dee lee

Actually I have been doing obedience classes with her, though haven't been able to go recently. I do notice how much better we work together when we have been going. I have been practicing our training AND her recalls. Am upping both currently. Unfortunately dog sports are out, there just aren't enough free hours in my day . My concession is she gets a bloody hard workout early every morning along with some training, so she is tired for the day.

Well, it's only passive dominance if non-confrontational ways of getting what you want when there is competition is passive dominance. Eh, I just term it as passive dominance because its a strong nudge under my hand and she knows that she can "make" me pat her. Well, DID know. I'm a believer in the whole passive dominance idea. Not allowing it has made a big difference in behaviour to the dogs I have owned.

Aussielover, I certainly have my work cut out for me when she looks up at me adoringly with her big brown eyes!! She will still get cuddles but the kids and I are on a strict when we say so regime.

Its so true Megan, even when she has been a bit naughty it has made me happy because I can see the puppy in her. When we first got her she would "hit the deck" when she was called, afraid she would be hit. Deep down I knew I was spoiling her, but it didn't seem to be doing any harm for such a long time, I thought that maybe I didn't need to be so strict and could still maintain leadership. Obviously not. We'll see how we go.

I'd say you have a great relationship with her because of the boundaries you have in place, she feels comfortable and safe and your extra affection is a great reward for her. I think what the two of you have is Lovely. ;)

Ok, over the weekend, I took on board all comments about my leadership, had a good honest think and am undertaking to address any deficiencies. As Honey came from an abusive background and is a very sweet and affectionate dog I can now see that I was letting her get away with a lot of things I should not have. My previous dog was a LOT of hard work and Honey was a pleasure to own after her. I obviously let my leadership slide as it was so nice not to have dog ownership be a chore. Its testament to Honey's good nature it took so long for things to deteriorate. In addition to the warning off people, she had become very insistent about pats, less compliant to commands and was pulling onlead a bit. All signs that I had barely noticed as they crept up slowly. The last couple of days I have been getting back on top of things and (so far) I have had no more incidents, she is less pushy and does seem genuinely more relaxed. Early days but we are hopefully on track. Thanks guys.

This is interesting, Honey is also a rescue dog who I am told had no affection in her previous life and she is much the same. She is a beautifully tempered dog too. After having a few issues arise, I have had to assess how I am treating her and I have started to get tougher on her. Before I was happy to give as much affection as she demanded because I felt she needed it and because I do love her desperately. It also became a subconscious thing, she would put her head under my hand and I would pat her. I have only just realised this is a passive dominance thing that quite probably is the root of her protective issues. Der, I should know that . I was just blinded by how I was feeling and projecting that onto her. The last few days I have enforced pats only on human terms, am demanding compliance and have been training a bit more and I can already see a change. She isnt bugging us as much for pats and is definitely more biddable. She is more relaxed too. I find it sad, because I loved spoiling her, but I can see that its much better for her in the long run. She is not by nature a dominant dog so I imagine feeling she was on top was fairly stressful for her. So Bub, I have to agree with those who have said its not the emotion but the boundaries etc that affect the dog's behaviour and happiness.

I was asking in here because I was hoping for some advice on strategies to correct the behaviour from people who have experienced it. And I have received some good advice. I will talk to a trainer, specifically the woman I adopted Honey from. Staranais, yes, that was my thought too, I need to work out her pay off and work to stop that.

Erny, I am sure she wouldn't hurt anyone, she is an extremely soft dog. Her body language when she does it is still submissive and she pulls up very short from the person. It's still not acceptable though. And even in the beginning, whilst I wasn't too bothered, I still didn't tolerate it. As for getting someone in, the behaviour is so random that it's unlikely that I could show a behaviourist what she does. From experience, unless I can do that, it's a waste of money. Jesomil, what specifically have I said that makes you question my leadership? I am obviously missing something, I have seen behaviourists before and am pretty clued up on what to do.

oh god, don't get me started on the shedding! It's already begun!! ;)

I don't use a verbal cue, and find it useful to wait for them to look at you before giving a treat. Allow them to look at dog/person, they look back at you, click/treat. Not sure how shoving a treat in their mouth when they are focussed on another thing will help - if they are intent on the other thing they may not even notice it. (I used to try to get attention by luring with the treat when she looked at another dog, but she didn't learn how to cope with the stimulus. Allowing her to look at the dog and giving her the CHOICE to look back at me for a treat has had much more success.) Yep, she wont take a treat when she is focused. If onlead, she will look at me if directed and made to sit/stay. She will fidget but is quite responsive. The problem has been when she has been offlead and the behaviour has come out of the blue. Such a situation happened this morning with some Galahs (see, not just fat ladies ) and I had to get between her and the galahs before she would stop. Then I could direct her to STOP and DROP and STAY and she did. This was a prey thing, but she behaves not dissimilarly to the other behaviour. Annoyingly she is rather unpredictable. We can jog past the same fitness group for weeks with no issues then all of a sudden she will decide she has to protect me from them. :D More and more of our walks she is onlead now because I cant trust her not to do it.

I was SOOO looking forward to Spring, lovely warm sunny days, flowers, etc, obviously so has my dog! :D She has gone nuts with all the smells!! Our morning walks, runs and games of fetch have been highjacked by patches of clover, Galahs, and whatever it is that must be climbing the local trees! Honey is constantly blowing me off for all these intoxicating distractions. ;) Im hoping the novelty will wear off soon and I get my good girl back. (It'll probably happen when Summer hits and she flakes it cause its too hot. ) Anyone else experiencing their dogs getting possessed by Spring?

