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February Dog Club
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Message 1.Ìý
Posted by Dapply (U2437462) on Wednesday, 2nd February 2011
Welcome to all doggies and doggy friends.
There are comfy cushions and bean bags, bowls of yummy food and water and nice juicy bones to gnaw on and the dogs may share if there is no squabbling!
Saffie is no longer a little girlie. She came into season last week and is very mopey and a bit unsetlled cos she doesn't know what is happening, is a bit shocked to see she is leaving blood about the place and now is not going for walks.
I have managed to persuade Mr Dapply that the best thing is to spay her so we will do that after her next season. Make sure that we have a regular cycling dog and not like Desti who came into season whenever she felt like it.
Right who will be the first one to mention "pooh"
Here is a link to last month's club -
Message 2
Posted by Shy (U14227333) on Wednesday, 2nd February 2011
Oh poor Saffie. How old is she now?
Dido was 6 months yesterday and has really started to grow up now, behaviour-wise. It's starting to feel like we have a dog about the place a lot of the time, with reversions to puppy from time to time (esp when *very* exciting things are happening), rather than coping with full-on puppyness. Which is awfully nice and a bit sad at the same time.
Thanks for opening the thread, Dapply. -
Message 3
Posted by dondy (U3463640) on Thursday, 3rd February 2011
Hi dog clubbers.
Can sympathise re the in season fun and games. Lily was odd for ages (she had her first one at the start of December, aged 7 months, but the odd behaviour seemed to last well into January !!!!!!!!!!!)
dondy -
Message 4
Posted by Alejandrita (U2222432) on Thursday, 3rd February 2011
Hello all, just bookmarking.
I remember Sombra being v rebellious and stroppy when she had her one and only season. Some of you may recall it was quite dramatic as she turned out to have a vaginal prolapse. As for growing up, I think she has just about settled down to being a slightly more sensible lady now. She was 4 last week. Except having said that she is still extremely silly and gambles about, tries to catch birds and plays for hours with the children and acts the goat a lot of the time...she just doesn't destroy things any more!! Fine by me!! -
Message 5
Posted by al-in-a-field (U3325483) on Thursday, 3rd February 2011
hello doggies (and dog people).
it's february is it. argh. -
Message 6
Posted by Marmalade Drizzle (U2239190) on Friday, 4th February 2011
Windy night + gate blown open by aforementioned wind = dog runs away.
{sigh}
Be honest.
How many of you with good dogs would have found that they would have left the garden if presented with an open gate?
marms -
Message 7
Posted by Shy (U14227333) on Friday, 4th February 2011
I have never had any dog, good bad or ugly, who would *not* have left the garden if presented with an open gate.
HTH -
Message 8
Posted by Marmalade Drizzle (U2239190) on Friday, 4th February 2011
Yes that does help Shy!
I don't understand her. When we are out and are approached by people and/or dogs she hides behind me or lies down flat until Ihave reassured her, by speaking to the person or petting the dog.
She hears a load noise and reacts in panic (hence another reason I think she is hard of hearing - she is easily spooked), yet the moment the gate is open - dog gone.
I just don't get it!!! Either be scared or be confident but be consitant you stupid mutt!
And in the later years of Old old Drizzle dog she wouldn't have dreamed of leaving the garden without permission and would have found one of us if the gate was open. Occasionally she would have peered around the corner but not left (although she did when she was younger).
marms -
Message 9
Posted by Shy (U14227333) on Friday, 4th February 2011
I don't understand her. When we are out and are approached by people and/or dogs she hides behind me or lies down flat until Ihave reassured her, by speaking to the person or petting the dog.Ìý
But she's on the lead then, yes? On the lead, she probably feels 'trapped' when face by something she's uncertain about; off the lead she has a choice as to whether or not to approach, and knows she can always run away if necessary.
She hears a load noise and reacts in panic (hence another reason I think she is hard of hearing - she is easily spooked),Ìý
Noise phobia is fairly common in dogs, and not necessarily anything to do with confidence or the lack of it.
And in the later years of Old old Drizzle dog she wouldn't have dreamed of leaving the garden without permission and would have found one of us if the gate was open. Occasionally she would have peered around the corner but not left (although she did when she was younger).Ìý
I think all young dogs feel an urge to explore, she wants to go and investigate all the places you never take her - for good reasons but she doesn't understand those reasons. -
Message 10
Posted by Alejandrita (U2222432) on Friday, 4th February 2011
How frustrating Marms!! Have you got her back, or is she still on the loose?
