Some doggy problems

[llary]

There are three stray dogs in my community that I pretty much adopted about a year ago (female Belgian shepherd, female black lab puppy and some male mongrel puppy). Bear in mind that I’m not a dog lover by any means but I took the shepherd in by request of the previous house owner and thought I could give the puppies a much nicer life than they otherwise would. Anyway, here goes…

1. a few days ago every single male dog in the neighbourhood took a sudden interest in the black lab (and I’m talking about 15 male dogs). I was assured by a neighbour that she had already been neutered but I don’t entirely trust them so I brought her into my back garden both to avoid her getting eaten alive by all the big male dogs and to stop her getting pregnant. She is definitely in heat and she seems to be bleeding from her doggy bits - is this normal? I’m taking her to the vet later today anyway but I trust the opinion of Stray Dog etc. more than a Taiwanese vet. There are currently five or six big dogs sitting outside my house howling 24/7 which my girlfriend finds very funny.

2. the Belgian shepherd is deathly afraid of water to the point where she runs away for two days if I even have a water bottle in my hand. Obviously washing her is completely impossible and the last time I managed to get any shampoo on her at all she struggled so much I let her go for fear of hurting her. I even used baby shampoo on the suggestion of a vet friend in the UK but she really is absolutely not having any of it. I’m worried about her scratching her skin off so the same friend suggested that I could buy an animal sedative to knock her out for a bit while I get her cleaned up and issue flea treatment. Any thoughts?

3. I’ve been told that all these dogs are ‘illegal strays’ but I know nothing about the Taiwanese legalities of dog ownership. Their legal status means next to nothing where I live but I still think it would be nice to get my three registered legally - is this possible, and if so, how?

PS - I never knew this until I brought up my black lab issue with the neighbours but you might be pleased to know that part of our community management fee goes into a general fund that pays for any ‘regular strays’ to be spayed/neutered. One of the guys who lives here regularly takes the new strays to a local vet and given that this is a 100%-Taiwanese-bar-me community I was surprised and impressed. I’m not impressed with the doctor (god help us) who keeps bringing dogs into the community, claims to neuter them himself and then shoves 20 of the things into a cage where they proceed to bark all day and night because they have no room to move. And then make lots of babies because they’re not actually neutered :fume: Okay, make that another question…

4. if this guy is claiming to be breeding strays, neutering them himself without a vetinary license and locking them up in tiny cages is their some authority I can go to and have this stopped? (I’m in Taichung). .There are lots of people here who would fully support me if something can be done.

[Stray_Dog]

@llary

1) a few days ago every single male dog in the neighbourhood took a sudden interest in the black lab (and I’m talking about 15 male dogs). I was assured by a neighbour that she had already been neutered but I don’t entirely trust them so I brought her into my back garden both to avoid her getting eaten alive by all the big male dogs and to stop her getting pregnant. She is definitely in heat and she seems to be bleeding from her doggy bits - is this normal? I’m taking her to the vet later today anyway but I trust the opinion of Stray Dog etc. more than a Taiwanese vet. There are currently five or six big dogs sitting outside my house howling 24/7 which my girlfriend finds very funny.

She has been spayed, but there are basically two kinds of spay op: one where the ovaries and uterus are removed, and one where they’re just ‘tied off’. The second will allow the dog to still come into heat - pretty much a stupid option if you ask me, as it puts her through a hell of a lot of stress and leaves her a prime candidate for serious infection later on.

2) the Belgian shepherd is deathly afraid of water to the point where she runs away for two days if I even have a water bottle in my hand. Obviously washing her is completely impossible and the last time I managed to get any shampoo on her at all she struggled so much I let her go for fear of hurting her. I even used baby shampoo on the suggestion of a vet friend in the UK but she really is absolutely not having any of it. I’m worried about her scratching her skin off so the same friend suggested that I could buy an animal sedative to knock her out for a bit while I get her cleaned up and issue flea treatment. Any thoughts?

A mild sedative would probably do the trick, but better for you to lead her through the experience. You first need to establish yourself as a leader in her eyes, and that means five things: (1) walk her, don’t let her walk you, (2) you go through doorways before she does, (3) you ignore her for five minutes when arriving home, until she is calm, (4) prepare her food then eat a snack in front of her before giving her her dinner, and (5) never give her anything she wants until she is calm. These will signal to the dog in her language that you are now the leader, and she will change her behaviour accordingly. Your new status will now allow you to lead her through the experience she has been taught to fear.

