This has been quite a month - YorkieTalk.com Forums

sportschick · 08-12-2013, 04:27 PM

Well, I am now dealing with the NEXT thing with Beanie. She sits on my lap in the car. And yes, I had bought a booster seat with a restraint, she was fine in it for a week and then decided to try and jump on my lap and almost hung herself while I was driving in the middle of traffic. I have tried other restraints and none of them work, she is determined to sit on my lap. SO, I let her do that, which I know isn't the safest thing, but neither is her hanging from the booster seat or tangled up in a restraint.

Anyway, she stands up and looks out the window at everything and she smushes herself against me safely, and then if we are driving a longer distance, she lays down and conks out.

This Sat., I went to visit a relative, parked the car and let go of her for like 5 seconds. She proceeded to fall into the area between the seat and the door and got her paw stuck in the plastic pocket part of the door, because she just HAD to try and get out of the car before I was ready.

I did not think anything of it because no yelps, no nothing. The relative wasn't home so I got back in the car with her on my lap and drive off. I look down and see blood all over my shorts. I fly home with her against me and have my landlord (who is like Dr. Dolittle) help me check her out, she seems o.k. so I take her upstairs, clean off her paw and go to bed. She gets up on Sunday and seems fine, running around EXCEPT she sits on the arm of the couch (like she does all the time), hears something outside and jumps/falls off the arm and then can't put her paw down and it starts bleeding again.

I called the breeder who said she probably split her nail on Sat. and it was going to have to be removed) and to call the vet today, which I did. I brought her in and he had to remove her nail which was basically split across - thank God he didn't have to sedate her. He put a cone on her head to stop her from licking it and said to keep her quiet for a few days. He knows her and knows me and he KNOWS that is not something possible, but said to do the best I could, don't panic if I see blood on her poor mangled paw and she would be healed in a couple of weeks.

OH MY GOD, she has already tried to lick her paw with the cone on and was stabbing it with the cone. I did end up giving her a tiny bit of Rimadyl tonight so she can sleep because she is in obvious pain. I also have to give her antibiotics for 2 weeks. I hate to give her any of this, but I don't want to take the chance of an infection and if she can't sleep from being in pain, she isn't going to heal, so I made the decision to give her the Rimadyl.

Anyway, after this long post, my question is, has anyone else dealt with this type of paw issue, and for how long does it take to heal and any suggestions on keeping her in the cone and quiet would be much appreciated. And yes, I also feel really guilty because I feel like I should have prevented this, just like I feel like I should have prevented her from getting attacked by the Husky last week - trying not to beat myself up too much.

She looks like she has a champagne glass without the stem on her head. ahahahahahahah, hey I have to laugh - I always try to - my poor baby stuck in a champagne glass!!!

Yorkiemom1 · 08-12-2013, 05:59 PM

Sorry, but you are allowing your puppy to run the show, so you will continue to have to deal with accidents and injuries. I insist all my new owners leave here with their pups in a carrier or a car seat. I have no control over what they do the next day on. I had an owner buy 2 babies....she really DID NOT want to put those babies in a carrier, but I told her she could not leave here without doing that. She did it, but then, like you, they begged her to let them ride in her lap and she just could not stand the pitiful look in their eyes.....so they started riding around in her lap, looking out the window..... About 8 months later, she had a small wreck....her doors crumpled and her window broke, and both those babies jumped out the window, scared and confused, and ran right into the intersection and BOTH babies were hit and killed, right in front of her eyes. She learned a very tough lesson....and she has never gotten over it....after a couple of years, she tried again to get two little babies, but she had to bring them back....she just couldnt get over what she saw in her mind's eye, everytime she closed her eyes or she got quiet.....hopefully, someone will read this and learn from this ladys lesson and restrain her dog in a carrier or a car seat...dont let the baby make the decisions about how YOU are going to behave.

beasiegirl · 08-12-2013, 06:13 PM

Oh poor baby. Her paw must hurt real bad. Hope she heals quickly.

sportschick · 08-12-2013, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

Sorry, but you are allowing your puppy to run the show, so you will continue to have to deal with accidents and injuries. I insist all my new owners leave here with their pups in a carrier or a car seat. I have no control over what they do the next day on. I had an owner buy 2 babies....she really DID NOT want to put those babies in a carrier, but I told her she could not leave here without doing that. She did it, but then, like you, they begged her to let them ride in her lap and she just could not stand the pitiful look in their eyes.....so they started riding around in her lap, looking out the window..... About 8 months later, she had a small wreck....her doors crumpled and her window broke, and both those babies jumped out the window, scared and confused, and ran right into the intersection and BOTH babies were hit and killed, right in front of her eyes. She learned a very tough lesson....and she has never gotten over it....after a couple of years, she tried again to get two little babies, but she had to bring them back....she just couldnt get over what she saw in her mind's eye, everytime she closed her eyes or she got quiet.....hopefully, someone will read this and learn from this ladys lesson and restrain her dog in a carrier or a car seat...dont let the baby make the decisions about how YOU are going to behave.

