The Spotted Devil

Not really, as my single toilet is also off the laundry - don't want to have to step over a baby gate every time I go to the loo Get one with a gate that opens so you don't have to step over it. Yes, I have one of these across the laundry door - easy to use, a small cat door to allow them easy access and keeps the dogs from...well....snacking. As to why...no idea. What sort of bed options does he have now? Has he had a recent vet check? Sudden changes in behaviour can often indicate something physical going on. I have never seen a baby gate with a cat window. In my last house I used the side of a cot with one rail removed so the cat could get thru without jumping (did I mention he's a big cat? LOL). He usually sleeps on his bed in my room - or when I am at work on my bed or flat mates bed. I wonder if it is a nervous behaviour as this started on Greek Easter (I live down the road from a huge Greek Othrodox church) - and I know also sometimes fireworks is used though we didn't ear it (and it is discouraged by the Church). But that being said he did do this behaviour once before on a particularly hot day in summer back in Jan - despite ambient temp in other rooms being cooler because of aircon, at the time I though maybe he found lying on the litter cooler. But that does not match up with him doing it now when weather is much colder. I've got so many funny pics of my 26kg Dally curled up on a cat bed :laugh: He really does have bed preferences. I have a feeling the baby gates were from Deals Direct or Crazy Sales. I've had to cable tie them half shut as one of my Springers (16kg!!!!) went straight through. She's a determined little devil lol

Not really, as my single toilet is also off the laundry - don't want to have to step over a baby gate every time I go to the loo Get one with a gate that opens so you don't have to step over it. Yes, I have one of these across the laundry door - easy to use, a small cat door to allow them easy access and keeps the dogs from...well....snacking. As to why...no idea. What sort of bed options does he have now? Has he had a recent vet check? Sudden changes in behaviour can often indicate something physical going on.

It's easy! :laugh: But I was very surprised to discover my brother cannot make the noise, he was surprised that I could! It must be a bit like rolling your tongue, some people can do all sorts of weird things with their tongues and others cannot. Oh, but I can only do it on one side of my mouth, I'm really good on the right side, it's quite loud enough, but on the left I'm hopeless and it's too soft, so there you go. Ha! I can DO the clicky noise but suspect my timing would be off if I tried to insert it in all my singing and cheering and giggling. Shaping is a riot in this house :D

Neutral is good! I like to keep my dogs energised when I'm shaping and use a lot of voice (including singing and laughing) and tugging to do so - trying to do your clicky noise would make my head explode :laugh:

I actually prefer using a verbal marker a lot of the time. The click is extremely precise and powerful so you need to make darn sure you know what you're clicking and that your timing is perfect. Placement of reward is also important.

And then there was Em. She does a lot more than him to earn it! He's like one of those renaissance paintings of a guy being fed grapes, the lazy ass. LMAO

And then there was Em.

Also known as an ESFP...extra sensory food perception :D

My argument exactly.

I get so mad when my dogs are threatened. It's not pretty I take shit loads of precautions so I just don't have to ever be in that situation again. Had quite the experience with DOLer Leopuppy04 recently. I'll preface this by saying that she is one of the people I 100% trust with my dogs - we have a similar philosophy and approach to training. We caught up and our dogs were free running together. Her gorgeous young male was being just a crazy puppy (with testicles) and part of his playing style was to launch at my entire male Dalmatian with delighted growling. Due to prior experience Zig was immediately on the defensive and was seriously pissed off. In slow motion she grabbed Zig by the scruff and force fed him treats (not hard :laugh:) and I grabbed her youngster by the collar and did the same. We both acted instinctively and it probably would never work with dogs other than ours. It was kinda awesome.

Bloody hell sheena. And therein lies the problem I gave a lecture this morning on BSL and dog attacks (human victims) so this is front of mind at the moment.

We have Goshawks here and I've seen what they can do to one of my chooks. For that reason I never left my litter of puppies unattended outside. I'd not considered crows but we don't seem to get many. How awful

Snooza D1000. I have 2. One of them is on it's third puppy

I've got the Landa for Zig but really only use it as a "pee in the rain" coat. For trialling or camping or bed time I cannot go past his Hurtta winter jacket. It comes right down his flanks and over his croup. The other option is the "Back on Track" - I have the mesh coat so he can wear it in Summer but they have a warm version. In Winter I just layer the two coats. Great for older dogs or keeping muscles warm for working/performance dogs. Just saw Jess's post - in my limited experience the Hurtta coat measurements were spot on for my Dally (no pun intended :laugh:) BUT Em is much harder to fit so when I get her a BoT it will be in person if I can. Jess - the Hurtta I selected matches the BoT nearly exactly.

