Lablover

I have never used a halti, as I have not the need. That being said, by training, we are trying as mere humans to form a way of COMMUNICATING with our dogs. Remember to start with a known command. The dog will enjoy its praise for the correct response (like sit). If the dog is confused while teaching other commands, break the stress, by using the known command again. They tend to focus better if from time to time they get something right, LOL.

Other GSP??? So the one in question is a GSP? Third GSP I personally know in the last 2 months with moderate to severe grass seed problems.

Grass seeds can be terrible. Recently a couple of friends dogs have suffered the same. Both in their dogs throats, and one was only run on short grass, so obviously length is not a factor. When was the last grass seed removed? I often hear of tales that not all are found initially. One friends dog recently passed away as the grass seed, despite endless veterinary consultations continued to the dogs lungs and secondary complications resulted. Another has had a dreadful time with her GSP where multiple grass seeds are "somewhere" in the dogs jaw and under the eyes. Has your dog been continued on antibiotics BTW?

If I have thought this once, I have thought this a million times, LOL Teaching good heeling without confusing the dog is the hardest thing to teach, once a problem or habit has been formed. Timing of correction and praise is vital and not easily taught. One simple thing that may help you if you dog is food motivated is to keep your left hand by your left side and tap your leg to teach the dog focus (or target) on where you want him to be (start without distractions). Praise as mentioned at the wrong time or pleading praise can be confusing also. Sometimes I often think the learner handler should not say anything AT ALL, but use their own body language (especially hands and legs) instead as I feel vocal cues are the last thing a dog understands any particular concept. What also can sometimes help learners is to have 3 or 4 buckets in a clear section of lawn. So change of direction is easier for the handler. It is also important not to walk with a lunging dog, always try to walk in another direction, taping your knee or upper leg at the same time. Also instead of saying heel use a fluent straight out motion with your hand from the dogs nose. I hope this makes sense.

Being too aggressive, how?

I looked at this question a couple of times before I have decided to add to the thread. Due to the breed of dogs having problems with hold and fetch etc,not being gundog breeds which tend to very easy to teach holding an article, has anyone heard of force fetch using the ear pinch? Please before you all jump on me, force fetch can be done in a humane manner. Not much different than pushing a dog's bottom down to train to sit or using a heeling stick for faster responses to known sit commands. I would much rather use a heeling stick to guide a dog to teach heeling than a chocker collar. Are you interested in your dogs retrieving just for the sack of retrieiving a ball in the park or retrieving because your interest is in CDX or UD?

Thanks. Doesn't he look good!!! Mentally he is great too. Apparently long term young puppies can be affected!!! I laugh nowadays as he is cat like, jumping so high. I did not post the more upsetting photos I took before his operation.

I know it may seem strange that I took the first photo, bearing in mind my pup is just about to undergo surgery, but I was brought up as a Catholic by European parents, who take photos of loved deceased relatives. As a result when I raced to the vet, to make the decision of whether or not to let him go to rainbow ridge I took some photos, just in case it was going to be the last time I saw my darling, because the decision to send him (whole) for autopsy had already been made. Second photo: Today. What long legs he has, LOL. Third photo: Today. Shows his devil side, LOL. Edited: The third photo unfortunately does not show the gleam in his eyes. Too small. I must learn how to post photos better.

She is physically gone, but with you forever. Remember the good times, I am sure there are so many. May the tears stop in time and when you think of her in the future it is with a smile on your face.

I am unclear of what we all consider issues. Aggression and barking have been mentioned. Barking can be nipped at in the bud, with no voice training as young puppies. Aggression another catch word, which could mean a variety of implications to others. Some dogs (particularly males) are only aggressive when staked or annoyed with young pups, some dogs are fine for stays in obedience/or in the show ring but can be real aggressive at other times. When you have trained a dog who is on the edge of their toes, with an insane willingness to work, I think we never wish for the plodders ever again.

Sidoney, How upset you must be. Remember to love her the most when she is telling you, she must go and leave you behind. It is so difficult for us to know when it time to let them go. Most dogs seem to handle pain well. Often it is up to us to make the decision. I wish we could help you both more.

