ellz Posted November 25, 2006 Author Share Posted November 25, 2006 I hear you on diet, anxiety, activity etc. I have two children with ADHD and other conduct disorders and am HUGE on diet and environmental factors etc where they are concerned so I do tend to take a lot of notice of what the dogs eat as well. Michael himself is on a pretty basic BARF diet, with the choices for food based upon what I know about naturally occurring food chemicals and their effect on hoomans. I personally don't think his barking is anxiety based. It seems to be more "joidevivre" IYKWIM. He is just SOOOOOOOO happy when he's barking. He really does look as though he's having the time of his life. I always call him my little laughing man because he always looks so happy. I think probably because I HAVE seen true anxiety-based behaviour and its associated body language in Michael, its relatively easy for me to see the difference. And the tail-docking fanatics will probably lambast me for this but being undocked, his tail also tells the tale (forgive the pun) of a happy dog with exuberant body language. As far as overall activity is concerned, he's actually pretty laid back when he's not barking and if anything is probably LESS hyper than many other puppies that I've bred in the past. And for his colour (this breed seems to have definite colour vs personality relationships) he is also very sensitive which is quite unusual because buffs can tend to be quite dumb. He has always been spoiled in that he has always felt that he was special and used to push himself forward for first cuddle, first feed etc. I do think that sending him away was a big mistake but at the time, it was necessary so I just have to make the best of what I have. He was born breech and I had to pull him out. Hmmmmm....just what I need, a hyperactive, brain-damaged, blonde with a penis and OCD!!! Some people get ALL the luck!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted November 25, 2006 Share Posted November 25, 2006 If the outlay is an issue, do you know anyone who would be able to lend or hire a bark collar or remote trainer? The innotek 30 day gurantee is great as someone pointed out. That would be my next port of call and only if that didn't work would i look at debarking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellz Posted November 25, 2006 Author Share Posted November 25, 2006 I've filled in the response form on the Innotek website with regards to their rental/try-before-you-buy scheme. Hopefully they can help. I really don't know of anybody over here who either a collar or remote trainer that I could borrow unfortunately or I daresay I would have probably ripped their arm off taking it from them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted November 25, 2006 Share Posted November 25, 2006 Hmmmmm....just what I need, a hyperactive, brain-damaged, blonde with a penis and OCD!!! Some people get ALL the luck!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellz Posted November 25, 2006 Author Share Posted November 25, 2006 YOU can laugh!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted November 25, 2006 Share Posted November 25, 2006 YOU can laugh!! Yep ... you're right. I can. On a serious note, though, I really do hope you can work something out without needing to resort to de-barking. On a lesser serious note, however, I really love the way you phrase things. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellz Posted November 25, 2006 Author Share Posted November 25, 2006 Thanks Erny. I really do appreciate your input. You've given me lots of food for thought with the issue. I'm pretty sure you can see that I'm not just a lazy dog owner looking for an easy out anyway. I'll get there. I love my little monster too much not to try everything I possibly can!! PS. Yes, I'm quite mad really. I find it is the only way to survive. Laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and you get a wet face! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusky Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 I have just looked at your profile and OMG your dogs are lovely, but you don't need me to tell you that. Now this is a really long shot but does Michael have a kong? years ago an old chap said to me 'dog can't bark with his gob full' he used to make stuff to keep his dogs busy, all sorts of wonderful things, they would still bark when people passed but then ran back to their plaything. I know its a long shot but still thinking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellz Posted November 26, 2006 Author Share Posted November 26, 2006 Thanks Rusky, I appreciate it! I'm embarrassed to admit that whilst Michael DOES have a Kong, he seems to be too dim to work it out. Either that or too lazy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaywoman68 Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 He's gorgeous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellz Posted November 26, 2006 Author Share Posted November 26, 2006 Obviously a woman with excellent taste! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaywoman68 Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 He can come and visit me anytime I think my neighbours have a hearing problem. She says she can't hear my dogs bark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellz Posted November 26, 2006 Author Share Posted November 26, 2006 It's a wonder mine haven't complained by now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellz Posted November 27, 2006 Author Share Posted November 27, 2006 Okey dokey. Some news. I have just spoke to the guy who does the Innotek collar rental/try-before-you-buy scheme and he has given me the lowdown on prices etc. His website is here if anybody is interested. If I can sell some of my gear that is on the Buy and Sell forum, I'm good to go. The rentals are done on very reasonable terms and all rental costs and bond is taken off the price of the collar if I decided to keep it which is pretty darned good too. So....cross fingers but I'd imagine that Michael will be wearing a nice new Innotek collar by Christmas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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