ShellyBeggs

I agree with what Kelpie-i has said.....I have a 3 dog household (soon to be 4) and I treat all dogs the same. I always believe that people are always the higher ranking and definately the leader far above any of the dogs. To an extent, I allow my dogs to defend their food or if they are chewing a toy......another dog isn't allowed to come and take (but I make sure that I can)....again this is usually only a verbal growl warning and the other dog usually backs down straight away (it was likely only wishful thinking).....if they dont they know they are breaking the rules and will likely get in trouble from me and prolly both get a time out. And any other "telling off" is done by me, it is not the dogs place to tell off another dog because the dogs do not decide what is permitted and what isn't. There are some great topics on leadership if you 'search'.

I wouldn't for a second imagine any of my dogs doing much more than snarling at each other before going off to sulk. My lab is still very much the boss and although doesn't involve himself in the other two having little squabbles he is very quick to put them both in their place if they get carried away. He is a wonderful mum to his babies and teaches them manners and how to behave....he treats them both as his babies....even the border collie who is nearly 3. I have never ever thought to worry about leaving the dogs together and have always had many dogs together without problems. Gee I pity people that have that worry......I worry about my babies enough without worrying they would hurt each other. I like them having company while I am at work and couldn't imagine them being locked up alone...they would prolly go nutts!

Thanks Erny I got home last night and everything seemed back to normal........they all played and all slept together and there didn't seem to be any of the behaviour from the night before. I guess they must have just had a 'barney' but will keep a close eye on them!

I am no expert but I wouldn't be putting a prong collar on an 8mo pup when other training aids haven't been tried, only a flat collar. I think finding another training club and asking their advice on using a "correction" chain (they are certainly not "choke chains" when used correctly) or maybe they can suggest something better for that particular breed. And I agree with PoodleWrangler and would walk them seperately until they learn to focus on the handler and learn more of the basics before giving them an oppurtunity of a pulling match. Reward your pup each time it looks up at you, gives you some focus, when you are walking as well as when the pup does what you ask, heel, sit etc.... Good luck!! And definately search for a better club and I would maybe even suggest that if the two are that inseperable that you either train at different times/days or at different clubs until they learn to work seperately before giving them that extra distraction!

I got home last night to silence, not the usual excited yapping, and then when I let the dogs in.....there was none of the usual enthusiastic joy to see me, no playing and they all seemed quite upset. They spent the evening laying in seperate areas and usually they play together and then sleep on the couch together....the lab was on the floor (he is usually boss of the couch), kelpie pup on the couch (he is usually playing and running around silly until bedtime) and the border collie hid in the dining room. None of them would come to me for a cuddle, none of them wanted to play and only the lab ate his dinner, and everyone elses. Even cooked chicken breast came out as a treat and they weren't interested. I was unable to find any signs on them of a serious fight (no sore spots or broken skin)....I searched where they are locked up on the back verandah and can see no signs that they have eaten anything they shouldn't have (no plants, no bird feathers or mouse bits).... So I am at a loss to what has happened. They are still all avoiding each other this morning when I left them but they were at least eating their breakfast (all except the lab who must have been too full and was snoring in his bed). Any ideas on what could have happened???? I have never seen dogs 'not speaking' to each other.

Too cute for words! Way to go Leo the wonder dog!!!!

I am very soon going to be in the same boat with a skinny pup.... Stockgain works wonders......and I will give it a go this time. Buy it from stockfeed stores. I always used to mix it in warm water and add to their dinner. Eggflip drink with egg and honey I have heard of......sounds yummy and I imagine can work well if not lactose intolerant. good luck

Friday is D-day...... hopefully by monday I can brag about him sitting for treats!

Maybe I should cut the bottoms of 2 bottles of coke (the glass bottles that is) and make them some glasses. Kinta is just gorgeous.... Cricket is gorgeous too......although the pic looks a little cartoon like! *soaking up the vibe* Hope I can start posting in here soon with my own brags............

Isn't Kinta beautiful!!! And is Cricket her half-brother????

My dogs eat the cheap crap dry food from the supermarket!!! Apparently I could burn in hell for that....... (don't worry someone is bringing marshmellows) Its all they will eat...*shrug* I say....be logical, go with the best you can afford! Don't blow your budget totally, work out what you can afford. But I also don't feed can food.......prefer to feed them meaty bones, chicken necks/carcuss and I cook up mince with vegies and a bit of rice or pasta to stick it together and give it different textures. I don't feed them perfectly but I feed them what I can afford.......and they are happy and healthy and that is all that matters to me!

My new school said they would help train using what ever equipment that I wished to use.....chain, halti, flat collar, clicker etc.... They also encourage food rewards, bringing a toy to play with as reward and used a lot of 'socialisation' to break up the class and make it fun. It was also good for the newbies to have the instructor talking about the interactions and behaviour while the dogs were sniffing each other or playing. My old clubs were a lot more strict.......chains only, even on pups and big slabs of heeling. The dogs were not permitted to socialise within the class either.... Things have definately changed!!! And for the better too!

