haven

All of my dogs have been taught to 'social walk' without pulling on the lead so I can walk them in whatever I like

Erny you are a kak

Have you tried using your other dog as a 'demo'? I found that my little pup learned very well this way. One day I was doing the 'paws' trick with my GSD and I looked down and there was my Rotti pup doing it too! All it took was to give the command to him and praise and from then on he did the behaviour on cue. He is an extremely bright puppy, probably the fastest learner I've ever come across, but dogs often learn through mimcry.

Sorry Boxagirl I can only tell you from my (bad) experience. My GSD was extremely fearful of new things when I got him and it took me nine months of going through every obedience club in my area to find an obedience club that would allow us to join. Of course, with their help and advice my dog is much happier and healthier today, has passed advanced obedience and now does agility and trick training Where are you from?

Thanks for the links. Fresh4pets sounds like a great idea but horribly expensive!!

Ginger is a good remedy for nausia. Luvinshep I recently heard that there is evidence to suggest tumeric slows tumor growth in humans and dogs. I haven't read the info personally but it might be something you want to look into. I can give you the number of the person if you like.

What did they do?

I might just do that so everyone at training can have a laugh!

Thats interesting I'd like to take a look. Anyone know who makes them or have a website link?

No offense intended guys but I've had such a laugh reading these posts! Doggy nail filing and buffing it just puts the funniest picture in my head it never even occured to me to do such a thing! C'mon now I want the truth: who paints their dogs nails or puts those little pictures on them?

Yeah I tried to upload a pic of my dogs but it was the wrong type of file

I've never even heard of BARF patties but I'd tend to beware. If they come in a roll doesn't that negate many of the reasons behind a natural diet, the chewing of raw, meaty bones and the fact that they are not supposed to get a 'complete' meal every time they eat?

When my bitch was speyed recently she took the anaesthetic really hard too. When I picked her up she could barely walk and she was groggy for days afterwards. I too was worried about how to keep her quiet for ten days but she actually did a pretty good job of regulating this herself. I kept her closed in my room when I went to work and she spent all day lying on her back on my bed Just try to keep him from tearing around and keep him on lead if you have to. Just like any animal anaesthetic takes a huge toll on the body and it can take up to a year for the body to get back to normal in some cases. You might like to consider giving vitamin and mineral supplements for a while or upping your current levels to compensate. Glad he's gonna be ok Don't worry about the hair too much it's only been a month or so since my girls op but hers has nearly all grown back.

And how do computer dummies do it?

Sure, the doggy 'mullet' Glad to hear he's gonna be ok

I'm sure you didn't mean it this way but

Just try and make your behaviour exciting, interesting and unexpected and you will be guaranteed to get his attention. Try not to lean forward and stare, it seems natural for us but that kind of body language actually 'blocks' your dog. Your voice says come but your body says stay there. Try doing different things, running away, sitting or lying down etc.

That's great, keep us posted! Try to keep in mind your body language when you walk with Ted. Be confident and assured, like you expect him to walk with you and the thought that he wouldn't never even crossed your mind. Try not to fall into the trap of coaxing him. You might like to try going out before you walk and laying a trail of food for him to follow, that way the walk itself is enjoyable and you are there to add bonus pats and praise. Hope it continues to go well

Don't worry everything is a work in progress ;)

I taught my pup to recall often, against my own advice I did it off lead ;) However I never actually gave the command until he was coming towards me and commited to it. I'd get his attention, run away, play with a toy or just get down on the ground and be silly. I always had something to pull out of my pocket to reinforce the recall like a treat or a toy. Start fairly close to your pup because the further away you are the less attractive you are compared to something closer say that empty chip packet, pile of leaves well anything really, he's a puppy!

Actually the sound of a correction chain has the opposite effect on my dogs. As soon as they hear it they go mad with excitement thinking they are going to training or for a walk :rolleyes:

It depends on the vaccination (c3, c4 or c5) and if your dog had been vaccinated before. The first vaccination just primes the immune system so if your dog had not been vacc before you will need another shot. Otherwise a yearly booster is all you need. If your dog was previously vaccinated with a C3 and you wanted to give a C4 or C5, again you would need a second shot and then a yearly booster.

I don't believe in choker chains either. I do however believe in using that piece of equipment correctly, as a correction chain, there is a difference. Read in a book today (can't remember title) that perhaps prong collars should come in pink. I can see it now

Placing and guiding are mild forms of compulsion. Compulsion is to force or drive, especially to a course of action. It is the correct terminology, don't get confused by the perceived 'negative' association with the term. Yes you are showing the dog the correct behaviour, but you are also not giving the option to not comply, thus it is a method of compulsion.

Compulsion training is called thus because you are compelling the dog to comply. Examples include placing a dog into a sit or correcting into a sit. This is the opposite of 'inducement' where you might use a food lure to cause the dog to sit.