kiesha09

This is a bit of a continuation of the 'lets talk about recall' thread. It discusses the Shirley Chong method for training recalls click here to view it. It looks like a really good method and funnily enough I had started doing something very similar just this week. My boy has never had a great recall but finally I got fed up when he decided he wanted to crash the local agility club and join in Just got him back before total embarassment! My issue and I think alot of people can relate is the adding of distractions in step 6. I just don't think of enough and struggle to order them as more or less distracting. To my boy every smell that exists is a distraction and its pretty hard to go somewhere that doesn't smell! So perhaps we can start a list of recall distractions. So I'll start and please add any you think of: Posts/shrubs/grass etc that can be pee'd on Other dogs Water Duck/possom/sheep etc poo Food People cooking BBQ's Smells in general

Bedazzled I was fairly sure that you were a positive trainer so I'm thinking that you never had to get to the e-collar stage - do correct me if I'm wrong. Since you have used this program before do you have any suggestions of what you would do if you did have a dog that got to the e-collar stage without using an e-collar?

Look forward to meeting you in December GRG when I drop the kids off for their makeover

Agility dogs which parts of it did you not implement? I have read the book and implemented parts of it but I found it VERY hard to stick to. If I didn't work and could devote all my time to it then maybe it could work. But to be honest I just cannot justify crating my dog for 10 hours a day at least while I'm at work.

The unit attached to the kennel is refrigerated, not evaporative. I'm pretty sure no one up that way has evap aircon, because they all know it doesn't work in high humidity You put the water bowl in the cool kennel! Duh of course you do :D Why didn't I think of that!

Can I also suggest a few other things in case your dog doesn't like the airconditioner - am hoping he will because with those temps A kiddies pool in the shade filled with water so he can jump in and cool off. Obviously this will heat up a bit in those temps but better than nothing. LOTS of shade from trees etc or at least put up an umbrella or something so the yard is shaded. Areas where he can dig in the dirt to get to the cool dirt to lie in. You may actually want to water this area a bit too so as to keep the soil cool underneath. Just a question for you though... how do you keep the dogs drinking water cold in those temps? I would think that it would heat up even in the shade.

:D One day I will be doing the same (when I get my working dog) but then instead of paying the groomer I'll probably be paying the cleaner to pick up all the dog hair

I got into Spoilt Dog and Elise sounds lovely!!! Thanks for the help

I'm from Tranmere (near Norwood) Eastern suburbs-ish. I've been to spoilt dog before as I buy my dry food from there. I could try them out.

Ah I get you now. It could be a possibility if they were highly recommended, although I would feel a little bit wierd about it.

Ah sorry I mean't I drop them off and pick them up but I realise you mean one of those mobile dog groomers that come to you (I think)? My yard is accessible if I make it.

My usual groomer is a drop off pick up groomer. Except they are only open from 8am till 3/4ish so doesn't work for me with work. I REALLY don't want to let someone loose on my dogs either that is why I am looking for recommendations. I also don't have much of a choice at the moment being that I don't know how to do it myself and they are already very overdue at the moment.

Hi guys! Being October I thought there would be plenty of time to book my two in to get a clip and tidy up at the groomers before Christmas. WRONG! The groomers I normally go to are completely booked out on Saturdays from now till Christmas. They are one of the more popular groomers here so thinking about it now its no suprise. Because I have to work they have to go on a Saturday. I NEED to get them done now so that they can see and also again in December because they're going into the kennels while I go away and I really don't want them to have to deal with long coats. So, what groomer do you go to or do you recommend? After swearing black and blue it wasn't something I wanted to learn I now WISH I did know!

You are lucky! I've been doing that for 4 years and STILL hasn't made a difference. Plus I upped the time to 30 minutes

That is fantastic! Just curious - How was this vets approach different? ie what did he do to make her comfortable there?

