Dog Owner Chat v2

[Schuyler]

Well, we finally got around to buying Libby a new harness. Her old one was getting to the point where it could snap any day, and we really didn't want to be stuck having to hook the leash to her collar because she'll slip out of that way too easily. Learned that the hard way ... a few times. We still haven't figured out how to get her to stay with us when off-leash; she doesn't really try to escape, but she loves to race around and play keep-away. If we want to catch her, we have to get her cornered, which isn't always easy outside. ^^"

The new harness is slightly different than the old one, particularly because it has a chest-cushion-thing, but Libby seems to like it. We'll see how well it holds up. (Large image alert)

[Kenobi.]

...?

Just a few weeks ago, you wanted
a breeder Sheltie. I'm extremely
confused.

Who me?

[Rainbow Dash]

To preface this: Gatsby is crate trained. At night when he's in his crate with his Kong and me in bed next to the crate, he's totally fine. Zero problems. Doesn't cry, whine, nothing. When I leave is a whole different story.

Tonight I left Gatsby in his crate for four hours, which he has done before no problems. I come home and his crate is in a slightly different place, the towel covering it is taken off, and Gatsby and the inside of the crate are covered in pee.

He's clean now but I'm dumbfounded. I have no idea how he went from fine to postal in his crate. I'm going to go back to complete square one with crate training because I don't have any options for cordoning him off with baby gates (apartment is too small and he can jump/scale gates with ease.)

Here's the plan I used when training him (after he was used to the crate.)
1. Five minutes in the crate, me in the room. (Always at the end: Let him out when he's calm and not crying.)
2. Ten minutes in the crate, me in the room.
3. Twenty minutes in the crate, me in the room.
4. Repeat above out of the room but within earshot (I stand outside my sliding glass door)
5. Ten minutes in the crate, me completely gone
6. Twenty minutes in the crate, me completely gone
7. An hour in the crate, me completely gone

Critique on this plan to get him back into the crate?

[gingertail98]

Ugh.

Breeder for Border Collies I'm totally in love with and have been emailing back and forth with just emailed me today. The bitch I really want a puppy out of was just bred for what will probably be the last time, and she wanted to let me know that if I want, she'll put me on the list for this litter and pick me out the best male puppy to fit my wants and needs out of the litter when they're born, should the breeding take. My issue is, I didn't anticipate getting another dog for a year, in most aspects I could bring another dog into my home, I just feel like it would be unfair to my parents who I am still living with to bring a second high drive dog (and this time a puppy!) into their home. I just really don't want to miss out on this breeding though. Ugh, I don't know what to do

@Rainbow Dash- What I've been recommending to clients since I've starting being assigned some when it comes to crate training is start at the /very/ beginning again so:

1) Put crate in quiet, moderate temperature, low traffic area and leave door open. Several times a day toss a super high value yummy treat into the crate (Ie/ hot dog chunks) and allow dog to go check it out as they please and get a yummy snack.
2) Feed every meal in crate with door open
3) Feed every meal in crate with door closed
4) Feed every meal in crate with door closed & leave dog in crate for 15-30 min after eating
5) Start raising the time left in the crate after eating by 15-30 minutes as you feel fit
6) Only do this while you are home and slowly work up to being out of the room, then the house once your dog is comfortable
7) When the dog is sleepy, pop them in the crate for some extra exposure and to make it a safe place to sleep (Charlie now goes in his on his own when he's tired)

And as always the general tips of:

-Don't praise dog for being vocal in crate
-Don't yell at dog for being vocal in crate
-Don't let dog out of crate unless calm
-Always let dog out for bathroom breaks, but put them right back in and don't play the 'inside outside' game
-Don't use the crate as punishments
-Use a chewie (bullystick) or treat puzzle (Kong, kong wobbler, other treat dispensing toy) in the crate to keep dog entertained
-Cover the crate if dog is somewhere they can see others moving around
-Play a radio/TV to drown out outside noises


Dunno if that helps, but that's how I trained Charlie and he adores his crate, and he suffers severely from Separation Anxiety.

[Temper]

^^^
Will she be willing to hold the puppy a little while for you? I know when I was contacting a bunch of silken breeders, one was able to hold the pup for us until he reached six months (which I consider a MUCH more manageable age.

[boodles]

I found Koda through petfinder as well Pretty awesome site, but I hate browsing the pets there when I can't take on any more, because I end up coming across way too many gorgeous dogs & cats. I then want to take them ALL home lol.

And that's the cutest picture ever Jazi ;-;

I have a serious problem with this... I worked in a vet clinic that rehomed and rescued alot of animals and to not bring them all home is even harder when you interact with them 3 or more days of the week. I got my dog, Jack, from family but not - It's an odd story. My mothers, Fiance's, Father passed away and my mother and her fiance got the dog but didn't want to keep him . They said they were going to dump him off at a farm because he was so ill-behaved so myself and my boyfriend volunteered to take him. He's turned out to be a mostly wonderful dog with a few still ill-habbits.

[Joe Kerr]

...?

Just a few weeks ago, you wanted
a breeder Sheltie. I'm extremely
confused.

Who me?

Yes!

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ERMAHGERSH I have been thinking SO OOOOOOOO much about my puppy I will get next year and every time I do I smile and my stomach starts feeling funny :D I have already picked out possible names

Boy: Max
Girl: Sweetie, Sweetie Bell

X3 I know those are the most used dogs names but I like them and there cute! I hope i get one that looks like this one vvv my mom also wants one like that I think. If you have the cs pet that looks like that I will GLADLY give you my LIST PET pps in my signature. No questions asked just take it and give me the dog that will look like my future dog!

Well saw this.. https://answers.yahoo.com/question/inde ... 019AAp2R8J there good with cats that's all I need to know. I am getting a collie. If I keep my room clean. And my mom lets me. XD

[Rainbow Dash]

steampoweredgiraffe: Thanks for the plan! The general notes is what my mentor gave me when she was teaching me how to crate train. I drill into my parents' heads the "don't respond when he's making noise in the crate" point. My mom is easy to guilt with cute eyes and a whine.

I haven't tried meals in his crate before, he does get a Kong lined with the highest value treat he can get (no fat cream cheese) when in his crate so he stays occupied. I tried the trick with freezing spreadable treats so they last longer but he didn't seem interested.

Would you recommend going back to basics entirely (like steps 1-3) for a dog that's comfortable in the crate when you're present but gets anxious when you leave? Or start where the dog is already comfortable and work up from there?

[K9.]

Hello everyone!

Me and my other half want to bring a puppy into the family in the future but are a bit unsure what to get. We want a medium to large breed because we don't want a small dog. We also love German shepherds and Border collies along with Huskies but we aren't sure which one to have. I have been brought up with dogs and so has he. I am also doing an animal management course so I know the basics about high driven dogs etc like these are.

Any recommendations on any breeds like them? Anything odd I should consider with these breeds that I might not of thought of?

[Cardinal]

Hello everyone!

Me and my other half want to bring a puppy into the family in the future but are a bit unsure what to get. We want a medium to large breed because we don't want a small dog. We also love German shepherds and Border collies along with Huskies but we aren't sure which one to have. I have been brought up with dogs and so has he. I am also doing an animal management course so I know the basics about high driven dogs etc like these are.

Any recommendations on any breeds like them? Anything odd I should consider with these breeds that I might not of thought of?

id narrow down what you really want in your next dog factoring in temperment, bidability, intelligence, prey drive, and make a list of huge NOs you wouldnt want to deal with like stranger aggression, prey aggression, dog on dog aggression, same sex aggression.. etc. The three dog beeeds youre interested in have very different temperments.