Websites, forums for dogs

[OnionPatch]

Can any of you recommend a good, active forum on dogs? You know, training, health matters, etc.? My dog seems to have an itching problem (not fleas) and I could use some training advice, too. I haven't found any very good dog sites but there must be some good ones out there. I thought someone from here might know. Thanks.

[oregonjen]

1. What kind of breed? I ask because of a condition that a particular breed

has, which the main sympton is itching. Or, it could be a food allergy. : )

On Edit: I belong to a Yahoo group that helps owners of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Itching is the main symptom, but it has nothing to do with skin problems. It's called Syringomyelia. Anyway, for what it's worth. : )

[OnionPatch]

3. German Shepherd

I had thought it might be an allergy. I wanted to research. She has a few habits I could use some advice on as well.

[oregonjen]

4. Googling is a good start. That's how I found my dogs problem and help

for her. : )

[madmax]

2. The itching may be a food alergy.

Don't know of any websites but there is a great book on dog training. 'No Bad Dogs the Woodhouse Way'. by ? Woodhouse. Hope this helps. I'm sure of of the thousand animal lovers here on DU will have something more for you. :hi:

[OnionPatch]

5. Thanks

I think I read the Woodhouse book a few years back. Before I got the dog I read a bunch of training books. Just can't seem to find this particular problem addressed anywhere.
I thought it might be food allergy. She eats cheapo food but only because she really hates the good-for-her kind.

[madmax]

7. Try switching to a dog food of lamb and rice.

My dog had a terrible problem with scratching and pulling out his hair. The first vet wanted me to take him to an animal shrink. I told her she needed the shrink. Took him to another vet and he said food alergy. Gave me some pills for a month and told me to switch to lamb and rice formula. That's all he eats now and he's fine.

I buy Nutra brand dry food and also lamb and rice treats. She won't starve - just put out what you want her to eat and when she's hungry enough she'll eat. Mine isn't crazy for it but, I'd rather he not scratch himself raw and get any infections. Let us know how you make out. Most of us here are suckers for animals ;)

[welshTerrier2]

10. switch foods gradually

start mixing in the new food a little at a time while reducing the amount of the old food ...

it should take about a week to ten days to completely make the switch ...

[qnr]

6. Haven't visited for a while, but Doctors For Pets used to be really good

http://www.doctorsforpets.com/

Good luck.

[Dookus]

8. yes

I've found this one good for training matters:



http://dogden.proboards21.com/index.cgi

[welshTerrier2]

9. here are a few sites i have bookmarked

vet help: http://vetmedicine.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.uwsp.edu%2Facad%2Fpsych%2Fdog%2Finfo.htm

puppy training manual: http://www.houssen.com/pdf/pupbook.pdf

german shepherd club of america: http://www.gsdca.org/

[Philostopher]

11. Some more sites that are of reasonably good value for this.

Especially considering they're free!

www.vetinfo.com

www.marvistavet.com


The Marvista Vetereinary Clinic page has a lot of information on diseases and conditions, and I've found it quite reliable. The 'Pet Web Library' link is where the encyclopedia of information is.

Vetinfo can be good, but it's mostly a membership-oriented page where the questions asked by people who subscribe are answered by the vet who runs the page. If someone who's already registered has asked the question you need the answer to, you're fine -- if not, you're kind of SOL.