The dog musing/vent thread

Whisper

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Fable has really gained weight! :D Her coat quality has improved also. I've been paranoid since we suffered that relapse a while ago, but she is just doing so much better and my heart is so happy! :D

Now I can take her further into public without worrying someone's going to call AC. :/
 

crazedACD

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This is how most performance events work- dos entries will be accepted at the club's discretion if the classes don't fill. It's always a chance you take.
Yeah, but usually it says trial limited to xx amount of runs. I looked at the premium again, it doesn't state this, it just says
"Saturday – January 18, 2014 10am – 2pm
$7 pre registration per run
Pre-Registration accepted until 1/13, Running order will be posted
$8 Day of Registration from 9:30am – 11am
4 Gated rings, Rally, Novice, Open, and Utility Obedience offered.
Plenty of crating space available. ". :/

I know, I know, my bad but it still sucks.
 

Laurelin

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I was loved all over by the sweetest, most mellow old lab today. He is the most precious thing ever and was just leaning up against my legs. Softest floppy velvety ears. I'm in love. <3

But I realized I do not need to complain about dog shedding ever again with my dogs. I cuddled him for maybe 15 minutes and my entire leg, side, and arm were covered in blonde hair.
 
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Fran101

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Merlin has been being such a jerk with other dogs at the store lately, even puppies (mostly male dogs etc..) some dogs just hate him (I think this is an un-neutered thing) but some like baby puppies he just growls at if they approach him or he approaches them just to growl. He hasn't bitten or anything but :(

He has been growling and just being such a jerk... he has ALWAYS been so great with other dogs. He's one now, and getting neutered next week but I fear this is going to get worse and I won't be able to bring him to park anymore

He is still fine in open spaces and loves to play at the dog park but at the store... I don't know. I love bringing him to work but he can't come if this behavior continues.

What's weird is that he has friends of all shapes/sizes/sexes that he still LOVES and plays so well with but strange dogs he just has no tolerance for anymore?

It just really stresses me out...I don't know what I did. All his experiences with dogs have been really positive, he loves other dogs :( what is going on.
 

teacuptiger

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Merlin has been being such a jerk with other dogs at the store lately, even puppies (mostly male dogs etc..) some dogs just hate him (I think this is an un-neutered thing) but some like baby puppies he just growls at if they approach him or he approaches them just to growl. He hasn't bitten or anything but :(

He has been growling and just being such a jerk... he has ALWAYS been so great with other dogs. He's one now, and getting neutered next week but I fear this is going to get worse and I won't be able to bring him to park anymore

He is still fine in open spaces and loves to play at the dog park but at the store... I don't know. I love bringing him to work but he can't come if this behavior continues.

What's weird is that he has friends of all shapes/sizes/sexes that he still LOVES and plays so well with but strange dogs he just has no tolerance for anymore?

It just really stresses me out...I don't know what I did. All his experiences with dogs have been really positive, he loves other dogs :( what is going on.
Could it be a territorial thing? He could view the store as his, if he is there while other dogs come and go. Just my thought on the matter. Hope for the best for both of you and that he can continue going to the store!
 

Finkie_Mom

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Things I learned on my walk tonight with Bubby, Jari, and Kimma:

-All they really want to do is chase the squirrel in to the tree, not eat it per say. There was a dead squirrel on the sidewalk that I didn't see until they had all gotten to it, and all they did was sniff it and then keep walking.

-Jari will do handstands against poles sometimes when he marks. At least he did it twice tonight. Never seen it before, and I may never see it again. But it was hilarious.
 

Laurelin

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Frna, a lot of the aussies I know are kind of jerky with certain other dogs. Especially some of the males. It may be a maturity thing. Mia used to be much more dog tolerant than she is now. I actually think it is far more common for dogs not to be 100% with all dogs than it is for them to be fine with every dog. So don't think you did anything wrong with him!

In my class today- 2 aussies, english cocker, pap, poo mix and trainer's BC- only the poodle mix has no dog-dog hangups.

He also could be protective of the store if he considers it his space (I hope that makes sense and doesn't sound too dominance hokey).
 

