huski

I think that article makes some good points, but also some over-generalisations & some outright mistake (for example, debarking a dog isn't actually punishment as it doesn't involve learning). But I'd like to see the paper it's based on before I really comment. I found the whole debarking example quite odd. How does debarking cause a dog to become fearful of you? Always love the typical purely positive slant that implies anyone who uses prongs/e-collars/aversion all use them in the same way, and that anyone who uses them obviously lack understanding of positive reinforcement training and only train dogs through fear and pain.

That's so exciting Ishy! I was another one who wanted a GSD. I have always had a soft spot for them!

I buy the Woolies home brand ham and chicken luncheon roll. Ugh I can't believe people actually eat it, it's so gross!

What?? Really??? EWWWWWW.... I used to love them too Haven't eaten them since I was a kid though luckily!

Catching is the default here too! Makes the game faster

You could buy a luncheon roll from Coles or Woolies and chop it up into whatever size pieces you like. It's cheap, soft and smelly, and dogs generally love it. I would also be tempted to teach her not to put her teeth on you when she takes food from your fingers, Micha is soooo gentle when he takes treats he takes them with his lips not his teeth

There are quite a few trainers on DOL who are based in VIC, not sure who is in your area, but I am sure they will pop in soon! Congrats on the beagle puppy Seems to be a few people getting baby beagles at the moment! Make sure you post lots of pics

Great work Nik and Abby!

Yeah it's tricky, SA, I just don't trust the kennel after our last experience. I mean running him with other dogs then basically telling me off when I called them to check up on the dogs because "Micha is not good with other dogs"... WTF :D I couldn't have been more clear that he should only ever be kept with and run with Daisy and why. I dread to think what did/could have happened. Mish is not seriously DA, but he is not good with dogs he doesn't know, I hate to think he scared another dog or got in a fight or something happened that set his training back. If a DA dog was run with Daisy I would be FURIOUS. So I worry about that too, because I've had a few kennels tell they put multiple dogs in pens together, and I don't like my dogs run with dogs I don't know. And then I worry that Mish will not get any exercise. I am a worrier I guess this is why I don't go away often

Thanks for the feedback guys. At this stage it looks like we are going to have a family friend come and look after the little animals (Cherry and Shandi) and Mish and Daisy will probably be boarded, as much as I hate doing so, I do feel more secure about it. AD I will give Brisbane Pet Motel a call!

I think they are very pretty but am happy to admire everyone else's...not the dog for me. No Horty, you are definitely a beagle person instead Ah... potato, potahto Beagle goss/tales of pulling my hair out moments/Evil Beagle examples/etc :p I must admit I've always been lucky with Daisy regarding destruction, she's never been that destructive (touch wood). Did the beag find a more suitable home?

As others have said I don't think they are wrong for the right type of new owner. Beagles are lovely dogs, I think some people just underestimate the training and exercise they can require. A well trained beagle doesn't just happen, you need to put some work in to it to get what you want. Of course what 'trained' means will differ from person to person too beags are generally quite food motivated so that does help when it comes to training.

Or what, Maree?

That's great news Beth! Daisy seems ok. For those of you not on FB - we had a run in with a DA dog tonight and Daisy got quite a fright it's the second incident we've had with a dog of this breed in the last couple of months (though not as serious as the first time) but I am growing quite concerned that Daisy, who was previously quite bomb proof around other dogs, is becoming uneasy

LOL yes it is indeed!

Hey Nina - your best bet would be Jane Harper from Dogs on Track, she has a lot of experience with dog aggression too http://dogsontrack.com.au/

Awesome news Beth :p I can't wait to see how you guys go, Lottie is such a fantastic dog, with so much potential, you guys are going to be a force to reckon with :D Oh and it's my pleasure - I hardly did anything though! (apart from chat... and chatandchat which is totally unlike me :D)

Yeah our vet will do that for us, but the boarding kennel wants them to have proof that they have had a C5? Will talk to the vet about it anyway. Yep that's why I get worried about pet sitting but I also get worried about boarding kennels running my DA dog with others, or not exercising him because he can be DA (which I am very clear about), having to change the dog's diets (they are fed raw) etc.

Hi everyone We've always boarded our dogs at kennels when we went away and I've never really loved doing it. Now we don't vaccinate our dogs every year and prefer to titre, boarding them at kennels has become a bit difficult. We are going away for ten days over Christmas and will need to do something with the dogs. I really don't want to vaccinate them simply because I have no other choice, and someone recommended we get a pet sitter. I am a bit nervous about pet sitting as I honestly know nothing about it and can't stop thinking about (probably unrealistic) risks i.e. what if they left the front door open? My dogs can be escape artists. What if they tried to walk them (Micha can be DA so I would prefer they didn't). etc. On the whole I prefer the idea of my animals being kept together at home than being sent to a boarding kennel, especially after the last time where they let my DA dog run with others despite VERY clear instructions from me not to So I guess I really just wanted to see what suggestions you all had, if you don't go the boarding kennel route, what have your experiences been? Good/bad/otherwise?

I was just thinking the same thing! I do think there are some things that our dogs genuinely like doing, though. I trained Daisy to do the 'European' left about turn (I think that's what it's called) instead of the around the back one months and months ago, even now when we do it even just in a normal heel pattern she gets excited and does a little prancey thing after the turn, and if she's a lacking a bit of drive it will ramp her right back up again I don't know why she likes it so much, it is certainly not the most recently rewarded 'skill' I've trained or practiced.

Yep Sibes are strong willed what's in it for me? dogs. Although to be honest, at almost eight years of age, my Siberian is a real gentleman and has been for years. He's pretty calm and he's SO easy to live with. He doesn't need excessive exercise. Having said that - he is very intelligent and will work out quickly what he can and can't get away with. ETA: I must admit that I've been on various Sibe forums over the years and put a Sibe with the wrong type of person and they are an absolute DISASTER. I'm sure that's true of most breeds, but my heart just breaks for the dogs who are stuck in homes that are obviously so unsuitable for them (and the owners won't take on board any suggestions/advice and wonder why their dog has xyz behaviourial problem when it's so clear they picked the totally wrong breed for them).

To be honest I don't get the whole never-teach-a-show-dog-to-sit thing. Obedience dogs have to have a solid SFE anyway. I know tonnes of people who show and compete in obedience and they don't have any problems either.

There are also loads of beags in rescue because people think they look cute as puppies but don't realise they can be quite stubborn and independent and require a fair bit of mental and physical exercise. I was aware of all of that when I got my beag and I have found her more challenging to live with than my Siberian. Although when I said I like a challenge I meant because I do obedience with my beagle moreso than what the dogs are like to live with. Doing obedience competition and doing it well with a beagle can be a bit more of a challenge than it is with more biddable breeds who are naturally interested in working with you

...and that's how I ended up with a Siberian and a beagle :rofl:

Sibes aren't big dogs, even males won't be any bigger than 30kg generally speaking. I don't often recommend Sibes to people, even people who are experienced dog owners, because it's not just about how experienced you are IMO - some breeds will just not be the right fit for your lifestyle. I know people who are very experienced dog owners who would never want to own a Sibe (despite how pretty they are ). Not because the breed is so difficult to own, but you just have to be the right person to own one.