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Boot camp for the dogs can be a good foot up, however everything will return to how it was if you don't also aquire the knowledge you need to manage your pack, your Behaviourist will need to work with you through this. I always feed seperate anyway regardless of dogs temperaments because I personaly believe it's important to allow a dog to eat in peace and not rush their food because competition is standing next to them. Keep the dogs seperate for now until you can get the knowledge you need to go forward.

Dogs will not shy away from a spray bottle or any other bottle if they are trained correctly with it i.e. they don't see the actual bottle. Water is a pretty minimal adversive so I don't think people should be doing the whole judgemental thing.

If you use a Spray Bottle you are using a 'Punisher', if you wish to do this instead of re-direction then that is your choice. Remember, if you're going to use a Punisher you MUST give praise the very moment after the Punisher that the dog ceases doing what you didn't want it to do. The key to using a Spray Bottle is to never let the dog actuall see the spray bottle, you want them to think "where the hell did that come from". If the dog sees the bottle then they learn to only bahave in pressence of the bottle or learn to ignore it.

Dead coat or sunbleached?

I'd follow what your breeder reccomends until the puppy is out of its' critical growth period.

ummm how in earth could it be cruel? LOL It's just a form of obedience but a hell of a lot more fun.

My Dane has a heart mumur, the Vet checks it everytime we go in to see if it's developed any further. Co enzyme Q10 is a goer. If the dog seems out of sorts then have a chat to your Vet.

No, it's not cruel. Is it how I'd provide my dogs comfort, no, but it's not cruel.

Sorry but I could just see all that in my head....part of my dog lives in your Dads old Dane. I think the unstable one live for longer to punish you For some reason you get pretty attached to them ;)

If it stops my boy it will stop yours.....mine's a wee bit unstable also....that's being polite :D

Kirty, My bastard one can't exercise much either as he has Osteo.....I tell ya the Zone collar was the best investment, keeps him safe and me sane.

I have a dog who is similar....we invested in the Innotek Zone Collar (Legal in Austalia) and no stress since. No training required, just pop the collar on, put the device where you need it and presto. http://www.dogmaster.com.au/shop/item/inno...pet-barrier-242 For Outside use they also have another device: http://www.dogmaster.com.au/shop/item/391378 Hoping Champa goes ok at the Vets. I do have a serious question....did you post just to vent or did you post in hope someone would give you support to rehome him or give him the needle? I don't mean to be rude, I'm honestly curious as to what you we're hoping for, that way it's easier to help you come to a solution....

Welcome back Jed!

I think the most important things a pup should learn first are: 1) You are the leader and not to train anything until it knows that and the dog will respond better. 2) Attention/focus because you need that to train other behaviours.

Hi Aidan, Can I ask why you choose to mix the Good as Gold with the other items or do the other items bring together an actual meal?

I probably would have got up when there was a break int he barking taken the dog outside to the toilet, come back in, pu the dog back in its' crate and gone back to bed and ignored any noise from there. Dogs only try that sort of behaviour on when they think they have a half a chance of getting your attention....have you gone to her when she's been whinging or barking?

Your dog is already clicker trained so you can use that in this situation: http://www.youtube.com/user/kikopup#p/c/F0.../22/6jaxuTuH2ow

