Welcome to Dog Chat

[Adrienne Farricelli]

This is the place to swing by and talk about anything dog other than behavior and training. If you are new to the forum, you can introduce yourself here and talk about what brings you to the wonderful world of canines. What breed is your dog, how old is he? Post even a picture if you wish. Share your experiences and discuss with other passionate dog owners as you.

[AmandaStogsdill]

Hello, and thank you for all the information available on this site. I need all the help I can get. I have never had a dog before. Last year I bought my first house and then felt like it was the right time to get a pet. I now have a 8 month old cockapoo, Hershey, and a 12 week old cavapoo, Honey. They are the loves of my life! I don't know what I did without them. Since i have no experience in training dogs, i have been taking Hershey to puppy classes at my local Petco. He is doing really well. After getting Honey, I purchased your Brain training 4 dogs program. Between that and what I have learned during puppy classes, I hope to be able to train them both on my own from now on. I am excited to see how quickly they can learn new things.

[Adrienne Farricelli]

Hi there!

Welcome to the forum

Sounds like you have two great pups! Lots of potential in those smart brains. Keep up the great work, you are on a roll.

Best,

Adrienne

[JMFS]

Abbi the 10-yr old Dachshund with Monkey the 10-yr old Cat

Abbi background: Puppy mill adoptee. Health issues aplenty as a result. Sweet temperament, ideal lap dog, sleeps more than a cat, husband's dog before we got married - utter lack of any training except for sit

Issues: Separation anxiety, poops in the house when we're gone, screams her head off when we return, reluctant eater, cat killer (if she were bigger) Monkey is the only cat she doesn't go nuts over and that's because he's bigger than her and lets her do what she wants - he's

Smarticles: ummmm, she's sweet once she gets to know you? She doesn't stray, phew, thought of one!

 

Monkey background: Neighbor's cat had kittens, Monks was hanging on a suitcase by one "arm" and looked like a Monkey - I took him home after he weaned

Issues: Hisses at strangers, drools, sucks paw (I think the neighbor weaned them a bit early)

Smarticles: Sit. He's a cat, I think sit is impressive enough!

 

Hurdy Gurdy Gertrude ~ 9-mo old (50% Golden Retriever | 25% Boxer | 25% American Staffordshire Terrier) so the Golden American Boxer? Gomeroxer? Boxitriever? Piboxiever? Let's go with "Gertie" or "Gertrude" or when she's in trouble, "Gertrude Ann"

Background: Adopted from Humane Society May of 2018

Issues: Thief of food, undies, socks, and shoes, boundaries (she was a stray and doesn't understand yet some things are off limits), rolls in poo and dead things, eats cat droppings, severe separation anxiety, destructive, clingy (adorable, but pairs with separation anxiety), chases but then plops down and happily mouths the ball - when fetching while swimming there's more success due to limited exits though that doesn't stop her from attempting to sneak through the dog door with her prize

Smarticles: Swims, sit, recall is pretty darn impressive for a puppy, roll over, quickly overcomes fears

 

Momo the 8-yr old 50% German Spitz | 25% Husky | 25% Cocker Spaniel mix aka Total Spazoid Smart, but über hyper - I have never fully tired him out. Only another dog can and he usually tires a couple out before he himself gives up the ghost. Even at the age of 8 he doesn't stop. I would Love to do lure coursing with him - I think he'd excel at it - his speed and agility are impressive, especially the agility with having no tail

Background: Adopted from Austin Pets Alive at 4 months of age

Issues: Hyperactivity, resource guarding, occasionally recall stinks, eats cat droppings

Smarticles: plays dead, fetches, swims, can hold his breath underwater long enough to dig up a rock bigger than his head, sit, stay, leave it (usually), high five, shake, other paw shake, shake (during bathing he's not allowed to shake off and 90% of the time waits for the shake command - somehow he's able to differentiate between paw shake and water shake)

 

That's my crew. Most days I pull my hair out and utter numerous expletives, some days I'm in heaven. I'm fortunate to work from home so the two girls don't wig out with separation anxiety too often. Gertie and Momo love playing with each other and that's another good thing because I have an arthritic back that prevents me from doing walks some days. They have to be monitored until Momo learns restraint - he's a rough tough outdoor dog and he's no gentleman. That's my fault - I used to wrestle and rough house with him when I was in better health and was rather hyper myself so now I'm having to reverse train to temper him.

