Cosmolo

It doesn't always come down to an owners leadership when dogs fight, although it is often a contributing factor. Interdog aggression can be simple or it can be complex- and no one here knows without seeing whats gone on with these dogs. I have met some nice Akitas and some with issues- could say that about most breeds. OP- i am glad your little one will be okay.

Lol Aidan- i think i am doing it wrong, where is my mansion?? I have not heard of a push for there to be a regulated industry- trainers can't agree with each other about training techniques in the broadest possible sense so who would be accredited and who would not! Wouldn't be a time thing either- some have been working with dogs for 1 year and do a good job, others may have been for 15 years and still not be very good at what they do.

Dju- i was the same. Asthma as a young child 'grew out of it' and back with a vengence this Spring. Go to the doctor and see what they say

You sure its not asthma? After never having issues for 15 years, last week i was told i had asthma and need medication for it- compounded by hayfever and allergies.

Thanks poochiemama- but i think much of the credit should go to the work you have out in too. Thanks for a lovely post though, it is so nice when your work is recognised! I do hope Charlie ics coping ok post surgery too. Give him a kiss from me.

Shaping and targeting

For the Gilbert enthusiasts until i take some more tomorrow. The youngest and the oldest of our crew- they are good friends.

I think we might be alright.. Although i have a feeling i am going to add to the waterworks when i announce the Underdog Awards tomorrow- a few tear jerkers!!

Thats exactly right Anniek- and we do live live in Melbourne so a bit of water shouldn't matter!

There are tables and an area for selling food where any coffee could go. And don't worry everyone- there are a number of covered areas we can use if it is raining.

I can't say i have organised coffee anniek. Let me see what i can do.. We have cakes.. and fudge- and an Underdog birthday cake!

Dog photos with Santa claus will be available so bring your dogs down for their Christmas shots!

Last minute arrangements are being put in place for a fantastic Sunday! Bring along your gift for a homeless dog or come and buy a gift for your dog! And don't forget to come and say hello

Thats true kateshep- i think the way to deal with that is to have training options that differ- not just ANKC clubs etc. I believe Perth has far fewer options in that respect than many other states. So therein lies another issue- how do we decide which trainers to subsidise/ send people do? How do we not impact fair trade and competition in doing this? What about if each organisation recommended had to be affiliated with any of the below to qualify for some kind of promotion/subsidy scheme? ANKC NDTF Delta Would that exclude anyone? Then information coudl be provided on all of those organisations and dog owners then need to choose where they go. Now, how to get the councils on board and do we need subsidies if all of the above are involved? In some areas, there are multiple economical options, in other areas there are not. Do you have a blanket subsidy or a subsidy for certain people or certain places?

Erny- pretty sure you need permission in advance from the person in charge of that voting location.

I didn't say your contribution was not valuable. :mad Merely trying to encourage future discussion regarding the issues involved with cost reduction and the "how's". I didn't mean to suggest it was a bad suggestion at all- just taht the how's of implementing it can be tricky. I didn't say cost isn't an issue for some- of course it is. But sometimes, people have the means and still lack the motivation. The issue with getting councils involved is that many state it is against their council policies to support business of any kind. Its to the point where trainers offering free seminars etc for responsible dog ownership are knocked back, so i am not sure whether they would be willing to subsidise paid training at all. So an interesting question/ answer would be- how do we get the councils on board?

Geez Labsrule- isn't that a bit harsh..?

$2-$5 a class with small class sizes will not even cover the public liability insurance requirements and ground hire, let alone everything else. Personally, in many cases that i see- cost is not the issue. Priority and inclination are the issues and that is much more difficult to change.

You need to have a trainer come to your home and show you exactly what to do-having it explained is not the same and given the issue, the sooner it can be nipped in the bud, the better!

Thanks guys- i will get some new photos of him in his Christmas T shirt on Sunday at the Project Underdog Launch. He is unbelievably cute as well as being so smart!

Come in here to read about crate games (which is a program i don't know alot about) and get this.. How does crate games discussion turn into this!! Seriously- start another thread if you want to debate other topics!!!! :D

I am not okay with the 'feral' dogs that sit in their yards. Many are desparately unhappy and that bothers me alot even if it doesn't impact me. Many people are oblivious to the fact that their dogs are poorly behaved as well. There is also the issue with the councils that we then have to decide what is an acceptable certificate/ training school- some councils only accept Dogs Vic approved clubs, others only accept trainers affiliated with certain organisations or with certain qualifications. Should the discounts be allowed for any training? Or only certain trainers/ clubs etc? What about those who do private training and don't get a certificate as such?

I can't speak for other states but in Victoria there are MANY companion training options available, in a variety of locations. So the question becomes- is the problem that people are not aware of them? Or that they are too expensive? Or that the dog owners do not have the inclination to use such services. I know MANY people whose only reason is the third so how do we create inclination to train and priority to train?

Thats easy to say- but sometimes training is not fun or easy- especially once people have let their dog get completely out of control! I agree that people need to be shown how improvements can be gained but i think its counter productive to suggest that its easy- worthwhile yes, easy no. Give people the expectation of 'easy' and watch them quit in droves when it is a little harder and then say " i tried training and it didn't work" Industry professionals need to have more knowledge about training. Vets and groomers for example, who see dogs regularly throughout their life are in the perfect position to gently suggest training options to people. But many don't for various reasons and so once puppy school (if that) is completed people and their dogs go on their merry way and never have anyone suggest to them that they do some ongoing training with their dog. In some places training services are difficult to access but even where training options are plentiful, the lack of training issue remains.

Nobody can tell you whether or not it is a serious problem or the more intense end of normal without seeing the puppy. I would be working oon crating the pup for short times next to you when you're on the couch etc- start with the door open to start with if you need to. Where do you feed the pup? Chances are the crate is developing a negative association during the day due to the stress etc so i would feed the pup in the crate every meal to assist with this.