Sombra only ran away once, and was so scared (she only got as far as the end of the road) that she hasn't done it again. We did a lot of work on making her wait just inside the open gates while we were outside, chatting to neighbours, loading the car, etc and not letting her cross the invisible line until invited to do so. It's still a bit hit and miss if we're out in the road (she wants to be with us, sometimes just to lie down at my feet while I chat to neighbour awwww) but if we're inside and the gates stay open for whatever reason she doesn't venture out and I don't believe she'd run away... but hey, famous last words and all that...
Hope DD is safe and sound. -
Message 11
Posted by Marmalade Drizzle (U2239190) on Friday, 4th February 2011
Morning Shy and Alejandrita
Dog was found and brought home. It was my fault - I let her out into the garden and hadn't noticed that the gate had blown open. She must have been gone for a few minutes when Mr. D noticed and went after her. I got dressed and joined in with the search and she came to me almost as soon as she saw me (and possibly heard my voice?) just doing a very slight detour on the way to flush out some geese!
When she came to me I praised her, clipped her on the lead and took her home. We didn't make a song and dance and kept things calm.
Marms -
Message 12
Posted by al-in-a-field (U3325483) on Friday, 4th February 2011
glad she's back
G would be straight out of the gate too. Not running off necessarily, but worth a sniff and 17 pees when the gate is open... -
Message 13
Posted by Marmalade Drizzle (U2239190) on Friday, 4th February 2011
So most dogs would leg it if they were given the chance to explore?
It's given the dog an idea though - I have just caught her pawing at the gate. I wonder if she is trying to get it open again.
And on the plus side she did return when she saw me. When we had all that trouble with her breaking out of the garden and running away last year if she saw any of us she would run even faster in the opposite direction.
So improvement has been made!
marms -
Message 14
Posted by Bayandgreygelding (U5161003) on Friday, 4th February 2011
On open garden gates- both would leave, not sure now they are both old. In days long past old girl would explore the fields by the house and if at all possible would spend the day lying in the field where she could see the house. OH always said if we had a 4 acre garden she would want to be 400metres beyond the boundary. Now she bimbles around for a bit then barks to return to garden. The friday five-o-clocker bimbles around, always did and maybe always will.
From the Jan thread;
In the house when it's just me and her I can call her and she flies to a room other than the one I am in and looks as if she is searching for me. Likewise when someone comes home and you-hoos through the door she sometimes goes into another part of the house searching.
Ìý
Now, I don't know you marms, or your lovely drizzle dog but her antics make me laugh and reminds me of a previous dog. If I told you my friends called her 'the dumb blonde' I am not implying that drizzle dog is 2 bonios short of a box but she would have trouble locating us in a 2 up 2 down on calling and even after several years of living in a little row of cottages never got the correct garden gate on returning to home, she was close but never right. Maybe drizzle dog is erm, intelectually challenged not hard of hearing? Just a thought. . . -
Message 15
Posted by Marmalade Drizzle (U2239190) on Friday, 4th February 2011
<< she would have trouble locating us in a 2 up 2 down on calling and even after several years of living in a little row of cottages never got the correct garden gate on returning to home, >>
Snork! She wasn't an English Setter perchance?
<< Maybe drizzle dog is erm, intelectually challenged not hard of hearing? >>
Are you callin' my dog thick?
Right - car park...
Seriously, we don't *think* she's intellectually challenged - we *know* she is. Very very stupid. She can barely walk and do one other thing at the same time. Daily she walks into lamp-posts and stationary cars - How do you miss those?
We have come to the conclusion that with an English Setter you are not the dog owner but a carer. They really need monitoring a lot of the time - and this one seems to a particularly dim specimen!
I am now reconsidering the hearing thing. I have just called her quietly from the next room where she is eating a bone thing and she came to me, and this morning she did come to me when I called her (which I am so chuffed about BTW).
Those of you who have followed the journey that she and me have made over the past year will be delighted to know that I absolutely adore her now and wouldn't be without her.
But while I typed the above she has just bitten her tongue and it's bleeding....
See what I mean?
marms -
Message 16
Posted by Bayandgreygelding (U5161003) on Friday, 4th February 2011
She wasn't an English Setter perchance?
Ìý
No, Samoyed.
Right - car park...
Ìý
What? Now? Me? But my glasses? It's raining. It's Friday. [Quakes in boots - not just at the theought of a good thrashing in the car park but the subsequent gnursing. . .]
