Leema

You shouldn't worry if he doesn't play with his toys in his crate. As others have said, many dogs do just use their crate for sleeping and relaxing, not for playing. It sounds like you're doing fine in regard to the toileting/crate/play and everything else. I would suggest that you carry Obi outside to toilet instead of guide him, as it sounds like he can get a bit distracted and it can be a bit slow! Also, make sure you never let Obi out of his crate while he is vocalising or pawing, or he will think these behaviours are rewarded by release-from-crate. Good luck with your puppy.

Have a look at this page. I haven't tried it myself, but having a cat-obsesed Border Terrier, I have respect for the method and do hope to give it a go one day when I have time for a cat. http://www.clickertraining.com/node/1403

These two points were what I was going to make! I really hope things work out for the best for you and your girl.

I am going through toilet training (... a puppy, not me...) at the moment, and I have a similar situation. Clover's pretty good until she's been playing boisterously with Mac for a while and it just 'sneaks up'. I just have to keep an eye on her going in and out and make sure I do take her out when it's been, say, longer than an hour. I agree it is frustrating, but there must be some light at the end of the tunnel. When Clover does go inside, she will switch surfaces - e.g. from tiles onto carpet or vice versa. That indicates to me that she does know she's supposed to go on a specific surface, but hasn't worked out that it's JUST grass. Of course, continue to reward heavily for toiletting you witness outside. It's hard to make the time to reward for toiletting outside when there's a dog door, but do try! I know Clover WILL go first thing in the morning, so will wait that one out (<1min) so I can heavily reward her.

Mine get their food inside on a mat. Once they leave their mat, I take what's left of their bone (rarely anything). I always supervise feeding because I'm worried about choking.

Thank-you very much, Cavandra!

Can anyone give me more information about Dr Jean Dodds coming to SA? I would be interested in attending seminars or whatever else by her.. But can't find anything through google.

I feed a raw diet predominately, but for training treats, I do get cheap brand kibbles (i.e. store brands). They don't make up a large part of the diet so I'm not fussed.

I feed every type of bone there is except beef femurs! These bones are designed to hold a huge mass, and as such are stronger than dogs' teeth. Dogs can break their teeth chewing on beef femurs. By all means, feed them plenty of bones, but not 'marrow bones' as you could end up with a hefty dental bill.

Have been doing the different surfaces and tug games! Didn't think of unstable surfaces so thank-you for that.

What kinds of things would individuals involved in conformation and/or obedience and/or agility recommend for a puppy? I.e. training exercises. E.g. It has been suggested I get her used to mouthing metal objects. I'm working on the left and right circling (turn left/turn right) for agility using tug toys. Also highly rewarding freestacks when they occur for conformation.

Getting Clover used to people is easy! Stand anywhere in public and I get swarmed by people. Luckily Clover finds this exciting instead of daunting. We went to school today to get smothered by children. Next week I'm going to my mum's work with her, a nursing home, where she can see lots of funny-walking old people. When we had fireworks and then a thunderstorm this month I was so excited! Just what I wanted for a puppy! Clover and Mac just slept through both, so I'm very to have that covered.

I've had Clover for a month now and I am very happy with her and what steps we've been taking. Clover will partake in conformation, obedience and aglity, assuming all goes to plan... But there is 9999999 different opinions and articles on what I should be doing during this critical age. (She will be 12 weeks on Friday.) Consensus has been reached in regard to socialisation - exposure to as many things as possible! So, I was wondering, what things YOU would make sure a new puppy into your house hold would be exposed to/taught very early on? Why?

Thanks for the suggestions. ;) I will put Biozet on my shopping list.

I agree with Kavik. ;) Something to be aware of is sometimes dogs are allergic to cooked meats but not raw meats. So if you have fed your dog cooked beef, for example, and he was allergic, then you could try raw beef with different results. Something to keep in mind.

Well, that's disproven then! Thanks.

A friend mentioned to me the other day that she had never heard of a dog bloating after being fed a raw meal. Has anyone hear heard of a dog bloating after being fed a raw meal? Just for curiousity sake.

No worries husky. Hope you can give it a go once she comes back from boarding. Well wishes for Daisy on the tablets.

I want to remove the smell so the pup doesn't return to the same spot. Not so worried about me smelling it. I have used diluted white vinegar before but I have either not done it well enough or it hasn't worked. Thanks for your reply, Debbi.

I wish! Off to find greyhound breeders now...

Mac likes eggs - I will sometimes give him them with the shell on, but he just crushes it up and leaves bits of egg shell everywhere and it's a bit of a pain to clean up. Some owners find that just-egg can cause loose stools, so only feed egg mixed with something else or in addition to the rest of the meal. I had to double check what this, because I didn't know all the protein names, but: Considering this, egg whites should not be fed by themselves but only with egg yolks (or at least, not often).

I'm a bit late on board, but perhaps have a watch of this video. It is about a dog which has had negative experiences with nail trimming, and the process a trainer goes through to allow his nails to be clipped. The ideas here could be applied to Daisy's ears. http://youtube.com/watch?v=bgEwiH8CeUE

I'm expecting a new puppy and, though hopefully I won't have any accidents, I'd like to be prepared. Are there any recommended products for making any toileted spots not smelling so attractive? Mac likes to mark everything as it is, I don't think he'd be able to resist the temptation.

Haven't read this entire thread, but Mac, when I'm teaching him new standing-tricks, he wants to sit (because he thinks sitting is the best trick in the world). So I will get a second lead and sling under his hind area - normally him just feeling it there is enough to deter him for lowering his rear end. Not sure how well it'd work for a bigger dog, but it might help you, anyway. Good luck.

Yep, Mac gets pork sometimes. No ill effects here.