Pete.the.dog

Yes, one day you will see that stare (I don't necessarily mean in your dog) and you will recognise it immediately. It is very intense and usually whole body is rigid and tail is stiff and up high, sometimes kind of arched over the body. When you've seen it you'll also realise that other looks, like that for 'watch me', have a softness about them.

Maybe you could type 'dominant stare & dogs' into a google image search. Or maybe even a youtube search.

in my experience though, dogs will differ in how intimidating they find it to give eye contact. My Dane boy (below) found it very difficult, and I think it may have had something to do with how submissive he was.

Also, maybe when Pete is out on a walk he feels a little too distracted to give you good eye contact. Or maybe the motivators are not high enough, compared to the motivator of dinner

edited for clarity

Thanks raineth! I did find a couple of good piccies (not many out there though)

I'm sure you're right - something about being allowed to cross the road just isn't as exciting as dinner

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One more question on this - so if it's about rigid body language, what if a dog is lying in a seemingly relaxed pose but its head is lifted and it is stareing? Would this not be dominance due to the relaxed body?

Hi p.t.d,

There's a difference between eye contact and the hard staring of a dog, which is what is referred to as dominance. Eye contact that us humans want with our dogs is not natural so takes time and practice to get our dogs to feel comfortable with eye contact

Thanks Bully - how do you differentiate between the two though? Because when Petes dinner bowl is in front of him he stares pretty hard waiting for the ok :D

Wouldn't you? :D Wait 'til you see Pele, "The Porker" starring at the BBQ at the DOL meet, just willing one of those sausages to leap off into her mouth

With a dominance type stare the the dog's whole body tends to go tense.

Oh ok - definately a different kind of stare then! Thanks for that

Hi p.t.d,

There's a difference between eye contact and the hard staring of a dog, which is what is referred to as dominance. Eye contact that us humans want with our dogs is not natural so takes time and practice to get our dogs to feel comfortable with eye contact :D

Thanks Bully - how do you differentiate between the two though? Because when Petes dinner bowl is in front of him he stares pretty hard waiting for the ok :D

Hi all, just wanting some clarification on the whole eye contact with dogs thing.

I've read a lot of stuff which all sites eye contact with dogs a bad thing - if a dog is seeking eye contact with you it is a sign of dominance etc, and the whole stare-off for control kind of concept.

But during obedience we are told to teach our dogs to watch us on command - is this supposed to be so that we have the control and/or respect of the dog to do what we tell it, or just so we have their attention? But if it's just an attention thing, then where does the dominance eye contact theory come into it?

The reason I ask is that I've been working on Petes watch command, and he does it, mostly very well (especially waiting for the ok to eat his dinner) but sometimes when we are waiting to cross the road he is a bit hesitant to look me in the eye. How would that relate to the dominance eye contact theory? Also he is now looking me in the eye more at other times - and according to 'the theory' that is a sign of dominance, but could it not also be because he has learnt that eye contact is a good thing?

:D

Pele, the "Goddess" just does NOT do mornings at all The only way that I get her out of bed is to turn the front hose on, then she can't help herself, she races out to "attack" it Even as a puppy she wouldn't get out of bed until what she considered was a civilized hour - usually about 8am

Pele and Pete. Similar names. Completely different personalities. He grills me in the mornings with a nice wet nose prod if I sleep in 'too long' (i.e. 8am) and he is terrified of the hose!!

Pete looks like a little cutey

Thanks Bully, look forward to meeting you and Pele.

Can you clarify for me - a one way trip adl to canberra is $140? same on return?

I ask because when I go overseas (sometime in the next five years) I'm going to take pete to stay with mum in canberra