Oh, good oh! No car park!
Daily she walks into lamp-posts and stationary cars - How do you miss those?
Ìý
No idea! Maybe she needs glasses to accompany the hearing trumpet? Just another thought. My blonde could not walk and do another thing - if you called her whilst walking down the road she usually fell over as she turned round. But we loved her. You could pop the end of her tail in her mouth and tell her to take it to bed - that was a real challenge.
But while I typed the above she has just bitten her tongue and it's bleeding....
Ìý
Poor girl but snork too! -
Message 17
Posted by Marmalade Drizzle (U2239190) on Friday, 4th February 2011
<< - if you called her whilst walking down the road she usually fell over as she turned round. >>
Snork! Sounds a similar character to Drizzle Dog. Who has just barked at a leaf which blew in through the cat flap!
I'm off to walk her in the wind in a minute - wish me luck!
marms -
Message 18
Posted by Bayandgreygelding (U5161003) on Friday, 4th February 2011
The blonde always barked at her shadow when she noticed it. which wasn't often.
The firday5-o-clocker had a very scary experience with a snail once. Scary things snails.
Enjoy your walk - very blowy out.
Bay -
Message 19
Posted by Marmalade Drizzle (U2239190) on Friday, 4th February 2011
My previous setter was scared by a duckling.
I wouldn't have minded but they were bred to flush out birds and when he accidently managed it was terrified!
Trying to summon up the courage to go out into the wind... -
Message 20
Posted by al-in-a-field (U3325483) on Friday, 4th February 2011
The firday5-o-clocker had a very scary experience with a snail once. Scary things snails.Ìý snork. Gromit was very puzzled by a frog in the garden when he was a pup.
You could pop the end of her tail in her mouth and tell her to take it to bed - that was a real challenge.Ìý HAHAHAHA -
Message 21
Posted by aliencorrie (U7290756) on Saturday, 5th February 2011
Dog School started today after a two months break.
It was leash training and lasted from 10 -12 (in the pouring rain).
Afterwards Maniche collapsed on his blanket and slept for two hours.
What a lovely sight.
ac -
Message 22
Posted by mistresslucy (U9471573) on Saturday, 5th February 2011
Aaaargh, ticks already, (last week).
I did think that it was too cold / too early / cattle not out in fields yet!!!
But no Jasper,tick magnet supreme, came home with two of the little blighters! Lucy -
Message 23
Posted by Alejandrita (U2222432) on Saturday, 5th February 2011
Nooooo, not ticks already...!
We've had some spring weather here for the past few days - well, -2ºC first thing, but lovely and sunny and reaching 15ºC or so in the afternoon. Sombra had the benefit of doing around 6 kms in both temps today, first with me on my bike at 8am, then with the children and their bikes added at 5pm!! Bliss. She also found that her favourite puggle was available for a quick dip this afternoon, hurrah!! She spent the rest of the day playing with the children or stretched out snoozing in the sunshine on the grass. What a life eh?! -
Message 24
Posted by Shy (U14227333) on Saturday, 5th February 2011
I saw an amazing, unbelievable thing this morning (Sombra & the puddle reminded me):
Beach. Lab puppy (about 4 months). Middle of the beach, river runs down to sea, 2" deep fresh water running across sand. Man walking said lab puppy (on lead) picks him up and *carries* him over water.
Shy shakes head. -
Message 25
Posted by Alejandrita (U2222432) on Sunday, 6th February 2011
Gob well and truly smacked...
-
Message 26
Posted by Marmalade Drizzle (U2239190) on Monday, 7th February 2011
Forget the daftness of carrying a lab pup over water...
...today I let the Drizzle Dog off the lead AND SHE CAME BACK!
Joy! We are getting there at last!
marms -
Message 27
Posted by Shy (U14227333) on Monday, 7th February 2011
*Yessssss* !
Oh that's brill, Marms. Well done. -
Message 28
Posted by Marmalade Drizzle (U2239190) on Monday, 7th February 2011
Certain conditions haver to be in place for me to be brave enough to let her off and they were today so i gave it another go.
Away she ran until she saw another dog - then after dancing around it for a minute raced back to me for reassurance! Fantastic! I then kept her off the lead (was brave enough to unclip it today) and she returned twice more. Each time she returned I gave her loads of fuss (she wasn't interested in the cheese I had taken along for the purpose!) and the only bad thing that happened was that as I was bent over fussing her she jumped up and her head hit my eye socket and now I have a swollen eye and a headache...
