Erny

:p :D

Ummm, is this a Dogtech or a Dog Whisperer behaviourist? No fun stuff with your dog? Or have I misread or am I assuming?

Definately Victoria .... please yayyyyy!!!

I'm interested too, if you don't mind, Sardog? :D

Not sure if it was written by this guy, but someone posted a very interesting article on this subject a few months ago. I haven't been able to find it, so if anyone has it or can link it I would really appreciate it. Also, in a small hijack, because of this article I was going to have my dogs titre tested in Feb, which is when their annual booster is due. Someone once posted about a Vet's who did titre testing and if it was necessary, vaccinated the dogs at no further charge. Does anyone what Vet it was, or know of a Vet that does this? I too would be interested in the answers to the two questions Haven has raised here. Anyone?

Chelsea extending her holidays, GL?????? :rolleyes: PJ - Have fun!

Given all that you get up to in regards to training your dogs, I doubt "twiddle" is a word you often practice, YB!

GL - Given that Berwick Centre is closest to me, you'd think I'd be there the most regularly! But other things that I'm involved with tended to interupt my 2005 Saturdays .... perhaps I'll get back to ADT Berwick come February! I'll look forward to meeting you then - but in the meantime, if you get to "ditch a Sunday", maybe I'll see you at Scoresby

Finishing touches being put on the material required for this course. I'm informed that it's expected this will be finalised in the next week or two. Any who have already enquired and left their details are still on the "list" and the info pack will be sent out then. As I understand it, the time frame for the distance course is 8 or 9 months (approx) and apart from the theory component & practical hours, comprises of two blocks of hands-on training down here in Melbourne. The first block is about 3 months into the course, the second block is towards the end. At successful completion of the course, you receive Cert III accreditation. That's all I know, so far. I think the course is going to be very popular, so I'd be recommending those interested get in contact with NDTF 03 9761 0406 or 1300 66 44 66 or email [email protected] and put your names down on the "list" early.

Don't worry about it Anne .... we expect to see many dogs with the "Christmas sillies" on the first weekend back !

No worries, ppls! ADT don't close down for very long (we dog trainers can't wait to return! ). I'm not rostered on for the first weekend (due to having trained at Wellington Park Boarding & Training kennels for my the whole of my Christmas holidays) but I am rostered on for Scoresby and Boronia Centres on 15th January. You guys going to Scoresby on 15th? Maybe we'll finally get a chance to meet!

ADT Berwick - 7th January ADT Springvale - 8th January ADT Scoresby - 8th January ADT Boronia - 8th January I haven't listed all the other centres, as I don't think you guys go to them? (ie Doncaster, Heidelberg, Ascotvale). If you do, and you need the dates, let me know (or ring ADT office on 9761 2772). The new ADT Hawthorn Centre commences on Sunday 15th January. (@ Hawthorn Secondary College). Located on Burgess Street, but access to the oval is from Auburn Road where the sports pavilion is located. Melways Map 59 - located to the intersection of Toorak Road and the Monash Freeway. It's a morning centre - there's plenty of street parking surrounding these grounds and off street parking is available as well. Springvale Centre is being relocated as from 22nd January. It will be at the Noble Park Secondary College which is near the intersection of Heatherton and Chandler Roads. Access is very easy from the Monash by getting off at Jacksons Road and heading south. Over the Princes Highway this becomes Chandler Road and should only take about 5-10 minutes to get to from the Monash. The construction of Eastlink will make access even easier, as it runs almost past the front door. The school can be found on Map 89 of your Melways. The new centre has massive training areas in a bushland setting. The other change is that the new "Springvale Centre" will become an afternoon centre, with classes running from 2.00pm. - you'll be informed of all of this on your return to the centres on 7th and 8th January. Happy New Year, guys .... look forward to meeting up with you this month!

Hey they dog tries to jump the fence ... not your fault its the only way to contain her ... Nice try, but I'm not so sure that reason (or excuse) would cut it in a Court of Law ....