I thought I would add how ex-Joey, now renamed Yoey (Yo) is progressing. He had his stitches removed yesterday. He is drinking and eating well (small meals frequently through the day and night ,which necessitates me getting up 4 times per night- but I do care) and emptying well. He complains about being in his (lounge room) pen, but is acting like any other puppy. I like to think he knows he is special. The vet finally gave me the account yesterday. I nearly fell over. I expected to pay 3 times the amount due. Yo will be having check up liver function tests next Friday. I will post photos in a day or two.

I have my fingers, toes and eyes crossed for you and your old girl. I hope she is OK.

Oh no. Fido I am so sorry. When I came to your last post, I quickly looked at my pup who is going so well. I am upset to hear about your darling Jessie. Remember the good times. You loved and cared for her, as she did you.

LOL I have to admit while I was away, I was telephoning 3 times per day asking on his progress. I was on the "return" alert just in case he regressed. I was so happy when I heard he was eating, keeping the food down and (was starjumping) when he finally moved his bowels. Strange people, us dog lovers, fancy being so excited to hear about one dog, passing stools, LOL.

No and either have friends of mine. Our first labrador somehow snuck into our family room, where the chocolate laden Christmas tree was located years ago. She ate probaby 40 chocolate decorations and suffered no side effects.

I am so sorry that I have not been able to post, or reply to Emails and PMs, but I have been away at a retrieving trial. My husband stayed home, to take care of the puppy if he was released before my return. I have great pleasure to announce that he is doing great. He is at home, drinking and eating. He is still rather thin as expected but is eating well. He has normal functioning bladder and bowel. His normal colour has returned. He is acting like a normal 18 week pup. He has a slight infection at the exterior wound site which is resolving. He is W O N D E R F U L. His long term prognosis is excellent. What a heart this little fellow has.

I forgot to mention, I was allowed to visit him before making the decision allowing him either to go to rainbow ridge or subject him to the surgery (and possibily prolonging his pain or dying during the surgery). When I arrived, as he was in a low pen, I sat in front of the door. The staff opened the pen and I gently called his name. Despite his weariness he staggered, with me supporting his weight into my lap. I like to think he could understand my words and questions, even when I was sobbing so. After about 10 minutes the vet entered the room. I looked up at him and was shocked to see our darling vet was crying too.

Joey's saga initially occurred (after the diagnosis of Lepto was discounted), due to ingesting a toxin. I have worn out my poor brain cells trying to think of what he may have eaten. As mentioned it could have been anything, an old bone, dead bird etc. He also could have accessed the toxin when loose in paddocks. His intussusception was a secondary problem, caused from his excessive vomiting. At the worst the vomitus smelt like faeces!!! He continues to bark despite pain relief and sedation. Great to see him complaining. He is depressed in his pen, but acts nearly normal when allowed toilet time. He will remain at the vets until he shows that he can keep water (starting food tomorrow), and produces the results. So far, so good. He is doing better than expected.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I like Larry (for Lazarus) or Yo Yo (because of the emtions this week). He is a yellow labrador BTW. This evening the vet telephoned and was very angry (not). The pup had chewed his drip line to bits, so he is now wearing an Elizabethan collar which does not make him happy at all. The pup has been complaining rather vocally about being left in a pen also. He certainly sounds as though he is feeling better. Yippppeee.

Thanks Vizsla girl, If he survives all this trauma, I will definitely have to think of another name for him, like Lucky or Lionheart. Any other ideas? The sun is definitely shining brighter today.

Could Botulism not be the cause? From memory the dogs bled from their mouths and rectums? I was under the impression that Botulism takes a few days for animals/humans to show symptoms? Whatever the end results show, it is still a tragedy. I could not imagine anything being worse regarding our beloved dogs.

He has survived the night and is looking well considering. Before being sedated this mroning to keep him calm, he BARKED in his pen and was more alert than ever before. He also had a quick walk to toilet. What a little fighter. Keep it up boy!!!!!!!!!!

Our vet just telephoned. He survived the surgery and is waking up nicely in recovery. The blood supply to the rest of his intestine looks good.

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