lilmisssascha83

aww I feel for you. I have been home lately and notice that the dog out the back is trying to fence fight with Sasha. The dog constantly barks. I take sasha out for a walk,run/training in the morning before work, then scatter her food, treats around the yard so she has to "find" it during the day. Once a week she gets a huge marrow bone or a pigs ear etc to keep her occupied, plus she always has her toys on a rotational basis. I am covering our fence too as it seems that this dog is starting this behaviour against sasha as she can now see her. Sasha is never the one to start it but she has joined in ( which I don't like). But she is only doing it when this dog provokes her. Sasha is outside when I'm at work as we don't have a dog door etc. The laundry is in the back and far too small for her to stay in all day but I think she's pretty content. I did ask the neighbour yesterday if she ever hears sasha barking and she said no ( but she hears a dog out the back barking) so we both know which dog that is.

Yay congrats everyone on their successes. Sasha and I are now in the transition class. We started last week and the weather wasn't the best. Soo windy. Its so much harder to get her focus when there is alot of wind, and a new class with all these new dogs. Her stand for exam didn't go so well. I was told I have a very friendly dog. She broke and took a few steps to greet the instructor when she came to us. All the other dogs stayed and my girl was like ohhh hello there. ( sigh). Oh well at least she is friendly. I have been practicing but she just seems to like everyone. Her sit, drop, stands were good except for the occassion creeping forward and I have been practicing that on a step which sometimes works. At other times she just gets creative on how to move forward. Her sit stays and drop stays were brillant. I was so proud of my girl as I know how boring it is for her but she was good. Hoping we can be successful and keep moving up in classes.

I just taught Sasha to shake hands, wave, high five and crawl. We don't really do this in classes though but I was just curious to see if I could teach it and I can. Haven't gotten her to roll over though. She doesn't do it on cue LOL. She sometimes just rolls over for herself but she's funny about it when I tried to teach her so I don't bother pushing her in that. Its a nice change sometimes in between classes though so she gets a break from the "serious thinking and concentration" lol. Was also thinking of possibly making her a therapy dog and thought it might be cute is she could do a few tricks.

OMG WHY? Why do people do this? I pity this poor dog and the life it must be leaving. Some people shouldn't be aloud to have pets. Honestly. :-(

hehee

oh the joys of spoiling your dog. I don't think I could afford any of those places though. Lucky Sasha is easy to please. All she wants is playtime/walk with me, a good meal and a tummy rub LOL

Gah the 10 commandments. Yep tears again. Sheese. I really need to stop looking at this thread. And yes I think owning a dog is a priviledge. You don't Have to own one. I understand about people who ignore their dog. All I've heard lately is the dog at the back of my house barking excessively and trying to start fence fights with my girl. I think the dog is soo bored. I did ask my neighbour the other day if she ever hears my dog barking. She said no but she does hear another dog at the back ( same dog)

