Brennan's Mum

Jaffa? the lollies are orange ;) Rouge

I had to work hard with my German Shepherd on her jumping. It took a while, but we got it under control. We did NILIF and she learnt that jumping did not get her attention..also made sure learning was done in a controlled environment which set her up to succeed. That said, if she is over excited she is at risk of jumping-- simple solution- I step back and no one approaches or pays her attention until she is calm. I think given that you have children, you definitely want to get on top of the jumping-- Good luck with it . Your dog is going to be a member of your family for quite a few years, grow up with your children and assuming your children have friends over- will be exposed to other children. Good Luck with your training, it can be done..I struggled with it for a while, but once shown by a trainer it all fell into place rather quickly.

Just a fun thread. I am curious to know if other DOLers have found they notice certain breeds more since being on DOL. Doesn't necessarily have to mean you want to own that breed, it can just be a breed that you are more adept at identifying since joining DOL, or one that you have more of an interest in. For me the breeds which I have noticed more are; Finnish Lapphund (admittedly pre- DOL I had not heard of them and would have thought one to be a Husky cross type dog). German Shorthaired Pointers- have more of an interest in them since DOL. Border Terriers-- I first saw one in a movie 3 years ago..and thanks to the movie and DOL I am now more adept at recognising one. I think they are spunky little dogs . None of these dogs are one I'd consider owning, but I still have an interest in them and can identify them more easily.

He is gorgeous, congrats on the new arrival :D

Just because a few people have gotten in trouble in China does not necessarily make it a dangerous place.As with any place I am sure it's about being careful, making sensible decisions and being respectful of local customs and laws. I'm sure given that LMS is returning the dog to her parents she will be quite safe . Foreigners say the same about Australia- dangerous with all our poisonous snakes/ spiders and sharks in the ocean- and yet I think most of us on this forum are living proof that it is possible to survive in Australia ;). Good Luck LMS, just make the phone calls you need to, make notes when you are speaking to people, and also make note of the name of the person you spoke to, and what time/ date. That way if you have any differences you can always refer back and say 'xxxx said on the 9th of August that......''

I don't support the ban, and have tried one on myself (but not on my dog).

I've admitted several times that I *used* to be a slightly smug 'ONLY PR' person. I had ( and still have) all the book,and 'liked' all the FB pages which promoted PR and called for bans on the 'vicious evil Prong collars' (as well as E-collars/ Choke chains etc). However, once I opened myself up to a more balanced approach, hired a behaviourist with an excellent reputation..my thoughts changed. I tried the Prong collar on my arm ( could not fit around my head ). I had the behaviourist pull on it..and then I had her 'yank' on it-- I asked her to do the worst case scenario- yank on the prong as hard as you can....and it did not hurt- I had no marks or all. In fact I could not believe how little it 'hurt'-- after all, this was the 'big bad prong collar' I had spent the first 2 years of my dogs life judging. I then had the trainer do the same with the Choke chain...and as others have said-- it hurts more.

or own a dog that would benefit from one? I have often been berated and belittled on this forum for having used a prong collar on my dog but until those people have had a dog like mine was, i refuse to let it get to me. I have never seen a single one of the nay-sayers own a dog who was even a 10th as aggressive as Zero. If people follow k9 pro like a cult, consider me the temple priestess. He was the ONLY person I went to see who taught me how to get results with my dog and after having had 3 well respected (and 1 not-so-respected) professionals tell me that my dog couldn't be fixed and that I should have him PTS, i wish i had put a prong collar (teamed with the fantastic rehabilitation program developed by k9 pro) on him sooner. Yes, they are not for the normal dog, but if Zero and I had not had access to them, Z would still be sitting in my backyard, scared out of his mind instead of being the wonderful, loving and gorgeous dog that he is now. The simple fact is that I tried purely positive methods with my dog for 18 months and got NOWHERE. He could do all the obedience work under the sun in the backyard but the second i opened the gate, he would not take food, wasn't interested in toys and was in such state of over-arousal that nothing i could do would interest him. I have seen him try to kill his own shadow, react to even a chihuahua in someone's arms (that i didn't even notice!) with explosive aggression and had 3 of my fingers dislocated (one of them at both joints) when he pulled me through a gate to get to another dog, not to mention the injuries from the multiple times I was pulled off my feet. Even my extremely strong cousin had difficulties holding him back. I tried head collars (and for the record, won't ever again after seeing the damage it did to his neck!), martingales and no-pull harnesses and saw no positive results - i often see people who come to our obedience club with these tools whose dogs spend the rest of their life wearing it because they don't understand that it's a training tool, not a fix-it. Zero only had to wear the prong collar for 12 weeks and went from being a dog who couldn't even think he saw another dog without reacting with extreme aggression to a dog who could attend a group obedience class without so much as a growl. It has now been in my cupboard gathering dust for over 2 years. Do i believe they're for the average pet owner? No. I would be happy to see them regulated so that you had to consult with a behaviourist to be allowed access to one but banning them will only stop people from using them on the dogs that truely need them, like Zero. A lot of people on this thread had met Zero in the fur - is he afraid of me? No, in fact, quite the opposite. Is he shut down and oppressed? No, again, quite the opposite. The use of the prong collar allowed him to see that there were other things in the world and so he didn't have to worry about the things that frightened him so much. He now has a lot more freedom. If people want to debate on the matter, bring it on. I can show you a dog where every other method failed. I can show you a dog who even well-respected professionals gave up on. I can show you a dog who may have ended up being PTS without one. And i can show you a dog who has had what Cesar Milan would call "red zone aggression" who has been rehabilitated to the point where he was able to become an accredited therapy dog. What Shell has done with Zero is nothing short of amazing ( and no I am not one of the people who has met her and Z).

