caffiend42

great, thanks guys. So MM and akita, what's the order of the command - show the food first, say the command word (whatever it is) then give the treat? So "ok" wouldn't be a very clever release word then too, eh? We've been using "leave it" when we put the food bowl down - he'll lie down about a metre from it and stare at the bowl. We can walk away and he'll still wait - having said that we haven't left it for anything longer than 30 seconds at this stage as we're building up to longer. And then "ok" to release. So seeing that has worked quite well and quite quickly, we've been using "leave it" in other circumstances, such as scratching closed doors, his head in the fridge as soon as it opens (not that THAT works!) I think a high 5 and both paws up too would be good. Myszka - how did you teach the giving a kiss to another person? He's got the "hello" and "wake up" kiss down - he loves licking OH's shaved head and chin stubble. Also, what are the basics for agility? This last one perhaps should be its own thread? Ta again!

also check out the snake bite thread by raz - her dogs got bitten recently and survived.

kewl I was hoping you'd reply Sam! Yep, love the push ups idea, then we can all do them together With the shake hands, yeah he seems to be left dominant, but will also offer up his right soemtimes too, so that's cool. Might try also doing a high 5, as long as it doesn't look like "Heil, Fuhrer"!! Also, when we get the new pup, are dogs a bit like elder siblings where some behaviours go backwards a bit upon arrival of the new kid on the block? We're expecting the new arrival would be a bit of distraction for a short while so he may not be as responsive, but I guess its all about giving both dogs quality individual attention.

Howdy folks Need some advice on improving some current more tricks/commands for Indy and some new ones. I don't want him to get bored, so I need to up the challenge here. I've had a squizz at some of Toilet Duck's tricks, but I think some are not appropriate until he's a bit bigger ie like jumping over your back or thru arms (not so keen on those 2 anyway) Ok here's what he can do so far at almost 4 months (just slightly over 7kg or about half adult sized) so I don't want to push him physically too hard, but mentally he's as sharp as a tack. Most of these are great inside except going for a wee or stopping before crossing the road , pretty good on the whole in the front yard, and average out and about where appropriate due to his nose ruling. sit leave it (meals, and sometimes underpants ) gentle (take things from your hands gently) - or stop biting! The latter just gives an insolent stare! go for a wee shake hands (he's a leftie, just like mummy!) lie down up (balancing on back legs) - this is still new, and really just a lure with treats speak (one bark) stop before crossing the road (no actual voice command here, just stop when I stop) Not that great when the nose is to ground. Go get it and Bring it back - both good inside, but not so good outside quiet (ok need help with how to do this one) stay (sometimes still working on that one) currently doing roll over - he's about half way there after about 15 minutes in two sessions. As a gimmick, I wouldn't mind getting him to bark twice when 2 fingers are shown, and to do the "play dead" when you "shoot" him - just don't know how to do those. Any ideas, especially for improving current ones, or is this not too bad at this age so far, and will they gradually improve with greater repetition? I'm not anal about him getting it right every time, but the safety ones are important. Also how do you get a dog to accept food only from you? ie lets say someone chucks something nasty over the fence (worst fear). How do you prevent him from eating something that hasn't been given to him? He's good with"leave it/wait" at feeding time until we say "ok" to release. ta heaps - off to bye bye sleepy nigh nighs now

oh no!!!!!! RIP little guy - surely he's not the end of the line for your future plans?

liver treats but lately ice cubes seem to be doing the trick. What the... :rolleyes:

I saw my first ever whippett on teh beach last week - what a dude! Ran flat knacker straight at anything moving, then pretty much everything you've said but the sit - was brilliant as it was having so much fun! Sorry no advice though, but I was impressed!

Indy is now 11 weeks old. The first night we got him he slept on the floor in the bedroom, and had his crate door open as well for him to use that, which he also did. The second and third nights he had 2 dogs visiting, a mother and son, so they all slept outside together. That worked very well. Since then (that was Xmas eve and Xmas day) he has been with us during the day, inside and out, and he goes outside when we go to bed. We give him a chicken wing/neck which keeps him occupied for a short while and when that's eaten he may do maybe 10 minutes of whingeing, but it's a bit half hearted and he doesn't bark during this time. Until 2 nights ago he'd wake around 3.30-4am, and if it was persistent whingeing (over 10 mins) we'd go get him (trying to coordinate with a quiet period) and bring him to bed with us. He'd do about 10 minutes of happy licking, sniffing out the best place to lie down, and then he'd go to sleep until it was time for all of us to wake up. On weekends, it might be about 4 hours between wees - he has not once weed in the bed. On the whole, he's been fairly independent - that's not to say he doesn't cry when we leave or be really happy to see us when we come home. The neighbours have said he does cry a bit when we go, but it settles down reasonably quickly, and he hasn't been crying when we've come home, so that's a good sign. We want Indy to be used to being outside for a number of reasons - We don't want to "completely" puppy proof the house (it's good enough when we're there and he's supervised, but not enough to leave him inside by himself), it's actually slightly cooler downstairs than it is upstairs when the air con isn't on, and we want him to be used to outside as we will be doing a fair bit of camping in the Dry. For us it's been trying the "controlled crying" and it seems to be working - so far. I'd give that a go, and have a chat with your neighbours so that they understand, if they're approachable. Good luck

hey caslero - how is it possible to have leftover king prawns?! I'll be over at your place for your next party then!!

Hey folks, I was under the distinct impression that even if dogs liked going swimming, they usually didn't like baths. Yep, sure, it's a temperament thing, but boy was I surprised when we gave Indy a bath yesterday and he took it like the little dude he is! The only thing he insisted on was having his front paws on the edge of the tub so he could look out. He also didn't mind when we gave his big floppy ears a good going over (being careful not to get water inside). How do your dogs react to bath time, and what tips have you got to make it easier? Sounds like so far we've got it good with Indy (touch wood). And doesn't he smell nice, with his coat all soft and shiny! Just wanted to know even if he's not too perturbed by it all that we can make it as pleasant experience as possible. Ta heaps!

A bit of cooked white rice is ok, eh? And what about mashed potato? I've read somewhere that potato peelings are to be avoided, or is that ok? And same for carrot peelings? And I've seen garlic is good and garlic is bad too, and same for grapes? :rolleyes:

OH had his wrist operated on in August - occupational therapist recommended massaging the scar as often as possible as DA has said. Also had a strip of pure silicon plastic to put on at night which is said to reduce scarring - though occasionally it would also cause a little bit of rash where the silicon stuck to the skin. Might give the aloe vera a go...

I've read that pups should get egg yolk only until 12 mths of age? Not sure what's bad about the white?

I've seen vests on a few online pet supplies shops - seem pretty reasonable prices to me. What price a life? Try www.ozpets.com.au for one, or hit google. gemibabe, the dog in Darwin story sounds more unlucky than highly risky. Sure, if it was in one of the creeks or billabongs I'd be shooting the owner, but if it was in the harbour it's more unlucky. Darwin Harbour is supposedly quite a bit larger than Sydney harbour - yes Parks and Wildlife pull the snapping handbags out and relocate them fairly regularly (ie on average about 150-200 per year of mostly around 2m which is fairly small), but you'd have a greater chance of getting stung (in stinger season) than getting gnawed on. We're on the harbour on a regular occurrance kayaking and I haven't had reason to freak out...yet!