Erny

Perhaps I look more on the sunny side of things. From the dictionary the words "self-assured; positive;" would be my summation of what assertive means.

Hey!! "Assertive" is good . Nothing wrong with "assertive". Combine it with "calm" and as a persona it is a good recipe for that sense of leadership for dogs to pick up on. Even "dominant" - but that depends on your interpretation. See, I see neither word as meaning anything bad, bully-like, nor without having that sense of fun and lightness. I see "assertiveness" as an 'air' of someone who is confident about themselves and the world, without weaknesses in which reliability would be doubtful (speaking generally). When I have watched CM I get the distinct impression that what he's showing is that it is possible to help even what most others would consider the worst of dogs to rehabilitate, if people will seek the right help. He strongly promotes leadership and those techniques are much about not so much 'hands on' stuff - more about general day to day, minute to minute interactions - how the dog sees YOU. He has a lot of "don't try this at home" messages. So I haven't heard him "recommending people do the same" in so far as the more riske of techniques are concerned .

And Poodiful - My condolences for the loss of your Dad. It would be a pretty tough time for you emotionally speaking and the situation between your dogs wouldn't be helped by them picking up on your emotional turmoil at the moment. Leadership and management strategies are needed for the 'now' and I'd suggest engaging a behaviourist even just to be able to share opinion, will help you make the decision you are so torn about, and to perhaps think with a bit more objectivity and clarity.

Yes.

I'd say you probably have - or only remember/emphasise in your mind the most extremes of the examples that were shown. Can you recommend a season/episode to watch please? I am always interested in different types/ways/methods of training. Watch them broadly. I've watched only a few (I don't have pay TV). I've seen the "alpha roll" technique in some and they were pretty mild/tame. I've seen some extreme behaviour (behaviour that I don't think I would like to have to deal with) and some really good outcomes for the dog. I didn't make a note of what episode number or season. Maybe you could email him and let him know you've only seen techniques from him that serve to "exacerbate" the dog's undesirable behaviours - he'd (or someone on his management team) be the best person to point you to episode numbers to watch . I've read his books - much is about leadership (good ) and I've been to his seminar/show when he was in Australia, and much of that was positive stuff.

I'd say you probably have - or only remember/emphasise in your mind the most extremes of the examples that were shown.

not touching that one ... Jebuz. I've really stepped on your toes somehow. I promote positive training first. So does CM, if "positive" is what will work and be the best all round for everyone. I promote "positive" first too. Yet I'm a 'balanced' trainer in that I will use corrections where I think corrections will help all concerned the best. I think it is not so much that you're "standing on toes" (Nekhbet's response wasn't that dramatic anyway) rather that the way you've written is to suggest that anyone who is not "positive" (as in "only", which is what it implied to me) isn't good or the best. Also, you assume you know what, of the techniques CM knows, what he would use for these two dogs. So from that aspect you can't know that the "situation will be exacerbated". Personally, I'd rather a trainer who knows a good mix of both but who relies on neither.

Thanks GSD FAN. I used the VAN Joint Formula for my previous avatar girl, Kal (bhcs). It caused her stomach upset. I understand it has a very good reputation and the (also very reputable) Vet at the time informed me that she was the first he knew of who had reacted badly to it. It doesn't mean my current boy will react the same, but I'm afraid my previous experience of it has made me a bit cautious. Not to suggest I would never use it .... just not sure if I want to when there is potential for something else to work perhaps and hopefully as well.

All of these rooms are main living rooms. Perhaps it's too awkward for her to be under the bathroom, laundry, toilet or any other room you might have - but if not, don't discount the fact that she seems to be hovering under the mainstay rooms. Still follow your current plans and of course continue with the leadership. I wonder in part whether it has anything to do with your child/ren. But beside the point - obviously your first endeavour is to manage the problem by prevention, seeing as other things appear to be in place, including exercise and mental stimulation.

And Showdog - you have a good and valid point as to getting onto Bowen sooner rather than later. Can anyone send me some strong recommendations for someone who does Bowen in South East suburbs Melbourne, or surrounds?

Thanks for those tips, Sas. I'll strongly consider MSM as an alternative and will take into account your suggestions regards to building up to the correct dosage and making sure I get the 99% pure powder/crystal. Cheers Erny

Yeah - I think I read that out of a few products, MSM is the least likely to cause digestive side effects, or something along those lines. Will look up Lyprinol as well. Thanks WP.

It might be helpful if someone ensured that the FCI were made aware of what the ANKC proposes to do, before the ANKC does it? If ANKC is even just an associate member, surely there are obligations the ANKC needs to observe??? I don't know - I'm not speaking or suggesting with any sound background knowledge as I'm not involved in Schutzhund sport (not that I wouldn't like to be - Pro-K9 training classes prevent my attendance), other than to take a spectators interest in it and recognise it for the fine activity it is and can be. So I wouldn't want to be suggesting anything that is remiss in understanding any obtuse sensitivities that need to be observed.

