Jigsaw

If a dog is conditioned to wearing a muzzle it will accept it better. It can give you a better peace of mind that helps you relax more and this in turn helps the dog relax better. I really like this method of conditioning a dog to wearing a muzzle.

Congratulations Tapua!! Sounds like a well deserved nomination!

I know Lisa from Polite Paws - mostly through the internet but we have also met face to face. Truly passionate and knowledgeable with regards to dog training. She has a great online store as well.

What a truly awful event to have happened to poor Buddy and you. You have my deepest sympathy.

I'd be using a spot on, Advantix being my preference, and a tick collar. Check all the dogs every night, all over. However ticks have been known to be inside dog flews, inside anal and vaginal areas and deep inside the ears too. Know the symptoms of tick paralysis and if at all concerned contact your vet or a local vet immediately. A good friend lost their dog recently to a tick embedded deep in the dog's ear

Thank you for the information.

I've witnessed a dog being thrown off the back of a ute when it went around a corner, when I was walking one day. The dog's (GSD) back feet just touched the ground and it hopped along for a few very long seconds before the driver pulled over. I was too far away to flag him or shout. The dog fell off on the driver's side and was probably seen in the side mirror, fortunately for the dog. Really made me aware of the length of chain that should be used when tethering in a ute.

That is just such an awful tragedy for you all. I'm so sorry for you and your brother's family.

So sorry to hear you had to make that dreadful decision. You did such a wonderful thing for her, taking her in and giving her a wonderful life full of adventure and love. She was a special girl. Hugs

Some info from Sophia Yin, which leads to more links. As she mentions in her article, the cat may need medication to assist, but first full vet check. Sophia Yin

There are some drugs which lower inhibition and if the dog is known to be aggressive at times and has cause to react, it can be quite bad in some circumstances. If you've been warned sounds like it may be one of those drugs that can sometimes have this affect.

It is a vey good protocol and if your dog gets stuck (I'm talking generally for anyone's dog), you can just keep on say Day 1 or Day 4 until the dog is more comfortable. I like it as it does give a good breakdown of what to do and how to do it, which makes it easier for compliance. Yes, doing it in different environments is ideal but it's important not to push too hard too quick in an environment the dog has been reactive in previously. It's a good exercise for self control especially as you start to work to moving out of sight and adding noise.

You could try some counter-conditioning to the noises neighbours are making, such as this vid where they work with the other dogs barking. http://http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Ffeature%3Dplayer_embedded%26v%3DDd7DagsIUvE&h=4AQGgPlHjAQGke7YYx6Jv47iePePMMqeBqFXJEQOnLmsJBw&s=1

OT - but SKG that wouldn't be Gracie in your profile would it?

I send clients to The Lake Vets if they want a puppy preschool. It's well run by Delta trainers and they don't have puppy free for alls with only about 6 pups max usually. There is another recent thread about training schools in Newcastle here

Karen Riddell is the trainer for Chitty!

I think it's a chihuahua cross that has the part for Chitty.

Corvus! As are we, all dogs are individuals and have individual needs both physical and mental that need to be supported. We cry out desperately to those dogs' owners who do not exercise or try to do more for their dog, that their dog needs more both physically and mentally. Why is there criticism when someone, like Corvus, has invested a large amount of time finding what her dog needs are and the best way to support them. Isn't that what most of us who are really interested in our dogs overall well being do? My own dog is pretty hyper and wired, certainly bounced off the walls as a pup! We do have an off switch but without management of her environment, triggers can set her off on stereotypic behaviours. She generally doesn't turn the off switch on by herself, although with age she is improving.

Hillsborough (Newcastle Dog Training Club) is the largest dog club in the area. Training is on a Sunday morning and you can join on the first Sunday of the month. Classes are very large for beginners with up to 20 in a class at times and experience and knowledge of the volunteers varies. There are motivational classes offered which run for 8 weeks which use food and the other training classes which are run on a more traditional basis (check chains). There is a huge number of dogs on Sunday mornings, over 100 most Sundays. It can be quite distracting for young dogs and even older dogs. They also offer a Canine Good Citizen course which is run by Delta trainers and has small numbers in the classes. Your other option is to look for privately run classes which may be smaller or for one to one training. Forgot to add, Telarah (Maitland) has a dog club based on positive training methods.

I bought my dog a Cracklehead two months ago. She loves balls and loves crunching plastic bottles. But she has only just started to pick it up in the last week or so. It had a really strong smell so I had left it outside to air. I'll make sure now to supervise her with this toy if she really gets into it.

That is so clever!!! Love it!!!!

Brenda Aloff spoken/written of one her Fox Terriers that guarded a space where her toys used to be. The toy may have been removed earlier in the day or the day before but the dog still guarded the space where the toy had been. This is not normal behaviour nor is the behaviour the OP has written about. The OP says it is a developing habit and has been becoming compulsive. Stopping feeding treats will not stop the behaviour or change the behaviour if the dog is finding other things to resource guard such as sticks and rocks. Actively seeking out something to guard is not normal behaviour. It may minimise the problem by not feeding treats but it will not resolve the problem. The dog needs professional assessment now to minimise risk to other animals and the continued stress the resource guarding behaviour is likely to be putting on the dog's health system.

I'd be looking at establishing a routine that calms him down on your departure. I usually recommend to people that they put their dog outside 20 minutes before leaving with something that's going to keep the dog occupied for some time, be it a treat ball, bone, pig's ear, throwing treats/dry food around the garden or grass. Departures are kept calm and quiet, no fuss. Find an old article of your own clothing that you can wear for a day or you could sleep with it. Leave this on the dog's outside bed. I wouldn't leave a dog in a Thundershirt all day. I would recommend that you try an Adaptil collar (Dog Appeasing Pheromone, which could assist in relieving anxiety), these can be purchased online and in some petshops. I'd also recommend teaching the dog it's ok to be left outside during the day while you're inside, always making it a pleasurable activity with treats, bones, kongs or something the dog enjoys to keep him occupied. You can start slowly and build up to longer periods of time left alone. Always praise him for being quiet and calm behaviour. Having his crate outside may help him feel more secure.

You might be best getting a trainer in to look at the interactions of the two dogs. I would suggest that when you move into your new place, the dogs are kept separate initially and any interaction is carefully supervised, with gradually allowing them more time together. I would also be putting some Adaptil plug-ins into the new place to help them feel a bit more relaxed. it will be very different for both dogs, having been only dogs. Most dogs adapt relatively well to changes in their life, just take it slow and easy with them.

IF you think you can't trust him when you unclip the lead and think he'll take off, try putting two leads on his collar, one his normal lead, the other a light long line. It will give you a some security if he decides to take off when the normal lead comes off and you've still got a line attached.