Positively | Victoria Stilwell | Forum

Sorry, have to disagree on this one. A puppy that is not toilet trained is not a reason to rehome. Dress it up all you like with niceties but too many dogs are put to sleep each year because people do not put the effort in. Sorry if this isn't a pupular opinion but I've worked with rescuce dogs for...

When we were struggling the most, I read about crate training. My puppy and my other dog (small breeds) have a pen that is big enough for a bed each, water bowls and small play space. At night time, I put them in the crate. This will help training the puppy to ''keep the wee'' in - as dogs do not l...

"I also babysit a 2 yr old who is scared to death of the dog so I have to have the babygate up constantly, subsequently locking the dog in the mudroom all day." THAT is why I advised a rehoming, not the potty training issues. Believe it or not, I am aware that having trouble with potty tr...

Hello! Well, I would get your pup a full and thorough vet check. I would rehome it after that, because truthfully it does not sound like your life has time for a dog right now, and puppies are adopted fairly quickly. I think the vet check is a must, bc if there is a problem you need to fix it befor...

I don't know too much about puppies but I doubt it's due to any sort of retardation(?) some puppies take longer to learn than others. If she is outside most of the day then you aren't really teaching her anything then, you need to supervise her constantly at this stage otherwise how is she learning ...

JudyN - Thanks for the link, I must have missed it the first time. Will have a look at the studies mentioned, will be an interesting read. Sarah83 - This is also something I have been working on which again is spot-on until an animal appears. Maybe I just have to accept this is him & there is li...

Sarah83, you have taken the words right out of my mouth!! Doggiedad, if you read my posts you will see that my dog does attend training classes (he recently recived his gold Good Citizen award), we regularly socialise, we have training sessions at home & during our walk, I have read numerous boo...

I am open to comments, opinions & studies. Would be great if someone could point me in the direction of scientific studies that have been carried out regarding this. Apologies if I don't come across as taking everyones comments into consideration - obviously this may be the way I am commenting, ...

I usually call him back from the end of the long line because a) that's what several behaviourists have advised on the assumption that he will then not realise how long the line is - why I think is a load of crap but did follw this for a bit & b) because when he does get to the end of the line h...

I think his response to the longline is not that he is unable to chase but more that he will be restricted in his walk. It doesn't matter how long the line is he will be restricted. Obviously going in to a small copse is a no-no simply because he will get tied up round a tree, same as darting in to ...

I think you have hit the nail on the head - it is about expectation; mine & my dogs. As I said I have tried working with along line which my dog seems to dislike. His basic obedience recall & focus appears to deteriorate when on a long line. He doesn't enjoy his walks as much, does not rush ...

Believe me, this is not a decison I am taking lightly or have even decided, it is merely an option that has been suggested to me & I have to consider this rather than make a knee-jerk reaction & decide it's unacceptable instantly. I hate long lines, I know they are recommended & I have c...

Please don't misunderstand, I wasn't being sarcastic - sorry, have not really used forums too much before. I am curious though to as to why keeping a dog on a long line is preferable to using an e collar? My dog has run off before, not minutes but hours. Hours of worry on my part & probably fear...

I have tried one, my friends one. I actually put it around my neck so could test it & you are correct, the lower settings were a tingle gradually getting stronger until I found it very uncomfortable, I wouldn't say painful. I have no intention of hurting my dog, I love him to bits & this is ...

Hi, I've been working with my dog trying to improve his recall for the past 12 months. I've always used positive training methods which have been successful so far & he's a great dog. My problem is that he chases everything, no amount of recall training has made one bit of difference - believe m...