Quote: Susan Clifford

What do you mean by feeding raw? There are several things I don't understand when it comes to the things I have read.

http://leerburg.com/feedingarawdiet.htm

http://leerburg.com/feedpups.htm

http://www.leerburg.com/othersources.htm

I would at least switch from Iams to a better commercial food.

I found a place not to far from my home that sells chicken soup for the pet lovers soul. I am going to stop by there tomorrow afternoon and purchase a better food for my pups. Thank you for the info about the food.
I was wondering how you handle walking your dog when they refuse to walk with you. My female pup is terrified of the leash. I thought the one I had was to heavy so I got a lighter one and she still refuses to walk. My male loves to go for walks but I can't get my female to follow suit. Do you have any solutions for a pup that refuses to walk on a leash?

 Quote: Susan Clifford

... I was wondering how you handle walking your dog when they refuse to walk with you. My female pup is terrified of the leash. I thought the one I had was to heavy so I got a lighter one and she still refuses to walk. My male loves to go for walks but I can't get my female to follow suit. Do you have any solutions for a pup that refuses to walk on a leash?

This web page describes the routine nicely:
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1538&S=0&EVetID=0

Here's a partial quote:

Some pups seem overwhelmed by an entire leash all at once. In these cases you can start with a string, shoelace, or something of the sort. Add length as the puppy gets used to it. ..... Attach the leash or the short item to the collar when the puppy is eating or playing, and let the pup get used to it being there. As with the collar, don't remove it when pup is making a fuss about it. Remove it at a time the pup has forgotten it's there. .... Do not leave a leash on an unattended dog. It can catch on things and trap the dog in dangerous and traumatic situations. Leashes are only safe during supervised times. .... Distract your puppy into play or other interaction with you whenever the puppy seems bothered by the leash or starts to chew it. It's fine to apply Bitter Apple to the leash, but realize this substance does not last long as a chewing deterrent, and will need to be reapplied for every session. Doing this can keep leash-chewing from ever becoming a habit, and save you money, work and the worry of a loose dog. END QUOTE

The rest of the article will get you started in the right direction with both pups and their leashes.

For one , how old are oyur pups ,they might be too young for walks anyways, as far as the leash and collar they can always wear them throughout the day when you're there to get used to have them on.
But for me I don't think any pups should be taken for walks until they are 6 months IMO

 Quote: Angelique Cadogan

For one , how old are oyur pups ,they might be too young for walks

Good point.

How old are they?

 Quote: susan clifford

Dear Sandy,

What part of Phoenix are you in? I am stationed in Glendale but I live in Peoria. I am willing to travel quite a bit of distance for a good, trustworthy and reliable vet. Maybe you could tell me about the location of your vet. Or offer me some good advice about finding a good vet. What do you mean by feeding raw? There are several things I don't understand when it comes to the things I have read. I will take the advice and try the bland diet.

Susan are you at Luke AFB? I'm just south of Glendale near the 101 so my vet wouldn't be far from Peoria. The vet is Dr. Jocelyn, Estrella Animal Hospital, 10865 W. Indian School, 623-877-1088. I've only been once and he wanted to vaccinate a total of 4 times, saying the breeder may not have vaccinated at 8 wks as breeder said, but I just ignored that. Didn't want the vaccination regime most vets prescribe.

He wasn't in the day my dog split a toe nail and the other vets would not get on the phone with me, even though I didn't want medical advice and said so, just wanted to give info on my dog and inquire about sedatives before bringing him in. He did return my call the next day. He seems professional enough, knowledge wise, but have only been once.

Unfortunately I don't know how to pick a vet, not really. It seems that it's by trial and error that I eliminate vets. They're either too cold, or don't listen to my desires on vaccinations and give what they want, get ticked off when I either ask questions or don't agree with vaccines or prescribed kidney failure diets, or talk on their cell phone while euthanizing my dog. Those people will never see my money again.

I guess good is only good until something negative happens. So it's hard to pick a "good" vet.

Did you go to the Stock Shop for Chicken Soup? That's where I used to buy it.

Sandy,

Have you tried calling around and making appointments to "interview" a few vets in your area.

I did that with a few and asked questions like:

"How do you feel about minimal or now vaccinations?"
"How do you feel about raw diet?"
"Are you willing to accept input from me in regards to my dog? Since, ultimately I live with and know the dog better than anyone?"

"What is your opinion on keeping dogs intact?"

I wish I could find my list that I used. I sent about an hour with each vet. The vet I have now is pretty friendly and explains things if I do not understand it. He is professional and concise also.

When I take my dogs in because they are "just not right", he asks what I want to do and then offers suggestions if I missed anything.

It is an hour drive for me, but if I have more than two dogs to be looked at, he will make house calls.

Dear Sandy,

I do not live on Luke. I live off of 67th and Happy Valley. I am active duty Army, I am stationed out here as a recruiter (worst job ever). I did find the Stock Shop and will be on my way there today. They are open 10-4 on Sunday. My female is now refusing to eat and I am more concerned than I was with the diarreah. She is under weight (according to the vet) and has lost a lb since I got her 2 weeks ago. She weighs in at 24.4lbs and he weighs 35.6lbs. They are both almost 4 months old. Do you have any suggestions about how I can get them off of the Iams. Should I mix the new food with the old for a couple weeks? Or should I just give the new food with no mixing? Thank you so much for the vet info, I will be calling them first thing Mon morning.
I want to make sure that I thank all of you so much for your suggestions, ideas and answers to all of my questions. I appreciate all that you tell me and take it all into consideration.

How long has it been since she started refusing to eat? Is she drinking water?
Did you try the chicken and rice?

 Quote: Susan Clifford

... My female is now refusing to eat and I am more concerned than I was with the diarreah. She is under weight (according to the vet) and has lost a lb since I got her 2 weeks ago. She weighs in at 24.4lbs and he weighs 35.6lbs. They are both almost 4 months old. Do you have any suggestions about how I can get them off of the Iams. Should I mix the new food with the old for a couple weeks? Or should I just give the new food with no mixing? Thank you so much for the vet info, I will be calling them first thing Mon morning.
I want to make sure that I thank all of you so much for your suggestions, ideas and answers to all of my questions. I appreciate all that you tell me and take it all into consideration.

She is refusing all food? Is she drinking water (even more important)? Yes, you need to see the vet asap with a puppy who is losing weight.

I would cook up some white meat chicken with no skin and overcook some white rice (soupy) and give her mainly the rice gruel with the boiled chicken to make it attractive. No salt or sugar.

I would make sure she is feeling safe with her dish, by giving it in the crate or with the other dog put up.

That is a temporary diet only, to keep her weight from declining any more before you see the vet.

Fluid is paramount. If she is not drinking water, I would bait it by boiling fat-free meat in it (because fat can increase diarrhea) and then cooling it.

I would collect a stool sample and request a fecal flotation.