February 9, 201214 yr Author QUOTE (Tex @ Feb 9, 2012 -> 03:01 PM) That sure does describe my dog. One other thing to keep in mind, Tex....genetics plays a big role as well....you might have a dog with fantastic genes...
February 9, 201214 yr QUOTE (iamshack @ Feb 9, 2012 -> 02:05 PM) One other thing to keep in mind, Tex....genetics plays a big role as well....you might have a dog with fantastic genes... He did, well above my ability to train him. I bought him from a breeder in Bristol, WI. who was well known for field trail champions. I followed their program as far as training and nutrition. I sometimes wished I had spent the money for professional training, but I really enjoyed the time my kids and I spent training him and going to competitions.
February 9, 201214 yr So how do you feed a dog a raw bone? Doesn't it contaminate the floor? Do you feed them in a crate?
February 10, 201214 yr QUOTE (G&T @ Feb 9, 2012 -> 05:45 PM) So how do you feed a dog a raw bone? Doesn't it contaminate the floor? Do you feed them in a crate? I have given my dog butcher bones before, and it is a mess at first, so you have to give them a good area that isnt carpet to get them started. Once they clean off the bone, which usually isnt long, and they start chewing on the bone to get to the marrow it is fine.
February 10, 201214 yr Author QUOTE (G&T @ Feb 9, 2012 -> 05:45 PM) So how do you feed a dog a raw bone? Doesn't it contaminate the floor? Do you feed them in a crate? Best place to do it is outside in the grass. Otherwise, like Kyle said, find a hard surface that you can wipe down easily. Or you could try putting down some old rags or towels.
February 10, 201214 yr Bunny after having to get some stitches under her eye after being attacked by another dog. Dont laugh at her cone, she is sensitive.
February 10, 201214 yr Another reason cats are kool . . . Potty Training for Jazz Cats Often, I find myself wasting time reading biographies online and last week I became a little obsessed with jazz legend Charles Mingus. While I do know a little about Mingus' life (I'd read a few anecdotes about the bassist in Miles Davis' incredibly colorful biography Miles), no one had ever told me that Mingus was obsessed with cats. In fact, according to his official website, Mingus was so cat-crazy that he developed his own method for potty training the critters: The Charles Mingus Cat-alog for Toilet Training Your Cat . While the instructions are straightforward, here are a few things I learned from skimming his text: 1) Mingus was a patient man. In his instructions, he reminds prospective cat trainers: "Don't bug the cat now, don't rush him, because you might just throw him off. Just let him relax and go there awhile-maybe a week or two." Somehow Mingus' voice makes toilet training Mr. Winkles sound very cool. 2) Mingus' preferred method for communicating sizes seems to be in fruit measurements: "Cut a small hole in the very center of the box, less than an apple-about the size of a plum." 3) He had great faith in the intelligence of cats, believing that it's not uncommon for cats to learn how to flush the toilet after they've done their business. 4) His cat was named Nightlife. (Awesome.) I don't know why, but the whole notion that the jazz great took the time to write out his method for potty training cats just makes me grin wide. Plus, I love the book jacket cover. You can find Mingus' detailed instructions at this official website. Of course, if jazz cats aren't your cup of tea, you can read all about John Lennon's feline obsession here.
February 10, 201214 yr Author QUOTE (DrunkBomber @ Feb 10, 2012 -> 12:21 AM) Bunny after having to get some stitches under her eye after being attacked by another dog. Dont laugh at her cone, she is sensitive. If you have trouble with the cone, you can buy a more reasonable and comfortable one at Petco or Petsmart, which is basically a soft ring pillow that goes around her neck. These cheap plastic cones are ridiculous.
February 10, 201214 yr QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Feb 8, 2012 -> 12:16 PM) Man, come on, this is a thread for talking about our "animal friends". I have two awesome cats. AWESOME. If you don't like your cats, that's your problem, but saying "f*** cats" is bulls*** in my opinion. So f you and your s***ty dog. Meh, to each his own.
February 10, 201214 yr QUOTE (iamshack @ Feb 10, 2012 -> 08:31 AM) If you have trouble with the cone, you can buy a more reasonable and comfortable one at Petco or Petsmart, which is basically a soft ring pillow that goes around her neck. These cheap plastic cones are ridiculous. Ugh I wish I would have known that earlier lol. Thanks for the tip though, hopefully I never have to deal with something like this again but if I do I will definitely look into that. I felt so bad for her having to wear that thing, but it was only for a couple days and she just got her stitches out 2 days ago and is doing much better.
February 13, 201214 yr Picked up our 8 1/2 week old Vizsla puppy this weekend. He is a sweet guy and has gotten along really well with our two very social cats (cats and dogs living together, mass hysteria!). No accidents in the crate yet. He lets us know at night when he needs to go (last two nights between 2 and 3 am). Any advice on housebreaking? He hadn't learned anything prior to us picking him up and has had a number of accidents in the house (hardwood floors thankfully). We've been taking him out about every hour, half an hour after food, or if he starts to get antsy. We have been rewarding him for going outside with training treats (the only way he gets those treats right now) and lots of praise. If we catch him in the act in the house, we take him outside right away. We tried to put down puppy pads in the house, but he thinks they are toys. Any other words of wisdom?
