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The Spotted Devil

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Everything posted by The Spotted Devil

  1. Thankyou I'll definitely be coming along - have had to take a few steps back with Zig due to a lack of training over the last 2 months so hopefully will be up to scratch soon!
  2. Hi DD ;) How do you book for FOO? I'm sure I had a website bookmarked but I can't find it anywhere
  3. Personally, I would prevent pup from eating the stones etc by confining him inside or somewhere safe. IMO stone eating can begin as a curiousity and develop into a VERY dangerous habit. I've heard every theory under the sun, but I think it comes down to simple supervision
  4. I'm so very, very sorry Danois I wish I could write something constructive but I am lost for words. Hugs for you at this difficult time - so pleased you had some moral support. Run free at the bridge, Angus, you gorgeous, giant heartbreaker
  5. I would never have survived Zig's puppy-hood and teen years without a crate.....and he probably wouldn't have either Zig's never been left unattended with washing on the line, in the house alone or even in the backyard alone. If I couldn't watch him (and I never trusted him with visitors because they were vague and he was very inventive!!!) he was in his crate - even if it was for 5 minutes. It probably sounds a little extreme but it's turned a potentially destructive, intense, hyper puppy into a young dog who happily rests inside and then switches into overdrive when he free runs at the beach or does some training. I actually can't believe what a pleasure he is to live with now Good luck - it does get easier if you persist!
  6. That's great news Just don't panic if she seems to go "backwards" all of a sudden.....puppies have a perverse habit of doing that JUST when you think you've got everything under control!!! It's all part of the journey, and she'll get back on track if you are CONSISTENT and PERSISTENT
  7. Me three (or is it fourth now?). The craziest thing is now that evil pup is almost two years old, we have even come around to the idea of having another one again although not for some time - but mum is even keen for another beagle And me I want another Dally pup too You've had some good advice - good luck and be patient!!!
  8. Not the best quality photos but I'd love a signature for my 3 week old foster kits and their mum (Sabine).....perhaps with a caption: loving homes needed in late October - PM for more details. Feel free to crop and chop the photos!
  9. I wonder how that one will work? A very simple and portable way of measuring a person's height, without relying on wall attachments and markings The ones they have at the doctors are attached to the wall and pull down. Don't know anything about the device, but I've found sporstek excellent to deal with
  10. Personally I keep dogs quite separate from the kitty litter for a couple of reasons: firstly, you don't want your pup getting in the habit of eating the litter OR eating the droppings and secondly, it can be stressful enough for a cat to have to put up with a new puppy and even more so if the cat doesn't feel comfortable using his or her litter tray. This can lead to inappropriate toileting issues and spraying - I have the litter tray in a room that Zig is never allowed access to - we use a couple of chairs to prevent him and to allow the cats easy access, or you could try a baby gate. As to why? Because he can
  11. Evening for my Spotted Devil plus some training treats in the morning if required. I used to feed twice a day but some research has shown that Dalmatians fed once a day at night have a lower likelihood of forming urinary stones than when fed twice a day or once in the morning - it's a breed specific thing
  12. I'm a little confused. If this is so, (bold) then why do you need to add the "stay" command at all? Julie I added in a "stay" for stays and a "wait" for recalls - just lets him know to either relax or be on his toes in a trial situation. Maybe it wasn't really necessary but it's almost like insurance, I guess.
