laeral

I once opened the back door of my 4WD and told my GSD OK, letting her know it was OK to get out of the car. Poor trusting soul jumped out only to be pulled up in mid air, dangling like a tea bag. Both of us looked at each other in utter confusion, her with WTF? written all over her face. I then realised she was still in her harness. Luckily she was calm and just hung there till I could unclick her and she plopped gently to the ground.

Baifra I am so sorry for your loss Please don't blame yourself. You were doing all you could to look after them. It was not your fault that you couldn't get to feed them at the normal time, sometimes life just doesn't work to a schedule. I know that this wont help the guilt though. It was a horrible horrible accident that could have happened whether you were there at the normal time or not. Hugs to you and your parents

I used to wash my GSD in the shower recess As I now have a cracked shower screen it is no longer an option as she is so big I worry she will bump the glass. I now wash her outside. I have a rubber hose attachment that fits onto the bathroom tap. It is clamped on to make it secure and water tight. I then run the hose through the window to the backyard. I bought the attachment and clamp form Home Hardware for around $5. I'm sure Bunnings would have something similar.

They are what they are meant to be, which is aversive. "Shock" is aversive language. "Stim", not so much. That's an ambiguous word. I say the aversive language is honest. Would not the best description of the sensation experienced be the more honest? I would actually use both words to describe an e-collar. At normal 'working level' for training I think the more accurate term would be stim. It is so low it is only a tingle, like the tens machine I suppose. I have used this on myself and would never call it a shock, I beleive that is an inaccurate description. Used at a high level - yes shock would be more accurate. Although it feels completely different to the shock you get from an electric fence or power point. Yes I have had unfortunate experiences on all of these

OMG what a tragic day. My heart and thoughts are with you Jed, I hope you make a speedy recovery. RIP little dogs

GSD - Black (already have one, would get another one in a heartbeat) I would love a sable as well Rhodesian Ridgeback Malinois Dutch Shepherd Siberian Husky - had one in the past and am totaly in love with them, but couldnt have one where I am now

Yes please. I havent had time to look

Congrats GSD for taking the plunge and doing the distance training Im glad your enjoying it. I will have to go and hunt for your videos....... ha ha I have one on video where one of my shoes flies off. Like a true professional I pretend it doesn't happen and soldier on in my socks SecretKei, Kei is looking great with the food. Hes getting more and more into it BTW I LOVE his hopping style

Dammit, I missed it. The power went out here just before 7 and we didnt get it back till 2am.

Great job Tyson is a gorgeous dog

As others have said dont give up. The teenage months can be hard to cope with. My GSD went though a bad patch then too. Wouldn't listen was fiercely independent and a general pain in the butt. She has never been super affectionate either so at times I felt like you that we just weren't getting along. But with persistence and training we got though that stage and now have a wonderful relationship.

Isn't it illegal to sell live animals at markets?

I used to do weaving with my pony when I was a kid. It was quite a rush. It got so the horse knew what to do and you just hung on for the ride

Hee hee I came in here excpecting serious photos. Made me LOL Love this shot PF

Does anyone know if the episode is online anywhere?

She is just gorgeous Minchie. How old is she?

When I cut my dreadlocks off, my dog freaked out. It was the first time she had seen me without them, and she was a little unsure. She had to sniff me all over and run her nose though my hair until she was satisfied. She deifintely noticed the difference as soon as she saw me. I agree with Stormie. I think dogs do recognise faces. I picked my mum up from the doctors recently. I was standing outside with my dog waiting. The exit was behind the building and she had to walk around the side of the building to get to us. Several people walked aorund the building and she just lay there, no reaction. We heard another set of footsteps coming and she suddenly lit up and started wagging her tail and looking intently to the side of the building. She new it was my mum before we saw her. I dont know if it was the footsteps or she caught her smell though.

I also end our training sessions with an 'off' command (to steal Erny's term) I make sure we finish each session while she is still super kean and eager for more, but we finish with 'thats enough'. This signals to her that we have finished training and she can switch off/let go and not expect nor keep looking for rewards that arent forthcoming. I do not leave her hanging. My dog was taught early on in her training both On and Off commands.

Read this thread - Triangle of Temptation

congratulations I have a real soft spot for the blacks. Make sure you post photos when you get him/her

Fran, I had a same situation with my current GSD girl. She was not a smoochy puppy, didnt even like being cuddled. I had to cuddle her when she was asleep otherwise she would move away from me She always wanted to be around me and would follow me like a shadow but wouldnt cuddle or show affection in the traditional sense. She didnt want to sleep in my bedroom but out in the loungeroom on her own. (I did feel a little rejected ) It used to upset me a lot. Sometimes I would think she didnt like me and while I loved her to death, I just didnt feel like we bonded that well. Eventualy I had to just get over it accept that she wasnt a cuddly puppy and that her not wanting to be cuddled wasnt a rejection of me, just that she was VERY independant and confident dog. It was just her personality. She really did 'love' me but just didnt show it in the more normal way a dog would show affection. Does this make sense??? Dont take it personaly, she just sounds like an independant and confident little girl. Over time you will get that bond, Mica and I did. It took time but we have worked out our relationship and she is now my best friend. It just may take a little longer to get that bond. ETA I think we need a photo of the little girl!

I really love the puppy stage. Dont mind toilet training etc. My current GSD girl was quite a good puppy, she was easy to toilet train etc She just hated being left on her own. At all. I had to sneak off to have showers on the rare occasion that she was asleep otherwise she would scream the whole time I was in there. Even if she was in the bathroom with me, unless she was in the shower she would scream ;) But apart form that she was great. She grew up so quickly though, made me a bit sad. Now the teenage months, thats another matter. I think I could have given her away a few times. heres the brat as a baby.

No need to be ashamed, I had a total breakdown when Zoe was a pup, I would walk into the kitchen, see poo, wee and chewed items fro bench surfing and broke down into tears.... I thought it was just me I didnt even get home from picking my current girl up before breaking down. I almost turned around and took her back. They told me she was a 'talker' and very active and opinionated. They understated it a bit. She cried and screamed the whole way home (2 hours). I spent the whole car ride home thinking what have I done. She has been a very challenging girl, is VERY energetic and still likes her opinion heard. But I love her the way she is!

I hope the ear drop saga is getting easier Erny OMG What a gorgeous boy. Such a handsome face

Sorry to go OT BUT Jules1 that puppy of yours in your sig is just gorgeous ;) :D I love Dobe puppies!