I think he looks great :p. And then there were some 'loose' candidates without any party name. Maybe I should nominate Mandela as a Parliamentary Member Candidate next time around, and see what happens, LOL. . Wouldn't surprise me, AB.

Thank you everyone for all the suggestions. I'm taking them all on board. I particularly want and need to steer away from anything that can potentially cause stomach/bowel upset - mainly because I'm still struggling to get him over a current bout that has been ongoing since March. Of course I realise anything the system isn't used to could potentially cause tummy upset, but I want to find the one that will be the least likely. Mandela's spondylosis, on a scale of 1 to 10 is about a 2, if I remember what the Vet told me 7 months ago. It is only slight and you might not guess that he has the condition. So what I want to use now is something to assist and help prevent it becoming worse - or at the very least, slow its progress down. All of the ideas you have given here are helpful. I'm interested in looking into the Rose Hip suggestion and will do some more research on that - thanks Showdog. Ester C too ..... although I thought that could contribute to tummy upset and loose motions. Will need to refresh the memory banks on that one. I know I used to supplement him using Vitamin C (can't remember if I have used Ester C) but we pulled him off that as part of trying to sort out why his poop was runny all the time. LOL .... I'm not so sure Mandela would flop himself in any degree of relaxation for anyone else to 'work' on him. He thinks others doing stuff like that are just there for a big game. But it is worth thinking about. In the meantime, I do a lot of massage in the affected area - nothing special, but something to increase heat and blood supply to the area and to keep the surrounding muscles supple. I'm going to give it a bit more time for his other meds to kick in and do their thing - I'm really hopeful that diagnosing low thyroid and now being able to medicate him to correct it will help with more than just one of his woes. But the ideas you've all offered here are ideas I will come back to once we have the thyroid levels sorted and I know what I still need to deal with. Staranais - I don't know that there was a "cause" for it. As part of the myriad of ailment symptoms and not knowing what one was because of or connected to what, I simply had reason to want his back xrayed - his back just didn't look right. That's what revealed the spondylosis. Part of his back not looking right could be irritated bowel discomfort as well, because there are times his back looks better (straighter) than at other times. I've always been careful about him jumping (particularly down); avoided steps when he was a pup; didn't over walk him - most activity was free play and if we needed to go anywhere, I'd pick him up if I felt he'd walked enough; if I threw a ball I threw it long and low so he wouldn't leap into the air and land wrong (and still do); etc. So I don't know why he has it. I tell you, he'd have to be a training Veterinary's dream dog LOL. I sure as eggs have learnt a lot through having him.

..... Is that Sumo? For the first time in my life, I voted below the line in the Senate - for the only reason that I did not want the parties dictating which way preferences should go. Consequently, it is the first time I've noticed some of the really minor minor parties. Who the heck is the "Australian Sex Party" ???!!! And should I even ask what they stand for??? I asked at the Polling Booth (prepared to be embarrassed), but nobody knew.

My boy has spondylosis. It's only mild but then he's only 2yo - which IMO is pretty young to be sporting this condition (diagnosed at 15mo). Current Vet has recommended giving him Glucosamine and massage. He's not a good candidate for acupuncture because he just won't relax enough for the treatment. Thing is, I'm working on resolving his gastro issues at the moment. But even when I do (I'm optimistic ), I'm not sure that Glucosamine will be good for his stomach. Things I've read about it suggest it can cause diarrhoea, and heaven knows he's had enough of that (has been mostly loose stools since March this year - hopefully the signs he showed today indicate vast improvement .... and hopefully the improvement will last ). Is there another joint support product that is good but that is less inclined to cause upset to sensitive stomachs?

Would love to have an official FCI (full) Executive Member/Representative for this.

I can only think you've misunderstood, Sas. My boy takes the tablets the same way as anyone who puts the tablets down their dog's throat - difference being that I don't have to force, he opens his mouth for me and comes running to me for the purpose. Gotta be better for the relationship than NOT training for it and using force to put the pills there in the first place, particularly if the administration of medication to the dog is long-term and frequent. And even if the latter doesn't compromise the relationship, the former is a darn sight easier all round. Where, in the description of what anyone (myself? Staranais?) has posted here could you possibly get the idea that the dog's relationship with owner is or would be compromised? I wasn't actually addressing it to you, I was responding to the OP. It's my opinion, you don't have to agree with it I think you've interpreted something as if I attacked you. I stated i.m.o in my response. My opinion isn't nececssarily right or wrong - it's an opinion. My opinion was based around meds that don't taste nice such as Anti-biotics and many powder coated tablets. Fish Oils, EPO a different story. I don't force pills down dogs throats and I have a dog I medicate daily. I put pills in food or in the corner of the mouth with a technique that they swallow straight away so there is no forcing. I'm not sure why you chose to give attitude in your last paragraph, it really wasn't neccessary - maybe I didn't valiadate your experience as a trainer, I apologise if that's why you felt attacked however as stated I wasn't replying to you. I couldn't tell from your previous post whether you were addressing myself or the OP. I don't read any attitude into my response, even on a re-read. I know it's you're opinion . I didn't feel "attacked" .... until your post above. But can't say the same for your response above, Sas. I don't think it was warranted. What's the problem?

