Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Anybody here -ere-ere-ere???

I try not to post but nothings going on so I'll give it a shot.

Bruno's doing pretty good. He's still grumpy around food and when tired but we've learned how to re-direct him when needed. He lays in the entrance to the kitchen when he sleeps at night. If we want by we move the gate and call him to us. He realizes we're not going to go past him, stops growling and gets up. He stretches as he comes up to us and all is fine. Not the preferred way of living with your dog but it works.

His obedience training is going very well. He's graduted from 3 classes now and is even listening to the girls. He's still a food grump but we simply leave him alone when he's eating.

I've started e-collar training with him. I did the recommended training on leash with the collar, then off leash within a fenced in area first without distractions, then with. I took him for his first off leash walk through a park away from civilization. We had a great time. I rarely had to use the collar. He responds well to simply "NO" but I'm teaching him "To far" to distinguish no from simply come closer.

The collar also has the Pager feature which is a vibration rather than a stimulation. I'm trying to switch to the pager function more frequently. He's getting the hang of it.

He kept getting ahold of and chewing the nylon muzzles we had so we purchased a JAFCO plastic muzzle for him. After trying 3 different sizes, through the mail was fun, we kept the largest rot muzzle they make. It's to big though as it covers his eyes partially. I'm going to cut it down so it fits him better. He's got plenty of room to pant and fingers cannot get into it.

Anyway, what's going on with everyone else?
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DZ

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

His last vet visit he weighed in a 85.8 pounds

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DZ

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

My first attempt at a lion cut. He wasn't finished here. Susan and I finished him. I'll try and get a newer pic.

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DZ

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

Glad to hear all is well. THis board isn't incredibly active, but it is monitored. Bruno looks great! Keep up the good work and I hope others stop by the baord as well.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles

Wow, has he ever grown! I'm glad he's doing well, and that adjustments have been made on all sides to make living with him comfortable.. It sounds like you certainly have everything under control, I'm so happy for you all : )

It has definately been a rough road. Susan and I were talking about the dogs we've had and we remembered a mutt we had in the 80's. We knew nothing about raising a dog and had to give him away because he would dig up the power wires leading to our meter. We're no experts but have learned allot. With the way things have gone with Bruno, Susan's not a big fan. She likes the more loving, chilled out dogs. I kinda like the more agressive dogs and Bruno fits right into my idea of a good all around dog. He has been a handful which takes away from the experience but he works for me. We'll probably get a Bouv when we move to MI. ???

Here's the newest pic of his cut. He's playing with a neighbor dog. Our daughter says he looks like a jacked up poodle heyeina (SP)

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DZ

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

Haha.. I have to agree with the jacked up poodle analogy.. Although I'm sure it's practical for summer temps, I don't think I'd ever have the heart to do that to my own dog

I'm more like Susan I guess. I like a dog that's affectionate and relaxed, but loves a good game.. I'd rather stay as far away from all forms of aggression as possible but since that didn't happen with my dog, I've had to adjust my tastes

>>Haha.. I have to agree with the jacked up poodle analogy.. Although I'm sure it's practical for summer temps, I don't think I'd ever have the heart to do that to my own dog
>>
>>I'm more like Susan I guess. I like a dog that's affectionate and relaxed, but loves a good game.. I'd rather stay as far away from all forms of aggression as possible but since that didn't happen with my dog, I've had to adjust my tastes

>>>>>>>>>>>

My aggressive (though she has never hurt anyone) dog turned 13 in March, and my tastes never changed. I love her, but I will do everything I can think of never to get another dog with that problem. I need someone to clean my house, and won't get anyone until she is gone. I need another dog but will not bring him in until she is gone. I'm not going to let another dog be affected by living with her. It's enough. It's made me understand how parents must feel and how God must feel, loving a bad kid while hating that bad behavior. It's so complicated.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

So far Bruno has never had any issues with other dogs, or other people for that matter. The only time he's growled at anyone away from the house was on the first day of his first basic obedience class. One of the trainers was coming around to ensure we had the proper collar, flat nylon, as directed by the club. He was maybe 6 months old. Other than that day he has never shown aggression outside of the house. While in the back yard he will bark non-stop at my neighbor when he's outside. Strangley this is the only person he will continuously bark at. I don't believe he's done anything to Bruno. When he comes in my yard, fenced in, Bruno will sniff him and go about his business but otherwise Bruno will not leave him alone.

Unfortunately I think we have caused most of his problems through bad training. We're always told watch out where you get your information and it slipped right under our nose. I guess what made sense to us doesn't necessarily make sense to a dog and we only strengthened his natural urge to guard. Things like playing with his food so he'd be used to it only made him feel like he could not eat in peace. Putting him to the ground on his back when he started showing dominance (He eventually got to strong to overpower for anyone but me). We still haven't figured out his issues with his crate but he would charge the door. The behaviorist said do away with the crate so we did. Now he gaurds the entire kitchen. I'm trying to get him back into the crate at night but he will not go in, even when coaxed with a treat. We started putting his food bowl in the crate. For 2 days he would not stick his head in and eat, even when we we're not home. I left it there and now he's eating at the back of the crate. He will not put his back paws inside though. He'll stretch as far as he can to reach the food but his rear legs stay outside. I figure once he's comfortable completely inside the crate for awhile, I'll close the door for short periods and eventually lengthen them to all night.

He's doing really good with the remote collar. Today I let him chase some geese at a nearby lake. I realized he was about to enter boggy, stinky water and gave him an out command. He locked up his brakes and turned right around and came back. I'm trying to help Susan with his training. The other day we we're practicing a heal from me to her. He's starting to get the hang of it. I'm also working on step left & step right. Right now he knows heal, stop, sit, down, stand, come, to far, go play, paw, other paw,wait, go see, front seat, back seat, mine, watch em, roll over, out, stay and OK (release word).

I cut down the rot muzzle I bought and it fits him almost perfect. There really was no size to fit him without ordering a custom made muzzle. He looks like hannibal lechter with it on. This was long so I'll stop here. C-YA! and thanx for chatting.

P.S. Here's the latest pic of Moses with the girls.

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DZ

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

>>Wow, has he ever grown! I'm glad he's doing well, and that adjustments have been made on all sides to make living with him comfortable.. It sounds like you certainly have everything under control, I'm so happy for you all : )

.....yes everything under control... a dog that still guards his food, guards the kitchen, can't be put in a crate, growls, barks unceasing at neighbor, yep... under control.
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Debra
ebraDownSth@aol.com" target="_blank">DebraDownSth@aol.com
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