huski

I found myself thinking about this today. The markets were packed this morning and I lost count the number of people who when walking past me would reach out and touch Blaze or pat her or as one guy did grabbed her muzzle to pat it. What the actual eff is wrong with people? Having a dog out and about seems to be an invitation to the general public to pat them whenever they feel like it. She's not even a little puppy anymore. I thought it might lessen as she grew but it hasn't!

I don't have the kind of dogs I expect would take crap. So no I wouldn't consider it a behaviour problem if they didn't tolerate directly aggressive behaviour, I would consider it a problem though if they couldn't maintain obedience and couldn't recall away or respond to me. Having said that I also expect my dogs not to buy into the distraction of other dogs when we are out. I had Blaze at the markets the other day and a dog lunged and barked at her aggressively and she didn't care whatsoever. But had it got off its leash and tried to attack her I wouldn't expect her to have no reaction. Aggression is something all dogs possess in varying levels. It's the context in which we see it that can be problematic for us.

She is greying a bit now! She is almost 9!!

Here's another pic, featuring Daisy :) Wiz is looking on sadly wishing she was next to me, not Daisy, who is only next to me because a pillow was there to sit on :laugh:

LOL she's locked in a cage in my dungeon. With no noms. or comforts Did you see the video I put up of her on Facey yesterday? Beagle still has the moves! I did see. A beagle never forgets. ...never forgets how to acquire noms

LOL she's locked in a cage in my dungeon. With no noms. or comforts Did you see the video I put up of her on Facey yesterday? Beagle still has the moves!

My two maligators :) will have to get one with Daisy tomorrow.

Really sorry to hear this Ruffles

I know right! Someone give me back my little chubba puppa :) I think that they tweaked the attitude gene though, so maybe it is Blaze after a 12wbt course Crazy Blazey certainly nails the attitude element of being a Malinois!

I know right! Someone give me back my little chubba puppa :)

I don't even know!

Anyone would think these two are related :)

Yes of course, but I mean more that it isn't true that being a herding breed (for example) means the dog is automatically easy to train or handle. The 100s of working dog owners we have in with dogs with severe behaviour and training problems are testament to this, and majority of the time it is an issue caused by the dog having more drive than the handler knows what to do with. I also think that different breeds are bred to use drive in different ways, a dog like a BC will generally have more drive than a Greyhound who is bred to use drive in short bursts rather than over a longer period of time like a BC.

Yes, definitely. It is something that is genetically very strong in some dogs more than others. Prey drive is something that can make the dog either difficult to handle or extremely well trained depending on how you develop it. I haven't met dogs with a higher prey drive than our working line Mals, but they will recall off live prey mid chase. There is no situation or distraction I have found where I can't make them reliable. I am sure some posters will jump and say 'but they are bred to be more bidable' but people who handle high drive working dogs or have experience with them, will know this isn't true - they can very easily become extremely out of control and difficult to handle due to temperament traits like their prey drive. How you train a dog with an extremely high prey drive can differ depending on your level of skill and the dogs history of reinforcement (how has it learnt to reward its prey drive etc). But it is certainly possible. People who try to stifle prey drive or stop the dog going into drive without also giving it a positive outlet for drive will never see a high level of reliability compared to trainers who can harness drive and use it.

That's why my grubby Mals live in Syn Tek (all weather resistant) collars. Leather only if I know they aren't going to get wet and grubby. :)

Hi LL. I train for competition obedience and our dogs also do personal protection.

Today was crazily flat out for us. I think it's a way better event than last year, better entertainment and some good mix of stands. I have paid to go to pet expos many times and I always enjoy it. From a dog sport competitor view there isn't a whole lot to gain in terms of the demos (we see that at trials and bite work by the NSW dog unit isnt thrilling when you train it on a regular basis) and the info sessions aren't of a lot of use to super dog savvy people. The atmosphere is great though and the average pet owner seems to get a lot out of it and seem very happy they are there.

Omg people actually do that?!

Who is coming along to this years Dog Lovers Show? I will be there all weekend on the K9 Pro stand, can't wait

All my dogs sleep through the night unless they have a really upset tummy (happens to my beagle every now and then). There is no way I would be getting up over night to toilet them, absent a medical condition. They stay in their crates until I am ready to let them out.

Yes that is definitely annoying. It particularly annoys me when people let their dogs or children run up to "say hello". You really need a dog you are very certain can handle that level of distraction if you want to take them somewhere like a market.

JulesP I get asked what type of breed (usually it's "what's that crossed with") all the time. It would be rare I went somewhere like the markets and wasn't stopped half a dozen times at least to be asked what blaze is or have someone comment on her lol. I don't mind it as I'm a very social person but if you weren't it would get tiring quickly.

Thought I would share this video of Blaze from the markets on the weekend. She is practicing her loose leash walking under distraction :) And they have awesome coffee there, so win win!

one of the reasons I take my dogs to the markets is because it is a great way to proof their training. Having people stop and ask about them or ask to pat them etc doesn't bother me as it is a good training opportunity :) :D

One thing that does annoy me a bit is the people who get offended when you don't want your dog to be best buddies with theirs. I move Blaze away from people who let their dogs rush up to her and a few times people have become offended. "But my dog just wants to say hi" (insert rolly eye man here)