Ahhhh. Good luck, Staranais. I hope it does the trick to keep her right - I know you well enough to know that she'll not go a wanting for anything that would help her. I will be putting my boy on glucosamine soon too, for his spondylosis. I'm only holding off because I wanted to introduce his new meds one at a time and try to get his digestive system working better first. I'm not sure of the affects (if any) by glucosamine on a sensitive tummy. Do you?

I can only think you've misunderstood, Sas. My boy takes the tablets the same way as anyone who puts the tablets down their dog's throat - difference being that I don't have to force, he opens his mouth for me and comes running to me for the purpose. Gotta be better for the relationship than NOT training for it and using force to put the pills there in the first place, particularly if the administration of medication to the dog is long-term and frequent. And even if the latter doesn't compromise the relationship, the former is a darn sight easier all round. Where, in the description of what anyone (myself? Staranais?) has posted here could you possibly get the idea that the dog's relationship with owner is or would be compromised?

Although the law has been passed, send any stories that you might know (factual) where, in the instance of the new laws would have proved disastrous when they need not be; or stories where incidents have occurred which did not relate to owners being irresponsible and where, under the new laws, could have seen disastrous and/or very unfair consequences; to Sue Pennicuik Contact Details: Electorate Office: 206 Bay Street North Brighton 3186. I spoke with Sue yesterday to thank her for her efforts in the Parliamentary debate against this Bill coming in. Sue confirms that if the Greens were elected in the State Elections on 27th November this year, they would seek to remove these recent laws. Need to be careful though as Green's preferences will go to Labour (who are the ones who brought this Bill and BSL in the first place) - so when voting you'd need to cast it so that the preference doesn't go that way (assuming you didn't want it to, of course).

Pardon my ignorance, but why?

Hi Star. With all of Mandela's ongoing health issues since forever, teaching him to "take a tablet" on command was one of the very early things I taught him. I find it difficult to recall exactly now, but I think we did initially start with the usual 'open mouth manually, pop tablet down, hold mouth closed' ritual. To get him to swallow, I'd lightly blow on his nose. He'd poke out his tongue in a licking type motion and that has now ended up being his signal that the tablet has been swallowed. ALWAYS followed up with a treat. Fast forward to current, and I call out "want your tablets?" and he'll come over from wherever he is - or even if I say nothing but he hears the tablet bottle rattling. Holding the tablet/s in one hand I say "take a tablet" at the same time using my hand in a sweeping motion not dissimilar to the hand signal for 'sit'. He sits. I then bring the tablet to his mouth and most times he'll take the tablet quite willingly/happily. I usually don't need to do anything else - no holding muzzle or anything, other than perhaps the flat of my hand under his chin to keep his head tilted upwards. He still tends to poke his tongue out to signal the tablet is swallowed. If he doesn't poke his tongue and I'm not sure he's swallowed the tablet, I poke my tongue out and he follows suit. Sometimes he likes to have a bit of fun with me and pretends to swallow (tongue lick and all) .... the other day he even took his treat and ate it, and THEN promptly spat the tablet!!! When he sees me see the tablet on the floor, he'll pounce on it with one of his great big feet, drags his foot over the floor and then gets all confused and puzzled because he thinks the tablet disappeared - not realising it is on the underside of his foot. Other times he'll pick the spat-out tablet up off the floor himself with his mouth, but I need to get his head up otherwise he chews the tablet and if he doesn't like the taste he'll spit it. Several nights ago, Mandela was off his food - even when I said the magic "tea" word, he didn't bother to get off his mat. But when I said "gonna take a tablet?" up he hopped and trotted over. So he obviously sees the whole thing as something good and I think the mucking around part (not that he does this all the time) is just for some extra fun. Mind you - Mandela's on 2 x thyroid and 4 x Chinese herbal ..... TWICE a day, at the moment. He gets a bit over it by the last tablet. I try to double them up if I can. ETA: What tabs are you needing to give your girl? Is this something to do with her leg? Hope she's ok.

I've been reading some things on nail problems - don't know why, other than I started looking for something else and one thing led to another. THIS is one "Q&A" site that, whilst I wouldn't take anything or everything from it as gospel, might hold some interesting information to help you. As for the gelatine - going by what's written on the site, it is something that some people have tried and a few thought helped, but doesn't seem to be a strong contender in the "treatments" protocol. It would seem your Omega 3's, 6's etc. are the way to go, assuming that the problem you're experiencing is diet related. Edited for spelling.