Nalaridge

It's starting to seem like a protective thing but it's hard to tell. Shes all over the shop and a little hard to read. Today at the beach it was like she was guarding us. Anyway that walked past us within 15-20 metres, she would get up, approach them from behind and sniff them out, if they made any sudden movements she would bark. It's very strange because usually she can't get enough of strangers, she'd want to lick them and get pats. Though different people got a different reaction today, whoever walked past we just told them to ignore her. Some she would be alert, others she would try initiate play. Rhodesians arent known for barking much, but she recently discovered hers. When we left her at the kennel/trainers last month she started barking at the trainer, so they decided to put a shock collar on her to try stop her (without asking us) It did while she was there, but once she was back home she started again. I'm not sure if this might of effected her, but there's a few factors contributing to her behaviour at the moment. She's being moved around a lot during the Xmas break, staying in new places, seeing many people. Her whole routine has changed and that's why it's so hard to determine the cause. I'm trying to ignore the most of it, but it's the children thing that worries us the most. Anyway sorry for long post, just an update and also more info to add to get a better idea. Cheers!

Thanks Julie, we live in Geelong also, so I'll get back to you when we return from our camping trip in the new year. We have some pulling issues that need help too. Thanks everyone and SecretKei,, your answers are always helpful. I went to get coffees just before and my wife said she started growling at one of the girls when she stood by the car, almost territorial. The girl did nothing. It's unusual because she won't do it to older people. And she also did when I took her for a walk earlier and the girls were nearby. It's something about these girls, but they're very gentle and friendly. She's been acting slightly different ever since my wife got pregnant. We're confused.

Hi, We camping at the moment for the next week with our 12 month ridgeback in Port Fairy. She's started showing fear signs toward children, in particular girls. She's always been good with kids, but this has come from nowhere. Not sure if it's all the new surrounds,smells and living arrangements (it's her first time camping). But we're very concerned as my wife has just become pregnant and we want to nip this in the butt before we have a child. I've been trying to teach the girls nearby to approach her slowly (they're really fond of Nala) and to back off if Nala shows signs of being scared. We've just started a treats program for the girls to be involved so that Nala gets treats from them when she approaches them. Soo the aim is for Nala to come to them and not let them rush her. It's worked so far but we've only started it today, as soon as one of the girls get jumpy, Nala will jolt back and bark (tail between legs). There's no point telling her off because it's a warning signal (so I've read) and it's her way of saying I'm scared, punishing her might make the problem worse as she will have no warning. Can anyone please help with some solutions or who have been in the same situation? I'd hate to give her away once we have a child because we couldn't control the problem. Thanks in advance.

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2011/10/12/285001_news.html

Lady at my fiancees work just lost her 2 year German Shepard the other week from a snake bite. Not sure what species it was as the dog had wandered into the bush. Location: Barwon River, Geelong VIC Date: Early September My Ridgey is definitely staying on her leash at the moment. Too adventurous at 9 months!

There you go, I've learnt something today. Thank You!!!

Hi, My 8 month old Ridgeback's nose is changing colour. Now I know you can get Ridgebacks with either black or brown noses, but those with dark muzzles tend to black. I selected a pup with a dark muzzle and a dark nose, but recently I noticed her nose has turned brown and it's not dirt, even though she digs occasionally LOL. Anyway I'm not alarmed or anything but I was wondering if this is normal or what do it mean? Any other owners experienced this? Thanks!

as a growing pup, she doesn't really need this starchy stuff. perhaps make up some thick chicken broth (no salt) just boil up chicken bits(skin, bones,gristle) - when cooked, take out the bone . then add some pieces of kibble .. maybe two or 3 liver treats to get some good scent in there. let broth set in the fridge overnight plug the end of the kong with peanut butter ..pour in teh broth, and freeze. MUCH more dog- appropriate food - and the smell will attract her . the best bones for dogs are those which can be completely chewed up and eaten (they are also the ones which may not upset her tummy) I find I need (and have been recommended) to feed her sweet potato or rice to help reduce her diarrhea, it's not everyday, but only when she has reacted to bones or a change in diet. It's worked for the past few months, so I'm happy sticking with it. Your broth suggestion sounds great, I might give it a try. we have boiled some of her hard toys with chicken broth before. As for the bones, we've decided we can't give her any. Her stomach is just too sensitive and it runs in her bloodline. Her mother couldn't have bones either.

Thanks Arielle, My partner and I discussed it last night and did some research. We agree that rawhide is no good and will more than likely buy another KONG. Yes we do freeze her current Kong with sweet potato mash or a rice blend with veg.

Sorry, I mean her attitude is a little different. Like a sick child that becomes really needy. She's just not her usual self. I've tried legs, necks, frames, brisket. And I slowly started eliminating them realising her stomach is just too sensitive. BCPuppy: I've been advised not to feed Ridgebacks cow hoves and I'm pretty sure I've read it somewhere too. I might try the roo tails and see how she fairs. Otherwise I'll find the rawhide because I know she doesn't react to it. Thanks!

Hi, My 8 month old Ridgeback might have a bone allergy or is really sensitive to raw bones (beef, lamb, chicken), she normally develops diarrhea after having a bone and she becomes a little funny too. I started scraping out the marrow because it's so rich, but she still has problems. So I was hoping there was something else I could give her to keep her amused for most of the day to chew on. A normally give her a filled Kong and also fill up one of the balls with dried food, but she needs something extra because those items plus her toys aren't enough. Pigs ears and pork sticks last only 5 minutes. Any suggestions please? Thanks!