Abrham

Ali

Angus

Appollo

Archie

Arkhan

Armand

Bailey x 4

Balou

Bandit

Banjo

Bardigrub

Bart

Barton

Baxter

Bear x2

Benji

Benny

Billy

Bing

Bluey

Bosch

Boxer

Brady

Brock

Brockie

Brody

Bronson

Bruce

Bud

Bundy

Cannon

Caramel

Carl

Champ

Charlie x 4

Chevy

Chip

Coco

Cooper

Cowan x 2

Cuba

Danny

Darcy x 2

Dashx2

Deakin

Dean

Declan

Delgado

Diablo

Diesel

Digby

Digger

Dinky

Douglas

Dumas

Dylan

Ebon

Eddie

Elijah

Elliott

Edge

Esky

FlashBazil

Flynn

Frank

Gandor

Greedy

Hail

Harley

Harrison

Henry

Hudson

Ivan

Jack x 1

Jake

Jasper x 2

JayDee

Jethro

Jet

Jett

Jordan

Joshua

Judd

Juggie

Kahn

Kaiser x 2

Kasper

Kaos

Kiba

Kei

Kippy

Kisho

Kyzer

Lenny

Leroy

Lestat

Logan

Luca

Lukas

MacKenzie

Mason

Max x 3

Maxie

Mel

Merlot

Merry

Milky

Milosh

Minook

Mistral

Mokha

Mr Darcy

Nammu

Napoleon

Nigel

Noah

Nova

Nudge

Nugget

Onslow

Oz

Payton

Pete

Piikki

Porsha

Punch

Quick

Raffy

Ralph

Randy

Reeve

Rex

Riku

Riley

Ripley

Rocks

Rolly

Rove

Rover

Roy Jones Jnr

Rupert

Rusty

Sam

Scout

Scrap

Scratch

Shadow

Silas

Snitch

Sonny

Speed

Spencer

Spike

Sport

Spud

Sterling

Storm

Sumo

Swanky

Tazz x 2

Teddy

Tey Dog

Thunder

Tiger

Tirra

Toby

Tolkien

Tub

Tusca

Tye

Tyson

Ulf

Wags

Walker

Watson

Weave

Willy

Woody

Zac

Zedley

Zephyr x 2

Zeus

This poll actually made me feel pretty good Far less ticks than I expected

awwwwwww

He looks about as unimpressed as mine on GF day (and this was before the saints lost)

Would love to meet Pete too Pete.the.dog! From your avatar pic he looks very cute!

Thanks fluffy, I'm really excited to meet everyone as well! Pete's just a pup in the avatar so it's a bit of a cheat he's still almost as cute though!

Ashley

I also think it would be a good idea for Pete to have a meet where he can settle in and get to know the other dogs before I take up Pete.the.dog's offer to use him in a trial, to see if Justice is still showing aggression. I hope you've been training him to run really fast Pete.the dog. Sorry, couldn't help myself.

hahaha I've trained Pete to see a picture of Justice and

I'd love to come to the meet, but I'm a bit worried..

From what I can gather the dogs all run around and play nice while you all get to catch up and eat some yummy food

Hi Ashley - it might sound like that but - rest assured - this is not the way it always is ;)

Pete sounds like Rosie (my 18month old kelpie) - she can be in your face to other dogs and has spent the majority of the last couple of meets on leash - she still gets a chance to meet and play with other dogs but she has unreliable (ok - just about non existent *L*) recall and can be pushy to other dogs.

There are some dogs that are a bit reactive and others that need a time out now and then - but there are also some that just run around and have a wonderful time - dogs are all different - as are their owners - but the wonderful thing about these meets is the fact that the owners are so supportive and understanding about the dogs - and keep an eye on each others dogs as well as their own.

It would be great if they did all run around and play nicely while we sipped champagne and nibbled on canapes but they don't - they don't however brawl or fight constantly - there have been a couple of slobber and teeth incidents with Rosie - she then went back on leash for a while.

We would love to meet you and Pete - we have a couple of us meeting on the 31st Jan to intro my new bloodhound pup to some other dogs - you are very welcome to come along to that on or to any of the other meets

Oh thank you for that, that makes me and my foolish youngster feel a lot more welcome i'd love to come on the 31st, just need to check if I can get the car from OH.

Hopefully Pete and Rosie will just stick to annoying each other

I'd love to come to the meet, but I'm a bit worried..

From what I can gather the dogs all run around and play nice while you all get to catch up and eat some yummy food

Hi Ashley - it might sound like that but - rest assured - this is not the way it always is ;)

Pete sounds like Rosie (my 18month old kelpie) - she can be in your face to other dogs and has spent the majority of the last couple of meets on leash - she still gets a chance to meet and play with other dogs but she has unreliable (ok - just about non existent *L*) recall and can be pushy to other dogs.

There are some dogs that are a bit reactive and others that need a time out now and then - but there are also some that just run around and have a wonderful time - dogs are all different - as are their owners - but the wonderful thing about these meets is the fact that the owners are so supportive and understanding about the dogs - and keep an eye on each others dogs as well as their own.

It would be great if they did all run around and play nicely while we sipped champagne and nibbled on canapes but they don't - they don't however brawl or fight constantly - there have been a couple of slobber and teeth incidents with Rosie - she then went back on leash for a while.

We would love to meet you and Pete - we have a couple of us meeting on the 31st Jan to intro my new bloodhound pup to some other dogs - you are very welcome to come along to that on or to any of the other meets

Oh thank you for that, that makes me and my foolish youngster feel a lot more welcome i'd love to come on the 31st, just need to check if I can get the car from OH.

Hopefully Pete and Rosie will just stick to annoying each other

Hi all,

I'd love to come to the meet, but I'm a bit worried..