Do not try to calm her with soothing words or stroking. Take her firmly by the collar and make her sit (push her bum down if you have to). Give calming words for good behaviour, such as staying sitting, being calm, etc. If she tries to move, say ‘Ah!’ sharply and put her back into position. This way, you are ignoring the unwanted behaviour and rewarding the wanted, and she is being lead through the nasty experience. It really works. I can come and show you, if you like, for a small donation to AnimalsTaiwan.

3) I’ve been told that all these dogs are ‘illegal strays’ but I know nothing about the Taiwanese legalities of dog ownership. Their legal status means next to nothing where I live but I still think it would be nice to get my three registered legally - is this possible, and if so, how?

An ID chip. Your vet can register the chips in your name. Be sure to put collars and the latest rabies tags on the dogs, as you will be liable for fines should they be caught and considered abandoned.

PS - I never knew this until I brought up my black lab issue with the neighbours but you might be pleased to know that part of our community management fee goes into a general fund that pays for any ‘regular strays’ to be spayed/neutered. One of the guys who lives here regularly takes the new strays to a local vet and given that this is a 100%-Taiwanese-bar-me community I was surprised and impressed. I’m not impressed with the doctor (god help us) who keeps bringing dogs into the community, claims to neuter them himself and then shoves 20 of the things into a cage where they proceed to bark all day and night because they have no room to move. And then make lots of babies because they’re not actually neutered :fume: Okay, make that another question…

This (the former) is happening more and more, and is so good to see. :bravo:

4) if this guy is claiming to be breeding strays, neutering them himself without a vetinary license and locking them up in tiny cages is their some authority I can go to and have this stopped? (I’m in Taichung). .There are lots of people here who would fully support me if something can be done.

Please see here for info that you may find useful. Amanda Han will put you in touch with her counterpart in Taichung. Follow up on it, and remain courteous, but do let them know that you are reporting the outcome to an international animal welfare organization and via a public and popular Internet forum (because you want to show the world that Taiwan authorities do not stand for this kind of activity).

Let me know if you need anything else, and good luck! Great that you’re looking out for the strays in your area. :bravo:

Sean

[llary]

@Stray Dog

She has been spayed, but there are basically two kinds of spay op: one where the ovaries and uterus are removed, and one where they’re just ‘tied off’. The second will allow the dog to still come into heat - pretty much a stupid option if you ask me, as it puts her through a hell of a lot of stress and leaves her a prime candidate for serious infection later on.

Do you think it’s worth getting her ‘done properly’ or is this just going to add to her stress? I think she’s missing the freedom and company of other dogs she always enjoyed until now but I can’t let her out while the males are this crazy… I have a very large garden but I guess it’s nothing like having a mountain to play on.

I don’t really know how doggy bits work so I’m still kind of worried about the bleeding…

A mild sedative would probably do the trick, but better for you to lead her through the experience. You first need to establish yourself as a leader in her eyes, and that means five things: (1) walk her, don’t let her walk you, (2) you go through doorways before she does, (3) you ignore her for five minutes when arriving home, until she is calm, (4) prepare her food then eat a snack in front of her before giving her her dinner, and (5) never give her anything she wants until she is calm. These will signal to the dog in her language that you are now the leader, and she will change her behaviour accordingly. Your new status will now allow you to lead her through the experience she has been taught to fear.

My friend back in the UK suggested something similar which has improved some other behavioural problems no end… my dogs are generally all very guai but it’s difficult to explain just how distressed this one gets when she’s brought into contact with water (even rain sends her crazy). I did some research and found out that she jumped into a stream a few years back and nearly drowned. Apparently that’s why she hates water… buggered if I know.

An ID chip. Your vet can register the chips in your name. Be sure to put collars and the latest rabies tags on the dogs, as you will be liable for fines should they be caught and considered abandoned.

Great, I didn’t know it was that easy! One of my neighbours is really fond of the black lab and she’s very good with the dogs so I think it would be a nice gesture to offer that dog registered in her name

Let me know if you need anything else, and good luck! Great that you’re looking out for the strays in your area. :bravo:

Thanks for a very verbose reply I never even owned a pet before I came to Taiwan and now I seem to keep taking in more and more dogs because they look at me so forlornly

[Stray_Dog]

@llary

[quote=“Stray Dog”]She has been spayed, but there are basically two kinds of spay op: one where the ovaries and uterus are removed, and one where they’re just ‘tied off’. The second will allow the dog to still come into heat - pretty much a stupid option if you ask me, as it puts her through a hell of a lot of stress and leaves her a prime candidate for serious infection later on.

