moosmum

My oldest girl does that,she also rouses on anyone who doesn't listen when I rouse. If the big dogs are playing rough round the smaller ones she will herd the littlies under the car and make them stay there,tells me if the horses have got where they don't belong and alerts me to anything she thinks needs my attention by poking me with her nose and growling. She is Aunty scarey Lou to every one.

That would not fit the behaviour in this case,the pup had been badly injured by adult dogs previously and was very nervous around other dogs,here to gain confidence with my bitch.I missed seeing it happen but rushed out when I heard the pup scream.Was told the reason by those present at the time(visitors who owned the staffy. ) In both cases the "victim' would have been acting more like prey.I just don't see why sit on it?

Just remembered a few incidents where a dog who appeared to be "after" another animal or dog,instead of biting or attacking just sits on it? I've seen this a few times,once with a dog who had my cat cornered and last time a 1yo. staffy who sat on a dobe pup. Anyone know the significance of this behaviour?

I have to confess that the Toy poodle didn't participate in the dispatch of that rabbit. She sure was interested in digesting it though. Just showing it can be done: Thought that might be the case I've used pics on dol before tho' to "educate' about poodle.My O.H specificaly to show him a standard poodle.He thought they were all toy or mini. He was amazed!

Great pics,the differences are huge! Love seeing the poodles work. I like the reactions I see when they make some comment about poodles being pampered sissy little lap dogs and I tell them they can be highly intelligent working dogs and I think they are great. it just suprises me that so few know of that side to the breed. Very sad realy.

I keep working dogs as pets because the temperament and trainable intelligence is compatible with my life.After having a dog like that growing up,its hard to accept any thing "less". I tried non working lines and found the hard way they would not do at all for my needs when I had to stop a fugitive who had just held a family at knife point from entering my home while I was alone with 3 small children. They are personal protection dogs who have the run of house and a huge yard.They share their space with free range chooks,horses,cats and often other animals,little dogs too.They are pretty much constant companions is all I do and I love that they pick up so quickly on things. They look out not only for me but the other animals,alert me when some thing needs my attention and often try to help out. Most people comment on how affectionate they are,and find it hard to believe they are capable of being otherwise.My children were raised with them,had the usual parties etc with the dogs not needing to be confined even then.We have never had a child hurt by a dog,but a son bit the dog as a pre schooler. Some of their lines are living quite happily in cities filling the same function,some trained in P.P.some doing obedience and agility etc. They go to dog parks and are not a problem..2 huge boys have been known to ignore little dogs completely even when being attacked. They are very pampered family pets who do a job when needed.I know these dogs will not let me down. BUT... They are not for every one.Their needs for training,socialisation,mental stimulation and lots of companionshipship have to be met.To me, they are very easy to live with and train,far easier than the non working lines,since the more they are taught the better they learn.We are very familiar with this particular line now and that makes a huge difference IMO. Some are laid back and some pretty full on/ reactive,but with the early ground work while they are growing up even the reactive ones are safe family pets. I don't believe they are suited to 1st time dog owners or those who have no real committment to turning out a well rounded dog.

I'm not. Me neither,but whats the go? No possums to keep the eyes and voices closer to the door? ;)

I have had plenty of weird experiences that tell there is more going on than some people choose to believe. No one can claim to have all the answers. All that tells me in is that there is a lot we will likely never understand,but its pretty cool anyway.

They have won a convert!

Such a shock to lose a dog so young and suddenly. I agree with Aussie lover,check the back grounds as much as you are able. I would imagine there are a lot of factors that could influence the immune system,but personaly I would have to put genetics at the top of the list and would always check on the level of line breeding. Thats not to say your breeder is at fault,There are far too many unknowns to form an opinion on who,if anyone should be held accountable. So very sorry for your loss.

4 dobes and 2 yorkies work out fine here,big and little are not the problem.I need to keep 2 female dobes separated,both very dominant girls who were not raised together and are fine with others as long as they are recognised as top dog. Also good with chooks ,cats and horses.

Hi Aussielover, I think you are doing a great job,Mindy shouldn't be too bored as she she does sound like she gets a lt of mental stimultion. As for your Mum,I had a similar attitude for years after my 1st dog died...no other dog could fill his place.It was very unfair on the dogs and I recognised that but couldn't change it. Once I finaly got over that years later,I made sure it would never happen again by keeping more than 1 dog at a time so none ever have to live up to another.They are loved for themselves and not expected to fill a hole. I think your Mum is just not ready for a dog again yet.

When members of the general public do the right thing in researching their chosen breed to be sure it will fit into their life style and look around for a breeder,most will assume that the breeders are regulated in such a way as to be constantly improving the dog.In all ways. A dog with some times centuries of selective breeding behind should be a very clearly superior specimen to a dog with accidental breeding in its whole back ground. After all,a breeder has chosen to be a custodian for their breed. When these people unfamiliar with the real dog world bring home a puppy with health or temerament issues,or simply does not fit their expectations of the breed standard as they understood it Then find they have no recourse from a breeder who proves to be less than ethical, it does nothing to improve the situation breeders are facing more and more. Its all very well saying"you didn't do your research".That does nothing to make it better.Especialy if they chose their pup from the most decorated of lines. This must realy get up the truely ethical breeders noses some thing bad! While breeders allow those unethical members to conitnue,there will always be people wanting to criticise who have grounds to do so. Maybe a constructive thread on what action is expected of the controlling registries to over come the problems, and become as near as possible,beyond reproach.

I have not often seen this behaviour in my own dogs,usualy we just see concern but one who did show this happened to have pretty extreme prey drive. Since then its hard not to think its conected.