February 13, 201214 yr QUOTE (illinilaw08 @ Feb 13, 2012 -> 09:15 AM) Picked up our 8 1/2 week old Vizsla puppy this weekend. He is a sweet guy and has gotten along really well with our two very social cats (cats and dogs living together, mass hysteria!). No accidents in the crate yet. He lets us know at night when he needs to go (last two nights between 2 and 3 am). Any advice on housebreaking? He hadn't learned anything prior to us picking him up and has had a number of accidents in the house (hardwood floors thankfully). We've been taking him out about every hour, half an hour after food, or if he starts to get antsy. We have been rewarding him for going outside with training treats (the only way he gets those treats right now) and lots of praise. If we catch him in the act in the house, we take him outside right away. We tried to put down puppy pads in the house, but he thinks they are toys. Any other words of wisdom? I wouldn't do the puppy pads, that might confuse him, especially if there's any sort of praise for using that instead of the floor (unless you intend for him to use them later). Just stick with what you're doing - get him on a schedule, give him tons of praise when he does good, ignore the bad and treats are good incentives. Eventually he'll get the routine down, even if it takes a few weeks. I thought adding bells to the door was helpful for ours. That gives another thing to associate with outside/bathroom because they get another treat.
February 13, 201214 yr Puppy pads were a waste of money for us. Used maybe 2 and that was when it was storming outside and tried using them in the garage. Just pay attention and be strict when house breaking them and you'll be fine.
February 13, 201214 yr QUOTE (illinilaw08 @ Feb 13, 2012 -> 10:15 AM) Picked up our 8 1/2 week old Vizsla puppy this weekend. He is a sweet guy and has gotten along really well with our two very social cats (cats and dogs living together, mass hysteria!). No accidents in the crate yet. He lets us know at night when he needs to go (last two nights between 2 and 3 am). Any advice on housebreaking? He hadn't learned anything prior to us picking him up and has had a number of accidents in the house (hardwood floors thankfully). We've been taking him out about every hour, half an hour after food, or if he starts to get antsy. We have been rewarding him for going outside with training treats (the only way he gets those treats right now) and lots of praise. If we catch him in the act in the house, we take him outside right away. We tried to put down puppy pads in the house, but he thinks they are toys. Any other words of wisdom? You should be taking him out 15-20 mins after he eats or drinks. I think you're waiting way too long. If he's not going in the crate then you're in good shape overall. Shouldn't be a bad process. Accidents happen. Sometimes you can just be happy you didn't have to go out in the cold! Don't bother with pads. I know it works for some people but that dog is going to be too big to do that later on, I think.
February 13, 201214 yr Yeah, puppy pads were more or less made for people with little dogs that live in apartments. Plus, they can confuse your dog because they are sprayed with a substance that makes dogs want to use them, which alternately makes them want to use the bathroom outside less. Repetition, your dog will get it sooner or later.
February 13, 201214 yr My pup maybe had 3 poop accidents in the house at most. Lots of pee accidents, which will happen, but felt fortunate he just had 3 poops or so. I still remember the moment he got it. He walked into the living room in front of us and just squated and went. I read that pointing to the mess and shouting NO was a good way to house train. Don't yell NO at the dog, but the mess. We did that and he stood there and stared like, "I messed up.", while we cleaned it up. I think at that time, I was picking it up and taking it outside where I would point to it and be like, "Yes" or "Good". The look of embarassment on his face was kind of sad but he never pooped in the house again. It just eventually clicks. Now training the dog on the invisible fence was a challenge for me because I wanted to be the best trainer ever and train him without him getting shocked.
February 13, 201214 yr I was using the bell on the door for a while but my dog started bluffing when she figured out when she rings the bell she gets to go outside.
February 13, 201214 yr QUOTE (DrunkBomber @ Feb 13, 2012 -> 04:05 PM) I was using the bell on the door for a while but my dog started bluffing when she figured out when she rings the bell she gets to go outside. Yeah we went through that phase too. We're on such a set schedule with her though we know when she's bluffing. That, and once she hit about three she stopped using the bells unless it was an emergency. Now if she needs to go out she'll sit in front of you on the floor and just stare. That's one thing about dogs that you don't get with cats. Lots and lots of nonverbal communication just from looking at each other.
February 14, 201214 yr QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Feb 13, 2012 -> 05:23 PM) Cats communicate non-verbally. They do, but its more body language than through looks.
February 14, 201214 yr Author I believe I have read that dogs and chimps are the only animals that can understand to look at something a human is asking them to look at by pointing at it... Then again, I mentioned earlier that dogs can smell cancer cells before any other detection technique we have and no one was impressed by that... Edited February 14, 201214 yr by iamshack
February 16, 201214 yr Any tips on how to break dog of jumping on people? I have tried water bottle, ignoring him when he does it, etc. He will be 2 in May so I am starting to hope he just grows out of it. People think he is attacking them at first and all he wants is attention. Not biting or anything.
February 16, 201214 yr QUOTE (Brian @ Feb 16, 2012 -> 01:05 PM) Any tips on how to break dog of jumping on people? I have tried water bottle, ignoring him when he does it, etc. He will be 2 in May so I am starting to hope he just grows out of it. People think he is attacking them at first and all he wants is attention. Not biting or anything. I'd love to know too. My mother in law has two 100-pound monsters who are awful about this. The minute they see you, they totally lose their sh*t and want to tackle you. Ugh
February 16, 201214 yr QUOTE (CrimsonWeltall @ Feb 16, 2012 -> 06:57 AM) I'd love to know too. My mother in law has two 100-pound monsters who are awful about this. The minute they see you, they totally lose their sh*t and want to tackle you. Ugh That's the same thing only mine is full grown at 35 lbs
February 16, 201214 yr QUOTE (Brian @ Feb 16, 2012 -> 01:13 PM) That's the same thing only mine is full grown at 35 lbs Consider yourself lucky
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