... but I don't care - the dog came back! Yay! -
Message 29
Posted by RosaGallica (U3612905) on Monday, 7th February 2011
Hi dog-peoples, this is my first posting on here, although I have lurked since Sombra was a pup.
Our dog is our first and maybe, only, dog. He is a Welsh Springer, now a year old. My husband read somewhere that Welshies are calmer than English Springers so as he knew I like spaniels, that's what we went with.
My deepest sympathies to any ESS owners....
Milo is affectionate, a real velcro dog, full of energy (that somehow does not really express his energy levels), enormous fun and has added immensely to our lives.
He also loves other dogs, which can be a real nuisance, trying to either restrain him when he is hauling on his lead, whimpering in frustration, wanting to meet another dog, or racing round the forest with one, not wanting to return. Well not until he is well and truly ready.
We've put a lot of work into training, and he is a fast learner, but if he doesn't want to do it he wont. Really the only problem we have with him is the other dog thing and pursuing mountain bikers. He's a great on recall except, and it is a big except, when an overwhelming distraction is involved.
Any ideas? -
Message 30
Posted by Shy (U14227333) on Monday, 7th February 2011
Calling Mustafa, spaniel help needed......
Hello, Rosa, and welcome to the Dog Club. I'm not a spaniel expert, Mustafa's yer man but I haven't seen him in here for ages. I'll do my best but need more background really.
First thing to say though is that if he's just a year old he is still a puppy in many ways, so don't panic. What have you done with him so far? Any training classes etc? Is he castrated? How often does he get the opportunity to play with other dogs? Is it a regular thing for him, or could he be getting carried away because it's an infrequent occurrence? And last but far from least, how much exercise does he get, on-lead and off-lead?
Sorry about all the questions, but without answers it's almost impossible to advise.
*The* most important thing, of course, is that he is convinced in his own mind that you are his leader and not vice versa, but if you've lurked here far that long I'm sure you've read loads about that. The second most important is that he is getting enough exercise and stimulation - and for a young spaniel enough is *a* *lot*. He may well need to feel he has 'a job' to do - that could be a simple as throwing balls and devising hunting games for him, which is easy to do on walks - get one member of the family to walk well ahead and hide stuff for him to 'find' on command, he'll soon get the hang of it and that will help to make you more interesting than the various distractions.
I repeat though, he's very young. Don't expect too much too soon. -
Message 31
Posted by Shy (U14227333) on Monday, 7th February 2011
I've left a message elsewhere for Mustafa. Hopefully he'll see it and pop in here to help.
-
Message 32
Posted by RosaGallica (U3612905) on Monday, 7th February 2011
Thanks shy,
yes I do remind myself that he isn't much more than a pup. He does get loads of exercise. We live in a big forest and he gets a couple of hours a day walking. Well I walk, he races about. There is always lots to interest him on our walks, forests smell good to a spaniel. Normally his recall is great, he is always checking to see where I am. Occasionally if he is out of sight I'll step behind a tree and within minutes he's retracing our steps until he sniffs me out.
I work at home so he gets lots of company, from me and various family members. He usually meets other dogs while we are out, so it is not really a rare occurence.
He isn't neutered, so far that hasn't caused any problems, he doesn't mount things and has never shown a trace of aggression. He knows me and OH are pack leaders and he comes beneath everyone.
I'm glad to hear you say remember he's so young, I think it is something my OH needs to remember as Milo's excited response to other dogs and cyclists frustrates him more than me. Incidentally Milo behaves much better for me when we are out than OH, although OH is the sterner of the two of us. -
Message 33
Posted by Shy (U14227333) on Monday, 7th February 2011
Sounds to me as though you're doing great with him. By the sound of it, I'd say you're OH needs to lighten up a bit, in the sense of staying calm, not getting riled by it - calm is very important, calm authority always wins over frustration and annoyance. It's what dogs respect.
Easier said than done though, and you can't change someone's personality to suit the dog.
I do still think working on giving him 'a job' to do when you're out would help. Buy a book on gundog training, perhaps, and a dummy, and pretend you're training him for work in the field. He won't know it's only 'pretend' and you might find he really grows into himself. It will certainly help keep his attention on you, imo. -
Message 34
Posted by Mustafa Grumble (U8596785) on Monday, 7th February 2011
What ho, Shy - saw your Owl. Hullo & welcome, Rosa & Milo.
