loeka

Awwww shucks! I didn't know about this! I've been out of the country for awhile so I haven't checked the forum in eons. I would have loved to go! D'oh.

Late to the party but HAPPY BIRTDAY MISSUS DAISY!!!!

I looked at their site and it looks amazing. Unfortunately they were booked solid but I will keep them in mind for next time. Good suggestions! I haven't looked into any of them but it would be the next step : )

RANDCMOORE31 - I gave dontfretpet.com a call and they sounded great! They might even have a minder for us - it depends on how well they match my profile but it's looking good. So we'll see how that turns out. It's a bit more expensive than a kennel but it's at somebody's home. To be honest, the idea of him staying with a family and another dog sounds way better than a kennel. I really hope this works out! Moggill Pet Motel might have a place too - has anybody had any experience with them?

Thanks to everyone who replied! I really appreciate it. Unfortunately, I can't cancel my trip (2,300 dollar flight :p ) and I haven't seen most of my family for two years so it's not an option. However, my partner is thinking of changing *his* dates if we can't find a suitable kennel for Christmas time and kenneling the dog BEFORE Christmas. So we'll be able to swing something if necessary. Kirsty - thanks for the PM! P.s. if anyone has any more ideas, it'll be uesful for further reference or any other dolers who are looking for a kennel : P Cheers!

Hi, I'm looking for a good boarding kennel or a petsitter in or around Brisbane (am willing to travel!!!). I've never had my dog stay at a kennel and unfortunately the one that was recommended to me by my trainer is fully booked during Christmas. I'm looking to board my dog for three weeks over Christmas because me and my partner are going back to Europe to visit the family. I'm pretty nervous because Loeka's still young (11 months) and he's not the easiest dog in the world (anxious/reactive). To be honest, I don't want to burden my friends with this responsibility plus I don't think I can trust them ; ) Also, speaking of anxious, *I* am worried about putting him in a kennel for three weeks. Do dogs really not mind it? I hear people tell me their dogs LOVE the kennel and have SO MUCH fun but I don't know. The kennels seem pretty small and "complementary walks twice a day" gives me shudders (seriously? are "free" walks supposed to entice me to use a particular kennel? I'd EXPECT a kennel to exercise the dog?). I've googled but there are so many kennels out there and I have no idea which one is good or not. I'd love to find a kennel / someone who could continue to train him 10 minutes in the day and has experience with anxious dogs. Distance and price - it doesn't matter as long as it's rocks loeka's socks! Thanks in advance to anyone who replies Cheers!

Will definitely see you tomorrow! I think Loeka might have a bit of a crush on Daisy : ) He kept wanting to look at her as we walked away. Or... he wanted her dumbbell. I'm not sure haha...

I agree, it was super interesting. I learned a lot but, above all, some of the things really worked. The changes it made in my dog were *absolutely amazing*. I think the great thing about ttouch is that it can't hurt and can only help. And so far, I've seen it help heaps. I'll be sure to try some of the stuff tomorrow at obedience!

I'm going as well. I'm taking loeka with me and even my partner is interested in coming along. It sounds super interesting.

Ah yeah, I remember the staffy! : ) Good try! It was hot as well : P Looking forward to seeing more pics. It can't have been easy getting good shots with such fast moving targets.

Great pictures! Were you the one who competed with a collie and another dog? I was hoping someone would put up pics of the afghan hound. I was absolutely enthralled by the hair!!!

Good question. He's nearly 11 months.

That's an interesting story because it kind of describes Loeka's reaction at times. But I'm not experienced enough to tell the difference between these different types of behaviour. I wish I could record him during training/walks/home. Thanks for the reply! Right now, I am absolutely concentrating on building his trust in me and working on his focus on me. There has been progress but it's still a long way to go. Prevention is also key - keeping distance from dogs/people, really getting him to focus on me before he even sees the other dog, turning around and walking away... But there are still reactions, even when I think his focus is completely on me. (For example, during training, he might all of a sudden bark or lunge after a dog he was oblivious to before) It's very frustrating and it makes me anxious at times. Do reactive dogs get better over time? I hope to one day go into agility/flyball so I really hope so : P As for dog owners, I think most *humans* are my problem ; ) I tell people who come to my house: ignore the dog, let *him* come to *you*, don't let him jump on you, don't let him nudge you for attention etc. I had an incident happen a few weeks ago where a friend of a friend (so in other words, a stranger) try to alpha roll my dog because he had "seen it on Cesar Milan". I was absolutely fuming - I still think about that and get angry about it. The reason why? Because he was playing with his best friend, a beagle, and they play quite rough and the guy thought it was too much?!

When you break it down like that, it makes so much more sense to me. So what are some ways of building social confidence? I'm just curious - I will wait until my behaviourist "diagnoses" the dog further before trying out various exercises.

No worries! I hope you feel better. I did keep my eyes open for a white and tan beagle : ) Next week is a brand new week! I think, by the sounds of it, he is showing quite a bit of fear aggression. E.g. stranger at the gate = bark. Human with big floppy hat = bark. White mastiff-type dogs and boxers = bane of his life (I don't know why he seems to loathe those types). I still have so much to learn and I worry way too much about this dog. Well, it's definitely time to see her again then. And yes, she's fantastic. I'm looking forward to seeing her again.