Snoopy21

How do I improve my pups focus on me? She is so easily distracted by just about anything that it can be impossible to get her to do anything. She is a 6 month old rescue mutt (dane X) and we have had her for about 8 weeks. We have been attending puppy classes at our local obedience school which is good, but she is so distracted when we are there (she just wants to play with the other pups and stare at the other dogs). I try to give her 2 or 3 short training sessions each day, as well as a walk and at home she is good....but a bird, the cat walking past, another dog, one of the kids etc and her focus is just gone. We use food rewards for training and I can sometimes get her attention with those, but not often. Are there any exercises we can do that work on focus and attention? Any other tips?

Can I just ask what it means long term if a dog is bum high? Our girl (6 month dane X bull mastiff) is defiantely bum high at the moment. Will it pass? Do I need to change her diet or something? Does it indicate that she is growing unevenly? Obviously she ain't no show dog (nor lady) but I want to protect her from joint problems if I can.

We have been taking our girl for around 4 weeks now. She is a 5 month old dane cross. She is easily the naugthiest puppy in the class. She just can't listen when there are so many other pups around. But she is getting better each week and I can really see the difference in our at home training sessions. I think it is really worthwhile for owners and the solialisation aspect seems to be great for Willow.

I will aim for earlier next week. I was fully aware that I needed to be a member but I was really late and didn't know where to go so thought i would just join in and sort it at the end. My fault but she was a bit grouchy eh? The trainer seemed lovely. I will definately come again. We will be working a lot at home between classes, so anything I can learn I will try to apply. I feel the pressure to get her well behaved as fast as I can because she is growing all the time and will soon be able to out pull me, but I guess its just a matter of consistency and frequency with training. Rushing her isn't helping any. Thanks you so much for your kind words of support. Borzois are so beautiful!! Is Shady your first Sheltie?

It was lovely to meet you yesterday! Thank you for the tip....I think the classes will be really worthwhile. Dang nabbit your puppy is good. Willow was by far the naughtiest puppy in the class She really isn't all that bad at home, she just REALLY wanted to play with all the other puppies. The whole time. And she wasn't the least bit interested in food as long as there were playmates.

Thank you!! That sounds ideal. I will definitely be there (if I can figure out where it is). I didn't have any idea what to bring either so that is great. I will be the newbie struggling behind the oversized great dane cross pup who is trying to molest everyone with her tongue so smile encouragingly if you see me.

Hi All We are looking for a training course/socialisation opportunity for our older pup (5 months) in Hobart. Does anyone have any recommendations or otherwise?

I was just searching gurgly stomach noises and this thread came up. I have a great dane cross pup (5 months) who just joined us this week. SHe has had 2 episodes of the loudest gurgling stomach I have ever heard. She isn't eating much at all (still settling in I think). Did anyone work out what was causing it and if it was a problem at all? It is really loud....it woke me up last night, but she was fast asleep.