Erny

My boy's approach and greeting to other dogs is inappropriate/provocative. He's a work in progress and when I'm out we're training all the time for this. I pick and chose my times for going down to off-lead parks (he needs to stretch his legs). At a big park (lots of space) a number of weeks back. I see a lady with her dog headed in my direction. I put my boy on lead and I moved around and away and took up another spot a good distance away (with a lake in between us) before I let him off lead again. This is good, because I know I can work with my dog, keep him focussed on what we're doing, yet helping his training by doing so in the proximity of other/another dog/s. I see the lady looking at us from afar and figure it was pretty obvious I was keeping my distance. I also knew that she'd seen me clip my dog to lead when she first came towards us. I continue working with my dog, off-lead, practising recalls in between releases and him minding own business, sniffing etc. Lady continues around the lake - that's ok, she's entitled to and is probably doing 'laps' which many people and their dogs do at this park. So I move again. This time, right away from the lake and up to a soccer field - about 50 - 75 metres out of the road. Again - I saw the lady keep glancing in my direction and knew that it was pretty obvious we were moving out of the way. I don't think it was unrealistic of me to expect that she should observe and respect the fact that I wanted distance between us. I'm working on this field - this time I was doing 'heel' work, as well as sit/stay, drop/stay and the like. I had kept up the occasional glance to check for the proximity of this lady and her dog, but saw nothing. I'm in the middle of the field. There is a heap of alternative exits from this park and PLENTY of space. I had my back turned, working with my boy. I saw my boy's body language change. I glanced around and saw this lady walking straight towards me in her exit from the park. Her dog was at least 25 - 30 metres ahead of her. As I was grabbing my lead and clipping it to my dog's collar, I called out, asking her to call her dog back. (I hate having to call out to people for this, because I know that me yelling out isn't helping the calmness I'm trying to train my dog to.) I wanted to be in a position where I had control of my dog before they got any closer. There is no aggression from my dog, but I am trying to train him to not be so intense in his urge to get to other dogs - it's way too intense. I could see her dog was friendly and placid enough - but that's not the point. I got no response from this lady and she kept following her dog (who had continued towards and straight to us). My boy was already bouncing to the end of his lead and I was trying to grab a quick moment to be able to secure the lead to my hands to better give me the control I needed. I know I can control him, I just needed the opportunity to gain my balance. I called out again to this lady to please recall her dog. (If she was ok with the dogs meeting, that would've been fine, but I wanted, for my dog's training sake, to do it in a more controlled fashion - calmly and slowly). No answer. By this stage, too late. Her dog was right with us by now. The lady caught up. I said (breathlessly) "I asked you to recall your dog". Her response? "My dog doesn't have a recall when he's around other dogs, so I don't bother." Be it not for her (even knowing this) to clip her own dog to the lead before it had got to the point of her dog leaving her behind and out of reach. Unfortunately, this is the underlying attitude of many people in off-lead parks, whether they admit it or not. Not suggesting that's the case for you, Mrs TS - you're obviously conscious of working to attain the level of control you need. One of the points is that if our dogs are in training for what we want as appropriate greetings and recall control, then we need to be in a position to be able to control the dog and insist on the command response by at the least clipping dogs back on lead or long-line in advance when we know that the control is unreliable and working to the appropriate response before we then reward our dogs and then let them greet, play etc. with other dogs. Every time people lose control, they are teaching their dogs that ignoring/not complying is ok and is in many instances self-rewarding.

Technically, this is not right. Although admittedly it is the current days' common consensus of opinion by most of those who take their dogs and use the off-lead areas for exactly that purpose. But effective control is what each and everyone of them is supposed to have before they exercise the privilege of being allowed to let their dogs off-lead. Unfortunately, because so many people have the attitude of "if you don't want dogs running over to you in an off-lead area then don't come here" it's too hard to battle it without risking it being at the expense of their own dog's safety and that's exactly what a lot of people who are conscientious about the problems that can and do occur at off-lead parks do - they don't go. Even though they too are entitled to their share of the park and peaceable enjoyment of it.