:p Trouble with that is that the "would be" robbers will then turn around and sue you for 'booby trapping' .... Ditto what Haven and Nekhbet have said, but also be sure that you are leader (in your dog's mind) - she needs one now more than ever. This way, while you're going through the desensitisation process, your dog's progress should be quicker as she'll know that, whilst she might not like the situation, she can trust in your capability to handle the situation and defer to your choices. Good luck - I hope Kirra gets over her scare quickly. Karma should see the intruders having a rotten Christmas.

And when it doesn't work, they'll tell you it's because you can't have stuck to the plan, even though you did.

And it doesn't seem to make any difference to them what the problem is, be it fear; fear aggression; dominance; dominance aggression; or even no problem at all - they seem to use the same program. And if your dog then develops issues (eg. digging; destructive behaviour etc.)because it's bored, then "that's normal" and they'll deal with that later. So, if you have a dog with no problems, it will develop problems and then they can deal with them further down the track. ;) (This has actually happened to a friend of mine.) ETA: Mind you, I have no issues with points numbered 3-6, but that's not what it's all about.

K9 and CF .... thank you for your kind comments. :rolleyes: W - good for you for showing alot of common sense both with your current dog (GSD) and with your plans for a future pup. I agree with the comment by Poodlefan ... working with a dog with issues, with supervision, is a great learning curve (I've been there!) that will stand you in good stead .. not just with other problematic dogs you might end up working with (not particularly your own) but also with "no problem" dogs. It simply gives you a considerably deeper understanding of why you do the things you do and how it impacts on the dogs. Also, I think you'd get a buzz from the additional challenge. We'll (ie you and me) will be in touch again in the not too distant future to discuss "next steps" ;)

Thanks Tim -- good job!

Hi W I replied to your email, just now. As per it, I'd suggest you wait .... give it some time working with the GSD both over Christmas and then at ADT. See how things go. I expect you'll see some good results. Also, as you'll find you're quite busy with the NDTF Course as well, why not wait until that's completed? That way you'll be able to apply the knowledge you've gained from that to assist you with your judgements.

I don't think that reaction was warranted .....

We can discuss it with you Anne .... sort out the "cause" ... determine if the "cause" is still there or whether we're just now dealing with learnt behaviour. Either way, if he's doing it for escape the behaviour will continue to be reinforced (and therefore strengthened) every time he achieves his goal. So, firstly, you're on the right track for fixing up his escape routes. But check in with the behaviourist .... which, by the way, will be MEEEEE this Sunday morning at Scoresby (xmas break up/fun day) !!!!!

Look forward to seeing you back there, Nickyp!

As has been mentioned, Alison ... ADT have cancellation policies where, if you're not happy, a portion of your moneys are refunded, depending on how far down the track you elect to cancel. ADT aren't about clinching a deal and keeping you there if you're not happy. (That's not good for you, your dog nor ADT.) I guess that's because ADT are confident in the quality of their Trainers and the quality of their instruction and advice - something that has been proven time and time again over the last 20 years. I don't think ADT overtly seek to prove themselves to anyone .... it becomes self evident. They offer and show as much about themselves as they can in the non-obligatory "First Timer's Session" ... then it's up to you whether you like/feel comfortable with what you see and hear around you. It's also already been mentioned that you don't have to pay the fee upfront if you prefer to opt for their payment plan.

It's a matter of common sense and weighing up risks. IMO, the risk of behaviour issues later on as a result of inadequate socialisation early on is GREATER than the risk of the pup picking up diseases, provided, of course, common sense about WHERE you socialise the pup is applied. If your shopping centre is not an area where many unknown dogs go, then I'd suggest there's small chance your pup would pick up a disease. Same deal with other "non - free range dog" areas you might think to take your pup. One thing I would suggest, though, is keep your pup away 7 days clear of each vaccination. As I understand it, the pup's immune system can go down as a result of the vaccination, before it comes back up again. The pup is more vulnerable in that 7 day window.

Double post .... and seemed to post before I hit the button ...