Yes, most puppies go through the destructive/nipping/biting/toilet training/etc. stage but the difference with a larger breed, like a Labrador notorious for being handfuls as pups, is significant. We just want you to be sure of what you are getting into when you have 4 small young children who are at an age that will take up a lot of your time and are small enough to get hurt by a Lab puppy. I don't have kids myself but I have read in the Lab Thread people asking advice on how to get their Lab puppies to stop nipping their kids and hang off their clothes, and their kids were becoming scared of the puppy. In a lot of cases, the poor dog ends up being left outside because the family just can't cope with its behaviour and don't find a way to train it out of them Rewind back almost 5 years ago, I brought home my first ever Lab puppy. She bowled my then 2 year old niece over many times which ended in tears, she nicked off with my shoes, sunnies, anything I was silly enough to leave within her reach and she thought it was a hoot to run around with it playing keepy-off!! If I chased her, I never got it back. If I didn't chase her, she would chew it up. She also knocked over my parents outdoor fountain and it broke to smithereens - just so thankful it didn't fall on her! She got into the bin and ate glad wrap at 9 weeks old just as mum put it in there - was hit with an x-ray bill within a week of her being home! She would pull me over to see other dogs at obedience class and reduced me to tears on many occasions because I couldn't control her. Labs just LOVE other dogs and people so it takes a lot of work to stop them doing this. Meanwhile, my parents have recently gotten a miniature schnauzer pup. Yes she has to be toilet trained and trained manners like any other dog, but general puppy behaviour is so much easier to control. I have nieces and nephews aged 2-7 years old and she cannot bowl them over and hurt them. They all sit on the floor playing with her and her toys. She snuggles in their lap when tired and they love it! She takes off with any shoes in sight but her tiny little mouth doesn't do any damage, oh and we can easily catch her and get them off her! So we aren't really that diligent about keeping things out of her reach because she doesn't really do anything to them. She only weighs a few kilos so can't pull my mum's arm off at obedience to say hello to other dogs. Anyway I just wanted to leave you with a few things to think about because I just want to help you make an informed choice. If it is definitely a puppy you are after, I strongly suggest looking at smaller breeds that will be more manageable with 4 small children. And if it is a Lab you are definitely after, don't discount an older rescue or ex-show dog from a breeder If you want any more advice, feel free to PM me. I hope you don't take offence to the advice I have offered, I just have your family and the breed's best interests at heart Well said Rubystar. I would also say don't disregard a older rescue or ex-show dog. The link that Rubystar posted is where I got my Sasha from. I told them the sort of dog I was looking for ( I was initally enquiring about a dog on their website, but not all the dogs on the website are listed as they have so many in foster homes. When I spoke with them about the type of lab I wanted the lady suggested that maybe the one on the website wasn't for me but they had another one in their care that might be perfect. She was right. Not knowing about her history and being a bit concerned as I have young nieces, friends with young babies, kids and a cat I was unsure how she would react. The first day I got her my friend was over with her 2 year old daughter. I needn't have worried, she said hello and then laid down at my feet. I since then have introduced her to my 3 year old niece who LOVES her. My niece only comes over to see Sasha and not me LOL. They play ball together and not once has Sasha knocked her over. Sasha is now 4 ( I only got her a year ago from lab rescue). The other day I introduced her to my friend's 5 week old baby. Again Sasha proved to be a little star. She said hello to the baby and then just laid down at my feet. But if the child wants to play ( i.e. play fetch, sasha will retrive it, Just usually gives it back to me instead LOL ) We have been doing obedience which I think is really important for a lab as they are soo social and they are strong. Sasha was a puller, I never knew how strong they were but they are but she is sooo much better. I can now walk her with just a leash. Labs can be great with kids but you need to make sure that you put in the time to train them. Puppies can take up a lot of time and they can nip, accidently knock over a child etc, not to mention the toilet training, eating anything and everything. LOL. I have been lucky with Sasha. I made sure I had LOTS of different toys when I got her. And straight away made sure she played with her toys. I set boundaries in the house ( I live in a share house so this was important). She has been a dream, she hasn't destroyed the house, doesn't chew on shoes or furniture etc. Also remember labs are smart. Therefore they need things to do during the day if you aren't home otherwise they will be destructive. Might do some gardening for you whilst you are out of the house LOL Again just want you to make an informed decision, it seems there are so many labs that are in rescue due to the fact that the family that initally adopted them couldn't be bothered to train them, socialise etc, or didn't have the time as they had a family. I was speaking to someone in rescue who was telling me the constant excuses they are given as to why someone is giving up their dog. Maybe a smaller dog may be better but if you really have your heart set on a lab please remember it's for life and that they do truly make a wonderful pet. If you have any questions please feel free to continue ask and I hope you and your family find the perfect dog to add to your family. :-)

Me too, Why oh why do people not realise that a pet is for life. I just don't get it. Makes me soo mad when they are treated this way. I mean they want nothing from us but to love us. Gah back to the tears.

Sasha lifted up her head to have a look then laid back down heheee

oh man waterworks are here too :-(. They should put these up in animal shelters, pet shops ( even though I would never buy from them) Basically anywhere that has animal products so maybe one day people will learn that a dog/cat any pet really is for life

AT the moment I am just a solo dog owner and and solo cat owner LOL. Bit of an adjustment as I have always had two but after my dogs passed due to old age it took me a while to be able to get another dog but I can't imagine life without her now. So for now I have a gorguz dog and gorguz cat :-)

Yeah good on you for adopting a rescue dog. I think they are amazing. Its so great to see what a loving home, exercise, training can do.

