Jigsaw

What a sweet looking pup! Although I'm sure those looks belie the personality!! I find myself more and more attracted to the tri's in colouring. Looking forward to seeing more pics as he grows up.

Some kennels will take long term boarders. Some dogs cope quite well as long termers others don't quite have the same resilience. Most kennels would allow you to visit and take the dog out for the day as well if you wanted if you explained the circumstances I'm sure.

So sorry to learn of your loss.

Trainer recommendations in this thread http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...=sydney+trainer

Trainer recommendations in this thread http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...=sydney+trainer

I'll read it! I may need the dictionary, wikipedia and google to get me through it!!!

Have you got a link to the study??

Been doing some light reading on a rainy day have you Corvus? If my dog is highly aroused I can get some really great work out of her, speedy drops, great attention, good heeling but it's no good trying to teach anything in this state and at the moment we can only work in short duration and with little distraction. When trying to teach her something new I prefer lower arousal as she is able to take in information more easily in this state.

For his doctoral thesis, Jørn Våge has studied genetically controlled behavioural aspects in dogs, with particular focus on aggression. LINK TO ARTICLE Canine Aggression and Genetic Control ScienceDaily (May 25, 2010) — The control of different behaviours is a complex process that is influenced by both genetics and environmental factors. A new study throws light on interesting connections between canine aggression and genes that are involved in neurotransmission in the brain. For his doctoral thesis, Jørn Våge has studied genetically controlled behavioural aspects in dogs, with particular focus on aggression. Behavioural problems in dogs, particularly aggression towards people, are often the reason why otherwise healthy dogs are put down. Aggression and anxiety-related behaviour also has a negative effect on animal welfare because stress influences both the mental and physical health of dogs. Different breeds of dog with various forms of specific behaviour act as genetic isolates and are therefore suited for use in studies of complex characteristics such as behaviour. Similarities in diseases in dogs and humans also provide good opportunities for comparative studies in the field of medical genetics and dogs can therefore be valuable genetic models for various human disorders. The central nervous system and its neurotransmitters and intricate networks of receptors play a key role in this study of behavioural genetics. Serotonin and dopamine are neurotransmitters in the brain and have an important function in the control of behaviour. Many of the medicines that are used for the treatment of psychological disorders have an effect on these neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitter systems have many different receptors and enzymes that regulate the production and breakdown of psychoactive substances. All stages of these reactions are controlled by genes and can be potential sources of behavioural changes. The doctoral study has revealed a variation in genes related to serotonin and dopamine in dogs. Våge used these variations as markers in the study and discovered connections between individual variants of genes and aggressive behaviour in dogs. The thesis also covers studies of genetic activity (expression studies) in different areas of the brain in aggressive and non-aggressive dogs respectively. Email or share this story: | More ________________________________________ Story Source: Adapted from materials provided by Norwegian School of Veterinary Science.

The clicker engages the amygdala which is associated with emotion such as fear and arousal. If you've used the clicker to mark and then reward an active behaviour when training such as sit, down etc or free shaping, when you use a clicker to mark a more passive behaviour such as a relaxed state it can actually trigger the opposite of what your after as the click is arousing and the dog then looks for the reward (at least that's my understanding of how it works!). There is also the association of the click with a dopamine release and dopamine is an excitatory neurotransmitter which can lead to action or movement in anticipation of a reward (putting it in terms I can understand! . I would suggest using a word marker instead as you can adjust the volume level more easily or even try pairing a touch on the body (say the cheek) with a reward such as an ear rub, massage or something he finds less stimulating and then work on putting it on cue. I've also seen suggestions of using your scent such as your hand over their nose or scent of lavender as a "keep going" signal to maintain the relaxed behaviour (I can't remember where I read that now).

What a terrible experience for you and your parents. Hugs to you and your family.

I think he needs to learn some boundaries as he is at the right age to be testing you out. I would suggest working with him together your kids and yourself under advice from your trainer.

I think the screening would be worthwhile doing but as Mita said some dogs can climb the chain link, not just little dogs though. I've seen boxers, mastiff crosses go over 6ft chainlink fences if the incentive is enough.

You need to have a plan to find out what pace you can work at with regard to the desensitisation and counterconditioning. You may need to break it up into very tiny steps. You need to think through what steps you go through when you get ready to go out. Even the preparation of you leaving induces the separation anxiety behaviours and the release of stress hormones, so by the time you've actually left the dog is already quite anxious. It is a process that a trainer/behaviourist would be best advising you on the steps you need to take to resolve the problem. It is possible that your dog may need medication to help him with the separation anxiety as well given the level of destruction that's happening.

Happy Birthday! Hope it is a special day with lots of love and laughter coming your way!

What great news for you!! I think we definitely need more photos so that we can see Emmy therapy at work!!!

Poor lab, just not built for speed. Love the sound of thundering whippet paws!!

My mother's gardener went to horticultural college with him, he apparently knows nothing about plants or it seems not much else. Except how to market yourself onto TV.

And that is why I spend so much time reading and watching everything and anything because you never know what little bit of information you can take away for later! But geez sometimes it is hard to get through the waffle!

For Jazzie and Jed :D

I believe LCK got a lot of people stirred up over comments he made regarding the death of the trainer at Seaworld. He seems to have a liking for waffle!!!! :D

Like I said "some interesting ideas"!!! I occasionally run across his blog from other sources and he does seem to run off a little with his own "expertise" and opinions. It seems he gets most of his ideas though from Kevin Behan who espouses some very different ideas about dogs IMO :D such as this piece about YAWNING. I'm not sure that this article can purport to be much else than fiction IMO.

I do hope you can get some answers, keep at it until someone (vet) listens and acts. I agree it is important to start with the physical before starting to look for anything else. What is Loki's appetite like? Does he interact with you normally, as in does he want to play with you or Wylie? Write down anything you can think of that is different from what you would consider normal, so you have it as a reference to look to. You could in the meantime try some T-touch/massage work and/or an anxiety wrap, if you can find a therapist who can give you some pointers in what to do, as a first step for non medical intervention prior to vetwork.

It's stupid, but I just couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong with my password on my laptop. I made both logins substantially similar, no deception. Although if I ever say anything really stupid I'll blame it on the other Aidan. OT but thank goodness you've posted that explanation. I've been quite confused lately, because these Aidans sounded so freakily similar. Was thinking maybe you had a clone or stalker!

This is a blog from Lee Charles Kelley BLOG Some interesting ideas and thoughts about why our dogs chase moving objects.