DJEtzel

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Merlin has been being such a jerk with other dogs at the store lately, even puppies (mostly male dogs etc..) some dogs just hate him (I think this is an un-neutered thing) but some like baby puppies he just growls at if they approach him or he approaches them just to growl. He hasn't bitten or anything but :(

He has been growling and just being such a jerk... he has ALWAYS been so great with other dogs. He's one now, and getting neutered next week but I fear this is going to get worse and I won't be able to bring him to park anymore

He is still fine in open spaces and loves to play at the dog park but at the store... I don't know. I love bringing him to work but he can't come if this behavior continues.

What's weird is that he has friends of all shapes/sizes/sexes that he still LOVES and plays so well with but strange dogs he just has no tolerance for anymore?

It just really stresses me out...I don't know what I did. All his experiences with dogs have been really positive, he loves other dogs :( what is going on.
Sounds like he's just growing up. ;(

Many herding breeds have a tendency to do that as they mature. Very common in GSDs and Border Collies. Recon has that going on sometimes. We don't meet new friends inside anymore and he's crated at work if there are dogs in the office or kept near.

I don't think it's anything you did/didn't do, so don't worry. Many dogs just don't like being social butterflies all their life. :)
 

Fran101

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Sounds like he's just growing up. ;(

Many herding breeds have a tendency to do that as they mature. Very common in GSDs and Border Collies. Recon has that going on sometimes. We don't meet new friends inside anymore and he's crated at work if there are dogs in the office or kept near.

I don't think it's anything you did/didn't do, so don't worry. Many dogs just don't like being social butterflies all their life. :)
Honestly, if that's what it is and he is still FINE. I'm ok, he doesn't have to be a social butterfly. I just don't want this to snowball or for him to be unhappy...
He does do A LOT better when outside/offleash, the store is quite small and I think that's a part of the problem.


Frna, a lot of the aussies I know are kind of jerky with certain other dogs. Especially some of the males. It may be a maturity thing. Mia used to be much more dog tolerant than she is now. I actually think it is far more common for dogs not to be 100% with all dogs than it is for them to be fine with every dog. So don't think you did anything wrong with him!

In my class today- 2 aussies, english cocker, pap, poo mix and trainer's BC- only the poodle mix has no dog-dog hangups.

He also could be protective of the store if he considers it his space (I hope that makes sense and doesn't sound too dominance hokey).
I also think that's part of the problem, the store is quite small and I think he is getting touchy about "his space" and there is nowhere to really go when he starts to get uncomfortable :/ I don't know what to do about it.

I am retiring him from the store until after his neuter, some time off should do him good I think

Could it be a territorial thing? He could view the store as his, if he is there while other dogs come and go. Just my thought on the matter. Hope for the best for both of you and that he can continue going to the store!
I think that's part of it...

thanks guys for your input...I am a little sad, but he still loves the park, and he is happy at home. I'd love some advice on what to do about the snarking though or what I should watch for.
 

Oko

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Feist has been so good this week. She went from getting tons of attention all day to me getting home late and mostly just cuddling her with because I was so tired, and maybe five minutes of trick training, and just took it happily in stride. At 5 months old she has quite the good little off switch. When she's bored she's beginning to entertain herself, and go get a bone and chew on it or play by herself. I just love my puppy. :)
 

DJEtzel

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Honestly, if that's what it is and he is still FINE. I'm ok, he doesn't have to be a social butterfly. I just don't want this to snowball or for him to be unhappy...
He does do A LOT better when outside/offleash, the store is quite small and I think that's a part of the problem.
The office where I work is pretty big, but still, when you get dogs running around in there, there really isn't a lot of space. Recon is 10x better outside with the same dogs he'd rather snark at inside. I thought for a while it was guardy behavior, but honestly, I've seen him guard and it's completely different. Herding breeds are very particular about their physical space and pressure and I think that has a lot to do with it, too. Which is why you see such a difference outside. For what it's worth, Recon's has not gotten any worse/escalated in the 3-4 months he's been doing it. Might be worth it to teach Merlin a "go to your spot" command that could maybe be behind a desk you could gate off or a crate in a corner, that you could ask him to go to when the door opens for someone new to come in, and you could walk over and close the gate/door for whatever to seclude him for the visit unless you read calming signals from him and want to let him out. The trust in you handling the situation and him always having his own space could possibly make it better in the future as well! Hopefully having his own space in the store is an option- I know how much he loves being there! It'd be a shame if he had to stop. ;(

