Jigsaw

Thank you all for your replies, especially to you Charles with your detailed reply. I did not realise there were such varied causes of heart murmurs, mind you I have not had cause previously to examine them in detail either! My pup's condition was picked up on her first vet check when I picked her up at 71/2 weeks. I hoped that it would close naturally as sometimes happens but also believed she was possibly a little old for this to happen. Diagnosis was confirmed when she was desexed, however vet did not investigate any further other to confirm. I would like to get her to a cardiac specialist asap as I would like to know exactly where I stand. Charles, would you know if there are any cardiac specialists located in Sydney? I know of one in Brisbane that travels to Sydney, but are there any others? I understand that they are few and far between.

My 8mth koolie pup has a congenital heart murmur, Grade 1 to 1.5 at present. The vet has said that she may never experience any problems with it and live a long life or she may develop problems with age. The main worry to keep excess weight off her - successful so far! I have noticed in the last couple of days just how irregular her heart beat is too - when she's been asleep on my lap during cuddles - it doesn't happen very often so I savour it! What are people's general experiences with a dog that has a congenital heart murmur - have they led a long life or has the condition deteriorated due to normal wear and tear in a dog's life? I was hoping to get her to a cardiologist before Christmas but a sudden serious illness in my family will possibly not make this likely to happen.

I'm sorry but you're going to have to keep treating her like she knows nothing - just like a puppy. You'll have to wait until she does a wee or poo when she's outside and really praise her up or treat her or play with her whatever she finds most rewarding. Really watch out for the signs, usually nose to ground and circling. You can say she's house trained when she's not had an accident for 4 weeks! Has she had a full health check by a vet? Sometimes illness can also set them back in their training. Regarding not doing anything at the park, my 8mth old female will never go outside of the backyard unless she has been away from home for the day or something. It happens with some bitches apparently that they will not go on anywhere but their own territory - can be very frustrating at times.

It's pretty thorough actually, very comprehensive - I haven't finished it yet! It also comes with a DVD which I hope to watch part of tonight. Actually managed to get two steps in heel position today but no focus. :p Although am also working on that separately and trying to extend the eye contact time, not easy in the park!

I have a dog that is easily distracted too! I've just been reading Brenda Aloff's "Get Connected With Your Dog" and one method which I tried this afternoon with success, is to gain the dog's attention when they are looking off into the distance by tapping them on the head as the verbal instruction say to "look" is less interesting than the environment. She suggests to keep tapping on the head and don't stop until they look and then mark and reward. Her method of teaching the heel position is to get the dog in a sit and the handler moves into position "heel", mark and reward. Also a bit of tape on your pants leg to show dog where the position is. This is good for my dog (even though we only tried it very briefly tonight) as she has some vision problems in her right eye (and possibly her left). It's a continuous work in progress!

I had the same problem with my pup - she was too young to kennel, fortunately my son was on school hols and old enough to care for her. No options for a friend, pet sitter service or family member to look after pup? Breaks and lunch weren't scheduled so you would have trouble toileting pup frequently.

Sydney training is at Pet Resorts Australia, Galston, Vicki and Steve Austin's kennels.

Sometimes (and always dependent on the circumstances and body language) the leg lift seems to be "huh? what's that?", sort of like they're distracted mid thought while they're doing something. Or am I anthropomorphising??

What sort of dog is it? Not a koolie by chance is it!!!??? They are very dog friendly dogs (I've got one) and I'm still working on the distractions! Have you done any obedience work with him? How long have you had him? Does he have any other dog friends he can play with? Does he walk nicely on lead when there are no other dogs around? Sorry for the questions but it gives a better idea of where you're coming from. Dogs have an opposition reflex so the more you try to pull him in one direction the more he will oppose you, so pulling him away will rarely work. It takes a lot of training to get a dog to the stage where it will ignore other dogs and distractions completely! ETA: Your title refers to a young pup but your post says he's 3 years - how old is your dog??

You could even start with just having the lead on the floor and treating for going near the lead so positive association for the lead. I don't think I'd be trying to grab the dog while its growling it may only excite it further. I'd also be looking at the way the owner is approaching the dog and putting the lead on, the dog could well be reacting to the owner not the lead and has now generalised anyone approaching it to put a lead on. Go slowly starting with positive reinforcement of the lead on the floor would be my first step.

