great still shots
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rude, intrusive behs from 2 approx 4-MO/5-MO Lab-siblings
YouTube - "Rude" lab puppies
the adult-M is a Pitbull-type X Sighthound - maybe Whippet

2 adults having a nice time, jaw-wrestling
YouTube - Malamute and Rottweiler at play in daycare
interfering teen-pup muzzle-punches, barks, gets between

this has a long intro, but pay attn -
YouTube - Pit Bull, 2 Boxers and a Chihuahua
the play in the yard is VERY loud, rough + active - Pittie + Boxer typical
the timid-F-Boxer has nothing to do with the other 2, and the Chi is the
fun-police, harassing the 2 wildly-playing hooligans

despite the title, this is not really *splitting* -
YouTube - Dog's don't fight - Splitting dogs
splits are silent + use body-language, the dog walks between /among the quarreling dogs,
and stands there, or keeps moving if they STOP the potential-conflict.
dams do a lot of splitting; some dogs do it in dog-parks, but not ENUF do.
many dogs who are regulars at dog-parks have terrible manners, they leap all-over dogs they;ve just met.


notes on play-styles + breeds / types / mixes -
styles vary widely (BCs bite + chase; pits wrestle); but RUDE is pretty well universal.
when a dog says, no, thanks... the soliciting dog should read the NO + go ask someone else to play...
but of course, this does not always happen.

some dogs are clueless + were undersocialized as pups; they don;t know how to signal, nor can they read others.
pups taken too-early from dam + sibs often are in this group.

some are simply thugs; they overwhelm pups + smaller dogs, refuse to accept No, love to mount, harass + push.
HERDING breeds, types, and their crosses are often *terrible* at dog-play with any but similar dogs;
GSDs at dog-parks are all too often the Fun-Police; they shut down every game,
they chase and bite everyone who moves faster than a walk, etc. no fun!

BCs and Aussies will often TAKE or GUARD every dog-toy that can be thrown or that rolls or bounces;
if it moves, THEY want it, and no-one else, even the owner, can have it.
this can look very funny, but it can be quite hazardous, too.
ASK * THE * OWNER to get the object, don;t try to get the toy from a strange dog... just to be safe.

__________________
terry pride, APDT-Aus, apdt#1827, CVA, TDF
*wolves R wolves, dogs R dogs, + primates R us.*
tmp, sept-2007

if the dog is anxious, timid, reactive / barky, aggressive, predatory + motion-sensitive -
fearful, naive, under-socialized, under-habituated, recently moved + are not responding well...
whatever the emotional problem, i use the same process for de-stressing.
the Kitchen-Sink solution, ... i throw *everything!* at these dogs, like paint on a wall,
and whatever sticks, works; what runs-off does not matter a whit!

calmatives - i would use all 3:
DAP pump-spray, liquid Rescue-Remedy AND lavender botanical-spray for bed-linens.
the 1st 2 require no learning at all; the lavender-aromatherapy is simple, but needs Association
with calm / quiet / safe periods to really hook the relax cue (the odor of lavender) to the dogs automatic response...
BOTH rescue-remedy drops *and!* lavender can also be used by U and hubby -
and i would strongly suggest this, as it helps U to relax, cope, stress less, + SLEEP better!

5 to 6 drops of RR,
taken AM + PM on an empty-tum, is a good baseline dosage; ADD another dose 15 to 20-mins before *expected*
stressors... if something unexpected / unplanned / upsetting is a nasty surprise, just take the RR-liquid ASAP.
for the dog, it is dripped directly into flews; OR dripped right onto a single treat, for immediate consumption.
i have yet to have a dog refuse to eat it - IOW they do not need to be *plied* with it.
do not use the -pastilles- AKA sugar-pill version of Rescue-Remedy in a dog -
they contain Xylitol, an artificial sweetener which causes a glucose-crisis in dogs; they can be comatose
in as little as 20-mins, and die quickly. the * liquid * does not contain Xylitol, and is dog-safe.
Xylitol is also in Tic-Tacs, diet-soda, baked-goods, toothpaste, etc - READ ingredients to assure safety.

i do NOT add R-R drops to water; we then have zero idea when or if the dog drank it, or how much.
Also a few dogs will veer-off from the novel odor in their accustomed bowl, and avoid drinking - Never a good thing!
and yes, U can take RR as often as once per hour... assuming stress is constant, which we all hope it is not!

lavender linens-spray
this takes very very little - U can spritz a few sprays in the bedroom 10 to 15-mins before bedtime, and let it dissipate with the room-door closed; U can spray 1 or 2 sprays on a small rag, and put it on the ROOF of the dogs shipping crate (solid surface!! not wire...) again, to dissipate before bed -

