Dog Owner Chat v4

[Dream~]

"Tapping" her muzzle is not something you should do, by doing so you're either teaching her that playing rough is okay, or that she should be afraid of people approaching her head because it means they are going to hit her.

You need to teach her what to do instead of biting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c77--cCHPyU

If she bites while you're holding her, put her down. Make sure when you do pick her up you're doing it properly by placing a hand under her bottom to support her. And teach her that being picked up is a good thing and not something to be afraid of...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jaxuTuH2ow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1Otlr6RX7o

Also make sure you have a variety of toys/chews for your puppy to chew on as chewing is a natural behavior they do need to engage in.

Thanks for the information and links. I definitely hold her properly, and quite often, she wants to be held, and she really loves it. The reason I was making her stop biting before I put her down when she does start biting, is because she suddenly decides she wants down, and she seems to think that biting can get her way. She has tons of toys, no question there. She's very spoiled, and loved.

[tea!]

Hey ! Have any of you heard of or tried an Adaptil collar? Chance gets nervous really easily and I was wondering
if any of you have tried it and if it works c: .

[Imzadi83]

"Tapping" her muzzle is not something you should do, by doing so you're either teaching her that playing rough is okay, or that she should be afraid of people approaching her head because it means they are going to hit her.

You need to teach her what to do instead of biting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c77--cCHPyU

If she bites while you're holding her, put her down. Make sure when you do pick her up you're doing it properly by placing a hand under her bottom to support her. And teach her that being picked up is a good thing and not something to be afraid of...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jaxuTuH2ow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1Otlr6RX7o

Also make sure you have a variety of toys/chews for your puppy to chew on as chewing is a natural behavior they do need to engage in.

Thanks for the information and links. I definitely hold her properly, and quite often, she wants to be held, and she really loves it. The reason I was making her stop biting before I put her down when she does start biting, is because she suddenly decides she wants down, and she seems to think that biting can get her way. She has tons of toys, no question there. She's very spoiled, and loved.

I would suggest too that you try and look for signs other than biting to signal she wants down and put her down when she displays these (like squirming) so she learns another way to signal she wants down. Also if you notice that she wants down after a standard amount of time you can always put her down before that time is up.

[Claw.]

Hi guys,

I've talked about my Millie quite a lot before but nothing recently, she's 10 years old! My little oldie! I'm planning on getting her new walking gear in January, however i don't need anything over complex or meant for strong pullers or working dogs as she is an elderly lady and i only really need it for walking. She still pulls a little on the lead, and i just don't find the collar comfortable, her old harness wasn't the best quality but it lasted a year before the seem broke. So i was wondering if you could recommend any harness brands, nothing fancy for a budget of around £10-£25, it doesn't have to be extremely strong as i said it's only for an elderly dog, not leather also please. Also if you could recommend any good collar/lead brands, no leather, and not an extendable lead.

Thank you!

[Imzadi83]

Hi guys,

I've talked about my Millie quite a lot before but nothing recently, she's 10 years old! My little oldie! I'm planning on getting her new walking gear in January, however i don't need anything over complex or meant for strong pullers or working dogs as she is an elderly lady and i only really need it for walking. She still pulls a little on the lead, and i just don't find the collar comfortable, her old harness wasn't the best quality but it lasted a year before the seem broke. So i was wondering if you could recommend any harness brands, nothing fancy for a budget of around £10-£25, it doesn't have to be extremely strong as i said it's only for an elderly dog, not leather also please. Also if you could recommend any good collar/lead brands, no leather, and not an extendable lead.

Thank you!

I like Lupine though it may not be in your price range. http://www.lupinepet.com They do sell the brand in stores, so you might find some at a store with sales.

How big is Millie? http://www.baxterboo.com has a lot of different harnesses but doesn't have a lot for large dogs.

I don't know if they ship to where you live, as I'm in the US myself. Both companies have mailing lists and if you sign up on Baxter Boo they send you a $5 gift certificate, plus a free shipping coupon for your dog's birthday.

I don't know about brands for leads. Honestly for a dog that doesn't pull I'd just look around stores for whatever is on sale/clearance. I'd even ask at your local pet store(s) when they're going to have a sale on the items you're looking at.

[maninkari]

I'm thinking of offering dog/puppy training in my area. Just easy stuff like basic obedience and table manners, not jumping on people, things that I'm confident I can do. A lot of people give their dogs up for reasons as silly as that. I need some extra money and I'm always down to spend time with dogs. Honestly, I already work with my neighbors dogs (like Duke, but he's gone now) for free just because I like them a lot.

[Imzadi83]

I'm thinking of offering dog/puppy training in my area. Just easy stuff like basic obedience and table manners, not jumping on people, things that I'm confident I can do. A lot of people give their dogs up for reasons as silly as that. I need some extra money and I'm always down to spend time with dogs. Honestly, I already work with my neighbors dogs (like Duke, but he's gone now) for free just because I like them a lot.

That's great. If you have the time you might consider volunteering doing do training at a local shelter/rescue. They may be willing to help you advertise your services to potential adopters and others who come in in need of dog training. You might also consider giving a small discount to people who adopt from that shelter/rescue. It may help encourage adoptions and encourage people to use your services as well.

Good luck.

[Claw.]

@imzadi83 - Thanks Millie has a neck size of 37cm and a chest size of 65cm, so about a medium or a large size I think. Thanks for your help, they look very nice I'll see if I can find some that would suit Millie

[Naeco]

So, I have a few questions. We got our puppy spayed today and will be picking her up tomorrow. We are getting the cone but trying to not use it because my dad thinks that dogs don't need pain meds or cones. I guess you could say he is more old-school. He wants to take the cone back for a refund. Any ideas on how to get her to not take her stitches out and what to do overnight in her kennel?

[Keriae]

So, I have a few questions. We got our puppy spayed today and will be picking her up tomorrow. We are getting the cone but trying to not use it because my dad thinks that dogs don't need pain meds or cones. I guess you could say he is more old-school. He wants to take the cone back for a refund. Any ideas on how to get her to not take her stitches out and what to do overnight in her kennel?

Frankly, leaving a dog in pain after serious surgery such as spaying is animal abuse. Cones exist to stop a dog from pulling at their stitches, so unless your father wants her to reopen her wound, he should use it.