Does Your Dog Have His Own Toothbrush?

Debby said:
He's a four pound chihuahua that I've always compared to an autistic child. These are the things that frighten him: too much outside stimulation, too much touching, fingers curled while you pet him, hand too heavy, a bowl that is different (he won't eat if it isn't a small white bowl), picking him up when he faces you, touching him unexpectedly, looking at him....well just about everything. And now at the age of 12, we think he's beginning to suffer a little from dementia and that shows by him 'asking' to go outside but then forgetting why he's out there so you gotta keep telling him over and over to go to the bathroom or he just stands there staring at you! Totally useless little dog because he's too fearful to even be cuddly, but we just enjoy his weirdness and are glad that we are the family that took him on. Some people would be the wrong fit for a little mutty with issues.

As for 'his own toothbrush' well why not? I'm not sharing mine.
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You're very kind for taking him in and giving him such TLC. My dog is beginning to have old age issues like arthritis, senior moments, auto immune disease, etc. My dog before him suffered with Idiopathic Epilepsy, and she also had hip dysplasia and some other health problems. I'm glad she was with us too, because we gave her all the love and care that was needed to keep her safe and comfortable during those difficult times.

People toothbrushes are the wrong size and shape anyway for dogs. You're absolutely correct about wild animals not needing their teeth cleaned due to their natural diet in the wilderness. Animal lovers really care about their pets, and I love to hear that. I often say that I like animals over people in general. :D
 

We always had our animals put down if they suffered from a serious problem, I think that is far kinder than keeping them alive!
 
Depends on the serious problem!! I acquired my last dog when she was 5 years old. After I'd had her about 12 months she collapsed, was taken to the vets, kept in overnight on a drip and diagnosed with Addison's disease. Addison's is a serious condition/problem but with daily medication, frequent blood checks to test her levels and loving care my little dog lived a good life until she was almost 16 when I finally had to say goodbye.
 

Justme said:
We always had our animals put down if they suffered from a serious problem, I think that is far kinder than keeping them alive!
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Well, then I guess you have a different feeling about the place of animals in your life. As SeaBreeze mentioned if it's possible to keep our pets who have health issues comfortable and happy, isn't that the most important thing? My 'pets' are part of my family. They are much more than 'pets'.
 
Pam said:
Depends on the serious problem!! I acquired my last dog when she was 5 years old. After I'd had her about 12 months she collapsed, was taken to the vets, kept in overnight on a drip and diagnosed with Addison's disease. Addison's is a serious condition/problem but with daily medication, frequent blood checks to test her levels and loving care my little dog lived a good life until she was almost 16 when I finally had to say goodbye.
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And I'll bet you and she enjoyed every one of those years that she was part of your family. My other little dog lived with a stage 4 heart problem for 12 of her 18 years. She was an absolute jewel and I still think of her with joy even though she died four years ago. Whenever a photo comes up of her in our TV screen-saver slideshow, I get to remember how she used to love it when I would pile the laundry on top of her so she could hide and then I would gently roll her and tumble her around. People say dogs don't smile, but they're absolutely wrong. Our little Lucy would hop out of that pile and pounce on my hands and she had a grin from ear to ear and a delightful, mischievous glint in her eyes!. Man, I'm sitting here tearing up just thinking about her.
 
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Getting a new animal is a lot cheaper than paying the ridiculous prices vets charge, if the thing needs constant medication and attention.
 
Pam said:
'The thing' !! You're too compassionate by half.

I've never bought a dog in my life, I've always rescued them.
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I think animals are kept alive more for the sake of their owners than what is best for the creature itself. We had two rescue dogs once, they were a total disaster and had to be put down as they bit one of our children!
 
Debby said:
And I'll bet you and she enjoyed every one of those years that she was part of your family. My other little dog lived with a stage 4 heart problem for 12 of her 18 years. She was an absolute jewel and I still think of her with joy even though she died four years ago. Whenever a photo comes up of her in our TV screen-saver slideshow, I get to remember how she used to love it when I would pile the laundry on top of her so she could hide and then I would gently roll her and tumble her around. People say dogs don't smile, but they're absolutely wrong. Our little Lucy would hop out of that pile and pounce on my hands and she had a grin from ear to ear and a delightful, mischievous glint in her eyes!. Man, I'm sitting here tearing up just thinking about her.
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She sounds lovely! My mother in law had a dog that used to smile whenever she came into the room. Lol

And yes, I'm sure my dog enjoyed her life with me and she adored my grandson. We both miss her.
 
Justme said:
I think animals are kept alive more for the sake of their owners than what is best for the creature itself. We had two rescue dogs once, they were a total disaster and had to be put down as they bit one of our children!
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Poor dogs and poor kids. One thing that I've come to realize and especially since my daughter adopted a troubled dog, is that more often than not it's simply a lack of understanding on the part of dog owners when their animals bite. My daughters dog was very aggressive with other dogs when she got him, had absolutely no manners when he was outside the house, but after Holly had him for a couple years, he was so different.

