Agility Dogs

Tormented? 1. Jumped all over and hurt by an over exuberant dog twice his size. 2. Dog just wants to say hello - 5 or 6 times in a 10 minute period. Fair enough, we are in a dog park but sorry, peeing on my dog is not just saying hello. 3. Being humped by a dog that he doesn't know and has not approached. A more experienced owner than I was when all this happened could possibly have prevented a lot of it, but the dogs that did this were all being rude and I don't think that it is fair to ask any dog to tolerate this sort of behaviour. In hind sight I have to admit that I probably contributed to CK's problems by over-reacting at the time and when things go wrong these days I approach the problem in a much different matter.

LMR you would probably take it seriously as well if you had just had to spend years working with a dog that had been the subject of out of control dogs making mistakes. I made a mistake and learned from it - we don't go to dog parks any more and haven't since the third time my boy lashed out after being tormented by other dogs. (He has never injured another dog, but does not tolerate physical rudeness and will tell off other dogs. I'm not prepared to put him in a situation where he feels the need to do this and is at risk of the other dog retaliating to his telling them off.) Mistakes happen, that's fine, but its when people don't learn from them that I have an issue and I am going to take shit (at least we agree on that point) like this seriously and speak my mind in the hope that at some point someone actually realises that for some dogs it is not all over when they walk out of the dog park. The OP said their dog 'has a go at everyone' - that implies a pattern of behaviour they have not learned from and are prepared to tolerate or at the very least just hope goes away without really doing much about it. If the behaviour has only happened once then I am happy to stand corrected and hope they take the advice that has been offered. Otherwise I stand by everything I've said.

That doesn't mean people who knowingly take bad mannered dogs to dog parks should be encouraged to continue doing so. You're right. I've just noticed that lot of people on here complain about dog parks....yet they persist on taking their dogs to them. There are risks involved, bad/rude/dangerous dogs all falling within the ambit of possibility. I take my dog to the dog park, I do realise that other dogs may cause problems, but he's a male Rottweiler. If I had a small dog, I'd never take it to a dog park. This is exactly why we don't go near them any more, my dogs just don't cope in that environment so I don't ask them to. Anyone who knowingly takes a dog that 'has a go at everyone' to a dog park is part of the problem and should be judged accordingly. Once might be an accident, twice a coincidence, but three times is a pattern.

And the other one.......

I'm glad there is not such rule here in Brisbane. Our club is very proud of our shirts - the first thing that a lot of new members do is buy one!! (not my shirt in the pic!)

IMO you are putting this dog in a situation it can't handle and as a result are putting him in serious danger. It is only going to take him trying to hump one dog that takes serious exception to it and you may find yourself with a nasty vet bill (or two) on your hands. You need to stop putting the dog in this situation or manage his behaviour more closely so that he doesn't get the opportunity to monster other dogs. A dog like yours (just wanting to play, but being very rough about it - no aggression) hurt my young border collie serveral years ago and it took me a good 2 years to undo the mental damage that one incident did. Please don't let your bad mannered dog ruin it for other dog owners.

Great work. Isn't it awesome when something like this just clicks. I reckon we get more out of the challenging ones out the ones that 'just do it'. Can't wait to hear more!

I've only read your post, but there is no question in my mind. Cost is irrelevant to me, but if I were happy with the lines the pup came from I would take on a pup any day of the week. I have only total admiration for rescuers and some of the stories are amazing, but for me I will only ever (never saying never) look for pedigree dogs from known 'families' in the future.

With Wikki I started about 3 years out and softened her up over time. Now that Wikki has been with us about 18 months I've started the process again!

There ya go trying to confuse the kids again!!!! Surely CK and X have done it a few more times than the Wooomonster so it would be a much more conditioned response for them than the new guy who has not done it as often or for as many years? Have you ever driven a European car? How many times did you turn the wipers on to go round a corner? Might it be a bit the same with these guys? That plus the improving training skills mentioned above! LOL - definitely. The bit I found interesting is that they have followed the handling cue I was using even more times, but they didn't get that. I like the analogy of the European car - sadly my experience there stops with a 1980 Ford Escort. ;)

Isnt' that funny!? CK, Wizza and Andy (his sister who went back to Tag's breeder) are all exactly the same. Wikki (same Dad) is very similar as well. Some people say it is a lack of drive, I think the drive is there, I've come to the conclusion that its just a matter of 'letting' them display it in their own time and manner. It's taken a long time, but CK is almost at the point where he is going ot overtake Xena in agility ability.