U can turn off a light in the living room, spray the FABRIC shade, let it stand a moment, and turn the light back on this is alcohol based, do not spray near HEAT sources + do not SPRAY * LIGHT * BULBS!! they can explode!!

for the DOG -
avoid CORN in any + every form - corn-meal, corn-chips, cornstarch, corn-syrup, corn-flour, EVERYthing. corn is short on Tryptophan, which is a dietary precursor to serotonin and this leaves the dog on edge all the time; it significantly lowers their threshold of reaction - things that normally slide right by them not only are noticed, they are upset by them.

a snug T-shirt or stretchy body-snugger that leaves belly/butt exposed
the tighter the better -- any coat that stands-off the body should be squashed utterly flat against the body;
or use the T-Touch BODY-WRAP of a 2-inch or 4-inch wide ACE-bandage, across the chest, up over shoulders, X, under torso, X, up over loin in front of hind-legs, X on loin, under belly, wrap up over back + around until used-up.
PIN with safety pins, NOT using the butterfly-clips that come with Ace-bandages! dogs have picked them off + swallowed em, got;em snagged in a lip or gum, snapped the Ace bandage-tension and DRAGGED the pointy butterfly-clip across their face, etc. over-sized diaper-pins with big heads work well - the springs are powerful, and the dog cannot easily open them, nor be punctured.
How to apply the TTouch Body Wrap

an illustration of the body-wrap can also be found in Getting in T-Touch with Ur dog (or Horse edition, same title).
T-touch itself is safe, easy to learn and can be done at home or abroad -
Amazon.com: Getting in TTouch with Your Dog: An Easy, Gentle Way to Better Health and Behavior (9781570762062): Linda Tellington-Jones: Books

the Anxiety-Wrap is very effective, an all-over elastic mesh-fabric that looks like a legless wetsuit
for dogs - this may be pricey, but it works, often when Rx-meds, etc, do not.
http://tinyurl.com/35bmcx9


sounds to mask any scary-noises:
* white-noise - the static between radio-stations
* a fan on low
* a sleep-sounds generator [running brook, surf, soft rain, etc]
these often sell in Bed-n-bath shops for $10 or less
* a sleep-sounds CD on low: rainforest, beach, summer crickets...


DAP-spray everything that does not move
and that is not Dry-Clean Only, antique, alcohol-sensitive, garment-suede or garment-leather.
the dogs collar (OFF the dog, spritz, replace), the leash a hands-length from the clip just before attaching it to the collar (every time it swings by dogs nose, they get a fresh whiff), Ur pantslegs on the outside-seam at HEAD-height, Ur shoes or boots, the dogs bed, the crate, the back-seat of the car, the dogs fave-spot on the wall-to-wall, the sofa, their mat or a towel to lie-on, a RAG to sit on the roof of the shipping-crate (again, SOLID roof not wire!), Ur shirt or jacket cuffs, Ur gloves, the dogs harness BEFORE putting it on the dog, the seatbelt of the car that secures the dog/the crate...
and anything else that is washable or synthetic or upholstery-leather.
if in doubt - SPRAY a hidden area, WAIT 48-hrs, CHECK for fading, softening, dye runs, smeared print, etc.

DAP lasts approx 90-mins per dose; each SPRITZ is a measured amount + is the dose for that surface,
but one spritz on the collar, the leash, my pantslegs on either leg, my boots, my cuffs, + my gloves is just fine...
THERE * IS * NO * OVERDOSE for DAP or for Rescue-Remedy, and there are NO interactions with other items - meds, food, nothing!
very very safe...

the pump-spray works faster; the plug-in works only in the home, and the effect is BEST near the plug-in, so its area-specific and a narrow application.
if U can afford it, BOTH is best -
put the plug-in near the familys busiest area, where the dog is =most-likely= to be approached, touched, etc...
but the pump-spray can go in a pocket or bag, and be used anywhere; i highly recommend it, DAP is wonderful stuff.
DAP is dosed: 1 spritz is a measured amount, it lasts approx 90-mins and can be re-applied indefinitely;
NO dosage risks. Lots of DAP exposure for women means some breast-swelling + minor tenderness -
so do not be alarmed by that, it is not dangerous, just a mild discomfort.
bear in mind, i am spraying boots (2), pantcuffs (2), sideseams (2), shirt/jkt cuffs (2), and possibly
GLOVES as well - i get a LOT of exposure.
the tenderness fades over 12 to 24-hours of lesser exposure.

NILIF -
every WANT + every NEED for the dog is asked-for with a pretty-please + pre-paid with a SIT, before the dogs desire/need is granted. this is a simple habit; getting it into the dogs life simplifies their comprehension, builds compliance + is a reassuring routine, which is soothing.
it also provides a useful tool for the DOG - a Pretty-Please SIGNAL to communicate with us humans. this allows the dog
to talk to us... and is very helpful in reducing frustration + stress, as a result - just like a pre-verbal toddler,
who WANTS / NEEDS but cannot tell us what, and the child gets frustrated + upset - As Do We Adults.

routines -
doing C after B after A... dogs are just like humans, they love their patterned behaviors + habits, this is hugely reassuring + de-stressing.

exercise -
the more aerobic the better - it is a proven brightener for mood + releases endorphins.

