JESSE - 3 years old on Boxing Day

I forgot to put an entry, but better late than never! JESSE WAS THREE YEARS OLD ON BOXING DAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, beautiful boy!!!

Skin and air freshners

I had been battling with Cornel for weeks to stop him from using air freshners, to no avail! He started using the febreze air freshners, and Jesse started to itch even more. Last Wednesday I checked him over and found the most massive sore patch under his arm (in addition to other smaller sores all over his belly and legs). It was red, weeping and bleeding from scratching. I cried, I felt so sorry for Jesse!

I booked Jesse into the vets, and told Cornel to stop all the air freshners and showed him Jesse's skin. He finally agreed to stop using them!

By Thursday evening, Jesse's skin stopped itching, was dry and scabbed up. So it was definitely those chemicals. Just to help Jesse a bit more, he also got an antibiotic shot on Friday morning.

I hope that this is the last piece of the Jesse's allergy puzzle!

Free T4 fine too

Jesse's results finally came back too this week and the Free T4 is upper normal range, which is fine! So glad that everything is normal now.

Yearly blood test

It's already a year since Jesse was diagnosed with autoimmune thyroiditis and he has been on soloxine ever since. The changes in him are quite remarkable and he isn't the same dog at all. His behaviour has much improved and it is very peaceful at home now without any further Jesse attacks on our other dogs, and his coat looks a lot better too. He still needs antibiotics every few months to help his skin, but it is 10 times better than it was!

Well, today was the day when he was due for his comprehensive thyroid blood test. As it is always such a fight with him to get some blood out of him, which is very stressful most of all for Jesse, but also for me, the vet and the two nurses that have to hold him, I decided to have him sedated this time round.

It all went well, blood was taken without problem of course. He took a long while to wake up, but other than that, it was no hassle at all and everyone is happy.


I can't wait to get the results in a week's time or so. I theory the antibodies should be down/disappeared and T4 should be back down within normal range. We'll see.

No more antibiotics

I took Jesse to see Mark yesterday, he couldn't feel any lesions anymore at all. So he didn't want to give Jesse further antibiotics.

Cornel bought a refill to the airfreshner again a few days ago, which I didn't realise. What I DID realise however is that Jesse started scratching badly again... I suddenly thought of checking the air freshner and I sorted it out once again!

Finally worked out what is going on...

Yesterday, Jesse and I went to Thurrock obedience show! I only did two training rounds, but even that didn't go too well... Jesse was just not interested at all... And at the end of the day I finally worked out what was going on!!! He associated the training/ring with the car. It looks like I have always, or at least often, put him back in the car after doing our round... Jesse hates the car and made the association of going in the ring equals car afterwards! What an idiot I have been... It's only taken me all summer to work this one out! And I feel so bad about it now!

So from now on, Jesse won't come to obedience training anymore (it's Flash's turn anyway in the winter), but I will do more in the park without any associations to the car! And when we go to shows next year, I will make sure that he ALWAYS gets a good walk and play and LOTS OF TREATS after each round... and no time in the car (other than when I need to go to the toilet)! Hopefully in time, this will make things better again!

It was just so sad to see him so miserable in the ring, when he used to love it so much! I have so much damage to undo and I am kicking myself so hard for not spotting earlier what was going on. So sorry, Jesse!

Of course, I also need to tackle this car business too. I have no idea why he hates it so much, but I must start doing something about it.

Skin flare up again

Jesse's skin got so bad again now that he had another shot of antibiotics today! I am hoping that it will clear up nicely again... poor thing was so itchy, though already seems much better now.

I am not surprised anymore

On Wednesday, I came home and found the dogs had got a chew from Cornel. Jesse had a turkey neck, Dylan probably too and Troy had a vegan chew. So I went upstairs and found Flash with a turkey neck too... I asked Cornel why the hell Flash had a meat chew and he said he didn't know! He admitted that he didn't know what was what in the treat box and just gave them what he though they could have!