She started out using two leashes on him (he's very strong) and one of those halters as well. She learned to recognize his body language, what it meant and what he was about to do and she headed it off every time but it takes constant vigilance in the beginning. Now four years later, he plays happily with little dogs that are a tenth his size and she even takes him to the dog park occasionally. But it takes vigilance to help them relearn new habits and to install confidence in them so that they don't bite out of fear.

How long had you had your dogs and how were they taking to re-training?
 
Debby said:
Poor dogs and poor kids. One thing that I've come to realize and especially since my daughter adopted a troubled dog, is that more often than not it's simply a lack of understanding on the part of dog owners when their animals bite. My daughters dog was very aggressive with other dogs when she got him, had absolutely no manners when he was outside the house, but after Holly had him for a couple years, he was so different.

She started out using two leashes on him (he's very strong) and one of those halters as well. She learned to recognize his body language, what it meant and what he was about to do and she headed it off every time but it takes constant vigilance in the beginning. Now four years later, he plays happily with little dogs that are a tenth his size and she even takes him to the dog park occasionally. But it takes vigilance to help them relearn new habits and to install confidence in them so that they don't bite out of fear.

How long had you had your dogs and how were they taking to re-training?
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Our animals were NEVER ill-treated, but they were treated like animals and not foolishly pampered as many are today. I believe that to be an indignity to their species! A dog who shows aggression should always be put down, by law! We have had some horrific stories in the news over the last year or two of babies and young children being killed or maimed by dogs.
 
Well tbf JM...the dogs that have been attacking and killing lately have been mostly if not all, illegal pit bull terriers. Anyone who decided to buy a dangerous breed from usua;l;y an unknown source ( dodgy puppy farms) then leave the dog alone with a baby or children who think it's a toy is asking for big trouble!!
 
Justme said:
Our animals were NEVER ill-treated, but they were treated like animals and not foolishly pampered as many are today. I believe that to be an indignity to their species! A dog who shows aggression should always be put down, by law! We have had some horrific stories in the news over the last year or two of babies and young children being killed or maimed by dogs.
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Well I guess you and I will simply have to disagree, to a degree. And by the way, I never said you mistreated your dogs. What I did say is that too often people don't understand 'dog language' and species type needs. I include myself in that too. Many years ago, we had a cocker that snapped at my little girl and rather than looking at how the animal needed to be trained (ie. pack hierarchy, etc), I simply took the dog to the SPCA and turned him over. And today I'm ashamed of being that quick to blame him rather than looking at how I could properly manage his specie's needs or his 'dogginess' and help him identify his place in our little pack.

We humans do that to all animals. We assume that they will understand the situation from MY perspective (that child is off limits for biting) but then he reacts to the child or person instinctively which in some cases might mean a fight for dominance or in more comfortable terms, deciding who's in charge, the kid or the dog. And when they don't know the rules because we haven't 'taught them' and they react instinctively, we blame them and either get rid of them or kill them. What we should have done before those kinds of things happen is actively teach them the rules of pack or family behaviour.

And yes, there are horrible stories from all over the world about dogs that hurt people. Can't argue that can I. But is it the dogs fault? We're supposed to be the ones with bigger brains which means we can 'look ahead' and with that ability comes responsibility to understand situations and to prepare in advance. And expecting animals to behave as correctly as humans and then killing them when they don't isn't fair to them at all.

That's not saying that I don't realize there are some instances where there is absolutely no other choice, but just blaming the animal isn't fair in my opinion and gets the animal/human equation off to a bad start immediately.
 
Humans always come before animals, imo. Even if it isn't the dog's fault it is violent, it can NEVER be trusted and must be put down before it hurts anyone. My grandson was attacked by a neighbour's dog when he was about three. The child still has the scars on his face!
 
Debby said:
My 'pets' are part of my family. They are much more than 'pets'.
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My pets have always been part of the family in every way, I often refer to them as my furkids. I respect those who give love and good care of their pets. The people who chain their dogs outside, or never let them into the house should not own pets, IMO.

It takes a certain quality person with a good heart to share their home with their pets and give them good medical care, and a happy and comfortable life. Thankfully there are a lot of animal lovers out there who feel the same, I meet many of them in the large wooded park that I've been taking my dogs to for thirty years now.

It's off-leash, and they can play and romp in the little river if they like. The park is big enough to stay away from people and dogs too, if you just want a peaceful hike. My cat and my dog are best buddies, and it brings me a lot of joy to see both of them so content. My husband also feels the same way about our pets, and cares for them just as I do.

