Dog Community

What is wrong with my friends dog?????

Posted : 7/17/2006 1:10:01 PM

My friend has recently called me about something extremly strange that has happened to his cocker spaniel.

he said that When he got home from work and went to let his dog out of her crate. She was literally dripping with sweat. I thought dogs didn't sweat and that is why they pant.

He called me again telling me that it happened again. Is she clostrophobic or what????

tashakota

Posted : 7/17/2006 1:15:59 PM

Dogs do not sweat all over like humans but they do sweat through their feet and they do pant. If they have severe seperation anxiety, they may drool excessively and get it all over themselves. Or they may develop behavior problems that involve licking themselves excessively.

Melaney B.

Posted : 7/17/2006 1:24:13 PM

Yes, I have heard fo them licking themselves excessivly but she was drenched all over (even places were she couldn't reach.

He said that it only happens when he leaves her in her crate, never when she gets the freedom of the house when he is gone.

loveukaykay

Posted : 7/17/2006 1:28:23 PM

Its probably separation anxiety or stress of being left the the crate. Its not sweat its drool. Is he fine out of the crate? I would just leave him out of it or work on properly crate training before leaving him in there so its not so stressful. Unfortunately Im a failure at crate training but many here can help you with that.

Melaney B.

Posted : 7/17/2006 1:36:43 PM

Thanks*

I'll have to let him know it isn't anything to worry about. All of my girls are crate trained because I don't know that I could trust them!lol! I think crate training is the ideal displine for a puppy and sense I started them young, even now they still love their crates and go in them freely, often*

thanks again and hope to see you around!!!!

Minty_Pups

Posted : 7/17/2006 5:23:48 PM

Maybe he can get a baby gate and gate his dog off in a bathroom or kitchen area? If the dog is in fact afraid of closed spaces(which is rare, because most PREFER to be in small spaces so that they feel secure), she might feel better in a bathroom.

Does he leave a water dish in the crate with her? I know dogs who get frustrated in crates and paw at their water until they get themselves soaked. What is the texture of the "sweat"? If it's drool, it would be sticky and the dog's fur would stay in clumps after it dries.

Melaney B.

Posted : 7/17/2006 5:27:24 PM

no, he doesn't leave any food nor water in there (it's too small) But he does leave plenty of toys for her to play with. Also, he doesn't know what it looks like after it dries because he gives her a bath because it supposedly has an odor.

cakana

Posted : 7/17/2006 5:47:55 PM

I wouldn't tell him not to worry about this. If his dog is obviously wet all over after being crated, and if it is separation anxiety, he needs to find a way to treat it. If the dog is reacting that badly to the situation, it would be cruel to ignore it. Also, if he's leaving the dog in the crate for an extended length of time, like while he's at work or something, he really needs to make sure there's water available. I think they make some dispensers that you can hang on the inside of the crate. Especially if the dog is losing hydration thru the anxiety, she needs to have a way to replenish herself.

Melaney B.

Posted : 7/17/2006 5:59:11 PM

He is gone for 3 hours in the morning before lunch and when he lets her out. He says he is thinking about putting up one of those fence things in the bathroom, but besides that she isn't in there for too long without water. She only gets this when in the crate. the crate is like a fence and isn't really inclosed (so there is plenty of ventilation and everything in there).

lorib

Posted : 7/18/2006 12:34:31 AM

Is there any possibility that she has urine all over her?

jeano

Posted : 7/18/2006 1:44:35 AM

lori, I think that it is more likely that it's urine. Good thinking.

I wouldn't crate a dog that is this afraid of the crate. I hope your friend finds an alternative or can teach her with smaller periods of time left alone in the crate.

And have her checked for a urinary tract infection. That might be the whole problem.

tashakota

Posted : 7/18/2006 7:23:44 AM

Yeah, an odor might indicate that it's urine, but dog drool smells pretty bad too. And I agree, this isn't something to NOT worry about. One of my dogs HATES a crate. If left alone in one, locked up, he drools, pants, whines, digs at the door. We failed at crate training him, but he hated it before I even got him. He will however sleep under the bed. [8|] But enclose him in a cage, and he hates it.

Melaney B.

Posted : 7/18/2006 12:03:53 PM

That does sound logical!

She has been known to get a little over excited when somebody she knows comes to the door!! (if you know what i mean)

Melaney B.

Posted : 7/18/2006 12:06:32 PM

I mean the urine! she hasn't been known to be a whinner or a drooler. (but definally a piddler)

marynh

Posted : 7/18/2006 3:02:28 PM

reading through the posts I've been thinking urine...I'd have her checked for a UTI.
When Sadie got UTIs that I didn't catch quickly the leaking got bad and if she was laying down she'd get wet all over.