Welcome to the Dogs Community!

[Jaybay]

If you have one dog, multiple dogs, small dogs or large dogs, or are just thinking about bringing a dog into your life, this forum is the place for you.

There is no such thing as a stupid question here, and there are many experienced and knowledgeable members ready to help and discuss doggy business of all kinds.  All posts are welcome whether they are about veterinary care, diet, behavior, grief and loss, or a simple sharing of fun experiences with your dogs.

If you have an emergency with your dog or can't quite determine if your dog needs emergency care, please call your veterinarian first!  While many members can help you with basic first aid, we have no way of helping if your dog is experiencing a life-threatening situation.  

Med Help also has a licensed veterinarian on the “Ask a Vet” forum.  Dr. Cheng graciously volunteers her time so participation on that board is free.  In addition to practicing western veterinary medicine, Dr. Cheng also practices holistic, traditional Chinese medicine.  She has a wealth of knowledge regarding herbal and alternative treatments.  If you have an unusual or complicated medical issue, Dr. Cheng is a great resource for you.

Like other forums here at Med Help, members of the Dogs Community have the capability of writing and posting Health Page topics.  The Health Pages serve the same function as a “sticky note” post without cluttering up the forum itself.  At this time, we have one topic posted by Peekawho about Emergency Vets that is well worth reading.  For example, if you have specific knowledge of a particular medical condition or training technique, those would be great topics for a Health Page.  Just click the “Health Pages” link at the top right corner of the forum page to read what others have to offer and better yet, write your own page.  :-)

For the dogs!
Jaybay

[BabaluandOtis2]

Hi Jaybay,

You know, it's funny you posted this now....I have been wanting to post to you asking if you could put one sticky on top of the forum titled something like "PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING" or something like that to get the attention.
Then just say in the post for people to use the "view community archives" feature at the top or to put keywords concerning their pups issues into the "search this community" box at top right.

I am going to start saving some of my posts/replys, the long ones, dealing w/ my experiences and put them in a folder on my desktop so that if a familiar issue comes up, like allergies, tummy upset, etc. I can just copy/paste a previous reply I have and just add/delete info as needed instead of re-typing all that info all the time, considering how long some of my rambling posts can be, LOL...
I have tendinitis issues and I shouldn't be typing/scrolling so much......my doc would throw a fit if he knew how much I'm on, LOL....

Anyway just something to remind new and old members to use those features, along with the health pages (which I never knew about myself...see!.lol.... I'll have a look) because even though we are growing here more each day w/ new members, there are many times we aren't around.....late at night, on weekends etc.. to answer right away and they may be able to find some help and answers just by researching past posts until we can reply.

I don't want people not returning or feeling left out because they didn't get a reply right away. Some aren't familiar with forums and how they work and don't realize we're not always logged in all the time. And that there are other ways to search for help on here.

Anyway....just a thought for 1 sticky to get that message across. I've found many forums do this because of this issue and sometimes hurt feelings...or with our type of forum,  freaking out because they are worried of course about their baby...as we all are, and aren't always thinking clearly to fully read all the pages on how the forum can be best utilized.

Take care, Teresa ; )

[Jaybay]

Thanks for pointing out the search function on the board archives.  I knew I forgot something!  :-)

[chihuahuagrandma]

Yep, just like the title says: "Welcome to the dog community"
That says it all...I love to read and interact with others on this site regarding the shared experiences, suggestions, advice, and just wonderful kind and considerate caring animal lovers...
I have learned a great deal in the short time I've been onboard, and know this site is most helpful to all...
So if your new, post your comment, check in from time to time to see if people have posted a reply to your comment, don't give up, someone will try to help you the best they can, and keep the dog community posted on your outcomes, let everyone know if your issue was address, getting better, and so on...
I beleive any dog lover would find this forum interesting and informative!!!!

[ChitChatNine]

Post a pic of your pooch in your photos!  

And please don't lurk .

This is a great site .. lot's of info and freinds to be made!

Muffin
5yrs old ShihTzu

[peekawho]

The most heartbreaking thing is that people post here first for what are CLEARLY lifethreatening problems.  

Jaybay and everyone here can't say it enough.  Call your vet FIRST, if you think your dog is in trouble.  Do NOT post here first.  

This is a great forum, but cannot and should not substitute for the care and advice of a veterinarian.