I was and am furious! No wonder I can't get Jesse's allergies under control if Cornel just feeds him whatever he wants! Luckily this time Jesse had the right chew (though Flash didn't), but what about all the other times? The one loosing out is in the end Jesse as he is itching a lot yet again... probably stuff that Cornel has fed and yet again, he has had to buy an air freshner eventhough I have told him many times before that I get headaches from them (and they are not recommended for asthmatics) and I suspect Jesse gets very itchy (Jesse was much better before we left for college and at the hotel and is extremely itchy again now to the point where I brush out several mats a day... something I only do when Jesse scratches lots and lots).

North West Kent Obedience Show - a bit of a disaster...

Well, we went to NWK Obedience Show yesterday, together with Sandra, Tasha and Vincent. It was a lovely day, though a bit windy.

However, Jesse's attention was non-existing in the ring, he just didn't want to know and was extremely distracted by what I am not sure! I ended up doing a training round with Jesse in Novice, using a toy. I worked Beginners, but from the word "Forward" in HOL, Jesse's attention was gone again... so I didn't even do the HF and turned it yet again into a training round!

I have no idea what caused this, Jesse is always praised by the judges for his attention on me (he never takes his eyes off of me) and for his brilliant working attitude... neither of that was present yesterday.

I have some thoughts and theories:
* He is hating car travel more and more, my car, other people's car... I have no idea why. Could this spill over into his working attitude as we go to training and shows by car? (I am now going to sort this car thing out because it is becoming a big issue now... Jesse messed twice in the car on the way to the show yesterday).
* Another thing I forgot to do yesterday is to use Jesse's cue for training which is "do you wanna do some training?"... I doubt that this alone was the reason for it, but certainly something to remember.
* After Jesse started dropping the dumbell at my feet at shows, I started to do a LOT of retrieve training. Could it have been to much? Another thing to look at.
* Are the allergies affecting his mood; he does seem slightly quieter in general at times. Or is the thyroid out? I think I need to get that checked. Or has the antibiotics affected him in any way?
* And lastly, has he worked out that he is not getting treats or a toy in the ring? I don't think that is the issue somehow, he isn't the type of dog for that. Having said that though, it is a possibility and I need to work hard on this! I will also use a toy more during training as it is now a matter of motivation. I have bought three toys at the show yesterday, so we'll see what works best. I really need some training with Kay and Lyn I think... I need help to progress a bit more now - roll on winter when I can attend training days with them again!

The whole thing though is just a puzzle to me. It was all so out of character!

Jesse at vet's - skin infection again

Jesse has been scratching more or less over the last few weeks, but it had got worse over the last couple of weeks. So today he came to see Mark together with Charlie. His skin is infected again and he got the same antibiotic he got last year, which stopped the itching immediately and cleared up the skin fairly swiftly. Let's hope it will do the same again!

I also told Mark that I was desperate to give Jesse an omega 3/6 supplement for his skin and coat, but that everything I had tried so far seemed to cause a reaction. Mark suggested to try corn oil. I will start Jesse on that as soon as his skin has cleared up (so we know what's working and what isn't).

Other than his skin, Jesse is doing really well. We haven't had any aggressive incidents at home at all, he is very controlled in class and at obedience shows and no problem in the park. He is a fabby chappy.

5th in Beginners at South Eastern

Jesse and I entered Beginners and Novice yesterday, and we worked Beginners.

He did super heelwork on lead, clear recall, nice heelwork off lead... and then completely buggered up the retrieve with anticipating it and dropping the dumbell in front of me... I have no idea why he does that, but we need it sorted!

I am very pleased about the place though as I didn't expect it.

Here's a couple of pictures taken by Dave Scott (as usual at obedience shows):


















Whilst waiting for the presentation, Dave Scott took this fabulous picture

3rd in Beginners at SATS

Jesse and I went to SATS Obedience Show in Warlingham today. It was so hot!

Jesse was quite sluggish in the ring today, probably due to the heat. But he still came 3rd in Beginners; having said that, only 9 dogs completed the test, so it was an easy rosette!

