By Monica Collins

Dear Dog Lady,

I have a pal with an elderly bigger dog, a St. Bernhard. The dog is now having difficulty getting up from the floor and moving. Do you have any recommendations for a top notch, practical, and effective dog apparatus to help her work with him?

Sheila

Dear Sheila,

Yes, old, large dogs need help picking themselves up, climbing stairs, getting around. So do some of our smaller seniors. Dog Lady's senescent West Highland terrier—a compact breed—had terrible trouble jumping up near the end of his life. All of this is sad to see but you can't wallow in pity for your pet or deny your dog a helping hand.

The "Help 'Em Up Harness" (yes, that's the name) has been recommended by at least two veterinarians of clients with aching dogs. This harness is unique because it also provides a lift to the backside of a dog—as well as over the front shoulders—so you have two centers of gravity to hoist.

Have your friend take a look at the informative website, helpemup.com, and see if such an apparatus could help her and her St. Bernard. A harness for large-sized dogs (and the site features harnesses of three sizes) costs $115. Amazon and Chewy.com also carry these devices.

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Dear Dog Lady,

I have two small poodles. One I have had since she was a pup and she's now four-years-old. I have given up her morning feeding since the food usually is usually eaten by the smaller, overweight dog. She will eat later in the day when she comes into the kitchen, sits and looks at me, I feed her but in another room on a rug.

Often she still does not eat. I feed a good quality canned food, cooked carrots, and Blue Buffalo weight management chicken and brown rice. I have to stand guard over the food until she eats to prevent the other dog from eating it.

I then feed additional dry food only in my bedroom as I am watching TV and again the food cannot be left or the other dog will eat it. She used to eat normally when I first got her as a pup.

The smaller dog is a chow hound, will eat anything, and goes outside and eats dirt. This causes me to worry. I probably spoiled both of them by cooking chicken and doggie meat loaf to comprise about 1/4 of their meal. The older one old would eat the "good stuff" and leave the rest. I have stopped this cooking for them except for fresh carrots suggested by the vet for the smaller, overweight dog. Any ideas?

Vee

Dear Vee,

Yes, all poodle patrons of Vee's restaurant must eat the same thing at the same time. And you must provide separate tables. If they don't eat, clear the table.
You are being selectively scattershot in feeding each of your dogs. The older one must be given her morning meal in a secure place where the younger one can't grab the grub. The younger one probably feels some anxiety about finishing quickly so she can run over and feast on the leavings of the other one. The best you can do immediately is reduce the nervousness around food. Feed the exact same thing to each dog, including the cooked carrots.

As for your dirt eater, supervise the overweight dog, rewarding her with healthy treats for staying away from supping on soil. This dog is so food-motivated, she will eventually learn treats taste better than mud.

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