AustGirl

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I'm "down the road" (about 10-15mins) from HarbourTown ... I could've said hi! oh well. I was eye-ing off the whippets tho' because I seriously considered getting one at one point in my life. Then again, if I had my way I would own a Hairless Chinese Crested, a whippet or two, a Greyhound, Boxer, Border Collie, Labrador, Staffy ... yeah. The list won't ever end Next time I'll wear a "HI MY NAME IS" tag (as for the notes, they're gone, lost. i couldn't find the folder... ah well.. i'm aiming to be trained by Steve next year depending on price / time / etc and i remembered everything pretty alright so yeah...) PS I "tagged" myself on the facebook photos. Thank you so much for the photos... Kobe is photogenic! hahaha Aww... no Bella LOL! I'm still editing the video I took of the day. It cuts off at a point as my memory stick ran out of.. well.. memory! hahaha

You and me both! And the Staffy was as well behaved as mine so .. eh... don't apologise to me! I still think my two I brought along were the most evil ( I say that with love of course ) Stay tuned to see if I find my notes! I'm going to make the trip up later today. ..oh yes and I plan to edit the video I took... I'll post the link for those interested too when I get around to it (most likely Sunday).

I do NOT envy you. I'm just glad I finally moved out of Surfers Paradise (after putting up with 6 years of Schoolies that's more than enough for me) And Oceanaussi ... you're right on the mark! From all the reading I have done and in "speaking" with Steve (even if it is only via email at the moment) this is pretty much what he is about.. not "this is how you do X in three easy steps" sort of thing. Nope. It's about YOU as the "ALPHA" having the right mindset first to work with the dog (not against it, not demanding or disrespecting it). Once you are trained it is easy to train the dog It is us that makes it all so complicated... the dogs are fine! Practice makes permanent. That has got to be one of the best little sayings that has come out from the workshop as it's true for us not just for the dogs!

Oh shoot!!!! That would be it ;) I had a bad feeling I did leave it on the roof of the car. Damnit. I wonder if it is worth going back (it's only $30 fuel trip)... ? How far "down the road" from Camp Tailwaggers do you think it was ..? I was soooo hoping it had fell off in the carpark at the shed as then someone would find it. Damnit. In re Daisy - I raise you two dogs who were noisier than Daisy esp. when separated.... the black lab (Bella) half of the two of them who would bark if another dog was getting excited or another dog made an entrance at the beginning... she is a noisy one

I agree. Daisy is NOT the evil beagle. She's an angel! On the other hand, my two... gah!... if one wasn't making noise the other was making noise! I knew they hated being separated but .. DAMN... now they are flaked out back at their home. The only downside is that I have a very very bad feeling I left all my notes (a red clipboard type folder) back at Camp Tailwaggers So if ANYONE has it ... please please please return it ! I'll reimburse you for express postage! Also to the kind DOLer that did bring the extra crate, I didn't approach you for it as they seemed quite fine with being tied out. They didn't cause too many problems thankfully. We were taught how to use a prong collar properly. It opened my eyes up big time as I wasn't a fan of it because I had seen all the pictures etc of the wrong use of it... however after seeing both dogs react positively as such to it (in re loose leash training) ... man I'm converted! Also the dog 2 dog aggression information was invaluable (as it seems Kobe might have some issues with aggression towards "intact" males). So yeah I am very glad I went along. Very glad. I learnt a lot even if I lost all my notes. I still have a lot of stuff fresh in my mind thankfully. Pardon me if I didn't introduce myself more... I was the one in the pink dress with the black lab and the staffy. I tend to hold back at first. Not meaning to be rude.

It's just after 9pm. I'm going to bed so I can early to rise... and meet everyone ! See y'all tomorrow! :-D

Are you serious? Oh dear. The feeding thing isn't too big a deal (as in they won't be hungry but at the same time they are never satisfied) as those two LOOOOVE their snacks (dog treats) however the energy side..... Um. Yeah... HAHAHAHA I will also be arriving be dragged by one or both dogs. hahaha For me personally, I'm ready. I have their tie-outs and the stake to hammer into the ground (I've used it before + they were fine with it). Just that... it depends on them ultimately... I will make the call in the AM when I visit them whether I will take them along or not. Or if I will just take Bella in which case I will need to exercise Kobe to make sure he's tired so he won't "miss" Bella. None the less, I hope it will be a good day indeed! One question... what if neither dog (that I am planning to take) has any favourite toys? The two I'm planning to bring along.. their "drive" is food/treat orientated... not really toys. Time and time again their training comes down to the treats.... they will behave for the treats.