Bad back

On Saturday morning, I went out for a walk before classes. As usual I had Dylan, Flash and Jesse with me. All was fine until we were on our way home, when an ex-client came up the stairs with her dalmation. All my dogs went balistic. I calmed them down immediately and made them all sit, which they did nicely! I then had a chat with the lady (who ironically said that my training was extremely helpful for her).

Just as we finished and I turned round, another guy came up the stairs with a GSD and a ball... and mine went balistic AGAIN! I pulled them back, twice... then went home! (Not in a very good mood).

Throughout the day, my back got worse and worse, until by the evening, every move hurt. Things improved a little on Sunday, but my lower back/bum are still very painful, so I didn't go to agility yesterday!

I can't believe this has happened. Last week really wasn't much fun with this lot!

I have now started taking them out at 5.15 in the morning, mainly to avoid that little dog. The park was nice and empty. And it also gave me the opportunity to walk Troy as well before going to work as he hasn't been out since Friday... (Cornel is hardly walking him at all now, maybe once a week... and he hasn't walked him at all since Thursday, 11th June...).

Findon Downs Obedience Show

Yesterday, Jesse and I went to Findon Downs Obedience Show, together with Sandra and her dogs.

Beginners was quite good - except for the retrieve where he dropped the dumbell on approach... no idea why! Very strange as it is something he has never done before.

Novice was a longer round than we had before. Jesse did the on lead really nice, set exercises were ok (other than crooked sit in retrieve), but he was tired and lagging during heel off lead!

So no rosettes yesterday! Never mind, we had a great day out!

Shame only that I had to take Charlie to the vets when I got home as her steroids have worn out earlier... but luckily she is fine again now.

A bit of fun with Jesse James

Gravesend Obedience Show: 24th May

I completely forgot to update the blog with the results of our first obedience show this year: Gravesend on 24th May.

We entered both Beginners and Novice. Jesse did very well in Novice, we didn't get placed, but were nicely in the middle field, which was great considering it is only our second attempt in the Novice class! I was well happy with that.

But to top that off, Jesse came 4th in Beginners! He did a very nice round and we only lost points because I apparently kept moving my right hand when motivating him, which made him move off my leg to look at me... But we got another rosette and it was a great start to the show year!

Our next show is Findon Downs on 14th June! I am looking forward to it, Jesse is working nicely and with a bit of luck we will win out of Beginners this year.

Added on 22th July: Judge's Report (Maurice Sage)
4th. No. 246 losing 4 Vera Marney with WEIAMEA JESSE JAMES ACS. A good team to watch, Jesse has a lovely attitude for working, nice and close but when handler moved her hand Jesse jumped out of position. Excellent recall and retrieve. Keep up the good work.

Holiday in Wales - 25th April - 2nd May

Yet again, we went on holiday with all four boys to Swallows Dance in Pembrokeshire! We had a fabulous time and really enjoyed ourselves.

I have set up a separate blog for the pictures... Here is the link:



I will update gradually as I have over 200 pictures and another well over 300 from Sandra that took fab pictures at Freshwater West.

Titre test

Last week, I took Flash and Jesse to have their titre tests! And yippee, both Flash's and Jesse's tests came back as fine and having enough immunity. I am so glad as I really didn't want to vaccinate Jesse! So they only need the lepto this year.

3-way match Surrey/Billingshurst/SEDTS

We had yet another match (and the last this year)today. Jesse was running in Beginners. Yet again, Jesse did very well... I was particularly pleased with the recall and even more so with the retrieve, which he did very nicely!

We came 2nd out of 6 dogs! What a little star he was.

Our rosette board and trophy shelf are getting fuller:



And later on in the day on our evening walk, I took this picture


And on 1st April, I took these to test my new camera

2-way match Culverstone

We had the yearly two-way match in Culverstone yesterday. Jesse was entered for Beginners. And we came 2nd (out of four dogs). We are well pleased. I am really looking forward to the start of the show season soon... where we will hopefully do well in Beginners as well.