Umm, I actually didn't let her decide. I actually decided that having her on my lap was safer than having her strangle herself. As I said in my post, I DID try and restrain her in the car seat, actually MULTIPLE car seats and I decided that the safest way to handle her was to hold onto her in my lap.

I understand what you are saying, but I don't think that my situation is anywhere near what you posted.

Beanie would have really hurt herself trying to get OUT of the car seat and various restraints that I tried. Other than duct taping her to the passenger seat, I really didn't see any solution to keeping her safe other than hanging on to her, or not taking her in the car.

I guess that I am realizing that there are always risks with these smaller dogs no matter what we do to try and do to keep them safe.

And your post, no matter how well meaning made me realize that even more. Thank you for that.

sportschick · 08-12-2013, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beasiegirl

Oh poor baby. Her paw must hurt real bad. Hope she heals quickly.

Thanks, she is actually resting in bed with her cone on. I have no idea how she is sleeping, but she is.

maggiefromnj · 08-12-2013, 06:32 PM

Use a harness and not a collar. She can't REALLY hang herself in a harness. If the strap,is too long she might get out of the seat, but won't be strangled. You might have to make the tether strap shorter as well.

And yes, you did let her decide....just like kids....no mean no, or stay means stay. You taught her that if she keeps trying to get out she will get her way.

I know I made this mistake with my skin kids! I am Guilty a little bit with Maggie too, but this is a safety issue for both of you.

Lovetodream88 · 08-12-2013, 07:10 PM

In some states it is illegal now to have the dog not restrained and it could get your dog killed very easily. It can also cause you to have an accident. You hit the breaks and just a little bump on that head could be deadly. If she has a harness on hooked to the carseat restraint then she is not going to hang herself that is the good thing about harnesses and many many people have picked them up by there harnesses and it does not hurt the dog. She needs to have her carseat where there is no airbag like the back seat and tighten the restraint so she can not get out of the car seat and as she gets better you can loosen it. The ultimate thing to do would be to have some one else drive a few times and sit in the back with her and put her in the car seat and tell her no when she trys to get out and put her back. I believe it was Sandra Bullock who never buckled in her dogs and learned the hard way by losing three in a car accident so now she buckles hers in. Trust me it is better for her 100% to be buckled in. If she really doesn't like the car seat then get a buckle that hooks to the seat belt and then to her harness and she can just sit on the set. Callie ripped her dew claw off once and it pulled the nail completely off and her nerves and veins where sticking out and very visible it did not bleed so I wrapped it up and had her at the vet the next day and they had to sedate her and cut the nerve and vein back as well as cauterize it. She seemed to be fine but It was her dew claw so it wasn't hitting the ground everything she walks. Yorkies should not be walked on collars so you should already have a harness. Every one thinks accidents in the car are never going to happen to them and that they drive great but you can't control other things and is it worth the risk of possible death?

Lovetodream88 · 08-12-2013, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sportschick

Umm, I actually didn't let her decide. I actually decided that having her on my lap was safer than having her strangle herself. As I said in my post, I DID try and restrain her in the car seat, actually MULTIPLE car seats and I decided that the safest way to handle her was to hold onto her in my lap.

I understand what you are saying, but I don't think that my situation is anywhere near what you posted.

Beanie would have really hurt herself trying to get OUT of the car seat and various restraints that I tried. Other than duct taping her to the passenger seat, I really didn't see any solution to keeping her safe other than hanging on to her, or not taking her in the car.

I guess that I am realizing that there are always risks with these smaller dogs no matter what we do to try and do to keep them safe.

And your post, no matter how well meaning made me realize that even more. Thank you for that.

You do have a harness on her right? YOu could always use a small travel crate too.

Lovetodream88 · 08-12-2013, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

Sorry, but you are allowing your puppy to run the show, so you will continue to have to deal with accidents and injuries. I insist all my new owners leave here with their pups in a carrier or a car seat. I have no control over what they do the next day on. I had an owner buy 2 babies....she really DID NOT want to put those babies in a carrier, but I told her she could not leave here without doing that. She did it, but then, like you, they begged her to let them ride in her lap and she just could not stand the pitiful look in their eyes.....so they started riding around in her lap, looking out the window..... About 8 months later, she had a small wreck....her doors crumpled and her window broke, and both those babies jumped out the window, scared and confused, and ran right into the intersection and BOTH babies were hit and killed, right in front of her eyes. She learned a very tough lesson....and she has never gotten over it....after a couple of years, she tried again to get two little babies, but she had to bring them back....she just couldnt get over what she saw in her mind's eye, everytime she closed her eyes or she got quiet.....hopefully, someone will read this and learn from this ladys lesson and restrain her dog in a carrier or a car seat...dont let the baby make the decisions about how YOU are going to behave.

