raineth

You really have to make it completely impossible for her to get out. If it's not completely impossible, you are actually in effect just training her to escape. For instance each time you do something that just makes it a bit harder for her to escape, but not impossible for her to escape, she learns how to be a better escape artist, and worse how to be very persistent about escaping. It sounds to me like a secure run may be the only solution. In the mean time, only take her out under supervision, including for her toilet breaks and feed her inside. Have her inside as much as possible as she probably doesn't want to escape if she is with you.

awww I love hearing of reactive dogs and their owners having a win! And that sounds like a major win! Well done KHM :)

I thought skin tags could be removed by tying them off with dental floss? I know quite a few Dane folk do that.

naww look at those sleeping Blueys! T, I looooove Tamarins and Marmosets :D

Oh you're in Orange atm How did you go reporting it? I hope they were helpful :)

These are the names that came to mind for me: Aurora Poppy Sage Sophia

here's my week 1

Also we who clearly have and use the Internet, forget that there are still lots of people who don't. Advertising in print media or on the local notice boards gives these people a better opportunity to find a registered breeder. Not to mention that there may be breeders who a,so don't have the Internet, so print media is a more accessible way to advertise for them. There are a lot of things that influence whether a breeder is ethical etc, but in my opinion, where they advertise is not one of them.

Oh no! :laugh:

Aargh! This makes me so angry! Poor Nova I'm really glad you're going to report it. They've always been very good when I've reported dogs that have attacked Del. Don't be overly worried about him becoming reactive as you've put in a good socialisation program's since he was little, and that has most likely made him very resilient to this sort of thing.

I'd like to join please! I have done so little with the camera over the last few months. I'll do 52 weeks of everything, including dogs :)

With some pups you might need to show them you really mean business when it comes to biting. I would increase the 'Ah Ah' to something more loud and growly. Make sure that you don't pull your hands or limbs away as it will seem like play to her. With a very mouthy pup I had, I had to do a very loud and growly "ah ah" and make a fast movement toward him (A bit similar to how another dog would tell a puppy off for being naughty). I then only had to do that a few times and he got the picture. Some people find with very obstinate and mouthy pups that you may need to be even more forceful than that.

Oh Terri S, I really feel your frustration! Can you just tell him you want to go for a walk with him and his dog as a way for you to spend time together as friends now that you both have dogs? Oh and yes, rewarding her every time she ignores another dog is a good idea. Certainly don't ever get nearly at her for being interested in another dog (not that I really get the impression you'd do that) :) If you sign up to a training school it can be a good opportunity for her to get used to being around other dogs, and maybe at the end of class meeting some other dogs.

Yeah it can be hard to find a wide variety of appropriate adult dogs. But I think that's ok actually. Better for her to have a few very good interactions, than dozens of not-so-good interactions. If you are confident with the puppy school then go for it :) I completely agree with not meeting unknown dogs on walks, especially at this age. Don't forget that as an adult she won't be interacting with most dogs she sees, so ignoring other dogs is one of the most important skills she can learn. Training clubs can be great for this also. She can be around other dogs while learning to be a well behaved girl. Just like puppy schools though, they require you to do your homework, you don't want to go to a dodgy one :) Yes you never really know what exactly are in these mixed breed dogs. Our boy was registered as a Dane x mastiff when he arrived at the pound, and it's probably our best guess, but you never really know - just the nature of it with a non pedigree dog :)

that's so wonderful BC Crazy!!! You must be over the moon with that well done Stella! WTH? I think they were having a major silly moment Hankdog to think something like that. What a ridiculous thing to say to you!!! That is really wonderful HD, and Jake has come such a long way big things are coming your way in 2014 by the sounds of it! I would also like to say thank you to everyone here. You guys have all been so helpful. I would be floundering still if I had not come in here and received such sound guidance. you are a great bunch and I am so looking forward to hearing all the more victories that we're all going to have next year! Onwards and upwards!

Hi and welcome to the forum! I also have a Dane x mastiff from rescue. We got him as an adult and he is just a Devine soul. In regards to socialisation, my preference is to socialise with appropriate adult dogs. By 'appropriate' I mean vaccinated, as well as socially appropriate dogs. As a rule of thumb, choose adult dogs that display the behaviour that you hope your girl to display when she's an adult. I would actually be very, very wary of taking her to puppy school. If the puppy school is run well, it can be very good. But if it is filled with lots of uncontrolled play and crazy puppies then it will do more harm than good. It may teach her to throw her weight around, and be a real rough nut... And this is the last thing you want as she may be around 60 kgs as an adult, and it will be a nightmare for you if she has learnt to be rough and crazy around other dogs. Because she will be so big, your main priority will be to teach her how to ignore dogs (most important!) and how to play gently. Ideally I would choose a training school that focuses on training mostly and also includes some controlled interactions between dogs at times. In terms of vaccination, you do have to be careful. You have to balance pup's need for socialisation with minimising the risk of parvovirus. I would keep her away from areas where lots of dogs congregate (parks etc). Only socialise with known vaccinated dogs. With my Dane puppy we carried him around many places. God almighty it was exhausting as he was huge, but it meant he was socialised, in a relatively safe way. Don't forget that socialisation isn't just interacting with other people and dogs... It is also learning to be handled, have her nails clipped, be brushed, get wet, Learning about vacuum cleaners and brooms... All that kind of stuff :)