1. Don't put him in a situation that he is not comfortable in. Don't allow him access to kids or kids to him. Keep him away from other dogs that he is not comfortable with. 2. Find someone who can help you with the issues he has. An obedience club may not be the best place to get this help - often it is not what they are there for and the instructors are not qualified/able to help. Good luck with your little man!

My vet has recommended both advantix and a tick collar because the season is so bad for them. The girls are on proban until my supplies run out (vet hates it, but I know it works), then they will go onto the same regime. Just need to make sure that the cats don't get near the advantix - it is as effective for them as it is for ticks. Also - there isn't much point in putting the spot ons on a clean dog apparently. The way they work means that the dog needs some dirt on it for the poison to spread across the body. I'm sure someone else can explain better than I can - just what my vet told me.

Uh huh. Woo has had better skills for several months than the other two did when they started trialling. Her foundations in everything are SOOOOOOOOOO much better than the other two.

All 3 of my dogs prefer to turn to the left which is unusual. (Sheesh, you'd think at least 2 of them they were related.... ) They are probably better than most at turning either way because of their agility training, but the older two especially are slower at turning the 'wrong' way.

Had in interesting session this morning. At flyball we taught the dogs to run away from us, turn tight around a stick and run back. It was shaped and was always the one way. I thought this morning I'd do something a bit different and play that game in the park. I'd forgotten that I had taught Wikki (18 months now) to do that a long time back so all 3 of them were able to go to the stick, turn around and come back. (Rounding the sitck in an anti clockwise position.) Then I thought I'd teach them to go the other way. X and CK were just hopless - after 10 goes at it they would still default to the behaviour they know. Wikki got the 'new' behaviour after one or two goes. Interesting - I thought that the better trained dogs would pick it up more quickly since I was using a very clear agility handling cue that they both understand very well, but no. By the end CK and Xena were better at it than Wikki, but the actual learning was interesting. They never cease to amaze me with the different way they learn! Part of me wonders if the older two have not 'learned to learn' or if it is because the behaviour associated with the stick is that much more ingrained in them?

agree with this . ABSOLUTELY. To put this in a bit of context, I have always told my students not to work their dogs for any more than a nominal 2 minutes. At the ADAA Grand Prix we did 2 minute practice sessions before competition started. VERY few of the dogs - even the experienced ones could work for 2 minutes without their brains exploding. I know obedience is a bit different, but for a 6 month old puppy I'd be asking for a lot less than 10 minutes before having a rest. (Not having a go at anyone who has suggested this, just giving another perspective.) Think of it this way - can you stay fun and interesting for 10 minutes? If not then why should you dog stay interested for that amount of time.

Yep, I walk/train them every morning and most nights (when we aren't off to club training.). It is relaxing and my favourite part of the day.

this is how our dogs are. They have very limited interactions with 'friends', but are quite comfortable in the presence of large numbers of controlled dogs. Out of control situations are a little different.

I'd be talking to your vet/specialist about it. I know of a couple of BC's and a Kelpie that have competed successfully for years after surgery. I also know of dogs that have reinjured or injured their other cruciate after making a come back. I guess like anything it comes down to understanding the risks and weighing them up before making a decision.

I don't doubt that for a minute - one of the reasons I know I could never be involved in rescue, but from the very scant information in this thread it seems to me that the lady is perhaps not thinking clearly. Not everyone has the ability to be cold, callous and calculating. I've spent the last 5 years watching an incredibly cabably woman descend into a state of confusion and despair that most of the people on this forum would not allow one of our animals to live in. I think sometimes we need compassion for more than just our animals.

The other thing to think about is if she is moving into a retirement village she may be under a lot of emotional strain and a little understanding probably wouldn't go astray. People make strange decisions when they are under a lot of pressure.

We consistently take enough gear to trial with 3 BC's in our territory. Pros - nice level of comfort. LOVE the turbo engine in the older model(no, I haven't grown up). Cons - LOVES to chew fuel (but I don't pay for it so it doesn't matter). Build quality is DREADFUL. If you don't care how fast a car is I wouldn't buy one, I think there are better propositions out there. I love the car though and am going to keep it when our lease runs out.

LOL. No to number 2 - very careful to make sure that the dogs all get what they need, you idiot to number 3, but number 1 could be part of the puzzle. Rowan has seen a marked improvement in his flexibility and movement in the last 3 months. We had also tried a magnesium supplement for him which may/may not be part of the puzzle. Funny - you could have had him very cheap no so long ago. Imagine that - giving away a dog that can achieve a .2 flyball start without any handler!! I reckon if ever we get back to flyball there'll be that much pent up frustration that he'll rival the Coopmeister.