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  1. SpaceMutt

    So I did somethin'

    Hey all, I know I haven't been on the forum in awhile. After having to return Tulip I was pretty devastated. It all worked out, Tulip got adopted, but I had to do a lot of thinking about what kind of dog could fit into my home (if any) with Astro, and how my wants in a general pet (independence...
  2. SpaceMutt

    You have your own kennel/breeding setup, starting tomorrow

    Just for fun :) Let's say you're limited to 3 breeds or specific mixes max, to keep things at least mildly realistic and not too chaotic. Kennel name Breed(s) you work with Breed trends - what type within your chosen breed(s) would you be producing? Sports/work/showing you do with...
  3. SpaceMutt

    I always knew this day might come...

    But man, do I wish I could've or would've avoided it :( I knew when I adopted Astro that he might not be dog-social forever. He is a mix between a pit-Jack-Russell-looking terrier and a Shar Pei. And when I got him home as a young puppy, he was so scared of even the sound of dogs in the...
  4. SpaceMutt

    2014: what'd you learn, what'd you accomplish? And what are your dog goals for 2015?

    I personally love threads like these so :) New Year's is tomorrow, time to reflect and (if you're into this, I know some people purposefully don't) make resolutions or stake out goals for next year. For me, 2014 was the year of learning: Rally and nosework basics. Took a few classes, and...
  5. SpaceMutt

    Chaz Puppies of 2015

    I know it's not 2015 yet but I'm impatient, I had to start it. Post all about your puppy plans for 2015! What kinda breeds are we looking at this year? Picked out a name yet? Goals? Gender? And also ALL THE PICS, you know the rules! As for me, I have three whippet litters I'm eyeing up...
  6. SpaceMutt

    I finally did it

    I finally thought of the breed that might fit me! After months of harassing dog owners and trainers and competitors for info, I came across a dog that: Is quiet, not a barker No feathering Has an off switch in the house reliably/as a breed trait Is healthy and long-lived Can be found...
  7. SpaceMutt

    Dogs that can never be off leash

    In the interest of starting more threads... Let's say you had a dog who, after a long while (6 months-a year or more) of long line work, recall practice frequently and with increasing gradual distraction, jackpotting like crazy for a snappy recall since puppyhood, endless games of pass the...
  8. SpaceMutt

    Flatcoats!

    I hope not everybody is tired of my incessant breed-questioning :p So a group that has been frequently suggested to me is the retriever, but for some reason I haven't delved too much into them. I dunno, I'm fairly shallow/picky about looks, and most retrievers don't match what I like (the...
  9. SpaceMutt

    The Tulip Thread

    So I decided that I'd start putting all my woes/updates/(hopefully!) victories related to my new gal in one thread, instead of clogging up the big thread. So. Today was a tough day, as every day has been since she got here. I did get a few caribiners and I trussed up the crate further with...
  10. SpaceMutt

    Tell me about Houla-dogs

    So for those of you following my saga, I have been looking around my new area (DC metro) for possible rescue dogs to add. I won't get another dog unless it's the perfect fit, and I've passed on a lot of great dogs for one reason or another. I've sort of shelved breeders for the time being, I've...
  11. SpaceMutt

    It's a miracle!

    So lots of you know about my struggles with Astro. As wonderful as he is, and I do love the heck out of the little snot, he's a hard dog to work with. Loses motivation easily, if he's corrected in any sense whatsoever he either shuts down or escalates back, resource guards, shoots off like a...
  12. SpaceMutt

    The Tuck Sit

    Ok, I've run into yet another wall with Astro. I took him to a beginner's rally/obedience class, and we did the basic stuff you would expect (working on very short heeling sessions, fronts, eye contact, attention and focus). Astro backs up when he sits, every single time, so he's always way...
  13. SpaceMutt

    B.a.t.

    Anyone ever do a BAT seminar? If you did, did you find it worth it? Even if you haven't gone to the seminar, if you've used BAT and want to list how you found it (faults, successes), that's awesome too :) I'm thinking of signing up for the 5-day course this summer that'll be near me, and wanted...
  14. SpaceMutt

    Calling all multiple dog owners: how did you prioritize breed traits?

    Another thread got me thinking about my Potential Next Dog. I have breed qualities that I like and dislike, as many people do, and from that I have a shortlist of breeds that I'm dying to own. The problem is, for all the different qualities I like about them, a few of them are known to be...
  15. SpaceMutt

    Attention span/handler focus in independent breeds

    Ok, I'm sure people here will have good ideas on this :) So I've had Astro since he was...12 weeks old or so? Can't remember, but the point he, he was adopted young. And since the first day I brought him home, I've worked on reinforcing name recognition, eye contact, and "checking in."...
  16. SpaceMutt

    Think Astro's face couldn't get any more ridiculous looking? Think again!

    Astro had a snowy funday. And his slobbery, icy jowls were a thing to behold. "I run!" "I run majestically, even!" "Oh yeah. Look at me go." "Derp! It's cool, I'll get it back." "Wait, what?" "...Why are you making fun of me? Is there something up with my face...
  17. SpaceMutt

    Schools/accreditation

    Ok, so I made the huge leap today of deciding that I think I'd like to be a trainer. I've been apprenticing with an awesome one for awhile, and I realized that I literally count down to the days with her, every week (I keep a day job for the money, but it also involves dogs :)). I've been...
  18. SpaceMutt

    Harness question (yeah, I know it's been done before, apologies!)

    So Astro and I had a fairly disastrous walk today. The problem is, he's a 40 pound 8-month-old puppy, and he is STRONG. Big in the front, with a thick, fleshy neck that doesn't feel squat. And we've been going on shorter walks because NYC is an ice pit right now. I have an old Achilles injury...
  19. SpaceMutt

    Look at my dog, my dog is amazing!

    ...Amazingly cute! My mom, who has actual camera equipment (all I have when away from her to take pics is my phone), snapped a bunch of shots of Astro over the holidays. Concentrating REALLY hard on a down-stay when visiting my mom's work. Sitting on his throne. Some...
  20. SpaceMutt

    My itchy wheezy puppy is acting extra itchy and wheezy

    Ok, the wheezing isn't really the problem - Astro has narrow nostrils and airways, from what I can tell, and he has wheezed constantly since I first got him. The problem is his ear itching. He has itched off and on since I brought him home. He was taken to the vet probably 5+ times in the...
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