By law, you are supposed to have effective control over your dog at all times, and that means off-lead as well (regardless of whether it's an off-lead park). So why not call your dog back to you and check with people if it's ok for your dog to meet theirs? If the answer is that you don't have the ability to be able to call Archie back once he's on a mission to meet other dogs, then that tells you one area of weakness in your training of him that needs some work . It's not about whose interpretation of whether which dog or either was going to aggress or not, is right or wrong. It's about whether you can demonstrate that you have control of your dog and then whether you exercise that control, or not. Regardless of Archie's intentions, how do you know that any of the dogs and/or people he approaches are going to think kindly of it without checking first?

You could suggest he be taught the name of the item (Eg "ball") and then start teaching him find and seek with it (bringing it to you), ending in a game of throw/fetch the ball.

...and again, in YOUR opinion Isn't that what the opinion of any GSD Club/Org/Breeder would/should aspire to though?

Yay for your news, Kingbob. What a relief.

That story and sequence of events is an RSPCA created catastrophe. Shame on them. They care about animals? : ..... that's not what they show, IMO. The staff who work at the shelters and who routinely care, feed etc the animals, I do not include in this. But heck, there's so much the RSPCA has to answer for in terms of their policy and decision making processes and actions. It's about time the Government struck off the powers they've granted the RSPCA and started by making them legally accountable for their actions. They just seem to be able to walk away from these things so easily - all they have to do is cope with a few public crying and wait until the dust settles, then they move on their merry way and continue as though this sort of thing never happened.

She looks as though she would be - it shines.

RottnBullies - I love your signature pictures. Especially the 'Dude' in the sunnies.

My boy is of the short haired variety, so it is a lot easier to care for (and is more care free). But that aside, the last bath (ie shampoo type) he had was back in March 2009. The only times I have given him a 'bath' (of a different kind - no shampoos or conditioners) was when he's (eg) jumped in the lake for a swim and he has skin lesions (from hives or interdigital 'cysts') and I'm concerned for bacterial issues. In those instances I've used Calendula Tea only. And sometimes I only use that as a 'spot' body wash, with a flannel wetted in it, to address hives, scurf or just that 'yeasty' smell that can develop when the skin PH is imbalanced. The Calendula leaves a nice clean feeling to the coat no different (and possibly even better) than if the dog was shampoo'd and conditioned, and smelling of a natural freshness, as well. Don't know that Calendula should be used for just general purposes though (I think of things such as building up resistance to the antibacterial side of things being a possibility ??? and would prefer to keep it for what I mean it to be for - to help him with his symptomatic skin conditions and a way of being able to avoid the use of antibiotics, cortisone etc. I like the idea of using something like Rosemary Tea - don't know much about it so I'd like to check to see whether it would have any influence on the dog's skin PH levels or not, but it sounds good to me. Didn't know it helped to discourage fleas either. That's a good tip and was written in another thread by a poster - I'm sorry that I can't recall his/her name and say "thanks" for the suggestion.

If your dog doesn't need a bath, don't give him one. That'd be my answer whether your dog had stitches or not. I would definitely leave off bathing until stitches were out. I think we bath our dogs too often.

Thank you - got it!!

