Rusky

very very true Poodlefan your post was terrific. I read and left then thought... nah I have to leave a comment. All the things you say are things that get discussed with my friends regularly. I really really wish that trialing wasn't such a serious business. I love to see dogs like one great dane recently happily running around an agility ring, everyone cheered when he finished and I will never forget his lovely bum disappearing down the tunnel.

No, it's not. More correctly referred to as "sh#@ scared". exactly

exit stage left ;) I adored snagglepuss

no idea Erny. ;) I was slapped quite hard for calling a dog aggressive some time ago, till then reactive was a terminology I had only heard for dogs who were afraid. I think maybe it is a descriptive term. I guess also that the outcome with a fearful dog who bites is the same. Someone says my dog is aggressive the question asked is when does the dog behave in such and such a way. The dog reacts when people approach him... The dog reacts when other dogs are present too the question then is what does the dog do? explain his body language..... and so on. In any case unless people slip up ( like calling a training collar a choker) the terminology is reactive. I think though that maybe in the case of K9 nutter the terminology used was for that of a fearful dog. six of one half a dozen of the other in this politically correct world we live in. I think 'reactive' for a dog emptying his anal glands in fear as he backs away barking is probably not the right terminology either.

In WA these days we don't speak of aggression when speaking to someone about their dog, we say it is reactive. So if the dog reacted to another dog many people here would say dog to dog aggression. I do if I am on this forum then people from all states and all backgrounds understand my meaning. Reactive is a nice terminology and you will see it creeping its way round the world soon so that everyone will soon say reactive and won't say aggressive. great ;) that is shocking advice which will make the dog even more reactive/aggressive. My advice is to get a new trainer who uses positive training, much as you were doing yourself. Someone who can help you to see calming signals and show you how to encourage those. Someone who will use and praise critical distance showing you how to shorten the distance, sounds like you were doing ok.

well my golden is now 13 years old and she has bilateral hip dysplasia. I decided not to opt for surgery. I kept her lean, low protein diet, well excercised and she swam in the ocean daily, I gave her vitamin C. I later gave glucosamine through the winter months. There wasn't all the stuff available like the internet back then for research so I had to use the library and talk to my vet and make choices. I have never regretted not having the surgery. My friend with a GSB also had the same problem. Her girl passed on to the bridge aged 10 and 3 lots of surgery. That may not have been the case for us but I am pleased with my girls mobility. I can't help you with the knees. I have nil or little experience but think long and hard about the hip surgery, there isn't any rush, take your time.

You have been given lots of good advice through the thread, just needs massive editing to remove the perfect people posts I am wondering how you walk the dogs since no one else has asked, it may be that separate walks may help. I am not suggesting that when you walk that you do anything more than that, maybe a stop and a sit under a tree and give a cuddle. I think that maybe in trying so very hard you have come to expect too much too soon from 2 rescues. You have become frustrated and upset so much that you are actually missing the wonderful things that are happening, like the feeding incident and that they are so good at meal times. Pat yourself on the back, give yourself credit where credit is due. If you have a bad day again then pm one of the people from the thread who have understood the situation and your cry for help.

I am so sorry sympathy to you and your family. This happened so quickly, I thought he would get better. run free Lane... no more pain

great news

just have fun hope it is the first of many good luck

I think you need a few more days to see the optimum results of the phenobarb but maybe as Abegav' suggested the vet may decide to add someting to control the mini fits. I think sometimes when even humans awake from an induced sleep or relax they can feel an urge to do a wobbly run, still half asleep... Hopefully that was the case with Kal. I am pleased that there are some improvements, you and Kal are ever in our thoughts. :p

any improvement Erny? Give Kal a hug from us xox

yes all that they have said, a behaviorist, a proper one not a BB crew with their Baa and chains and stones in bottles. I am absolutely positive that those actions put the fear of God into an already fearful dog and tip them over the edge. It isn't your fault, you are doing your best. Maybe call your canine association and see if they have any suggestions for a good person to help you Here are a list of clubs in your area, maybe someone from Brisbane could help you sort out who might be able to help clubs brisbane good luck

Erny re the phenobarb it may well be a good idea to leave it till a little later to have 12 hours between doses? thinking of you both a lot

healing vibes coming your way hugs for you and Ollie

I am sorry I can't see any difference I will add a little A submissive dog thinks it is about to die as does an aggressive one, no difference, fear..