Hey sporti - great that you are working through this. I do love how SG works her old dogs still - body awareness, core strength, Recaller games, teaching completely new stuff. That's how I approach training my Dally - he's 9 and still sound so I train and exercise him a lot but have really cut down the amount he trials. I reckon when I retire him from agility I'm still going to do jump grids with him - just with puppy jump bumps. Otherwise he'll equally drive me nuts even though he's nowhere near as full on as my Springers. He's just used to being trained nearly every day and loves it.

Oh I'm so sorry to hear that. Hoping for a good outcome despite the poor prognosis

Thank Dog for crates! 2 entire bitches and an entire male, puppies, traveling, competing, not to mention.... CRATE GAMES

MIR it's a really tough call. At the end of the day every choice we make with our youngsters has some risk - whether to desex, how often to vaccinate, what type of exercise to give and WHEN to socialise. I look at your question from a number of perspectives....as a behavioural scientist, as a breeder, as a one-on-one trainer and as an owner/trainer of performance dogs. Firstly, understand the risk of disease like parvo in your area - ie ask your vet. Secondly, understand that even with the best intentions you can inadvertently bring disease into your home on your shoes - this is my worst nightmare as a breeder. Thirdly, know that the critical socialisation window falls within the isolation period around vaccinations. Fourthly, there is no perfect solution. Personally i encourage my puppy buyers to get their pups out into the big wild world but do it safely - drive to the local cafe or shopping strip, carry pup in your arms, rest pup on your lap, let them watch the world go by and reward them with treats for relaxing, don't let them interact with dogs of unknown temperament or health, don't frequent dog parks - actually don't ever do this, take them to a REALLY GOOD puppy school - no free for alls permitted, introduce them to as many people, sights and sounds as possible in a POSITIVE way. And have FUN!

I think IPO has caught up. From what im seeing. Rare to see a compulsion trained dog at the top of IPO trials. Old methods show in the end result. And its not pretty. There's no joy. Exactly sporti! You nailed it

There's always me :D Sucker for punishment are you :laugh: They are truly wonderful but not for the faint of heart. One of the boys may be coming to stay with us for several weeks (oh my goodness I'm so excited I love this dog!) as his owner has realised he'll run rings around the house sitter Good luck in your search RebJane - go to some shows (assuming you are not looking for a working Cocker) if you can but certainly put some feelers out to interstate breeders. Some breeds are more common in different states. I am very much so TSD :laugh: i have been stalking :D I did consider emailing you a little while back, but honestly i can't really have another dog for a few years yet, and i was jumping the gun a bit! So restrained myself :laugh: Sorry for the derail OP. Well - when you're ready :)

There's always me :D Sucker for punishment are you :laugh: They are truly wonderful but not for the faint of heart. One of the boys may be coming to stay with us for several weeks (oh my goodness I'm so excited I love this dog!) as his owner has realised he'll run rings around the house sitter Good luck in your search RebJane - go to some shows (assuming you are not looking for a working Cocker) if you can but certainly put some feelers out to interstate breeders. Some breeds are more common in different states.

Oh they ARE so much fun Kavik! Would be a different experience for you after your herding breeds but I reckon you'd love them. At one they are all starting to really shine with the foundation training that has been invested in them.

Well bred pups from awesome breeders are often in short supply - when I want a pup I first look for a couple of breeders that I like...check out their lines, find out how they raise their pups and what they expect of me. Then I get in touch, have some good chats, visit their dogs and put myself on a waiting list for the next litter. I've bought pups interstate and locally and also breed myself. Sometimes it's a quick turnaround, sometimes it takes a while but find a breeder that matches your expectations. They are also going to know which good breeders have pups on the ground. It's a very small world :) I'd like to breed my ESS again but finding the right homes isn't easy so I'm hesitant to do so until I have a few people interested.

Wow! That's awesome! So pleased you had a positive outcome!!!