Hi KL. What I'm about to post really doesn't go anywhere near to answering your question, so I apologise in advance, but perhaps my thought/s might give you an alternative 'lead' on what you might be able to do to assist Chloe (maybe). And before I say anything, I do not mean for you to veer away from your Vet/specialist nor go against what is prescribed for Chloe's Cushings disease. You know my boy has had health issues that have shown up in the form of skin issues. I had the usual bloods etc done and nothing in particular showed as being amiss, including liver function. Yet, when I took him more recently (last December) to the Naturopath that we now see, "liver function" was what she was certain was the problem and that is one of the main (but not only) things that she targeted with her natural medications and diet recommendations. Simultaneous to this first appointment with the Naturopath, I also decided to send a hair sample for analysis. The results from that test pointed to "liver function" issue as well. So I had both things pointing to the same. I think it goes without saying that Chloe's system is in a weakened state - who could blame it, for all the meds she's needed to take to address the Cushings (a necessity, I know). But I wonder if her system is telling you similar to what my boy's was. IE That the liver wasn't able to detox the body sufficiently and so those toxins are coming out via the skin. I also wonder if you too were to do similar to myself (hair analysis and naturopath), what they would say/suggest. I have each person I'm involved with for the professional care and guidance of my dog's health, knowing what the other has prescribed in the form of medication. I check one with the other, to ensure they're in agreement that what they prescribe will not conflict with the prescription of the other, but rather, will add and/or enhance. I feel as though each (especially the Naturopath) are working WITH me as a 'team' and I'm fortunate to not have any one of them insulted by the fact that I seek and receive alternative professional assistance. I think contact allergy testing (to determine WHAT the dog is reacting to) requires an area to be shaved and a series of substances injected within that area, watching for the reaction to each of the substances. I've seen a picture of it by someone else here on DOL who has had it done. In that DOLer's case, I think there were stitches involved, although I haven't the foggiest as to why they were deemed necessary. My point though being, what is the cause of Chloe's allergy reaction (ie is it contact allergy at all) and if it is contact allergy, what is it about her system that is unable to cope with them? As I said - this doesn't really go towards answering your question, but through my own experiences, I can't help my first port of call being to address the dog's system and aiding that in being able to better deal with things, whether that be through something like helping to improve/support liver function or otherwise. Just my thoughts based on my own experiences with my own boy. Vast as they are, I recognise that my dog is different to yours, with different issues, so I may be completely off base.

Hey Suz. I was thinking of your girl over the weekend just gone, knowing she was coming up to her appointment for the biopsy. from here, hoping for good news.

I've had my heart set on a Rav4 for a while now. Would you mind PMing me with where you saw this second hand one and perhaps an idea of the price they wanted? It is probably out of my price range too, but I'd like to know, if you don't mind? What model was it?

Now, I'd looooooooove to do that too . It would be great to meet you, Star, after all this time.

.... I'd be inclined to get a Vet to run a worm-burden count using a stool sample. Don't think I'd like to add worming drugs to a tummy already upset and obviously irritated (as indicated by the mucous), if the problem turns out to not be worms and the worming drugs unneccessary. I'd go the pro-biotics as well, and also a couple of days on a bland diet. A bit of steamed/cooked pumpkin may help as well.

..... tell me what you want covered . Perhaps I could round up Kelpie-i to come as well? And/or K9 Pro. oooh .... "K9 Pro Pro K9" or "Pro K9 K9 Pro" . ETA: Sorry, Puppymum, we've wandered off topic a tad, and that's rude. Not sure what suburb you're located at, but Kelpie-i (DOL member) does B&T with Kempala Kennels - they're in the Western district though, but both kennels and trainer are good :D, so there's another option, perhaps?

You were buying it for me first . Show me the Title Deed with "Pro-K9" registered as proprietor, and I'm yours . I know we're only kidding around. T'would be nice though.

Hey Huski .... wasn't Camp Tailwaggers put up for sale not so long ago? LOL ..... <sigh> dreaming on ...............

I would love to, Huski . Will you buy them for me please? LOL If only I could win Tattslotto.

