Please talk to Bugsy .................

• 10-30-2009 9:13 PM

  kpwlee Joined on 06-16-2006 North Carolina Posts 6,450 Points 535

  Please talk to Bugsy ................. Reply Contact  He has been really good during the daytime.  He is 'playing' along with us containing him and he is adapting to my ever changing containment scheme (from crate in the living room, gated in the sunroom, ex-pen in living room & crate in the sunroom, etc.)  He is used to having free roam inside and out and other than a sneak zoomie in the morning really he has been great. BUT by evening time he is not interested in containment at all and when he gets out he is the devil incarnate (once again).  He is doing things he has never done (like climbing onto an upholstered chair to steal a tee shirt that was on the back, jumping on to a bed that is about 6 feet from there and then jumping off the bed as if it were a trampoline).  I have a hard time not laughing but he needs to not be jumping and climbing. We have a long road ahead (TPLO on Thursday and about 4 months rehab) and this guy isn't able to chill for 24 hours. So have a word with him please and let him know it is in his best interest to be good Thanks

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• 10-30-2009 9:53 PM

  In reply to kpwlee

  BEVOLASVEGAS Joined on 07-11-2006 Texas Posts 7,975 Points 940

  Re: Please talk to Bugsy ................. Reply Contact Bugsy, have fun over the next 5 days, because after that, you're going to have to get serious about your recovery. Karen, we are on Day #9 of confinement with Bev.  He, like Bugs, gets psycho in the evenings.  We've went to feeding his evening meal frozen, so that it keeps him occupied a little longer.  Treat dispensing toys, antlers, & rec bones have become very popular evening activities here.  Once we have taken the edge off, with those things, we are training three new tricks.  Some days our training sessions go well.  Other days, we have to stop because he's still a hyperactive moron who won't stop throwing behaviors at me at warp speed.  Amanda Tact is for people who aren't witty enough to use sarcasm.

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• 10-30-2009 11:01 PM

  In reply to BEVOLASVEGAS

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,922 Points 3,345	Re: Please talk to Bugsy ................. Reply Contact Seriously you may just want to add some Hylands Calms Forte to his supper.  There comes a point where helping dial them back can save them injuring themselves.  Calms isn't habit-forming and it's not going to make him comatose.
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• 10-30-2009 11:12 PM

  In reply to calliecritturs

  BEVOLASVEGAS Joined on 07-11-2006 Texas Posts 7,975 Points 940

  Re: Please talk to Bugsy ................. Reply Contact calliecritturs: Seriously you may just want to add some Hylands Calms Forte to his supper.  There comes a point where helping dial them back can save them injuring themselves.  Calms isn't habit-forming and it's not going to make him comatose. I'll repeat this!  If you haven't already tried things to help him "calm" down, you really should try it before surgery.  Bevo's reaction to Calms Forte, is the exact opposite of the desired reaction.  It made him even more than insane than he already is.  He bounced off the walls for hours before it wore off.  In hindsight, I should have done a test run, so to speak, before surgery. Amanda Tact is for people who aren't witty enough to use sarcasm.

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• 10-31-2009 8:06 AM

  In reply to BEVOLASVEGAS

  the_gopher Joined on 08-02-2006 New Hampshire Posts 1,505 Points 60

  Re: Please talk to Bugsy ................. Reply Contact  Honestly Bugs my man, you gotta relax. If you hurt yourself, it will just mean even more time confined! I third trying Hylands; it has no effect on Ari, but I know it helps me when I have trouble sleeping.  I can't imagine crating Ari for longer than we had to once (a month). She went nuts. You could see it in her eyes, Ari had utterly left the building and the devil himself took her place.  Good chews, training new behaviors, and something to take the edge off are all good ideas that I second. ~Sharon

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• 10-31-2009 8:25 AM

  In reply to the_gopher

  Kim_MacMillan Joined on 11-21-2006 Eastern Canada Posts 1,600 Points 200

  Re: Please talk to Bugsy ................. Reply Contact Aspen gets like this if he's underexercised, and it's can be sooooo frustrating, especially if it's a torrential downpour out and you know he needs it but neither of you wants to go out in the rain. I can't imagine going through it because you have to limit exercise!! All I can say is puzzle toys, puzzle toys, puzzle toys. Give him things to keep his mind busy. Teach some new, easy behaviours that aren't very mobile. And yes, a dog who is lacking in exercise stimulation and is forced to be limited, will undergo some actual physical and mental stress when they cannot express their pent-up energy, and because it's forced you might do well to try something that will take the edge off. Not sedating, but just to relieve the anxiety he will be (and is!!) experiencing. Zipper, 6 yo. Gaci, 5 yo. Shimmer, 2.5 yo.

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• 10-31-2009 9:30 AM

  In reply to Kim_MacMillan

  kpwlee Joined on 06-16-2006 North Carolina Posts 6,450 Points 535

  Re: Please talk to Bugsy ................. Reply Contact  Thanks all - I have tried the Hyland calms but it didn't seem to do anything for him.  I spoke to the surgeon about meds but would like to avoid that route. He also gave me the name of an acupuncturist, I am going to call her today and see if she thinks she can help. All of you that have been on here a while know that he does have some 'issues'.  Managing him has always meant significant daily exercise and daily mental exercise.  Removing the physical exercise has been a nightmare and he has at least had a bit.  Soon he will have zero. Like Ari you see the explosion waiting to happen in his eyes.  I tell people he is percolating. I feel terrible but I know I have to do this. As for chews &  treat dispensing toys, I don't know of anything that really lasts more than a minute or two.  I bought some beef knuckles a while back and will restore my stock of those.  They last. He is also very bright and puzzle toys don't do much for him.  I would like to try one of those wood puzzles so I will look for a decent price.  Interestingly he seems to be using his brain more and of course he is using it for mischief so directing his brain is essential.  I'll have to buy a book of tricks LOL The cost of the surgery is $$$ plus I want to do some supervised rehab which is also $$$.  We don't have unlimited funds but are doing the best we can. I really didn't realize when we adopted this sweet puppy that he would grow to be super powerful, smart, non-biddable, highly driven and hyperactive.  And I sure didn't think that once we figured out how to manage him that we'd have to stop everything for 4 months

