Cheyenne_Fury

Can any dog have a go? Anne

Simone, me and jake ware coming too Anne

Getting the dogs attention is the most important thing and it can be hard, believe me I know i have a beagle cross basset, but we are getting there. The use of a squeaky toy is good to get the attention of your dog but make sure you call her to come at the same time otherwise she will only come when you use the squeaky toy. Practice does make perfect. If she finds other things more rewarding, maybe put her on a long line a few times and she will soon realise that having her freedom is much more fun and will come straight away when you call. Let her off the long line as her reward for a run etc. Just an idea Anne

The poor baby I hope that she is eventually ok. Sometimes it just happens that all these things happen to one dog over a short period of time. Give her lots of kisses Anne

Jenna, Our old kepie cross lab got a lot of fatty lumps as she got older. Hope that your Jenna is ok and it is nothing serious Anne

If it is at all possible I would absolutely LOVE to come along with my boy Jake!!! YB I'll send you an pm Anne Edited cos it didn't make sense

K9 - Very interesting article. It gives people with agressive dogs hope that there is ways with the help of professional trainers. I have also read several other articles from your site, and they are a great help to people, especially the ones regarding dominant dogs. I think that many dog owners don't realise that their dogs behaviour is dominant if it is not agressive and this sure does help to point this out and helps us to realise that these things need to be addressed and can be done so with the help of a professional trainer and don't necessarily have to be extremely hard issues to correct. Thanks ;) Anne

Hey Simone If you do decide to come and check ADT out me and Murray would be more than happy to offer you and Dodge (presuming you would take dogey boy ). I know that ADT have 7 different training centres, though Berwick is the closest, but they train through the weekend and some week nights as well. If you want some info let me know cos I have all the brochures and stuff. The people were super nice too Anne

Not a problem. It is for the safety of everyone there and so definately fair enough Can't wait to see all the fun. Will just have to take Jake over to Grandma's (my mum's) for the day where he can be spoilt rotten while Murray and Me spend some quality time together Jake loves my mum Anne

I thought so which is definately fair enough Oh well Jake can come along next year Anne

Poo .... I missed it. What did it cover? Yeah I missed that too... Bugger Haven, yep got the info about the Christmas fun day. I will definately be there. Just a question. My dog Jake is not a member yet. Would I be able to bring him along as well as Murray??? Anne

YB, yep they do but it is only for 3 weeks i think which I am super pleased about so we will get three training sessions in before the break and lots of things to practice over the break and then go back nice and fresh and showing all the stuff we will have practiced Anne

Thanks YB, yep we have gone a step in the right direction and now comes the hard, but still fun stuff. Murray and I will both benefit enormously and I am looking forward to the challenge that will come with training my loveable old man Anne

Thanks Haven and Erny, I am really thankful for the advise you both gave me and soooo happy that you both recommended it. I had attended an obedience club with my other dog Jake a few years back now, but didn't enjoy it because one of the trainers was very rude to the owners and made them feel like they didn't know anything about handling their dogs and controlling them and that's why they were going to obedience. I am pleased to say that ADT seems to be the complete opposite and everyone was super nice and really helpful so I am definately looking forward to the real work starting with Murray . I am also seriously considering joining the advanced obedience course and socialisation with Jake in the new year BTW: I registered under my first Name "Belinda" but much prefer Anne, which is my middle name Thanks again guys and certainly look forward to lots of fun and of course meeting both of you Anne

Just thought I would post a little update on my loveable, but not so obedient old beagle cross Murray. I had been experiencing problems with getting his attention and he was pulling on the lead whenever I took him for a walk and generally not being obedient at all. On advise from several of the trainers on this forum, I took Murray along to an information session at ADT dog training in Berwick (Vic) and just had to share. Murray was sooo good on Saturday when I took him down. The information session was about an hour and a half. The first hour was one of the lovely trainers explaining all about ADT and what courses they offered etc. Murray had a bit of a sniff around and then just laid at my feet for most of that time. He was a dream . The only little incident that we had was a puppy got a bit too curiious with Murray's tail and Murray didn't really appreciate it. He had a little growl, just telling the pup to keep his distance, but didn't once bite or bear his teeth. I am sure that this is him just getting older and not wanting to be bothered by the younger ones, after all he is around 9 and a half. He loves to have a play, but doesn't like other dogs jumping on him and carrying on. I suppose he is just past all that, One of the other trainers did an assessment on Murray and after going through a few little issues that we have at home he scored Murray 7/10 and able to do even the most advanced obedience course that ADT offered. Needless to say I was soo pleased with this and so glad that other people saw potential in my boy just as I did. We signed up for control obedience classes and socialisation classes which both sound like lots of fun and I can't wait to start next Saturday If all the people at ADT are as nice and carrying and knowledgable as the ones that I had the pleasure of meeting on Saturday (other owners and trainers alike) then Murray will be a wonder dog soon enough, and I will have the makings of a good handler Just thought I would share our exciting news. Anne