Hi Puppymum - you know, I agree with the comments from posters saying they'd be worried about someone else working with their dog. In all honesty, I would be the same if it were my dog. But for me, it would much be about whether they'd train as I do or contraindicate things that I train for etc. But having said that, I provide a "Boarding & Training" service as well. In fact, one of my B&T dogs that just went home with his owner today, is a mini-Schnauzer. (I have two other mini-Schnauzers on my books as well, who get some training when they stay at the kennels - smart little dogs, they are.) This was his second stay at the kennels with me training and his owner, who loves him to pieces, gets me to work with him when she is away for any length of time beyond just a few days. In part for the same reason as you, because she was going away so her dog was staying at kennels anyway and because it made it easier for her to continue her dog's training (after being shown what to do) after I'd done the 'yards' to teach her little guy what to do. She also loves the fact that her little guy gets that extra attention during the day. I added more tricks to her little fella's repertoire this time around, because they got so much enjoyment out of the other one that I 'threw in' the first B&T stay. But of course I still work on adding and improving upon the obedience skill this dog (I'm leaving his name out purposely, for confidentiality reasons) was taught during the last stay, so that side of things is still advancing. LOL .... I had to laugh because I was showing his owner today his targeting trick he'd learnt - to a remote target a fair way away. Little tyke was so skippideedo with his owner having arrived that there was a couple of times he decided it would be a great lark to not only stomp the target with a foot (which he's supposed to do), but also to pick up the target with his mouth and bring it back to us. Anyway, I digress. The kennels where the dogs stay are excellent, as well. It's indoors - heated/airconditioned and the owners/management and staff keep it exceptionally clean. The dogs are out for their playtimes 4 x daily - length of time does depend on the weather, of course, but they are supervised by a staff member/s during play time. If you'd like to check out the kennels via the internet first, click my signature link to my website and then click the kennel logo found on the left of my website. You might need to scroll down to it to see it. The kennels welcome inspections. There are time brackets where you can just rock up for this, but if you need to inspect outside of those times you can telephone the kennels to arrange. If you would like to speak with anyone who have used my B&T services before, let me know via PM or email. I have one or two testimonials on my website, but if you'd rather speak direct to one or two people, I might be able to arrange it, if they'll allow. ETA: I see you're looking for B&T in Eastern suburbs Melbourne. Sorry - I read "South Eastern". The kennels I train at are in Lyndhurst, about 3 klms north of KCC Park.

CW - what you really love about Charlie is his spirit, his character, his personality. This is all encompassed in his body, which is the vessel his spirit, character and personality uses to get around, to become known and to be seen. No matter what occurs to his body, what you love about him cannot be dissected, destroyed nor changed. In other threads I have said, and so have you, that it seems Charlie was sent to this earth for a special reason. I think it would be the ultimate if, even after his passing, his legend could live on by what he has been able to reveal to us. But this is a personal choice - for you and only you to decide upon. There would be no right or wrong of it. And "long live Charlie" ...... I hope he continues to defy all the Scientists and Vets out there by showing them just what effect a determined, positive and life loving attitude can have .

That's disappointing, because in the 'other thread' there was argument that Aussie GSD's didn't have the problems of this type of conformation as the UK GSD's did. That's what I wanted to go so I could see for myself and also to see if the judges were putting those dogs 'up'.

Horts ..... when it was 'time' for my girl (Kal, bless her cotton socks) I had a bit of a dilemma on my hands. I hadn't had a great run with many of the vets local(ish) to me because they didn't believe me when I kept insisting something wasn't right. In fact, I know definitely from one that he thought I was crackers. The looks from others told me similar. I ventured to Werribee, eventually, and that is when they listened to me and began to investigate, and that's when we found the tumour growing on her adrenal gland. Because events had it where I couldn't do anything, and palliative care could only be for a short but indeterminate time, and because Kal would end up shaking whenever she visited Vets, I wanted her to be home, to be as comfortable as she could be. But of course, asking the Vet (who was wonderful, caring and lovely with Kal) to drive all the way out from Werribee to here (Berwick) was not possible. So I rang another Vet who was local, whom I didn't know was there but whom I'd heard a few recommendations for. When I rang, I apologised, because this was to be the first time he'd seen me as a client, and what an awful introduction. But he came out and both he and his accompanying Vet were both very lovely, understanding and diplomatic enough to quietly let themselves out to leave me alone with my girl and my grief. The Vet was calm, gentle and caring. I'll add here that I took off to Queensland (ran away, so to speak) after that and when I returned I found waiting for me on the veranda, an Azalea plant together with a card expressing the Vet's condolences. It was very sweet and took a bit of the edge off me returning home. My point being that I had never been a client of this Vet, nor had this Vet ever met Kal. But that didn't have him refusing to help me and my dog, once I'd explained circumstance. So, if you're happy enough with the Vet you see, don't think that just because you haven't known him a lifetime means that s/he won't help you.