Lablover

I agree with you. BTW good joke - making money on litters. Joe public has no idea. Back to the topic at hand. Sorry everyone.

Damm. I thought my story was hysterically funny. I am hopeless at saving money (on the dogs) Every time I try, I end up kicking up own butt.

Ellz, Settle down. I have a funny story. At my last visit (Penn hip), as my dogs were due to be wormed, while I was paying at reception, I asked how much would I save if I purchased Drontal in bulk. The receptionist said $7.00 per tablet. With worming 9 labradors, I smugly thought "gee wizz, my husband is going to be so proud of me", as I spend so much on our dogs. They presented me with a nice size box. When the printed account was given to me, it was over $700.00. How was I to know a box contained 70 tablets. Doggie friends who visit are given Drontal presents for their dogs.

Very interesting thread. I admire my vet greatly, that must be why I visit him so often. Do I think we may be over vaccinating our dogs (C3)? Yes. But the average pet owner is not as educated as many of us might be. If they failed to visit their vet once a year many physical problems (even teeth, lumps) may be overlooked. My vet behind the scenes helps non paying wounded animals. His staff are also excellent. I hope he pays them over the award.

Poor dog. Poor poor dog. I am looking down at 2 dogs I am taking care of over the long weekend. It is a responsibility. I would no hesitation taking any to the vet if ill. What a horrible position.

Speaking as an amateur retriever trainer, AIN'T THAT THE TRUTH!!!! Just when I think I am finally getting my training program right, a new fangled idea pops into my head. It irritates me no end, as the whole reason I travel overseas, organise seminars is so my dogs are not confused (like me!!!).

At such a young age I would use food as a lure. Make sure he is hungry. Have a friend help you. Space yourself apart starting at short distances with no distractions. Praise him like you would if he were to win a recall championship, LOL. Try your best never to ask for a recall, that you cannot enforce. Use a long lead. When you start going elsewhere and the distractions are higher, keep the long lead on and follow him in silence when he goes to sniff the roses.

Every time I see the rabbit with your dog, I cringe. Hope it never injures itself and shows blood. Many a dog will not eat an uninjured animal, but once its skin is torn, it is a different story.

Buy a black dog. On a more serious note, I have been feeding Eagle Pack for 3 years and my dogs coats are in excellent condition (especially the black ones, LOL).

This is another link which may help: http://www.dogstuff.info/modal_theory_part1_macdonald.html

Steve, K9 force, opened my eyes to the use of prey drive (and their box of tricks, LOL). Even my young pups, who have just turned 6 months of age, who I like to think are retrieving machines, maintain focus for longer periods of time with a better attitude, which I humbly thought was already good. My only worry now is, that they receive little negative re enforcement, which will be required when they are older and their training becomes more complex. Out of order retrieves etc. Balance, will play a significant part I am sure, as it does with training generally. Timing of negative/positive re enforcement is also vital, plus knowing when a dog has been trained sufficiently to expect good responses. Dogs can often thrive on pressure also, a different subject, that Steve may hopefully reply to.

Oh good, so I'm not the only person that sends Steve lots of emails!! LOL. Gee I just noticed it is Tuesday and I have not still not Emailed Steve for over 4 days. Just in case you check in King Steve, the recall/mouthing drills are working well. There are no words that I can say to thank you enough.

Never ever sits??? Are you confident that your dog has not a physical problem?

The photos are excellent, thanks for posting them up. Poor old Ada, the ring in, LOL. Her only problem is that she is deaf and hates being not part of everything. Sandra, Dakota nee Texas, is gorgeous. I hope he continues to improve. Steve, I am so sorry for all my Emails regarding Stamps mouthing problem, but I did Email only ONCE today so I am feeling rather proud of myself, LOL. Stamp and I have been working really hard this week incorporating all your suggestions. By the look of Stamps improvement so far, it does seem I might have to pay you the $1,000.00 I promised. This afternoon I sent him to the pile after multiple sends, he was feeling a bit tired so went out at 60% pace (god love him, he still went, I like his drive, LOL) but returned like a bullet with a mouth that would not have marked a fly.

Julie, I did not hear a thing!!! I focus on the dog too much. Missed you all today. Had lunch at home, boring.

I want to thank Steve (and his assistant trainer Jane) for the weekend training seminar. Steve explained in great detail his theory on training dogs. I do really think there are gifted trainers (few and far between) but I would put Steve in this category. I am sure everyone of us, will be using his training program to reach our required standards. He was so patient with humans and our canine friends. Sandra, with Dakota being as big as he is, he should have been called Texas, LOL. All the dogs were very well behaved. May I also take this opportunity, from a personal level, to thank you with my labrador Stamp, regarding his mouth problems. Thanks again Steve & Jane.

$30.00 saving!!!!! Where did you price the retail cost? I tried all the other top dry dog foods, at 2 year intervals. I have found no other touches Eagle Pack.

FeralSam, LOL. My lot should be better than average with the time I spend fiddling/training them. I also try to think like a dog. They are corrected from time to time, but not until I am satisfied they know what I am asking of them.

Tess32, What obedience standards did these two dogs reach, how did they perform out of the obedience 'setting" and what breeds are they? Just wondering????

I think the methods we use has a direct correlation to our standards. I have yet to see a successful dog at retriever trials, who has been trained using purely positive methods. The requirements are too high.

Good point Eddy. Too close heeling has sometimes get you marked down. I have one who is excellent at obedience. She looks so tuned it. Strangely she is my most softest lab. No harsh methods were ever used on her. I rarely had to use even a flat collar or leash of her. She has tripped me over many a time by heeling too close. She nearly always places her right paw on my left foot.

My dogs look at my hands. I rarely look down. I look out. I must be missing something with our comparisons.

Surfed the net and noticed in was clicker training, which I have no experience in. The damm clicker confuses me no end, LOL, what is the difference with just perfectly timed praise. I must go to a clicker course one day, heck I go to so many seminars anyway. The ear thingo must be a labrador trait.

Nat, I am having my lunch and as I not had heard of this person and her methods, by posting the name you are making my lunch go cold. Watch your dogs ears especially when they are young and learning obedience. Mine nearly always if they are focused on me, have their ears slightly back or up.

Tess 32, Could I ask you why you want eye to eye contact for 30 seconds?