Hummmm ... Welsh Springers. Sort of like English Springers, but bigger, stronger, and harder to train. And redder. But being a Springer, undoubtedly of the best breed of dog with which one can possibly be blessed to share one's life.
Sounds like you are already most of the way there, in that he returns to you, he looks for you, he loves you, & he knows his place in the pack.
At a year old he is still little more than a pup but is entering the prime 5 years of his physical fitness. I'm not sure I would be exercising him for 2 hours a day, though, as his bones/joints are still growing & setting - at a year old I would try to limit to at most an hour a day, and not go "unlimited" until he is 18m+
[FWIW our two ESSs will be 2 & 6 this spring, and get 15minutes in the morning, 20-25 in the evening, and a 1-2 hour+ walk once, maybe twice, at the weekend. They worked maybe 30-35 days in the season, 5+ very hard hours a day from November to end January.]
Milo will, however, need an awful lot of mental stimulation - although Springers are seriously lacking in the old brain cell department, the few that they /do/ possess are even more active than their bodies. He's a puppy from a renowned working breed, so use that to your advantage.
Get some training dummies - any half-decent country sports shop or website will supply them. If you're no good at throwing things (my wife is shocking - one dummy, which she intended to throw in front of her, went 90 degrees right, straight into a river), get a dummy launcher as well. Springers are genetically programmed to hunt & retrieve, so make the most of it: play with the dummies, get Milo to retrieve them to you (maybe in the sitting room or garden) until he knows what he is doing, and make a huge - seriously huge - fuss of him when he brings the dummies back & freely relinquishes them to your hand.
On walks, make sure he knows you have the dummies - and then throw them for him. At first, throw them a short distance where he can see them, then build up to longer distances, over hedges, into thick brambles/nettles/thorn (but not so thick you cannot get in if he decides this is really rather silly), and then get in to doing some blind retrieves. Drop the dummy when he is not looking, go on for 10-20 yards, and then send him back to hunt for it. We use commands such as "Hi Lost!!", "Seek it out!!", "Seek Dead!!" - and make the encouragement very vocal & exciting.
You could eventually be able to get Milo to hunt & retrieve over a good hundred yards & more. Vary it with tennis balls & tug ropes if you wish, & you could even use the skin of a rabbit or pheasant stitched over the dummy to give Milo some training on fur & feather. If he enjoys swimming & you have access to safe water, get floating dummies - they make for very dramatic retrieves, as I can vouch having seen my ESS bitch retrieving pigeons & pheasants from lakes & across rivers this season).
It does not really matter that you're not training Milo to be a field trial champion, since what you are doing is (a) trying to make him realise that being with you is much more exciting than being anywhere else; (b) exploiting his genetic predisposition to hunt (& being Welsh, to sing in massed choirs); (c) use his grey matter, which will be more exhausting & fun for him than chasing mountain bikes; (d) get Milo to listen to you first & foremost - get him to sit before you throw a dummy, sit when giving it up, come round the back of your legs to give it up to your right or left, search the hedgerow according to whether you are pointing with your left or right arms.
Lead training ... many different schools of thought, ranging from abrupt changes of direction to sharp tugs on the slip lead, taps on the nose from a swinging spare lead or cane. Most success seems to come from simply stopping in your tracks & making the dog sit before you take another pace, even returning to the car/house if he does not desist. While it means that for the first week or two the walks could be tediously brief (5 minutes), they soon learn. I like the approach of Jan Fennell, the "Dog Listener", rather than the gleaming American chap, let alone the black-leather clad woman of teenage boys' dreams.
We do very little on the lead, & usually walk the dogs off the lead. We tell them to walk to heel & try to anticipate when distraction looms by growling at them to "heel", with a firm "no" if they appear inclined to run. It helps if one has a lead in one's hand to suddenly loop over the dog's head if they start to go. Alternatively use a long lead (not a retractable one) and if he starts to go, give it a very sharp tug & "NO!! HEEL!!".
Sorry Rosa, bit of an essay ... you /will/ get there, I promise, it will just take a while. Do please report back over coming months. -
Message 35
Posted by al-in-a-field (U3325483) on Monday, 7th February 2011
echoing that 1 year old is not much more than a pup, or even worse, just entering the "teenage" personality.
have had several dogs, and was a bit concerned when G was about a year old as he was a right handful (sweet natured, non-aggressive, good recall etc - but very bouncy, "naughty" and full of beans and beans and beans and ooh, look there's something and there is a a a a a a thing!)
and when he was 18 months, much better (still bouncy!).
