Cosmolo

We had always said we would never buy a puppy sight unseen and that we wanted to choose. But our latest addition was bought sight unseen, with the breeder making her suggestion based on what she knew we wanted. Honestly we couldn't be happier with the puppy we have and she has shown some absolutely perfect qualities for us over the last week of having her- couldn't have chosen better myself. It has made me realise the importance of choosing the breeder and the lines you're happy with- from there i am not so set on having to choose individuals in the litter. Unfortunately many prospective puppy owners are and i do wonder whether there are enough breeders of the quality I have experienced around.

I used free shaping to get one of mine to bark on command. Was a long process but really interesting.

Very interested in both breeders thoughts and puppy owners/ buyers on this one. Should a buyer have input into the puppy they get from a litter once a breeder has decided they are indeed a suitable home for a puppy? I have purchased 2 puppies from registered breeders. Our Jack Russell breeder gave us pick of the litter and was willing to let us choose at 8 weeks- we visited at 2, 4 and 6 weeks and decided at 6 weeks before picking the puppy up at 8 weeks. Our brand new addition was chosen sight unseen after consultation with both the breeder and friend of the breeders that i also liased with. The breeder recommended this puppy and we were happy to go with her judgement but i did feel as though we had some input- we provided pretty specific information about what we were looking for and were happy to wait for it if needed. What would you be happy with as a buyer? As breeders do you allow puppy buyers to have input?

There is one key concept you do need to keep in mind- the puppy dictates what is an effective reward or correction. I understand that you feel you have been consistent in providing both of these things but chances are you've not actually been effective hence your lack of results. You will only reinforce a behaviour if you deliver what the pup wants at that time- something they desire. This is why food rewards can be so effective because puppies tend to be hungry often. Removal of the reward at the moment the pup does the wrong thing can be effective to correct a behaviour like jumping up for the food reward because the pup gets the opposite of what they want. A correction is only effective IF it stops the behaviour at that time AND reduces the likelihood of the behaviour occurring in the same situation in the future. If you correct and the puppy continues mouthing they are telling you that either- Your timing was poor- ie the behaviour had been happening for a number of seconds prior to the correction. Mouthing is self rewarding and so timing is of critical importance. The level of correction was too low- I'd be almost certain this is happening with your puppy and what happens as a result is that you actually accidentally increase the intensity of the behaviour. You need to be careful with physical aversives for this reason- someone will likely need to show you what level of correction would be required if you are scruffing, grabbing the pups collar, trying to hold the pups mouth etc. Time outs can be effective but usually take more repetitions for the puppy to understand than something that is instant. The type of correction was not appropriate- eg using a water spray for a pup that loves water. Continuing to deliver ineffective corrections will make the situation worse and may be the reason why you feel as though all of your efforts have yielded little result. I am happy to email you through our puppy training booklet if you want something to start you off before you see K9 Pro. [email protected]

What Haredown whippets has said is on the money and i would start asap. Puppy needs to learn from day one that tantrums do not result in attention- every time you give in you will compound the problem significantly- short term pain for long term gain.

Exactly. And I believe there were issues with Weimaraners being bred for 'lower activity levels' increasing their predisposition for anxiety. It's hard to change one thing without unintentionally changing another. And this is why what the dogs were bred for is still relevant.

I'd like to think i'd have more work HW but in a different way- in my dream land we'd work to prevent problems more, rather than resolve them once something bad has already happened.

That is exactly right- the very qualities that make them great family dogs are related to their origins and their behaviour with other dogs. I asked a Stafford breeder years ago why more selective breeding isn't done to reduce the predisposition to dog to dog aggression and the above was very close to the answer i got which makes alot of sense and sums up why 'breeding for temperament' can be so difficult.

Yes, you should be able to. Unfortunately it seems in many places you can't. I hope your dog is okay. Begs the same questions as in the other thread- how do we make all dog owners understand when their dog has a problem and that they need to do something about it.

Why is it okay to say herding breeds have a predisposition to herd but not okay to say staffordshire bull terriers are more prone to dog to dog aggression? If every dog owner had a better understanding of what their dogs were bred for and what behaviours they are more prone to they wouldn't be so quick to put their dogs in inappropriate situations that cause so many problems.

I absolutely agree with HW here. I am really disturbed when people ignore breed predispositions when it suits them.

Is he available for interstate adoption?

That is true but most of the demonstrations that are done of horses doing dressage (not western or other work) bitless are on horses that have been trained with bits, then because of the training they have had, they are also able to do the movements without. It's a shame there is alot of anti bit, anti spur type sentiment- guess the same as there is anti dog training equipment.

Agreed oSoSwift. Thanks for that Kanae- really interesting.

But Nek does that mean there is no damage? Or that the damage done has no impact on the dogs life/ longevity.

I wonder whether a collar be any different though- is it that a spur has an edge that makes a difference? Really the rowels roll along the horses side so which would leave more scar tissue, ones with a blunt edge or those that roll along. Wonder which is a more similar effect to a dog on a collar and lead. Sorry, bit OT

While i do believe that constant pressure on a dogs collar COULD cause damage and i do use harnesses a great deal, i really don't have a problem with using collars either. It would be really interesting to have some studies done on dogs necks once they have passed to see whether there is more scar tissue. I have heard from a person who works at a knackery for horses that they can tell which horses are the dressage horses due to the scar tissue on their sides from spurs. Whether this is true or not i'm not sure but it is interesting and worth further exploration.

They are great pictures.. Just that 'type' that people don't fall for.

Please feel free to post him on our Facebook page- he looks like a sweetheart- just unfortunate he's not what most people will find attractive

I don't agree with that Christina- i have desexed males that respond differently to males vs female dogs and same with females.

It's actually not unusual behaviour in my experience. In the meantime don't put the pup in situations where the behaviour is likely to occur and you let go because this is likely to reinforce the behaviour.

Other people need to take him and build reinforcement history. If this can't practically be done, he won't be able to work for other people he doesn't know.

Thanks to everyone who has assisted in this search. My parents currently have a Beagle x on trial from Beagle Rescue Victoria- the trial is going extremely well and i am pretty sure they have their new family member!

My parents recently started looking for a dog. They are experienced with dogs and have a great home to offer. I recommended they go to a reputable rescue- NOT a pound because of the reasons KTB and HW mention.

If i only had one dog and was getting a second, i'd always go opposite sex. Reduces the risk of problems so why not reduce risks where you can.