Cosmolo

What training do you do with him? If he is bored, training may help to stimulate him. What breed is he?

Remember to think about what you want to be qualified to do- i did the NDTF course because i wanted to have a cert that had behavioural components recognised as well as wanting to learn about all the elements of training.

I am pretty sure that Four Paws run puppy school at a few at vets over that way- i'm just not sure which ones so maybe call and ask what they have available

Four Paws K9 Training would be the best one closest to you

Just so you know lilli- the delta course docuses on positive reinforcement only training while the NDTF course it a bit broader. I do know people who have loved the delta course but i think it depends what type of training you want to do and what dogs your dealing with.

If you contact Leopuppy on the forum, i'm sure she'll be able to help or point you in the right direction.

From memory you are out Sunbury way? Contact Kelpie i (four Paws) and i'm sure they'll be able to help you

Is everything okay Oonga?

Sorry to be blunt but its your job to interfere in that situation so that Ruby doesn't have to tell the other dog off- regardless of what the other owner is doing.

You need to seek assistance from a qualified trainer- it may be some normal puppy behaviour. Or it might be more serious and no one can tell you which without seeing the pup.

I don't see why a trainer has to bag another at all. I wouldn't be wasting space in an article bagging another trainer or their methods. Pax, maybe thats one of the differences in my group sessions, most of the people there have had some one on one training at some point. And there are two instructors- one to take a class and one to provide one on one help. No strangled dogs in my classes.

I have not heard of him. Perhaps he should come and watch one of my group classes then- not a dog club but plenty of correction chains being used humanely and effectively.

Thats a good start but please make sure if you go to a club that hey ahve the expertise to assist with such issues. Just doing basic obedience training itself is not necesarily the answer, particularly because there will be a new baby in the home in the near future.

Does anyone know of a bowen therapist who does dogs in Melbourne? Preferably south eastern suburbs?

Given that there is inter dog aggression involved and you are pregnant, i would be very hesiatant to advise online. Is there a reason why you are holding off obedience? Have you considered a one on one session with a behaviourist and a When Freddy Meets Fido session (for pregnant dog owners) given that your pregnant?

If you were willing to travel to Dandenong, i know a groomer there who is just wonderful and i'm sure she would be happy to teach you some things at some point. She works from home and only does a few regular dogs, pm me if you would like the number

Not too sure of anything that close that i could recommend- recently had a private client in Sth Yarra who had quite a bad experience at one of the group training venues around there so make sure you go and check out the places really well. Might help if you can give us an idea of what you want to achieve- trialling etc?

I have clients who do similar jogging with their dogs. I would just make sure they are looking at an active adult dog who will really enjoy the opportunity to have that kind of exercise and make sure the running won't be done on hard cement the whole time. My clients jog at the beach, through the park and down the road home and both of their dogs seem to absolutely love it. 12 months for a medium dog and 18 months for a large breed in my opinon.

LP- how about conditioning a whistle or similar to get them razzed up. When i first met my OH he had taught his dogs to respond to different whistles to herd cattle. Although they don't herd cattle anymore, they still respond to the whistle by getting REALLY excited. Did the same with Cosmo when she was chasing seagulls etc and now anytime she hears my whistle (which is a different one from one that means come here) she gets excited, no matter what she's doing. Just need to pair it with a high drive event.

I wouldn't give one of the pups up without a professional assessment first- i have seen many people who thought there pups were not compatible at a young age and with good leadership and training skills, they never had any problems. People do have some bitches together with no problems as well, just as people have issues between some males and females. The individual dogs and situation needs to be looked at and i would strongly advise getting a professional opinon before you make such a difficult decision.

Gayle- just one thing- its actually pay a professional to teach you, i don't know many private trainers who just teach the dog And what Erny said!

Daz, contact Four Paws K9 Training- kelpie-i on this forum as she services your area and would be a behaviourist myself and others could recommend. We do service your area ourselves occasionally but likely to be more expensive than kelpie-i as we are further away. Let me know if they are unable to help though and we can work something out.

Just for a little bit of balance- i have 3 bitches who all run together with no problems. It depends largely on the dogs temperaments, your leadership and willingness to do training etc. It can work if you are careful and get things sorted out now.

And i suggest you go to he Monty wenbsite and look at the very first photo of the horse in flight that comes up- you can't tell me that horse isn't experiencing stress and that its all "positive"

I have seen Monty and Pat, read their books and watched dvd's- and there is lots of negative reinforcment involved. Just because something is not purely positive doesn't mean that it involves belting the living daylights out of the animal, hobbles etc. I don't understand why non positive trainers are all grouped together with alpha rolls and beatings. Its just not true. Rusky- do you use headcollars???