The Spotted Devil

Agree with others. Remembering that the foster has only recently been desexed too. Some bitches can be plain bossy. A friend's desexed bitch is a pushy girl - she postured at my youngster, who rolled on her back, and all was fine. She then sauntered up to Em, who tried to ignore her but didn't submit. That did not go down well at all and the other girl upped the ante to some threatening growls and air snapping. I put Em in a crate and the other bitch immediately stalked her so I said "nope enough is enough" and changed the environment so they didn't have to interact again. Last time we were there Em was pregnant and the other bitch just avoided her.

You asked already: http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/266916-fetch/page__pid__6826660#entry6826660

Gorgeous! So pleased you are growing your relationship. Well done!

I rotate 3 dogs during training - at home they are generally required to be on a bed or in an open crate whilst one is working. The trick is to start small and set up the dog not being trained for success - train close to the pen and reward quiet, calm behaviour. Work the other dog on easy stuff because your real focus is on the dog in the pen. If you can't be there to train it put the two dogs in together. Mine hang out indoors together when I'm not around and even mother and daughter happily walk out the door with me or are left at home separately as needed. My pups also learn that awesome things happen when you're left alone...stuffed food toys, meaty bones etc.

Just so sad I'm truly sorry Anne xxx

:laugh: I love this bit!

One of my cats is on her FIFTH puppy (I've trained up a few for friends) - so it also takes a cat who can educate them although I never leave that to her. One death stare or THWACK and most of them realise they've over stepped the mark. I don't, however, permit bullying by the cat. I have baby gates and big cat towers. Plus I train my pups pretty hard so they are at least somewhat tired. My other cat is pretty wild and loves to play rough. I had a GSP pup for a friend and she reminded me why I love my Spaniels. This pup would not take no for an answer - one day I heard a screech - and rushed into the lounge room to find blood on the floor....with Dizzy the Wondercat holding Sky down by the ear. I swear he was muttering "and Freaking STAY down!!!"

Just to give you an idea, my EXTREMELY active working English Springer Spaniel has 1 to 1.5 cups of food per day. This is a dog that swims and runs HARD. Her daughter currently has 3 cups. So some need more, some need less. Em thinks puppies are the best...because I quadruple her food when she's feeding them :laugh:

More than 24 hours with no improvement and I would be off to the vet. Sooner if signs of lethargy. Puppies dehydrate very quickly. How long have you had pup? What was the breeder feeding? Did you change it? Do you have possums around? (Possum poo can also cause upset tummies)

More videos Ha ha! On game? Or more tricks :p

...come on... Sprinting flat out and skidding to a halt. The dog is predicting what the stock will do based on behaviour and moderating their own behaviour - collecting and changing their stride. If you think that's the same as chasing a ball then so be it.

I disagree about the comparison with herding livestock. Very different use of the body. And yes, I have worked with herding dogs on sheep and cattle. Stock are generally moving at a trot at most. So the dog is not sprinting flat out. Regardless, I want my dogs to age gracefully not be riddled with arthritis by the age of 8. Some Gundog people do no warm up or body strengthening or core work - of course they still retrieve. But by the same token some of the dogs are retired much earlier than our twisting and turning agility dogs. Give them every chance I say.

Hi Isabel I actually think your Kelpie is pretty smart - in my opinion throwing balls for dogs is one of THE worst forms of exercise in terms of the unnatural repetitive strain it puts on the body when the dog skids to a halt around the still moving ball. That said I compete in retrieving with my Springers but we rarely send the dog until the retrieve has come to a complete halt. This means the dog has time to collect rather than twisting at top speed. I hope that makes sense! Google Shirley Chong method of shaping a retrieve. Works well with a food obsessed dog. Here's a video of a recent session with my youngster - apart from all the warm up exercises notice I'm doing my training in a quiet, low distraction environment and everything is close. When we are working on other retrieving skills it's over much greater distances. In this session I introduced her to game but that's on another video. And look what you else you can teach with a shaped retrieve!

I can certainly recommend Cottage Kennels in Plenty.

It's not cheap flying in from NZ but no quarantine. Any other country and yes quarantine is mandatory.

Sorry to hear you've had one come back - I've been down that path and he (Murphy) has ended up in one seriously amazing home where he has an opportunity to shine. I hope it works out similarly for you. And I feel your pain...I had 3 pups in the house for a few extra weeks and boy is it hard work!!!

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He sounds like a delight! There is something called the opposition reflex which causes dogs to pull away if you put pressure on their collar - this game teaches the dog not to resist (and pull you over) plus grabbing the collar often means putting the leash on and going home so they start to dodge you!

As someone with no Dane experience but plenty of dog behaviour knowledge and experience I agree with sas. Either return the dog or consult with a behaviourist asap. I'm sorry it's turned out like this - very unfortunate.

Gee I LOVE hearing these training updates! Makes my heart SING Yes, start in a quiet environment (eg lounge room) - touch collar then treat then release the collar. Timing is important. As your dog gets used to this game be sure to use different hands and grab the collar at all different angles. I want dogs to just love this game to bits. I can tell you when you've got a wild puppy that sometimes has brain explosions but launches into your outstretched hand OR a 26kg Dalmatian that when you grab by the collar (aggressive dog heading our way) and his entire focus is on YOU and being close instead of pulling away, you'll appreciate the collar grab. Love it for restrained recalls and building drive and focus.

My young Springer met a Bull Terrier pup a few months ago and was terrified of it. She is amazing with pups but I don't think she could read it at all.

Socialisation is about positive experiences for your pup. Interacting with known adults or pups, attending a well run puppy school (no free for all) and simply watching dogs pass by are MUCH better options.

I have the queen of puppy exuberance here - I just learn to channel the crazy :laugh: With regards to him looking back to the distraction I would do two things....firstly you can ask him to look more than once at the distraction before rewarding OR look longer at you before bring rewarded. The second thing is to move straight into some sort of fun game....all HIGHLY rewarding....heeling, tricks, change position, nose touches etc.then release to go sniff or whatever he likes to do. Building lots of fun rewarding games with you. As for the long line they are great for security but if pup is running hard and you step on it - ow for the pup. So try not to get into a situation where pup is running flat out. Make a decision to collect pup as soon as he chooses not to recall.

You've no idea how happy your post just made me :) xxx Great work shek! And remember to enjoy the journey - so, so much foundation training you are laying down here and you will be able to use it in the real world and in the obedience ring (e.g. dog playing tug outside the ring? Meh!)

Oh and Em's not very good at sharing.... :laugh: