Lablover

Did you end up going to the vet for the cold water tail? I would not have worried about a vet visit, as the condition is fairly routine in my household. In my experience pain killers are not necessary unless the dog cannot sit down. The condition resolves itself in time with or without treatment. Try as best you can to dry the base of the dogs tail and hindquarters before leaving for home after swimming (or hunting in the rain especially with dogs that have a vigorous tail action). If you surf the net there are many topics on this subject.

Training the motivational retrieve and Building drive focus and grip. One of my labs had a mouthing problem which K9 force kindly supplied exercises to work on. They are shown outstanding results so far. Thus my interest in how Schutzhund/protection dogs are trained.

K9 you are going to laugh. I ended up buying a few Schutzhund training videos featured with Bernard Flinks. They are interesting in their use of prey drive instead of the older force methods. I need to watch them again of course, as it was very late night/early morning viewing. The favourite article was mentioned on a few of the vidoes. Ummmm, but what if they are already retrieving their favourite article, what can I use as a higher value item? Using the same value item (as a reward) is still a concern of mine.

You have my interest. Karen Overall, have you met her?. She is a classic, so is her husband.

Oh dear, what a worry for you. There is also a new diet produced by Eagle Pack which has duck in it for bowel disorders, just in case you wanted another option.

Erny gave a lovely long explanation. I bet your dog will be happy in the car, when he realises it is fun. What I also have found dogs have a preference to where they like to be. Try and find his most comfortable spot. It may help to have a window slightly open and have him facing forwards.

Sardog!!!! Good to see you visit DOL.

Drooling is normally a sign of nervousness. It may be an idea to make the car a fun place. Feed the pup in the car. Take him for lots of short trips. Do not make a fuss of him and confuse him with reassurance. He will probably be fine with further car travel.

K9 force, I was wondering if all working dogs used in various police forces around the world are neutured? The reason I ask is if the males are not, how are they trained to ignore bitches in season (distraction training I am sure, but when at work are they reliable?) and which is the higher drive NATURALLY in dogs sex or prey?

K9 (and others), For high level working dogs what are your views on how young dogs are reared. Should they spend most of their time, out of trouble and resting in crates and runs, rather than being loose in the house or yard. We all know dogs learn nothing in their pens or crates, and the benefits of being with handlers/owners may encourage biddability, bonding and such. Of course, a tired dog is well - a tired dog. Ones that play with older dogs during the day and may learn bad habits (for much of day and night) , whereas trainig may be for only half an hour a day. What are your ideals? Do dogs that are mostly contained have the added advantage of social drive as well as the benefits of prey drive.

Another question too please Steve. Would it be worth me purchasing the Bernard Flinks video/DVD, bearing in mind my requirements relate to retrieving not protection training?

Dew claw removal has played on my mind for many years. So far none of my dogs or pups have had them removed and they work in very difficult terrain. I keep my dogs dew claws short and they are indeed close to the dogs legs. From time to time my dogs have slightly injured their dew claws (hidden tin being one example). When the dogs have suffered an injury I wonder if the dog did not have their dew claws, would the tin have caused a more serious cutting injury?

K9: may actually help, pups love to chew when teething. They get plenty of bones to chew on, sticks, anything they can get their mouths around. My concern is my throwing ability.. As they obey for example sit, I instantly throw them an article to catch. Same with stopping on command, heeling. If they are close it is not a problem, but with distance unfortunately my aim may not be so good, LOL.

Remember too young pups often do not void just once after a period of time of rest. You may have to spend a little more time waiting. You are on the right track. Just before my young ones show that they are about to go, I voice cue them "toilet" and praise them. Keep at it.

Trying to use quotes, sucks!!!! Sorry.

Umm. I have always used food in the past when luring young pups. I must experiment with my next puppy, which unfortunately due to the number of dogs I currently own, will be a while. If you have an equally motivated dog by food & prey, I still prefer prey as a drive is an adrenalin based behaviour, there is a greater adrenalin flow for a prey item than a piece of food. Food isnt often trying to escape or even hard to catch. The more adrenalin, the higher the charge in the dog, the more energy it will put into satisfying that drive. Makes sense. LL: QUOTE Using prey drive can apparently be used for pups as young as 6 weeks of age. What articles could be used, as the pups are unco-ordinated at this age. My throwing of a paint roller with a plastic insert could possibly discourage a baby pup, my tossing of articles is not all that great!!! Is using a favourite soft toy OK? As baby pups are unco-ordinated, is it best to use an object that glides somewhat? K9: When working with a whole litter at a time, I use a broomstick, piece of rope off each side & rag attached to both sides & run around the pen. I am looking for the dog with the greatest desire to capture the rag. One of my all time favourite tests. I like the young pups who never give up. I also take young pups to a new paddock with distractions and I like they ones that remain focused on the rag. It is a good water test too. I then move to a fishing line also, with rag. Then bounce it around with the pup I have chosen from the first excercise. Now I am confused again. What exactly do you do? Instead of giving myself another headache because of pondering could you give further details? LL: QUOTE During young dog teething do you cease prey drive exercises, until the adult teeth are down.? K9: no, I just tug the rag from the pups mouth. In my work, I want the dog to bite & hold until I say let go. I admit I focus on obedience during the teething. Softie I am, as I worry about their sore gums and do not want to discourage them in any way. Probably would not make any difference?? I will let the pup capture the item & then it lays down & chews it, when it drops it (dead prey) I tug it away & frustrate the pup again. This teaches the pup not to let go. By the time it wont, its old enough to teach the out. I greatly discourage chewing on the retrieving article, by having control by a long rope and as much puppy recall response as possible. Mouth issues had been a problem with my male, which you kindly suggested drills for, which have been wonderful. He was not allowed to chew toys but was allowed to play with toys. Different kettle of fish.

Hi everyone, Since K9's seminar my dogs have improved in retaining their focus for longer periods of time during training -notably the teaching phase by using prey drive. I have for many years been aware that dogs without focus cannot learn. Previously if I kept their FULL focus and their energy levels high for 10 minutes (12 week old for example) of continuous training twice a day I would have been happy. I have ceased using food rewards/lures from my program the more dramatic results being evident with my 6 month old pups, utilising now solely prey drive. Since the seminar I have tried to expand on my knowledge of using drive.I thought that would be more prudent instead of Emailing or telephoning Steve every week or so, LOL. But questions still remain: Starting food lure/bribes with baby pups, and then moving to other types of drives, is not thought ideal. Why?? Surely a reward is a reward? Why is the use of prey drive better? When using prey drive can chase drive be included (as long as we have control of the item being chased and do not allow bad habits as in the dog gaining success not from us as handlers)? Rag on a length of rope being one example. Using prey drive can apparently be used for pups as young as 6 weeks of age. What articles could be used, as the pups are unco-ordinated at this age. My throwing of a paint roller with a plastic insert could possibly discourage a baby pup, my tossing of articles is not all that great!!! Is using a favourite soft toy OK? As baby pups are unco-ordinated, is it best to use an object that glides somewhat? During young dog teething do you cease prey drive exercises, until the adult teeth are down.? How long is the window of opportunity open for in obtaining the highest possible genetic prey drive? The books I have read are somewhat confusing. A couple mention 12 -1 8 months, another highly respected person 7 months. Many many more questions to come.

Excuse me please. Why is not the length of the zing "correction"collar not mentioned at all and why is the slack or length of the of lead not detailed here?

I live in a semi rural environment, so apart from conditioning my dogs to being on lead, after puppy training, they do not require any collar or lead for walking. I get comments all the time even when I walk at the local park past tennis courts and such, as I normally take 3 dogs at once, all heel until I release them.

I know I know everyone. PS I love my vet so much, I located an ultrasound machine free of charge, and never expected a discount.

I happily paid the account in the morning. I was so glad it was not tetanus. They suggested the inpatient care might have been for at last a week possibly two. A nurse at the centre wanted to buy her as she was a good patient. Wonder what she would have offered me???

Thanks. As mentioned I am not particularly worried what my vet charges me. Nevertheless one night when the practice was closed, I was concerned about one of my labs. Rather than wait the night out, I visited an emergency centre. They suggested the dog stay overnight, to which I agreed. I was a little bemused when they insisted on giving me a quote!!!. No wonder. The quote was for $650.00 for 8 hours, plus medication. She had suspected tetanus. She was fine. The diagnosis turned out to be some type of sting. Oh well, that life with dogs. I did not give THEM any vino.

BTW, and sorry to change the subject again. I wonder what mark up there is on blood tests?

I am so upset on the owners stance regarding the dog, I feel like suggesting a donation of some sort, paid directly to the vet of course. Once again poor dog.

$10 to $13.00 ?? Interesting. I must check what I was charged in my rather large folder containing JUST the last 18 months of accounts and receipts. When my vet and his staff pulled out all stops with a young pup of mine when he was desperately ill, I was so grateful I took 2 boxes of rather nice wine to them in appreciation.