Agree with Rubystar. My Labrador didn't have any training except for a few weeks in foster care where she learnt the command down. She had NO training on the lead and was a lot stronger than she use to be. She fit into my household quite quickly too and was beautiful with the cat. Are you going to take the dog to obedience school? I would also take the dog out regularly to go to the bathroom in case it isn't housetrained. I wouldn't take the dog to the beach and let it off the leash until you have bonded and had some obedience training. The first time I took Sasha to the beach I kept her on a long leash. First just to see how she would react. As we have been doing obedience training I took the opportunity to practice what we have been learning there as it was a new place. We have now been two more times and are going again in December and she loves it. She goes offlead and will go swimming but comes back. She usually doesn't swim too far out. I do know that some dogs are frightened of the waves. Sasha was first a little wary and then she thought it was a game and now she just loves it.

LOL isnt' this a good thing. He must be on a good diet. Sasha ( also a lab) isn't a farter

Labrador who turns 4 tommorrow YAY

sending lots of love and hugs to your family and Earl.

LMFAO. RubyStar you are hilarious. This made my day LOL Priceless

Thanks I will have to see if I can find the hardboard somewhere here. Sasha doesn't ususally go there either, its just when the dog charges at the fence growling and carrying on that she reacts. The dog is still barking now and I don't know what the owner is doing, maybe their not home but the dog is still barking at who knows what.Sasha is with me at the moment inside so I know it's not her. I think the dog is bored. They do have a smaller dog which is I think a cav but I never hear that dog. They got the second dog to keep the first one company and I think it's the fact that the dog can see Sasha sometimes when she walks around in the backyard to do her business or play with one of her toys that sets it off. But I am doing these things ( having toys etc when I'm not at home) so Sasha won't be bored and I do scatter them around my yard ( but not near the fence) so she can "find" them ( so it's like a game for her when she finds something new). I did ask the neighbour's next to me previously ( when we had the colourbond fence) if they ever heard Sasha and both of them told me no. But since this fence has come up 2 weeks ago and I"ve been home all I have heard all day is the dog carrying on barking. They have put a dog run in their yard near the fence but I don't think it's there very often cause it's been carrying on at the fence. I think when it just sits their barking (no running) that's when I think it's in the dog run. Hmm maybe I should look over the fence to see where the dog is. I'm just worried as I'm going back to work tommorrow and I really don't want Sash to pick up this habit but maybe I'll go to bunnings today and see if there is something I pick up to block the fence. I can't stop their dog just barking in the yard but I can try to block the fence so the other dog can't see Sasha.

OMG :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: Such powerful words and sooo incredibly sad. I can't believe someone could be so cruel to leave their poor dog at the side of the road and just drive off. Gosh RIP little guy. I"m soo glad he got to know some human kindness before he was soo cruely snatched away. to whoever wrote this. I hope your words find this guy who dumped his dog and that he feels forever guilty about his actions. Hugs to you and your daughter and the rest of you who tried to help the poor little dog.