The leadership thing I am on top of, it was the first thing I thought. Whilst I do think it starts as uncertainty she seems to be getting some pay off from it and I think its become a game to her. She certainly is in drive when it happens- ears up, alert, completely focused. I know the "whose that game", I do make her aware of anyone I think may be an issue and try to get between her and them to deflect her attention. I'll try the game properly though and see if it helps. Thanks.

Not long after we first adopted Honey, she started warning off the occasional man in a hoodie whilst on our walks. She would run at them and give a big woof, then run back to me. It wasnt happening too often and to be honest, I live in an area where I was happy with that kind of response, so I wasnt too worried. If she was offlead I'd say, NO and put her onlead. In the last month or so though, the incidents have increased and her "targets" have become a lot wider- a fat lady, some school girls, anyone really who she seems to think shouldnt be there. She has started at our door too and the woofs have gotten a bit more confident. :D It seems to be part territorial and part due to being uncertain about them and part because she seems to enjoy it. She is not at all aggressive about it, its just warning. She is all bluff and I know she wouldn't hurt anyone- I have made a point of introducing her for a pat to anyone she does it to and she is then quite happy- but I understand she could really scare someone and she should not be allowed to do this. Strangely, at the same time her prey drive seems to have increased too. I put it down to extra smells of spring- this is bugging me too because she is much more distracted and I am finding her recalls are slipping again- but perhaps both are linked? I'm aware that I need to put an end to this and wonder if anyone could give some advice.

Personally, I found my dog didn't do as well on the Artemis Ospure or the Maximal, and the Maximal was too rich and gave her the runs. But then just about everything does, she is a delicate flower... Lol.

What Golden Rules said. If you don't know a dog, keep yours away from it until you can be sure it's safe. I'm sorry you had that experience but it is a good reminder to be vigilant. I can understand the point Malsrock is making & agree with it, though to a lesser degree. I believe in keeping walking and not allowing the usual free for all play (while the owners chat), that you see so often at offlead parks. I made that mistake with a previous dog and regretted it. I think it's important that the dog feels it must stay with you & isn't more interested in the other dogs. My current dog luckily feels the same way, which does make it easier! Even so, she has been attacked by an offlead aggressive dog that approached her. She was unhurt and, after initial sookiness, suffered no lasting effects. I still returned to the park but am even more careful about keeping far away from unknown dogs.

I use Artemis and give my 27kg Golden Retriever around 2 metric cups a day (1 morning and night). ETA: She has been on this food/amount for about 9 months and has maintained her weight. I struggled to keep weight on with other brands of super premium dog foods using the same amount. The exception was Artemis working dog formula which made her rather heavy.

Wouldnt the dog lick it off? Recent patches I cleared up with Betadine paint.

Geez, the Golden Retriever at 3????!! ;) Maybe their EQ (Emotional Quotient) is high, but from the gorgeous boofas I have met, as well as my girl, not their IQ. (Edited because like dog, like owner...

You guys are so funny!! Don't worry, my heart belongs to Goldies! Especially the blondies (obviously). Maybe I'll just change my wardrobe to all white instead of black!!

Yes, the head of the one I met was slightly more "setter-like", but I would say closer to a GR than a Lab. I would love to know the temperament and exercise differences of a Flat Coat too- the white fur of my Goldie shows up too much on my mostly black clothes! I believe that GRs were originally bred from FCs? But I have heard they are more boisterous than GRs.

I think it would be great to help your dogs socialisation. Like you say, you are not looking for buddies (none of the dogs play at my training club), but to help your dogs learn to be calm around others. Also you would be suprised how much more you can still learn at an obedience class. I'm fine with training all of the above, but when I took Honey to our first ever obedience class it really helped to fill in a lot of holes I hadn't noticed were there. It really improved our working relationship (now if only I could go more often :D ). Give it a shot, it cant hurt and most certainly will be beneficial in one or more ways. ;) AND organise a DOL meet just for fun .

I have told her to come back, over and over. I too am a DOL "survivor" , I stuck it out here because I love the supportive people and the great advice. I guess some people cant let the barbs slide though. I think she lurks occasionally but doesn't feel comfortable enough logging in or posting. Maybe one day. Another scenario with Jess live die could be that she is just too busy IRL to get on here? Or maybe she has realised that she can be more productive by not being addicted to DOL... Wish I could!! :D

I wonder if because of how she has seen other people treated when things have gone pear-shaped, she was too embarrassed to come in and tell us what happened? If that was the case then I'd say so. I have a friend who is too scared to come back on here, after having to return her rescue dog for reasons I totally respect. She has seen how some people backtrack through past usernames and posts to throw fresh accusations, and is afraid it will happen to her. I cant say I blame her.

I know what you mean. Winter sux. Oh and early morning walks when there is dew on the grass. Oh and mud puddles... When its time for washing, I take mine to a mobile dog wash where they blow dry her. Its made life SOOO much easier. Unfortunately cant do much about the shedding other than sweep daily atm. My GR is like this. Other dogs hold only mild interest for her, in the last year Ive only seen her play with one or two. Activity wise, she can handle the good amount of exercise I give her (6-7km jog days alternated with 40mins ball throwing days) but would probably be ok with a bit less. The thing I find the best is that she LOVES kids so much!! She is in heaven when my kids have their friends over- more little people to cuddle with.