Mine too! I thought everything was safe as there was NOTHING in her reach.... well she decided to give the coffee table its own unique finish complete with teeth marks But she did get better once taught to chew her own stuff.

I just moved my two from Eagle Pack hollistic (due to supply issues) to Artemis (just the normal adult formula not maximal). It is like they are on speed!!!!!! :p As soon as this bag is gone they are definately going on something else. I had to change their excercise from 1/2 hour a day to an hour a day and they are still jumping off the walls. What do you recommend that is similar to the Eagle Pack hollistic?

I get countles injuries from being jumped on and bitten, Im sure triping over will come soon enough. How awesome is the butt shuffle next to you

Mine aren't interested in the kongs once the food is gone either It's all about getting hte food out so you have to make it hard enough that it takes ages. I make up different stuff like mince and mashed potato, tuna, pumkin and cheese, ricotta, egg & spinach (the favourite) etc in two different kongs. I freeze one and just refridgerate the other one. They eat the refridgerated one first which takes only a few minutes and then they move onto the frozen one which takes a couple of hours to get through Then they may snooze then move onto the treat ball then snooze again. I know it sounds like a bit of work but it is a good idea to provide a few different options. It is truly worth it. Each night I probably spend 10-15 minutes or so preparing the treat toys for the next day, but then again my two get ALL their food in treat toys now. I don't have to do that (they wouldn't chew if I didn't) but it provides them stimulation while I'm not working with them. It gives them a job to do. I also think you hit the nail on the head about your old housemate. Consistency is key.

If you won't keep things away from her, then its your fault I'm afraid if she chews them. I'd not be punishing the dog for my own mistake - she'd have absolutely no idea why she'd be in trouble. Put anything away you don't want her to have. Baby gates are a great way of keeping dogs out of rooms you don't want them in (even compost bin panels work) What chews do you offer her? There is no second round of teething - she's got all the teeth she's ever going to get. What you're probably dealing with is boredom and an appropriate channel for the chewing and putting things away or keeping her out of areas is the only way to go. Sounds like a decent kennel outside might be a good investment to. Poodlefan is offering great advice. It is natural for dogs to chew particularly puppies, so what things are you leaving her to chew on that she is allowed to chew? You need to take ALL things away that you don't want her to chew - and I mean ALL but also leave her with things that she is allowed to chew so that she learns what is appropriate to chew and what is not. My girl was a chewer so I know eactly how hard it can be! But if you don't give her outlets for this she she'll find her own stuff to chew on and that will generally be your stuff. I am at the point where my girl will still pull all the stuffing out of her toys and her bed (which looks exactly like my cushins on the couch) but she won't touch my couch or the cushins or my bed pillows etc. 99% of the time. I'm happy with that... her bed is hers and she can do with it as she likes, and I'm the poor sucker who keeps putting the stuffing back in as i said, she is not really left alone inside unsupervised, this morning was an exception due to the rain for 10 minutes while i had a shower lol. normally if i see her chewing i replace it with one of her toys and put the the other thing away, as i said. this morning after i caught her i made her sit on her bed as she KNOWS shoes are a no go and she managed to get my orthotics out of my shoe, and she knew she had done the wrong thing. after that i did 10 or 15 mins of some general training stuff before i had to leave, and she was superb! poodlefan did offer some advice yes, but i was not looking at being told whose fault it is. so basically she has 'chew' toys such as tug o war thing and some sqeaky stuff etc outside - where she spends her time when i am not home. and inside she has her tug o war toy. she gets played with everyday, as often as i can, and every couple of days the neighbors dog comes over and they have a big exhausting play date. there hasn't been much walking lately due to me being rather busy with study - this is not an opening for judgement from anyone either, not everyone can walk their dog everyday, she still gets played with/exercise lol !! she has her set things she is allowed to play with/destroy/chew on, and apart from that i don't let her use anything of my own. i have found some advice from a friend which i am going to try rather than blocking entrances, the lounge and kitchen already get shut off. and i put away what i can in my room. i appreciate the advice i have been given. i will look into getting a kennel when i can, as was always my intention. thanks I'm not judging, just trying to offer you advice. I have seriously been where you are, twice in fact so actually know how to solve this problem and can help you if you want to take my advice. Unfortunately you have a breed of dog that requires a walk every day or else its going to have pent up energy and nothing to do with it plus not having enough stimulation so hence the chewing probably out of boredom. Playing is one thing but taking in new sighs, sounds and smells provides excercise and mental stimulation. I know that you study has to take priority but you're better off walking the dog for 10 minutes in your study breaks instead of a play session. Secondly, you need to provide chew toys that are more exciting than tug o war toys. These are interactive toys that they use to play with you. Things like kongs with stuffed food in them, treat balls they roll around to get the food out, pigs ears, bones and raw hide chews are more what I mean. Something with food involved to keep their interest. Blocking entrances and managing the behaviour really isn't a bad thing. It is just setting her up for success so that she cannot get to the things you don't want her to chew on. If you want to stop the behaviour then managing it in the first place until she knows what is acceptable is a REALLY important step. Finally, if she knew that your shoes and orthodics were a no go she wouldn't have chewed them. THey don't do things like that to spite us. I'm not having a go here at all but I just want to point out that this is communication from her to you that she doesn't yet understand what is expected of her yet.

