Expert: Ken Humphries - 3/22/2000

Question
I have a GreatDane mix. He is also part Great Pyrenees. We call him our "Great Pain" but we really do love him. We got him as an 8 wk. old puppy. Originally had some dominance problems but seem to have them under control. Now he barks constantly at night.(especially when the coyotes are howling or if it is really windy) He is also chasing cars. Breaking him of the car habit is more important to me than the barking thing.He is very intelligent and learns quickly. I am also worried about something I have read about called "torsion". What steps should we take to prevent it and how do we recognise it in the early stages? We live 30 minutes from the nearest vet. Nekodah is 3 yrs. old and about 175# Any advice would be greatly appreciated. My vet doesn`t seem to be very "up" on Great Danes or Great Pyrenees. I know  there are behavorial traits for each breed and I would like to be able to recognise and possibly understand why Nekodah does certain things and how to best handle the situations. Thank you!  

Answer
First 'torsion' or bloat, also gastric torsion:  An ailment common to horses, cattle, and other breeds of dog with deep chests such as Irish wolfhounds, labradors, Irish setters etc.  Your vet should be aware of problems such as this.

Recognition:  Dog tries to vomit but just froths at the mouth.  Tries to defecate but can't.  Deep rumblings often heard from gut.  Dog will swell up visibly in the area behind the ribs.  When tapped this area sounds hollow.  Treatment is for the dog to be 'tubed' to release the built up gasses.  If this fails a canula inserted below the last rib into the stomach area can release pressure to allow stomach to be turned back.  If all else fails an operation will be needed to turn the stomach back and have it stitched to the chest wall.

I also live 30 minutes from the nearest vet.  One of my males has survived four bouts which has required two operations.

Chasing cars:  Keep him on a lead or in a fenced area  at all times.  Never let him roam free.  You mention dominance problems which have been overcome.  I suspect that there is still a certain lack of discipline which means that he is doing what he wants not what he is told.

Barking:  This comes back partly to the lack of discipline, he is not prepared to do what you want, and partly a lack of company.  You could try keeping him awake all evening so that he is too tired to bark all night and has to get some sleep.

I would offer to help but I live in the UK.

If there is anything else I can do let me know.  My e-mail address is 'nimrod1938@aol.com'