waffles

Sign up for a puppy class where they require proof of vaccinations. Your pup really needs to be around other dogs and not isolated for her whole life. Many people also vaccinate themselves, I am one of them. I don't see how he is a liar because he said he vaccinates himself. Either way, you are probably better off socializing her with other dogs in a controlled setting setting as a basic obedience class or puppy class or with people and their dogs that you actually know. Having never met his dogs, you had no way of knowing what their temperaments are like and whether or not they would even want to play with a puppy they never met. Do you have any friendly neighbors or even some areas have active meet ups (meetup.com) for dogs. Our area has a very active meet ups for husky owners and another for daschund owners at local dog parks at weird hours when no one else is apt to be there. I think it is a neat idea to get together with other like minded, same breed-owning people.

The training needs to start before he is at the point of no return - not able to take treats or work with you. Definitely get a new trainer. Working in person with someone who actually knows what they're doing (the trainer should have way more ideas than standing on a leash) is priceless compared to reading advice online. This is not a border collie problem but a dog problem. Set up situations where you can create your own distance from his triggers. Store parking lots, quiet/wide streets with sidewalks, park entrances. Basically places where you can see where people are going to walk-car to store front. You can get far enough away to work with him and not fear someone coming out of nowhere. My new pup is slightly reactive (mostly just sits and wags her tail/quiet whining) when we are out as she thinks all people are there to see her. So we walk and train in places where I can somewhat control the situation. Good luck and keep the patience!

If she really is only 2-3 months old now, I would not be bringing her to busy outdoor festivals. I see people do that a lot, and some seem okay but most look overwhelmed. That is just my personal opinion, of course. It sounds like she does not yet know how to walk on a loose leash, and most pups this age don't (at least not in all types of situations). I would take her to big empty or mostly empty parking lots and start teaching her how to walk at your side. This way you can control how close you get to things (cars, people, etc) while still being able to turn in different directions. Ask her to perform simple tasks when out in different locations-sit, down. If she can sit or down in a parking lot with people in site/hearing people talk/seeing another dog/ etc then you can start finding busier locations to train. The book "Beyond Your Backyard" (Denize Fenzi) may be of help. Talks about teaching a dog to listen (loose leash walking, taking commands) in the face of increasing distractions.

We have about 200+ acres out the back door. Most is our neighbors who does not mind us there. We walk the fields to the woods on his side and down to the creek. It is rare we ever see anyone there. I once saw another neighbor from up the street with her dog and her cat! All taking a nice walk in the woods together. We also have some county land nearby that is not used often especially mornings during the week. It is just land the county owns with trails-no amenities or services so a lot of people don't even know they exist. When we lived closer to the lake we used to go down to the beach (we live near Lake Erie) during non summer times. Every so often we would run into other like minded folks letting their nice dogs run off leash and the police would usually just wave despite a leash law sign there. We follow the same rules as others and leash the dogs when we see someone coming or put them in a sit/stay next to us. With the puppy now, we typically stay away from places at times we know we might run into someone as she is still learning to not get so excited to see people.

If you encounter an adult who tries to give you grief about your on-leash dogs, I would just politely inform them that there is a leash law for a reason. I keep my town's dog control number in my phone after having repeated issues with a 100lb blood hound. It took me about 8 times of having to kick the dog off of mine, being followed by her growling, and almost being hit by a car myself before I called, but I finally did. The big problem was that the dog was just left outside on an electric fence with no one home so there was not chance to even talk to anyone. It may be hard to keep your cool but with little kids it may help to explain that their dog could be hit by a car or go missing if they can't hold on tight enough to the leash. I would be afraid of saying too much and having their parents come looking for you. For the most part, owners are apologetic about their dogs rushing us and not listening to their recall. I have a few times had people give me grief or look at me weird for not wanting their dogs near me. The best thing to try to remember in the moment is that you can get farther by being nice or keeping quiet, even if you really really don't want to.

Rabies Challenge Fund is a good place to start: http://www.rabieschallengefund.org/ I know Terrierman has posted articles showing that as far back as the 1970's it was believed that core vaccines (rabies and distemper/parvo) were 'effective' for much longer than 3 years. I follow a similar protocol you do Julie. My senior animals are no longer vaccinated and my vet agrees. Sick and senior animals should not be vaccinated. He is a regular, traditional vet too. Dogs are kept up on Rabies as required by law. I have done titers (distemper/parvo) in the past, vet calls and always says all is good, no need to vaccinate again. I believe my vet will vaccinate as the owner requests as Gentlelake says. But when I say I don't want to vaccinate my older adult animals anymore or my senior cats, he does not bat an eye. Interestingly, my in-laws who do not have any knowledge at all about vaccines or diets (they feed Walmart brand food), go to a rural vet that recommended they do not vaccinate their 5 and 7 year old dogs anymore (except rabies). Both are fine health wise and have always had their 1yr and 3 yr vaccines. My MIL asked me if this was 'okay' when the vet told her the dogs did not need anymore vaccines (after he asked if they were ever boarded, attend daycare, dog parks, etc).

