JayGee

Oh sas, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I can imagine how difficult this decision would have been for you. Turbo was entitled to some peace in his life without living in fear, and he is now at peace.

Maybe your boss can try to walk the dog more often. If he cannot take the dog to obedience maybe a professional dog walker (a cheaper option than a professional trainer which some people prefer) could help "train" his wife/dog. Obviously find someone experienced. Just another two options. Otherwise we know what will happen. The poor dog will be left for longer periods without being walked at all etc. Just a small comment on the "cost" of a trainer/behavioural professional. Where the dollar value always rates fairly high in most of our circumstances, I would like to point out that what can be achieved so quickly with a specialist professional, can usually be far more economical than wading through a myriad of trainers who often don't really have a grasp on your situation. I've been there and done that......even got the t-shirt.. My costs with K9 Force were on a par with what I spent on Obedience and all their associated costs of selling me check chains, halties, etc ....... So please don't get the idea that professional help is an expensive alternative. If you place a dollar value on your time and emotional distress of walking a dog that tries to rip your bloody arms off, then a professional would be the most inexpensive route to take. Just my opinion.

Kelpie-i - Thank you for your comments. In answer to your question re prong collar, Steve can give further details, but yes, Steve did use the prong collar during first consult. This has been my lifesaver. I used to paddle competitively, so I have dodgy right shoulder. Trying to control a young, strong dobe was virtually a fight from the moment the lead went on. Our previous trainers had Jeddah on a haltie, then check chain, haltie/check chain combination. You name it, whatever the trainer suggested, we tried it! The morning of my consult with Steve here in Brisbane, I had Jeddah in the back yard. Man walks past with Golden Retriever, Jeddah charges the fence and goes into overdrive!! I slipped my hand through her flat collar to grab hold of her - Jeddah goes into the dobie spin. She rolled my bad shoulder into my chest, and I ended up with my right arm attached to dobe, behind me. At that moment, I can't tell you how close I came to giving up. If I didn't have an appointment with Steve that day, I don't know if I could have continued. I felt absolutely defeated. I was actually a simmering emotional mess by the time I got to see Steve, because I felt if he couldn't make a difference, what decision did I then have to make??? Luckily I was wearing sunglasses on the day, because the moment Steve took control, was the first positive I'd experienced with her behaviour since her adoption, and that was quite a moment. You see Sas, you're not the only one who has harboured these thoughts! I find it quite frustrating at times, trying to explain to someone who is giving you the look, "can you just control that mongrel dog". I'm slowly winning over the neighbourhood. I was never one to chat to people going past our house, but I'm collecting doggie support whenever I get the opportunity. It's better to explain your situation to them, rather than have the Council on your doorstep with a complaint because your big nasty dobe rushed at the fence and went off her head at Fluffy. The prong collar is real conversation starter. I whip the collar off and get them to do the feel test.....it's quite an education if you get stuck with me!!! isaviz, I'm using a lead I got through K9 Force - the armish. Beautiful lead, won't let you down. Sounds similar to what you had made through the saddler. Once again, thank you all for your kind words and support. If Steve's article can save just one life, then it is all very worthwhile.

Oooh, there's my princess. ;) OMG, was it April????? God I'm getting too old.....I'm losing gaps of time in my life! She's quite a bit heavier since that photo. She was 22 kgs when we adopted her, and now tips the scales at 30 kgs. She's lost her waif super model look, and now looking quite muscular! I didn't see the photo taken, you see it's not just the dog who is focused on what you're doing.

My girl's a DOL celebrity!!!! Steve, I'm going to have to stop associating with you. Seem to get this weepy eye problem every time I have anything to do with K9 Force! Joking aside, I'd like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Steve for his wonderful and expert assistance over the past six months or so. Without your training and guidance, I really don't know what we would have done...... *bloody weepy eyes* Unfortunately, I do get quite emotional when I think about how unhappy Jeddah must have been. As you can see by the photos, she's a very happy little dobe now, and just loves her playmates. We're still working on building her trust in poodles though! She seems to think that they're killers! We are just two weeks shy of our 1 year anniversary of Jeddah's adoption. She has come such a long way in that time. For us, it is still quite unbelievable. As a family, we celebrate every little achievement. I'm sure our non-doggy friends think that we've joined a cult. ;) Now you Brisbane DOL'ers know why I don't come to DOL meets! I'm looking forward to the day where she'll be comfortable with a group of other dogs. That's our next step. Once again Steve, our heart felt thanks, you certainly are a doggy Guru! Julie & Jeddah

Oh that's just so sad, such a big part of your life for all those years. My old tortie girl is not far off 16. Pesh, have you got a photo that you can have enlarged and framed? Then he can be with you all the time. Thoughts go out to you and the family.

