Stewie_the_Frenchie

That's very true saintlysusan! percyk :wink: UPDATE: we took Turtle for some leash training just outside the community last night. As we were walking along (him heeling at my left side beautifully!!) some of my OH's kinder kids came running along. We thought, ooh this will be a good opportunity to get started. Turtle was rediculously excited, so we gave the kids some treats and told them to wait until he was sitting and calm. Well he sat, and he stopped shaking for maybe 2 seconds so we grabbed that opportunity! It took quite a while before he was even remotely resembling the dog I knew, but he calmed down considerably. He was still not any where near as calm as I would like, but he was showing improvement. Practice makes perfect!!

must remember to give more info next time!! It can be hard to remember when you're wrapped up in your own little world!

Mine did it too, I just ignored it and sometimes walked away...walking away is good for me as my dog is big and used to do it to me when I sat on the couch and was in my face!

ok boxerheart, i appreciate the initial feedback... so here is the additional info you are asking for. I have trained him since the second he came into the house, he has to work to even go through a doorway (sit/stay) - he sits for his food, he lies down for any treat, he has to sit even for a pat! We eat before he does, and he doesn't get his food (approach it) before I give him the signal. I have read up on a method that states this will ensure the dog is aware of its place in the pack. He gets pats and attention when I say, and is ignored if he approaches me for attention without working for it first. He knows who is boss, as I have made sure of this. On more than one occassion I have put him on his back and held him there (gently) until he submits. I know he is testing me, as I have said in other posts, he is going through adolescence and I am aware of this stage and am doing the appropriate things (upped the training/awareness of pack order) to address it. In my opinion, he does not consider himself higher in the pack order than me as I have done everything in my power using a hands off method to make sure of this. He is generally a very well behaved dog...he is obedient and kind (of the breed's general nature). I realise the size he is going to become, which is why I have invested much time and energy into research and implementation of a training regime. I hope this helps boxerheart and anyone else who was after a little more info! Thank you for taking the time to enquire further. :wink: Edit: we live in the remote Kimberley, so there is no option of puppy/obedience school. However, I am taking the necessary steps in order to make sure he is socialised with both people and other dogs.

Hi there guys, In the last couple of weeks, my near 6 month Newfie has started a really bad habit. He is snapping and nipping in an unpredictable manner. He is currently growing his adult teeth, but I thought he would resort to mouthing rather than snapping. He has no reason to do this, we do not treat him badly. When he does it, we grab his snout and shut it while growling at him. This used to work when he was going through mouthing as a pup, but it's not working now. If anything, it makes him snap more - as soon as we let go (we are not doing it hard, just firmly letting him know that we are leader and we don't like it). Is anyone else experiencing this sort of behaviour? I am quite baffled as to what to do. We are heading home to VIC/TAS for xmas/new year in a couple of weeks and I really don't want his first meeting with family to be an unpleasant one. (I feel I should note, I don't think it's actual biting - when he does make contact, it's not hard). I really want to nip this one in the butt(!). It's quite an unsavoury trait.

My Newf started losing his at about 4 and a half months...all his adult ones are starting to come through now (he's nearly 6MO)

ah, thanks cassie and chloebear, this is sounding like wise advice...I just hope I haven't left it too late! I will give this a go on the weekend. We are heading back to see family in Melb/Hobart over xmas/new year, so he will have lots of opp. to practise this then. again thank you!

excellent guys, I've had 3 recs for monash now, so I think I'll go with them! Thank you!

Hey all, Just wondering if anyone knew of a good vet in the Melbourne - preferably Sth/M'ton Penin. way that has experience with giant breeds. I am looking at getting my nearly 6 month old Newfie the chop (he winces when I say that out loud ). My vet in Darwin also found he had a hernia in his belly button from the umbilicle chord and advised getting this fixed at the same time (sorry, not great with medical terms! It's written down in his folder, which isn't here at work!). He's not getting it done at his regular vet here in Broome as we will be in Melb. for a while over xmas/new year period where he can rest. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

Hi everyone. OH and I have been racking our brains on this one. As some of you know, we live remote (no puppy schools, etc.) and the only other dogs here are camp dogs. Here's my problem. Everytime someone comes around to our house, or whenever we take Turtle anywhere (just shy of 6 months, Newfoundland), he gets so over-excited! People become quite wary of him and end up backing away. He doesn't jump up on them (yet), but I think his size really intimidates people - and the drool, I can understand when it's not your dog! I went over to the basketball court last night in our community, where the OH was playing with some of our students. One of my kids (student) ran over to pat Turtle and he was so excited (the dog), he wouldn't sit (when I told him) or settle down (he was on a leash) enough for the kid to pat him. He's also going through the selective deafness stage, which doesn't help! I am certainly not whinging about his drool or his size (I knew all of this b4 I got him and it really doesn't bother us), I just would like some help as to how to have him more settled around people. I'm guessing training is involved, just not sure where to start! Thanks in advance guys.