  13. I'm not sure if this is what you're after but when I teach "sit" and "drop" - I mean "stay in that position until I say otherwise" - from there it is really simple to add in a "stay" command when you need to. Therefore, I have a casual "lie down" command around the house and only use "sit" and "drop" when I am able to control what Zig will do. Hope that makes sense
  14. Not necessarily, LL. Just to better describe the TYPE of 'quiver' I'm talking about .... have you ever had an event where there has been a sudden onset of adrenalin rush and then as the adrenalin leaves you, you can feel the muscles in (eg) your leg quivering? Not necessarily easily visible, but there nonetheless. I've also experienced this sort of 'quiver' when (say) a muscle in my arm has been over-taxed yet I continue to put stress on it by working it. It's not necessarily obvious and would be unlikely to show up if someone video taped it, but it's there. That's what I'm meaning by 'quiver' in this instance. Just an extra question, as I am finally cooking dinner for long suffering husband, not bad as I have been home for 9 nights out of the last 48. How often have you seen high desire dogs with sound temperament/nerves? What HAVE you been up to Julie????? Will have to catch up soon! Do not ask darling. Travelling around the country side, getting bogged in dirt roads (alone) while toiletting the dogs. Staying a couple of nights ago at a place near Stawell, where I expected Norman Bates to jump out while I showered. What a trip. Now girl, serious question, please run Yo again. He is fresh, as he was left at home with long suffering. Sounds like fun! Uni has settled down for a bit and I'd love to have a session with you all (not to mention a glass of red!) - will give you a call soon Sorry for OT
  15. Not necessarily, LL. Just to better describe the TYPE of 'quiver' I'm talking about .... have you ever had an event where there has been a sudden onset of adrenalin rush and then as the adrenalin leaves you, you can feel the muscles in (eg) your leg quivering? Not necessarily easily visible, but there nonetheless. I've also experienced this sort of 'quiver' when (say) a muscle in my arm has been over-taxed yet I continue to put stress on it by working it. It's not necessarily obvious and would be unlikely to show up if someone video taped it, but it's there. That's what I'm meaning by 'quiver' in this instance. Just an extra question, as I am finally cooking dinner for long suffering husband, not bad as I have been home for 9 nights out of the last 48. How often have you seen high desire dogs with sound temperament/nerves? What HAVE you been up to Julie????? Will have to catch up soon!
  16. Couldn't agree more with what I've highlighted in bold, Cosmolo. A question for your other point - how can they reliably detect HD before 5 months of age? Everything I've read says that there is little point in x-raying before 12 months of age - I'm more than happy to be corrected though
  17. Sorry, but it doesn't throw that theory out of the window - it is the result of a number of scientific studies whereby dogs/cats randomly did or did not not undergo early desexing. I am not denying your personal experience but that is the consequence of your dogs meeting their genetic potential. The sex hormones stimulate growth plate closure - the absence of these delay growth plate closure - simple physiology. I certainly advocate the early desexing of animals if their owners are at risk of not having it done (e.g. pounds, shelters, rescues, popular puppy farm breeds) - it's a case of weighing up the consequences and risks for each individual animal - there are pros and cons to everything! :D
  18. I use "quick, quick!" - it's easy to say and less embarrassing to say in public than "wee wees" :D
  19. I'm not a breeder but a scientist - agree with Miranda.....not much point x-raying for HD until after 12 months of age. Desexing early does make for a very slighly taller dog but this would happen whether you had the dog desexed early or at anytime before growth plate closure. The effect on HD is really not clear as there are so many contributors including genetics, diet, obesity and excessive exercise. Although I'm personally not fussed on your vet's advice (and more so for the reasons behind it which are a little confusing!) and would be looking elsewhere, urinary incontinence can occur in bitches desexed at a young age or a bit older. Don't worry - I'm sure you're doing the very best you can for your girl.....there's risk in every decision you make
  20. 1. Cause I've done no recall under distraction training with her 2. Cause it's heaps more fun jumping all over people in the park with her muddy paws/chasing birds/ playing with other dogs etc. than it is coming to me and behaving herself 3. Cause I've been completely inconsistent with any training I've done with her to date 4. Cause she's a staffy that loves to be naughty 5. Whatever other reasons you care to mention :p I think you've answered your own question ;) Consistency across the board may well solve your 'wee' problem. If it's any consolation, my Dally has been a tough nut to crack in terms of recall but with some hard work he is now super-enthusiastic and responsive - for me anyway......however he completely ignores my OH who is much harder to train Edited because I'm a perfectionist
  21. Maybe teach her to toilet on command? Lots of praise or reward with food/toy - it's important to work from the other direction too!
  22. At the beach the other day I called "COME" rather loudly and got beautiful recalls from 2 lovely dogs.....problem is I only owned one of them
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