Erny

Always safer to ask first, act second . I give my boy frozen chicken wings from time to time too. Like another poster - if the weather is hot; when he was teething (cools the gums); if I've forgotten to defrost.

I don't know - never heard of the name "meat wasps". I know European wasps are very much attracted to meat though. And the dang things are even buzzing around all the while my dog is chewing on a bone. It worries me that he'll cop a sting at some stage or other. I think I will try to only feed bones after sunset as I think all bees and wasps have returned to their hives by then.

My guess is that it would be the (albeit digested) meat content of the faeces. As the faeces dry out, the meat 'content' I would imagine would all but disappear. I have noticed an increase in wasp activity too and have to watch out as they hang around any bone my boy leaves lying around with the intentions of going back to later. He'd be better off burying them.

Why are you going for the heartworm injection? There's no need for the injection and if you are in an area where you need the heartworm cover, why not daily tabs, or if you prefer, the monthly chewables? (Which are actually good for 45 days cover). Personally, I won't touch the once a year heartworm injection.

I don't mind the soft muzzles being used for such things as visits to the Vets, provided its use is for a very short time. The soft muzzles can take away the dog's perception that it can 'win' by aggressing and thereby can (note : not "will") aid in the dog not exhibiting aggression in the first place, thus thwarting 'learnt behaviour'.

I am following Dr. Jean Dodd's vaccination regime (ie "less is more") so won't be doing the yearly vaccination protocol regardless. I will face the issue of "going to training" (or not) when I come to it, as my boy is only young and is covered by his puppy vaccinations for the time being. I will not have drugs administered to my dog just to satisfy what I consider some 'law' or policy that simply hasn't been addressed to up-date it. If my Vet won't titre test, I'll go somewhere that does. Even if I did vaccinate more regularly and if one was due, I would not vaccinate if the dog was not in full health. I would and will not drug my dog (ie sedate) unless it is absolutely necessary.

A couple of sits (combines 'stand'). Two or three 'fun' basic recalls. A few minutes spent teaching not to pull on lead. A couple of drops (if the owners and pups are up to that .... I don't teach that straight up). A good portion of time spent socialising to different pups, people. Hearing/seeing unusual noises/sights. All interspersed with fun breaks (rewards) for the pups in between each obedience exercise as well as explanation and education to the puppy owners about how to manage the usual puppy issues (house-training; mouthing; destructiveness; teething; etc). All of this easily takes up an hour. The point is to teach people what they need to know to be able to continue their pup's training through the week by way of very short sessions. So short, I even hesitate to call them "sessions". Not to train their pups there and then in class (home environment is better where there is minimal distraction anyway) .... only to ensure that what and how the owners are doing things is the right way and helping them in the event there are any difficulties achieving a positive and successful result. How anyone could or would expect a whole session concentrated on continuous training for an hour is beyond me. I don't even expect that of dogs older than that.

Glad it is going so well for you Midol. Must say, you're game working your dogs on what appears to be a reasonably 'main' road .... but you would know and understand the area better than I and perhaps it is a very quiet road. And I guess the 'tying together' is inventive. I assume it works for you so I won't comment there, but not sure it is something I would do. Having said that, the dogs I usually train and have trained are not 'family' so it isn't something I would contemplate. But above all, it seems as though you are training in a fashion where your dogs are able to gain more and more freedom, yet without loss of effective control. The photo's are a bit distant, but they appear happy and focused on you . I am presuming use of the e-collar as P+ is only for known commands (in known situations).

I thought so too. I only came into the discussion part way through, but he was talking about people taking other medications that might irritate the stomach, the glucosamine can help reduce the irritation. Not his exact words, but close. Good luck with the show. Main thing is ...... enjoy it . Erny

This query is merely out of interest ....... when was he last vaccinated?

Heard on the radio today that glucosamine apparently soothes the gut too. I didn't know that.

Unfortunately, no. The link to the original thread announcing her tour in Australia is HERE., for what it is worth now, as I am presuming the Melbourne seminar is also full. Kelpie-i would know one way or the other though.

When a dog (or other animal/person) puts something 'out' skeletally speaking, it can and does often hurt quite acutely initially. Pain can subside though .... usually that's when the muscles stop spasming at the 'injury' site and/or the inflamation from the initial injury subsides (well, this is the way I understand it anyway), but that doesn't mean that whatever was 'out' has gone back 'in'. And if it remains out, the dog/animal/person is at higher risk of further injury at that point as well as it taking longer to fix, as 'muscle memory' will learn to assume that the 'out' position is the correct position (I've suffered this myself). If that makes sense? So, if it were me, I'd have it checked. It won't hurt to leave it for a couple of days and allow the immediate soreness to reside. It is often better for a chiro to manipulate when inflamation has receded. I can't help but recommend to go to a chiro that uses gentle manipulation methods though.

