megan_

kiesha09 - he is one of a kind, I'd notice the swap immediately :-). I feel silly but it feels very personal to me - it is like he is running away from me, rather than a dog just testing the boundaries. I have let go that I know. BB2 - I guess I've ben taking his recall for granted. It has been rock solid for almost 18 months. I've never worried about him not coming back before. When he did run off, I walked towards him, put on his leash, used our NRM of "too bad"and that was the end of fun for a while. We went back to the park tonight. I did a bit of walking and training on leash and he was responsive and focused. I let him off ( I was very nervous!), we played some games, did a bit of clicker and formal training. I then did some ball throws and he came back every time. Phew. I also ordered the Really Reliable Recall DVD to get some additional info.

Ask visitors to totally ignore her

yes, you will get something said to you for this if it was a small child who hit the deck, cried and ran away when they saw you coming? her reaction is pure fear- and that's funny???? This is really not teaching your dog anything- except that when you approach a certain way- she gets HURT. yeah, a scared dog is hilarious.

Hi All, Fergus (2 year old mini schnauzer cross) usually has a great recall. I can call him away from dead birds, toys, other dogs etc. His recall is usually very enthusiastic. I reward each and every recall. We practice recall often and I make it as fun as I can - tugging, treats, lots of enthusiasm etc. In addition to this, he isn't one to wander. If he is playing with other dogs, he stays in my vacinity. Until yesterday. On two occasions, he didn't even look at me when I called his name (he could definitely hear me though). He also trotted off (not running from me, but far away from me) to scounge around in the park (he wasn't going to a high value item). When he did acknowledge my call, he didn't respond to "come" at all - he just continued sniffing around. I was able to walk up to him and put on his lead, so he didn't think it was a game. I'm a bit perplexed as to why this is happening. I was particularly worried when he just trotted off. There haven't been any changes (other than I'm feeding them some Nutro instead of EP Holistic, but I fail to see how that could impact his recall!). I am going to up our training a bit and have a re-look (is that a word?) and my leadership. Any other ideas? Thanks, Megan

If you press the flat of your hand against her very gentyly, can you feel her ribs> If you stand over her, can you see a waist? If the answer is no to the above, then yes, she's over weight. Most labs you see these days are fatties, so many people, including bets, think that they aren't fat because they look like every other lab they've seen. There is a visual chart here: http://www.placervillevet.com/canine%20body%20condition.htm You are feeding her a lot of food that is, well, junk. Personally, I'd find the best quality dry food that I can afford and stick to that. Add some raw meaty bones (chicken wings, cut-up lambs necks) and their health will thank you for it. Also, you haven't mentioned treats. Often these are what makes a dog fat.

If he needs to pee 3 times during the night he needs to see a vet. An adult dog should be able to hold it for the night. How much exercise and training does Scooby get?

ta - I'll give those a try. My co-ordination will be challenged for sure

We eagerly await this magic ball! How do people use it as a reward for training? Throw it and the dog chases? Give it to them to squeak? Both mine are very prey driven and love their squeaky toys. My girl is alwas too "shy" to tug/play in public, so hopefully these will be too much for her to resist.

My boy did this up until about 1 years old. I had it checked by the vet. He said it can happen after they've been running around - a build of of something (oxylic acid of something).

ME - IT Architect Fergus is definitely Hansel - Zoolander's arch enemy. He is one cool cat. I have always thought he'd be Owen Wilson if he was a celeb. Lucy is a hard one. Her fear can mask her personlity, but underneath it all she is a bossy boots who loves food. Maybe she'd be a Masterchef judge?

If you just give the dogs lots of exercise, you will land up with stronger dogs who will do more damage in a fight. Dogs get more tired out if you throw in structured play ans training. Every behaviourist on here that I know has dogs and has dealt with problem dogs - dogs that have far more issues than the OP describes. I know, I have one of them (not agression but extreme fear). I honestly don't know where I'd be without their (Erny on this forum) help - Lucy's life is sooo much better since I've sought professional help. To the OP - keep them separate until you can get a professional in. I noticed that you're in Melbourne. You're lucky that there are some great behaviourists here. If you let us know your location, I'm sure someone will be able to help you. When you first hear prices, you might get a bit of a shock (I had no idea what it cost before I called). But it is the best money I've spent for a long time - it is certainly cheaper that the vet treatment you'll need to pay for if your dog gets injured. ETA: Justin, Your price of $300/hr seems way off to me. It certainly isn't my experienced. I paid significantly less than that for a 2 hour consult and unlimited email follow-up - and trust me, I've used it A LOT and always got well thought out, detailed responses.

But we're not talking about strange dogs? I don't see anyone advocating a free-for-all. Rather, meeting and playing with dogs in a controlled environment when the owner knows the other dogs. ETA: I would struggle to believe that a dog in a single dog household that was never allowed to run/play with any dog ever would be mentally stable. I don't have any evidence to support that, but it just seems a bit off to me.

