Positively | Victoria Stilwell | Forum

Oh this thread takes me back, even down to the chain lead. My first dog was a rescue lurcherand he did all that and more. If it's any consolation you are making quicker progress than we did. With all that I love lurchers and would have another - just need to grow eyes in the back of my head first. T...

Meant to add that you are clearly on the right lines to have spotted the questions over the crate and water bottle. Dog training is about attitude more than anything and if something feels wrong it probably is.

A few things - 2 hour training sessions are far too long for a tiny pup, even if much of the time is taken by teaching you. Don't use the crate as a place of punishment. You want it to be a place where your pup is happy. Westies are not a "hunting breed". They are a show type of terrier an...

How long are the dogs tending to live on both sides of the pedigree? Cancer is common in the breed, plus weird quirks like not wanting to walk on slippery surfaces. Next door have had 3 in succession while we have lived here, two dying of cancer at 8, the 3rd going OK at 11. All of them rather plodd...

Looks nothing like any sprollie I've ever seen. Looks very much like my terrier with something a bit bigger thrown in, possibly collie

Nettle wrote:A show line GSD and pretty much any other dog can do the activities you plan.

A show line dog might be able to do the physical activities up to a point if you are lucky but I have yet to see one that can as well as a working line dog.

Hi Everyone Nettle- I did go and help my friend at her boarding kennels as she asked if I wanted to help as she had 4 GSD in and she knew I liked them. so I did and fully enjoyed walking them but I could only mange tow as the other tow were to strong on the lead. I also walked a Lab and I really fe...

Hi I disagree with mum24dog when she says that GSD of any line are not good first time dogs that is 100% rubbish and the fact that you have never had a GSD show you don't know them my first dog was German Shepherd Dog and I love him so much he is the best thing to happen me. GSD can be great first ...

I've never had a GSD myself but the same claims are made about working collies - need loads of exercise, stimulation etc etc. I'm guessing it is just as misleading to say that about other breeds as it is about collies. Just because they can run all day doesn't mean they should and in reality the mos...

Reward isn't all it is cracked up to be either. Many old-school types even now think that a few pats on the head :roll: or saying "good dog" (in the same tone as they say "bad dog") is a reward for the dog. It depends on the dog. I need to deliver fewer conventionally recognised...

Fifty five years ago I trained my poodle with traditional methods. The class I went to used choke chains but tbh I wouldn't consider what we were taught to be brutal, more nagging. I put it down to the fact that the classes were run by two elderly spinster sisters, one who worked a GSD and one a Pap...

Actually you do see working line GSDs that resemble that historical ink far more than the distorted version of the breed seen in the show ring. I know several from working European lines. I dislike show bred dogs of any breed because once appearance according to arbitrary standards becomes the aim t...

Feeding - it is very important that there is more food offered than needed, and that there are several containers of it. Puppies that have to fight their corner to get their rations may become food-possessive. . I'm not sure that my pup would agree that there is ever a point when there is more food...

Why not to shave -

http://groomblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03 ... -this.html

I'm with Nettle, especially about the wheels coming off.. And I worry that some people seeing that will run off to buy a candy coloured collie from the nearest breeder churning them out for those who prize appearance over substance. Or worse, from an AKC approved puppy mill. I like BCs, even have on...