Livi

I don't know Aus, I'm a know nothing newbie in the training forum I've been happy my dog knows come/sit/stay/drop and his "place" but now want to further and refine my skills and knowledge.

;) Mine are both crashed on the couch now...we went to a doggy play date today and they had way too much fun I give up

OK here is the story. A friend of mine recently got a Rottie Pup. Unfortunately not from a registered breeder so can't get help there. She knows I would have preferred she get a rescue dog, slightly older and with some basic training as they have a large family, but I'm not into saying "I told you so" so can we not go there and deal with the issue at hand (please pretty please with sugar on top) Anyway they have been going well with training and getting the kids involved with feeding etc but this is an extract of an email I received last night. Talking of dogs my puppy is a naughty boy , he is growling at the kids when they go near his food bowl . Today he was eatting plastic that had come from the devon knob that i got for him & "R" took it off him & he bite her , drew blood ... He is a naughty boy , "R" was very upset & crying etc . Do you think i need to worry about this type of behaviour ? I had to make the babies come inside as i could not trust him after that . The babies normally just play in the yard and he does not bother them . I don't have the experience or knowledge to help deal with this, the child bitten is 10/11yo and has a puncture in her hand, they also have toddlers and I am greatly concerned. I have suggested to start with not leaving any bowls down at all...give puppy 5-10 mins time alone to eat and take it away, obviously continue working on basic obedience and getting the kids established as above the dog. They are a lovely hard working family with 7 children under 12yo, limited experience with dogs. What would you suggest ?? I am going to send her a link to this thread but don't know if she will be brave enough to post just yet

Glad you feel better about posting Aus Sincere condolences for you recent loss of Daim's too

Are dog scent systems different to our own ? (if sense of smell is a 'scent system' that is what I am referring to) I'm sure you know the answer to that one snobbybobby :D

I too have 'tested' an electronic bark collar on myself, and while it wasn't pleasant it wasn't painful. Given that dogs have a higher pain/discomfort threshold than us, and we have a lower sense of smell than a dog...and I would find the electronic device less unpleasant that having citronella sprayed up my nose, I think it is pretty obvious what would be less disturbing to the dog.

I am such a loser this would have to be the only statement in this thread I fully understand : But hey, I guess we all have to start somewhere

I've used an electronic Anti Bark Collar (in QLD) because my dog never made a peep when I was at home but was apparently barking while I we were at work. Sadly my neighbours who we were all on good terms with and should have known we were friendly and approachable were too shy to say anything and I found out via a letter from the council. I got the collar and spread the word around the neighbourhood and asked people to PLEASE let me know if it wasn't working as unfortunately I couldn't hear her from work !! We didn't want her being a nuisance, I wouldn't stand for her barking all day when I was at home so there is no way I would expect others to put up with it when I wasn't Must have worked as we didn't have any more problems. I couldn't think of any other way to train her not to bark when unsupervised, I only worked part-time and hubby also often came home for an hour or two during the day so it wasn't like she wore it 40-50 hours a week.

Aus it sounds to me that you are very happy with your training methods and results, so that is all that matters.

This is a bit off topic but I have a kitten (foster) and a pup (foster failure) and they worry me at times with their play. Puppy knows "leave it" and backs off and the darn kitten will go in and attack her from behind to restart the game To ME it looks/sounds like the kitten is being hurt, apparently not though, they are both perfectly intact and remain great mates ETA - This post if for reassurance to the OP, not attention seeking from me me me ME ME ME ME !!!!!

Not to mention the fact I CASTRATED him Well not personally, I paid someone else to do the dirty work

So if he doesn't have enough prey drive can I still train him ? To recall under distraction, to heel properly ?

The whole topic makes me dizzy...I am wondering should I just wait for my lesson or try to learn something before ? I can't fathom how to get Jones into "drive" as he isn't really into toys at all Well I can get him hyped for a ball but only short term...bores easily ??

I was going to suggest not mopping the floor for long enough to build up a nice sticky surface The runners are probably a better idea though

Ummmmm wellllll Ok he has learned that it is an option to sit on his nice cosy mat with snuggly blankets on the floor..but you know how the weather turned really cold ? Well a Dobe is a very environmentally friendly and economical way to keep warm on a cold rainy evening :D

ausloz I've just booked a session with K9 and it is 4 weeks away. Just thought I'd mention that as you may want to consider looking into curing the carsickness in the interim ? It is pretty common, dealing with it with a pup myself at the moment. Definately go see myszka at Peakhurst in the meantime, she is a gem

Don't want to be mean, but you can't put aside the dogs needs until you sort out your life. Take your dog to puppy school, if it is a financial issue look for an obedience club and join as soon as they allow puppies. They usually have a reasonable joining fee and weekly classes are only a few dollars. Have you and your sister had dogs before ? If so did you train them yourself ?

guess where I found Jones when sneaking a read of this thread ??? OK will be back to view movie later...domestic duties beckon :D

Love the movies Ohhh to teach Jones to do that !!! (I doubt it )

Mine too...especially annoying when they eat HALF and leave the other half on the floor for me to dispose of Been caught out thinking "Oh another piece of 'bark/stick brought inside" and picking it up with bare hands to realise.......... We are all still alive and well

Well....we are doing well I think maybe two weeks of not allowed on the lounge at all to teach him that there is an alternative ?? This is my main goal really, he makes such a nuisance of himself pacing around and refusing to settle unless there is a space for him that I felt drastic measures were required. It is horrible when you are "dog tired" and just want to flop and watch some TV and cuddle up with the kids and he wont settle. Either one of the humans compromises their comfort for the sake of peace (usually me ) or he gets sent to bed early. I just want him to be able to accept thay laying on the floor next to us is a reasonable option

At least Dobes stay clean, hairy double coated ones just go out and get sopping wet and muddy without a care in the world...and share it with the carpet, furniture,your clothes if you are really lucky ;)

Ain't that the truth !!!! Awww what a lovely thing to say, Jones is a joy and a pleasure to own We are more than happy with his drive and nerves for his job as a lovely member of a noisy family ;) was just curious as I thought it was pretty simple to tell if a dog had 'sound' nerves, but reading this it is far more complicated, but I guess it depends on what you are looking for ??? (as in what you want the dog to do ?)

Jones is an almost 3yo (10th Oct) Desexed Male who is also working on his CPX title...but from the floor at the moment ;)

Speaking of getting wet, it has been pouring rain here so Jones went toilet on the concrete (undercover) silly dog was looking sooooo guilty about it too ;) Gosh does he really think I'm that awful ?? I don't care where he poo's as long as it isn't inside the house..I told him it was OK, I have to pick it up anyway and I do understand it is cold and horrible out there ;) Besides which I would be the one having to watch him sook and shiver if he had to go out the pouring rain for a poo