No they have not however they are fine being tethered. I've done that with them many times. Kobe should be fine with the crate ... if he isn't then I will tether him too. I just wasn't aware tethering would be an option. YUP... 24 HOURS AND COUNTING !!! :-D

Hey everyone! I would love to bring along my favourite two dogs (Bella - black lab female + Kobe - male staffy) however their owner doesn't have crates. Nor is she willing to purchase crates since they wouldn't require the use of a crate outside of this workshop. Does anyone know where I can hire a large (for Bella) and medium (for Kobe) crate for the day ? Does anyone have a large and medium one spare ? I do not want the two dogs to miss out on this wonderful opportunity. I paid for my place and didn't receive the email

The Big Bang Theory is one of my favourite shows (unfortunately I've known guys like them in my life - lol) So yes... I loved the clip! :D

K9: I am concerned about the term your using "tied down". The tie out or back tie is a leash maybe 6 feet long, the sit action is offered by the dog, not forced due to Alpha pressure, physical ties etc. Oh.. my bad.. using the wrong term. They aren't "tied down"... they tied out. K9: then he had dropped out of food drive so you wont get the desired result, I would start by moving the food closer. :-) As I said, he would only get "in" food drive once the bowl was on the ground so I've been putting distance after it is on the ground (since this is the only time he reacts). (Distance until he isn't pulling at the leash/lead as much.) I've no idea why he is scared (timid) of me when I approach with the food even tho' its the same bowl I've been using each and every time... and he knows there is always food in it. And he drops out of food drive again when I stand next to him (as you noted due to his submissive behaviour)... Yes Stitch is in a separate part of the yard where he can't distract Russell or go for Russell's food (as Stitch will keep eating and eating and eating if he has his way LOL). K9: Ok but he isn't meant to sit or be placed into a position, he need only give yoiu eye contact & it must be totally offered, not guided, lured, placed or forced. Perhaps disregard the replies to this post & only use the steps I provided. I think I will really have to start with basics with Russell and encourage the family to really work with him. Stitch is the Alpha Dog out of the two and is doing well with TOT. Russell is rather submissive and will roll over showing his belly or go into a drop. I have no troubles getting Russell to look at me at all.. it's the behaviour he does whilst he is looking at me that is of concern to me because I feel that when I say YES ... I'm also re-inforcing the submissive behaviour (as he looks at me whilst doing it). Thus the reason why I was "moulding" him. Ok. Patience. Done :-) I won't say YES until he is looking at me and NOT being submissive. ;-) I think I'll do Russell first tomorrow so I can give him the time he needs for TOT as Stitch is "getting it" quicker.

You guys don't really know me as I have only recently re-started "hanging out" here. I may or may not be coming with some dogs. I look forward to meeting everyone ! I'm hoping I can apply what I learn to a client's dogs esp. the walking on a loose leash part.

This has probably been answered and I've just forgotten the answer. The dogs I am doing this with I have another week left of care before handing back to their family... I did this today. The first dog I know has incredible food drive as he is always trying to eat the other dog's food. The first dog is named Stitch and is Black Lab. Stitch was tied down fine. No qualms about it. How do I know when I have in the "right" frame of mind as such ? He would pull on the tie down then just sit and watch me put the food down. Focused on the food. Should I put it at a distance where he no longer is fully focused on the food? iIs it still Stitch in "Food Drive" if he is still watching the food bowl? Also, he was automatically in sit naturally because he was tied down... did "reward" him with the YES when he looked at me without prompts .. then released him and said OK. The other dog is a Jack Russel. Due to Stitch being such an alpha dog, he is a rather submissive dog. Had Russell tied down and he was fine with that whilst I prepared the food. My first problem is that he isn't used to someone coming up to him WITH the food bowl. He is a little scared even.. but he was in food drive once I put the bowl down.. then when I went to stand next to him he became very submissive. He would "down" or even to the point where he would roll over (thus showing me his belly which I know is instantly a submissive gesture). I would correct him (no words, just moulded him into a SIT) and he finally "got it" that he was meant to be in a SIT. When I said YES (to reward him looking at me without prompting) .. he thought THAT was the "FREEDOM" word and whilst tied would dive for the food. Naturally the food was just out of reach. I would start all over again. Wait for him to look at me .. YES.. and did this a couple of times because he still thought YES was the "Freedom" word (it hasn't been used like that by me). Eventually the little guy got it. Let him eat in peace whilst I distracted (played with) Stitch (who usually is quite keen to eat Russell's food). I hope I'm doing it right. I'll film it tomorrow. I've already emailed you about the workshop etc :D