Turtle has just discovered the art aswell in the last few days and he is the same age. He only does it along the back porch...although, all we have is sand (outback) so it doesn't matter that much. I'm not looking forward to when we come back east though, and we have lawn and a garden...that ain't gonna stay! I'll be interested in what people have to say!

Oh my, Turtle is still only about 35kg...still, he's only about 20kg less than me, so I'm having trouble now!!

my cousins have 3 ridgebacks...and it looks like she has some for sure...very very cute!

Hi, I'm only new to pups, but I've just started clicker training with my nearly 6 MO Newfie and it seems to be going well. He is picking it up quickly, but we were doing regular command/reward before, so he already knew some of it.

grrr, little bugger! I suspect you may be right erny, I think he is definitely challenging me! That makes sense about pack order though, it hadn't occurred to me that he may see one of us as higher up, but as long as he's on the bottom, we are still leader of him! Thanks again erny!

fantastic charli73! That makes me feel better! Just an update, we have upped the training at home from once every couple of days (I know, slack), to several short sessions a day and are teaching him new commands. I think this reinforces to him that we are the boss. That's another thing though, can two people be pack leader? I am leaning towards "no", just in case you are thinking - duh! Anyway, I think it also tires his mind, which is not a bad thing. However, he is really starting to nip now (playing), and I thought he had stopped that (we close his mouth shut and growl at him), but now nothing is working - any advice? Is this all part of this wonderful ( ) stage he is going through? Thanks for all your comments and advice guys, it's very much appreciated and taken on!

Aww, he is so cute. I used to have a Pap, called Susie, she was such a gentle little thing - they're a lovely dog! Now I have a Newfoundland (5mo), quite a change!

In regards to walks, just be careful not to over-exercise him. Pups tire easily and need to stop when they need to. Puppies also need a lot of sleep too, so just keep that in mind. With the rough play, my 5 and a half month old newfie took ages to get the message - just be consistent with him. Mine still "forgets" though. It will be a tough few months, and then adolescence comes, so just be patient, consistent, firm and caring with him.

It's very reassuring that others are in the same boat...however, no less frustrating! I am sitting here at work wondering what on earth he is up to at home. Oh god, I feel like I'm back at square one again! Thank you erny, that advice is very helpful, I will try and keep and cool head. WinGus - 18m to 2y oh my... I have to laugh, other wise I think I will cry!

Well, well, well. Here I was for the last few weeks, reading about everyone's puppy problems, smugly thinking "ha! Turtle isn't going to go through the defiant, selective deafness, stage that I'm hearing about at 5 months +." Well, serve me up my words as an entree, main, and dessert. Turtle is 5months and 2 weeks, and on the weekend turned into psycho dog from hell! It was almost overnight. He is starting to not listen when he is told to sit or lie down, he tears through the house like a bat out of hell, he waits for me to make eye contact with him and then climbs up onto the couch (not allowed), etc, etc. For over a month, he has come out of the stage where he was still learning what to do, and what not to do. He would do what he was told, and he would play nicely. Ah, what a pleasant month that was! His new teeth are also coming through now, so he is starting to bite and mouth again...argh!!!! Any advice? I have read the thread pinned at the top, and realise I probably just have to remain firm and be patient...any idea how long this lasts for???? I can see myself going a little nuts :p

thanks guys, I am getting some stuff from the chemist today and will try it out. If it's still a problem on wednesday, I'll take him to the vet...I'm thinking it might be from the red dust up here. But we also have a lot of bush flies around at the moment, so I'm wanting to get it cleared up before they hone in on it!

hmm, good question benny123

Hi there, My 22 week old Newfie woke up this morning with dry goop over his eye. He usually has a little bit of discharge coming from his eyes, which the vet said not to worry about, but this is worse. I have bathed it in boiled salted water once this morning and will continue to this weekend. Any ideas? It's probably something basic, but am I doing the right thing?

We tried hide and seek the other night. I tell Turtle to sit and stay and then go and hide in another room and call out the "ok" command and he gets very excited when he finds me. It was a lot of fun. I'm currently trying to avoid the games he prefers, which is "climb all over mum and try to dominate her while she is sitting on the couch" - not fun :shakehead:

Hi amebel, I have had my pup for about 3 months now, and at first it was an absolute nightmare (and he's a mild-mannered breed!). If it's your first pup, you can really get a shock, I know. But just so you know, it does get better if you are consistent and persevere with them. I wanted to send him back so many times, through sheer frustration, but I nearly cry when I think of that thought now! However, with little kids, I can imagine it is a lot harder. Pups really are hard work, I wasn't expecting it to be so hard (and I had done a lot of reading and research), I don't think you can know until you are there experiencing it! They're a bit like kids, hey?! It does get better though - I think when you first get them it's the hardest, just the adjustment aswell! Whatever you decide, I'm sure it will be in your kids and the puppy's best interests. Good luck.