All my dogs have loved obedience.....it was special time together and so much fun to 'socialise' afterwards! My lab loved it so much he howled the entire way there along with my friends JRT. But 2 of my previous clubs were 'down the line' and like Amhailte said it was 'heeling' on top of 'heeling' But my new club, 1st lesson in beginners last sunday.....was so different. AND SO MUCH FUN. It was beginners and we did a minute or so of heeling then something else.....then a little bit of heeling, then something else..... We even used the tunnel towards the end, included food refusal during one of the non-heeling sessions and did lots of dog socialisation (playtime) in between.....during which the instructor talked about reading dog language as we watched how they were interacting. It was so much better than walking up and down!!

What an interesting discussion! Thanks everyone!

have you tried putting the food bowl up on a stand or get one that will hang on the fence/gate? I have seen boarding kennels with bowls that hang on the kennel doors.....so you must be able to get them. If its too high for him to pee on......he can't! OT: Thought of this answer when thinking about my horses.....I used to have to hang his food bucket as he would stand in it, tip it over, kick it all over the paddock, through the mud or his own poo, and then eat it! I hung it up high enough he couldn't lift his leg to do it and then thought of the bowl peeing dogs......

Congratulations Kinta.........what a good girl you are!! .....the vibe is getting stronger!!! aussies aussies aussies.....oi oi oi

It would depend on the dog......and how switched on they are. I have taught my lab to do things at 10.....that he never learnt before. and I am considering starting my bc in obedience and agility at nearly 3.

Chateau de Collie or Camp Collie or The Penthouse or Collieville or Hotel Collie mmmm....running outta ideas!

Congratulations.......hard work really does pay off!

I am not an expert in obedience......far from it, and certainly not in trialling.... But heeling seems to have changed a lot in the last 10 years since I have competed in a trial.. Back in my day (now I feel old)......it was enough that the dog walked/jogged alongside you with its shoulder at your left leg. That it did all exercises (sit, drop, stand, fast/slow pace etc) in this position. Now from watching videos of trials (like that excellent bc in the UK).....it seems that the dog now not only has to do all that, but has to look at you constantly and be in some elevated state of excitement......ie/ skipping alongside you just begging for some command and always looking at your face for that approving smile..... To me it looks like far too much effort and unnatural. I even stayed to watch the trialling class yesturday after my beginners class and they were all teaching the same thing...to always *look*.... I must say, I never would have trialled if this was the case back then.....my lab just always ambled alongside me like clockwork.....he never looked over excited (happy but not excited) and he certainly wouldn't have jogged and definately wasn't looking adoringly at me the whole time. We always scored brilliantly on heeling with comments made that it looked effortless. So what is the go with heeling now? How is it scored now that people are teaching this? Thanks heaps!!! P.S I hope I haven't offended anyone.....just curious about the change!

I had this prob with my lab when toilet training and treating (clickers weren't big back then).......he would cry at the door to go out nearly every 5 minutes, run out and try and squeeze out a few drops so he could come in and get a treat.

Ahhhh I would get a grooming mit/glove. My lab hated brushes until he was about 4 or 5 and I always just used one of these. Less offensive as you are not approaching him with something new, it doesn't hurt and surprisingly gets a lot of hair out. Its your hand still rubbing and patting him and as well as a brush you can give a bit of a massage at the same time. They really do work and all my dogs love it. It may be the wire he doesn't like, maybe try getting a human baby hair brush that has super soft soft bristles that won't tug or pull or hurt and is quite small. Again a few strokes and treat......when he lets you do all over with the soft brush gradually move up to harder and harder bristles until you are using the black bristles (if you have a 2 sided brush wire one side/bristles on the other)... But the grooming glove works great for me.

My lab has worn and chipped both his canines down to they are the same height as the rest of his teeth........*shakes head* But it certainly doesn't seem to hurt him in any way so maybe the nerves are deeper or not quite so strong. (he also has no front teeth at all on the bottom). I would push very gently around the gum at the base of the tooth (if its infected you will know) and watch your dog closely when eating and mouthing/grabbing things in play.......you know yourself when you have a saw tooth you dont chew properly. If the dog is chewing normally, looks happy and not in pain I wouldn't worry too much and get your vet to check it out at your next visit. I would also make sure the tooth is clean, lots of meaty bones to chew or dentabone work well.......or you can try doggy tooth brushing!

If you are worried about giving Charlie free run of the backyard all day...... why not fence off a smallish area just outside the door for Charlie to play in the sunshine *cough cough*.....crisp morning air.....and do his business?? You still allow access into and out of his snuggly warm playroom and gives him a little bit of space outside that is safe. P.S Charlie is gorgeous....good luck!

Hi guys... my kelpie pup is going to his first visit to Broadford Obedience on Sunday. He will be 6 months old on Monday (but very immature and has difficulty focusing). Should I put him in puppy class for a few lessons and see how he goes? He may be a giant puppy and scare the little pups though..... Doesn't Beginners usually start at 6mo? I am confused on what I should do with him! Its been a long time since I have been to obedience lessons! Cheers!