Comments on: Must-Haves For Your Big Dog http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2009/11/big-dogs-supplies/ Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:13:24 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Barb S. http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2009/11/big-dogs-supplies/comment-page-1/#comment-2628 Barb S. Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:00:23 +0000 http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/?p=3000#comment-2628 Hi Joellyn There is a question about whether elevated feeders should be used on dogs with increased susceptibility to GDV. I should have stated that and will revise the piece to mention that. Thank you for reminding me. Also, I do use our <a href="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=19445" rel="nofollow">Slow-Feed Bowl</a>, which is similar to the Brake-Fast Bowl on the one Newf (Dulse) who "inhales" his food. It seems to help slow him down. Thanks again for mentioning that- we have to watch out for our big pups. Hi Joellyn
There is a question about whether elevated feeders should be used on dogs with increased susceptibility to GDV. I should have stated that and will revise the piece to mention that. Thank you for reminding me. Also, I do use our Slow-Feed Bowl, which is similar to the Brake-Fast Bowl on the one Newf (Dulse) who “inhales” his food. It seems to help slow him down. Thanks again for mentioning that- we have to watch out for our big pups.

]]> By: Joellyn http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2009/11/big-dogs-supplies/comment-page-1/#comment-2617 Joellyn Sun, 25 Apr 2010 02:14:22 +0000 http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/?p=3000#comment-2617 Regarding the recommendation for an elevated feeder...large dogs are more susceptible to a very dangerous and potentially fatal condition called "bloat," particularly those large dogs who are also deep-chested. I have read on many occasions that elevated feeders increase the risk for bloat. I bought my Lab a Brake-Fast dog bowl, which is supposed to reduce the risk for bloat by decreasing the "gulping" and speed of consumption of food. Just a thought... Regarding the recommendation for an elevated feeder…large dogs are more susceptible to a very dangerous and potentially fatal condition called “bloat,” particularly those large dogs who are also deep-chested. I have read on many occasions that elevated feeders increase the risk for bloat. I bought my Lab a Brake-Fast dog bowl, which is supposed to reduce the risk for bloat by decreasing the “gulping” and speed of consumption of food. Just a thought…

]]> By: Barb S. http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2009/11/big-dogs-supplies/comment-page-1/#comment-1880 Barb S. Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:30:17 +0000 http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/?p=3000#comment-1880 Hi again, Nicole- Yes, the <a href="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=1137&prodid=4852&catid=45" rel="nofollow">9907 cage</a> is very sturdy and nice because it has 1" wire squares. It also has a nice locking system (which the Gorilla Tough I mentioned before has as well). It locks two ways when you close the door: On the top and bottom of the door are two wires that slide into loops on the crate and then it has a "cam lock" which you turn so it "grabs" a wire on the cage and twist until it locks, My dogs simply can't crack the code to open this door. Re: your Presa's anxiety problem: have you checked out any of the posts on the blog here that deal with that? Here are two: <a href="http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2009/10/dog-anxiety/" rel="nofollow">Dog Separation Anxiety Conquered!</a> and <a href="http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2009/09/got-a-stressed-dog-try-these-tips/" rel="nofollow">Got a Stressed Dog? Try These Tips!</a> which may have some helpful tips for you. We also have an <a href="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=1042 " rel="nofollow">article here about dog stress</a>. Good luck! Hi again, Nicole- Yes, the 9907 cage is very sturdy and nice because it has 1″ wire squares. It also has a nice locking system (which the Gorilla Tough I mentioned before has as well). It locks two ways when you close the door: On the top and bottom of the door are two wires that slide into loops on the crate and then it has a “cam lock” which you turn so it “grabs” a wire on the cage and twist until it locks, My dogs simply can’t crack the code to open this door.

Re: your Presa’s anxiety problem: have you checked out any of the posts on the blog here that deal with that? Here are two: Dog Separation Anxiety Conquered! and Got a Stressed Dog? Try These Tips! which may have some helpful tips for you. We also have an article here about dog stress.

Good luck!

