stretchs back and sits, not moving his front but ending up in the exact opposite of a compact tuck.
I feel that this means that he's understanding the concept, but may not be able to tuck his hind end perfectly, we've been working hard at it.
His focus is great though his positioning is still sketchy at best, especially when at a heel position. I've been making a large effort on my part to ensure that the lure is always exactly on my hip and not to reach around my body at all in hopes to keep his hind end straighter and less at a 45 degree angle.
His COME command is fantastic, he will come straight from any angle, including when i have my back to him, my side to him or am standing in another room. His fronts of course are not as good as possible ( back to the sitting issue) but I actually caught him correcting himself yesterday once or twice which made me unbelievably happy.
Im really trying to remain positive about training, stopping when I get frustrated with an exercise and keeping practice sessions short. I still don't feel like he's improving as much as he should, but at least I feel like he's TRYING and thats a start.
Nothing we can do about physical issues, but trying is important.
I'm trying to remember, its ALL ABOUT FUN leanne... don't make it more serious than it has to be. I'm becoming more and more ok with the idea of Lexx just being my best friend and not a championed obedience dog. Every day it gets easier and the lower my expectations, the less disappointment I feel.
Hopefully tonight will go well and I'll be excited again, because last week, I never wanted to go back.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Snow mania
Well, after almost 10 days of little to no exercise ( neuter mend paired with -45 degree weather) Lexx and I finally got out for a good long on leash walk today.
I was a little bit petrified since I've been such a bad mom and we haven't done any on leash walking recently, but really, he was ridiculously well behaved considering.
His only moment of bad this morning was jumping on the neighbourhood shop owner, who LOVES Lexx and doesn't mind at all about being jumped on, but I for one think its very rude.
Lexx's jumping has always been horrible. He STILL jumps on everyone at almost 2 years of age. He jumps on me EVERY SINGLE TIME i get home and its really starting to bother me.
I've tried everything to rid him of the habit, ignoring him, correcting him, making him sit ( which he will do AFTER he jumps) for treats, kneeing him in the chest ( which i hate) turning around...etc...etc.. and nothing works.
Its really a pain.
Otherwise, he's doing well. No more bruising to speak of and the swelling has dropped very dramatically, so I'm pleased about that.
I was a little bit petrified since I've been such a bad mom and we haven't done any on leash walking recently, but really, he was ridiculously well behaved considering.
His only moment of bad this morning was jumping on the neighbourhood shop owner, who LOVES Lexx and doesn't mind at all about being jumped on, but I for one think its very rude.
Lexx's jumping has always been horrible. He STILL jumps on everyone at almost 2 years of age. He jumps on me EVERY SINGLE TIME i get home and its really starting to bother me.
I've tried everything to rid him of the habit, ignoring him, correcting him, making him sit ( which he will do AFTER he jumps) for treats, kneeing him in the chest ( which i hate) turning around...etc...etc.. and nothing works.
Its really a pain.
Otherwise, he's doing well. No more bruising to speak of and the swelling has dropped very dramatically, so I'm pleased about that.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Neuter update
Lexx had his one week checkup last night from his neuter surgery.
The vets reported that he looks MUCH better though there is still a small amount of bruising and swelling in the area. He is officially allowed to exercise again, though she still says that perhaps I shouldn't let him just tear around off leash yet.
Yeah. Right. Its -37...like we're going outside? NO WAY.
I thank my lucky stars that Lexx is well mannered under his reduced exercise regime, its been a week since he had a real walk longer than 10 minutes and he's still being SUCH a good boy
He doesn't want to be outside anymore than I do.
The vets reported that he looks MUCH better though there is still a small amount of bruising and swelling in the area. He is officially allowed to exercise again, though she still says that perhaps I shouldn't let him just tear around off leash yet.
Yeah. Right. Its -37...like we're going outside? NO WAY.
I thank my lucky stars that Lexx is well mannered under his reduced exercise regime, its been a week since he had a real walk longer than 10 minutes and he's still being SUCH a good boy
He doesn't want to be outside anymore than I do.
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