Maybe try clicker training her, as it sounds as though she really doesn't understand what she should be doing. Start in the house, then progress to the backyard. When she understands the idea of walking on leash in these places it's time to take her out into the world and train her there. It might even be a good idea to train her to walk by your side without the leash and collar fat first (only inside or in your yard) then add them when she has the idea. You could also try just waiting her out, and then click and treat the moment she moves. Progress to clicking and treating her for following you around.

I've often heard that said, but have not been able to find references. Any idea who did the study(ies) and/or where it/they is published? Dr Jeff Craig looks at how and what turns genes on and off in humans using twin studies.

I would happily get a dog from either a responsible rescue org, or a responsible breeder. I would be much more wary of getting one direct from a pound, because it is so hard to establish what the dog is like in a home environment. But if it was my only choice then I probably would get a dog from that environment. I would try and be as careful as possible about selecting it. However, a responsible rescue org or breeder would be my first choice, and I would only consider getting a dog directly from the pound if it was the only option available to me. If I could only get a dog from a petshop or BYB I would never get one at all.

I agree, all I was getting at, is that there is evidence that our immediate ancestors diet does have an affect on our genes. This could also explain why some dogs do very well on a cheaper grain-filled supermarket Brands, and maybe even why some have a more delicate constitution. I just think its worth considering, and I would love to see some good research on it. As all the research I see only focuses on the impact of diet on that particular dog :) I wasn't particularly replying to you Raineth, just to the OP. But I agree with you that nutrition is likely to have generational effects. From what I can figure out many of the ancestors of my breed were fed boiled grain, wheat, with chunks of boiled meat. For how many generations it was that way I can't tell. I have never seen a chronic skin issue and I am up to number 7 of my own. Fussy dogs but strong digestion, not inclined to digestive issues but often skinny youngsters. My bunch anyway, wouldn't dare speak for all. Oh my bad Very interesting what you say though! :) you have Borzoi's or Salukis? Sorry I can't quite remember... I know you're a sighthounds person. It sounds like they have the constitution to make the most of their food nutritionally. I know with my very big mutt Digby, he can remain fat on the smell of a sardine. Obviously this is a trait that can be both a blessing and a curse :)

I agree, all I was getting at, is that there is evidence that our immediate ancestors diet does have an affect on our genes. This could also explain why some dogs do very well on a cheaper grain-filled supermarket Brands, and maybe even why some have a more delicate constitution. I just think its worth considering, and I would love to see some good research on it. As all the research I see only focuses on the impact of diet on that particular dog :)

I wondered (as Megan mentioned) whether it could be a case of owners putting their dogs on BARF because the dog is having problems anyway. I know when my dog Digby went through a rashy stage I tried a few different things for his diet. As for diets and genetics: there is evidence among us humans that our grandmothers' diets, and the diets of our mothers while they were pregnant can turn certain genes on and off in their offspring. This research alludes mainly to women who had little food intake (because of the Depression for example) can lead to certain genes being turned on or off that mean that offspring are prepared for an environment where food is sarce, and therefore to a propensity to gain weight easily. It is therefore also possible that the same is happening for our dogs, and maybe it influences more than how easily your dog will get fat or not. It would be very interesting to look at the influence diet can have, not only to the individual dog, but to that dog's offspring (if any).

Have you considered that these people with dogs that are yapping and lunging are doing the right thing by crossing the road to avoid you? Surely you wouldn't prefer that they pass you in closer proximity? Reactivity is caused by a variety of reasons and can be really hard to cure. Most people who own reactive dogs find it very embarrassing and wish to the core of their being that their dog wouldn't behave that way. So I don't think it's very nice to take such a 'holier than thou' attitude about it all and make the incorrect assumption that every case of reactivity is caused by a lack of training.

hmmm...are you sure he's convinced you've dropped treats? Because it kind of sounds like he could be sniffing coz he's a bit stressed? Just a thought :)

It sounds like she has quite a few things going on for her. She has separation anxiety, she is distressed by change, she is not good with other dogs and can only go to a home with no children or older children. As awful as it may be to consider, because you are clearly very fond of her, she might not be a good candidate for rehoming because of these issues. But I guess it depends on the exact nature of these problems and how bad they are.