fermanrique

K9: why is that the only game you can play? how about fetch, frisbee, chase me? K9: You may also be reinforcing the teeth action lol... I would go back to your behaviourist and explain your problems. It very much sounds like you have leadership problems. K9: rememeber the dog can never start the game... Yours thinks he can,. K9: I was going to say that it seems like a lot of work for your mum, until I read she was 81! My god stop giving her all the work to do! Put the dog outside for the time out... Did the behaviourist come to your home and do they know your 81 year old mum is doing laps in and out of the room? If they did, get a PROFFESSIONAL to help... I did have a behavourist/trainer come out to the house. She saw the dog's interaction with both mum and I. I have a spinal condition and also find it difficult getting up and walking (not that this has hindered any and all training that I do with Micky) But have spent a GREAT deal of time with Micky, we walk (i USE A GOPHER) for an hour an a half in the morning and an hour in the afternoon. I also spent about 5 minutes, many times during the day training using the Clicker method. He has taken to Clicker Training like a duck to water. I have also being doing the TOT from the time he actually started learning things. He does not have a problem learning new things, it's the modification of the old, bad habits that I'm having the problem with. The advice she gave me was extremely helpful, I was just wondering if the Ecollar would be of any benefit in his continuous training, but from the comments and opinions I have heard, it is not something that would help Micky, if anything I think it might make him worse. We do play other games besides the one that gets hi over exited, he loves to play fetch and I have taught him to 'give' with no problem whatsoever. Regarding my mum and ALL the work, she still goes out to lunch 3 times a week, is still driving and the door she has to walk thru is three steps away from where she sits. I would not expect a frail 81 year old to have to try and control a boisterous 2 year pooch:). So thank you for you advice, I really appreciate all comments, and I'll take heed of not playing games that would promote him using his teeth. MM Micky Moo, In my experience, the behaviours that you describe can be stopped using an e collar. And I think that it would be especially useful if you and your mom experience some mobility issues as you don't actually have to be next to your dog to discourage unwanted behaviours (such as barking to get attention). For me the question is more about whether is worth spending the money on an ecollar when you could first try other simpler deterrents such a spray bottle full of water. Bottom line is that if the behaviours are affecting your or your mother's quality of life then they should be corrected and as I said at the beginning of the message a ecollar (if properly used) can discourage your dog form bitting and barking.

I was reading recently about the tallest dog in the world and the fact that there is a bit of controversy between the current Guinness record holder (Giant George) and the previous holder (Titan) as the owner of Titan claims that George was incorrectly measured. http://blog.titanandfriends.com/2010/02/20...ant-george.aspx All that, and the fact that I regularly met an Irish Wolfhound in the dog park (that must be over a meter tall) made me wonder what would be the tallest pure breed dog in Australia? Does anyone know? Any suggestions?

Hi Hannah, I can't find the location that you mention. Could you send me a link?

In my opinion ECollars are one of the greatest tools to support a training program but be careful! 1- Educate yourself before you buy one because an e collar in the wrong hands can seriously affect a dog. There are plenty of good resources online. 2- Buy the best quality available. In particular avoid the cheap and nasty Chinese models that are sold on ebay as they don't regulate the amount of current and you can injure your dog (also they are not reliable at all). You must buy from a reputable brand such as Innotek or SportDog (the one that I use). 3- Pick the right Model: you want a collar that you can provide different levels of stimulation so it can be adjusted to your dog (dogs respond different ti different stimulation levels). 4- Find the right stimulation level for your dog and don't exceed it. 5- Never Use the E Collar if you're angry with your dog. And remember and e-collar is just a tool, you still need a training program! I've bought mines online from the US as they seem to be A LOT cheaper than if you buy them locally. I don't know why but you can buy a good one online for under $200 + shipment and you pay over $400 for the same collar here. RSPCA does not endorse the use of these collars but they are clearly wrong. I have seen these collars used to allow problem dogs to live happily in society that otherwise would have been surrendered as their owners couldn't control them. So for me is better to have a loved dog living with their owners rather than a problem dog in a shelter that is likely to be euthanized. A site that I like that use training collars and have lots of videos is http://www.sitmeanssit.com/

First time posting in this group and I hate to see how belligerent some GSD owners/breeders can be and how lost people get talking about lines and angulations. I love my GSD because his intelligence, loyalty and more importantly his character. He is a very confident dog that can handle any situation without been fearful or aggressive, he is a dog that I can leave with my family when I'm travelling and I know he won't hesitate to put his life on the line to protect them. He is a dog that loves my little kids and is incredible patient with them. He is a dog that adores me and follows me from room to room only to be close to me. That is why I love my GSD and not because he is from German lines. Below is a picture of him and my Mastiff relaxing at the beach yesterday

A picture of my Mastiff Tequila and my GSD Lobo relaxing at Bayview beach yesterday. Tequila is 15 months and lobo over 2 years old.

Agreed! I have a Mastiff and a GSD and I really don't want to know how much I spend! Dry food, meaty bones, chiken necks, slamon, sardines, treats, heart guard, advantix, vaccinations, vet visits, etc! I know is probably a lot more than I should spend!

And you also have the Japanese Mastiff (Tosa), the Korean Mastiff (Dosa), the Argentinean Mastiff (Dogo Argentino) As I understand the Japanese, Argentinean and Brazilian Mastiffs cannot be bread in Australia due to their temperaments. The Tosa was bred for fighting, the Fila to chase slaves in the jungles of Brazil and the Argentinean is mostly used for hunting. I personally like the looks of the Argentinean Mastiff very much.

Hi my male mastiff was 20Kg at 12 weeks, 45Kg at 6 months and 70Kg at 12 months. He is 14 months and I haven’t weighted him recently but I expect him to keep increasing weight slowly until he's fully matured at 3 yrs old. His father weights 100Kg so I think he will be around that weight. My dog has never been fat (but he is very muscular) which is important as fat dogs put unnecessary stress on their joints which is likely to result in future problems. Why do you have the pup from 6 weeks? it should have stayed with his mum until he is at least 8 or more weeks. I have referenced the following growth chart often and based on that my dog would also be under weight but in reality what matter is the structure and soundness of the dog rather than the numbers. (different dogs grow at different rates) Mastiff Weight Chart Male / Female (in lbs) 8 wks 29/24 9 wks 33/29 10 wks 36/32 11 wks 40/36 3 months 45/39 4 months 60/50 5 months 80/65 6 months 100/80 7 months 125/90 8 months 140/100 9 months 155/110 10 months 165/112 11 months 170/115 12 months 175/120 13 months 180/122 14 months 185/125 15 months 188/125 16 months 189/125 17 months 190/127 18 months 192/127 2 years 205/135 30 months 210/140 3 years 215 - 225/155 - 180 4 years 220 - 230/160 - 190 5 years 220