I am thinking of you and Kal and sending good vibes your way daily special hugs to you both.

see if you can swap the nylon lunge for a webbed fabric one or you will have to wear gloves

he is a smart dog and even half a lab is totally food orientated, try food and praise, lure to sit, don't push to sit, should be no need, reward with food and pats and cuddles. You need an obedience school to learn how to train your dog. NILIF yes perfect for labs cos they are piggies and will do anything for a crumb and love pats and praise. oh and he likes the shoes because they smell of you and he wants to be near you. he doesn't steal the shoe to piss you off I can't say positively but if a dog hides I would say he is a bit worried as to what may happen if he returns, maybe you have not consistantly praised for recall. It is no use recalling the dog then telling him off. If you called me and then told me off I wouldn't come back to you again either. This may or may not be the case, you know which. In any case you need a training school, look for one which uses food rewards near you and life will change if you are consistant. The dog is not trying to upset you, he is trying to please you, he does not understand your signals, he doesn't know what you want him to do. If your sit stays were solid he would not barge past to get in the car, this is lack of training, not the fault of the dog. You need to train solid sit stays or waits. try wait voice and hand signal pivot in front of dog count 5 seconds return and praise feed and cuddle when your wait is solid at 5 seconds move on to 10 the 20 then 30 etc etc till he is rock solid and waits out of sight, remember to praise and feed for each achievment. Do not move from 5 second wait till you have absolutely perfected 10 in a row, then on to 10 seconds and so on. good luck and go and join a class soon, for you and for your bright dog. If you want a magical immediate solution there aren't any, you need to work hard every seconmd you are with him by showing him and teaching him with kindness, food and praise.

Rom have you asked her why she does that? and what exactly she thinks she is achieving? I have never understood why people would shout at their dogs unless they are a distance away to call them or to give instructions. I cannot understand at all how pushing the dogs head into the ground could avoid aggression I would have thought quite the contrary. The poor dog needs direction not abuse and the handler needs some basic skills in dog handling. Is there an obedience school nearby which may have some people who could talk to her and help her overcome her aggression towards her dog? Well I was half way through and decided to read others replies, nekhbet has posted my feelings very well. I hope this lady gets some help. I hope the poor dog gets a better life.

I have Pat Millers book 'The Power of Positive dog training', it is an excellent book.

sorry bark just came back to see how you are doing and hadn't seen this question. ummm we didn't and we never do have light colored carpet. I am old my Mum is dead and gone and we had axmister carpets with the patterns that I am sure hid a multitude of sins I have slate or wooden floors wherever I live. I would NEVER have a light carpet but then my life revolves around dogs so that is an interesting question and one which probably should be addressed along with all the other new dog owner new puppy info. I think the best solution for flooring is slate followed by that click clack imitation wood flooring which is very scratch resisitant and cleans easily, then have a coloured rug for the dog My girlfriend who has obsessive compulsive disorder had a bowl of water at the door and towels, she washes the dogs paws before they enter the house, she changes the water daily, it contains a drop of baby shampoo. I hope this has helped you.

instead of making her sit when she pulls, call her name and change direction, don't pull her let her follow you. Flat collar. she pulls you stop you call her name (praise when she looks too) you change direction you praise her good girl You need to work too to get her to focus on you, try food and lots of praise. When you go to obedience you will get heaps more info, it really isn't a simple or isolated solution getting your dog to walk without pulling it is a part of a bigger picture. The walk in the park is so different to heelwork, use different words, like walkies, lets go when you set off. Allow her to sniff but not to pull, long leash. Make sure you have a comfy leash for walking, some really rip your hands, the soft cloth 6ft training leads are gentle on the hands, the flash pretty leads are nylon and rip your hands, wear gloves and try not to let the lead run through your hand.

I love these dogs, they remind me of my childhood I copied this from another site about manchesters (Barking. Terriers are often too quick to sound the alarm at every new sight and sound. You have to be equally quick to stop them. If you work all day and have close neighbors, terriers are not the best choice for you. For the same reason, terriers should NEVER be left outside in your yard, unsupervised. To make matters worse, some terriers have high-pitched barks that can set your teeth on edge.) Mum kept our terriers inside, barking is/was their job. I am afraid you will have to keep your dog inside or do a lot of work with the dog. Water spray will make him a bit cross but he will forgive you and set off barking with gusto again to let everyone know he might be able to see some movement which might be a rat

Its also been shown that vaccination also lowers immunity for awhile (which is why they say stay away from others for a couple of weeks after vac), as many dogs are vaccinated right before kennling they ofte pick up KC in the kennle because their immunity was lowered due to the vaccination... Dan good point Dan, mine were never vaccinated immediately before kennel.