kiesha09

Yeah that is exactly what I was thinking Ness. Its creating a rock solid stay/wait but I'm babysitting them by telling them to sit first. I need them to make their own choice and that is to stay inside the door without telling them anything. THink I'll re-watch crate games this week and go through that program again, just adapting it to the door.

My first 'official' training session for my door dashing problem has me stumped. Both dogs have a very good wait and stay so when I set this situation up at the front door they were fantastic at it. In fact they didn't go through the door once without my ok. I practiced with each dog individually on a long line (so there was no more accidents), asked them to sit about 2 meters from the door, went to the door and opened it. THey both stayed easily with the door open for a good 3 -4 minutes. So I made it a bit harder by walking out the front and pretending to do things outside. Again they stayed. I continued the progressions of throwing food out the door, throwing toys outside, there was even a German Shepherd walking past and I ask the owner if he wouldn't mind walking past a few more times to help my training. Both still stayed. I even danced around like a loon outside, running up and down my drive way etc (the neighbours now think I'm wierd ) and they stayed (chip even layed down, looking at my like I was wierd too). The only additional progression I can think of is setting up 'visitors' to arrive or leave - which might be a bit harder but I'm certain they will catch on pretty quickly because I'm sure they get the concept. However, my thinking is that they certainly get the concept when it is set up like this (they have a long line on and there is only one dog at a time), plus I'm there to give the ok not to go out the door. I'm not convinced that they will then relate this to not going out the door if I'm NOT there. Do you think if I keep going with this training and am 100% consistent with not letting them through the door without my ok that they will start to catch on that they cannot go through that door even if I am not there?

Thanks everyone for all the replies. I am definately going to manage this situation from now on and have put up a section of my puppy pen restricting access to both the front and garage doors. Then tonight its onto some door training. Lesson 1: sit before going through the door and recall in the front yard.

Thats probably a good option

YES! what a good idea- like a gated porch.... This actually could be an option since I have an archway leading to my front door

Yes the council is very stupid indeed They have been doing it since I moved into my new house (my old one had a front fence) which was 2 years ago. But in that two years they have probably done it 6 times. Each time it has been when visitors have come to the house and have accidentally let them out. My garage has two doors on each side so I can easily lock them out of it thats not a problem. There is a door from the garage to the house and when I shut it today it obviously didn't lock in properly and they pushed it open (they really wanted to come in the car). So I try hard to manage the situation and generally they are great for me with sitting and waiting... but if I'm not there to give the wait command or visitors are there its a different story.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I have always made them sit and wait at the door which they will always do while I'm there. But its more if the door was left open or came open (as was the case today, completely accidental) or with visitors that they need to know not to go past that door line. Really they just need better door manners in general. I have actually already done crate games with both dogs, but it probably wouldn't hurt to do it again.

My dog was today hit by a car. Luckily she is ok and the vet seems to think that she just has soft tissue damage and bruising but should be ok. When I was at the vet I was so shaken up yet relieved that I forgot to ask some questions. I know I have to keep her quiet for a few days (at least 3) which is fairly easy at the moment because she is so sore!!! But once she starts getting more back to her normal self when should I introduce excercise again. She is a fairly high energy dog so it's going to be hard with no excercise at all. I was thinking some short walks (on lead) in 3 or 4 day (if she is ok then) would be ok. What do others think? Even just today I have noticed that if she has short walks around the house she is much looser than when she stays still in one spot for too long

My dogs have a bad habit of dashing out the front door out onto the street. I don't have a front fence and the council will not allow me to put one up. Today my girl was hit by a car when the garage door came open and she ran out onto the street. Luckily she is ok and got off with just bruising and is very sore (at this stage thats all it appears to be according to the vet). However, this has been the real wake up call that I needed. It is completely unacceptable behaviour and for both dogs safety I need to do some training to stop this. So I am wondering what things people have done if they have had door dashers or even to stop this in the beginning? I want them to know that under NO circumstances are they allowed out the front or garage door without the ok from me. I also don't want to have to give them a command at the door like wait or stay so they don't go out because for example if I have visitors they may not know to give the command. Any help would be most appreciated.

