sas

I can definately say that I've noticed a calmer dog when they have gone onto a BARF diet from a supermarket diet.

A Dane Breeder in Sydney has just lost one of her young adult Danes to this, he also had all his health tests done including a heart test and had recieved his ET title the year before. If you like I can pass you on her details, the passing of her dog was only recent so I don't know if she'd be up to talking about it yet.

Although I think Vickie has some great points, I still think it's important to repremand the dog, I understand that they are sensitive so care needs to be taken. Toileting on command is great, for me personaly I also need the dog to know that when I'm pre-occupied such as in the shower etc it is not acceptable to toilet inside. I think I'll have to speak more to Vickie about her method as it may be something that I can work with my new puppy coming soon. Without the repremand I feel it's difficult for the puppy to understand that this action of weeing inside in wrong. But it's the level of repremand you'll need to figure out for yourself, perhaps not even a firm No, just present the body language? I have been on the reciveing end of toilet training a sensitive BC youngan and did stuff it up in the first week because I got the level of repremand wrong but got it back on track in the 2nd week, unfortunately the circumstance wasn't the same as yours.

You could try and make something yourself....perhaps a trip to Bunnings could be the go?

Did you forget you have a puppy?

I'd never leave any of my dogs outside unattended. Brown Snakes, idiots with baits, heat-stroke, to name but three reasons why they're kept inside. Mine are outside when I'm not home.....they have a garage to go in which is insulliated and is cool, no snakes.....and I don't have to worry about people baiting my dogs......what a stressful life you have

Do you think spraying a liquid on the toilet training pad would perhaps be indicating to your puppy not to toilet on it or go near it as what you're actually doing is creating a bad association with the toileting pad. I'd probably go for a litter tray or something like this: Click here For puppy to really understand toilet training, you need to be watching puppy like a hawk and taking them to the toilet spot at specific times such as soon as waking, after eating, after playing etc etc. Remember, a firm "No" (not yelling or hitting) when you catch the dog doing an 'accident' and then putting puppy in the place you want them to toilet and then laying on the praise big time when they do it right helps your puppy understand what you want. Be 100% consistent so puppy understands faster Dogs do not 'forget' once they are toilet trained there are always specific reasons why they regress.

Puppies aren't straight forward, they all learn at different rates and all present 'issues' that you probably haven't delt with before. I'm bringing home a new puppy in 3 months, I'm sure that puppy will present me with situations I don't understand and I'll make mistakes too. I think I have been fortunate though in regards to having foster dogs and learning something from every one of them and ofcourse this forum which can help shine a different light on a situation that is confusing us.

You definately wouldn't yell or hit, a firm NO is enough, she needs to know what she is doing is wrong. When a person yells/hits/rubs a dogs nose in its' accident this is when fear is created and the dog will usually start having accidents out of your sight as they start to associate toileting with something you are not very happy about. In all cases of our foster dogs, we simply don't let them out of our sight so if an 'accident' does start we can give a firm "No" and then take them outside where they finish and then we priase them like crazy.....we don't go back inside until they have finished their business otherwise they are likely to go back inside and toilet.....it's all about not setting the dog up for failure. Puppies have very short attention spans so your communication with her needs to be clear and straight forward in a manner she can understand. Everytime your dog has an accident that you don't see it and therefore don't get the opportunity to give the repremand is another time she thinks what she is doing is ok. I'm not telling you off, I think you're being a bit sensitive, I'm simply pointing out to you errors I picked up from your post, perhaps what you typed gave the wrong impression?

So when exactly are you praising her for her good efforts outside if you aren't around when she does them? She should have been taken straight outside after the first instance. The scent may very well be around if you didn't use a special 'accident' spray. So how does she know when she's done the wrong thing? If you don't want to risk urine soaking through your bed do not allow your puppy on your bed until she is reliably toilet trained. To me this appears to a 100% owner/handler problem.

I don't use the 'stop' method, I personaly don't think it teaches the dog quick enough...some people struggle with this methods for months and months. We use the 'turn' method....when the dogs shoulder passes your leg you say "heel" and then turn in the opposite direct and continue in this direction for approx 10 paces, then say "Heel" and turn back in the direction you were going....some dogs pick it up really quickly some may take 4-5 days to grasp the concept.

With my girl I tend to ignore things she percieves as scary if they're not actually scary (not going to get her etc etc) If we're in an actually scary position with do the distraction method.

You may like to looking into teaching your puppy to ring a bell if it wants to go out....it's training program you'll find if you Google it, I think it's on the K9 Force website too. I probably wouldn't be expecting a 4 month old to be actively asking you to let it out if the door is closed....some puppies take longer to do these things....maturity.

Alot of people think because their dog is 'obedient' it can't possibly think its' the Alpha....2 completely different things.....however continued training (not just stopping when you have the basics covers) helps cement the relationship with the dog. Jacq is spot on with her advice. I would also reccomend going to the book store an investing in a book by Jan Fennell called Dog Listener, her whole book is about leadership and I think you'll benefit greatly from it.

That's pretty scary showdog, do you have any thoughts as to why more and more dogs are showing allergies to chicken?