SING to the dog -
it helps both of U - singing changes breathing + improves oxygenation, and it helps the dog relax.
make-up a parody for the dog with their NAME in it... dogs love this!
make it fun + funny, use the name in the song to get the dogs attn for a treat or toss a toy when they hear their Sacred Name + LOOK at U... etc.

LAUGH -
at the dog, at the #$@&*! neighbor, at a joke on-line, RENT a funny movie, watch the Marx Bros in duck soup, read the Pickwick Papers out loud, tell dumb jokes...

for everybody involved -
eat as well as possible - don;t eat cr*p; SIT down to eat, make it a meal not a snack eaten standing;
SLEEP as early + well as U can. keep regular hours, and do not stay abed for 2-hours later than usual on weekends, etc.

BATHS vs showers - soak in something warm, + softly scented. warm the towels; soak yer feet; do a pedicure; eat a picnic on a rainy, dull day. INDULGE intelligently...

take NAPS when U get over-tired or stressed or yawny.
listen to good upbeat music, AVOID the 11-pm news before bed!!
do not read or watch upsetting, disturbing things before bed; murder mysteries, movies with lots of violence, hate-radio, etc.
good mental hygiene is very important!

hope this helps - and supportive ppl who listen are also key; they do not have to DO anything - just ** listen to U... **
talk to the dog, talk to Urself, talk to the hubby, call a 24-hour stress hotline... TALK.
if there is no one to talk to, WRITE * IT * DOWN... and then push it out of mind, and forget it.

all my best - if anyone has more, feel free! add whatever works for U...
--- terry

__________________
terry pride, APDT-Aus, apdt#1827, CVA, TDF
*wolves R wolves, dogs R dogs, + primates R us.*
tmp, sept-2007

Pet Forums Community - View Single Post - 11 Month Old Collie with no respect
* front-clip H-harnesses
clip the leash to the ring on the chest; the ring connects 3 straps, one over each shoulder, one goes down the sternum to the girth-strap

* HABITUATED head-collar with an under-jaw connection
headcollars that attach at the rear of the dogs head are not applicable, as they do not allow the handler to turn the dogs head
away from their trigger; one can only drag the dog sideways as they continue to stare + react (not IMO helpful)

safety first...
--- terry

__________________
terry pride, APDT-Aus, apdt#1827, CVA, TDF
*wolves R wolves, dogs R dogs, + primates R us.*
tmp, sept-2007

is the heads-up; then use mechanical advantages for safe management:
Pet Forums Community - View Single Post - 11 Month Old Collie with no respect

__________________
terry pride, APDT-Aus, apdt#1827, CVA, TDF
*wolves R wolves, dogs R dogs, + primates R us.*
tmp, sept-2007

a thread-segment on crates - sizing, style + uses, location:
Pet Forums Community - View Single Post - 8 Month old jack russel problems - please help - last straw

IME dogs that need crates include:
spooks - any age, sex, size
anxious + reactive dogs - barky, easily startled, snappish...
youths under 12-MO (teething, exploring, etc)
dogs not reliably housetrained
aggressive or territorial dogs (at night; when visitors or kids are about; etc)

** visitors ** or boarders -
housetrained-at-home does not warranty housetrained when stressed
(traveling is stressful; also hotel-rooms, etc, can have old urine, for ex)

in heat, in whelp, in recovery; while injured or ill...

elderly + easily upset or confused

PAIN chronic or acute - spinal or joint issues, soft-tissue injuries, arthritic...

during chaotic events -
weddings, Xmas visitors, kids sleepovers, hurricanes, and other acts of God and (hu)man...

noisy + scary holidays -
New Years (gunfire, fireworks), Guy-Fawkes, Hallowe-en, Independence/4th of July...

hunting season

thunderstorm season -
for sound-sensitive or phobic dogs (they need DS/CC as well as confinement - simply confining does not address the issue,
which invariably worsens over time )

DOGS * IN * TRANSIT -
an airline-approved-kennel is The Safest Way to travel, by car, plane, whatever -
tested for burst-strength, they do not BEND to trap (or release!) the occupant, will not fold or puncture the occupant,
are CRUSH-resistant and durable, and help keep the curious from touching or teasing the dog. it happens...

our dogs, when visiting friends or relatives -
a crate is great for a safe-zone; at night in a strange house; to sequester the dog when we are out; etc.
Aunties cats are safe from nephew-Dog when Dog is crated...

