Rusky

yes I agree with poodlefan completely. I don't care how many dogs they trained between them, these methods are harsh ,cruel and not neccessary. Dogs dig ok it is what they do, they do it to hide or find food,they like it too. As an owner you need to find a balance of happy dog happy owner. There are heaps of ways to achieve this rather then the outdated methods used by the early recognised animal trainers. I don't just mean dogs here either. If she did that to my dog I would shove her head down the hole. Very heroic can bully a dog into doing what it is told cos it is too rudy scared to do anything else. I am sure PGM you can see that. I said about 12 pages ago your dog will look at you my dog will look at me only the methods of getting the result differ. You said you had no idea what I meant, have you yet?

gotcha thanks Sidoney

Just wondering what you mean by this as I am unsure "sidoney said I also note that for the dogs that enjoy agility for its own sake, it is not difficult to teach those dogs that agility is not fun at all." sorry should have said that I think that dogs who enjoy agility for its own sake really enjoy it and it is hard to discourage them or their enthusiasm.

I was waiting for that one, almost edited my post to say forget it, becomes even more of a game and water makes nice mud

I am so sad for you all katey sympathy to your poor Mum, her heart must be breaking. Run free little gypsy I think the rules of the place need a change, do they allow therapy dogs in? This is so terribly sad.

Years ago a dog lived up the road and used to visit each backyard he could get into and rip the washing off the line. One day I came home my wash destroyed, I was just about to go and talk to the dogs owner, cos I had been working really hard with her to contain her dog when I noticed a goat munching away over by the shed :D

Ahh the old washing on the clothesline. There is a very simple solution, don't leave the wash out when the dog is alone in the yard. If you wonder why he does it and assuming you have covered it that he is well excercised, has lots of stuff to play with, has a kong, bones, a sandpit to dig in. Then he just does cos they are there and good to play with, remove the problem, problem solved.

sidoney

yes there is a difference, one dog gets free food and "positive punishment"??? So looks at you with adoring eyes the others have to work for their tucker poor puppies :D Life is tough for a dog

I am so very sorry for your loss, so young, so unfair Run free now Zara

I need to reply to K9 post as I am going away for a few days so in haste K9 re read my posts Why take something personally when at that point you weren't even posting on this topic. You came in after I posted and I still wonder if you read it correctly or indeed any of the posts I had made previously on this topic. You need to know the law in NSW as you use this collar, for me it is purely academic.

leave if you don't there will always be questions in your mind. I left a vet cos he came into the room shoved a thermometer up my old girls bum without so much as a by your leave, so I told him off. I said you should say hello to me and to her, not just read the card and shove something up her bum. I said how would you like it if you came into hospital and we all ignored you and just shoved stuff up your bum Maybe try a different practice for a health check if only to see how they are with you and your dog. It really is important to be able to trust your vet.

As an aside the women of the Spanish court in the 1600's used to swallow tapeworm as an ancient method of keeping a tiny waist.

Hydatid ? Are you in NZ or Aus. In NZ all dogs used to be treated for hydatid by the ranger. Hydatid in cattle being a bit of a problem. Electra woman we never did any worming either unless someone got thread worm which is quite common in primary school.

I just think she is lovely I did see 2 of the fattest staffies I ever saw in my life last week, still beautiful smiling, waggy tailed and very very happy but backs so wide you could eat dinner off them. Had a bit of a chat with the owners after saying what lovely dogs they were, and they really were lovely. They fed them all the wrong stuff and too much of the right stuff, even cadbury chocolate. I said oh no :p dogs were 12 yrs old :D Your dog is beautiful gemibabe, solid but beautiful :rolleyes:

Yes I am in WA. I said very early on page 1 somewhere that I tried to import a collar a few years ago. I did find a list or was directed to a list at that time but I think it wasn't an RSPCA list but a customs list. That had spurs on for fighting cocks and boot spurs. The collar had a name too, not just prong collar and I have been trying to find the guys website to get the name of the collar to see if that would bring up a hit. Was years ago so not having any luck. They have a list at Malaga of that I am fairly sure. Some laws concerning banned imports are countrywide, some of the restrictions are state wide. It is confusing but as we know each state has their own rules.

Ricey that is the very reason I did ring the RSPCA I told them there is nothing on the website I also have a book here of policy and proceedures it is not in there. I then thought maybe they are not banned for use so I rang you can read what I discovered. I didn't post this before and did think before editing. I spoke to Tony but he was in the office of Steve Vanston (maybe spelling not right) the CEO when he returned my call.

K9 I have no idea why you decide to attack me or to be rude. I have not been rude to you or to anyone else I have read all that has been said on this thread, not all you have said and well you know it. Politics do not play a part K9, the law does. I have no idea why these collars were banned, you are all citing ignorance, however I see a few people have said things like 'sharpening the prongs' maybe part of the reasonings behind the ban. Anyway do as you like if you feel the need to use a prong collar, can get your hands on one and feel it is the only way you can prevent your dog from pulling remember that Mr & Mrs average are likely to report you, well excepting K9 who has a permit. Go for it break the speed limit is up to you. I simply called RSPCA to get the facts, and I did.

I have read everything you have written. It doesn't matter what you say or I say or anyone says now cos they are banned. They don't have a place because they are banned. K9 ring the RSPCA I did to clarify. I spoke to the Perth crew, a guy called Tony. He went and researched and called me back. He said They are a banned import They are banned from sale or use That each state has it's own regulations but these he gave me are Australia wide. That if it is reported that prong collars are being used they can be prosecuted but that they would probably just have a chat first. I do have an inquiring mind I need facts too. I needed to know they were banned from use as in my original post I said they were after I considered importing one a few years ago. I thought I may have got it wrong. I didn't they are still banned. So K9 you need to find an alternative 'tool' unless you have already made enquiries and it is ok to use.

If you use this collar in any state you can be prosecuted for using it by the RSPCA. Different states have differing levels of restrictions but Australia wide you will be prosecuted if things are carried to the full length of the law. Why do you need a prong collar anyway? there are many ways of training your dog so why persist in trying to get or use something which is banned. It really doesn't matter what your opinion is of prong collars they are not to be used. I am so confused by you all including the lady who has a certificate from her vet, it is apparently meaningless, you can still be prosecuted. Wouldn't it be better to find an alternative method? So you think is ok? ok but is still banned from use

so sorry what a lovely old boy

You need a digging box, not sure what you have around to make a sand area and hide treats in there, don't let him see you putting them in. Then show him.The idea then is he will only dig there.This works for a puppy but a foster?? If the dog sees you digging apparently they think you are looking for bones so they go digging to find one for you. Perhaps he is just showing his appreciation for looking after him

What suggestions has the vet made? I guess she needs a high fibre diet, humans do with the same condition. You may need to get a greyhound type muzzle to prevent her eating everything she shouldn't while you get your yard safe. What do you feed her on now? I mean it may be the rubbish she is eating which is causing the problem and not her diet at all.

oh yes yes yes If I could turn back time

maybe you give too much food too often, the drive is for the reward be it pat click or food. They need to know it is a reward. So with food and positive reinforcement transfer the food to the positive, don't give big lots of food, just a nibble and make sure the reward is worth the work. If you are using food to train or to train to get attention make sure your dog is hungry. I like a mixture of both food and PR. I make nice liver treats I was given a recipe for and most doggies will do anything for them, even mine Hope this makes sense, I guess there is no right or wrong, whatever works for your dog, if one method isn't doing it for you and your dog after a controlled persistant effort try another method, anything to grab their attention and to stick it to you.