Update

We have not had any further incidence with Jesse and Troy since the last one in February. There has not even been a hint of a problem! I now think that perhaps he didn't swallow his tablet that morning as even just missing one tablet can cause such an incident.

Jesse has also been on his diet of turkey mince, sweet potatoe and peas for many weeks and is doing very well on it. Poos are mostly fine now, he only vomits if he eats something he shouldn't, his dandruff has gone and his coat is gradually recovering with a bit of sheen on it even! Good stuff.

On Sunday, Flash, Jesse and I did another obedience workshop with Kay Raven. It went really well and both Flash and Jesse are coming along very nicely! Well, we'll see whether we can bag another win perhaps in Beginners at the obedience match at Culverstone on Sunday!

Bits and pieces...

Jesse decided that having a go at Troy when Troy came into the kitchen whilst I was preparing food was a good idea. Luckily I could separate them immediately and told Jesse off! This incident happened last Thursday evening, and made me decide to bring Jesse and Flash along to college at the week-end after all. I didn't want to risk any incidents whilst I wasn't there. I left Dylan at home with Troy and Cornel.

I have also changed Jesse's diet yet again. After the raw mince only produced slopppy and occasionally bloody poos, I stopped that. Although I did realise that Jesse's dandruff had completely disappeared. So it looks like he is allergic to rice too.
Since then I put him on cooked turkey mince, potatoes and peas. This firmed his poos up, but he was still a bit itchy, though the skin (which had just started with the scabs again) cleared up. I have now moved him to cooked turkey mince, sweet potatoe and peas and so far, so good! No dandruff, coat looks quite nice and very little itching! I think we might be onto a winner here! It would be so nice if this problem could be finally sorted out for good.

Of course, I also need to talk to Mark again re thyroid and whether he has talked to Jean Dodds yet.

At the week-end, Flash, Jesse and I went to college (Karen was on holiday). Fellow students couldn't believe the difference in Jesse's behaviour and also his whole demeanure! He hardly barked at any of the dogs, even in the kennels when all the dogs shouted at him. He went up to everyone happily to say hello with wagging tail... whereas last time they saw him (in October last year), he would just sit apart and not be interested in anyone.

So it was a fabulous experience and I am glad that other people see the difference as well, probably even more than I do actually.

T4 Test results back

I talked to Mark today re Jesse's test last week. The T4 is still really high (in the 80ies and 110s), but Jesse is symptom free and absolutely fine. He has shown no aggression, he shows very little insecurity/anxiety around children, no resource guarding...

So Mark has decided to contact Jean Dodds to get some further advice on the test results. I am looking forward to hearing how he got on.

SNOW!!!

Snow, snow, nothing but snow. What a beautiful day! (Can't go to work as no public transport, cars etc.). Love it... and so do the dogs.

Win in Beginners - 8-way match!

Today, Jesse and I went to an 8-way match with South Eastern Dog Training. This is a match of 8 clubs competing against each other. Each class consisting of 1 dog from each club.

We were entered for Beginners competing against 5 collies, a GSD and an Airdale terrier.

Jesse only went and came first! I am so proud of him, he has done so well. What a start to the new obedience year.

Jesse approached a toddler today.... and didn't growl!

I think this was the first time ever that Jesse approached a young child... He went right up to the toddler (parents were fine with it) and was curious about him! No growling, no insecurity! What an improvement!

I just realised that I never updated on Jean Dodds reply etc. Jean Dodds replied that the high T4 is probably a false reading due to the antibodies... (she even reckons that the 15.4 was higher too than it actually was). I talked to Mark the next day and also forwarded him the correspondence! He agreed to put Jesse back on the 0.5 mg/day!

Since then, Jesse has improved again! No further aggressive outbursts, no resource guarding and see the above with the toddler! His coat still needs longer and he'd been itching quite a lot, though this has eased off and almost stopped again over the last few days.