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

[Centri]

A short presentation of my dog: She is 1½ years old and a mix between Papillon and Schipperke. We mostly train tricks (freeshaping with clicker usually) and agility, and I am hoping we will be ready to compete in agility for the first time during 2014. She can already do all the obstacles but the flat tunnel (because we haven't gotten to that yet), and she needs to practice slalom some more, she tends to miss the last "rod"(is that what it is called in english?) when she does it too fast. And the rest we need to practice before we are ready is mostly about handling and communication.

[swiftie 13]

My feet are really ticklish, too. None of my dogs lick any one else's feet, and they don't chew shoes or slippers or anything. But as soon as they see my feet, they gotta lick em.

[MacGyver]

Centri, your dog is adorable! <3 Love the "hand stand" trick ;D

[Lupen]

Who is shouting? Or rather, what comes across as shouting? As far as I'm aware most of us have been pretty tame. :/

You know exactly what i mean, Lupen.

Look, I don't want to start it up again when I've said all that I needed to say, but I'm afraid I don't know what you mean. And the way you say things comes off quite condescending and rude. There is nothing wrong with a debate as long as people aren't immature about it. And while I disagree very much with fuzzy she wasn't really being immature either. Nothing at all seemed to point at anything other than a debate - a given, and quite common occurrence on a thread like this.

It just annoys me and really aggravates me when people feel the need to take an authoritative position and tell people to "knock it off" so to speak when nothing was wrong to begin with.

[urie]

Who is shouting? Or rather, what comes across as shouting? As far as I'm aware most of us have been pretty tame.

You know exactly what i mean, Lupen.

And the way you say things comes off quite condescending and rude.

[/color]

*nod from corner* *also nods that I think that WilloweWolf is trying to take authoritative position*

[Saracirce]

Okay, I could've sworn there was a video of someone doing what I'm about to suggest but I couldn't find it. D:<

With the baby gate up, have your stepdad (or an adult male friend) pass by the room. He shouldn't stop but keep walking. As he's passing by, having him toss a super scrumptious treat (diced hot dogs, chicken, cheese, etc. it has to be really good stuff) into the room but not at Dixie. Repeat for 5 minutes. Keep doing sessions until the dog looks expectant for the treat and is willing to come right up to the gate with a wagging tail and completely calm/relaxed/happy body language. (This may take a couple 5 minute sessions.) After that, you can take have your stepdad/man friend stand in front of the gate and toss treats into the room. They should be calm and relaxed and only speak with a quiet voice. Once the dog appears comfortable, start feeding from hand. They shouldn't reach out for the dog though unless the dog seeks it. If that makes sense.

Have your stepdad be the person who feeds her, gives her chews and treats and lets her out to potty. Once she's completely comfortable with him, you should also consider letting him do the walking if she's good on leash and not nervous or shy outside. If you ever feel the need to scold her for anything, your stepdad shouldn't be the one to do it. Basically, your stepdad should be an indicator of only good things to come.

Some general links for fearful dogs (with help from Cardinal):
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/pets/d ... g?page=all
http://fearfuldogs.wordpress.com/ < gonna have to give this one a read through myself because CARDINAL HAS BEEN KEEPING IT FROM ME CAUSE SHE'S A MEANIE POOPOO HEAD!
http://www.youtube.com/user/kikopup (I can not express how awesome Kikopup is)
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0C724F6F6A597540

[MacGyver]

Just dropping these pictures of Stitch (our senior Pekingese) and Sid (our Pom that we gave to our aunt years ago. Unfortunately, despite hundreds of dollars spent at the vet trying to make his life easier, he passed away in his sleep last year. </3)

[Saracirce]

It's official. We need moar Stitch on this chat.

[MacGyver]

It's official. We need moar Stitch on this chat.

Wish granted. XD

[Centri]

Centri, your dog is adorable! <3 Love the "hand stand" trick ;D

Thank you ^^