Well I am surprised that the vet is vaccinating every year for distemper/parvo. That is not necessary. Why not have the lepto vaccine given alone each year? Distemper and parvo combo is good for 3 years for adults previously vaccinated.

Do you get them vaccinated every year for rabies and distemper/parvo? I did not know any vet did that still. Most states require a rabies vaccine every 3 years after their first 2 puppy vaccines. Distemper/parvo is every 3 years as well after puppy hood. I would be shocked if your vet suggests these be done every year.

I agree. And I am someone who feeds raw. Diet is in my opinion a smaller part of the equation than genetics. My grandfather is 98 with no known medical conditions in his life other than a hip replacement at 92. His 4 sisters all lived into their 90's, one with untreated breast cancer for almost 10 years (stubborn lady who refused treatment). None followed any kind of rigid or different diet than other average people. Of course lifestyle and diet affects any animal's health but we can all find dogs or cats who ate low end kibble, expensive kibble or raw who lived well past the normal age for their breed.

...maybe he just wanted to see you?

I only feed deer ribs and I feed them with three attached together still. They're thinner and pretty fragile compared to cow ribs so I feed them still attached to each other. I have never had them still attached to the spine. To me, rib slabs really don't have a lot of meat on them, but I know others consider them to be meaty.

To me, chicken wings alone (not attached to the rest of the bird) for a dog over 10 lbs is too small- two chomps and they will just swallow it which defeats the teeth cleaning purpose. Same for chicken necks, they're so tiny typically. I feed raw as a main diet and use chicken quarters and split breasts for most of their bone content. Venison ribs together are nice too and necks. I sometimes can get turkey legs and turkey wings. To me if you are just feeding it once a week or so you would be fine to give a partially frozen (even more gnawing opportunity) chicken split breast or chicken quarter. Depending on where you buy them they can be large (1-+lb) or smaller. A larger chicken drumstick could be an option too. You can just go to a regular grocery store or butcher for chicken. Just check the sodium as Gentlelake mentioned.

A solid hour per day of just fetch sounds so boring for both the human and dog. She does not need it. I promise. Try taking her for a walk, it is much for stimulating mentally-she can see, explore, sniff new things and has to perform basic impulse control (not pulling). The gentle leader is mentioned a lot, can she walk on a loose leash with a flat collar? If not, train for it-it is great mental exercise to learn to walk nicely on a leash. Can you take her somewhere to walk off leash too? As others said, try some trick training or impulse control work (place/mat, long down stays). As for not sitting when asked, she is not testing you-she probably did not understand what you wanted in that situation. Many dogs know how to sit with a cookie in the owners hand but not when the person is sitting on the couch, on a leash at your side, in a new situation and so on. I would just go back to basics and have fun-ask for a sit from a down or a sit while you're doing something different (at her side, several feet away, with your back to her).

Thanks for the clarification on location. I'm glad to hear you did not really think the kid was at fault. When I know my dogs are really distracted and I need to recall I always yell "Name, Here!". I pause after the name call and when they flinch/look up/ear moves, I yell "Here" (their recall word). As soon as she starts coming towards you, verbally reward her (good girl!) so she knows that she is doing the right thing and walk backwards praising her. This can help with her getting distracted on the way back. It really comes down to practice, as she is still young. It sounds like her recall is there, just not all the way. This is just a proofing issue. Take it back a step, and practice when she is just before the stage where you know she will blow you off. Have a friend come over with their dog and practice.

I'm late to this thread but I don't see on the site any requirement for a video of the dog working. This is from the registry rules page: 3 photographs front, left, and right profile. Club membership, only members is good standing can register dogs Completed and signed veterinary certificate Says nothing about working ability or a video. I clicked on about ten of the dog profiles in the database. I found two that said "yes" under "working dog?". But nothing further about what they do. Just one said the dog learned by watching them. ? It sounds like the emphasis is strongly placed on appearance and not a high level of working ability. Just hanging around a farm would qualify my two as working dogs.

I just wanted to comment on the kid situation. I find it very strange that someone would think a small child and their parents are at fault when a strange dog starts chasing the child in a public park. Is this a dog park or a park where dogs can legally be off leash? Either way, it may be hard to hear, but as the dog owner it is your responsibility to have control over the dog in public. Of course things happen and luckily no one was hurt. But no one should be subjected to someone else's dog when in public. Keep her leashed unless in a dog park and even then, she should not be allowed to interact with strange kids. Which is why all dog parks by me have a rule of no kids under 12. For the recall, just keep practicing. Recall her when she is just starting to play, before she gets super into it. Keep making it easier for her and build back up to a more distracted recall.