[sam5848]

We just purchased a male Maltese.  Snowball is very cute and we love him, but we are having the hardest time training him.  He was pooping and peeing in the house, but since we have put him on a schedule he has stopped pooping put pees anywhere he sees fit.  I know that he is a puppy and it will take some time, but then I read on the internet that Maltese puppies were very hard to train.  He is 5 months old, and I also give him Angel Eyes for the tear stains, and I am starting to wonder if this has something to do with him constantly peeing all the time.

[julesluvsdrew]

Hey everyone,Im new to the community and just wanted to say hello:)I have 4 dogs.They are our kids!We have 2 pit bulls,sadie,and Cain.They are husband and wife.They had a litter about 2 years ago.Sadie wasnt the best of mothers but she did her best.Now she is paying for it because after she got fixed she ballooned to 125.She loves to eat,its her favorite past time.Cain just got fixed,because we live in a town who believes pitt bulls should be neutered or not allowed.So now he too is gaining weight,poor little guy once had a six pack too...Then theres Tuffito,hes a pomeranian who happens to be spanish.He has an accent.Hes quite the character too,you would think he was the pittbull in the family.The last dog and certainly not least is Crittle girl.She is almost 18 years old!Were having a lot of issues with her and it brakes my heart to see her suffering,even if its a little bit..so now its the big decision..when to do "IT".Its hard for me to even type that.I love her and that is why im even considering it.She is an american eskimo.Ive had her since I was in 8th grade,im 28 now.Ive been praying a lot that the lord will take her in her sleep,maybe while she is having a good dream about a handsome boy eskimo dog..All my dogs are as important to me as a child is to a mother.They have imprinted my heart with their paws.

[Jaybay]

Hi, and welcome to the neighborhood!  :-)  How incredible that your eldest is 18 - wow!  Our dogs seem to give it up just before they reach 14.  I wish I had the room to have more than 2 dogs, but our subdivision says 2 max so we'll have to wait until we retire to the Hill Country eventually.  Of course, by then I'll probably have no energy to deal with more than 2 dogs anyway.  :-)

[LuangTom]

Greetings. I am new to the community and look to find answer to "little-dog" questions.
I am used to handling and working with large-breed dogs....Rotts and Dobes....and now own a Chihuahua. Quite a contrast and with a whole set of different problems and needs.
So, I will be looking forward to seeing what is written and seeking answers to my questions about the small breeds.

[FamBills]

Just a quick intro to let everyone know who we are. :-) We are a family of 6, mom dad brother sister cat and dog. Cat belongs to son, Dog belongs to daughter. Sen is our min-pins name. Daughter says it is Japanese for "half a cent" so it fits!!  Cat and dog get along amazingly well, one chasing the other and wrestling around the floor, doing superman leaps off the back of the couches, lying in wait (cat Patches) around the door frame for the unsuspecting target (dog Sen) to walk by.....next thing you know, they are both cuddled up on the couch together taking a much needed nap! Definate characters!! They are both about 2 1/2 years old (got them around the same time, one from a breeder and one from the SPCA when they were about 6 months old) and lighten up our lives immeasurably! There is just something about those two bright little bundles that make you want to smile and then join them on the floor!

[sk123]

Hi Everyone! I've got two Samoyeds, sisters from the same litter. They're five years old and collectively go by the stage name of Fluffy Puppies. Their actual names are Bianca and Sorcha. They're rambunctious and a handful, but we love them to pieces. We got them from a fantastic breeder (who isn't usually a breeder, but her male Samoyed passed away during a dental cleaning and so she decided to breed her female to get another dog who resembled her beloved Bear). I feel like our Fluffy Puppies have lived quite a blessed and privileged life...on many days, I would like to be them!

[charles38]

Greetings. I am new to the community and look to find answer to "little-dog" questions.
I am used to handling and working with large-breed dogs....Rotts and Dobes....and now own a Chihuahua. Quite a contrast and with a whole set of different problems and needs.
So, I will be looking forward to seeing what is written and seeking answers to my questions about the small breeds.
===============================================================
charles
Medial Malpractice Info

[Jaybay]

Hello and welcome!  You're right - that's some contrast in breeds.  LOL!  A friend of ours has a mastiff and a chihuahua.  The chi runs the house and everyone in it making for all kinds of comical situations.  Looking forward to reading your posts.  :-)

[LoveMyDaneS]

Hello Everyone. Thought I would introduce my clan consisting of bf, son and our 2 Great Danes, Memphis (2 years, male) and Phoenix (1 year, female)..Ive already posted a couple pics so you guys can check those out. Looking forward to getting to know you all.

