Jen

good news! Wiggles has finally found his new home

very well written...thankyou. I have 6 dogs which are all working dog breeds and in training they all work for what they can get as individuals. They definately do not share! This is not a pack. They all do what works for themselves and as for the hirachi it changes all the time depending on what they are doing. One might be boss at food time while another is boss of the ball. Yet a different dog is boss when it comes to the tug toy. It all depends on what is most important to each individual. Once again this is not pack behaviour and so when it comes to training them it is silly to work with pack motivation in mind. Instead it is reasonable to think what is most important to each individual and work with that. This is why we need to understand the pack or not pack theory after all. Thanks for your post

I would definately be interested in Vic as well.

thanks Jules. got it. will check it out jen

he is great with my 2 cats. They sleep together at night. Unfortunately I dont have that option of trying to retrain him. after the first incident that was my plan however now the farmer is insisting that I get rid of him and I can understand that. I did try to talk to the farmer about retraining him if I was to ensure he doesnt escape again but he wasnt prepared to risk him getting out again and is insistant that the dog either is put to sleep or removed from the property. I am lucky really that all my dogs did not join in. I have 5 others which are border collies and kelpies so if they had followed his lead it would have been much worse. I have to respect the farmers wishes and sadly this lovely little dog really has to go. this morning I heard from another neighbour that 2 other people in the street have had their dogs let out as well. It must be kids playing a prank but I wonder if they realise that it has cost the lives of a sheep and now probably this little dog

I blame myself although I cant work out how they got out. They havent escaped again so I really doubt that they got the gate open on their own but if I hadnt had him off lead the first time he probably wouldnt have learned to chase. Its always hard when you dont know their history. I have been training him out in that paddock for about a month and the sheep have always been there. for some reason this day they ran and I was doing a sit stay off lead with him. Needless to say he didnt stay and worse still he didnt come back when called. Now he has learned to go after sheep his only chance is to find a home in town where sheep are not a problem. I really dont like his chances. Such a shame because he really is a great little dog.

the first time I was training him off lead in the paddock next door when the sheep ran and he took off and chased them. By the time I got through the fence to grab him he was already attacking one. I blamed myself and have only been training him on a long lead since then, however yesterday morning a neighbour came over and said all my dogs were out. The gate was wide open so I dont know how it happened. all my other dogs, which are working breeds were just in the driveway however this little buggar had gone into the next door property and out their back fence and was attacking the sheep. It amazes me that they werent all in on it. I guess the others didnt work out how to run around and through next doors property. He really is a very smart little cookie however, it is also his downfall. One of the sheep needed to be put down and I cant blame the farmer for requesting that he is gone. The farmer has actually been very reasonable about the whole situation.

I have a 1yo fox terrier foster dog who needs a new home urgently. He has started flyball training and shows enormous potential. Unfortunately he has been chasing the neighbours sheep and the farmer is prepared to let it drop provided the dog goes. He is a lovely little dog and very quick to learn and he has tons of energy. If you are looking for a great height dog and you dont live anywhere near sheep, this dog is perfect for you. I have to rehome him immediately or have him put down. He has been desexed and vaccinated etc. and is house trained and good with other dogs and sleeps with my cats. I dont have kids but I doubt he would be a problem with kids as he has a lovely temperament as long as you dont baaaa. Jen

Hi, I have kelpies too, so I know that they can be rufnuts. Have you thought about buying a livestock water trough or if you hunt around you may even find a water tank that is the right shape and size. It would be much stronger and you wouldnt need to worry about them damaging it. Jen

I have just been watching a story on 60 minutes about dogs being able to detect a persons cancer. I believe one of my dogs saved me just like the dogs in this story. I had a freckle on my arm for years and often had it checked over those years by several different doctors who all told me not to worry. My dog kept licking it and she seemed obsessed with it so I went to another doctor who agreed to remove it just to shut me up and it was a level 3 malanoma. dogs must truely have an amazing sense of smell! Jen

Hi, if food doesnt help then you need to find out what it is she really likes. You can train her on your own at first and find out what food she wil do anything for. I have had heaps of clients tell me that their dog wont work for food. I have a border collie who was also like that but you need to find the food she loves and teach her to enjoy it. If you really believe she is not food orientated then teach her to play. Whether it is a ball or a tug toy you can teach her to play. It takes time but once she learns she will be addicted then it is time to let other people interact with her as well. If she is afraid of men, then let her start with females that she does not know. gradually introduce those that she is uncomfortable with. I still believe that you can make any dog food orientated in time as you can with play. you have to take this very slowly with a dog who can not trust but believe me it can be done. Jen

Hi, I had a similar problem with a rescue kelpie I had. I got every one who came to our house to give her a treat. At first they would throw it on the floor because they couldnt get close to her. Eventually, and it took months, she would take food from people at the door. You have to leave some treats available near the door all the time and tell people in advance so they understand to come armed with food and to speak quietly and calmly. If your dog doesnt like food from strangers you need to find something that she really loves. maybe a something really special like a chicken wing or a toy. Remember, she has been afraid for a long time and it will take a long time to change, but it can happen. Good luck, Jen

try [email protected] Jenny makes all kinds of harnesses to order. She may be able to help and she is in Aus. I have a couple of flyball harnesses that she made and they are very good and she even embroiders the dogs name on if you want. JD

hi Luke, I had the same problem with one of my kelpies. One day I was so frustrated that I took off my jumper and put it under his belly to make a sling. I held him in place while I stuffed him with heaps of treats and praise. It worked. Wasnt long and we had a really good stand. He couldnt do anything else but stand because I was able to keep him in place. Maybe its not the best way to teach stand but when you have tried everything else, I fail to see how this can hurt to give it a go. JD

thanks ness, I think i might try a thermo and if he gets that off I will try a horse place. JD