I wish I'd known that I would always feel a tad guilty for leaving them when walking out the front door!

My dog has started sneezing alot - particularly in the morning when he wakes up. He probably does 10 - 15 sneezes at a time. THen in the afternoon he is sneezing more than usual but definately not that much. It started yesterday morning when we first woke up. I don't think it would be something lodged up his nose since he hadn't been outside (like grass seed or something) as he would have begun sneezing the night before I would think. He is perfectly fine otherwise. He's still eating, drinking, playing, no discharge from his nose. Any ideas what it could be?

So from all the discussion I think what I am getting is that the triennial vaccine is much stronger than the annual vaccine. Is this correct?

Also does my head in Sandra777 your explaination was exactly what I was getting at. Eg if the dog hadn't been exposed to certain antibodies it may have a low reading for them and therefore appear to have less immunity. I'm with you Rommi, I just want to make sure my dogs are covered but don't want to over do it. There is just so much conflicting information out there that I now have no idea what is what or what I should do. I would be happy to go to the 3 yearly vaccine, but is everything covered with that?

I have heard lots of mixed messages about titre testing as to its effectiveness. But this is definately an option. Just not sure where in SA they do it? What do others who vaccinate do?

Hi, My 4 year old dog is due for his yearly vaccination on the 14th January. However, after reading some information on the topic I am questioning what to do. He has been vaccinated every year so far but I think I would like to move to the 3 yearly vaccine but am looking for some more information on it. Is it just like the yearly vaccine but 3 times as strong? To me this would just defeat the purpose of moving to 3 yearly. Or do others just not vaccinate for 3 years? If this is the case how do you get around things like obedience clubs etc. who require vaccination certificates? Any help and advice would be great.

Whatever toys you use just make sure you rotate them everyday and change it up otherwise they get board of the same things all the time.

Are both dogs desexed?

I'm another that would recommend woolmix. Not only do I not have rashes and things anymore but one of my allergic dogs has gotten rid of his itchies since I swapped to it. Could be worth a go if the one you currently have is no good.

I started training with the doggy door the day my puppy came home. Nothing cuter than watching them stumble their way through as puppies Now she goes through at a million miles and hour and if I do lock it off (while I'm mopping the floors etc.) will headbutt it as she tries to fly through. Made toilet training a breeze!

You sound like you are doing a good job. And I second the 'poor puppy' comment! I would begin by working up to increased lengths of seperation very slowly. Maybe even start at 15 seconds, then 30 seconds, 1 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes etc. So very slowly so that she knows that you are coming back. Also when you are seperated from her make sure she has something of value, eg a stuffed kong, or raw meaty bone to keep her occupied. If she is so stressed that she won't even eat these while you are seperated from her then you may have either gone too fast or could be a case for a veterinary behaviourist.

My dogs hyperactivity was reduced dramatically when I started feeding him BARF. COuld be a coincidence but I do think barf had something to do with it. Also after a few days he stopped chewing everything! It could be that his chewing needs were being now met with the raw meaty bones. So I definately believe there were behavioural changes in my dog.

Where can you get this test done?

Everyone has given you great advice so far. But when I really think about it if it were my dog I would definately be seeing a vet even if it was for my own piece of mind. I would want to check that there was not some underlying condition that is triggered by the Advantage. Yes it all seems coincidental but I think its better to have it checked out than be sorry later. ETA: I hope that Osca is feeling better now!!!

Fence them off quickly!!! Yes your garden might look unattractive for a while but at least it won't be completely destroyed I moved into a new house a while back with my 2YO and 3YO dogs and I had a LOVELY landscaped garden. I didn't fence of the garden beds and now all thats left is two lonely bushes and a whole lot of dirt At least fence it off until the plants are established.

I have heard great things about TopSpot kennels as well. I'm going to have a look soon for future boarding.