[Sienna's Mom]

1) Every morning when Sienna gets out of her crate, she stretches a delicious long stretch and then shakes her head a bunch of times- like she is doing the dry off shake or trying to get something out of her ears. I'm just wondering if there is something I am missing? Her ears seem pretty clean. It is only when she wakes up.

2) Now that it has become wet and slimy out Sienna goes out for her morning pee/poop duty, she comes hauling ass back in a playful mood. The thing is we have a cement patio and stairs. The last few days she has almost slid as she weaves through the doorway as I am cringing. I am standing just inside the doorway if it is pouring.. not sure if I stand out in the rain to block the direct route to the doorway if it would help (and I'd rather stay dry on a cold wet morning LOL) she might just use me as an obstacle course and make it worse. Any ideas on what I can do to help prevent her slipping and really hurting herself?

TIA!!!:wavey:

 

[Kahlua Golden]

i wouldnt worry about the shaking. my boxer did that alot. i think its to get the feeling of the fur back to normal. (i could be wrong.) like when they sleep their fur gets flexed around funny, kinda like when we wake up with bed head lol. as for the slippery steps, might i suggest some of those grippy rubber step pads? maybe that would help at least ease your mind.

 

[Wendy427]

Not sure what to suggest re your #1 question, but for your second, I would think you could get rubber mats that could be "glued" to the cement somehow. Probably your local Home Depot could suggest something.

 

[paula bedard]

Ike does the morning head shake too. If Sienna's not doing this all day long and rubbing her ears on the carpet for further relief, then she's probably fine. I know the rain ritual. I stand just inside the door with a towel ready and do not let Ike in until I've towel him off, feet included. You might lay a second towel on the ground for her to stand on while you towel her off. I wouldn't let her so slipping and sliding, she could hurt herself. No fun, I know.

 

[Debles]

My boys shake their heads sometimes. I have made things much worse by cleaning their ears, using ear meds when there was nothing wrong to begin with! I just think how often I scratch inside my ear!

Also if she does it every morning, it is probably a Pavlovian habit! Goldens are like that!!!

 

[pt83]

My previous Golden is also like that. She would stretch.. then shake her head.. and up she goes

 

[BeauShel]

I would say put the mats down on the concrete to help her from sliding. Dont stand out there because she may knock you over and hurt you not meaning to you. And for the head shaking in the morning sounds more like a habit to me.