North Carolina

[LukesCityHens]

I have a non-chicken dilemma, but you are all smart people so I thought I'd ask your opinion.

Dogs. I have three mastiffs. Well, two and a half, but don't tell Murphy he's a cross! Jake works for me as a mobility service dog, although his personality is a bit "soft" for the job. He's developing arthritis in one knee, which means he'll need to be phased out of working. I've already quit asking him to carry a pack, and quit having him brace me on stairs. He's just doing balance work now. Of the other two dogs, Murphy is physically sound, but very protective of his people. He would not be a good candidate to train to replace Jake, plus he's older. Reilly is a great size and great temperament, and was actually purchased to train, but he had knee surgery at seven months, and will never be sound enough to work.

So, the first question is...do I get a fourth large dog to train? Or go back permanently on forearm crutches? (I hate the crutches, for many reasons.) Second thing... a former student-current friend, who is also disabled, raises show quality Great Danes. She had her too-small pet quality male jump a fence and breed her show female, and she's offered me a free pup to train. She breeds for soundness, temperament and longivity, so a lot of plusses there. He'd be able to start balance work at about 18 mos, when his growth plates close. And that would time out nicely with phasing Jake out.

BUT...that's FOUR VERY LARGE DOGS!! Sure, we have the space for them to run and play. There's a bit of floor in the house that we can provide for another dog. We can feed him and do medical stuff. But, four. large. dogs!

I haven't even broached the subject with hubby, although when we found out Jake had arthritis, he did ask me if I wanted to get another to train. But I'm pretty sure he wanted me to say no.

Geez. I need help figuring out the pros and cons and weighing everything logically. I'm just not being logical. My innerds are screaming...Puppy Breath!

Help!

Just my opinion but I've heard you say how much you hate the fore-arm crutches, so a dog would be a must for me. And you get the plus of having another puppy and all that joy.

 

[BHep]

Just my opinion but I've heard you say how much you hate the fore-arm crutches, so a dog would be a must for me. And you get the plus of having another puppy and all that joy.

x2

 

[Chasity]

1 of my 5.5 month old EEs started laying 2 days ago. She has laid 2 nice medium sized bluish/green egg. I think it was 'Noisy Nell', but it could have been her sister. Both are partridge looking. 'Nell' was just named 2 days ago. She has been following me around constantly for a few weeks 'talking' constantly. She ain't loud, but is persistent. She likes treats and has gotten really tame. Even when I pick her up she still doesn't shut up, just keeps right on talking. 2 days ago I was going to call her noisy girl and for some reason it came out 'Noisy Nell'. Some just pick their own names.

Matt

That's funny, and reminds me of my favorite Ameraucana. She perched on everyones shoulder to chatter in the ears. She is the one that hooked me on the breed.

 

[Chasity]

Quote: Same hear!
Brindle lived to 15 years with bad hips, and followed closely by the Vet. We put a cloths onher, and she helpped me, and protected the children as well as myself right up until the last year. We took care of her then, and kept he comfy until she quit hiking in the woods with me.
The Vet did blood work often to check that the meds were not causing more damage, and she got around a lot better on them. I don''t know your dog, or his age, but he may be able to serve you a little longer while helping you train a new dog. I would look for a breed that is not prone to these problems for longevity. Some breeds are great for training. I have just started working with the lab mix that I gave my son. You never know, and he is only 12, so not very good at training a dog yet.
I would imagine that you have a vet, but if need be get a second opinion, so you can enjoy him for longer.

 

[LukesCityHens]

JD: I hope you ain't getting my birds sick......I haven't had any issues this year (knock on wood). will have plenty of new babies for you in the spring time!

 

[Hollowoakfarm]

I can't remember how old the ones you have are.....

Can you supplement the ones with joint issues to get more time out of them? I agree that you need a service dog and if the ones you have aren't able to work then I think another dog is needed.

Oh, I was so hoping you would see this, since you train!

I have all the dogs on joint supplements these days, which is how I hope to extend Jake working that long anyway. But of course, pushing him into working when he gets into painful stages would not be fair at all. Reilly is simply too weak in his knees, and the supplements just allow him to mostly enjoy life, although he still has chronic pain issues.

I think I'm trying to balance need with want here. I would always want another dog. But I shouldn't really get one unless I need him and will be able to still train.

edited to add...Jake will be 4 Thanksgiving. Murphy will be 5 January. Reilly is 18 months. This would have been when he started working, if he didn't have mobility issues of his own!

 

[Hollowoakfarm]

Well, back to chickens for a bit whilst I dwell on doggy things....

Got a call from Welp before they ship the chicks today. The dark Brahma hatch didn't go well. I asked them to send me some RIR pullets to replace them in the shipment, since they had those available. They offered next hatch, but I want chicks NOW. I'll wait until spring for the brahmas.

 

[BHep]

Well, back to chickens for a bit whilst I dwell on doggy things....

Got a call from Welp before they ship the chicks today. The dark Brahma hatch didn't go well. I asked them to send me some RIR pullets to replace them in the shipment, since they had those available. They offered next hatch, but I want chicks NOW. I'll wait until spring for the brahmas.

 

[Hollowoakfarm]

Quote: Yeah, that was my thought, too. But, I'll keep some for layers, and sell some as POL birds at WCA. Those usually sell well enough. Not my favorite breed, but not one I hate, either.

 

[doubleatraining]

Oh, I was so hoping you would see this, since you train!

I have all the dogs on joint supplements these days, which is how I hope to extend Jake working that long anyway. But of course, pushing him into working when he gets into painful stages would not be fair at all. Reilly is simply too weak in his knees, and the supplements just allow him to mostly enjoy life, although he still has chronic pain issues.

I think I'm trying to balance need with want here. I would always want another dog. But I shouldn't really get one unless I need him and will be able to still train.

edited to add...Jake will be 4 Thanksgiving. Murphy will be 5 January. Reilly is 18 months. This would have been when he started working, if he didn't have mobility issues of his own!

First please don't be offended by my next statement....its not meant to be ugly....

Do you consider your dogs pets or working dogs? There is a big difference and I don't think you can get another service dog until you've decided. I know you love them and I'm NOT asking you to get rid of them at all. I'm saying that a working animal is medicated/exercised/adjusted so they can do their job until they can't then kept comfortable into retirement. I understand you don't want to hurt them and I'm not asking you to. I'm asking you to think of them a LITTLE more like livestock with a job.

Can Murphy be adjusted to NOT react to strangers? Can Reilly be on medications to make him sound enough for light work? Rotating dogs is easier on them all than using 1 dog all the time.