there are others, but those are the highlights; crates come in handy at training classes, public park events, dog shows, clinics, seminars, agility trials, hunt clubs, dog sports of all kinds, and more.

for safety and a room of their own,
--- terry

__________________
terry pride, APDT-Aus, apdt#1827, CVA, TDF
*wolves R wolves, dogs R dogs, + primates R us.*
tmp, sept-2007

growls often accompany certain body-parl - Freezing in fear when cornered or pinned,
hunkering over a bowl or bone, eyes-on-eyes staring from a turfy-dog,
guarding injuries from painful handling or simple touch... and many more.
growls have CONTEXT + EMOTION: play, threat, warning, fear, anger...


from Discovery News: Earth, Space, Tech, Animals, Dinosaurs, History
-------------------------------------
Dog Growls Contain Specific Information
Dog Growls Contain Specific Information : Discovery News
3 audio-video samples of growls + context:
play-tug, RG of food, threatening-stranger



Whats Step-Away-From-The-Bone in Dog?
Grrr… what's 'Step away from the bone' in dog? - life - 08 March 2010 - New Scientist
Lorand-Univ has done a LOT of k9-research recently, much of it quite amazing, oversetting preconceived notions of dog-congnizance.



i also liked THIS one:
------------------------------
Discovery-News, human-listeners predict size of dog from growl
Discovery News : Discovery Channel
there is a 2nd-page at the end of that short paragraph - click on [2] or [next].

heres a direct-link to page-2 in case its deleted or moved -
Discovery News : Discovery Channel



and *Why do dogs growl? *
-------------------------------
Why Do Dogs Growl?
good for clients who cannot see growls as priceless communication that we need...
in fact, We Want growls, not to trigger them, but to have that warning!

enjoy,
--- terry

__________________
terry pride, APDT-Aus, apdt#1827, CVA, TDF
*wolves R wolves, dogs R dogs, + primates R us.*
tmp, sept-2007

compare + contrast the body-language shown in these 2 clips -

Canis Film Festival
a form of Choose - To - Heel using a toy rather than food rewards -
the Black + Tan is the trainers dog, who is approx 18-MO and well-trained;
the smaller black-mix with semi-prick ears + some short tail-feather is the pet of the couple,
most-likely a BC (or possibly Aussie) X with Lab.


YouTube - e-collar training - poor dog
adult M-Rott being shocked by a 'Remote' training-collar -
altho oddly enuf, the handler is less than 12-inches away, most of the time... (the *poor dog* title is the handlers little joke...
this is an ad for his skills )

in the one clip, the body-language is loose + open; in the other, contracted + tense.

__________________
terry pride, APDT-Aus, apdt#1827, CVA, TDF
*wolves R wolves, dogs R dogs, + primates R us.*
tmp, sept-2007

Loved the first video! It gave me a warm feeling in my heart to see happy dogs doing happy training! No jerking, no corrections needed!

The second video was saddening to see. A very stressed and worried dog who, if he had had his tail, would have had it firmly clamped down. That's not training. That's abuse.

I'm loving this thread Terry!! So much great info and videos

The above sounds strangely like a dog I know

and sadly this is very much like maggie! although I find she is worse than the other BCs I have had/known...I guess all linked to her food guarding etc when she was little as it was quite pronounced as a baby...

__________________

they can be related, of course - but RG of food is a perfectly normal, innate dog behavior, which is species-apropos.
(IOW we may not like it, but its natural + can be modified without a huge deal of difficulty, in 80% or more of pups, IME.)

RG toward toys that move is more of an age-acquired thing, and the earlier the pup learns to share toys, the better -
but as U note, the intensity (like RG re food) varies by individual *and* breed.
for ex, it is normal to expect that a guarding-type pup will begin RG-food earlier + be more intense than say, a gundog-type...
all else being equal.
likewise, it is predictable that most herding-types will chase more-intensely + earlier than gundogs or guard-types...
the GSD-pup may be chasing cars by 14-WO, while the gundog-puppy is still busy chewing everything in reach,
and sniffing game-sign with interest.

Mags is still young - her toy-RG is still modifiable and is (i bet) improving still?
teaching her Tug-Of-Peace if she does not yet know it, could make a big difference - DROPPING the toy on cue brings it back
for more tug! YAY... and a good solid verbal *Drop* or *Leave it* is easy to teach, subsequent to getting a really solid,
rapid DROP * ON * DEADWEIGHT auto-response.

shes a kid - and her abilities for her age + breed are already impressive! just keep polishing...
Mags will IMO make further progress. shes not even 10-MO yet, is she?

- terry

__________________
terry pride, APDT-Aus, apdt#1827, CVA, TDF
*wolves R wolves, dogs R dogs, + primates R us.*
tmp, sept-2007