dee lee

Exactly. Usually in not a very nice way either. Thanks for the tips guys! And sorry to the OP for highjacking!! Though to you I say- go the prong!!

Thanks, they look great! Do you think they have enough choice of pattern? Must be about 100 on there- plus the custom option! Would be simple to make actually . Til then bandana like Kavik! eta: Evie is snoring away after her post prong walk!!

I did that today very stylish! I had read somewhere though that someone makes custom made covers and thought that might be handy. I have to say I am VERY nervous about using one day to day, not for the dog but for the potential crap I am going to cop. I live in a very PC area with lots of smaller dogs or people whose dogs are "so well behaved they never need to be on leash" . Im sure my neighbours already are considering calling the RSPCA on me after seeing my trainer and I using basic correction techniques on my dog

Wow Wobbly- snap again! This is exactly the same thing Evie did. We got a self imposed ban from the dog park after a few bad instances (sort of- I was warned about dangerous dog laws by someone). Nasty and scary isnt it? Evie is never off leash anymore- our area is too high population density, there is always a dog around the corner. I simply do not trust her. On leash she is still rather rough so I think I will try your suggestions. Kamuzz, if the other dogs dont tell her off- do they exhibit submission?

Wow, just used a borrowed prong on my dog- AMAZING!!!! NO pulling at all, total respect and heeling. I am getting one of my own ASAP. But I need a cover, does anyone know where I can get one?- I am not looking forward to the do-gooder comments . I have had enough trouble using a check chain in the past.

Didnt work for me. So far nothing except Capstar has worked, but I need to use it far too regularly for my liking- though the vet says this is not a problem. Sydney has a BIG flea problem these days apparently. Being Winter now, I thought we would have less trouble but we still have them. ;) I am giving up on Revolution- it has been a massive waste of time and money. Trying Advocate next, seems to have the most recommendations. Crossing fingers- I am not looking forward to summer otherwise.

I just want you to know that she will grow out of it. My dog used to do a lot of playbiting up til she was about 9 months- we ignored it, we ah-ahed, we walked away and eventually she stopped. We also discovered that my father-in-law had been wrestling with her and told him not to. This was a big contributor so make sure you instruct everyone who comes into contact with your dog not to do this. The jumping is a work in progress but she is getting better.

As a client- the first trainer I used was disastrous for me, I did tell my new trainer (who I am VERY hapy with) about her but I do not expect him to do anything about it as I put it down to differing approaches. Also I am willing to admit that perhaps (probably ) a big part of the problem was my overall inexperience at the time. So I totally agree with your stance above.

Yes Yes Yes!! :p He has changed our lives- and does housecalls (I live in the eastern suburbs too). Will PM you his details.

Its hardly a bucket of water... And personally I would consider the dog's jumping to be undesirable, challenging behaviour rather than a sweet bonding act.

Good idea :rolleyes: . We used a pop top water bottle for undesirable behaviour like that and after a very short time all I would have to do is say "ah ah" and pick a bottle up and she would stop.

Update: Training day #2. I know I am much better at obedience than I was today!!! :rolleyes: Typical, never work with animals and children... Anyway had our second session today, and it has helped me stay clear on what needs to be done. I also asked some specific questions on things I have had trouble with. Apparently time will increase the benefits of this pack restructuring and I should see most problems diminish (if I stick to my guns) in another couple of months as Evie begins to accept and understand the new rules. I am very much looking forward to that. Though she did jump up on the trainer more than any other visitors in the last week!!! I dont think he believed me when I said she has improved there. Poor Evie is exhausted.

My OH said that about thong pair number 3!! "Who needs to learn?" I said We leave NOTHING where it can be picked up chewed. Our yard is barren. We learnt the hard way. I agree with the adolescent challenge diagnosis, madam was at her worst at 10 months. I'm in no position to give advice, other than to not leave stuff lying around ;) .

Yes yes!! Get a trainer NOW!!! If you searched you probably would have come across my posts about my dog's pulling and over-excitement. She has been a real handful. She is now 18 months old and I have finally gotten a decent private trainer over and - OH My GOD- we had a very pleasant walk this morning! Not possible even less than a week ago! So what I am trying to say is that you should deal with it ASAP, get a trainer to teach you how to get her under control and it will be easier if you don't wait as long as I did. Also, I used a check chain at first which, whilst helpful (who cares what other people think), kept sliding down when she wasn't in check so... we moved onto a martingale which was next to useless... Now because her pulling is so ingrained (which is why you should do this NOW) we are working on heeling with her on a sporn harness which I hope to phase out once her heeling is better. In addition to all this my trainer has turned our house into doggy bootcamp to reinforce our leadership and we have strict measures in place to stop the jumping up on people. In 3 days she has already improved out of sight in this regard and I feel confident that things will only get better! So do it- get a trainer!

I completely agree.

Thanks- I'm trying to be a conscientious student. Its paying off already- great training session with her this morning. Walks are still trying but I can see her getting the hang of it. Her distraction level is lessening. Not hugely but her response to me in such situations is getting better. And again, thanks for the recommendation- I am very happy with him . Thanks Caz! You are so right. I have to remember that- patience is not one of my virtues (prob how we got in such a tangle!) . Tell you what- its funny how NOW my kids want to pat Evie, when before they mostly ignored her . Its much harder to train THEM to get her to sit before pats. Though its probably because Evie is much calmer, so I should be happy! All good!