I go to Kevin Kelly who works out of the Devon Meadows Dog Swimming Pool (Stanley Road, Devon Meadows). He only works on Wednesdays 4pm - 6pm. You don't ring for an appointment. You turn up and put your name on a whiteboard and he takes you in order of arrival. Problem is he is so popular that your best bet is to get your name down as soon as the pool opens (2pm) to ensure that you will be seen. I think his maximum amount is 20. To my knowledge he is not 'papered' however I've done a reasonable amount of dotting around from vet and chiro (well known and reputed ones to boot) in the past with my previous girl and of them all I found Kevin to be the best in so far as using gentle yet very effective methods. He very much shows that he knows his 'stuff' and many people (breeders included) come from near and far to see him.

No it doesn't. And sometimes it is not as easy as it sounds either as with some dogs there can be a bit of initial resistance until they understand what it is you're trying to achieve. But that still doesn't mean that the 'guide show place' method is about jerking the dog hard to the ground. Not directing this at you or anyone - merely making a general comment. I worked with a dog a few days ago - he's about 2 yo and never been taught the drop. Lure .... not interested in it enough to bother. Resisted the GSP method on the first go, although did acquiesce in a reasonably short space of time. It was a bit mucky on the first go, but each repetition was better. After 3 reps the dog was doing it with no resistance and almost on command. Not all credit to the method by itself .... he's a great little dog, this guy. An Amstaff, btw :p.

:p :p My elkhound learnt the drop in just five tries using treats. He was doing it without treats after that. Although I use it myself, not all dogs will successfully train using the lure technique. The "guide, show, place" technique which is referenced in the first quote above (I use the guiding to the ground, rather than the legs in front method) is not being correctly applied IMO if it is being done in the "jerking hard down" manner described. I use this method as well for some dogs, with much success. For some dogs, I'll combine the two methods if needs be. IMO there aren't many methods that are *wrong* .... it is simply the way the handler does them (or the teacher teaches them) that makes them so.

Yes it can be seen as that as well, Wildaheart. Although negative punishment is a concept that is used and accepted by those who follow "positive" training concepts.

I agree. IMO the alpha roll is so despised simply because so many have the wrong understanding of it.

An hour class is ok, although a 60% mix of socialisation (to o/dogs; o/people; noises; surfaces; etc. etc.) with about a 40% mix of obedience interspersed in between is best. A full hour of obedience (if that's what they've been doing) IMO is too much for a pup as young as yours to be able to concentrate on. The class should be fun for the pups .... teaching them, but making it like a game.

Dansdogs ... really sorry to here of your dog's woes. I don't know anything of tetanus to be able to give you any helpful hints, advice or tips. But I wonder, as your dog is eating but not drinking, perhaps adding some honey (preferably Active Manuka Honey) to his drinking water will help. The honey quite often encourages them to drink (they usually love it) and of course in turn helps to keep them hydrated. The AMH boosts the immune system. Hang in there. It is awful seeing our dogs in pain and feeling helpless to fix it. I am sorry to say that I can empathise with that feeling. :p

Except a sharp about turn could be classified as "positive punishment" Haven.

The other thing in your OP .... you mention "puppy" .... I presume you mean teaching puppy and that what it is taught lasts (without negatives) through to adulthood under a myriad of distractions?

I don't think it is being picky either. It is what it is, not how some people prefer to see it.

Sandgrubber .... I can't say or speak for what it is like in other Countries, but I have often expressed that society and its governments tend to be extremists. It's either all of this and none of that, or vice versa. And it is in that I believe that things go wrong. "Balance" usually is what works best in many factors of life. But laws are created when a minority abuse something and the law seeks to stop that, usually by banning the method or tool (for example). That sends the pendulum swing waaaay to the other extreme, and by the absence of balance, other problems/issues abound. But that's slightly OT to your comment regarding the Aussie "she'll be right" attitude. IMO, the true blue "she'll be right" attitude isn't one of complacency, it is one of "don't panic, stay clear headed and move to something akin to being pro-active or suitable compromise". Maybe it has been a little bit lost with some who have misunderstood the concept of it. "She'll be right" can help calm those who otherwise might panic (which doesn't help) and doesn't necessarily mean there is no forward thinking plans in mind, or lack of concern. Just as a small and minor example ..... in my younger years I travelled to the USA with a friend. We stayed on a horse ranch and helped the owners with some of the work needed to be done there. On a particular day, they'd arranged for a seminar (horse related) to which quite a number of horse enthusiasts were attending. When setting up, they realised the equipment which was to be used for the powerpoint presentation (or video or some such, can't remember) wasn't working. They went into a bit of a spin about it. My friend and I did try to work out why the equipment wasn't working, but to no avail. I think we might have even said the words "she'll be right" and made some suggestions as to how to get around the fact that the electrical equipment had let them down. Long story short, they got through the seminar and it was well received. Later, the Americans marvelled at our calm collected attitude and were very grateful for it. As I said - the above example is only a small and insignificant one, but might help to make some sense of what I mean and how the attitude can be helpful in times of greater stress and where calm and clear thinking is needed.

Ditto to Kavik and Haven