Cosmolo

Seems the poodle is lucky to get the chance for foster care. RIP the others who were not so fortunate.

I am watching it now- i think its a real shame they didn't give the 15 dogs euthed any time to adjust.. To be euthanased on entry to a shelter because they were highly stressed is unfair IMO. Haven't got to the fear biter bit. ETA The disgusting condition of the poodles is mind blowing- poor dogs.

Instead of removing it, get some raw meat and while he is chewing on his bone, throw him some raw meat chunks each time you approach or walk past. He needs to see your presence while he has a bone as okay- not think you are always going to try to take it from him. With toys, start to teach a give command by exchanging the toys for food and then occassionally you can use this when he is chewing the bone- ask him to give at the same time that you throw a meat chunk down and initially still don't take the bone. (The reason why i say teach give with toys is because he is likely to find this easier to start with.)

Corvus- if you train in a distracting environment, lets say with an occassional dog or rabbit zooming by and the dog engages with either, are you saying the environment will still become less distracting with more repetitions?

In Victoria the dogs have to be desexed.

If i was going to compete with my dogs- i would definitely have to do some kind of containment/ reducing outside stimuli for one of my dogs (Cosmo) to have her working at her best. She would be a super working dog if she was kennelled (and i had to test that at one point and was quite right) but as a house/companion dog, this seriously reduces her desire for training. On the other hand, one of my other dogs has a much lower threshold to drive than Cosmo so i don't think it would make that much of a difference with him- even if it would it wouldn't be necesary- Dexter really doesn't need any more drive, desire or enthusiasm- he has it in spades and i think more would make his brain explode!! I don't think its a problem to do when the dog is receiving the training with it- you can create a satisfied happy dog without leaving the house.

Before you can answer that question you need to define love- what is love?

Socialisation during a dogs critical period is crucial- 6-16 weeks is a vital time for socialisation in controlled and low risk environments. Parvo kills puppies- yes. But so does serious behaviour problems as a result of lacking early socialisation.

I am absolutely terrified of the day that i lose my heart dog- i truly don't know how i will cope and it makes me cry to think about it. Unfortunately i also know Dexter won't have as long a life as what i would hope due to his multiple joint issues. The connection is unexplainable- i feel like he can look right through me. Do you think you can have multiple heart dogs? Can the connection be different for each heart dog?

This sounds like a great event- hope to see you there! http://www.mvol.com.au/burkeroadvet/showPa...temId=3533& Paws in The Park 2010 Fundraiser for Save a Dog Scheme Sunday 21st February- starting with a walk from the clinic, 529 Burke Rd Camberwell from 12 noon, then at the HA Smith Reserve (Reserve Rd Hawthorn) from 1pm for games, displays and doggie demonstrations. For more details or to register for the event, go to www.burkeroadvet.com or contact the clinic on (03) 9822 3268 Proceeds go to aid the great work at SADS

;)

I wasn't going to say anymore but i have to ask- what do you think about dogs in apartments PF? I see lots of pups in apartments and apart from it being a little more difficult to toilet train, when owners exercise, train and stimulate the dogs are happy and well adjusted. I think the OP firstly needs to determine just how much the dogs are barking- a tape recording would be a good idea. And don't believe everything google tells you Seeing adult dogs with issues is not always a great indicator either- you don't always know whether its the breed, the owner or the environment that causes the problem. Breed generalisations are dangerous things- tendencies to be aware of, sure. I don't have a problem with saying some dogs of XYZ breed can be prone to ABC behaviour. Its the assertion "they bark at the drop of a hat" that i have issue with.

Yes the breeder is on acreage. She also runs a boarding kennel though so its not like the dogs have access to the acreage all the time and her dogs are very quiet- even with the comings and goings of boarding dogs and owners and other reactive dogs around. I know they're not the 'norm' but i also don't think most 'JRT's' that i see (who usually have issues) are from registered breeders. I am always mindful that the dogs i see are not always representative of entire breeds, particularly those that are not common or those i don't get to see as puppies- as i often see the 'naughty' ones as adults. "Not a breed to leave in a backyard untrained, unstimulated and unexercised"- What breed is?

Poodlefan, are the JRT's you know from registered ethical breeders? Because the dogs where our puppy is coming from are the opposite of everything you've stated (not just in this thread) about the breed. Any dog is prone to barking when not stimulated, or when over stimulated! To the OP- i think you need to do some experimenting- allowing the dogs in, changing the way they behave with toys around when you are there etc. What do they do if you give them a treat ball each?

I use both for different things and i agree with the points Casima mentions. In classes i use mainly luring, as many new dog owners find it easier to start with. But for my own dogs i would tend to do more targetting now, although one of my dogs was trained in the early stages with luring and guiding and she is now the best out of the lot at shaping and targetting.

Same with ours- you had to have the extra dogs before applying. We never had a visit from the ranger though.

We didn't have to have a good reason at all. Neighbour permission, insurance and dogs registered and permit in the post. I like our council!

I'd love to hear your thoughts when you return alpha bet

Thats absolutely a possibility

So many possible reasons. I see dogs often that have bitten or have tried to bite their owner- leadership imbalances, learned behaviour, resource guarding, predatory drive etc.

If using a correction shut a dog down, it is not being used the right way. No one should have shown you how to give such a correction that it shut a soft dog down. I can understand why you would not want to use anything like that again after an experience like that, but it doesn't mean what the 'trainer' showed you was correct.

Yes Sue Sternberg certainly has some 'interesting' ideas. Have you looked at her assessment before alpha bet?

Just wanted to add that one of the difficulties is that sometimes people think they want a dog with some issues and that they know whats involved in the training/ rehab but they don't or the dog is more 'serious' than they anticipated. Then you have the very difficult situation of a person who now loves the dog, but really can't deal with the rehab required- some make it, some don't

I think it can be very dangerous to take internet advice over a trainer who has seen your dog and you. However, if you do not feel comfortable with proposed training options, talk to the trainer- ask them if there are other things you could perhaps try first. Are they a qualified trainer? I use lead corrections at times but i haven't had anyone finish a consult uncomfortable about any technique- we explain, demonstrate or alter etc until everyone is happy. Regardless of whether a technique involves the use of corrections, many dogs will struggle in the initial stages of a training program as it can be such a dramatic change. This in itself i would not be overly concerned about.