Do you think it’s worth getting her ‘done properly’ or is this just going to add to her stress? I think she’s missing the freedom and company of other dogs she always enjoyed until now but I can’t let her out while the males are this crazy… I have a very large garden but I guess it’s nothing like having a mountain to play on.

I don’t really know how doggy bits work so I’m still kind of worried about the bleeding…[/quote]

Yes, get her spayed again, properly. It’s far better for her and your community.

[quote]A mild sedative would probably do the trick, but better for you to lead her through the experience. You first need to establish yourself as a leader in her eyes, and that means five things: (1) walk her, don’t let her walk you, (2) you go through doorways before she does, (3) you ignore her for five minutes when arriving home, until she is calm, (4) prepare her food then eat a snack in front of her before giving her her dinner, and (5) never give her anything she wants until she is calm. These will signal to the dog in her language that you are now the leader, and she will change her behaviour accordingly. Your new status will now allow you to lead her through the experience she has been taught to fear.

My friend back in the UK suggested something similar which has improved some other behavioural problems no end… my dogs are generally all very guai but it’s difficult to explain just how distressed this one gets when she’s brought into contact with water (even rain sends her crazy). I did some research and found out that she jumped into a stream a few years back and nearly drowned. Apparently that’s why she hates water… buggered if I know.[/quote]

Actually, it’ll be the reaction of those people around her that set the neurosis in motion. If people had remained calm and assertive, she would have shrugged it off. Consider the effect on a child who has fallen off a bike if the parents scream and wail and smother the child with lots of 'poor you’s, and another whose parents encourage the child to get back on the bike with little fuss. It’s all about leading them through bad experiences rather than inducing trauma.

Give it a try, one small step at a time (stay calm near the bath today, a small splash of water tomorrow, a little more the day after, etc.), and be sure to make the whole experience a fun and rewarding experience, and always remain calm and assertive throughout, as dogs will pick up and adopt the energy you give out.

[quote]Let me know if you need anything else, and good luck! Great that you’re looking out for the strays in your area. :bravo:

Thanks for a very verbose reply I never even owned a pet before I came to Taiwan and now I seem to keep taking in more and more dogs because they look at me so forlornly [/quote]

Tell me about it!

[bobepine]

Excellent posts, Sean. I wanted to say something, but I knew you’d say it so much better. :bravo:

And hat’s off to you llary!

[Stian]

Water thing.

Use water that hold the same temperature as the body.

It work with cats.

[llary]

[quote=“Stian”]Water thing.

Use water that hold the same temperature as the body.

It work with cats.[/quote]

That and the baby shampoo helped lots with the puppies, plus they learned very quickly since I adopted them from a young age. My friend’s labrador is a lovely dog and always comes bounding over to roll around in the water if she spots me washing the car.

[Stray_Dog]

@Stray Dog

[quote]4) if this guy is claiming to be breeding strays, neutering them himself without a vetinary license and locking them up in tiny cages is their some authority I can go to and have this stopped? (I’m in Taichung). .There are lots of people here who would fully support me if something can be done.

Please see here for info that you may find useful. Amanda Han will put you in touch with her counterpart in Taichung. Follow up on it, and remain courteous, but do let them know that you are reporting the outcome to an international animal welfare organization and via a public and popular Internet forum (because you want to show the world that Taiwan authorities do not stand for this kind of activity).[/quote]

I just updated the contact name and info.

What happened in this case?

Thanks!

[llary]

@Stray Dog

[quote=“Stray Dog”][quote]4) if this guy is claiming to be breeding strays, neutering them himself without a vetinary license and locking them up in tiny cages is their some authority I can go to and have this stopped? (I’m in Taichung). .There are lots of people here who would fully support me if something can be done.

Please see here for info that you may find useful. Amanda Han will put you in touch with her counterpart in Taichung. Follow up on it, and remain courteous, but do let them know that you are reporting the outcome to an international animal welfare organization and via a public and popular Internet forum (because you want to show the world that Taiwan authorities do not stand for this kind of activity).[/quote]

I just updated the contact name and info.

What happened in this case?

Thanks![/quote]

The caged dogs all disappeared a few weeks ago (I assume he sold them). I’m sure another batch will be in there soon enough and I can start collecting some evidence. I’m doubly inclined to do something about this because he’s a doctor and should know better.

PS: I just ended up taking in another puppy that had been abandoned on the road. Both the dog and my girlfriend were giving me puppy eyes and I’m a total sucker. I have no idea what breed it is but I’d like to know so I’ll try and post some pics later.