Positively | Victoria Stilwell | Forum

He is a labrador - a breed commonly used as a gun dog so lets just be a little bit realistic about noise training. Doesn't always mean anything. Mine doesn't bat an eyelid at thunder, fireworks or guns going off close by but will cower if an empty can is dropped on the kitchen floor. As for throwin...

Training is a great way of bonding with a dog imo. Even if it's just what people see as party tricks (to a dog I guess sit when told is pretty much the same as play dead when told really). I started training Rupe with a clicker, partly because I'd heard so much about it and partly because the slight...

I taught Rupert to hold a toy in his mouth while rough housing with us. It's worked wonderfully for us. Figured it was a lot easier to teach that than to try and enforce a no wrestling with the dog rule. Especially with blokes. I enjoy a good wrestling match with Rupe but guys seem to take it furthe...

If it makes you feel any better the dog we got at 6 weeks old ended up with absolutely wonderful social skills, a large range of warnings (he'd stiffen and gradually move up from there rather than just go straight in with the big scary toothy display) and good bite inhibition. He was mouthy all his ...

Sounds like he's now learned to bark and then stop barking for a treat rather than to actually stay quiet for a treat. Rupert used to be terrified of the vacuum, I taught him to target it with his nose and paws. He's not scared of it any more. I usually shut him in his crate when I vacuum because he...

Maximoo, maybe just being in the car is reward enough for your dog, mine loves the car enough that he once ended up on a strangers lap when they opened their car door as we walked past :oops: If you wanted Shadow to come back when he got out then he wanted proof that you had something better than a ...

You can still go out with him if it is below freezing. I've never understood why people do this to be honest. I walk mine regardless of the weather. I don't melt in the rain or shrivel up and die in the freezing cold. Maybe that comes from having a dog and no garden and now a garden fence that Rupe...

I have to admit - I personally don't like or agree with crating. My dog is part of my family, and a very loved part of my family - hence why he often sleeps on my son's bed or at the bottom of the bed. And yes - he does get on the furniture, and curls up with us for cuddles. He is a very very affec...

Good god! That poor girl! Well done on getting her weight down How could anyone feed a dog to that size???

my Greyhound will still scream if I move my hand quickly, he has never had a hand abuse him since he came here 6.5 years ago, hands are nice things, gently and make him feel nice but he will still react if I move my had quickly. Rupert too, he's been with me almost 6 years now yet will still go int...

Yes, I'll adimit I have smacked the dog when I see it potty right in front of me. I say "NO!" This could be contributing to her eating it. You could well be teaching her not that it's bad to poop inside but that it's bad to poop in front of you. Personally I'd be going right back to the b...

Voice of doom tends to work on dogs who want to say hi or who think they'll come bully my dog but we've run into several who are so hell bent on actually attacking him that nothing seems to work. Sadly we used to run into these on a regular basis, always off leash and able to come at us and this is ...

The problem with treats outside is that it is not just in stressful moments where she ignores treats but whenever we are outside. Even if it is just a happy moment with no one else around, she just doesn't like treats while she is walking. And so i can't distract her with them even in anticipation ...

I'm sure crates are boring but, imo, it's a better option than the dog destroying your property and possibly harming herself in the process. How long would she be in the crate for roughly? If I'm going to be gone a few hours I make sure Ruperts had a play, been out for a pee and is happy to just chi...

How often is he having seizures? Not certain whether they affect dogs the same way but I suffer with epilepsy and I'm clingy and insecure after one. And yeah, different meds can really change behaviour. I got really aggressive on one type but am fine on another.