^^^^Good advice. Thank you very much.^^^^

Yeah I've tried cheese, she normally responds well to it. But not if she's more interested in tackling other dogs.

Hi, I'm going to jump on-board/hijack this thread slightly (sorry), but it also relates to my 6 month old pup that loves treats, but sometimes she loves playing more than her treats. The other day nothing would get her attention, even when I did try reward her with a treat for doing the right thing, she didn't want it, she just spat it out. These are treats she usually loves too. She just wanted to play with the other pup her age. Eventually I had to use water as an incentive in order to get her to do anything because she was so thirsty from playing. So, how do you train/control them when treats don't work? And how do you make them more interested than you, compared to other dogs? Thanks.

She's been getting a heap better. I've been teaching a heap of recall and stay. She's also picked up the "leave it" command very quick, nearly instantly. Once again I won't be over-confident about it because she's only 18 weeks old. Nala use to pick up pieces of bark and rubbish during our walks, now with only little training she already knows what "leave it" means. She loses interest or stops sniffing at it and expects a treat. She's funny like that, with each new thing she learns she gets quite obsessed with it and thinks she'll get a treat everytime (that's something I mix up though, because I reward her with verbal praise or pats too). I've been teaching her a lot of down, stand and stay. So now instead of running up and sitting when she see's me to get a treat. She runs and dives into a down position, it's extremely cute. I'm searching for a very long lead at the moment so I can practise more recall, she's getting the hang of it from a few metres and around the house, but I want to slowly extend the distances. Thanks for all the help so far. I'll make sure not to let her loose for a little while until we're both confident with the recall and leave it. I've been reading alot about it and from what I've learnt "You need to set the dog up for success." There's no point trying to train recall with her if I can't act on it or can't get her back.

I would've said just stick to one puppy at a time, especially Ridgies. Wait until one is at least 1 or 2 years before getting another. You're going to have a heck of a time training them. You'll try be rewarding one for doing the right thing while telling the other off at the same time. It sends mixed messages at times. But best of luck to you. I'd like to know how you cope, because one RR pup is enough for me until she's an adult. Though we did consider getting 2 at first, our breeder advised us not to. As for this, I think you need to step in when it gets too far and separate them for a little. My Ridgeback does the same thing to other pups, it's a dominance thing and it shouldn't be tolerated. Our trainer noticed it and reprimanded her straight away, because it's how they treat prey usually. I know it looks like rough play, and neither dog is really yelping, but it shouldn't get to that. Normally if Nala starts biting at legs or grabbing at necks, i jump in grab her snout (not tight, just so she can't open her mouth) and give her firm NO or growl! After awhile all I need to do is growl at her if she does it again and she backs off, but if she doesn't then I try separate the dogs. Another point I'd like to make, and I know the situation is a little different in your case because you have 2 pups. But usually when you introduce a new dog into the family with an existing dog, their place is still at the bottom. They can't come in and start dominating the first dog, because IT WILL get to their head and they'll test you even further. There's a good book that I'm reading at the moment that covers a lot of this: http://books.google.com.au/books?id=jEg3dWtFlFIC&printsec=frontcover&dq=rhodesian+ridgeback&hl=en&ei=eP7iTc7pOouOuQP44piNBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=rhodesian%20ridgeback&f=false

And thanks for the welcome. I'm sure my partner and I will be finding answers and tips for next few months, or years. And offering of course.

I wasn't exactly yelling at her when I was chasing her, I didn't know where she was. I was more concerned with her getting past the fence if anything. I only told her off briefly, I was just more relieved I found her, even if I only did lose her for less than a minute. She was quick! I think I'll just need to keep her on the leash until I'm confident her recall is good. I thought it was, but I think I was being a little optimistic. A long line is a good idea if I want to let her run off and play a little. it'll even be handy for recall training because I still have some kind of hold on her if she decides to chase anything. Do dogs ever break the bolting/chasing habit though? Say even for an adult dog, if a rabbit were to emerge can you control your dog from chasing it? I'm sure with very hard training you could, it's more that instinctual habit that I'm referring to.

Hi, I just joined the boards yesterday, but I didn't have much to say, until now. I was talking my 4 month old Ridgeback pup for her walk this morning. On my return back I normally walk her through a fairly large paddock (approx 500metres X 400metres) which I've been letting her off the leash. It's fenced off with just the typical wire fencing, but it's right next to a highway. She normally stays no further that 10-15 metres away and her recall hasn't been to bad, she flies back to me if I call. Most of the time I have a ball and she plays fetch, but this morning I forgot it. Anyway this morning, she had a heap of energy and she ran around a bit not to far from me. Then she decided she might just bolt off, there was no noises or anything that would of scared her. She just bolted off to the other side off the paddock toward the highway until I lost sight of her. It scared me to hell!! Because I was calling and calling but I couldn't see her, so I ran for about 400metres until I found her wandering near the fence. I told her off, put her on the leash and then ignored her until we got home. I've never been so frustrated with her. Now, I'm unsure exactly what to do and why she did it. I still want to train her to be off the leash occasionally but I'm guessing I need to work on her recall a lot more. Something that just struck me now though, is that she could of caught glimpse of a rabbit and tried to chase it down. There was one the other morning in a bush and she went mental. Any suggestions?