]]> By: Nicole http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2009/11/big-dogs-supplies/comment-page-1/#comment-1872 Nicole Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:02:10 +0000 http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/?p=3000#comment-1872 Barb- I have with my lhasa, she's actually on medicine now because everything from increasing exercise to the behavior training, hadn't worked. I've tried keeping leaving the TV on for a bit, but it didn't seem to work as well with my presa, as it does with my lhasa. The cage you're using now looks a lot sturdier than the ones that they sell in petsmart (like she has now). She's broken out of her regular cages, even with a combo lock on it. We aren't sure how she did it, but she got the lock off and got out of her cage. The space between the wires on #9907 look like they're closer together than the average cage. Barb- I have with my lhasa, she’s actually on medicine now because everything from increasing exercise to the behavior training, hadn’t worked. I’ve tried keeping leaving the TV on for a bit, but it didn’t seem to work as well with my presa, as it does with my lhasa.

The cage you’re using now looks a lot sturdier than the ones that they sell in petsmart (like she has now). She’s broken out of her regular cages, even with a combo lock on it. We aren’t sure how she did it, but she got the lock off and got out of her cage. The space between the wires on #9907 look like they’re closer together than the average cage.

]]> By: Barb S. http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2009/11/big-dogs-supplies/comment-page-1/#comment-1868 Barb S. Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:50:01 +0000 http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/?p=3000#comment-1868 Hi Nicole- I am currently using item #9907 ( I can't put a link on here, but it is on www.drsfostersmith.com) because the breeder gave me one. When I first got Rudder at 18 months, his main cage was one of our Classic Square Back Cages, like item #5329 and the KennelAire was his sleeping cage. They are both sturdy, great cages. If your girl prefers the enclosed feeling of a plastic kennel, you might put a blanket over the top of the cage to make it more den-like. Also, have you tried keeping a radio playing, or using any Comfort Zone products to help with stress? Hi Nicole- I am currently using item #9907 ( I can’t put a link on here, but it is on http://www.drsfostersmith.com) because the breeder gave me one. When I first got Rudder at 18 months, his main cage was one of our Classic Square Back Cages, like item #5329 and the KennelAire was his sleeping cage. They are both sturdy, great cages.
If your girl prefers the enclosed feeling of a plastic kennel, you might put a blanket over the top of the cage to make it more den-like. Also, have you tried keeping a radio playing, or using any Comfort Zone products to help with stress?

]]> By: Nicole http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2009/11/big-dogs-supplies/comment-page-1/#comment-1866 Nicole Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:15:40 +0000 http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/?p=3000#comment-1866 Carrie- I have a Presa also, she's about 6 months old now and hates her cage. She breaks out of it all the time, and has bent the wires. Since yours is older, and still a chewer, did he/she like crate? And is there a better brand of a crate or style that either you or Barb would recommend for having a bigger dog? Carrie- I have a Presa also, she’s about 6 months old now and hates her cage. She breaks out of it all the time, and has bent the wires. Since yours is older, and still a chewer, did he/she like crate? And is there a better brand of a crate or style that either you or Barb would recommend for having a bigger dog?

]]> By: Barb http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2009/11/big-dogs-supplies/comment-page-1/#comment-752 Barb Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:53:32 +0000 http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/?p=3000#comment-752 Carrie- thanks for the comment. I was thinking about it, and there really is no such thing as a chew-proof crate pad, especially for these big guys who have that "puppy chewing behavior" sometimes until they are three years old! You may want to forego crate pads until they get a little older and more reliable. P.S. I bookmarked your site until a later date when I have time because it looked so interesting. Carrie- thanks for the comment. I was thinking about it, and there really is no such thing as a chew-proof crate pad, especially for these big guys who have that “puppy chewing behavior” sometimes until they are three years old!

You may want to forego crate pads until they get a little older and more reliable.

P.S. I bookmarked your site until a later date when I have time because it looked so interesting.

]]> By: Candid Carrie http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2009/11/big-dogs-supplies/comment-page-1/#comment-747 Candid Carrie Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:48:58 +0000 http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/?p=3000#comment-747 Great article and I'm right on track. I've got a 16 month old Presa and an 11 month old mastiff. Both a prolific chewers ... any suggestions for non-chewable thick mattresses for their crates? Great article and I’m right on track. I’ve got a 16 month old Presa and an 11 month old mastiff. Both a prolific chewers … any suggestions for non-chewable thick mattresses for their crates?

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