You don't have to indulge it, but understand it. Makes one less frustrated and of course as YOU are the intelligent one, if there is an argument, you need to change your approach. You will rule- by being more interesting.
good ideas from MG of course, as expected.
And, would suggest gettting him neutered.
unless you definitely want to breed from him, and are pretty sure you can find 8-12 good homes for the pups...
Al... -
Message 36
Posted by Mustafa Grumble (U8596785) on Monday, 7th February 2011
I would usually argue against castration / spaying when a dog is on its own in a family, or not living in a mixed-sex pack. Unless a dog is highly sexually charged (& Milo is yet too young to judge), behavioural issues are down to the owner, not the presence of a pair of plums. If he shows an inclination to tear down a solid oak door to get to an in-season bitch, then maybe the knife is needed, but otherwise it's all in the training.
With a bitch it is slightly different, however I see too many bitches spayed before their first season & subsequently going "straight to fat" (although it does not happen in all, even in a majority, of spayings), or being spayed just because people cannot be bothered to wash the floor / clean the bedding. I have yet to see any bitch of my acquaintance suffer the longer term generalised health risks of not being spayed, and the attraction to the vet of recommending a £250-£500+ operation merely feeds my cynicism.
Mine was spayed because I had a young dog that I may wish to breed from, and I knew I did not want to breed from the bitch. She is a lesser working dog for having had the op.
However, before the operation I was of the view that her being in season was *my* responsibility: I walked her on a lead, and never let her out of my sight & control when out of the house. It takes two to tango.
Oh - with regard to Milo: if he has a good pedigree & is being put to an equally good WSS bitch, there will never be problems finding good, loving & even working homes for the pups: WSS are a rare breed, in high demand (or were only a few years ago) and fetch very good money. Easy to find ESS pups, much less so WSS. I would hold off neutering for a couple of years yet. -
Message 37
Posted by RosaGallica (U3612905) on Tuesday, 8th February 2011
Many thanks Mustafa and al, and shy of course.
Dummy training sounds great, I can see us both enjoying that. I shall start that as soon as possible. Several people had mentioned gun dog training to us, but then said that all the gundog trainers they knew of were often harsher with a dog than ideal. Our vet said she met quite a lot of uptight gundogs. The do-it-yourself version sounds good though. In fact I'll start today by taking one of his throw toys with us to the forest.
The two hours a day isn't unremitting walking, I like to stand and stare, or sit and stare and Milo sits by me when I do. We have tried to be very careful with his joints, lots of good advice from his breeder.
Lead training - we tried a halti last week. again, he can walk beautifully, until another dog hoves into view. Then apparently it is his best ever friend and he wants to go NOW! The halti worked ok, he just spent lots of time trying to remove it, once actually getting the nose band over his ears. Looked amusing but a hell of a job feeding his ears back through again. Then while walking beside us, he actually managed to get it into his mouth and chew through it. We didn't leave him alone with it on not sure how he managed all this. He has a lot of determination and BOUNCE.
He hasn't yet tried singing in a massed choir, but being so sociable I'm sure he'd love it. He did a great job or rounding up an escaped chicken for me last week, herding it up to me so I could grab it. Saved me lots of work and although he was clearly very excited by this event, he never showed an ounce of aggression to the hen. Still wouldn't count on any dog's instinct not kicking in when faced by a squawking, running bird.
Thanks again for all the advice, I feel quite excited by all this. Mustafa, you are right, I do feel blessed to share my life with this merry optimist. Also the odd workings of the one or two brain cells provide the family with much amusement. -
Message 38
Posted by Mustafa Grumble (U8596785) on Tuesday, 8th February 2011
Morning, Rosa
re gundog training / trainers - yes, one can meet (overly) strict trainers, and up-tight dogs, but equally one can meet very relaxed trainers, and totally chilled dogs.
Our view is that our (working) springers are companions & pets for 12 months of the year, and working dogs for 3-4 months of the year. They live in the house, sleep at a distant end of the kitchen, and come everywhere with us. One of my vets commented the other day that if we did choose to take on a fourth dog, a new ESS pup, it would have a lovely & fulfilling life - so not all of us working dog people are monsters!
I know & have read of many top trainers who quite happily have their dogs living in the house, and that does not stop the dogs winning trials & championships. And I know of many trainers who swear that working dogs should only live outside, in a kennel - and that works, too.