I would believe it was the music esp. since it was the type of music you were playing. I've seen classical music soothe various cats in my life... so yes I believe the music played a part.

Ok. I read the initial post and have read this entire thread.... I really really wish I came across this method a week ago... actually a year ago! This is how I understand it from reading this entire thread as well as the OP - please correct me if I have any part of this "wrong": For multiple pet households, do this separately with each dog away (isolated) from the other dog(s). 1. Tie dog down 2. Ignore dog + prepare food 3. Continue to ignore dog, place food bowl at a distance where it's "drive" for the food isn't severe ... almost like the food is for someone else other than itself. Once the food it at a distance where the dog stops reacting... 3. Return to the dog (if possible, the right hand side of the dog) do not say a word - this forms the TRIANGLE OF TEMPTATION. Do not be "at an angle" be by the side of the dog. 4. Once the dog looks at you (the split second it does), say YES (or use a clicker if that is your preferred method). If needed, make a noise or use its name however it must look at you willingly. Say YES as soon as it does. 5. Unleash/Release the dog and then say OK -- OK is the key command for "Freedom". Now go inside. If you cannot let the dog "out of your sight", consider doing this inside a garage or inside the house or another "safe" place. If this is not viable, double "tie down" the dog. 1st tied down is secured to a stake or similar. 2nd tie down is secure to a "secure" object. Use the 2nd tie down as your "release". After the first 2-4 days (or when appropriate) REPEAT STEPS 1 - 4 5. Command SIT 6. Say YES once it is seated (or use clicker if that is your preferred method) 7. Unleash/Release the dog then say OK Next Level - TIME REPEAT STEPS 1 - 6 7. Say STAY 8. Once the dog has been in STAY for 10 seconds say YES Increase this time each feed time 10 second to 60 seconds to up to 3 minutes. Also vary the STAY time. 9. Unleash/Release the dog then say OK If the dog breaks out of the STAY before you give the release/freedom command of OK - start from Step 1. Next Level - DISTANCE REPEAT STEPS 1 - 8 9. Now increase the distance between you and the dog whilst the dog is tied down. Increase in increments of 1 - 2 metres. 10. Unleash/Release the dog then say OK Next Level - DISTRACTION When you find yourself able to wander inside while the food bowl sits there UN touched by the dog, you're ready to add distraction. REPEAT STEPS 1 - 9 10. Allow a second dog now to eat from its own bowl perhaps, remain out of site for a period of time, and change the environment to outside the front gate perhaps. These are just some ways to add distraction. 11. Unleash/Release the dog then say OK Feel free to substitute the food for another treasure, such as a treat, ball, toy or an open back door or front gate. It is quite safe to fast a dog for 24 hours to "prompt" it's food drive. When you do, make sure plenty of water is available and it doesn't have access to any other way to procure food. I hope I got the above right ? My question: I'm a Pet Sitter as my profession. Unfortunately, I'm not always booked for long stays of 4+ nights. There are a few clients who may only book me for 3 nights or less. A common problem a lot of my clients have (and thus I can have), is pulling at the leash. Are you possibly able to email me ( [email protected] ) a PDF or something that I can on-send to all my clients ? Also, any tips you can give me to help me establish myself as the pack leader instantly with a dog esp. when I meet them for the first time? Or how I can re-establish myself as pack leader whenever I am pet sitting ? I already ignore behaviour that I do not desire, reward good behaviour (treats and/or verbally), try to tire the dog(s) out thru running/exercise.....

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