huck house

Aidan2 , thanks for the example as well as the interesting links you posted. Cheers

Apologies, I don't know how to quote ..

I still think it's worth engaging a professional even if you know enough to understand the protocols. It can be a terrible lost opportunity to try something and not quite get it right due to lack of experience, in some cases you burn the chance to use the least invasive method by 'sensitising' the dog to it. Sorry to go off topic , but can you please expand on this Aidan2? Thanks Despite it's simplicity, I rarely see anyone using classical conditioning in it's most effective form (as an example). One of the worst outcomes is to associate the toy or food with bad things happening, but more often conditioning just doesn't result.

We used Hamilton vet clinic for a over ten years . Their head surgeon, Jeff Howe is very skilled and does orthopedic surgery . They are not cheap , as they are experts. Our favorite vet is no longer a partner in the business there . He would always get Jeff to do difficult operations as he is the master.

Would they be used with pheromones as well?

I just looked at a couple of sites that list behavioral medications . The descriptions are quite cautionary and also some state that the need to be taken in conjunction with practicing behavior modification techniques. I didn't read any that said they would 'treat aggressive dogs', more that they address anxiety. http://www.peteducation.com/category.cfm?c=0+1457

I've been told that clomicalm can make some dogs aggressive and should be really carefully prescribed.

Westiemum , have you seen the good for dogs website? http://goodfordogs.org/blog/2012/02/17/geelong-animal-welfare-society/ I find MikeBaileys blog credible and can really relate to how he thinks . He truly cares about companion animals . I'm so glad dogs have advocates like him. I'll stop just short of saying that he is my idol.!

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2011/10/17/285711_news.html The protest at Geelong town hall was pretty huge. It was around the time of the BSL march in Melbourne . They put our effort to shame really...Good on them.

We saw it . Good luck to Mike Bailey and the team there. Im so glad he has his mojo back.

Very good to hear :)

We use the black dog balance harness and leads. They are awesome, simple and safe. We have tried easy walk, rogez , sensation etc etc. It may depend on the shape of your dog as to which harness fits best. Some don't adjust well. Others too heavy, tricky to put on or don't have a front clip. Our big reactive boy is a different dog with his on. We use the black dog collar and clip th lead on it as well as the front harness ring as well . It works to help turn his head from distractions as well as backup if anything should break. With the other end of the lead clipped to his back, it is like steering a horse! Our chunky girl was miserable with all the others we have tried but pushes in to put hers on . She must feel safe and comfortable(she likes clothes on too) . The balance harness doesn't rub under the arms or restrict any movement. The company base is at theBasin just outside Melbourne. They do repairs and have 'tweaked' the product when problems have arisen . Make sire you get the latest 'model'. Their website is comprehensive and they are great on the phone too. As you can tell, I am a fan! We were desperate for safe, effective equipment when we got our dogs a year ago and spent hundreds on stuff that didn't work or the dogs wrecked. Good luck and let us know what you go with. Cheers.

How is Gilbert doing? You must be traumatized . It's stressful loving something so much. What do you think bit or stung him?? He does look like a bounce-back kind of a boy. Jack russels are one of the most adorable puppies to me. I didn't know they had much of an image problem as dogs..?? Is that Gilbert's Gang in the other photo? Hope you get good advice from both vets to get the upperhand in the future .:)

My 4 year old bully was diagnosed with a chronic luxating patella . After xrays the specialist said Peanut has really bad arthritis and decided not to operate . The treatment is cartrophen injections to improve the cartilage, and meticam for pain management. I asked the vet about stem cell treatment as I know his clinic offers it . He told us that it is still experimental and did not recommend it to us at this point in time. Just clarifying that my vet did not say 'experimental' Rather he said that the numbers of dogs per thousand that are measured as having positive concrete outcomes are too low to offer the therapy to every dog.

Sorry for double posting there. . Zzz I think it has been fair to warn the OP to superviise her pups socialization carefully and in an unbiased manner. For the thread to morph into a pitbull debate is understandable when there are laws in place and opinions here that are not based on the science which are perpetuating a people problem.