[Jaybay]

Welcome!  We all look forward to reading your posts!  :-)

[really_obese_lady]

Hi, I'm new here and need some help with my dog (happy or as we call him Fatty). How can i tell if he's overweight? He's a 5 moth old beagle that weighs 80lbs.

[bet643]

Hi , I'm new to the community also.  I have a 4yr. old male that I adopted from our local A.P.L. He was tested for heartworm, had his shots and everything else that you can think of. I was told his heartworm was negative.. Got him to the vet the next day, put him on heartworm pills along with his exam. Now, I  had my Vet test him for heartworm a yr later, and it turned out positive. I was told that it probably didn't show  up the first time because it was in the early stages. Now my poor dog had to go through some very painful injections deep in his lumbar plus a oral treatment. Drew some more blood to see if there are anymore babies swimming around, and so far it looks good. Still on sentinal and he will be tested again. I just hope he doesn't have to go through these painful shots again. He was so soar that he couldn't even  walk. I had to get him on pain meds just so he could get up to go outside to do his business. It would have broken my heart if he had to be put down. The A.P.L. said I could have another dog,,but that would be out of the question. I am already attached to this one.  I already had to put down my other dog that was 14 yrs old with cancer.

[smoore11506]

Just introducing us.....I have a 5 year old boxer, Sophie, a 2 year old son and our daughter is due in Feb.  I am currently convincing my DH that Sophie can be re-house trained because she has been eliminating in the house recently and today she ate a bag of candy off the counter.  He is ready to give up, but I just can't do that when I know I can help her.

Thanks!

[Jaybay]

Hello, and welcome!  Eliminating in the house can be due to one of two things: (1) an undiagnosed physical problem or (2) a behavioral issue.  Definitely take Sophie to your vet to first rule out a physical issue.  After that, you're right - it's up to you BOTH to get to the bottom of the problem and retrain her.  

It sounds like everyone is so distracted that her own basic needs aren't being met - like regular daily exercise away from the home and basic discipline and training.  By discipline I don't mean yelling at or hitting the dog, but merely helping her to understand what behavior is unacceptable.  Please consider hiring a behaviorist or a basic obedience trainer to help you both communicate better with Sophie.  It's so very worth the time and money.  :-)

[Mcilvain]

Hi, I am new to this site. I have 6 dogs...yes I said 6. I love everyone of them.  I have 2 jack Russels, Molly who is 6, Biskit, who is 2 ( his owner did not want him anymore ) My opinion, don't puchase a dog unless you are willing to take care of him. I have a boxer, Brutus. We think he is about 8, just not sure we got him from a shelter. We have a collie mix, Sassy. She is 5. We found her under a shed when she was about 8 weeks old. Of course we have all  that child who says, mom I will take care of it!! We have a lab mix, Pepper. My daughter moved out and failed to take Pepper with her. But she still insists that Pepper is her dog. We have had her for 3 years. Then we have my oldest daughter who alway wanted a Shar-Pei. When I went down to visit her I gave her $250.00 to help pay for a puppy for her birthday..She just loved Kaydoe, untill he grew up and wasn't a puppy anymore. So now I have Kaydoe, and what a character he is. And yes, I live in a big house, and big yard. But their favorite spot is the living room floor, or the foot of my bed. ( when my husband won't let them on the bed )

[Jaybay]

Welcome!  Did I count rightly?  Is that eight dogs?  LOL!  Can't wait to hear some of the great stories you must have about them.  :-)

[Mcilvain]

Hi, I downloaded pictures of my babies.  Oh yea, some man at my husbans work asked him if we wanted a Great Dane puppy. It was hard to say no, but I guess you need to put your foot down at some point. I just worry that they will just give him away to anybody that will take him and that isn't always a good idea.

[AshleyLynn]

Hi Everyone!

Just wanted to introduce myself, I'm new to the group. I'm Ashley, and that spunky pup on my profile is the love of my life Shelby! She's a 19 month old Pembroke Welsh Corgi. She's training to become a certified Therapy Dog. She already does some therapy work twice a month at an Independent Living Facility, and she's so great at it! We're also getting into fostering Corgi's as well.

Ashley & Shelby too!

[Jaybay]

Hi, and welcome!  What wonderful news that you're both doing therapy work.  Would you consider posting a new thread on the board about your experiences and the training requirements?  Great topic!  :-)