I agree with what most have said - keep it simple with simple text and layout. I like websites that educate potential buyers, and if someone doesn't buy from you they leave with a bit of education under their belt. In the long term, more education buyers will lead to less puppy farm purchases. I'd also like to see: i) what health testing you do, with a simple, non-doggy person explanation of why it is important. Someone might look at your site, not buy from you, but leave with a bit of education so they ask the BYB/puppy farmer some questions about health testing. This should also include an explanation on the difference between health testing and vet visits. ii) An explanation of how the puppies are reared and socialised (in detail). I think it was Jed to wrote a post about how her boxer puppies where socialised and it was heart-warming to read. Explanation as to why this is important. iii) An explanation of HOW your breeding betters the breed. Everyone (even BYB's) say they breed to improve the breed/dog has great lines etc. I'd be impressed if a breeder could explain how their matings improve the breed. iv) An explanation of how you help rescue/contribute to the welfare of your breed. You might not have the facilities to foster, but I believe that every breeder should contribute in some way to helping their breed - even if it is selling raffle tickets. v) Most importantly....if you are a poodle breeder, have some fantastic photos of poodles in a pet clip, with a blurb about how your dogs are a better choice than an oodle (without attacking the oodles themselves).

My boy is like this too - he looooves to be chased. He spends a lot of time trying to get other dogs to chase him. Maybe I need to volunteer him for a hearding trial??

I think that's arguable anyway. It is interesting that you say that PF. My boy isn't a sports dog, but he doesn't just run up to other dogs - I give him permission to play. I can call him away when I want. We also train at the local park with other dogs running around and he focuses on me. I think people often assume that if you let your dog play with others it is an uncontrolled free-for-all.

What right do we have to deny our dogs the companionship and fun of being with their own species?? Dogs should have other dogs in their lives. Simple. They are dogs, and should associate with others. Guess I see dogs differently.Perhaps I trained and placed too many dogs in almost solitary situations... I do not enjoy being around dogs who have eyes only for me- I like dogs to be in a 'pack' - to run and roughhouse,and have each other for company Like a lot of people could not countenance one budgie or canary in a cage- so I cannot be comfortable thinking of a single dog who never gets to race around with others, or lie and play 'footsies' with a friend... or share hole digging.... Play dates and dog parks were not around when I had dogs in the city.... they just ran around parks and attracted playmates that way To my memory, the dogs were never attacked or harassed by other dogs whilst running around in parks/beaches etc... perhaps it was that dogs were not subject to all the restrictions they are now? perhaps dogs ad more chance to learn to be dogs naturally,and so were more socially adept? I don't know........... it is something which interests and saddens me- dogs losing so many of their freedoms.... what she said Even my girl, who spent most of her life in a cage, loves a little sniff and play. Funny how people assuming that dogs like to play with other dogs is "humanising" - I think it is the other way around. That is, it is humanising to assume that most dogs could be content with human-only company. My dog loves a good rough-and-tumble with Toby the Beagle more than he loves his fancy toys and people fawning over him. Genuine question: if your dog is a sports dog, do you think it is fair to "deny" it the company of other dogs? You might get better performance, but is it in the dog's best interest (assuming that they are social)? I don't mean that as an attack, I genuinely want to understand.

I can understand if you have more than one dog, but what if you have only one? Would you never, every let your dog play with another?

I let my dog play with dogs that I know. He LOVES it. Other dogs give him what I can't. It is part of being a healthy, happy dog IMO (assuming of course that the dog actually likes it).

yes - especially since "nothing" occurred. If nothing occurred, how on earth could people realise it is their club!

Wow. I would hate to be part of a club that personally attacks a member on a public forum when the criticise the club. REgardless of the truth of Miss Squish's claims, you are getting very personal. Please name the club so we all know who to steer clear of. You could have come here, introduced yourself (you've just joined after all) and given another prespective, a run down of facts. Re: taking action because of the "lie", Miss Squish never mentioned that club name, no one has been defamed. Your posts, together with Ms Faye, are the ones that have really put the club's name at risk. As for statutory declarations, do you honestly think that people will be 100% open with you when the read the attacks launched on someone for giving a different perspective? And PM's are Private Messages, they aren't public. She can say whatever she wants in them. No need to bring them up here.

Miss Squish didn't name the club at all so the majority of us here have no idea what club you are talking about, regardless of whether it is lies or the truth! You have launched a rather personal attack on her. If I was in her shoes, I wouldn't set foot at that club again. I posted some negative things about a VCA club I once attended (without naming the club). Some instructors figured out which club I was on about, posted a different point-of-view and it never got so snippy. OT - but there seems to be a bit of "only positive methods are okay" creeping into the thread. You can go to a club that uses "punishment" and never harm your dog. It is all about what is appropriate for your dog. And if a dog is breaking every week, it needs to go back on the leash.

I live in Glen Eira and think they're pretty good :D . All the local parks that I go to have doggie water fountains, pick up bags and bins. There are three parks all within walking distance from me and they are all pretty nice. My only complaint is that they don't patrol enough to catch those walking their dogs off leash (like the bulldog who was off leash stealing people's foods from the barbeques this evening....).

And it is a great idea - getting more rescue dogs into good homes. As long as they are genuine rescues and the homes are screened, why not?

Most of the dogs at my local park are purebreds (some are ex-showies) or rescue terrier x's. There are 5 mini poodles, a few GSP's. vislas, BC's. labs, a vallhund (sp) and a keeshond.

Going for a walk at the Royal Botanical Gardens is something we all enjoy. They love the little side paths that they can explore. There is so much to sniff and see - my girl squeals with excitement when we arrive.