Some trainers are much harsher than I personally feel is necessary, and most of my shooting friends are very gentle with their dogs; one friend & successful trainer is quite a stickler for the dog getting things right, but she is very forgiving of her dogs unless they are behaving very, very badly.
Finally, gundog training does not necessarily mean that you will take Milo anywhere near a gun, a shoot, or even live game - it's just the discipline & fun of the training & exercise that matters.
Thinking about the lead training, the person you ought to 'speak' to is Strawbs - she's amazing. Have a look back through previous months of the Dog Club until you get to some of her longer advice pieces - it will be worth the effort. -
Message 39
Posted by dondy (U3463640) on Tuesday, 8th February 2011
let alone the black-leather clad woman of teenage boys' dreams. Ìý
If you mean Victoria Stilwell, Mustafa, I think sh'es modified her approach over the years.
We have been watching her USA programmes on Sky 3 recently, and found some really good non-confrontational techniques which we have used to teach Lily (9 month old Westie) some new commands. We've had really good success with it.
Then last week Sky went back to showing the UK shows from 2005. The whole flavour of the programme was much more confrontational and I was really disappointed.
Agree the leather outfit is a bit dodgy - maybe why OH is always keen to watch ?!?
dondy -
Message 40
Posted by RosaGallica (U3612905) on Tuesday, 8th February 2011
Mustafa - I realised a while after I posted that I probably gave the impression that I thought all gundog trainers are overly harsh. Not at all. One of my uncles (now gone to the fields in the sky) trained gundogs and his dogs were all well treated and happy. I think the people I spoke to were talking about one particular establishment which seems to have a rep for being too tough on the dogs.
I realise I don't need to get a twelve bore if I'm going to use gun dog training for Milo, although he very good at flushing pheasants. He usually races out of the undergrowth as the pheasant clatters away overhead and looks at me as if to say 'Aren't you supposed to do something now?'. We could dine like kings if I had a shotgun, could hit the bird and the Forestry Commission didn't mind.
I am looking forward to following your advice, I'll keep you posted on how we get on. -
Message 41
Posted by The Doozra (U14313011) on Tuesday, 8th February 2011
Hello everyone. Any room for a newbie?
Credentials as follows:
7 month black lab puppy called Alfie. He's a Hearing Dog puppy. OH and I are socialising him prior to his move into advanced training in September.
We have had dogs before (Irish terrier and Border terrier) but Alfie's our first trainee assistance dog.
He came to us with a few "issues", having been placed with a family at about twelve weeks old. Seems that he decided to take over and dominate humans and canines alike. We have had him for the last 3 months and with the help of our area supervisor and some hard work we now have a well-behaved, delightful dog.
If that sounds smug, I promise you we're not! There's plenty of scope for the wheels to come off. But at least we know what he can be like when the inevitable changes in behaviour come along.
Must go now. Meeting up with Inca, another black lab, for fun in the woods.
TD -
Message 42
Posted by Marmalade Drizzle (U2239190) on Tuesday, 8th February 2011
All welcome here Doozra!
A hearing dog puppy. Cute! What are you going to be like when you have to give him up though......
We looked into puppy walking for the guide dogs but after careful consideration and talking to puppy walkers we decided not to go for it at this time in our lives bacause of the work involved* so well done you for making that committment - especially with a dog with issues.
But talking of dogs with issues - it appears we have cracked the last few of Drizzle Dogs. Recall worked brillinatly this morning and one she worked out that I had cheese she returned to me quickly most time. i then had to leave her in the house for the longest time yet and instead of shutting her in a very small room let her have free run of the downstairs.
No signs of any distruction or distress - even the cat food on a side table had remained untouched - although the toys I left for her to find in her day bed in the lounge had had a good seeing to!
I might have a proper dog now! I'm so happy - all that work is finally paying off! Yay!
marms
*although if you had told me then what we would subsequently go through with Drizzle Dog I wouldhave taken on four! -
Message 43
Posted by Bubbly (U14667393) on Tuesday, 8th February 2011
Hello all you dog lovers,
I ventured over here a few months ago as I was considering adopting a Patterdale Terrier from a rescue centre. In the end we fell in love with a 3yr old Jack Russell cross who has settled in very well. He is a very loving and gentle little chap but appears to have a problem with other dogs. The rescue centre said his previous owners had an older dog and the two dogs got on very well until Levi (our dog) got to about a year old. The two dogs then became very agressive to each other and after persevering for another 18 months they finally admitted defeat and placed Levi in the rescue centre.