I'll get the camo robes cleaned and ready for the prong collar worshipping ceremony May I suggest a change in slogan too-- something that will recognise the Cult that is K9 Pro

Wow, I don't think there is a Cult. I think people respect K9 Pro because of his knowledge, skills, and the fact that he is very accessible to people- I know having recently opened myself to a more balanced training approach that the team at K9 Pro have been fantastic- very supportive, have shared their knowledge and helped point me in the right direction. Having ordered something from K9 Pro I can also say that their service is second to none in the speed of which the goods were delivered, and the communication I received letting me know the status of my order. So, if that make me part of a cult following then sign me up *Goes off to check her wish list on the K9 Pro web store*

I agree with others about the many tools more readily available which are used incorrectly such as Choke chains, Head collars etc. Education is the most important thing...dog owners should be encouraged to seek out assistance on proper use of any tool from a knowledgeable trainer/ behaviourist. You don't have to use the tool to support the cause. My dog is on a head collar because the behaviourist I hired deemed that at this point in time a head collar is the best tool for myself and my dog. What I support is people's right to use these tools, the right to choose. Sadly there has and always be people who are cruel to animals. Banning prong collars ( and other training tools) will not reduce the risk of animal abuse .

Lol, I have a German Shepherd, and she is beautiful, I love her to bits..but as for the rescuing-- well any dog who is trained correctly could do that . Still, we do have our breeds which just appeal to us for whatever reasons. I can't deny-- I am a GSD girl myself..always have been, always will be. Head over to the GSD thread ( in Breed sub forum). There you can see some DOLers GSDs. We always welcome breed enthusiasts

Hi Muso, welcome to DOL. I am sure some one will answer your questions. If you'd like you could post in the Dobermann thread where some current Dobe owners could surely answer some of your questions http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/99740-dobermann-thread/ There is also a question/ answer ''About the breed'' thread here on DOL which could answer some more questions. Here you can read about the breed standard, and you may find a few questions you have which have already been answered ;) http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/175328-dobermann/ Sounds like you and your wife have differing opinions on a suitable dog size. It's very sad that your wife has had a bad past experience with a Dobermann. Although that said, there are plenty of lovely, well bred, and well behaved Dobermann's out there . Stick around on DOL, you never know..someone may suggest a breed which you had not even considered

Great work on creating the page Bec and K9 Pro team . I believe it is about educating people on the correct use of Prong and other training collars. Education is the key. It's sad that the people who want to ban these collars seem to believe that those of us who are in support of them are 'uneducated' or 'cruel/ don't love our dogs' etc. I know several people who use a prong and not one of them is cruel (and they all love their dogs too ).

Woohoo this was me! Yay Stormie

Second Jane Harper-- absolutely brilliant . Also there is; Mark Singer Adelaide Canine Training Adelaide Canine Training Website Steve Courtney K9 Pro http://k9pro.com.au/

Wow....that was interesting seeing DOL mentioned. I don't think anyone on DOL pretends to be an 'expert' on TV personalities...certainly we all have our opinions on select people in the public eye ;). Though I can't deny that there are those on this forum who are incredibly knowledgeable about all things canine~ it's what makes this forum good (despite the odd 'fight').

I'm sorry, I know its a serious topic, but this made me giggle. I have a vision of a dog frantically trying to open the car door with its paws! Seriously though, why would you need to? (mind you we have automatic central locking so its not really an issue for me.) And to answer the main question, my GR goes in the hatch in the back of my SUV. She lies down and waits for release... Ahh, the next car I buy will likely not have central locking. I just wondered if it'd be useful for an extra safety preventative.

