General Dog Chat
Discussion
We just adopted a five year old male German shepherd/collie cross (long story, but bereavement lead to 21 year old student trying to look after a great dane, Merlin, a staffy and six cats...).
Our three cats really aren't happy at the moment - pet remedy plug in, and baby gates are giving them plenty of safe spaces.
Trainer coming tomorrow for a home visit. Ruffwear harness ordered, along with some trial sized packs of millies wolfheart.
Loving it at the moment, but can't wait for the cats to chill out and realise he doesn't give a stuff about them!
Our three cats really aren't happy at the moment - pet remedy plug in, and baby gates are giving them plenty of safe spaces.
Trainer coming tomorrow for a home visit. Ruffwear harness ordered, along with some trial sized packs of millies wolfheart.
Loving it at the moment, but can't wait for the cats to chill out and realise he doesn't give a stuff about them!
Sway said:
We just adopted a five year old male German shepherd/collie cross (long story, but bereavement lead to 21 year old student trying to look after a great dane, Merlin, a staffy and six cats...).
Our three cats really aren't happy at the moment - pet remedy plug in, and baby gates are giving them plenty of safe spaces.
Trainer coming tomorrow for a home visit. Ruffwear harness ordered, along with some trial sized packs of millies wolfheart.
Loving it at the moment, but can't wait for the cats to chill out and realise he doesn't give a stuff about them!
Got your hands full!!Our three cats really aren't happy at the moment - pet remedy plug in, and baby gates are giving them plenty of safe spaces.
Trainer coming tomorrow for a home visit. Ruffwear harness ordered, along with some trial sized packs of millies wolfheart.
Loving it at the moment, but can't wait for the cats to chill out and realise he doesn't give a stuff about them!
Sway said:
We just adopted a five year old male German shepherd/collie cross (long story, but bereavement lead to 21 year old student trying to look after a great dane, Merlin, a staffy and six cats...).
Our three cats really aren't happy at the moment - pet remedy plug in, and baby gates are giving them plenty of safe spaces.
Trainer coming tomorrow for a home visit. Ruffwear harness ordered, along with some trial sized packs of millies wolfheart.
Loving it at the moment, but can't wait for the cats to chill out and realise he doesn't give a stuff about them!
Do the one on one home visits help significantly? Our three cats really aren't happy at the moment - pet remedy plug in, and baby gates are giving them plenty of safe spaces.
Trainer coming tomorrow for a home visit. Ruffwear harness ordered, along with some trial sized packs of millies wolfheart.
Loving it at the moment, but can't wait for the cats to chill out and realise he doesn't give a stuff about them!
joshcowin said:
Sway said:
We just adopted a five year old male German shepherd/collie cross (long story, but bereavement lead to 21 year old student trying to look after a great dane, Merlin, a staffy and six cats...).
Our three cats really aren't happy at the moment - pet remedy plug in, and baby gates are giving them plenty of safe spaces.
Trainer coming tomorrow for a home visit. Ruffwear harness ordered, along with some trial sized packs of millies wolfheart.
Loving it at the moment, but can't wait for the cats to chill out and realise he doesn't give a stuff about them!
Do the one on one home visits help significantly? Our three cats really aren't happy at the moment - pet remedy plug in, and baby gates are giving them plenty of safe spaces.
Trainer coming tomorrow for a home visit. Ruffwear harness ordered, along with some trial sized packs of millies wolfheart.
Loving it at the moment, but can't wait for the cats to chill out and realise he doesn't give a stuff about them!
So we've had Merlin since Monday. He's actually really quite chilled out. No appetite or toilet for 24 hours, now he's pretty much fine. Seems he hated the s
te bulk kibble he was on as a quarter portion of millies disappeared instantly... There's some over excitement towards the cats - no aggression, all friendliness. They're getting braver, but are staying the other side of the gate! Also some pulling on lead - nothing major, but there. A little separation anxiety too.
She was brilliant. Spent some time just talking about us and Merlin, the household, etc. Watching him and us just interacting in the living room.
Then an hour spent working with us on 'focus' using tiny bits of cheese and a clicker. Her demonstrating and us practicing.
Amazing. Really opened our eyes not only to the technique but also how intelligent and eager to please he is.
I'd say well worth it. We're going to do an hour 1 to 1 at her dog playpark, then join her beginners (all ages) course in a fortnight.
Need to buy another clicker so we've both got one, and we're going to essentially feed him through training (using the millies) for the next couple of days - then really work on introducing the cats properly knowing we can attract and retain his attention so they feel less pressured.
Edited to add pic...