Pam, my sympathy for your loss. I've lost many pets over the years, and there's always a place in my heart for them. I get emotional when I think of them sometimes, and have even written a couple of tribute "poems" for a couple of them...just for me and my husband, things that they did when alive, etc. I can't read them without a tissue in hand. :sentimental:
 
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hollydolly said:
Well tbf JM...the dogs that have been attacking and killing lately have been mostly if not all, illegal pit bull terriers. Anyone who decided to buy a dangerous breed from usua;l;y an unknown source ( dodgy puppy farms) then leave the dog alone with a baby or children who think it's a toy is asking for big trouble!!
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I have to say that most dogs who are aggressive have owners who don't care, been given no socialization with other people and animals, or have been specifically trained to attack, as in the case with many Pit Bulls. I have petted some very friendly Pit Bulls in the park over the years, who socialize off-lead with other dogs and people and have no issues.

Many people who own aggressive Pit Bulls, have problems themselves with self-esteem, self-worth, body image, etc. They live vicariously through their dogs...if the dog is a tough guy, then so are they, etc. I've seen enough evidence on the news, on TV Animal Cop shows, and in real life of Pit Bulls that are out of control. I feel sorry for those dogs that are euthanized because of poor care and training, it's the owners who should be jailed, fined and never permitted to own pets again.

Since there are so many of this breed who have bad owners, I prefer that they stay away from me and my pets in general. The ones at the park are the exception to the rule.
 
I am so glad that pit bulls are not permitted in the UK and will be put down if anyone is found in possession of one, and the owner fined. They would be imprisoned if the animal had hurt anyone.
 
SeaBreeze said:
My pets have always been part of the family in every way, I often refer to them as my furkids. I respect those who give love and good care of their pets. The people who chain their dogs outside, or never let them into the house should not own pets, IMO.

It takes a certain quality person with a good heart to share their home with their pets and give them good medical care, and a happy and comfortable life. Thankfully there are a lot of animal lovers out there who feel the same, I meet many of them in the large wooded park that I've been taking my dogs to for thirty years now.

It's off-leash, and they can play and romp in the little river if they like. The park is big enough to stay away from people and dogs too, if you just want a peaceful hike. My cat and my dog are best buddies, and it brings me a lot of joy to see both of them so content. My husband also feels the same way about our pets, and cares for them just as I do.

Pam, my sympathy for your loss. I've lost many pets over the years, and there's always a place in my heart for them. I get emotional when I think of them sometimes, and have even written a couple of tribute "poems" for a couple of them...just for me and my husband, things that they did when alive, etc. I can't read them without a tissue in hand. :sentimental:
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What you said!
 
SeaBreeze said:
I have to say that most dogs who are aggressive have owners who don't care, been given no socialization with other people and animals, or have been specifically trained to attack, as in the case with many Pit Bulls. I have petted some very friendly Pit Bulls in the park over the years, who socialize off-lead with other dogs and people and have no issues.

Many people who own aggressive Pit Bulls, have problems themselves with self-esteem, self-worth, body image, etc. They live vicariously through their dogs...if the dog is a tough guy, then so are they, etc. I've seen enough evidence on the news, on TV Animal Cop shows, and in real life of Pit Bulls that are out of control. I feel sorry for those dogs that are euthanized because of poor care and training, it's the owners who should be jailed, fined and never permitted to own pets again.

Since there are so many of this breed who have bad owners, I prefer that they stay away from me and my pets in general. The ones at the park are the exception to the rule.
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I'm in total agreement with you SeaBreeze. My daughter's dog is a pit cross and he's become a very good dog under her guidance. But last year, some friend of hers stayed and had her young pit bull and it was quite obvious which was the better equipped mentally to have a dog like that. The visiting pit was continually going after Hooch who never even attacked her back and every time it happened, the visitor did absolutely nothing to prevent it. My daughter finally told her to leave and never bring her dog back.
 
Good for your daughter, no sense in having Hooch taunted like that, and better to stop the visit before things turned ugly. Your daughter sounds like a well-rounded person, who knows how to care for a dog...kudos! If you've ever watched Dog Whisperer, his Pit Bull "Daddy" was the mellowest dog around, despite all the other dogs they had to counsel. I liked the show, but I didn't agree with all of Cesar Milan's techniques.
 
SeaBreeze said:
Good for your daughter, no sense in having Hooch taunted like that, and better to stop the visit before things turned ugly. Your daughter sounds like a well-rounded person, who knows how to care for a dog...kudos! If you've ever watched Dog Whisperer, his Pit Bull "Daddy" was the mellowest dog around, despite all the other dogs they had to counsel. I liked the show, but I didn't agree with all of Cesar Milan's techniques.
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Caesar Milan is her hero as far as dog training goes. When she was planning on taking over Hooch from her friends who had lost control of him, she first borrowed all the library videos of his show and picked up his book. She wanted to learn how to deal with him and his issues and she's turned him into a real nice dog as a result. His favourite little girlfriend to play with is the Pomeranian who lives upstairs from them.
 

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