I pay $15 for a home service of nail clip, wash and blow dry - that's for a Dobe, so coat is pretty simple to wash and dry. Oh.... forgot, and two doggie treats at the end.

OMG I quickly read this as "a child that went feral and had to be put down"......I really must take more time to read posts!

Hi Tarka As Myzka and many have suggested, you certainly can't go past any dealings with Steve from K9 Force, whether you feel that the problem is home-based or not. We have just completed a round trip to Steve in Sydney, from Brisbane with our Dobe. Left Brissie on a Thursday, saw Steve Friday and Saturday, and drove back to Brissie on the Monday.......returned to work on Tuesday I had previously met Steve when he came to Brisbane to do some workshops. Have been following his suggestions and instructions via email, then went specifically to Sydney to do a follow-up. Jeddah started a desensitising programme with Steve and his wonderful GSD, Cane. I can't tell you how wonderful it is as an owner of a fear aggressive dog, to see that same dog running around with a huuuuuuge GSD having the time of her life. Quite an emotional moment...... If I lived in Sydney, I would have a regular appointment with K9 Force....... It was my husband's first experience in dealing with Steve, and he is now also a member of the K9 Force Cult. Believe me, he's quite a cynic on most matters. :p Good luck with your training, but I can't recommend Steve highly enough.

Absolutely agree Erny. Jeddah has become quite possessive of her collar. Gets a little wierd and pokey with her nose when I take it off. Steve from K9 Force had her on a loose lead within five minutes. After check chains, halties, haltie attached to check chain, anything that Obedience class could throw at us we got a result in 5 minutes. AND A VERY HAPPY DOG, bouncing around. Correction is just the slightest touch. And I mean slight, Jeddah would happily choke herself whilst walking on the check chain.

Hey Pixel Have you ever had any personal experience with a prong collar? I'm curious.

hiphoppresident Best thing since sliced bread......if used correctly. Josh, if you've not used one before, and I'm saying this without knowing your reasons, I would suggest you contact Steve from K9 Force for guidance . Julie

Thanks grotty_rotty. Sometimes we are a little too quick to judge on these forums as to why people do what they do........ I think that most people here have their dog's best interests at heart. We should just appreciate and accept differing opinions. And sometimes, it doesn't hurt to walk in someone else's shoes.

Have just read the entire 9 pages of this thread, with much interest. KitKat made a decision to keep her dog safe. To those who feel that this is a cruel and barbaric form of control, have you ever had a dog that thinks it's a gazelle?? What is it about Rotti's that make them leap over huge heights? Oh, that's right, the power to weight ratio makes it possible!!! I just wish that I had taken the same course as KitKat, because my Rotti who could clear fences in a single bound, would still be with me. It's not a safe world out there for a dog on the run, particularly a black dog at night. You may decide that there are other methods of training, entertainment, raising the height of the fence etc, but there comes that one day, when they haven't been over the fence in such a long time, and it's all over. Do whatever you have to do to keep your dogs safe.

Uncaring mongrels. When we had our old girl put to sleep a few years back, she was 16 and very nervous of vet waiting rooms, would get herself in quite a state. She was quite happily lying in the back of our station wagon and the vet came out to her. She was not stressed or upset in the slightest. Just went to sleep with her family around her.

Mooper Maybe "helpful" lady could do with debarking herself. What a cow.

Oh GSD4ME4EVA I'm so sorry for your loss, what a beautiful girl. My heart breaks for you. It has been 11 weeks since I lost my girl. Funny how you count the days.... Julie

My old rotti Calypso did exactly the same, the reaction was almost instant, she was in real distress. We bathed her immediately which seemed to soothe her. I didn't put any treatments on her for a while after that, got a bit nervous about what she might be allergic to. Spoke to the vet, tried her on the advantage, and she was fine. Never tried the frontline again, I put it down to a skin allergy, just like people. But I did feel terrible being the one to inflict that on her.