Yogi, What the others have said is right. People "attack" others because they themselves have problems and feel insecure and don't want other people to enjoy themselves and excel at what they do. Believe me people are like this everywhere and while it is sad when you come to realise that people you thought were friends turn out not to be, they are the ones with the problem and they are trying to bring you back down to their level because they are frightened of being alone and of having someone be more successful that what they are. I have experienced the same in the world of horses as well. If we can not be open to new methods and willing to learn all we can then how do we learn? Is it not through experience and help from others that we all learn and come to reach our full potential? I just want to say good on you for being brave enough to try different things and try to find new ways of training with positive results! Hang in there, we all believe in you and most of all, you have seen the results of your hard work and so know that what you are doing is right for you at least! Many people,especially those that arent't faced with the difficulties you are, can't say the same because they are either too close minded or do not have enough courage to try something new, in all walks of life, not just dog training. So for that I would be immensly proud of yourself because you certainly deserve it. I don't know what these people/person said to you, but I would ignore them. They are just not worth your time and energy. Anne

Haven what is it they say about great minds thinking alike . You are totally right about enriching his environment as well as introducing the yucky tastes. Great advise Crazy Beagle Lady, a lot of people don't expect Beagles to need so much attention/exercise because they are smaller. I swear if my beagle cross Murray could go for a walk, sleep and eat at the same time he would be one happy pup!!! ;) Loony, would love to see a pic of your boy, you too crazy beagle lady! Anne

Hi Loony Speaking from experience (I have a beagle cross who is nearly 10) it sound like the exercise that you are giving him is not enough. I also have a dalmatian, and both of these dogs need a really good walk at least once a day, or at least a run in the park. My boy started escaping when he was bored which is not a good situation for anyone so I know how you feel. One thing I would do would be to increase his stimulation as Haven said while you are away from home. Instead of giving him his breakfast (assuming that you feed him in the morning) in a bowl, scatter it around the yard so he has to hunt for it. Kongs and other treat device toys are great and we all know how much beagles love food ;) Also Aussie Dog have some great toys that are virtually indestructable for dogs to play with while their owners are away at work. There is one called home alone which is a great toy! They aren't the cheapest, but they are excellent quality. If you do a google search I am sure you will find them on the net. Also give him a large meaty bone (I normally give my boys a bone 2 a week) that he will spend hours chewing on waiting for you to get home. If he still persists in taking the washing off the line I would hang something on there that tastes disgusting. When my dalmatian was a baby he took the clothes of the line, only my clothes mind you, I was told that he could smell my scent on my clothes, and the vet told me to hang an old towel or an old t-shirt or something on the line with chilli sauce or tobasco sauce or something all over it and the dog wouldn't rip the clothes off again. Good luck with your boy! Anne

Thanks Yogi and Erny, would definately like to check out Doveton as it is indoor, but also would look at KCC park as well. Do they have beginners classes as Jake would definately be in the beginners Anne

Yep when I went to Hastings (This is almost 2 and a half years ago) we could use whatever tool that our dogs responded to most. For Jake this was a combination of squeeky toy (all of you that went to the DOL meet Mel on Sunday can see that he goes nuts for a squeeky toy) and food. Unfortunately Murray is not one for toys, maybe he is just past the playing with toys thing, but give him even a whiff of food and you have his attention, even if it is only momentarily Anne

Simone, definately let me know how it goes. Jake had just started to learn very basic agility and loved it and the lady that did the agility was really nice. I may bring Jake down in the new year seeing as they are breaking soon and start agility. Would be excellent If Dodge wants a run with Jake just let me know. Jake is always up for a run and I often take him and Murray to an enclosed cricket oval on Graydens Road which is nice and close for both of us ;) Anne

I took Jake there for a few months when I first got him a few years ago and found it quite good but found I didn't agree with how one of the trainers (can't remember her name) treated people. I don't even know if she is still there, but I didn't go back after a few times... It was a pity cos Jake was doing pretty well. I have spoken to ADT and Murray and I are going down on Saturday for the info session and then we will see how we go after that. Anne

No worries Amhailte Miss Monaro is exactly right Anne

I really think there needs to be more information on the use of halti's and other head collars, including the possible dangers of incorrect use and actually how to use them properly. People that are selling them should know about the produc and the potential risks etc. so they can advise people who have thought of this as a training tool for their dogs. I admit to having used a gentle leader on Jake my Dalmatian. I was told that this was a more "gentle and effective" method to using a correction chain, and I had had no experience with correction chains so was unwilling to use one. I had someone fit it properly and give me a little instruction lesson on how to use it, but still didn't know about the possible damage it could cause if used incorrectly. I would definately think twice about using one now without instruction/advise from a professional trainer because in inexperienced hands it seems to me that they can do a lot of damage. Not saying that people shouldn't use them, just learn how to use it correctly to minimize any injury that could be done to the dog, it would make life easy and more enjoyable for dog and owner... Anne

Hi Cazza, The "heel" position is to have your dog on your left side, right at your hip and for the dog to walk in this position with you is "heeling" walking on a loose lead usually means the dog does not have to walk by your side, but is allowed to go to the end of the lead without placing any tension on the lead. Hope this helps Anne