My 4yo cross seems to have forgotten all her tricks and commands learnt as a puppy, in the last year, but she is still inclined to be well behaved enough. Just doesn't do anything we say, anymore.
So I keep meaning to do some more training but can't really be arsed.
Was looking at training treat pouches. Maybe having one clipped on for walks would shake things up?
So I keep meaning to do some more training but can't really be arsed.
Was looking at training treat pouches. Maybe having one clipped on for walks would shake things up?
Sway said:
She's just been and gone - booked for an hour but stayed for nearly three chatting.
So we've had Merlin since Monday. He's actually really quite chilled out. No appetite or toilet for 24 hours, now he's pretty much fine. Seems he hated the ste bulk kibble he was on as a quarter portion of millies disappeared instantly...
There's some over excitement towards the cats - no aggression, all friendliness. They're getting braver, but are staying the other side of the gate! Also some pulling on lead - nothing major, but there. A little separation anxiety too.
She was brilliant. Spent some time just talking about us and Merlin, the household, etc. Watching him and us just interacting in the living room.
Then an hour spent working with us on 'focus' using tiny bits of cheese and a clicker. Her demonstrating and us practicing.
Amazing. Really opened our eyes not only to the technique but also how intelligent and eager to please he is.
I'd say well worth it. We're going to do an hour 1 to 1 at her dog playpark, then join her beginners (all ages) course in a fortnight.
Need to buy another clicker so we've both got one, and we're going to essentially feed him through training (using the millies) for the next couple of days - then really work on introducing the cats properly knowing we can attract and retain his attention so they feel less pressured.
Edited to add pic...
Was going to say, GSD/collie is a really nice mix for intelligence/trainability. Lovely looking dog too. So we've had Merlin since Monday. He's actually really quite chilled out. No appetite or toilet for 24 hours, now he's pretty much fine. Seems he hated the s
te bulk kibble he was on as a quarter portion of millies disappeared instantly... There's some over excitement towards the cats - no aggression, all friendliness. They're getting braver, but are staying the other side of the gate! Also some pulling on lead - nothing major, but there. A little separation anxiety too.
She was brilliant. Spent some time just talking about us and Merlin, the household, etc. Watching him and us just interacting in the living room.
Then an hour spent working with us on 'focus' using tiny bits of cheese and a clicker. Her demonstrating and us practicing.
Amazing. Really opened our eyes not only to the technique but also how intelligent and eager to please he is.
I'd say well worth it. We're going to do an hour 1 to 1 at her dog playpark, then join her beginners (all ages) course in a fortnight.
Need to buy another clicker so we've both got one, and we're going to essentially feed him through training (using the millies) for the next couple of days - then really work on introducing the cats properly knowing we can attract and retain his attention so they feel less pressured.
Edited to add pic...
Cheers - he certainly showed that today. Along with a little stubbornness!
He is stunning - although currently overweight, and full of dead hair and mats all through his hind quarters and belly. More exercise and better diet should sort the first, and a groom on Monday hopefully the second.
A great personality though, and fits really well into the family. Much easier than a puppy!
He is stunning - although currently overweight, and full of dead hair and mats all through his hind quarters and belly. More exercise and better diet should sort the first, and a groom on Monday hopefully the second.
A great personality though, and fits really well into the family. Much easier than a puppy!
Now got our labradoodle pup home ,she appears to have settled in ,except needing to have reassuring contact ,likelihood due to missing litter mates.
This manifested itself last night when we bedded her down in a bed cage in a cosy room off the lounge , there then ensued the most pitiful and heart rending whining and screaming you have ever heard.
A bit of googling and the bed and cage was moved to our room a bit better .but still up and down all night.
The brings back memories of our first child
This manifested itself last night when we bedded her down in a bed cage in a cosy room off the lounge , there then ensued the most pitiful and heart rending whining and screaming you have ever heard.
A bit of googling and the bed and cage was moved to our room a bit better .but still up and down all night.
The brings back memories of our first child
Edited by MXRod on Sunday 28th April 11:21
MXRod said:
Now got our labradoodle pup home ,she appears to have settled in ,except needing to have reassuring contact ,likelihood due to missing litter mates.
This manifested itself last night when we bedded her down in a bed cage in a cosy room off the lounge , there then ensued the most pitiful and heart rending whining and screaming you have ever heard.
A bit of googling and the bed and cage was moved to our room a bit better .but still up and down all night.
The brings back memories of our first child
I saw the pics on the picture thread! looks like a great dog!This manifested itself last night when we bedded her down in a bed cage in a cosy room off the lounge , there then ensued the most pitiful and heart rending whining and screaming you have ever heard.
A bit of googling and the bed and cage was moved to our room a bit better .but still up and down all night.
