The Official "Dogs of the DMF" Thread

[JBubble]

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You can now spend a lot of money to get a DNA test of your animal to truly find out the breed. I recall reading an article about this a while ago.


Pretty stupid if you ask me, but I guess some really do want to know and can afford a few grand for a DNA Test.

Its only $100 dollars on this site: http://www.dog-dna.com/

My dog goes nuts when she sees another dog as well, on leash or off.

What can be done about that?

Grace used to do that, really wanting to play with the other person or dog and/or barking. We carry her favorite dog treats with us all the time and would work on recall, rewarding her every time (she's very food driven). Now when we see another dog, we make her come to us and show her the treat. It seems to keep her focused on us instead of the other dog. Of course we put her leash on as well but she usually just starts staring at us and drooling when we have a treat.

[Triple J]

My dog goes nuts when she sees another dog as well, on leash or off.

What can be done about that?

That's because your dog see itself as the pack leader, not you. I also struggle with this for one of my dogs (on-leash only).

First you have to fix on leash. What seeme to work is taking your dog for a walk, and keep the lead short so the dog must walk beside you. Allowing the dog to wal ahead, even on a lead, tells them they are in charge. Don't let him/her pull, sniff, pee, etc. unless you approve it (let them on ocasion). Basically the dog must walk calmly beside you at all times, without tension in the leash. This can be much easier said than done, so it takes patience. When they lunge after a dog, get in front of them and make them stop and sit...they should focus on you, their pack leader, for direction...also can be easier said than done. Match their emotional intensity...if they're calm, stay calm...if they're amped then get a little more forceful (not violent, just assertive).

Reinforce this when you get home by not letting the dog enter the house before you. Have them sit outside, you walk in, then you invite them in. Carry this mentality throughout everything. For instance, make them sit before putting their food dish down. Don't let them start eating until you say it is OK. Things like this show the dog you are the alpha.

Doing a lot of home training...sit, stay, lay down, etc...helps condition them. Also, if you can't get them to mind well at home, then you have no chance outside where there are more distractions. Teach them at home first.

Good luck. After they figure it out they are much better pets, and are happier as well. 

[Triple J]

Grace used to do that, really wanting to play with the other person or dog and/or barking. We carry her favorite dog treats with us all the time and would work on recall, rewarding her every time (she's very food driven). Now when we see another dog, we make her come to us and show her the treat. It seems to keep her focused on us instead of the other dog. Of course we put her leash on as well but she usually just starts staring at us and drooling when we have a treat.

Effective, but what happens when you don't have any treats?

[cyrus buelton]

Its only $100 dollars on this site: http://www.dog-dna.com/

Wow, the price sure has dropped in the 4-5yrs since I originally read about the ability to do it!

[JBubble]

Effective, but what happens when you don't have any treats?

I bring them wherever Grace goes, along with a leash, because I see it as my responsibility as an owner. I know what works with her so I make sure I have those tools with me.

If we see a dog while we're in the front yard (where I would not bring treats or a leash), I make her sit and look at me while standing in front of her. Its a little harder to get her attention but thats remedied with Cesar Milan style correction.

Its my style of being a pack leader. And it works on Mother too. 

[duccarlos]

Lexi used to go nuts when she saw another dog, mainly because she wanted to play. Ever since I started taking her to the dog park a few days a week, she has settled down. I only have her on the leash when I'm walking her around the neighborhood, since it's the rule. When I take her to the park, she follows me in and out without the leash and does not jump on dogs as she's walking.

[SacDuc]

My dog goes nuts when she sees another dog as well, on leash or off.

What can be done about that?

Not sure yet. I've tried everything from smacking him on the nose (not as punishment but to redirect his attention) to just ignoring it and striding along confidently. Distraction does not work with him as he will focus solely on the other dog and not respond to commands, treats or toys. At the moment I've just been trying to avoid other dogs (not a good move on my part) and

I think our dog does it out of protection. He doesn't get that way when he knows everything is okay like when we take him to doggy day care. Not sure how to snap him out of it yet.  

sac

[cyrus buelton]

Greta is a very interesting one.


She can't really be around other dogs in our complex. She goes absolutely nuts. She gets her barking/growling play voice going and all the dog owners get a little shell shocked. She is also VERY protective of Tiff or I.

But when she is outside her "territory" she is absolutely fine.

She does great at the pet store, walking around a different park, and plays very well at the dog park with other dogs, be it little or small.


I guess the behavior within our neighborhood is that of bred instinct of protecting what she believes is hers to guard.

[SacDuc]

Its only $100 dollars on this site: http://www.dog-dna.com/

Every dog professional we've talked to (as well as two people who actually paid for dna breed testing) says these tests are completely full of shit regardless of the lab that does them.

sac

[cyrus buelton]

We are now in the midst of a puppy........

We went to the Airport to pick him up yesterday afternoon at the Delta baggage window, but apparently they are shipped as "freight" by their standards, so we had to go get him at the Delta Freight pick-up. The moron in the delta office didn't know where that was, but after googling, we found the address.

no more than 2 minutes later, they called us and said our "cargo" was ready to be picked up. The guy gave us directions and we were off.


This is what we found:

GET ME OUT!!

Proud Mommy

Proud Dad

Ride Home....I'm tired!

No worthwhile photos from the initial greeting as it was a bit different. Greta didn't know quite what to do. They chased each other and now today Greta is doing better with him around. She is used to all the attention, so we have been splitting duties up.

Here is a picture of Greta and Tag playing on our patio


And of course a nap on Dad this morning

[SacDuc]

Awesome!    Very cute pup!

sac

[DRKWNG]

Has anyone here used Pet Airways?  I am not terribly keen on the idea of shipping Darmah in the cargo hold when I fly across the country...

[Travman]

Marty was my baby from 94 until two years ago.  I'm missing her today.  This  would be the type of day we would go hiking. 

[cyrus buelton]

Has anyone here used Pet Airways?  I am not terribly keen on the idea of shipping Darmah in the cargo hold when I fly across the country...

I know it is a new service and I did read about it when they first announced their maiden trips. It looks like a nice service from what I read about it, but I have no first hand experience.  I am sure there are some reviews out there.


Tag left Philadelphia at 1019a and arrived here at 445p. He had a connection in ATL.

I think the airlines do a better job then they used to on transporting pets.

He had water and food in his crate, with extra strapped to the top.


He was a bit timid when we got him out, but to be expected.


Also try.......www.uship.com



they now have an animal shipping section.....





RIP Marty.
We lost our little buddy about a month ago and it is still very hard.

[somegirl]

Cute pup cyrus!

Has anyone here used Pet Airways?  I am not terribly keen on the idea of shipping Darmah in the cargo hold when I fly across the country...

Does that mean she is coming with you after all?