From what I can gather the dogs all run around and play nice while you all get to catch up and eat some yummy food

My concern is that Pete's recall around doggies is terrible, and I don't want to cause any problems for other DOLers. He's not aggressive at all, but can get a bit in your face wanting dogs to play with him

I'm not sure what the meets are like, but just wanted to get some advice before I commit

Hopefully I will get to meet you all, whether it is sooner or later,

Ashley

I jog with my dog, but he's big, he trots ahead on the lead (doesn't pull after first couple of minutes excitement) - he's a good pace keeper!

I was at my parents during the holidays, went to go for a jog on my own (as there dog has already been walked and I didn't know how well behaved he'd be) got about 10 steps out of the driveway and had to go back for the dog - it's so weird jogging alone, feels silly!!

I find he is better behaved jogging than walking, maybe its cause he has to work harder, I'm not sure?

Oh Lottie is adorable!! :D

To be honest this topic turned into something I never expected it to, as Jaxx has said. At first I was really interested in finding out what was going on regarding posters claiming to work at the kennels who posted and PM'd some unusual and very unprofessional things and also did some other unusual and unprofessional things. I'm actually really over it. As wrong as I think it is, and as much as I feel that people should be held accountable for their actions and behaviours (both the people I have already mentioned as well as the kennel in question) I don't really have the time or the energy spare to be an Erin Brokovich on this one, so I'm just going to take a deep breath, and put it behind me. Thank you to everyone who has contributed in a constructive manner, and given me advice which will help my decision making and choices in the future, I appreciate all you constructive and helpful DOLers out there!

Having read this thread how many people would now use that kennel??

Jules I didn't name the kennel, if someone wanted to know the kennel, I would PM them - it's up to people to make up there own minds, many people felt my expectations were too high, so I don't see why they wouldn't use the kennel. Someone who worked at the kennel asked me for the name, I PMed them, then they replied on this post in response to my PM - naming the kennel and how good it is. Nothing they said to me eased my concerns. I have tried to contact the kennel owner but they haven't gotten back to me.

I went on a holiday that was a 1500 km drive each way. I drove my Dobe to a breed knowleadgable breeding kennel that was great. I had to drive 750kms to get to it and it did take us around 300 out of our way but was worth it for peace of mind.

I hope you get it sorted PTD

Thanks It's really more about the weird posts on here and messages that I want answers for now more than anything else. He's been there, it's done, but the stuff thats happened since just feels a bit off to me..

Lynn that is horrible, so sorry to hear that.

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Just gave them a call but no answer (it is currently during their business hours) called again and left a message for the owner to please call me back.

Click on Members, type in Lorraine and she comes up.

http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showuser=9583

I dont think thats the same one, she hasn't got any posts ever

no fair mutt lover it's too early for tears!!

Will have puffy eyes all day now

ADD: This is all quite odd. I think I'm going to have to give the kennels a call tomorrow morning

I suspect you might be looking for a new kennels too???!!!

Oh after all this drama I'm not sure I'll ever leave Adelaide again

Don't be put off of boarding kennels from one experience Pete.the.dog - some of us are actually very good

I don't think that your expectations were too high at all, but a smaller, more personalised kennel may be what your after.

I have just been down to kiss the dogs good night, give those who have bones their bones, turn on the canine lullabies and turn their lights off.

We take note of every dogs behaviour. Obviously if the dog is only staying a day or two you wouldn't know their normal behaviour, but you can let the owner know how the dog has behaved while staying. I would think any good kennel owner can tell a nervous dog from a happy, outgoing dog! The owner should know this so that they can make an informed decision about boarding their dog next time. I have told people that their dog is not suitable for boarding, and would be better left with friends as they were so stressed by their stay that it is not in the dogs best interest to be boarded. This is not a reflection on our kennel or our love and attention - the dog is a nervous type and the woners need to know that this is how the dog reacts to kenneling.

Yes some dogs may loose weight, but the kennels should be making every effort to ensure the weight loss is minimal and making a note of this eg. Pete didn't eat on the first day, we tried chicken meat, warmed dog roll etc.. and tell you that when you pick him up.

Grooming may be an extra fee but once again the kennel should tell you this when you drop the dog off. We send dogs home in as good a condition if not better than when they are dropped off. You have entrusted the care of your dog to someone else, if they believe grooming will be require during the dogs stay to be able to retun him in the same condition (and that is an extra) then they need to tell you this.

We do charge by the day including day of drop off and day of pick up if not picked up before 10am. Same as others have said we need to care for your dog everyday he is here with us and therefore you pay for that time, attention, expertise. I think though that if you had been happy with the service you wouldn't even mention the price. Perhaps just a little more information from the kennel when you dropped him off would have short circuited the Sunday problem. Does seem a tad steep to charge for the day when you had no option but to pick up Sunday afternoon, although again if they had told you this you would have been prepared or made arrangements to get him Saturday.

Anyway I could go on all night but I need to get some sleep so I can get up and look after our boarders tomorrow

Thanks for your input, if only Ceduna wasn't 9 hours away