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• 10-31-2009 11:38 AM

  In reply to kpwlee

  JackieG Joined on 04-15-2008 Central Texas Posts 5,955 Points 710	Re: Please talk to Bugsy ................. Reply Contact Bugz, dis Belle tawkin tu yu.  BEEE GUD!  Yu r nawt gonna git bedder if u beee bad.  Dat's wut my mum says.  I dunno wat dat meenz.
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• 10-31-2009 12:20 PM

  In reply to the_gopher

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,922 Points 3,345

  Re: Please talk to Bugsy ................. Reply Contact Now Bach's Rescue Remedy has no effect on me and mine at all, however, Calms Forte rocks - but don't get the new 'kids' version -- get the one in the Blue box. I usually pair it with valerian when I really want them to calm down.  What happens with some dogs is when they feel lethargy creep over them they will fight it rather than giving in which is why I use the valerian (because it doesn't cause brain fog at all).  Then I can kinda pet them and massage them into a more relaxed state.  But yeah - what Amanda said -- don't WAIT to try it until you gotta have it -- it's easier for them if they aren't already hyped up on pain and other meds.

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• 10-31-2009 4:15 PM

  In reply to kpwlee

  Thalie Joined on 01-01-2007 Louisiana Posts 1,233 Points 245

  Re: Please talk to Bugsy ................. Reply Contact Deer Bugze, U gots to halp Ur mom halp U. Teh bestest way iz to turn inna Zen doggie for sum taime. If U do tath, U'll B berry better an U'll B alloud to run again soon. Promized. Do taht, kay ? Spip How does he do with frozen Kongs, Karen ? Any interest ? You can use some of his daily allowance of kibble (let is soak so it becomes mushy), green beans (frozen cooked in the microwave) and a bit of apple sauce mixed with a little water to bind the whole thing. Stuff the Kong really well, leave it in the freezer for at least a couple of hours and let him figure out how to get the yummy stuff out. I have several Kongs so I fix them only every other day. He can have a couple a day without adding many calories to his diet. He can have them in his crate, in his pen, wherever. When on carpeting, I just use a bath towel to avoid big smears. It takes Spip about 45 minutes to finish one (XL) and seems to take the edge of the frustration. Nathalie & the Monstresses Flem - GR - DOB 04-24-04 Spip-YL- DOB 05-18-02

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• 10-31-2009 6:38 PM

  In reply to Thalie

  kpwlee Joined on 06-16-2006 North Carolina Posts 6,450 Points 535

  Re: Please talk to Bugsy ................. Reply Contact Callie I will try to double dose him LOL he has been a donkey on the edge today - he even howled when DH & I went shopping earlier I have completed his set-up now and a normal dog would be thrilled he is some sort of lunatic, pray for all of us thanks for all the suggestions will definitely try to appease his anxieties Spip I hope you are doing well!

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• 11-01-2009 1:09 AM

  In reply to kpwlee

  fuzzy_dogs_mom Joined on 09-10-2007 Davis, CA Posts 8,320 Points 325	Re: Please talk to Bugsy ................. Reply Contact Hey Bugz, iz yer frend Max here.  Dude, you gotta lern to chill. Dats wat I do best ... chillin'. I finds mysef a nice ray of sun comin' thru da window and I layz down in it an takz a nap. If deres no sun, my mom turns on her electric blankie fer me and I chills up on da bed. Max
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• 11-01-2009 12:22 PM

  In reply to fuzzy_dogs_mom

  jennie_c_d Joined on 09-10-2007 Southeast Georgia Posts 11,088 Points 265	Re: Please talk to Bugsy ................. Reply Contact  I can't imagine having a dog that big, powerful, happy, and energetic, and having to keep him confined. When Emma was young, she was confined on several occasions, and I did just what everybody says. She's only 19 lbs, and it was HARD! Good luck, Bugs. Don't give your Mom too hard of a time. She's trying to make you BETTER!!!
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• 11-01-2009 3:41 PM

  In reply to jennie_c_d

  kpwlee Joined on 06-16-2006 North Carolina Posts 6,450 Points 535	Re: Please talk to Bugsy ................. Reply Contact  while wandering around the internet looking for ways to calm the inner beast I found this we fully believe that the 'bird dog' in Bugsy is GSP - this picture captures his 'energy' wonderfully LOL
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• 11-02-2009 2:19 PM

  In reply to fuzzy_dogs_mom

  shadowsgin Joined on 03-06-2007 N.W. Arkansas Posts 2,110 Points 425

  Re: Please talk to Bugsy ................. Reply Contact Hey bugz iz me Rocky...my mommy sez ur gonna have ta be very quiet for a long time...bummer!!!!!  Tell u wut, I'll ketch anuf frogs.... mmmm mice.....  mmmm .....gophers.... mmmm  wut else  oh yeah sum of dem mole tings dat mak my mommys face look funny!  Anyways I do all da ketchin n den I kin make mommy send dem to you in dat big brown truck n den u kin have fun wif dem at ur house in ur bed K????

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