Frieda

Only speaking from my own experience but I think temperment of the dog as well as the owners ability in training that dog go hand in hand. There is problem dogs out there and some people/owners make the problem worse without even realising that they are the problem. But if that problem dog went to someone that has had plenty of experience with dogs it may turn out differently. Then there is those dogs that are a lost cause and need to be PTS, kinder to the dog that way. We cannot rescue all the dogs that have a problem especially if they are a danger to themselves or others. The other thing what is anyones version of an experienced handler? I had someone come up to me and ask me if I was a professional dog trainer (probably coz I am always in the park with my dogs), I laughed and said no, just a dog owner. I beleive that you can never be complacent in dog handling and should always be learning. And my own personal opinion people need to look at the temperment of the parents before buying puppies or dogs. I have done this with horses and I am now doing it with dogs.

That is what my dogs are getting for Christmas a whole basket full of Toilet rolls they love it. Other boredom busters for my dogs is the rope toys, Ceejay sits there for hours trying to undo the knot. I buy fluffy toys from second hand shops, make sure that there is no beans, or hard eyes. They can defluff it and chew the hearts away and only for 50c each, leaves a mess though. lol. But the best thing I have done is obediance training with Izzy her confidence has shot up in herself, and know she can sit beside another dog without getting worried and anxious. If it is any consolation they do eventually outgrow it my last Boy Zorro, chewed through three library books, half a dozen shoes, an old couch, my exes akubra hat with the $200 tucked in under the sweat ban (very close to getting a bullet from the OH, quick talking from me saved him). He grew up to be a gentle boy who I loved. But it certainly taught me about patience real fast. I do really feel for you and just hang in there. Books was my other saviour, I read everything I could about dogs. Don't give up, Chloebear.

I'm not an expert. But with my girls I make sure that I eat first before they do, I go through all doors and gates first before the dogs. They are invited up onto the couch and bed, never go up on their own instigation. When they bark and I don't want them to I tell them enough, and they stop, I am the protector not them. They all sit and wait for their food, until I release them with the word "eat". That is just the very basics that I do with the girls. There is a book called Who's the Boss by Val Bonney. It is easy to understand and it may also help, I refer to it every now and again. Hopefully someone will come along who is an expert with this on DOLers who can help you further.

Ceejay does the exactly same thing especially when she is looking for her ball. I call it her radar tail, if it goes any faster she would take off like a helicopter. I have never seen it before with any of my other dogs in the past, it just looks funny. Can anyone explain why? I will be definatley be watching my dogs to see with they are lefties or righties.

Okay the first day went well. Because I have two dogs another handler took Ceejay. Apparantly Ceejay was giving her problems (surprise surpise) kept looking for me, wouldn't take treats etc at first but soon settled down. The big suprise was Izzy I had her, she is a natural, took to the heel like duck to water. Did our first training session this morning, Ceejay responds well with me and Izzy absolutely loves it (I think it is the treats myself). Thanks for all the well wishes and the advice regarding the registering on the Associate register, which I will be doing. I really forgot how much I enjoyed doing this. Even though Zorro my last boy could not compete I did demonstrations etc with him. Thanks again.

OMG thank you thank you. I didn't realise this you have just made my day. Both girls are desexed, so I will ask the lady at obedience about this and how I go about it all (total novice). Oh brilliant I am doing a happy dance.

I am getting a tad nervous, butterflies in stomach maybe excited too. First day today with obedience training with Ceejay and Izzy. I have done it before about 7 years ago and enjoyed it but I couldn't do trials etc with X breed, I still can't because the coolies are not recognised only in sport. So after this course will be the agility training. But I cannot believe how nervous and excited I am. I have the treat bag ready and the leads and gear all laid out, just have to pack the crate. And it is on at 5.30pm a good 4 hours away I am so looking forward to this. Just wanted to share.

I am sorry to hear about Flash, glad to see that she is fine after the surgery. I hope everything goes fine for you and sending you and Flash a hug.

I don't know whether anyone else has had this happen to them, and I was surprised there was no advice on what to do on the packaging. Anyhow the story: We have a cat here called Smudge the S*&t. I decided to put a flea collar on him but I forgot about Izzy and Smudge's game, where smudge offers himself as a sacrificial lamb to be defleaed and dragged around (and he does flops right down in front of the dogs). Ceejay was around this morning but noticed Izzy wasn't following me, called and she came out looking very down, I noticed straight away the foam on her mouth and washed it out sideways both sides for about 10 minutes. My OH mentioned the flea collar and thought that would have been the culprit (I thought cane toads but don't have any here at the moment). I went to have a look at the packaging and all it saids is not to chew on the collar and not how to treat the cat/dog if it occured. Has this happened to anyone else? I am just curious. I am kicking myself for not thinking about where Izzy grabs the cat on the scruff. Izzy is back to normal (well as normal as Izzy can be).

:rolleyes: She probably thought that was a pretty cool game. I just love the puppy mentality where everything is bright and exciting to them.

That must be driving you crazy with no camera. Do what I did when I was without a camera and get those disposable ones. :rolleyes: I was desperate!! Just bear in mind that they take lousy photos. Hope you get through your withdrawal period okay.

I agree with Warley, if your dog looks fantastic, glossy coat, white teeth etc and has energy and vitality, stick to what you are doing. I am also lucky being out in the country with this fantastic little pet food shop, that sells locally culled kangaroos, pigs and old cows. It has little preservatives as I have to use it within two days, and I only feed my girls beef, due to the roo mince making them hyped up. It is like feeding red cordial to them. And I change their diets on a regular basis with natural foods plus the dry kibble that I feed them.

I have one of those and slowly getting better (she forgets due to puppy juice, excitement). Tried ignoring her that didn't work, held her paws till she wanted to get down that one didn't work either. So know it is "down" and "sit", then she gets the attention. The worst time when she does this is when I first get home from work and she is literally bouncing up and down. I mean this dog can jump higher than me (mind you I am small), new command for coming home time is "settle" "settle" "SETTLE" "down" then "sit" good girl. It will take time and you are quite lucky that you have a GSD as they are smart dogs. Food also helps with commands and give your children the opportunity to do it too, so she learns to respect them. Start with the Sit command with treats like chicken, sausage something yummy. Reward him when he is sitting and not halfway up and do training in short bursts. With the settle command I waited until Izzy was on her back and calm and just repeated the word "settle" sometimes with food sometimes not. It is so funny you say "settle" and she literally throws herself on her back with her paws sticking up. Don't give up sometimes it does take a while and then one day it just clicks with them.

Not sure about this may have to check, but what about Rescue remedy. I used to use it for my horse Tink when she first started out with horse shows calmed her right down. Here is a link http://www.naturalcanine.com/html/rescue_remedy.html. Hope this helps.

I feed my girls eggs probably twice a week. This is due to Jody my Labrador who had a terrible coat when I rescued her, her skin was dry and flaky. The difference it has made in her coat is wonderful. Mind you should have seen Izzies my Kelpies coat when she discovered a hole in the chook fence and decided to help herself to the eggs. It gleamed.