Just confirming that the worst owners are attracted to the pit bull types... We play with our dogs at a secluded spot where a long path is visible on the other side of the creek. We heard the echo of a man making ghastly 'argh' and 'giiit ere' noises then saw him yanking back his dog on a check chain .Using a 2 metre lead he would allow the dog to plod along optimistically out front then whip him back to about a metro in front. The mans body language was as concerning as his handling techniques. He was swaggering , posturing with his weight back and chest out. The dog was being bullied into matching his owners stride . It looked like 101 training session of a ''deterrent tough dog". Really off putting stuff. I feel sorry that this poor dog was unfortunate enough to be chosen by this thug because of it's stunning physique and stoic nature.

Just confirming that the worst owners are attracted to the pit bull types... We play with our dogs at a secluded spot where a long path is visible on the other side of the creek. We heard the echo of a man making ghastly 'argh' and 'giiit ere' noises then saw him yanking back his dog on a check chain .Using a 2 metre lead he would allow the dog to plod along optimistically out front then whip him back to about a metro in front. The mans body language was as concerning as his handling techniques. He was swaggering , posturing with his weight back and chest out. The dog was being bullied into matching his owners stride . It looked like 101 training session of a ''deterrent tough dog". Really off putting stuff. I feel sorry that this poor dog was unfortunate enough to be chosen by this thug because of it's stunning physique and stoic nature.

Donski , I hope your boy will be ok. . .this thread has me a little worried because we have a white bully with a patch on one eye too. He also loves to sun bake indoors . Did his eyes have a lot of eye discharge? More than the regular morning sleep goop? Does he get a burnt nose??

We are in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. Lots of dogs up our way! Cheers.

Nekhbet, Teddy doesn't travel well or we would love a trip to Geelong on the wends! Thanks. TWhippets, Our dog is dog aggressive, highly reactive . He is a gentleman to the female dog/s he lives with and has good bite inhibition. Awesome with people and kids . You are right we need private lessons by a behaviorist. The school says they are the experts on this issue and do individual classes but they told us to show up on Saturday's, hang around the entrance, and desensitize him that way. It's about an eighteen month process. They staff made a myriad of assumptions about us. I got told off for not exercising him before we came. (he'd been run well for an hour!) I'm thinking if we get a private trainer , we may still use the club if the behaviorist advises us to. We will work with him the rest of his life to even get ten percent improvement in his behavior. The dog is worth it , and deserves it . Thanks.

Of course. Thanks though. I have tried to be generic with my questions . We are going to seek out other alternatives when we have some extra money . In the meantime I don't want any drama, or to make the mistake of 'practice makes permanent ' If I am not handling the dog correctly at the training school. We are in Melbourne if anyone has any recommendations. Cheers.:)

Erny, Thanks for your thoughts and advice.. My dog is 4 years old, we are his 3rd home . I worry that he will practice and hone his bad behaviors if I take him back there. Whether their techniques aren't right for him or I can't execute them properly, would it be damaging to try it out a couple more times , or given his age , make no real difference ?? A young couple with a 12 week old pug were told to put deep heat on his paws and spray him with lemon juice to stop his excessive nipping. Is that normal or standard??

All posts and perspectives are interesting! Thanks. Erny , we attended a basic information session and were told to come on Saturday, they will assess our dog. I had to sign up for 6 months at $290 before they would even meet our dog. I can now understand that staff should approach dogs with caution , especially if they are unsure if newcomers and their handlers have been assssed and understand the school rules. I suppose i started this thread to see if I am justified in feeling a little let down and ripped off. We had explained how committed we are to our dog and want to know what the best approach to take, whether to see a behaviourist etc. The main thing I am left wondering is , if this school are the ones to help us , why didn't they offer us private lessons and do I feel happy to show up there again. We signed up at the end of last year, went to two sessions there was the Xmas break and we have not been back. Confirming that i can't show up there tense, that will affect my dog .

Thanks, the school we went to takes all dog breeds and issues .. They use a combination of methods ,check chains and toys . so tick'! It had quite a militant feel but dispite that , it felt unorganized. Many of the other clients looked like they were at Saturday detention. Our dog was not assessed as promised let alone handled by anyone. The staff didn't pat or say hello to our dog . Is that standard?? Should trainers keep at arms length from clients dogs? Thanks again

Hi, I'm interested in what people think are fundamental qualities a puppy/dog training and obedience school should have before signing up. What type of attitude the staff have? the general vibe ? Does it vary depending on what you want to do with your dog/s ? Thanks for any thoughts in advance!