Touching back of his legs....

[ktandgable]

Gable has always been very senisitive with the back of his legs and back end. If you try to help him in the truck by supporting his back legs or if you are brushing that area (it also trembles when you brush it, even when I am being very gentle), he will give you a low stomach growl. We recently found out that he has mild hip dysplassia in both hips. Could he be in pain? He has not shown any symptoms of pain. He runs and jumps around like a nut and never has any problems rising. Do any of you have any input on this?

[groupieindenial]

Get a ramp for the truck. Rottweilers have pride, they don't want any help. My little guy doesn't like it when "other" people mess with his rear end, that includes patting in the general rear area, or lifting for any reason. I am the only one that can do just about anything to him, without him complaining.

[ktandgable]

Do you know why?

Oh, I will get a ramp, lately he will do it himself but sometimes he struggles.

[SonnyRott]

If his hip dysplasia is mild, and he runs and jumps like a nut and never has any problems rising, I doubt he is in pain when you gently brush his rear legs. He should be used to you running your hands along his body and up and down his legs. If he is growling at you, he needs to stop. Is this a new behavior?

My dog has hip dysplasia, and even after surgery and long nasty scars, I could always massage and brush his rear legs, back and butt.

And yes, ramps are a great idea for dogs with hip dysplasia.

[ktandgable]

I can alway massage and pet him, in fact he loves it, its only when I brush him back there or lift him to get into the truck. His rear legs have always trembled when you touch them. I know that rotties have a tremendous threshold for pain so I thought maybe it hurts him.

[groupieindenial]

WEll my dog doesn't have any problems with his rear legs/hips and he doesn't like people messing with his butt. I think maybe the kidneys, since thier sesitive, and people like doing the rottie pat, that he's like "knock it off", but his master (me) can do anything, cuz he totally trusts me. He can be petted there by other people, as long as its softer gestures he's cool with it.

So add that your dog has hip issues, I can understand why he's like "don't touch me there, don't help me, I can do it myself!". It's like old people, they are too stubborn to admit they need help, thats why I suggested the ramp.

Brush? What kind of brush? I notice my guy HATES the slicker, but loves the shedding blade, and rubber mit.

[SonnyRott]

How old is Gable?
..................................

[JeanT]

I think the lifting is causing pain. The trembling may be unpleasant anitcipation that he is about to experience the pain. Also, even for you his owner that he trusts to be behind him and lifting like that (in addition to the pain), puts him in a very "vulnerable" position. He would not let another dog or a person he did not trust get up close behind him like that.

My belief that he is experiencing pain comes from living with my second Rottweiler who also had HD. I got a minivan so I could put a ramp to the side door. I couldn't use one on a passenger car.

[ktandgable]

SonnyRott:

Gable is 13 months....

Groupieindenial:

He is fine with the comb (just a regualr dog comb) but we have this brush, it seems like it may be a little rough, the comb part is made out of small pieces of metal that are bent....I do not know what it is called. It may just be rough. I tried using the comb more often, but right now he is shedding like crazy! Do the mits work.

Thank you everyone!