Hi Everyone, I"m just wondering if anyone could offer me some advice regarding fence fighting. The dog at the back of the house has this behaviour and it seems to now be rubbing off on Sasha. I have been home the last few weeks due to illness and have observed the situation and it seems to be the other dog starting this but I still want the situation to stop. Recently the neighbours took down our colourbond fence to put up a wooden fence. ( that is another issue in itself ) as there was nothing wrong with the colour bond fence and we never this problem until they put up the wooden fence. I walk Sasha twice a day. Before I go to work we have a routine where we go for a walk, she has a run and I incorporate her training. Then I take her home feed her breakfast and put out a kong toy and new toys daily or a marrow bone. ( She gets something new to do everyday. I have also put her wading pool out as it's starting to get warmer and she loves splashing around it in. When I get home from work we repeat the routine ( just in different order sometimes. Sometimes I take her to school to the offlead area so she can socialise and play with other dogs). I have noticed though when I have been home that this dog just consistantely barks and runs at the fence. Sasha is fine if I"m there or if I call her she will come to me. However I"m worried about when I'm not at home as I don't want the other neighbours to think that it's all Sasha. But I will be trying to excercise Sasha longer in the mornings before I go to work. She currently goes out in the mornings for an hour walking, playing, trying, running. And she seems to pretty tired when we go home and when I go to work. I just feel awful because now if the dog starts carrying on and I"m in the kitchen I see Sasha now reacting to it outside. I do tell her no and call her back when I go in the yard to get her but I can't do that when I"m not home. I really don't know what else to do. We go to obedience training every week, I give her toys, walk/run/train/play twice a day. I don't want her picking up this behaviour. To me it looks like it's now reacting to the other dog. The other dog seems to do it cause now she can see Sasha through the tiny gaps in the new fence. I'm hoping someone can help me. If I need to be doing more with Sasha please let me know. I will be talking to the trainers at school to see if they have any suggestions and will contact a behavourist if I need to. But I have just spent a few hours inside with Sasha and the other dog has been in its yard barking for about 2 hours now. When Sasha is in the yard she doesn't just bark all day. I have asked my neighbours next to me if they have heard her and they have said no but I"m concerned that this may become a bigger problem. I was thinking of somehow covering my side of the fence somehow but I"m not too sure with what as we will be putting it on the market shortly so I would only want a temporary solution. I don't really want to crate her as I've had no experience with that and I hide treats and stuff around the garden so she can "find" them during the day when I'm at work. I hope someone can give me some ideas. Thanks for your time :-) p.s. I"m sorry if I have posted this in the wrong place, please feel free to move if need be.

Oh can I also suggest Happy Paws training treats. Great variety for the pups, Sasha just loves them.

My beautiful boy was gently and peacefully released from the horror he had endured over the last 6 hours. I take comfort from the fact that he recognized me for a brief moment and licked my hand. Such a good and loving boy. 'Not Of My Flesh and Blood, But Of My Heart And Soul' , Thank you for the privilege of being part of my life. I love you and will miss you terribly till we will meet again at the rainbow bridge Good night sweet man, no more pain. xxx VagarryPark Bracken CDX 21/03/01 07/10/11 Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts and prayers. Jacquie OMG I"m soo sorry. RIP Bracken. Does the vet know what caused it?

this has been my experience too!!!!!!!!! Be afraid. Be very afraid I do agree there are some very scary Rotties out there, and even scarier Owners squeeee so huggable

LOL if you can figure out how to get Elysia the lab to do this than could you let know LOL. My lab is a puller sometimes too. Funnily enough she managed to get Second Place in her advance obedience class last weekend and she did so well in the heeling and loose lead walking. I have had some success though. Before I couldn't walk her without a halti or harness and now I just walk her with a leash so progress has been made. She is most likely interested in smelling things ( especially in different surroundings, Sasha gets like that too. ) I usually let her do her business and then make our walk in a sense a training session. So I will have a treat in my left hand closed so she can smell it and then she usually follows my hand and walks beside me fairly well however remember loose lead walking really means the dog can be a little bit in front of you ( but no pulling) it has to be loose. Heeling is when they have to be right beside you and focused on you. ( well thats the explanation I was given at school as I was told Sasha didn't know the difference. She sure showed them though in her exam LOL. I was also told when I walk Sasha to reward her when the lease is loose consistently so she associates loose lead with good things. Also if she pulls to stand like a tree and not move ( which can be hard) or walk backwards or change directions often. I do this everyday just so she never knows what is happening and to keep her on her toes. While the walking backwards thing does look funny, it's amazing how she will suddenly behaviour as she thinks we are going home and will usually continue for a bit with a loose lead. You can train her with a tennis ball ( people have suggested this for Sasha) but unfortunately Sasha associates the ball with play time however I have seen someone at dog school train their dog just with a ball. Like this dog will do ANYTHING for the ball. The key is finding what really motivates the dog. You could try a higher value treat if all you are giving her is liver treats. But she should definately be able to smell them but sometimes they work better if they are given a little variety or a special treat when they do something really well. Again this is just my experience. I"m no expert but this is what the trainers at dog school have told me to try and it must be working as now I just walk her with a lead. Just a question though, when you take her for a walk is she excited? Or do you wait till she is calm? And do you leave first when you walk out the door? I never use to until I was told to, and once I did it reinforces to Sasha that I'm the leader and I go first and she must wait until I allow her. Hope this is some help to you :-)