Cosmolo

Seriously Huski- i didn't say that, read the post again. Would you buy a puppy from a litter of Cavaliers for herding? Or would you buy a border collie, kelpie or cattle dog pup because of the POTENTIAL for the dog to herd more successfully. It wouldn't matter what you did to the Cavalier in terms of upbringing- it still wouldn't be a herding dog.

What Tess and Kavik said The identification of certain genetic predispositions in a puppy mean that training and socialisation can be geared in a certain way. But the propensity for certain behaviour has to be there- both good and bad. I don't think anyone is arguing that critical period socialisation has no relevance- i'm certainly not. But you can't deny the genetic potential for some behaviours in some dogs- thats why we breed purebred dogs!!

Wow, i hope i never post a topic that has everyone dig up my thread history!

Are they sure the dog is actually a pit bull? Pet shops have sold many a dog as one breed that have turned out to be another. Do you have a picture?

I'm trying to get their email address WnH but it won't let me log in.

Just watched Hugh Wirth- he's not just bad for pit bulls, he's bad for dogs Calling on the public to dob in 'pit bulls'- the public doesn't even know what a pit bull is. I think it is very scary

Where are the dog trainers WnH? The media does not want to talk to the dog trainers, the educators. They talk to Hugh Wirth because he will say something sensationalist. Yes but WnH then they don't want you back- i was on with Derryn Hinch a while ago and responded well to his baiting attempts- too well, because now what i have to say is uninteresting!!

I think you're doing the right thing to look at what is best for your dog- hard as that is. I'm not sure what you have tried- another behaviourist may help, or they may not- behaviourists certainly aren't a cure all. Good luck with the decision you make.

I agree with you- the cries of 'it will be a child next' are ignorant- but ignorance comes from the lack of constructive information provided to people.

Some breeds are more prone to certain types of aggression than others- i don't know how anyone can argue they are not? The issue lays with identifying dogs that are going to attack and at a conference last year, i listened to a very interesting speaker who said all the BSL and DD legislation is unlikely to weed out the dogs that will attack because the very serious reported dog attacks are rare. So rare that it is impossible to identify them ahead of time. I am one who thinks that dog aggression IS a problem- i have had 2 dogs try to kill one of mine and we stepped in to save my dog- according to some people here that makes me an idiot for getting between 2 fighting dogs (we went from cutting off the airway to wheelbarrowing and waiting) Should i have just waited till they killed her? The owners of these dogs, purchased from a registered breeder as littermates- wanted social, dog tolerant dogs- surely breeders who have a breed more prone to ANY kind of aggression have the responsibility to tell people what the deal is and what kind of training/ socialisation is required. Redirected aggression doesn't make a dog 'human aggressive' but that does NOT mean its not a problem!!! ETA I agree with PF too. Factors influencing dog attacks should be publicised- but they're not. : ( BUT we also need to get real about the differences between different dogs- or no one will take you seriously

For those who don't frequent the rescue forum- these events cover a wide range of topics, suitable for anyone- not just those in rescue. http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=185935

We have a puppy school starting this Saturday in South Melbourne- not far from you.

I would suggest doing some research on critical period socialisation, investing in a puppy pre school with a qualified trainer and in the meantime, allow the pup some space and distance from visitors.

I enjoyed the conference although i also understand why aspects may disappoint as there were topics that i too had thought would be covered more specifically and in greater detail. I had hoped for anxiety and OCD to be covered in more detail for instance. There is no question that Steven Lindsay is a genius with immense knowledge as well as being a person with humility and caring- i think if we could have had him for another week, it would have been even better! He does take time to say what he needs to say- which is fine if we coudl have listened for longer! I thought the Monday was the best presentation by Steven and i also very much enjoyed the Saturday afternoon with Boyd Hooper and Paul McGreevey as well as Steve Austins demo's and the dancing dog! My brain is strained now though! I loved thinking in terms of gain and loss instead of reinforcement and punishment- a very valuable concept IMO. There will NOT be a dvd produced- it was recorded for record keeping sake only.

I don't think you could ask for any more from the breeder- sounds very responsible to me.

Great use of resources.. not. Hope he gets his dog back- wonder what he is chipped as?

Are you attending a puppy pre school with a qualified and experienced trainer? The mouthing at this stage is a developmental phase, not due to teething. Its not a phase they will grow out of unless we teach them! There are many different ways to deal with mouthing but not every method works for every puppy and owner and some methods will make things worse if not done correctly. A good puppy pre school trainer can show you the best way to deal with the mouthing after seeing you and your pup.

I think once the dog slides, a no reward mark and gentle guide is appropriate. As i use a release word, i don't want to release the dog once they have slid as this can be reinforcing. But then as others have said, decreasing the distance or level of distraction or both, and heavily rewarding is vital.

I agree with Erny too- so many people think i am crazy when i talk about their lead quality but i have seen so many leads break, under minimal strain that i think its very worthwhile to get good quality leads. I don't use leather because i don't like the little bit of give in it- and i am lazy and don't want to look after it! OH makes all our leads- brass clips and rivets and strapping from a saddlery store. Don't feel bad Robbi- it happens to most people at some point, even if they don't admit it!!

Absurd. I would go to your government minister too and if there is no satisfactory resolution- go to the media- surely someone would pick up the story.

What Nekhbet said. You do need to get some professional help sooner rather than later. Many behaviourists own dogs and many have owned dogs but perhaps don't have a current one for a variety of reasons. I have 5!

In Melbourne you can do a U turn unless otherwise signed

Great post Diva- i feel that way too.

Agility dogs- do you think you would feel differently if you only had one dog?

That is truly outrageous!!!! If your dogs are chipped, registered and do not make a habit of wandering i think that is completely absurd.