The brings back memories of our first child
Edited by MXRod on Sunday 28th April 11:21
Hope the nights get quieter/calmer!
The problem is that there are so many different opinions as to the best way to settle a pup in. Blame Google !!
Keep it in a box/cage in your bed room , don’t etc
Get up every 2 hrs and put it out on the designated area to allow it to relieve its self , and shush it when it whines . thereby everyone is awake with lights on and general noise of clearing up wee etc from the cage floor .
Or from my Daughters friend , who happens to have been a dog behaviourist.
Put it in an enclosure in a draught free room , shut the door and ignore the pitiful cries ,HARD , then up every 2 or 3hrs to put it out .
We did the latter , and of course she cried , whined , but the noise was muted by closed doors , so apart from sharing the getting up , me first at about 1230/0100 , and OH at about 0330 ,then generally at around 0615 ,we had a better nights sleep .And no mess in cage
The dog is now catching up on its missed sleep , sometimes inside its bed sometimes out as seen on the photo thread , as I type this , she has had a midday meal and is now sleeping soundly on my feet.
Keep it in a box/cage in your bed room , don’t etc
Get up every 2 hrs and put it out on the designated area to allow it to relieve its self , and shush it when it whines . thereby everyone is awake with lights on and general noise of clearing up wee etc from the cage floor .
Or from my Daughters friend , who happens to have been a dog behaviourist.
Put it in an enclosure in a draught free room , shut the door and ignore the pitiful cries ,HARD , then up every 2 or 3hrs to put it out .
We did the latter , and of course she cried , whined , but the noise was muted by closed doors , so apart from sharing the getting up , me first at about 1230/0100 , and OH at about 0330 ,then generally at around 0615 ,we had a better nights sleep .And no mess in cage
The dog is now catching up on its missed sleep , sometimes inside its bed sometimes out as seen on the photo thread , as I type this , she has had a midday meal and is now sleeping soundly on my feet.
MXRod said:
The problem is that there are so many different opinions as to the best way to settle a pup in. Blame Google !!
Keep it in a box/cage in your bed room , don’t etc
Get up every 2 hrs and put it out on the designated area to allow it to relieve its self , and shush it when it whines . thereby everyone is awake with lights on and general noise of clearing up wee etc from the cage floor .
Or from my Daughters friend , who happens to have been a dog behaviourist.
Put it in an enclosure in a draught free room , shut the door and ignore the pitiful cries ,HARD , then up every 2 or 3hrs to put it out .
We did the latter , and of course she cried , whined , but the noise was muted by closed doors , so apart from sharing the getting up , me first at about 1230/0100 , and OH at about 0330 ,then generally at around 0615 ,we had a better nights sleep .And no mess in cage
The dog is now catching up on its missed sleep , sometimes inside its bed sometimes out as seen on the photo thread , as I type this , she has had a midday meal and is now sleeping soundly on my feet.
Like you say everyone does something differently! I think if you pick a tried and tested method and stick with it you will be OK! I think consistency is the key. Keep it in a box/cage in your bed room , don’t etc
Get up every 2 hrs and put it out on the designated area to allow it to relieve its self , and shush it when it whines . thereby everyone is awake with lights on and general noise of clearing up wee etc from the cage floor .
Or from my Daughters friend , who happens to have been a dog behaviourist.
Put it in an enclosure in a draught free room , shut the door and ignore the pitiful cries ,HARD , then up every 2 or 3hrs to put it out .
We did the latter , and of course she cried , whined , but the noise was muted by closed doors , so apart from sharing the getting up , me first at about 1230/0100 , and OH at about 0330 ,then generally at around 0615 ,we had a better nights sleep .And no mess in cage
The dog is now catching up on its missed sleep , sometimes inside its bed sometimes out as seen on the photo thread , as I type this , she has had a midday meal and is now sleeping soundly on my feet.
LordGrover said:
Excellent timing. 
Planning to adopt/rescue a dog next month so keen to pick up any hints and tips. Haven't owned a dog since my early twenties so I have a lot to (re)learn. Back then choke chains and rubbing noses in it were the norm - we've moved on from there, thankfully.
Might be an idea to decide on breed, and contact a breed rescue for information on the breed, and register with them. My last two ( had to have last one PTS) were rescue Cairns, from Cairn Rescue, and I got a full idea of what I was getting. Breed rescue know th breed and can hlp you with temperament. Planning to adopt/rescue a dog next month so keen to pick up any hints and tips. Haven't owned a dog since my early twenties so I have a lot to (re)learn. Back then choke chains and rubbing noses in it were the norm - we've moved on from there, thankfully.
joshcowin said:
Any tips on mixing with other dogs?
