Malamum

HF, that was the first standard poodle I have actually seen in real life and once they were done I couldn't resist asking if I could give him a bit of a cuddle. He was just gorgeous and I reckon the happiest dog I saw all night - he really looked like he was enjoying competing.

Our training club held an obedience trail on the weekend and I volunteered to act as a steward. I was put on one of the Utility Dog rings and OMG, these dogs were amazing. I can just imagine the amount of time and effort that would have to go into their training. The thing that really blew me away was the scent discrimination exercise, it really was amazing. As I expected, most of the dogs were goldens or border collies, though the dog that won in my ring and ended up getting the highest points of the night was a standard poodle. It really was a beautiful dog and it performed so well, I was very happy it won.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COAL :bday: :bday: :bday:

I think it's cute :D

We don't get that show here (and I don't have cable TV) but I don't think I could watch anyway. Things like that upset me too much.

Nea, one thing to remember is that dogs don't always generalise that well. Just because he knows everything at home, doesn't mean that he will understand what to do if you ask him in a different environment. At training classes there are a whole lot of things that make it harder for him. There are other dogs, other people, lots of new smells etc all these things make it harder for him to concentrate at training than it is at home. Just take it slow and only expect little steps from him. At our training club we learn about the 4 D's. Duration, Distance, Distraction and Diversity. These are all ways to progress a behaviour and make it harder for the dog. Webby may know his sit perfectly at home and may be able to hold it for ages (duration) and also may be able to do it with you standing away from him (distance). However as soon as you try it at a trainng class you are also adding diversity and distraction which make it so much harder for him. Let me give you an example. Indy knows the sit command perfectly (or so I thought). He will do it pretty much 99.9% of the time, however to add a bit of diversity I sat on the ground and told him to sit. He just didn't get it, he layed down, he rolled over but just wouldn't sit- he didn't seem to get it because I was on the ground too. So I need to practice diversity with him much more. Hope that made sense.

It's good to know that there are not as many jerks out there as I thought. Lets hope it turns into a positive learning experience for all.

HF, we don't get canned pumkin here so when I have needed to use it for loose stools I buy chunk of raw pumpkin from the fruit and veggie shop, steam it then mash it.

Thanks. When making my veggie mix I don't purposely buy iceberg lettue to put in it, however if I have some in the fridge that is almost at the end of it's life I will throw it in. Just wanted to double check that I wasn't using something I shouldn't.

TDG, what is wrong with iceberg lettuce?

It's even funnier when they fling the thing so hard it hits the roof then hits them on the head on the way down :lol: :lol: That happend to Indy the other day and he started to look up in the air as if to say where did that come from :roll:

Way to go Pei, now you've just got to get from maniac to mental :wink:

Excellent! Though I would also mention that he was accusing you of mistreatment in a loud enough voice for several others in the store to hear and stare. This goes to show that not only does the employee probably know nothing about dogs they also have no idea on how to treat customers. I would also say how upset you were. The fact that he made you cry is what really pissed me off.

I thought that the idea of confirmation shows was to say that in theory your dog has all the necessary attributes to enable it to perform the tasks for which the breed was created. And then as a secondary aspect there are working titles that the dog can gain. As a purchaser I would probably look for a breeder that has both confirmation and working titles for their dogs.

Courtnek I am so sorry that jerk upset you so much. We all know how much you have done for Laurel and how her life has improved 100% since living with you. I agree with Kendalyn, write them a letter (it is what you are good at after all :wink: ) and explain how their insensitive staff member upset you so much. Also explain that all dogs are different and that some dogs have their issues and need to be treated accordingly.

Well done guys :D

I must admit I haven't had any really stupid questions. I of course get the... "do you have a saddle for him" "who's taking who for a walk" etc..... it does annoy me as I get it a fair bit but I just smile and try not to let it get to me too much because I know the people are only saying it in fun and don't mean anything by it. They just don't think that the last four people that have walked past have said exactly the same thing. I also always get asked "is that a husky" but that's an understandable mistake. I just explain that he is an Alaskan Malamute, which is very similar just bigger.

I never said that I was trying to emulate the way wolves live. To me the word alpha basically means to be the highest ranked and the term "alpha rules" is simply a way of describing a set of rules which will help you have a well-mannered dog that defers to you. No dogs are not wolves - never said they were. However some breeds have more of a pack mentality than others, malamutes being one of these breeds. I can tell you that anyone who owns a malamute and totally disregards the alpha rules is seriously asking for trouble. There is no way in the world you want a dog that strong thinking they out rank you. I understand that this doesn't apply to the same extent to all breeds, however I do believe that any dog owner can't go wrong by following the basic principles.

Coming from someone who has a very dominant dog who will "try it on" any chance he gets I say that they do work and that they are important. But all they are really doing is exactly what you said - teaching the dog what is acceptable behavior and what isn't. By following these rules - I am by no means pretending to be or trying to act like a wolf :-? I am just showing my dog (by non physical means) that I am the boss, leader, alpha or whatever term you want to use. Cassie - you say you don't believe in the alpha rules but then you say you live by the most fundamental one - the nothing in life is free approach. By using this method you are in fact enforcing your role as alpha because the alpha is the one who is in charge of the resources, sets the rules and is always in control. One of my pet hates is people who let their dog do whatever the hell it likes then get all upset when it corrects them for something. They then start crying that they have an aggressive dog and say

Oh your poor littly baby. I hope he is ok. I'm sorry I don't have any suggestions other than can you borrow the money from a family member. It's just customary to pay for all treatments in full at the time of the visit here.

[quote]Once a dog is born, does it really matter where it is gotten?[/quote] Very true, which is why if you are after a certain mix then you should try and source one through the various rescue networks. However I would never recommend that someone go through a designer dog breeder. All it does is makes the circle continue and encourages them to keep breeding. The dogs themselves are the innocent parties it's the unscrupulous people breeding them that really p*## me off.

:roflt:

Happy Birthday Ruby :bday: :bday: :bday: :bday: Marion - of course we want pictures :wink:

Good luck to both Kat and Roo and of course their puppies :D

To tell the truth I don't think it matters that much to the dog. We tend to use what is easiest for us to say. Indiana (4), gets shortened to Indy (2) and then some times we even shorten it further to Ind or In (1).