Levi does not seem to want to play with other dogs at all, he will bark and lunge at any dog that comes near us, to begin with I wondered if it was because he was on the lead but even with dogs in our extended family he is becoming more agressive without any sort of provocation at all. So far the only time he did play was with a westie but the rest of the time he seems to appear to want to attack any dog regardless of their size or their non-interest in him.
We did spend time with two Jack Russell bitches over Xmas and they quickly put him in his place and although he wouldn't play with them he didn't show any agression towards them once they had shown him they were on home ground.
He was castrated shortly before we brought him home but is it too soon for this to be working or is testosterone still present in his system?
Any advice would be welcome, I can walk him in lots of places where I caan see other dogs coming but I would like a sociable dog as opposed to a sociapathic one!
SLD -
Message 44
Posted by The Doozra (U14313011) on Tuesday, 8th February 2011
Thanks for the welcome, MD, and congrats with the Drizzle Dog.
Yes, its going to hard to give him up later this year as we already love him to bits. However, we are like foster carers - we don't choose the dog we get and our job (and reward) is to get him into the best shape to succeed. All rather worthy, but tremendous fun. After all, we get a super dog to treat as our own but with no food, vet's or kennel bills.
I talk the talk but will be a sobbing heap in September.
TD -
Message 45
Posted by Sad Border Collie (U2036041) on Wednesday, 9th February 2011
Hello fellow doggie lovers
Sorry to bring this up at teat-time but - anal glands.
My border collie has had to have them squeezed by the vet 4 times now - once they became infected. I know it is something that you can in theory do yourself but I wandered how many people actually do?
My girl is 18 months old and unusually friendly and extrovert but even her eyes start to water in anticipation when she sees the vet now - although she is still very friendly with him afterwards.
So I also wonder if alone I could hold her still enough and if I want to be the one to inflict what is clearly quite painful for her - let alone the smell.
Vet says she will probably always have this. Her diet is about 3/4 biscuits from Prins (a Dutch company) and sometimes dog tripe and 5% my leftovers.
It's about 25 euros a tine - with a flask of spray anticeptic otherwise 10 for the squueze only. That's OK but obviously I'd rather not have to pay it if there was a good alternative. So, any diy'ers out there? any advice?
Thanks all,
QBC -
Message 46
Posted by Lilo (U12007400) on Wednesday, 9th February 2011
SLD
Well, it's such a shame that your choice hasn't worked out so well, considering all of us going on about Pattesons. Hm. I think he might need a good training class to teach him sociability. That would make all of you happier. It's what I'd do anyway.
The testosterone remains in the dog for a year or more, according to my vet. It was a good start having them off!
Collie
eeew! Not something I'd even attempt. Could her diet be contributing to this problem I wonder. I suppose your vet has already thought of this. I've only ever had my male dogs done in the past, and then very infrequently. -
Message 47
Posted by Lilo (U12007400) on Wednesday, 9th February 2011
Patterdales
Patterdales!
Collie
I mean they only needed doing infrequently, not that I didn't bother. I expect you knew that. Hm. -
Message 48
Posted by Mustafa Grumble (U8596785) on Wednesday, 9th February 2011
Hi QBC
While it is not something I have ever had to contemplate with any of our dogs at any time (phew!), I seem to recall there are several full-time and occasional members of the Dog Club who do the foul deed themselves. To their dogs that is, not to their own bottoms ...
I think our erstwhile Scottish Cloggie, Campbell, does so - she may pop her head in to confirm or deny, however as she seems not to have posted for a while it is possible that she is on holiday.
Meanwhile at E25 a 'pop' I would urge you to grab the nettle by the glands and do the job yourself, if you can block your nose! -
Message 49
Posted by Sad Border Collie (U2036041) on Thursday, 10th February 2011
Thanks.
I think I'm going to have to have a go at it eventually - feels like quite a big step to take though!
I remember a FAST Show scene where Skippy, for some reason I have forgotten, used to turn his head around and say:
"Don't touch my bottom. You are always touching my bottom."
Somehow it keeps popping into my mind that BC will do that!
QBC -
Message 50
Posted by Sad Border Collie (U2036041) on Thursday, 10th February 2011
... or maybe it's a BC thing?
My last but one BC needed it done occasionally too.
This girl is a little bit more dramatic in everything she does!
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