"Get Connected with your Dog" by Brenda Aloff is a brilliant book too. About communication with your dog. http://brendaaloff.com/booksdvds.asp

This is a great page for socialisation points to tick off http://www.livingwithkidsanddogs.com/socialization.html

This is one method of playing tug. http://www.naturaldogblog.com/blog/2007/07...g-on-the-block/ Some trainers use different methods to this mainly to teach the dog self control going from high arousal to calm.

Congrats Jessca, hope you enjoy it. It's really exciting that first package arrival!!

Hi Noodle Nut - all good suggestions with recall. Just another thought as I was reading was your tone of voice when doing recall - sometimes using a slightly higher pitch than other commands may help. Higher voice is more exciting and interesting. Do you use her name first and then "come"? Sounds prettty basic but sometimes the use of the name first then command is overlooked, once she learns to recognise the command you should be able to phase out her name over time. The use of the name will put them on alert and then using a higher voice will attract attention hopefully! Does Noodle play tug? You could reward her with a game of tug when she comes if she's interested in that sort of thing. You could also try using a lure initially like a toy (fur covered mouse or some feathers) on a string to reel in to you fast and attract her attention and then reward with a game, ball toss.

It sounds like fear aggression but this is speculation as I can't see your dog in action! Can only go by your description. Some dogs are leash aggressive. Training at night may change things too, unfamiliar sounds, sights and smells may make her more reactive. She sounds like she is reacting on a very basic instinct level - fight or flight when on leash. If this is so she will have trouble learning while she is in that sort of mental state. Do you have any access to a private trainer or behaviourist who would be able to observe you and your dog, hopefully they would be able to give you some insight into helping you and your dog?

I would say with a 9 week old puppy that the humping is more excitement that is being directed into the humping. Have toys on hand to distract him when he starts humping.

There is one veterinary behaviourist listed in this area: Robert Stabler http://www.stablerbehaviour.com.au/. He is in Cardiff. ETA: I have met him but not used his services.

Bones are high value food. Dogs that won't growl at you for moving a food bowl may growl with bones. The only thing I would do with a food bowl is put more food in it. If you start to move food bowls away the dog will start to anticipate and become more guarded over their food. With bones one thing you can do is have two chicken necks, you can have one in each hand and let the dog chew on one for a while while you hold it and then offer the one in the other hand so dog learns that when you take something away it gets something back. It's very messy but sometimes it can help those dogs that are more possessive.

Whatever you do don't plant mint in your garden - always pot it, it will go rampant if you let it!!! Our first house had wild mint - up to 5ft high!!!

Would a 7 mth old med size dog go on puppy or adult??

At 12 weeks she still has a "baby" tummy and I don't think I'd be introducing frankfurts just yet, just in case - can upset tummies. Her regular dinner or dry food or cooked chicken is usually pretty high value for most dogs and easily tolerated by pups. Be careful when introducing new foods as they can have quite an effect on their digestive system!! Just make sure she doesn't end up with treats and her normal size dinner or she'll put on too much weight!

Found his website - http://www.habits.com.au/pages/home.htm but other than that don't know anything about him.

Does he have any obedience training?? Do you know any past history?? He may have jumped and nipped to get attention previously and has never known any other way to get attention. What do you mean by physically restrain - hand on collar or a leash?? Poss go back to basic obed and high rewards for calm behaviour, lots of pos praise and body pats. What sort of activity was happening when he started to get nippy? Was it play? If play teach him that if he nips play stops until he calms, this can be through a "uh-uh" or "no" and no play or interaction until he calms himself down ie sit or drop, then start play again. Does he have any experience with children?? Suggest if you can you try and teach the kids appropriate behaviour with dogs (if they are at a suitable age that is) if they are not used to dogs. Would suggest you get your parents to get dog being used to being touched all over not just tail (kids usually have no respect!!!lol) making sure that they remain calm, dog is calm and rewarded for being calm and relaxed. Might be an idea to keep dog on leash during first interactions with children if you are at all worried. That's my first thoughts anyway - it sounds like he's never been taught good manners or he may be hyper from being in a new environment!

http://www.patriciamcconnell.com/books-retail.php "Reading Between the Lines" - scroll down the page! "Dog-Dog Aggression" Might have to check them out myself!