Asked on the Dog Forum by goldpinky on 8/19/03, 6:21 am

Q.MENTAL

I HAVE A 11MONTH OLD FEMALE PUG.SHE ALWAYS HAD ONE BAD FRONT LEG.WE BROUGHT HER TO THE VET WHEN WE DISCOVERED THIS. THE VET DECIDED TO LEAVE THE LEG ALONE AND THE PUG WILL ADAPT WHICH SHE HAS DONE.THE PROBLEM IS SHE IS BITING AND BEING VERY DEFIANCENT. SHE WONT LISTEN AND IT SEEMS I OWN A DIFFERENT DOG. SHE IS CONSTANTLY CHEWING ON HER RAWHIDE MORE THEN EVER. IS SHE IN PAIN BECAUSE HER FRONT LEG HURTS AND SHE NEEDS TO BIT AND CHEW AND ACT LIKE A WILD CRAZY DOG.IS SHE TRYING TO TELL US SOMETHING.IS IT A MENTAL THING THAT SHE IS IN PAIN.PLEASE HELP

Answered by ShucksGirl on 8/19/03, 6:47 am

A: Q.MENTAL

Good morning Goldpinky,

Although you did not state what "bad leg" means, you lead me to believe that you feel the dog might be in pain. Before you can make a decision as to whether your dog is showing pain related behavior or just bad manners, you need to get a handle on the condition of her front leg and all the options you have to make it the best it can be. Some dogs have a very high pain tolerance and I would want to make sure that I wasn't unknowingly correcting what I thought was a behavior problem instead of addressing the dog's health problem.

I suggest that you consult another vet (orthopedic if that is appropriate with the leg issue) as soon as possible or call your vet for assistance.

Once you are comfortable that the dog is not in pain and if she is still exibiting the behavor you discribed, than you can begin to deal wth the behavior.

Detail about her leg would be helpful in getting a more in dept response from the experts.

Best Wishes
~Shucksgirl

> I HAVE A 11MONTH OLD FEMALE PUG.SHE ALWAYS HAD ONE BAD FRONT
> LEG.WE BROUGHT HER TO THE VET WHEN WE DISCOVERED THIS. THE
> VET DECIDED TO LEAVE THE LEG ALONE AND THE PUG WILL ADAPT
> WHICH SHE HAS DONE.THE PROBLEM IS SHE IS BITING AND BEING
> VERY DEFIANCENT. SHE WONT LISTEN AND IT SEEMS I OWN A
> DIFFERENT DOG. SHE IS CONSTANTLY CHEWING ON HER RAWHIDE MORE
> THEN EVER. IS SHE IN PAIN BECAUSE HER FRONT LEG HURTS AND
> SHE NEEDS TO BIT AND CHEW AND ACT LIKE A WILD CRAZY DOG.IS
> SHE TRYING TO TELL US SOMETHING.IS IT A MENTAL THING THAT
> SHE IS IN PAIN.PLEASE HELP
>

Answered by Squish on 8/19/03, 6:48 am

A: Q.MENTAL

> I HAVE A 11MONTH OLD FEMALE PUG.SHE ALWAYS HAD ONE BAD FRONT
> LEG.WE BROUGHT HER TO THE VET WHEN WE DISCOVERED THIS. THE
> VET DECIDED TO LEAVE THE LEG ALONE AND THE PUG WILL ADAPT
> WHICH SHE HAS DONE.THE PROBLEM IS SHE IS BITING AND BEING
> VERY DEFIANCENT. SHE WONT LISTEN AND IT SEEMS I OWN A
> DIFFERENT DOG. SHE IS CONSTANTLY CHEWING ON HER RAWHIDE MORE
> THEN EVER. IS SHE IN PAIN BECAUSE HER FRONT LEG HURTS AND
> SHE NEEDS TO BIT AND CHEW AND ACT LIKE A WILD CRAZY DOG.IS
> SHE TRYING TO TELL US SOMETHING.IS IT A MENTAL THING THAT
> SHE IS IN PAIN.PLEASE HELP
>
I know that you have asked many many question about this pug and it seems to always boil down to obedience training. Have you yet to take her through classes? Even with a bad leg, she should be able to handle the classes without any problem. You may have to improvise somewhat but she can still learn the basics. She does not sound mental, she sounds bored and untrained. I would suggest another visit to the vet to ensure that she is indeed not in pain and acting out but dogs usually show pain through heavy panting, lethargy, lack of appetite and obvious tender spots. If you are not satisfied with your present vet, you may want to ask for a referral to an orthapedic specialist. I do however believe that she needs some training and taught basic manners. She is only 11 months old and is still going to act like a puppy. This is just normal. Puppies like to run and play and chew but she needs to be taught what things are appropriate.