ann21

I would definitely second looking in getting a playpen or run or sectioning off an area of the house (even the toilet, if it's been puppy proofed) if you are going to be away for 3 hours a time. When I got my pup I lived in a pretty small one bedroom and the playpen I got ($55 from deals direct I think) made all the difference. For one it allowed me to train him to go on newspaper (not ideal I know but it worked for me especially in the first few weeks). Also it allowed him room to play with his toys. My apartment was carpeted so I also bought heavy duty tarpe (about $20 for a huge one from DD) to put at the bottom of the playpen.

. Very sad to hear this. RIP Orange

One thing I've been encountering more often on walks...kids barking at my dog! I think it's rude...

Sigh I shouldn't have popped into this thread....4 new toys for my pup! ????

Ah ok! I'll do a small rub down. I'll drive down the road before letting her go. Or she can go in the crate if she needs to. Works about a 40 min drive, depending on traffic and I'll be getting after school and maybe work traffic 3:30-4. Thanks all for the advice! Lots of things I wouldn't have thought of! Hi Llante. I would also recommend making a lavender spray (abit of lavender oil plus water) and giving the pup a few spitzes (?) it has a calming effect and will help with the smell if the pup has gone to toilet (which is quite likely!)

Highly unlikely tlc. I recently moved overseas with my pup and there's a lot of paperwork to get through (plus hefty costs in getting a crate, airplane cargo costs, import export permit which need the microchip number). There's also a vet check which the Dogue puppy wouldn't clear by the sounds of it.

Bump

My two cents worth: I would go to the professional before castrating esp if it's a choice between the two. The professional could tell you whether the dog is fear aggressive in that case I believe castrating might make things worse rather than better. All the best!

Ah, treats...pretty much any leftover meat that is cooked (no bone) but these can get messy if you have to use them for training. Another one is ziwipeak jerky treats. My 9 month old has these and he loves them.

Best wishes in finding the pup soon.

. How terrible. Glad your lab wasn't seriously injured and hope he gets well soon!

I think its a husband and wife team who both compete in agility. I guess I will find out tonight! :)

Double post

Thanks Raineth. Their course typically runs once a week for 16 weeks, so i agree having fun is important! Don't want to be dragging myself there every time lol

My neighbours lab licks people on their feet, and after they bend down he knocks them in the head with a lick! Ouch. :D

Good tips thanks. One on one time is definitely important. I suspect I will have all these things at the back of mind my mind before the session and eventually go with my gut!

Lol you'd be surprised! Cesar came a while to Singapore and there are a lot of fans here! I steer clear of trainers who use pictures/videos taken with him in their advertising.

I know QLD (your profile state) is special but I still thought it was in Australia - where have you gone? And there's plenty of dodgy dog trainers in Australia too. I think the only enforceable thing is the animal welfare and companion animals acts, nothing too specific for trainers. I'd be looking for someone who can communicate with me almost as well as with my dog - because it's me that's got to be able to implement the strategies long term. And I'd want to know what kinds of training methods they would use - do they use punishment - what kind and why/when. Do they use positive re-inforcement (rewards) - how do they find the thing the dog likes most? And if I found any of their methods unacceptable to me - I would want to know what other methods they might use that I could be more comfortable with. Thanks for that :). I moved from VIC to Singapore! Should probably update that profile. Edit: I just read the article and it is very useful. Will print it out before I go to observe the training session tmr!

I use Frontline Plus and Valuheart :)

Hi all, I am looking to get my near 9 month old into some basic obedience classes. He has been to puppy preschool with a delta accredited trainer in Australia, is able to do the basic commands (sit, stand,down, leave it, etc) and is pretty well toilet trained (though I recently moved countries so some hiccups in this area right now). His recall is not very good and his heeling is non existent really (my fault for not practicing enough). I am going to observe a training class tmr and was wondering what I should be looking out for and what i should be asking the trainer? Training schools here are not very well regulated...it's hard to find an accredited trainer compared to in Australia. So far what I have thought of: - How many years of experience training dogs? - Any qualifications and what type? (the trainer I found uses positive reinforcement methods) - Maximum size of class? - Any off leash play during class time/ are dogs temperament tested? (thinking of adding this in because it would be nice for my dog to have off leash play with some well socialized dogs. I've stopped counting the number of dogs that have lunged at him on leash here. Sigh.) Thanks in advance for the advice! :) Edited to add my pup is a crossbreed so I won't be asking any breed related questions.

I just flew my pup with me from Australia to Singapore and I was experiencing the same fears as you pre flight. It can be pretty stressful but as long as you are organized it should all go ok. My pup was whining when I picked him up but bounced back after I gave him a shower that night.I don't think it's selfish for us to want our dogs to be with us, wherever in the world we are...

To add my two cents I think puppy preschool is great! (provided you have the right trainer of course). I am a first time dog owner so puppy preschool really taught me alot :)

Just thinking...couldn't you do one of those DNA tests to prove she is primarily a lab/husky mix?

Sounds like the thundershirt might be a good option. Will check it out thanks!

Thanks everyone for their comments. I was wondering about whether to let him meet dogs given we did it regularly in Australia. Right now I think we will hold off it for at least another week. Update re neighbours dog: they met tonight at the corridor again and both dogs started growling and barking at each other! I learnt from my neighbour that the dog is actually her boyfriends staying with her for a couple of days. He is 5 months old and would probably feeling as insecure as my puppy in a new environment. My dog has also started barking every chance he gets at any hint of suspicious sounds. ESP hearing other dogs (I live in an area with a lot of apartments so it could be from another block away) and thunder. He's never heard thunder before so what I did was to try and distract him with training (basic sit, stand, down, rollover etc with reward at the end) it doesn't always work but I'm not sure what else I can do. He's also become scared of going down the stairs. I can see why- it's a wooden staircase with a plank underneath propping it up. I.e. there are gaps after each stair if that makes sense. Plus the railway is made of glass. I would be scared too if I were him! So what I've done is carry him halfway down so it's not so scary and encourage him to go the rest of the way which he is happy to do. Trying to work out how to upload a photo of him, might be because I am using a mobile device but it's not working..