In the beginning you will be busy just teaching him about the world. Taking him places, teaching basic commands, loose leash walking, house breaking, crate training. There will be plenty to do! I would advise not falling into the trap of occupying the pup constantly. Teach him to settle in the house or occupy himself quietly (frozen kongs, chew toys). If you're always paying attention to him and catering to him 24/7 he will expect that.

I will just add to the other great advice. Stop now letting the kids put their hands in the dog's bowl. It is showing the dog that he is right to want to guard his food. In his mind, at any time a kid is going to come in and mess with my food so I should be on guard. I would not want a kid reaching on my plate either and there is no good reason a dog should have to put up with that. Crate the dog for his meals so he feels safe and calm to eat (and so your son is safe too) and get a professional in the home to assess the situation. Make sure the trainer has actual behavioral experience and not just obedience type work. I also wanted to add to Gloria's post that yawning is also a sign of stress. Levi is quite fearful of young kids under 8 years old. He will lick his lips, turn his head sideways, yawn when he is near a small child. These are all signs he gives before moving to growling. Look for these signs and move the kids away from the dog so the dog learns that his signals work.

It's a good thing to be aware of though. To know what companies are doing so you can spend your money with companies who align with your beliefs. It's also why I like to make as much as I can or support local businesses often.

My thoughts exactly Mark. It is necessary unless people are willing to sign up for such experiments. I remember in the early 2000's when Iams was outed for their testing. Big billboards on our thruway with awful photos. How do people think the companies know how their food affects your dogs and cats if they don't test it on dogs and cats? The Iams thing seemed like they were definitely not being respectful at all of the animals but when done with respect to the animals, it is necessary to test before marketing a product or drug. Otherwise your family pets are the test subjects. I too am another who will not support PETA. Please donate your hard earned money elsewhere: to local rescue especially where you can see where the money is being spent and not on mailers, ads, high salaries and killing pets in their shelters.

The first couple of days after the fields are cut it is like a graveyard buffet out there. Cut up moles, mice and rabbits. Levi scarfs them up if I am not looking. Same during hunting season, he eats the organs that are cut out during field dressing and finds the neighbor's carcasses they toss after butchering. Deer poop and chicken poop are favorite treats too. Though our chickens don't free range anymore a couple still get out and the dog's eat their poop. My husband listened to Coop Cast (a podcast) and said apparently one of their dogs died from something he got from eating chicken poop. I've never investigated that claim too see what exactly it was. Our dogs have never gotten sick from their 'finds'.

My sister in law just got her dog CGC certified. Put the little AKC tag on his collar and everything. 2 years ago this dog bit two people, including my sister in law (she was just walking the dog down the street when he bit her). He punctured her arm several times, needed stitches at the ER and the dog was quarantined for rabies. In some towns or counties, this dog would have been labeled dangerous and required to adhere to certain restrictions. The town here does not have a dangerous dog law. But for her the CGC is a big accomplishment because they had talked about euthanizing him after. I personally see it another way too, that the CGC is meaningless as far as an assessment to a dogs temperament or ability to be a good dog in public.

I've heard people try to say that vaccine toxins and carbs from kibble cause them. When I worked in a grooming shop, almost every Golden over 5 years had one or many. It seemed very common in the breed. Just like most things, I am sure there are environmental and genetic connections.

I also train the trick before putting a cue to it. I wait until the trick is pretty much fully done until I come up with a word. I call backwards circles around my feet "flip", don't know what others call it. I call sit pretty "stand" because it is shorter. I say "up" to go from a sit or down directly to a standing position. "Bring" is my go get it and bring it to me command. "Twirl" is my spin command too. I say "where's your face?" to have him cover his face with his paw. Whatever I think I can remember, I will use. I have never had anyone give me grief for trick training. Most people find it hilarious and impressive when he does the simplest tricks or just seeing either dog be off leash. Most never see the more complicated tricks that require props or the ones that took forever to finish.

I've taught most of the same things Kingfisher posted. Youtube is good for searching for fun tricks. Kikopup does some innovative tricks and there was a girl from Poland I used to follow who did some really different tricks with her BC. Most of the tricks I like to teach are not practical, they're just fun. Practical for me is recall, place, wait, stay, down (in motion and at a distance). Some of the fun ones that are not practical that I like to ask for still: Roll up in a blanket Flip (tight backward circles around my feet) Ask for each leg (right-holds right paw up high, left-holds left high, back leg, etc) Put toys away in bin Cross paws Back (walk backwards) Box (4 paws in the smallest box like object I can find) Pray (paws draped on my arm or leg and his head goes underneath) Once you have taught a lot of these tricks you can start making up your own since they're all based on a lot of the same behaviors chained together. If I owned a suitcase, I would like to teach getting into one and closing the lid. It always looks so cute in videos.