Ringo has had little exposure to other dogs and gets over excited around them, which then puts them on edge and can sometimes get a bit tetchy! I think he intimidates them tbh. I am keeping him on lead most of the time at the moment due to this!
Could you find a local dog training class? Ringo has had little exposure to other dogs and gets over excited around them, which then puts them on edge and can sometimes get a bit tetchy! I think he intimidates them tbh. I am keeping him on lead most of the time at the moment due to this!
When I got my first lurcher, who was elderly and hadn't had much exposure to other dogs, I found a good local trainer who was happy for me to go to her puppy/basic training class primarily for socialisation (although we participated in the activities too).
Otherwise, it would really be a case of finding someone locally who has a calm, well behaved dog who you could socialise Ringo with. Ideally, a dog who will pretty much ignore him. Parallel walking is supposed to be good for teaching calm behaviour, gradually getting closer and moving away if the dog gets over excited.
moorx said:
joshcowin said:
Any tips on mixing with other dogs?
Ringo has had little exposure to other dogs and gets over excited around them, which then puts them on edge and can sometimes get a bit tetchy! I think he intimidates them tbh. I am keeping him on lead most of the time at the moment due to this!
Could you find a local dog training class? Ringo has had little exposure to other dogs and gets over excited around them, which then puts them on edge and can sometimes get a bit tetchy! I think he intimidates them tbh. I am keeping him on lead most of the time at the moment due to this!
When I got my first lurcher, who was elderly and hadn't had much exposure to other dogs, I found a good local trainer who was happy for me to go to her puppy/basic training class primarily for socialisation (although we participated in the activities too).
Otherwise, it would really be a case of finding someone locally who has a calm, well behaved dog who you could socialise Ringo with. Ideally, a dog who will pretty much ignore him. Parallel walking is supposed to be good for teaching calm behaviour, gradually getting closer and moving away if the dog gets over excited.
Merlin clearly misses the other two dogs he lived with - very excited to see new mates. However, he is five and very chilled, so does well in social etiquette (it seems, based on the other dog reactions to him).
We've now had three 1:1 sessions with trainer, just to get him settled and really more to help with our three cats (who are surprising us at which is the bravest!).
He starts a "beginners" 7 week training course on Friday.
If necessary, the trainer has "stooge" dogs - differing sizes, but all very chilled, and importantly properly socialised so they are comfortable "telling" other dogs in ways they understand if they don't like what the other dog is doing. She arranges sessions at her paddock specifically to work on overexcitement or fear/aggression towards other dogs.
Shameless pic:
Thanks for the replies!! And a great photo above!
The problem is he is chilled with other dogs in certain situations, our next door neighbour has a small dog that really goes at him, he just ignores it, even if he is in out garden. We sometimes walk with a mates dog, says hello and then isn't fussed. Even the first time they met!
However meet another dog on a walk and who knows what will happen, usually Ringo is sniffing and just being a total pain that the other dog gets naffed off and then a ruckus ensues!
The problem is he is chilled with other dogs in certain situations, our next door neighbour has a small dog that really goes at him, he just ignores it, even if he is in out garden. We sometimes walk with a mates dog, says hello and then isn't fussed. Even the first time they met!
However meet another dog on a walk and who knows what will happen, usually Ringo is sniffing and just being a total pain that the other dog gets naffed off and then a ruckus ensues!
Many moons ago, I found if walking your dog and you approach an unknown simply put your dog back on the lead and just chat to your dog so they have your complete attention as the unknown goes past. If you find the other dog off the lead and being persistent just stop and wait for the other owner to call there dog away or the other dog to get bored and go hassle someone else.
Also remembering walking through groups of street corner peeps and telling my Weimar very quietly as we got close to leave, leave leave good girl! Lol. She was a fab friend
the kids always kept there distance
Also remembering walking through groups of street corner peeps and telling my Weimar very quietly as we got close to leave, leave leave good girl! Lol. She was a fab friend
the kids always kept there distance Handy tip: If you get a dog and take them for a walk before work or before going out to somewhere nice for dinner always ALWAYS remember to check your pockets after the walk, the last thing you want to do if asked if you have a tissue or handkerchief is to pull an (unused) dog poo bag out of your pocket.
FourWheelDrift said:
Handy tip: If you get a dog and take them for a walk before work or before going out to somewhere nice for dinner always ALWAYS remember to check your pockets after the walk, the last thing you want to do if asked if you have a tissue or handkerchief is to pull an (unused) dog poo bag out of your pocket.
It's when you pull out a poo bag with an actual poo in it from the last time you wore that jacket on a dog walk which was a few days ago!!Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff