Red Fox

So? Booting a dog in the ribs and roaring f*** off is probably considered disruptive and anti-social as well.. Personally I'd rather be disruptive risk my dog. Did you not read Trisha's blog post? The whole point is that maybe you don't need to be disruptive and anti-social. Why is it so hard to just put that one in your tool belt or some such? You people know dogs. You ought to be able to judge if an oncoming dog is likely to be distracted by a handful of treats or not. Use your common sense. Consider that you've got a dog coming towards you that you don't know and may meet again and you're planning on scaring the crap out of it. Ask our gas man how that panned out for him. I'm not trying to tell anyone what to do. I'm just saying, hey, here's a nice technique that could help you. If you'd rather boot dogs and scream at them, that's your choice. Yes I did read the post. My thoughts are this; A dog that is a threat (ie charging with intent) is not going to take treats, he doesn't want food - and I'm not going to take chances. A dog that is just being friendly/nosey (ie would take the treats) is not a threat and easily shooed away with little to no fuss anyway. If another dog is threatenting mine I'm not going to dilly dally around trying to be polite, nor am I going to kick a random dog for doing nothing wrong.

Don't leave him alone around children/strangers. Pretty simple really...

So? Booting a dog in the ribs and roaring f*** off is probably considered disruptive and anti-social as well.. Personally I'd rather be disruptive than risk my dog. "Here's a familiar story to everyone who has had a dog-dog reactive dog: You're out walking in the neighborhood, your own dog responsibly on leash, when you look up and there is a ___________ (pick one: set of Golden Retrievers, Jack Russel Terrier, Black Lab, trio of Dachshunds) charging toward you and your reactive dog. Many yards behind the oncoming bundle of doom, the owner waves and smiles, shouting "It's okay!!! They love other dogs!!" Meanwhile, you're not fine at all. Holy moly, now what? You know your dog is not going to react well, and you know the other owner has no control over his/her own dogs, who are running toward you." I've found yelling back "yeah well mine is NOT friendly" at the other owner works a lot better than throwing treats around. It's also much more entertaining.;) efs

Me too. Or if I'm feeling particularly generous - homebrand mackeral in tomato sauce.

So in 25 years of breeding you've never had anyone agree to the contract then not follow through with desexing? How would you 'enforce a contract'? What if the buyer wished to leave a dog entire and NOT breed? Or wanted to allow the dog to mature before desexing? There are multiple reasons why a person may not want to desex their dog, breeding is only one of them.

Why not keep it simple and to the point? ; All pet pups are sold with a desexing contract and must not be bred from. That said, how do you enforce a desexing contract? You can screen your buyers. You can offer an incentive (ie, refund on proof of desexing), but you can't force an owner to desex or stop them from breeding the dog once they have it. Why not desex the pups before they go if you feel that strongly about it?

Less chemicals, less often. It's safe and effective to give at 6 weekly intervals (up to 45 days between dosage) if you're consistant with it.

I currently use Interceptor once every six weeks for my Ridgeback, however am thinking of changing to ProHeart tablets (monthly) and only treat for intestinal worms if/as needed. Just a few questions for those that use it; Can you crumble it up like Interceptor or does the dog have to take it as a chew or tablet? Are the active ingredients similar? Is it safe to give it at 6 weekly intervals? (ie recommended monthly, but okay to give up to 45 days). What's the safety margain compared to Interceptor? Any known side effects? Recommendations for a suitable intestinal wormer to use in conjunction with the above. Thank you.

Vebo Pet sell replacement trays. http://shop.vebopet.com.au/store/plastic-dog-tray-medium.html

Well, that describes the mutt next door to me quite well

Clean Run have some at fairly reaonable prices. They come up on free post now and then. Otherwise these are excellent and very affordable - Cool Collars http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/POLAR-COLLAR-COOL-PET-DOGS-PERFECT-HOT-DAYS-/250822263780?pt=AU_Pet_Supplies&hash=item3a662c03e4

Thank you. I am planning on ordering one of those pens shortly too.

I'm presuming you mean a soft crate if he chewed through the walls? I'm looking for a metal one.

No rush, some time in the next few months.

Dju, I know there are cheaper crates available but some are absolute crap. Not something I'm willing to risk with a large dog. Heidii, that's what I'm worried about. A flimsy crate is of no use to me.

Has anyone bought a 42" (or larger) crate from the seller All Pet Homes on eBay? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/370273165932?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 Looking for something solid, secure, no sharp edges or flimsy wire, under $150. I do like the locks/catches on the above crate and the price is good, just not sure of the overall quality compared to say the puppy power or Vebo crates? Thanks.

That's the only one on the list I don't have. Stupid time zones, everyone else had beaten me to it while I was sleeping! Me too I am seriously considering buying it from Clean Run, as well as the book, if they can give me a better deal on postage than $40.48 Maybe when I've finished with it, you can have it. :D Try Dogwise, postage will be less than $20 ;) http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=DTB943 http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=DTB1048

Yep. I have worked my dog many times on the prong collar whilst also using a clicker and treats. It's there as an added means of control if needed - not so I can slam my dog if he gets it wrong. MRB: Killer whales are not dogs, the expectations are different. They perform in a tank under controlled circumstances. I don't see too many in peoples backyards, or being taken for a stroll down the street.. Yet society demands that ALL dogs should behave reliably in public, around children, other dogs and the elderly - regardless of training or temperament. If you have a large reactive dog first you manage it, then you can play around with roast chicken.

Shit

Great Rugs can custom make you a bed in any size you like for well under $100. eta http://www.greatrugs.com.au./store/index.htm

I agree Huski.

I did. And that quote to me, in the context that you posted, implies two things; One, that you cannot teach a new behaviour via positive punishment. And two, that this is the only way in which a prong collar (or check chain) can be used. As I said, anyone who harshly and physically corrects (or "beats") their dog for something the dog does not understand is an idiot. And prong collars have a multitude of uses beyond simple corrections for misbehaviour. The OP is not a newby. Prong collars are not easily accessable to those without a clue anyway. Any tool used incorrectly can stuff up a dog, including a clicker. Any collar can be misused too - if you're an idiot.

If it's classic quotes you want I would like to quote the second best animal trainer I know and the person who has inspired me the most when it comes to understanding animals and training for the love of just training:---Mr Monty Roberts For a young boy, it is a long time before he knows his alphabet. A longer time before he can spell, and maybe years before he can read distinctly; and yet, there are people who will get on a young horse, entirly untaught, and undressed, fancy that by beating and spurring, they will make him a dressed horse in one moring only. I would love to ask such stupid people whether by beating a boy they would teach him how to read without first showing him the alphabet? Sure they would beat him to death before they would make him read. - Monty Roberts Errrr so you think that using a prong collar is akin to beating your dog? If so then you obviously have no understanding of the tool or how to use one correctly... Prong collars have a multitude of uses beyond simple corrections for misbehaviour. Besides, anyone who harshly and physically corrects (or "beats") their dog for something the dog does not understand is an idiot.