My dog has been toilet trained for some time now and the only accidents occur when we haven't let her out- purely our fault and hardly ever happens (recently went on holidays and WE were so excited to get inside the house we forgot to let her pee!! After a 2 hour drive! Then we wondered where all the "water" had come from ). I reckon if you cant remember when the last accident was, or stop thinking about, it the dog is trained. Doesn't matter really because you are still having to monitor him anyway. It sounds like you are doing all the right things- perhaps he is just unsettled after having his cast off? Keep at it, he WILL get it. :p

Thanks Katey, that makes me feel better :p . I AM hoping that in the long run the training will infiltrate her stubborn brain and we can ditch the harness, in fact that is what the whole approach is about- changing our current pattern. As for the bed- my trainer wasn't strictly against it, but Evie has been "passively" challenging me a lot in a few areas, the bed being one. Previously she was allowed on to the foot of the bed, by invitation only and must get off when told to. It was usually only if I was having a sleep in (OH doesnt like dogs on beds). Lately she has been creeping up from the foot of the bed and trying to lie next to me near the pillow as well as sneaking on to the bed when my husband is downstairs (doesn't seem to do it when I am there). This is apparently passive challenging behaviour and as we need to reaffirm the pack order she is currently banished from the bed. My husband was rather happy about this!

;) Oh Wobbly we should've saved money and got 2 dogs for the price of one sessions!!! The soul sisters strike again- no crates, but Evie has to stay outside for 10 plus minutes when we get visitors for the same reason. Serves us right for being so sociable. Luckily I had already been weaned off the kisses and cuddles last time I had a trainer- but I know how hard it is! Updates hmm? you asked for it... Well today I have seen some improvement- I'm nervous to say that since it could be just Evie's shock at being treated with such indifference, but she seems to be actually listening to me! Well more than usual anyway. Biggest trouble I'm having is the obedience work and heeling. There's too much stuff going on in my head and Im so used to having walk time mean just physical excercise. I feel like I'm just muddling through, but getting better each time. Got my program emailed today so I can make sure I do it all before next monday when the trainer comes back to test me- nah just kidding, to give me a booster lesson :p . I got the Sporn harness yesterday and its such a relief to walk without stopping every 2 paces!! :p She is still getting the hang of it (as am I) but by reinforcing heel work and lots of turns, the lead is loose more often than not!!! HIP HIP HOORAY!! I still feel a bit guilty about using a management tool rather than training but I'm sure I'll get over it. ;) So there you have it in a nutshell- we are on the steady climb up. I feel much more aware of my contribution to this situation and my ability to get working better together. Phew, I just have to maintain... :p I knew that training was supposed to be tiring for dogs- but I wasnt expecting to be so knackered!!

The trainer laughed and said "and maybe not" when I mentioned that I thought this too! Evie is outrageously exciteable- but at 18 months, like you I live in hope she WILL grow up and mellow!! She IS better than she was 6 months ago. And I do feel a bit more empowered if not a wee bit overwhelmed. The trainer recommended either a halti easy walker or a sporn harness as they have special toggle thingy that you can tighten- and she will need it really tight since she pulls so hard. I'm off to get one now! :D I do think the Harmonys are nicer looking though- but hopefully the training will pay off and I wont need one for long :p (ha ha in my dreams...)

Well, had the appointment with the trainer. He was great! But my brain hurts!!! We have leadership issues- Evie challenging a bit, but can easily knock that on the head by being more firm (she needs it). And yes she is VERY excitable, prone to jumping on other people- I was given some tips on dealing with that too. All seems quite sensible. But... Obedience? I thought we were doing ok- seems not. Oh god I so suck. But she isnt (nor me!) a lost cause, and I have good firm "voice tone" so I feel like we can move forward. Couple of months hopefully. Well thats a bit of what I can remember- like I said my brain hurts so I just thought I'd pop in for a brief update, then go drink some wine and have a think :D ... will keep you all posted. Dee

Wow Wobbly, Evie and Jarrah are soul sisters!!! Evie is uncontrollable when we meet new dogs and their owners- today I made her sit and drop whilst a little swf came over, within a couple of feet she couldn't contain herself any more and was jumping all over both the guy and the dog trying to play- me vainly trying to hold her back. Its such a pain isn't it? I'm hoping this trainer has some similar tips to Steve's and we can get past it. BTW- I LOVE your new signature pics! What a beautiful goof she is!!

Thanks Wobbly! How did your training session with Steve go? Or rather how are you and Jarrah going now? (I'm not going to him but the lovely Monelite has recommended me someone who sounds perfect and can come to me.) I think there is a gang of naughty dogs like ours on here! It has given me heart to hear about them and realise it is not ALL me and obviously personality plays a big part too. I reckon that, after Evie, any other dog I may get will be a cinch to train- she will have taught me so much. (still wont get another staffy though ) Yes you are right, having the support of your OH is a big help. It has made it a hell of a lot harder not having that back up. Anyway- I'm hoping that soon we will have a transformation. This week has NOT been a good week, so crossing fingers next Monday will be the start of a happy new Evie and me.

He will give me a program as part of his package- which I am very glad about. But yep will be taking notes too. Also have to make some notes of what to talk to him about, I know its very easy to get caught up and then later go "Oh damn I forgot to ask about that". This time around I am very much more clued up, when Evie was a pup I had NOOOOO idea about anything, you will be suprised to hear- not!!! I am VERY interested to hear what he has to say, ie. what exactly it is I am doing wrong.

For you madam- absolutely!!!