My dogs have both learned this at work at one point or another (thought neither does it any longer because I stopped reinforcing it!) and would automatically run into the crate (happily!) when they heard the door open. :)
 

Babyblue5290

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Thanks to my new trainer, I no longer fail at teaching my dog to pivot on an object :D lol Talon can pivot perfectly yay

Fable has really gained weight! :D Her coat quality has improved also. I've been paranoid since we suffered that relapse a while ago, but she is just doing so much better and my heart is so happy! :D

Now I can take her further into public without worrying someone's going to call AC. :/
Yay! I told you you were due for some good news with Fable! :D That's really awesome, I'm happy for you guys. :)
 

Katem

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Pig had her first nosework class today. She seems to think it is the best game ever. It's in a building we have never been to before with people we have never met and she was still responsive to me and didn't stress. When it was her turn, she rushed to get into the ring, but sat and waited to be sent out.


...but she also ate nearly an entire 3lb bag of raw medallions that were meant for the cats. I haven't been crating her lately when I go out and she was being so good, but my brother left the bag out after feeding the cats tonight and that's just way too tempting. It was actually kind of terrifying. I walked in the front door and she wasn't waiting in the window and didn't come greet me so I knew something was up. Went into the kitchen and found her stuck, shoulders deep, in the plastic bag. It wasn't tight enough that she could have suffocated, but still, seeing your dog stuck in a plastic bag is unsettling.

Badger's show collar and lead came in the mail today. I can't wait to bring him to the handling class next week. I'm also secretly/not so secretly hoping we like conformation enough to justify ordering a fancy custom lead. I'm thinking something hufflepuff themed to go with his name.
 

Laurelin

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On the saga of 'My cousin bought a boerboel and it's trying to guard him from his kids' front, they sent the dog off for training with my uncle as a last ditch. My uncle is a Cesar Milan type guy but has worked with loads of working and guardian dogs. I don't see this coming out well but if this doesn't work I have no idea what is going to happen with that dog.
 

Fran101

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On the saga of 'My cousin bought a boerboel and it's trying to guard him from his kids' front, they sent the dog off for training with my uncle as a last ditch. My uncle is a Cesar Milan type guy but has worked with loads of working and guardian dogs. I don't see this coming out well but if this doesn't work I have no idea what is going to happen with that dog.
:( we see a lot of similar "dog is off at dog training camp" type situations.. usually the dog comes back, and is semi-trained for a bit and then when it inevitably reverts... the dog is usually looking for a new home.

I hope this works out for them :( poor pup
 

Whisper

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Yay! I told you you were due for some good news with Fable! :D That's really awesome, I'm happy for you guys. :)
And you were right! :D Thanks so much! <333
On the saga of 'My cousin bought a boerboel and it's trying to guard him from his kids' front, they sent the dog off for training with my uncle as a last ditch. My uncle is a Cesar Milan type guy but has worked with loads of working and guardian dogs. I don't see this coming out well but if this doesn't work I have no idea what is going to happen with that dog.
Aww man, I knew he got a boerboel, but I didn't realize it was already going so badly! :/ Crossing my fingers for a good outcome for everyone. . .
 

Slick

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Ugh, Leo is being a dirty rotten teenager.

Yesterday, we went to a small dog park. We are working on his recall, so in moments where the play would stop (aka less distractions) I usually call him to me, give him a treat, and send him on his merry way. This usually works very well.

Well, I call him over, and he is sprinting to me...when all of a sudden you can see his gears turning. Half way to me, he goes "Nah..." and breaks off his recall and saunters off. He then proceeded to merrily ignore me as I walked him down, always finding something new to run after just as I was getting close.
For that, he got a three minute leashed timeout when I did finally walk him down, at which he decides to frustration bark for almost the entire time (he is usually an extremely quiet dog, and rarely barks).

Then he was also being obnoxious to a dog who did not want to play. He is usually pretty good about reading signals and leaving those dogs alone. But tonight he just kept dive-bombing her "How about now?...Do you want to play now? What about now?" as the poor dog snarled in annoyance.

At that point, I caught him and we left. But man oh man, I am annoyed. He was being such a brat! (very uncharacteristic of him).

When do they snap out of being teenagers again? It can't come soon enough!
 

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