Yes both pre-schools need proof of vaccination before they will let you in. I have been trying to train at home but not winning the battle so far! As soon as i start learning from a professional as of Monday night she will be getting regular training at home. So far I have taught her to sit, she comes to her name and if she is inside she yelps at the door when she needs to go outside! Im hoping puppy schools will stop the play biting, its getting worse and I have tried every trick possible that I have read/heard and nothing is working! I have heard socialising with other pups helps this, im crossing my fingers! (the fingers that are at the moment covered in little cuts from razor sharp puppy teeth!) Ignore your puppy, get up and walk away, if neccessary shut a door between you.....your puppy will soon learn that this behaviour gets them nowhere. What you're dealing with is bite inhabition, Mothers and litter mates teach this to one another by yelping when the puppy hurts....if puppies are taken away from their mothers prior to 8 weeks of age this can be problem that takes a while to get sorted. You can resort to yelping in pain even if it doesn't hurt but I would just completely ignore the puppy like it doesn't even exist.

Pick them up and take them up and have them on a lead so they can't do a runner. If you let them get away with that behaviour now....you can imagine what they'll be like as adults.

I haven't come across an allergy to chicken before, but of course its' entirely possible.....I wouldn't say 'many' dogs are allergic to chicken to as they are to beef....not that I've experience first hand like I have with beef in multiple dogs. Lamb is known as a 'safe' meat in regards to allergies, however for a number of different reasons people choose not to feed lamb. Sourced Information:

You need to find out what the allergy is before you try and treat it. Is it a plant/weed allergy? Is it a grass allergy? Is it a food allergy? etc etc I personaly would google plants in Australia that can cause allergies and then search my garden, then if that doesn't work I would take beef out of the diet and give a BARF diet with Chicken meat and also give 1 x Fishoil Capsule with included Vit E per 10 kg's of body weight. If that doesn't show any improvements in a month you really need to head to the vet for the comfort of your pooch. Are you a smoker or anyone else smoke around the dog?

I don't think it would be an issue as long as all the dogs at these meetings are vaccinated. I take it that you're also training at home not just on Monday nights?

Any dog that either lives here or has passed through here as a foster has been fed chicken necks and wings without any problems. This is in regard to medium - giant breeds.

Sas .... it's not that I or any of the others who are endeavouring to assist BG by guiding her and her dog to harmony don't have that in mind or haven't thought of it. This is the type of thing that can be explored when BG (or, at least her OH) obtain one-on-one professional help. To suggest it is one thing. To try to teach it over the net is another. Don't forget there are other factors possibly going on here (everyone's concluded "boredom" ..... which is a big possibility - but is not conclusive) that may well need more attention other than solely leadership and drive training. IMO, BG has taken the first big step towards remedying the GSD's problems. IE .... she's admitted and announced there are problems. She's been honest and open with what she's done, what she's tried (and why), and what has not worked. Didn't any one of you ever make mistakes in your life? I don't hear BG blaming the dog (not like I do from many others in their own situations). She's saying she is now at a loss and is seeking help. The suggestions have been made and by the sounds of it BG has taken it on board and will be taking steps to accomplish success. Heavens to Betsy ..... she's confirmed the 10 hour trip to Steve (as suggested) is now a liklihood. Give her a chance - it's hardly as if she can "beam me up Scottie" and simply be there. Obviously the appointment and the trip needs to be arranged. I think it's pretty clear she's got the message about not tethering via a check chain. And it doesn't completely sound to me as if the dog has merely been stuck outside with no attention. Give her a break and a chance to re-unite with the dog. Sounds like she wants to make the effort. That's more than I can say for many who seek advice and get it. Often when it involves effort they simply chuck the advice out the window. So rather than bludgeon this girl for past mistakes (of which we've all been guilty in one shape, form and degree) encourage her for stepping up to the plate to retrace her steps in regards to their relationship with this dog. ETA: Sas - this post was not directed at you .... it was really just a follow on after having responded to your post. I never suggested to teach anything over the net. I'm sorry you mis-understood this, by me saying that I would reccomend Drive Training meant to me to get contacts on a trainer who is skilled in this area such as K9 Force. Boredom and satisfying a dogs drive come together in some regards. Yes, indeed there are many other factors/issues at play here that have been pointed out and at a great benefit to the OP who may have not been aware and by seeing a trainer would be the next logical step.

For someone involved in rescue I would have thought you would rather encourage re-educating and training before moving a dog onto a new home? The owner is willing to try, yes they have made mistakes but as hard as it is to comprehend the world away from DOL is full of people who don't have a great deal of education or knowledge in Dog Behaviour or Training.....this of course something you comprehend being involved in rescue.............and here is one seeking help and assistance.....not something that is so common these days. Sometimes such simple things can make a situation have a complete 360. If I was in the situation, I would say give a month or two on a new strict leadership, training and exercise program with 100% consistency and if there is absolutely no change then, then I would be considering contacting the police/detection training services as this dog sounds to have a great amount of drive and would throughly enjoy having a job.

Why has someone not suggested Drive training, or did I miss that? This dogs sounds like he has a tonne of drive and would really benefit from it.

You're a....... arg.......won't go there......What a way to create more fear in a dog...potentialy making it more aggressive Or by challenging a dominant dog............and most likely the person will get bitten whilst carrying this out. You are entitled to your 'opinion' but when you suggest something that is as dangerous as the Alpha roll to another person then you can expect to be jumped on. I'd like to reccomend a book for you to read.....it's called 'Dog Listener' by Jan Fennell.....time for some re-education I think.