Hi guys, Yesterday I received a skype call from a friend in the USA. His beloved 5 year old GSD had been killed in a freak accident. He took her for a drive in his car ( I think it's a Jeep but not sure), popped her in the back. She fell against the tailgate and fell out onto the road where she was hit and killed . This is all happening to a man who has fallen ill with cancer, his marriage has broken down and his abusive wife ran off and sold their Biewer Yorkshire Terriers ( they bred Biewer Yorkies). So he's had a horrible year . Of course, this is the most tragic event, and my friend is grieving the loss of his best friend. However, I thought I'd take the time to ask DOLers what they do to ensure their dog is safe in their car. I don't have a car, but Brennan has a harness from Big W which she wears whenever she is in a car. I do need to invest in a better one though because no matter how firm I have the harness, Brennan can escape from it which worries me. Brennan is also always put in the back seat. Never in the front. I also make sure windows are only open with a small enough crack to get air flowing through. Not big enough for any dog paws to go through them ( or doggy noses). I know my Mum frequently drives just 'short trips' with her Maltese x on the front seat unharnessed. If she has a passenger she gets the passenger to hold the dog. Which is not something I agree with . So what do you do to ensure your dogs safety in the car? Also what are DOLers thoughts on locking the back seat doors (with child lock perhaps) as an extra preventative method to keep the dog/s safe?

I think the story is very sad, and clearly distressing to some people. Although, apart from the sad story, there is some good information under the 'Lets Talk Dog' tab. I skimmed through the story, not really in the mood to cry.

Glad you and Honey are alright. Sucks that there are so many irresponsible owners out there . Lucky for you having the council office nearby and being able to report it.

RIP Jessie

Hi guys, First time poster in this thread.Will give you a brief ( well relatively so) background. I am wondering if I can join this thread. Some of you may know, but a few months ago I hired a brilliant behaviourist (Jane Harper) to come out and give me some help with Brennan who is fear reactive and would not listen to me under distractions. In doing so I had to change my training methods. I spent first 2 years of Brennan's life training exclusively with Positive Reinforcement ( thought I was doing the right thing ). As it was, I was making things worse for my girl. However, all was not lost and we got in contact with Jane and have now begun a more balanced approach to training. In the mean time we have seen steady improvement in Brennan. She now has to live with me as a leader, and we use NILIF, TOT and heck she has gotten a correction when needed. Our year in Brisbane is over and we are returning home to Adelaide on the 1st of October. Our goal is a small one..well, it will seem laughable to most of you here. But our goal is to begin Obedience classes at Para Dog Obedience Club when we arrive home. A At first we may have to be a few paces away from other dogs, but if I can get Brennan wworking and not fully reacting in an Obedience class setting then we have already achieved a major goal . I will be beginning classes some 6 weeks before they end for Summer, I decided to start because at almost 2 and a half we are already behind, so any previous lessons will at least give us something to work on during the summer break In a small bit of praise, I took Brennan for a walk and we went to the park to practise some recall on the long lead. There were ducks 20 feet away from us, Brennan knew the ducks were there, she had seen them moving-- but yet she ignored them and gave some great recall and sit/stays . All this and she did not receive some food treat ( only praise and physical praise). Through process of elimination I have found Brennan's best training treat is fresh liver. So I buy some, cut it and zap it in the microwave. It's what she seems to work best for.

I think you have answered your own question. If the dog is left distressed when they leave then I'd say no more visits. At least not for a while. Give the dog time to fully settle into your home. Like others have said, the dog is not their dog any-more but yours. Sounds like it was a sad decision, and I can understand they want to know the dog has a good home, but still, they did give the dog up for adoption, and have to accept that the dog no longer belongs to them. Maybe you could email photo's on a semi regular basis.. but I'd leave it at your decision. Maybe one email update with photo's a month (or whatever you feel is acceptable).

my friends' chihuahuas do this to me when i visit. I have been bitten by them. They snap at my dog at training and bark at her just when i was trying to get her confident about going into the shadows. they bite the trainer. Yet it is laughed at because they "are small" by their owners. Why should they be excused from this behaviour when my bigger dogs would be declared dangerous if they did this? Why do their owners allow them to behave like this when I would never allow my own dogs to and would be horrified if they did. So I can well believe that this dog did run growling and menancing at the person. I agree, I don't think size should be a factor. Just because a dog is small does not (or should not) give it an excuse for unacceptable behaviour.