 

I feel as though if I were to listen to every dog trainer I shouldn't even have a dog, much less three. Some say we should socialize them, it's important to take them to the dog park. Another says the dog park is a breeding ground for bad habits. Still others say your dog should be 100% focused on you and ignoring other dogs. That's one example of conflicting information / opinions. I chose to give Brain Training a try because it seems to work towards a partnership with the dog, but at the same time there's an understanding that the dog owner should be the one calling the shots. I think Cesar Millan's insights to a dog's way of thinking are impressive and I believe he's right about the pack leader thing; however, I feel his approach is a bit intense and unyielding. With Momo I think Cesar Millan's training would work well, but with Gertie I think it would be too domineering, and poor Abbi would keel over from fright.

 

My ideal: a calm dog I can have with me wherever I go. I visit construction sites often and I would love to have Gertie and Momo with me; however, right now I think only Gertie has potential - Momo is just not calm, lol. I figured out if I thread Gertie's leash through Momo's collar she helps me keep him in line - he can't get ahead of us. I believe once we get Gertie over the separation anxiety hump she would make an excellent therapy dog and I live in Florida where there are nursing homes aplenty for her to bring therapeutic joy to. She's already been to Lowe's and Petsmart and did quite well with keeping to herself on a loose leash, minus the food and toy aisles. Momo on the other hand sniffs everyone and everything while pulling on the leash and needing much correction.

Edited July 1, 2018 by JenniferM.

[Adrienne Farricelli]

Jennifer, what a lovely crew you have there! Bless your heart for adopting these dogs and providing them with a loving and nurturing home. They are very lucky to have a committed owner like you. I am sure your dogs appreciate the fact you work from home, especially your SA dogs.

[AngieMansfield]

Hi! Some lovely dogs being taught on this site. ;)

 

I'm Angie, and about 2 months ago, I lost my old dog to neurological issues. She was a sweetheart, but I fully admit I didn't train her properly - she was nearly 10 before I'd call her really "trained," and she passed at 15. I was devastated at losing her, and really didn't expect to get another dog for at least a few months. But then, Ava was listed by her owner on a local swap site:

 

 

The poor girl was beside herself - her mother had kicked her out, and the only apartment she could find to rent wouldn't let her keep the dog. She was facing the choice of taking Ava to the shelter, or being evicted the next day after the posting. I'm a sucker for a sad story, and who can resist that face anyway?? So I have a new 6-month-old puppy much sooner than I was expecting.

 

Ava came to me with almost no manners. She knew how to sit, lie down, and speak - but she would only do them when she felt like it. I've been clicker training her, and have made progress on those (as well as cutting down on her barking - she loves people and would bark incessantly to get them to play with her). But I really want a more structured program to follow - I feel like I'm flying blind. So that's what I'm hoping to get out of this program. I look forward to getting to know other students as we turn our dogs into geniuses. ;)

 

Edited to add: Ava is a mix between a border collie and a catahoula - though she doesn't have any of the spotting catahoulas are known for, so I'm not completely sure I was told the right mix. She definitely has the energy of a border collie - overwhelming at first!!

[JMFS]

Hi Angie!

 

We'll be going through the same trials and tribulations with our teenagers. :D I have to say, Ava definitely have an irresistible face!

[AngieMansfield]

Looking forward to it, Jennifer! And yeah - some days, she's lucky she's that cute, LOL!