This very true people think these accidents will never happen to them but they do and they will.

lynzy420 · 08-12-2013, 07:15 PM

Yeah there was a big case not to long ago here, dog was killed, propelled out the windshield cuz there is no holding them when gravity can pull our shoes off of our feet, ya know. I suppose your only option, which would be safest for the pup is a small kennel when traveling. I use one for Vinnie, Mini and Mia sit in back seat with harness/belt and sometimes I put them all in their own kennel. Some risks just aren't worth taking.

ColesMommy01 · 08-12-2013, 07:23 PM

I understand where you're coming from, but unfortunately as pet parents we have to make unpopular decisions(in the pet's eyes) for the safety of our furbabies...have you tried hooking her to the carseat with her harness? Most travel seats for pets have the attachment and there's no way she should be able to get out of there. Also if that doesn't fly if use a hard plastic travel crates. I hope your baby feels better I love the champagne comparison! Does she walk like she's tipsy????

Sunnydayz · 08-12-2013, 07:37 PM

I bought a firm purse type carrier that is cushioned on the inside bottom of it that has a harness clip inside, and also has a very tight strap across the back, that you attach the seatbelt through. Maybe this might work for her and she would be really comfy in it with no risk of hurting herself ? I found it on amazon. If you would like I can look up the brand for you.

I myself have been in a horrible car accident years ago, where I broke my jaws in 4 places, my neck, and both of my ankles. After many surgeries, I got better but I will never forget that accident, because I always thought it would never happen to me. I learned a lot from that accident.

Verbena · 08-12-2013, 07:38 PM

Best thing to do is put her in Buddy Belt harness. There is no way she can hang herself. Also tighten the strap. I was having that problem that Galen was trying to get in my lap. I would nudge him back into the seat. And said no. I adjusted the tether so he can put his paws on the side but can not get over. She will start to learn that this is where you sit when we are going in the car. Or you can always put her in a carrier. Do you know if you get into an accident and your air bag goes off. It will kill her from the impact. I do not want to scare you. Also she can become a projectile and hit you or the windshield. Please make it safe for yourself and her.

maggiefromnj · 08-12-2013, 07:45 PM

Maggie sits in the passenger seat. My car has a weight sensor so it lights up as air bag OFF because she doesn't weigh enough. The sensors were designed to protect children under certain weights. When dad is with us she sits in back.

sportschick · 08-13-2013, 05:14 AM

Thanks guys, I am going to use the car seat again and just try and tighten the tether as much as possible to her harness so she can't go over it and hang like did last time. Maybe I can cut the tether strap to shorten it.

By the way are there any of you out there that DO have your dog sit on your lap in the car, or am I the only one?

Bad night, neither one of us slept much! She kept tring to get the cone off and banging her head on the wall next to the bed. All night, it was scratch, scratch on the cone, then thunk on the wall with the cone. Had to take it off so she could eat and drink for breakfast and couldn't get the thing back on. I live alone, so I have to wait for my landlords/friends to help me get it on her. Now I am trying to dtop her from licking her paw.

O.K., so I always thought that dogs were SUPPOSED to "lick their wounds"??? That is how they healed themselves?? Apparently not, hence the stemless plastic martini glass.

I am staying home from work with her today. I know her paw is hurting her, and I would rather have her home instead of in work where people come in and she will get all excited. Good thing I have a great boss who loves my dog!!

08-12-2013, 04:27 PM	#1
sportschick Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Reading, MA Posts: 261	This has been quite a month Well, I am now dealing with the NEXT thing with Beanie. She sits on my lap in the car. And yes, I had bought a booster seat with a restraint, she was fine in it for a week and then decided to try and jump on my lap and almost hung herself while I was driving in the middle of traffic. I have tried other restraints and none of them work, she is determined to sit on my lap. SO, I let her do that, which I know isn't the safest thing, but neither is her hanging from the booster seat or tangled up in a restraint. Anyway, she stands up and looks out the window at everything and she smushes herself against me safely, and then if we are driving a longer distance, she lays down and conks out. This Sat., I went to visit a relative, parked the car and let go of her for like 5 seconds. She proceeded to fall into the area between the seat and the door and got her paw stuck in the plastic pocket part of the door, because she just HAD to try and get out of the car before I was ready. I did not think anything of it because no yelps, no nothing. The relative wasn't home so I got back in the car with her on my lap and drive off. I look down and see blood all over my shorts. I fly home with her against me and have my landlord (who is like Dr. Dolittle) help me check her out, she seems o.k. so I take her upstairs, clean off her paw and go to bed. She gets up on Sunday and seems fine, running around EXCEPT she sits on the arm of the couch (like she does all the time), hears something outside and jumps/falls off the arm and then can't put her paw down and it starts bleeding again. I called the breeder who said she probably split her nail on Sat. and it was going to have to be removed) and to call the vet today, which I did. I brought her in and he had to remove her nail which was basically split across - thank God he didn't have to sedate her. He put a cone on her head to stop her from licking it and said to keep her quiet for a few days. He knows her and knows me and he KNOWS that is not something possible, but said to do the best I could, don't panic if I see blood on her poor mangled paw and she would be healed in a couple of weeks. OH MY GOD, she has already tried to lick her paw with the cone on and was stabbing it with the cone. I did end up giving her a tiny bit of Rimadyl tonight so she can sleep because she is in obvious pain. I also have to give her antibiotics for 2 weeks. I hate to give her any of this, but I don't want to take the chance of an infection and if she can't sleep from being in pain, she isn't going to heal, so I made the decision to give her the Rimadyl. Anyway, after this long post, my question is, has anyone else dealt with this type of paw issue, and for how long does it take to heal and any suggestions on keeping her in the cone and quiet would be much appreciated. And yes, I also feel really guilty because I feel like I should have prevented this, just like I feel like I should have prevented her from getting attacked by the Husky last week - trying not to beat myself up too much. She looks like she has a champagne glass without the stem on her head. ahahahahahahah, hey I have to laugh - I always try to - my poor baby stuck in a champagne glass!!!

08-12-2013, 06:13 PM	#3
beasiegirl Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Mansfield, Arkansas Posts: 595	Oh poor baby. Her paw must hurt real bad. Hope she heals quickly. __________________ BeasieGirl (Mrs. Beasley , Rosie , and momma, Jan)

08-12-2013, 07:10 PM	#7
Lovetodream88 Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md Posts: 23,247	In some states it is illegal now to have the dog not restrained and it could get your dog killed very easily. It can also cause you to have an accident. You hit the breaks and just a little bump on that head could be deadly. If she has a harness on hooked to the carseat restraint then she is not going to hang herself that is the good thing about harnesses and many many people have picked them up by there harnesses and it does not hurt the dog. She needs to have her carseat where there is no airbag like the back seat and tighten the restraint so she can not get out of the car seat and as she gets better you can loosen it. The ultimate thing to do would be to have some one else drive a few times and sit in the back with her and put her in the car seat and tell her no when she trys to get out and put her back. I believe it was Sandra Bullock who never buckled in her dogs and learned the hard way by losing three in a car accident so now she buckles hers in. Trust me it is better for her 100% to be buckled in. If she really doesn't like the car seat then get a buckle that hooks to the seat belt and then to her harness and she can just sit on the set. Callie ripped her dew claw off once and it pulled the nail completely off and her nerves and veins where sticking out and very visible it did not bleed so I wrapped it up and had her at the vet the next day and they had to sedate her and cut the nerve and vein back as well as cauterize it. She seemed to be fine but It was her dew claw so it wasn't hitting the ground everything she walks. Yorkies should not be walked on collars so you should already have a harness. Every one thinks accidents in the car are never going to happen to them and that they drive great but you can't control other things and is it worth the risk of possible death? __________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart!

08-12-2013, 07:15 PM	#10
lynzy420 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: USA Posts: 7,652	Yeah there was a big case not to long ago here, dog was killed, propelled out the windshield cuz there is no holding them when gravity can pull our shoes off of our feet, ya know. I suppose your only option, which would be safest for the pup is a small kennel when traveling. I use one for Vinnie, Mini and Mia sit in back seat with harness/belt and sometimes I put them all in their own kennel. Some risks just aren't worth taking. __________________ The Above advice/comments/reviews are my personal opinions based on my own experience/education/investigation and research and you can take them any way you want to......Or NOT!!!

