The Spotted Devil

Oh look at those cheeky eyes!!! And people wonder why I called Zig The Spotted Devil :laugh: I like his spotting - just a beautiful boy.

Great PK! The thing is, no matter what you're training... TRAIN THE DOG IN FRONT OF YOU. Not your expectations of what they can or cannot do, not your judgement of their personality (eg stubborn, bored, independent). Just look at the behaviour you've got and the behaviour you want. Then sort out a plan to take you from A to B.

Yes that's how I understand it too. I know the large shelters cop a shellacking for euth rates but I have seen the consequences of some dogs adopted out that should NEVER have left - misery for dogs and owners alike.

Happy to help on the Dalmatian front (and happy to chat Gundogs - I have working Springers) - if you've survived a Boxer you'll be fine :laugh: Shed line nothing you've ever seen though Definitely get opposite sex. Very intelligent contrary to many opinions, and will expend as much energy as given the opportunity. Gorgeous dogs but choose your breeder wisely. Happy to give recommendations on that front too.

Get them while he's tired lol. So so excited for you!

Technically "drive" is the same thing as "motivation". I'm a scientist (animal behaviour, learning and welfare is my thing) so my perspective as a scientist when I'm training is to look at things this way: what is the behaviour I've got? What is the behaviour I want? How am I going to get from one to another? I need to understand what motivates my dogs - is it food? Retrieving dummies? Retrieving game (I have working Spaniels)? Tug? To flirt (thanks Ziggy!) Or, in Ginny's case, plain old running and swimming :laugh: How do I transfer value from what is already within to what I want them to do? To me, to play tug (not the first option with my dogs), the retrieve (dummies over game for example) and to agility obstacles? I understand what the trainers mean by "in drive" but it's really a concept and not something I use to figure out how to get from A to B.

It's D Day! Dalmatian Day Gorgeous!!!

Bloody brilliant Staffyluv So, so pleased for you - I remember when you first started at your training club - what a long way you've both come! Congratulations!

From a public safety perspective the dog sounds like an accident waiting to happen. I hope the rescue group has excellent public liability insurance. You don't tend to hear about such incidences due to confidentiality agreements but they happen enough to make large shelters think twice before re-homing such dogs.

Ha ha just saw this - sending you snuggly cuddly puppy thoughts

I think the picture changes for the dog when they're working for food because they are busy thinking how to earn the reinforcement. I too use a lot of food in training but when my dogs get a meal they are left to enjoy it in peace - not even the cats are allowed near them. I think hovering over dogs when they're eating causes more problems than it solves. I have had a resource guarding puppy - raw meaty bones only - quickly split him up from the litter at feeding (he was a piggy!) so he didn't feel pressured and then trained him to voluntarily bring me his chicken frame and be rewarded for doing so with minced chicken, then get his bone back. Never did I TAKE the bone away and it was only once a day (out of 4 meals) - fixed within 3 days of observing the issue and made his new owner aware of his propensity to resource guard. She has since done a super job with him.

I have started but it is heavy going. I'm not convinced yet (and I really hope that it is wrong) that the legislation is going to ban the breed altogether, I think it was a poorly worded/phrased article. Agree. The breed (as I read it) is not banned just no breeding for the purpose of racing and no racing in a betting environment. I imagine some clarity will be needed around lure coursing but I imagine the government has never heard of it along with half the dog sports.

Anyone reading the report? It's long and detailed but worth a look.

How gorgeous! Geez I remember how excited I was waiting for Zig. Mr TSD reminds me that little pup threw up in the car on the way home from the airport. I have no recollection of this but I do remember bursting into tears the night before he was due to fly in, feeling completely overwhelmed by the impending responsibility

Very exciting! The more pups I have the more chilled I get....was such an anxious head with my Dalmatian :D I've cared for and trained a couple of pups for friends (about 4-6 weeks each) and had 3 of my own plus raised a litter. The pup I kept from my litter took AGES to toilet train compared with her Mama - partly because I was just so, so busy, then I sustained an injury that meant I wasn't on top of things properly - but also she was a super busy pup and it was miserable weather so she was indoors quite a bit. No matter - they figure it out. Just get some Urine Off (puppy) spray and have paper towels on hand :)

I don't have dog doors - mine learn to ask to go out. Some pups can take a while regardless so it's a good idea to keep a close eye on them. I have a crate with pen attached in the living room - if I can't watch pup in they go with toys and chews or a stuffed Kong. They also are in there when I leave the house. Make sure they have toileted and have some good training and exercise, give them something to munch on and they tend to sleep very peacefully until I return home. I try for a maximum of 4 hours in the pen. I also have a crate in the bedroom for night time - next to my bed so they are close to their pack and I can hear if they are restless - usually means they are cold or need to toilet. I have baby gates to stop pup going down the hallway to the bedrooms and another to the laundry to keep them out of the cat litter tray. As they get older, set ups change - in fact the only thing that stays the same for my pups is change :laugh: which means they are very adaptable when we travel. I hope that helps!

