Search found 10850 matches

by Nettle
Thu Feb 20, 2020 12:42 pm
Forum: Dog Training Advice
Topic: Anxious collie
Replies: 11
Views: 33283

Re: Anxious collie

You are a lovely supportive friend. Some things to consider that are observations NOT criticisms: There is no timescale on this. We all want problems to be solved by yesterday, and most of us think in terms of goals. But take the pressure off by confirming that there is no schedule, and everything h...
by Nettle
Wed Feb 19, 2020 4:04 am
Forum: Dog Training Advice
Topic: Anxious collie
Replies: 11
Views: 33283

Re: Anxious collie

You've given good advice so far, as has JudyN, but more information is needed. How old is the dog? Has he been neutered? This can really affect confidence, making nervy dogs more nervous, so if they plan to do this soon, please suggest they wait. You need to find out exactly what happened at the vet...
by Nettle
Fri Feb 14, 2020 4:02 am
Forum: Dog Training Advice
Topic: dog JUST STARTED being aggressive
Replies: 5
Views: 27904

Re: dog JUST STARTED being aggressive

Yes: the long long programme of desensitising will work in a majority of cases, which I should have clarified. :)

What I was trying to say was more that she might never like the trigger and so rather than aiming for dog-friendly, it's better to go for dog-neutral.
by Nettle
Thu Feb 13, 2020 5:11 am
Forum: Dog Training Advice
Topic: dog JUST STARTED being aggressive
Replies: 5
Views: 27904

Re: dog JUST STARTED being aggressive

At her age, think management rather than training. She may be in undiscovered pain and so need a wider space around her, or she may be slipping into senility. Hence the importance of a full vet check as JudyN has highlighted, bloods tested for organ function, teeth, ears, eyes, spine, joints, the lo...
by Nettle
Mon Jan 13, 2020 4:17 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Baby Miles - running hound
Replies: 2
Views: 5364

Re: Baby Miles - running hound

A great illustration of part 1 of the double-suspension gallop. :D What a wonderful thing it is to see a canine athlete in action.
by Nettle
Tue Jan 07, 2020 4:06 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: What are you and your dogs up to today? Part 2
Replies: 3365
Views: 2048667

Re: What are you and your dogs up to today? Part 2

What a tremendous experience, and what lucky pups and mamadog to have you in their corner. It's a huge learning experience, isn't it? I'm so pleased you had a good mentor, as it can be really daunting at times.

And - at last - your own puppy on its way! How exciting.

Thanks for sharing. :D
by Nettle
Mon Jan 06, 2020 4:11 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: What are you and your dogs up to today? Part 2
Replies: 3365
Views: 2048667

Re: What are you and your dogs up to today? Part 2

Well done for how far you have come with a far from easy dog. :D And ENJOY the good bits to the full. It's human nature to focus on negatives, because that is what safety in risk environments is all about, plus we have a culture of avoiding talking about success. You can share with us, though, becau...
by Nettle
Fri Jan 03, 2020 9:34 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Excellent lurcher article
Replies: 7
Views: 14201

Re: Excellent lurcher article

A great PhD subject that a lot of people hoping to be dog trainers/behaviourists would benefit from. Because breed type does make a huge difference to the way dogs interact with people, and therefore we need to factor this in for the best way to motivate said dogs to do what we want. People personal...
by Nettle
Fri Jan 03, 2020 4:47 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Excellent lurcher article
Replies: 7
Views: 14201

Re: Excellent lurcher article

:lol: maybe just a smidgen of collie then. You are right in that you couldn't describe a half or more collie as a relaxing dog to own. But then neither is Jas, and look at how well you manage him! It's different when they have a working life to occupy them, but even then, the one-eighth collie I own...
by Nettle
Wed Jan 01, 2020 4:22 am
Forum: Dog Training Advice
Topic: New kid on the block
Replies: 2
Views: 8004

Re: New kid on the block

You are doing everything right, and it has only been 3 weeks. Attention is a resource too. Bella has had you all to herself until 3 weeks ago and is probably sill hoping Berkeley will be going soon. How about you train in reverse order - Berkeley first, then Bella? With Bella having an awesome puzzl...
by Nettle
Tue Dec 31, 2019 3:44 am
Forum: Health, Diet and Exercise
Topic: Adopted an Overweight Dog
Replies: 6
Views: 14273

Re: Adopted an Overweight Dog

That's great news! :D

It won't take long for him to lose those 2 pounds. Just take it an ounce at a time.
by Nettle
Sat Dec 28, 2019 9:09 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Dog whistle
Replies: 5
Views: 14748

Re: Dog whistle

You could put her in a 'down'. It's harder to bark when 'down'. Then reward the 'down' when she is quiet, which makes the association for her.
by Nettle
Sat Dec 28, 2019 5:15 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Baby Miles - encounters, and a scary thought
Replies: 4
Views: 17304

Re: Baby Miles - encounters, and a scary thought

Mmmmm - you will do what you decide. You have both experience and common sense to add to the workload - because 2 dogs are WAY more than twice the work of one. You can do it - but would Miles like it? Honestly? He will either like it way too much and so you will both become an irrelevance unless you...
by Nettle
Tue Dec 24, 2019 4:10 am
Forum: Dog Training Articles
Topic: Doesn’t Play With Toys
Replies: 7
Views: 60386

Re: Doesn’t Play With Toys

I've never had dogs that were interested in toys either. It might be that the fosterer has misinterpreted what is actually taking place between the dogs (no criticism - few people read dogs accurately) and yours is a dog who doesn't much care about toys - which is far better than one that is toy-obs...
by Nettle
Sun Dec 22, 2019 4:23 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Baby Miles - more action on the beach
Replies: 4
Views: 7629

Re: Baby Miles - more action on the beach

He is indeed - such a credit to you.

Fabulous photos - I see he has taken up flying as well.