If you won't keep things away from her, then its your fault I'm afraid if she chews them. I'd not be punishing the dog for my own mistake - she'd have absolutely no idea why she'd be in trouble. Put anything away you don't want her to have. Baby gates are a great way of keeping dogs out of rooms you don't want them in (even compost bin panels work) What chews do you offer her? There is no second round of teething - she's got all the teeth she's ever going to get. What you're probably dealing with is boredom and an appropriate channel for the chewing and putting things away or keeping her out of areas is the only way to go. Sounds like a decent kennel outside might be a good investment to. Poodlefan is offering great advice. It is natural for dogs to chew particularly puppies, so what things are you leaving her to chew on that she is allowed to chew? You need to take ALL things away that you don't want her to chew - and I mean ALL but also leave her with things that she is allowed to chew so that she learns what is appropriate to chew and what is not. My girl was a chewer so I know eactly how hard it can be! But if you don't give her outlets for this she she'll find her own stuff to chew on and that will generally be your stuff. I am at the point where my girl will still pull all the stuffing out of her toys and her bed (which looks exactly like my cushins on the couch) but she won't touch my couch or the cushins or my bed pillows etc. 99% of the time. I'm happy with that... her bed is hers and she can do with it as she likes, and I'm the poor sucker who keeps putting the stuffing back in

It gets bloody hot on the back of the ute even in winter. I suggest you go riding around in the dogs position and see how hot it gets sitting at the beach on the back of the ute for an hour before you make any decisions.

I have a final update on the changed sleeping quarters of the pooches. After 4 years of having them sleep in my bed (complete with dirty paws on my doona and leaving sand in the bed) they have now moved quite successfully to their own crates in my room next to the bed They are even quite happy with this arrangement I think. When I open the bedroom door they go straight to their crates and jump straight in and wait for their treat and no more banging on the door - well until I so much as open one eye lid in the morning and then apparently its time to get up! In the mornings while I have a shower and get ready for work they go straight into their crates and watch me get ready and are very happy it seems Lets just see how things go when the BF returns from overseas - he says he's going to perform a 'jailbreak' :D :D Thank you everyone for all your help. It's much appreciated!

Everyone is welcome in the WA thread ;) The collar on Tiggy's Banjo is a Cleanrun collar - which are currently in the free postage section :D ;) Thanks for the heads up Mirawee. Although I am scared of visiting the clean run site and so is my credit card

Adelaide Pet Dog Training will do one on one consultations and they are really good. I would highly recommend them. Their website is www.petdogtraining.com.au and all the details will be there.