Posted in news for further links and discussion.

Just heard breaking news on ABC radio. NSW Government to ban Greyhound racing from July next year. Nothing online yet.

I hear you! It does come down to your choice of dog (age, breed, genetics, breeder), your ability to manage your dogs and your expectations. For example, I currently have 3 dogs - 9 yo Dalmatian, 5 yo field-bred ESS and her 15 month old daughter (all entire). So first dog - great temperament, well socialized and well trained...I knew he much preferred female puppies and so my next dog was a soft-natured girl. I still took them out separately, trained them separately and they had time out from each other so the older dog didn't get fed up and the dogs were individually bonded to me first. It wasn't his job to babysit! And now I have another girl I have to be careful that she and her Mama don't get too attached or too narky - puppies can be super annoying and seasons add another complexity. I can take one or two or three dogs out and they are cool with that - they happily co-exist as a group or will do their thing as individuals. They play together but would rather train with me as a first option. I always tell people - don't get a second dog to keep your first dog company. If you don't have time for one you sure as heck don't have time for two. And dogs generally prefer the company of their humans, not other dogs (there is science behind that although it's not true for all). I love training and competing so that's my motivation for having multiple dogs. Yes and I feel like a lot of it comes down to personal circumstances too. I'm in a good position right now to handle two puppies. Two years from now, I don't know if I'll be up for a new puppy or not, so the timing aspect is good. So more than anything I would say find a great breeder, one who DOES give you the third degree so to speak and take their advice. I could have sold my litter multiple times but talked a number of people OUT of buying them - because I want the best for everyone.

I hear you! It does come down to your choice of dog (age, breed, genetics, breeder), your ability to manage your dogs and your expectations. For example, I currently have 3 dogs - 9 yo Dalmatian, 5 yo field-bred ESS and her 15 month old daughter (all entire). So first dog - great temperament, well socialized and well trained...I knew he much preferred female puppies and so my next dog was a soft-natured girl. I still took them out separately, trained them separately and they had time out from each other so the older dog didn't get fed up and the dogs were individually bonded to me first. It wasn't his job to babysit! And now I have another girl I have to be careful that she and her Mama don't get too attached or too narky - puppies can be super annoying and seasons add another complexity. I can take one or two or three dogs out and they are cool with that - they happily co-exist as a group or will do their thing as individuals. They play together but would rather train with me as a first option. I always tell people - don't get a second dog to keep your first dog company. If you don't have time for one you sure as heck don't have time for two. And dogs generally prefer the company of their humans, not other dogs (there is science behind that although it's not true for all). I love training and competing so that's my motivation for having multiple dogs.

Do not haggle about the price. Fastest way to get a breeder off side. Mind you I gave a discount to an overseas buyer who bought 2 of my pups. The transport costs were pretty high and they were a great home which has been proven over 5 tears. I'm glad to know this because I'm doing my best to follow up with good breeders but home in the US (I make my home here now) it is expected to negotiate on more expensive things. Granted, a puppy is not a 'thing' but I haven't done this before so I had no idea what expectations there are. I have done so much research on breeds and making sure my home is ready but the actual adoption process is a little stressful and foreign. Agree. Definitely don't haggle! Re getting two puppies. Obviously some breeds are different to others but on top of attachment or aggression issues, it's a LOT of work...toilet training, general obedience, building a relationship, teaching them to settle, keeping them entertained and out of mischief! Admittedly I have relatively demanding breeds but the thought of two youngsters is overwhelming - I just couldn't do them both justice. A pup I bred is coming to stay with me for a month at Christmas. He and his sister will be about 20 months old - that I can handle :laugh: My advice would be to get one and then another in 18 months time. Good luck!

Wish I could tag Gruf! Hopefully she will pop in. Any pics?

*faints from cute overload*

And, as a breeder, it's so lovely to see this perspective :) x

Priceless Eza!