I've had plenty of Dobes that would be fine for 1st time owners,though I do think they are happiest and show their best with lots of mental stimulation companionship and lots of affection. Of those I have now,I wouldn't recomend them for 1st time owners since they have a huge need for being an active part of their family group with the mental stimulation that brings.(and affection ) They can be very fast reacting dogs with a lot of confidence and are very intelligent with a strong protective instinct,( as opposed to aggressive),so some experience in training and socialisation is needed if they are to live the sort of lives they are best in,as protective companions in almost all we do.

I have always left my dogs indoors while I'm out from a very young age and have had few problems,none serious. It was little trouble for us to puppy proof an already child proofed home. They had a couple of toys only that were saved for those times,older dogs for company,water and their own beds.It was treated as no big deal and the dogs did not see it as a big deal either. If you can feel confident you know your dogs and their reactions when you are out,it can be done.You will slip up.We took only calculated risks so slip ups were very minor.A chewed electric cord,(Unplugged)a novel and one of them had a party with chips and apricots.Any chewed up bedding was their own and shoes etc were just not in reach.Thats for upwards of 14 dogs in the last 30 years,so its not just 'we were lucky'. We have never had a problem with toileting indoors for any longer than 5 weeks after getting a pup,but the odd wizz in the doorway when we return lasts longer. If you know your dogs and take care to manage and forsee problems,it can be done.Theres not much room for error,but you are the best judge of how practical it is for you.

Hi, Just more encouragement from me. I had similar problems with one of my girls,now 3 yo. Was a terrific dog in so many ways,but very reactive and like an A.D.H.D child...She learned very quckly,but holding her attention for any period of time was impossible. She was so good so far as general rules of the house went,few problems there,but very reactive and very quick about it too.Getting her attention at those times was very hard. Understanding her drives better thru' posts here on DOL was a great help,along with other little tips that were simple but had never occured to me. I found 2 things that helped me most was a)being more consistent and expecting more rather than less. Ie. She must sit quietly before her food and wait till I say its o.k to eat.If the rule is no sitting in front of the fire,that means always! getting better discipline in other areas that were not considered a problem gave her more discipline in all areas.and b) when I reward her behaviour its only after she focuses on ME,not the reward. She still jumps up on visitors and is not perfect,but gets better and better all the time.She now loves her training sessions and the speed she used to use for distractions is now used for good rather than evil! I like watching how she POPS up from a down to a sit like a jack in the box.

The author of the book was not the author of the letter to the paper. He did tell the story of how it came to be written,re print it in its entirety, and name the writer. It could be one of Koestlers books but if so i'm at a loss as to which one.

My oldest dobe does. She has a look we call her crooked smile and she gives herself away every time,tho' its very rare for her to slip in any way. When she was 1st speyed she was a bit incontenent for a while and the poor girl always looked so "humiliated?" The other time that sticks in my mind is before she was speyed she would have false pregnancies. One day I came inside to see her on her bed with this silly "crooked smile". I turned to see the other dogs all giving me their" I wish I had some of that" looks. I checked to see what she had gotten into but there was nothing I could see untill I looked in her bed. She had stolen an egg from the goose and had it under her "armpit". Our younger boy will do the same,but not as obviously. He only gives himself away when we notice something wrong,but we do give him the benefit of the doubt with other dogs just as able to be the cause.

Yes please. Arthur Koestlers name sounds right,but I can't find reference in his book list that sounds right.

World War 2 in Brittain saw citizens having their dogs PT in mass numbers "to help with the war effort" in conserving valuable resources in those difficult times. Thousands of dogs a day at times were being put down This would have continued unabated but for a letter published in a a major Brittish paper at the time which virtualy halted the practice overnight. I read this entire letter about 20 to 30 years ago in a book and would very much like to see it resurected. It would be an invaluable tool even today for anyone concerned with any aspect of dog welfare or even bred specific legislation. It would be a great letter to have at the entrance to any Pound where people surrender their dogs. It was a powerful and emotional plea on behalf of dogs and some one,some where must have some idea how this letter can be found. Being so long ago,I can't remember the author,but some details may help. It was a male who lived in a rougher area of London during the war years,and sounds like a man well able to handle himself.The book was predominantly this mans life experiences and dogs featured heavily,often having their own sections. He was an asscociate of Jack London and may have been one of those well known in anthropological circles such as Konrad Lorenz,Desmond Morris,Niko Tinbergen and Arthur Koestler. I have an idea this author had a more European sounding name,I remember thinking he may have had a hard time in Brittain war time due to his name. I think he mentioned his dog being a Bull Terrier,possibly named Jock (who chased some rough thugs he was having trouble down stairs and away from his appartment) This is all very vague but I think this is a valuable,historical document that should be found. This quote is attributed to an unknown author " He is your friend,your partner,your defender,your dog.You are his life,his love,his leader.He will be faithful and true to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." I am fairly certain this is a small part of the letter I am seeking and the author is actualy a very well known identity,mentioned by name in this book. It would be great if this letter can be found in its entirity once again. edited for spelling,but not well!

Sounds like a selfish spoilt brat. Her sentence might actualy do her some good. Its says the dog was rehomed.Why didn't her B.F just re-home her?

Yay Gamby!! I know just how you feel,and I would like to thank all the trainers who regularly contribute to this thread. I have had questions answered I didn't even know to ask and learned heaps. Moss at 3 yrs seems like she is coming out of a very long adolecence. Now she responds with the speed she used to reserve for any distraction and is learning faster than I ever thought a dog could be taken so casualy(as opposed to doing regular formal obedience classes) So nice to have her listening to me 1st,not the 'roos poking their heads out from every 2nd bush here . Thanks people!!

Gotta admitt thats a good point. Mine may bark on command but theres nothing intimidating about that bark and i wouldn't want to teach them to bark so obviously at a person.

I taught mine to bark by...Barking 1st! They learned it in seconds and like that that one! And a reward of course.