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Questions for Kaye

Ask Aunty Kaye a question about your dog.

 

Email your question to Kaye. kh@netspace.net.au

 

Coming when Called

 

Max does not recall when there is another dog in the vicinity, as he just wants to play

QUESTION: I have a young American Bulldog, Max, who I am training through the Delta program currently. My one main problem with Max's training success, is he does not recall when ever there is another dog in the near vicinity, as he just wants to play. He is only 5 1/2 months old, so maybe I am expecting too much too early.

There have also been a few joggers he is keen to check out that he has not listened & returned.
Therefore I have purchased a fairly good quality dog whistle after hearing that it may assist with gaining Max's attention a bit more successfully.

So now I am looking for some good tips on how best to use & maximise it's potential as a training aid.
 
Can you help at all?

 Answer

  
Puppy management
How should we manage the normal puppy mouthing and excitability of our Labrador Assistance Dog?

We have just recently got Oliver, a Labrador Assistance Dog puppy. We are teaching him to go in his crate, by feeding him there and giving him his Kong. He also is learning to lie down on his mat in the kitchen, and we are only giving him attention when he is calm. I let him lick my son, but put him on the floor if he starts to mouthe or nip. Am I being too harsh?

Answer

Front door behaviour
Our three year old Rhodesian Ridgeback is nervous and barks at people at the front door.

Question: Charlie is a naturally nervous dog, who is easily unsettled. She has a great temperament around those she is familiar with and is very loyal.

 

The trouble we are having is that Charlie is beginning to gain confidence in intimidating strangers. We have trouble with Charlie's aggressiveness shown to visitors (although she has never bitten anyone, she does show her teeth and of course most visitors react with nerves when she acts like this) we are wondering if you have any tips on how to exert authority over her. I was wondering if she needs to be trained that the door where visitors approach is our domain and that she is not required to protect us there. Do you have any suggestions on how to go about this?

Any tips would be appreciated

 

Answer

Jealousy
My dog Neil finds it very difficult to share me with others.

Question: Our 1 year old border collie, Nell, finds it difficult to "share" me with others.  She jumps all over/ nipping my partner or mother (when she visits), or pulling on the "intruding" person's clothing etc, as soon as we are all close together. This behaviour only happens when I am part of the scene. Can you help Aunty Kaye?

Answer
Food in Training
Will I have to use food for the rest of the dog's life?"

     Question: When can I stop rewarding my dog with    food? What if my dog doesn't want to eat?

 Answer


Clicker Training

When do you use a clicker? 

Questions: Is a clicker the same as verbal praise?  Can you explain to me how the clicker works as opposed to voice praise then reward? How do people who are co-ordinationally challenged cope with a clicker? If I don't want to use/don't have a clicker, what else can I use?

Answer
Heeling

How can I solve my problems with heeling?

           Question: How do I stop my dog from lagging? 

           Answer

 

Retrieving

 


How can I get my dog to retrieve? 
 Question: My dog will retrieve at home, but not at the  training ground. What can I do?
 Answer

 

 

 Tug games and dominance
Should I play tug games with my dog?

Question: I have heard that playing tug games is bad for my dog because it will make him dominant. What do you think?

Answer

Introducing a new baby
How should we teach our dog to sleep outside?
Questioni: This might be tricky to do but we are thinking about moving our dog who currently sleeps in the hallway to sleeping outside. We have a baby on the way and whilst we are happy to have him sleep inside he has shown us on numerous occasions how clever he is to be able to open doors that are closed by jumping up and turning the handle!  What do you think it the best way to put him outside, gradually move him closer to the door or just put him out there one night? I’d prefer to do it sooner rather than later so we doesn’t associate it with the baby at all.  He has a kennel that he doesn’t use so we were going to buy him one of those beds on legs that are about 20 cm off the ground and put his current soft bed on that.

Our dog is a Labrador X, very close to us and has a history of resource guarding which we sought professional help for. He has improved dramatically but I think the instinct is there in all dogs so I would never say he is “cured”, just seriously improved.

Your thoughts would be much appreciated!

Answer





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