08-12-2013, 07:38 PM	#13
Verbena Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: with my flying monkeys Posts: 15,620 Blog Entries: 7	Best thing to do is put her in Buddy Belt harness. There is no way she can hang herself. Also tighten the strap. I was having that problem that Galen was trying to get in my lap. I would nudge him back into the seat. And said no. I adjusted the tether so he can put his paws on the side but can not get over. She will start to learn that this is where you sit when we are going in the car. Or you can always put her in a carrier. Do you know if you get into an accident and your air bag goes off. It will kill her from the impact. I do not want to scare you. Also she can become a projectile and hit you or the windshield. Please make it safe for yourself and her. __________________ Teri . . . Galen Jameson Frazier Seraphina Luna Rosencrantz, Saber Tooth Tiger, Pussy Willow Pandora Guildenstern

08-12-2013, 05:59 PM	#2
Yorkiemom1 Rosehill Yorkies Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 9,462	Sorry, but you are allowing your puppy to run the show, so you will continue to have to deal with accidents and injuries. I insist all my new owners leave here with their pups in a carrier or a car seat. I have no control over what they do the next day on. I had an owner buy 2 babies....she really DID NOT want to put those babies in a carrier, but I told her she could not leave here without doing that. She did it, but then, like you, they begged her to let them ride in her lap and she just could not stand the pitiful look in their eyes.....so they started riding around in her lap, looking out the window..... About 8 months later, she had a small wreck....her doors crumpled and her window broke, and both those babies jumped out the window, scared and confused, and ran right into the intersection and BOTH babies were hit and killed, right in front of her eyes. She learned a very tough lesson....and she has never gotten over it....after a couple of years, she tried again to get two little babies, but she had to bring them back....she just couldnt get over what she saw in her mind's eye, everytime she closed her eyes or she got quiet.....hopefully, someone will read this and learn from this ladys lesson and restrain her dog in a carrier or a car seat...dont let the baby make the decisions about how YOU are going to behave.

08-12-2013, 06:32 PM	#6
maggiefromnj YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: nj Posts: 497	Use a harness and not a collar. She can't REALLY hang herself in a harness. If the strap,is too long she might get out of the seat, but won't be strangled. You might have to make the tether strap shorter as well. And yes, you did let her decide....just like kids....no mean no, or stay means stay. You taught her that if she keeps trying to get out she will get her way. I know I made this mistake with my skin kids! I am Guilty a little bit with Maggie too, but this is a safety issue for both of you.

08-12-2013, 07:23 PM	#11
ColesMommy01 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: where there's no good sushi Posts: 1,423 Blog Entries: 1	I understand where you're coming from, but unfortunately as pet parents we have to make unpopular decisions(in the pet's eyes) for the safety of our furbabies...have you tried hooking her to the carseat with her harness? Most travel seats for pets have the attachment and there's no way she should be able to get out of there. Also if that doesn't fly if use a hard plastic travel crates. I hope your baby feels better I love the champagne comparison! Does she walk like she's tipsy????

08-12-2013, 07:37 PM	#12
Sunnydayz YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Redondo beach Posts: 675	I bought a firm purse type carrier that is cushioned on the inside bottom of it that has a harness clip inside, and also has a very tight strap across the back, that you attach the seatbelt through. Maybe this might work for her and she would be really comfy in it with no risk of hurting herself ? I found it on amazon. If you would like I can look up the brand for you. I myself have been in a horrible car accident years ago, where I broke my jaws in 4 places, my neck, and both of my ankles. After many surgeries, I got better but I will never forget that accident, because I always thought it would never happen to me. I learned a lot from that accident.

08-12-2013, 07:45 PM	#14
maggiefromnj YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: nj Posts: 497	Maggie sits in the passenger seat. My car has a weight sensor so it lights up as air bag OFF because she doesn't weigh enough. The sensors were designed to protect children under certain weights. When dad is with us she sits in back.

08-13-2013, 05:14 AM	#15
sportschick Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Reading, MA Posts: 261	Thanks guys, I am going to use the car seat again and just try and tighten the tether as much as possible to her harness so she can't go over it and hang like did last time. Maybe I can cut the tether strap to shorten it. By the way are there any of you out there that DO have your dog sit on your lap in the car, or am I the only one? Bad night, neither one of us slept much! She kept tring to get the cone off and banging her head on the wall next to the bed. All night, it was scratch, scratch on the cone, then thunk on the wall with the cone. Had to take it off so she could eat and drink for breakfast and couldn't get the thing back on. I live alone, so I have to wait for my landlords/friends to help me get it on her. Now I am trying to dtop her from licking her paw. O.K., so I always thought that dogs were SUPPOSED to "lick their wounds"??? That is how they healed themselves?? Apparently not, hence the stemless plastic martini glass. I am staying home from work with her today. I know her paw is hurting her, and I would rather have her home instead of in work where people come in and she will get all excited. Good thing I have a great boss who loves my dog!!