Jesse attacked Troy

On Tuesday evening, all the dogs were waiting patiently (or not so patiently in Jesse's case) for their treat that I was sorting out from their treat tub. Suddenly all hell broke loose when Jesse and Troy were fighting. I didn't see the start of it, but Troy would never start on Jesse, so for the first time since being on Soloxine, Jesse went for Troy.

I smashed through the kitchen gate (no time to undo it properly), and apart from my bruised ankle, no-one was hurt. Jesse is very lucky to have such a good brother that would never hurt him.

So I am not 99% sure that his thyroid is out of whack again. I already thought this might be the case as Jesse has over the last few weeks become a little more anxious, a little growly towards some people (and is also itching a lot more again), so this attack just confirmed it to me and I will be bringing this test forward to next week instead of wait till August.

Great Baddow Show

What a disaster that was LOL. First Jesse followed me on the recall (though the rest of the round was very good, nice enthusiastic heelwork too), then he broke both stays on return. It was really strange too as he looked really worried when I walked back to him. Last week when he broke, I only said "sit" and led him back to the original place by the collar, I wasn't angry or anything... very strange. I am wondering whether the soloxine needs adjusting as he generally seems a little more jumpy and has had a few growls at people recently too. He is due his thyroid test next month, so we'll see.

2nd in Beginners at St. Edwards

Jesse and I had a very good day! We came 2nd in Beginners and that's even though Jesse broke his stay on return. He worked very nicely, the heelwork could have been a bit more enthusiastic, but otherwise he did really well with nice retrieves and fast recall.

Here's the Judge's Report (Linda Baldock):

2nd Mrs V Marney- WEIAMBEA JESSIE JAMES AM - COCKER SPANIEL
This was another good team to Judge. With a little bit of lagging in heelwork and finished with a clear recall. Won’t be long before you win this class, Good Luck.

And here's some pictures that Mo's husband took (she's the one with Rufus, the Australian Sheepdog here):






And here's the official pictures by Henri Miller

A funny picture

I took this picture of Jesse and Troy this week-end!

Finally getting better I think

Jesse's sore is finally clearing up, only little discharge now and not particularly painful anymore. So hopefully within a few more days, it will be fully healed.

Nearly a vet trip again

Jesse felt quite uncomfortable again yesterday and I was going to take him to see Mark again this morning, but by this morning he was much better, not in so much pain. I have decided to continue without further drugs as it's clearing up nicely.

Getting better

This morning, the worst scab came off and the skin underneath didn't look bad at all. Jesse isn't as itchy anymore and it isn't as painful anymore. I just clean it three times a day with hibiscrub and we seem to make headway now.

Vet trip after all

Yesterday, Jesse's hotspot got a lot worse. He wasn't scratching as much, but that was only because it was very painful. It also started oozing puss. So off we went to see Mark this morning, who has given him something to stop the itching, reduce the pain and antibiotics. Let's hope it'll clear up quickly as Jesse is really very uncomfortable.

Hotspot

On Friday evening, I noticed that Jesse had a hotspot on his throat area, which irritated him a lot. I shaved it, cleaned it with hibiscrub and then put aloe vera gel on it. It didn't make much difference and Jesse kept scratching. By Saturday it had expanded to about 4 times the size... I should have taken him to the vet, but as I had to get Dylan to Fitzpatrick's more urgently, that took precedence.

I tried to put a snood on him, a bandana etc but he could reach it with his backfoot even with that sort of thing on. I just kept cleaning it and telling Jesse to stop scratching.

This morning, it hadn't got any bigger at all and he is scratching much less. So it looks like I may be able to ride this one out without the vet, though of course if it isn't improving tomorrow, then a trip to the vet becomes necessary.

South Eastern Dog Training Society - 6th in Beginners

On Saturday, our club did the SEDTS Show in Warlingham. I was on the tombola stall as always, but I also worked Jesse in Beginners. His round wasn't brilliant, but the judge seemed quite happy. He also scratched in the sit stay, though he didn't break it. The judge docked me 1/2 point for that (which was fair enough).

We had a great day. I went home half way through, then went back to help clearing up.