You'll need to see a Behaviourist to help you get to the root of your dogs Anxiety problems. Whilst you wait for your behavioural session you may like to try some of these products, however they are complimentary and shouldn't be used as a band-aid cure. TROY BEHAVE is a TRYPTOPHAN supplement with added B Vitamins, Vitamin C and minerals (Potassium and Magnesium). The specially formulated carrier for this paste makes it highly palatable and readily absorbed in the digestive system. Many veterinarians recommend the use of Vitamin B1 (thiamine) at 50-100 times the daily recommended requirement as a daily supplement to assist with over coming this nervy behaviour. Unfortunately this does not always work, so many recommend the addition of magnesium and trypotophan as well to improve the response. http://www.vetnpetdirect.com.au/BEHAVE DAP As pheromones are species specific, D.A.P. is not harmful to humans or other animals. D.A.P. is natural, safe and simple to use. The use of pheromones in treating both dogs and cats has been found to be an effective way of helping them to overcome fear and stress including separation related problems or the fear of loud noises, places or things. The dog appeasing pheromone in D.A.P. is a synthetic replica of the natural appeasing pheromone released by the lactating female, which enables puppies to identify the nest and their mother. These pheromones have been found to provide dogs with a message of well-being and calming that helps them to adjust to stressful, new and unpredictable situations. http://www.vetnpetdirect.com.au/DAPC Calming Herbs Natural Animal Solutions Calm is a blend of nervine and calming herbs that assist with general wellbeing. For the safety of animals, all ingredients are sourced from human naturopathic manufacturers and blended by an animal naturopath. http://www.vetnpetdirect.com.au/NASCALM?sc=9&category=84 Value Plus Calming Paste Each 30mL contains: L-tryptophan 3,000 mg Thiamine 600 mg Riboflavin 500 mg Niacin 500 mg Pyridoxine 300 mg Extract of matricaria recutita (chamomile) 4,500 mg. http://www.vetnpetdirect.com.au/VALUCALM?s...amp;category=84 Canine Tranquil Formula Helps Maintain Emotional Balance in Dogs Many dogs become fearful and anxious during thunderstorms, car trips, visits to the vet, seeing visitors and being separated from their owners and loved ones. Every dog has an individual person­ality and therefore deals with stressful events differently. FEATURES AND BENEFITS Contains natural ingredients plus Tryptophan and B group vitamins Manufactured under HACCP standards in Australia Delicious tasting tablet for dogs http://www.petsonthepark.com.au/prod421.htm Pet Ark Calm A natural nutritional formula for dogs and cats. It can be fed every day. Up to 60 days supply. Contains natural liver flavoring, mineral tissue salts, microsalts, vitamins, amino acids, herbs - passionflower, hops, chamomile. http ://www.greenpet.com.au/pet-shop/cart.p...category_id=74 Aromocalm Spray This all natural aromatherapy spray contains herbs and Bach flower essences for use with dogs and horses. The spray may be sprayed into air around horse or dogs bedding, stable, cage or kennel. Can also be sprayed directly onto animals back, avoiding head and eyes. This is not suitable for use on cats due to the essential oils. Contains Spring water, veg glycerine, alcohol, macadamia oil, grapefruit seed extract, essential oils of petitgrain, lavender, marjoram, vetiver and orange with Bach flower essences. http://greenpet.com.au/pet-shop/cart.php?t...1&substring= And then there's your Rescue Remedy you can get from most Chemists I personaly like and use Valerian for dogs who need the edge taken off.

I did a Vets All Natural Diet on my allergic Dane, he was worse than ever, I took him off it after about 8 weeks and he got better but didn't seem to fully recover from the experience and is still worse than what he was before hand. I did the complete mix with VAN meat and the supplement, all up it cost me around $100 every 1.5 weeks for a 60 kilo dog.

I can only speak for my own breed. They aren't the sharpest but they aren't dumb either however they will decide if they want to do something or not, they are an independent breed. Can they be obedience and agility dogs to a higher level, yes some can.....not all though. Independent Breeds vs Working Breeds.....BIG difference.

Pasta?

You need help with your relationship with your dog. Please enlist the help of a Behaviourist.

It's hard to ignore a dog that is biting you and hurting you.

My personal opinion on biting....some people may not appreciate.....just opinion... Go through all the soft methods i.e. 1) Yelp 2) Walk away and ignore 3) Spray bottle 4) No bite spray 5) Time outs 6) Re-direction And when those methods fail as they do on some of the harder dogs be prepared to give the dog a correction at the level that will stop it biting....not in anger and not in frustration but as the diciplinarian. You don't have to over do it, you know your puppy so you will know the level of correction to give and if for some reason you don't, have a session with a Behaviourist Good luck.