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Cosmolo

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Everything posted by Cosmolo

  1. He doesn't like being outside because he has never worked through the scratching at the door for long enough to learn that he will be okay outside alone. He won't learn to like being outside until you can work through this consistently. Its hard to enjoy sniffing around the yard when you're too busy scratching at the back door because you think it will work eventually.
  2. If you're worried about the door, get a puppy pen or similar to go around the door so you can keep him back from it. He is learning that being persistent when outside pays off so you need to set it up so that it doesn't work for him no matter what! I would also get him going into the crate himself- there is a DVD called crate games that would be worth getting hold of to help you
  3. Don't stand at the door. Provided you are taking care of the pups needs in terms of environmental enrichment, training, socialisationa nd exercise- put the pup out and go and make yourself a coffee. Only return to the back door when the pup has stopped scratching. Be consistent no matter what and it will improve. How did you get him used to his crate?
  4. Doing the NDTF course definitely does not guarantee getting work in the field afterwards- it is a highly competitive field, with the jobs that are on offer often alot of work for little money. You have to be exceptional too- not as simple as completing the course, doing 'okay' and getting a job. You can start your own business too but it is very tough, especially to start with. I think horse massage would have alot more demand than dog massage at the moment but thats not to say dog massage isn't becoming more popular. Could you perhaps keep your existing job and start (after getting qualified) a dog massage business on the side? I think doing things this way allows you to keep the security, test out the industry etc without too much risk.
  5. Its true what Corvus said- conditions and pay don't really need to improve because there are so many people wanting to work in the industry. With regards to the specialised jobs- most still don't pay brilliantly- better than working in kennels pay wise but can still be quite low and jobs don't come up often. I'd be looking to quarantine and customs even in the non dog sections if i was your age- i think within the industry some of the best opportunities lie there. Starting your own business is great but very hard, especially to start with! Good luck!
  6. I will write a more detailed response later, although everyone else has covered it pretty well. I am slightly different to Kavik though in that i will initially reward regardless of whether the dog looks at me or not.
  7. Who's that/ Look at That is the best game ever for reactive dogs! It is extremely easy to implement, has advantages over traditional focus alone and relaxes dog AND owner in most cases. With most dogs i prefer to stop some of the extreme stuff first- its hard for an owner to play "Who's That" with a lunging barking dog at distance but as soon as this has stopped, even momentarily, the game takes effect. This is the best thing we have added to our training program in the last 5 years- and thats saying something!
  8. mj on this forum is a positive trainer in the Albury area. Send her a pm and i am sure she can help you. I know there is a big doggie get together in Albury- can't remember what its called- but i have heard some scary things about it and wouldn't go there! Too uncontrolled for my liking. Albury dog rescue is an excellent dog rescue group in the area and often have fun events- with or without dogs. Good luck with the move!
  9. Gosh thats no good spitzbabe- poor dog and owner. We have two pet minders now and i think minding can be a great boarding kennel alternative. But, like anything, it pays to do your research, meet the minder, check fencing etc beforehand.
  10. LM- you don't need to set up anything to classically condition- just the dog and some treats and in your case i'd be using all of the dogs dinner to do it to start with. It won't solve the issue straight away but in combination with other things it works very well and is worth persisting with. My memory may be wrong but i believe the behaviourist your working with is recommended by many DOLers including K9Pro? Talk to her- a behaviourist can't help you if they're not aware of how things have changed/ manifested/ how you're feeling/ dealing with things etc.
  11. What do you mean you failed miserably at classical conditioning?
  12. In answer to your question, no they don't improve with age. If corrections are loading the dog, ie- making it worse, i would have a look at your timing- before you use the e collar. Have you done any classical conditioning with the dog? What has the behaviourist said about your concerns?
  13. Oh Nic- Ray was so lovely and your tribute to him so very moving. He was so lucky to have such a gorgeous family to spend his days with and those photos of him with Hannah are simply beautiful. We are thinking of you during this difficult time- love and hugs from Stu and I as well as Dexter, Georgie, Gilbert, Cosmo and Jessie xxx
  14. Happy to have a look at it if you'd like.
  15. I think you need to see a behaviourist and ensure there is nothing of value left with the dogs in the mean time. If blood was drawn, i'd be off to the vet in the morning as antibiotics may be needed.
  16. I believe Croydon DOC has a very good reputation- would be worth going down and having a look.
  17. PETstock South Melbourne had a new range of collars and leads when i was in there on Saturday that looked gorgeous- meant to have a closer look but then ran out of time. I love their interactive toy range as well.
  18. This isn't terribly difficult but i do think its going to be super cute once i have completed it- i have started teaching Dexter to turn his head to the left- we just shaped it and it was one of the first things he offered. This will be paired with command "Who's a naughty boy" and then Gilbert will be behind him, perhaps doing a spin. Add to that, command of "Who's a good boy" to which Dexter will raise a paw and we have super cute, multi dog trick.
  19. I didn't know Joanne had moved east either Hope the grounds can recover soon- everything is just so wet at the moment.
  20. Cosmolo

    Home Alone

    Has your puppy spent any time away from you when you are at home- separated by a physical barrier?
  21. In my home there has always been a clear alpha. Our cattle dog boy used to be boss before he passed a few years ago- he was a super boss, calm and rarely 'did anything' because he just didn't need to- everyone respected him. The now alpha bitch who has taken over from him learned alot from him i think- although she is not as subtle at times. I believe she is an excellent alpha, i often wish all puppies could run with Cosmo for a week- they'd learn more from her in that time than what people can teach them. I love watching her 'at work'- the body language is seriously fabulous! The only slight issue we did have was that when the boy was boss, he elevated our red ACD bitch Jessie (who he had grown up with) to 2IC- when he passed, Jessie tumbled down to the bottom of the pecking order and you could tell she found it tough. There were never any altercations or tiffs but she did take a good few months to adjust to not being able to control the other dogs.
  22. That is really sad freudhund :D I love having bigger pups in my classes. Did you complain about the incorrect information regarding who was running the classes? I always tell people to ask about the qualifications of those taking pre schools but if you are given misleading advice, asking won't help!
  23. Wow, he's so beautiful Cassie. Glad he is okay.
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