Dog Owner Chat! (for-fun poll added) (new chat)

[Cardinal]

marty went up a class in training again

anyone know any youtube channles that teach you how to teach tricks? we want to teach marty to being things to us and teach him more things as he loves to learn

Kikopup has some amazing videos, worth checking out!

[Lupen]

Well, one of the breeders replied to my email. Just simply said that we sounded like a good home for an Aussie and that she'd like us to call her to talk further. So far so good, but phone calls are what I'm even more nervous about xD Hopefully it'll go just as well.

I'm guessing that it's best to just let the conversation flow so to speak, but what should I bring up in the first call aside from just personal stuff and perhaps if they do health testing? Sense it's a phone call I can't exactly ask for documents or to see the parents in person.

Bleh. Hate being so shy and awkward lol.

My conversation with the breeder I had picked out for a dobbie lasted FOREVER. I inquired about health testing, pedigree, longevity.. etc. I discussed my training methods, what I thought about diet and spay/neuter (asking if there were contracts), asked if they compete in sports/conformation.. etc. I DID inquire about her dogs and whether she allowed people to meet her dogs BEFORE deciding on whether I'd get a puppy from her or not. I also asked if there were any local upcoming events I could see ehr dogs perform at. She was awesome and totally upfront with me. =)

Thanks :) Have a good idea of what to expect from her now, and what to ask in return. From what I've gathered so far though, it seems like she's a good breeder. Sadly no website, but I found her through the USASA website under their breeder directory, and I've been able to search her name on google and that's brought up some things as well. Pretty sure she shows her dogs, which is fine with me because I'd actually prefer a show line dog, rather than working line, as I've heard working dogs are a tad bit more energetic and have a higher drive. Either way though I'm pretty prepared.

Going to be awesome finally getting a well bred dog. Love my mutt, but I would like some more predictability... Y'know?

[~Serenade~]

Trying to search out a good breeder for a future Service Dog prospect but It's so hard trying to decided on a breed. At the moment I'm leaning toward Rottweiler if I can find any good breeders, or a GSD. Problem is all the breeders I've been looking at cost a bank and a half and I don't have that kind of money up front, though of course I have the money set up for care after I get the dog. Last breeder I looked at it was $8,000 per puppy!

[Sadies]

I haven't posted in a while, probably because not much has really happened. :/

Bella has learnt spin and turn. Am trying to teach her roll-over however she doesn't like rolling onto her side, she will roll her front half but won't remove her two feet from the floor.

Eddie is Eddie, he is learning close heel, so far he swivels on a target and without the target he will get into the heel position with encouragement.

[evergreen]

@sadies: actually Murray is having a heck of a time learning roll over also. My last two dogs I was able to just lead them into it with a treat and we were done. I can't tell if he knows what I want and simply doesn't like doing it (he has done it a handful of times) or if he just doesn't get it. I think he just dislikes it, I havn't had trouble teaching him any other tricks, he's wickedly smart but he gets REALLY frustrated really fast with this one. I worked at it for a couple months but now we have moved on to other things. So if anyone has tips let me know.

[PhoenixWings]

Zarria has a favorite toy its a twist rope and rubber, she is playing with it now. ^-^
Oh and she learned sit, I know its a easy trick, but I'm going to teach her the easy tricks then the hard tricks.

[MacGyver]

Zarria has a favorite toy its a twist rope and rubber, she is playing with it now. ^-^
Oh and she learned sit, I know its a easy trick, but I'm going to teach her the easy tricks then the hard tricks.

Aww! Told you they were smart

Speaking of tricks, Dixie will now drop to her "dead" position 5 feet away when I "shoot" and say Bang! AND she stays "dead" while I drop treats around her x3. *is so happy* Lol, finally got her to stop wagging her tail in the dead position xD. We're trying to build up distance now.

[PhoenixWings]

Haha, you did and my dad said that they where not smart! He was wrong. Anyway next I'm going to teach her to lay down when she wakes up from her nap.

Dixie is one smart pup. You should pet her for me x3 I wish that I could also give her a doggy biscuit.

[wolfgirl2011]

lol I'm currently working with my dog, Titus, on playing dead. He still wags his tail. Oh well. Another thing I'm working on with him is his jumping height. So far he can jump just under 3 feet, which is pretty good in my opinion. Whenever he doesn't want to jump anymore he'll lay down on his side and look up at me with puppy dog eyes while wagging his tail. He also knows how to play Patty Cake.

xD I'm so proud of my puppy. He knows so much!

[Bluebird22]

I feel so bad for my Sophie girl. Do to some changes in my medical conditions I haven't been able to get out and walk her. Luckily my dad has been taking her on a short walk every couple evenings. To make up for not getting a walk we have been working on some training stuff and lots of play time, I know it is not the same thing, but it is what I can manage right now. If I'm feeling up to it tomorrow morning before school I might walk her. I really hope I can, I think I miss our walks as much as she does lol. <3

Mac: how did you teach "play dead" I have always wondered how to do it because I think it is a cute trick, it it just hard to figure out how to train for it xD