Purpley

Ok - so I need to teach command refusal, and I am not really sure where to start with it. The thing is I need for my OH and my 2 kids (7yrs and 3yrs) to be able to control the dogs aswell, so how do I teach him to refuse commands without that being jeapodised?? Thanks in advance.

OMG I am in tears - jesus not many posts make me cry, but this one did. I am so sorry hun.

I will have to ask OH as he picks it up! I do know that sometimes it is shades of flouro pink and yellow!! Bronson likes to eat OH's ear plugs.

When I was nursing we always referred clients to Kersti, she is very good at what she does.

I approached my local butcher and he does me a great deal on human grade mince, plus minced carcasses aswell. He even minces my offal - he is ace!!!

Cute video, she looked like she was having soooo much fun.

I can get you one on saturday at training if you like.

Ok he is a stafford, 2.5yrs old. I have another stafford (bitch, literally ) She is definately the boss. He isn't overly nervy, but if you yell etc he will shy away. He has 10% reduced brain function (last assessed 3 mths ago), from a head injury he sustained. On the day that he sustained the head injury (ran into a wheel barrow full of bricks, and jumped up and slammed his head on the back of my car, we aren't sure which caused the injury) he had an incident with another dog. It was a huge pack of dogs all running together, one stopped and it ended up being pretty much an all in brawl. No weight problem, he is reasonably fit. ** The only real issue from the brain damage is his lack of concentration. He did pretty much forget most of what he had learned prior to the injury, but now you really wouldn't be able to tell that he has anything wrong with him. He is rather clumsy - but he was prior to head injury aswell. I hope I have covered everything.

I train at 2 different clubs, as they both offer 2 different things, using the same methods. Club 1 is more obedience based which I wanted to do. Club 2 is more a socialisation doggy manner type of club, which I also wanted (with young kids). They also offer alot of distraction work and different things like walking on different surfaces etc, which isn't offered at a general 'obedience' club. After talking to a trainer, I don't think drive is the problem. He seems to have 2 modes work mode and home mode. Work mode is triggered when the correction collar goes on, and he doesn't seem to be able to grasp the concept that 'play' is allowed whilst he has it on. So at home I am going to work on the 'free' aspect of training and really show him its fun etc. The trigger seems to be the correction collar, as when the flat collar is on, he is more relaxed and allows himself to have a good time - eg flyball training he is either in flat collar or harness, and he is a completely different dog. Having said that, he is obedient at home, so he can have fun and look happy, whilst doing as he is told. TO- Yeh I thought of that today, and am going to do that. I actually don't think it is effecting him as much as it is me (stupid human emotions). I just want him to enjoy the training, and because he is in that 'work' mode he doesn't look like he is. Thanks for the replies.

After reading through the triangle of temptation stuff, I think I seriously need to go right back to the beginning with him and start again. I trained at a club that was very military like (up, down, drop, stand etc) and there really wasn't any off time. So no 'realease your dog' as such. They did say praise your dog, but that was more of a quick pat, good dog, that was it. We used correction collars. I now train at 2 clubs. One is similiar to the above, but they tell you to release your dogs, and thats when the motivators come out. Which he completely ignores. I have tried balls (which he normally goes nuts for), Orby, tug toys, food. All the things that he normally goes bonkers for. But it is like he switches off when he is there. They use correction collars too. Other club is very socialisation based. Lots of positive training, happy wagging tails etc. They really focus on the dogs enjoying it. Can use flat collar or correction collar. Again, completely ignores the motivators. Will take food, one piece, but there is no excitement about it. Last night I tried running with him, clapping etc (must of looked pretty silly), but he still looked disinterested, and sat his butt down. The first club I ever went to, made me nervous and I had a few issues with instructors picking on me, ending with me in tears. Is it possible that he is picking up on me?? I feel comfortable at the new clubs, so I think I am pretty relaxed. Urgh, maybe its me!!!

Come to Berwick - its ace there!!! Just realised you changed your username, I didn't realise it was you ;)

Hi there, I am really having issues getting my dog into drive when he is at training. I have been using a motivator, and when I get it out at home he gets heaps excited. I don't let him have it all the time, its put away and bought out on my terms. I throw it around and throw it to my OH, so he gets to the 'I really want that' point (thanks for the tip Shoemonster). Which is all good, and I think 'yes we have found something' that gets him motivated and kicks him into drive - that is until we get him to training. Then he has major disinterest in anything. He is quite food orientated, so I have tried to use food to kick him into drive, but even that doesn't seem to hold the drive. He is released from his excercise ('free') and then I treat him. He eats the treat and then just sits his butt back down. Doesn't get excited. He loves tennis balls, have tried them aswell. All good at home, or out, but get him to training and no interest at all. I really am at a loss as to what to do. Am I completely missing something - and its me, or is he just hard to motivate and kick into drive???

I just ordered my copy - I can't wait to get it.

Pet Chow has changed hands - and I used to get my meat from there, and I wouldn't anymore. I also know of quite a few others that don't go to Pet Chow anymore either.

He is having a great time.

Wow thats a great video - love the end with the cat.

I would suggest its something environmental if both dogs are itchy. I would suggest the use of antihistamines aswell.

Do the pinch test. Lift up the skin and drop it to see how fast it goes back to the same place. One sign of dehydration is loss of skin elasticity. When the skin along the back is picked up into a fold, it should spring back into place. In dehydration, the skin stays up in a ridge. Another sign is dryness of the mouth.

Erny - alot of us look to you for support and guidance in our training, and you are certainly a wealth of knowlege. I have had the pleasure of hearing you speak (in a first day members class) and I was in awe of how much you know, and how you put it in a way that is easy for us to understand. Ignore the coward that emailed you - the obviously have nothing better to do with there time.

He He Thats very cute - Kaos just adores her.

I use Advantix on my dogs - never seen a flea in the 7yrs we have been living here, but I guess its just habit to do it.

I would say UTI or cystitis. probably from having to hang on, on your trip back. Try and catch a urine sample to take to the vets with you.

I feed beef and chicken. Roo didn't agree with my dogs, and lamb is super pricey. I get a good deal on the beef from my butcher. I feed chicken carcasses as the meaty bone component.

Hahaha

Thanks, I will give that a try.