Big Paws Only Dog Forums

The next time some one is approaching your dog with out permission, despite that warding off hand you threw up or a verbal warning, put you body between them and the dog. When they stop, you come right up to them, nose to nose, grab their hand, touch their face. And when they back off with a look of absolute horror on their face, I say "It is just as disturbing to a dog when their space is suddenly invaded by a stranger as it is to you." And turn and walk away.
It actully works like a charm.

OH my goodness, That is a Halariously good Idea.  I love that.  I can imagine the look on a persons face after you get in there face and touch them on the cheek or pet the top of their head.  LOL Man i cant stop laughing.  I will definetly try that one.  Spazz is not to shy, in fact he is the opposite.  He runs towards people, so i probably will never get a good chance to try this idea but I love it just the same.

Ive read all the post and it seems like a lot of people use the pinch collar.  I looked up pinch collar to see what they are and it comes up with prong collars.  are they the same?  And if so they look really painfull.  My lil Spazz is starting to be a puller and is getting to big to be trying to pull me around.  I was thinking about a choke collar but i dont like the idea of choking my Spazz.  Now that pinch or prong collar looks like a killer choker.  Is that good for a 6 mo old puppy.  Im a little worried about choking him but i want him to learn to be a good puppy on the leash.  any comments

My Spazz used to hiccup all the time.  It didnt matter if he was excited or calm.  I would look at him wrong and he would start to hiccup.  He doesnt do it as often now.

Some pics of Spazz chillin.  It really doesnt happen that often.  He ate my Venus Fly trap that I just brought on Saturday.  And he had a nice helping of Ferret Poop.  I had no idea he would eat that.  Im telling you he is a little EATING ANYTHING I SEE MONSTER CHOMPER PUP. 

Hello everybody.  Spazz is coming up on 6 mo on the 6 of July.  I will definitly post some more pictures here soon. 

My lil baby is growing up so fast.  When I look at Spazz I still see a little innocent puppy.  He really doesnt look big to me at all.  Maybe because he is mine, and I LOVE HEEEE.    Im in Germany, and most restaurants allow dogs.  It is very comman to see a dog laying next to his owners chair in a nice restaurant. 

Spazz is still in his puppy-I love people-phase.  So he wants to run and see and talk and get touched by all Everybody and everything that moves.  When spazz was small everybody wanted to touch him and see the little puppy.  Now he has put on a couple of pounds and a few inches and people are actually afraid of my Little Puppy.

Where I see a little harmless puppy people see a big scary dog.  Am I the only one?  Is my perception all messed up, or does this just come with being owned by a Big Paw.  ;-)

Also Spazz is almost 6 months, should i be able to have his full attention when there are distractions like people and or dogs around or is it still to early. 

Hello everybody.  Spazz is 5 months old today.  He just dug his first hole in my yard yesterday.  Hopefully I can deter that in the future by paying more attention while he is in the yard.  But that’s a later discussion.  Spazz is now 65+ pounds and is still growing.  He has a extra large kennel that I make him sleep in at night.  When he sleeps he likes to sprawl out with his legs and head spread our or on his back.  The vets said that kennel is good for him but when he is sleep his head is cocked on the gate door.  He can stand and sit in the kennel and can turn around.  The Giant kennel doesn’t seem that much longer.  Should I be forcing him to sleep in it at night.  I know he can hold his Bathroom urges till morning, im just not sure if he will decide to.  My room is carpeted so if he pee’s I’d never know.  (until he soils the spot and the smell comes out)  I would love to let him sleep where ever he feels comfortable at night (except my bed).  Any suggestions.  Is 5 mo to young to trust him not to pee in my room?  Is that extra large kennel to small for him?  Do you guys let your pups sleep where they want, or in a kennel?

Hello you guys.  Im just wondering what other dog owners thoughts are on these subjects.  Ive read a couple of books. ( Puppies for dummies, Dogs for Dummies, Rhodesain Ridgebacks today, how to live with a happy Puppy.  and a few others)  Im living in germany and they treat animals and environment a lot different then we do in the states.

Alot of Germans do not get there pets Nuetered.  But I read in these books that if you dont get your dog Nuetered it's bad for there health, and they will be harder to handle and little things like that. 

Treats?  Spazz-Malik Loves the pig ears and pig skin stuff.  So ill give him atleast one a day.  Two if i need to keep him quiet and calm for a bit.  Are these healthy?  Am i giving him to much.  I give him alot of treats when we train.  and he still eats 3 times a day.  He 4 months old and i feed him way more than it says on the bag.  He is 50 pounds, the vet says he is not over weight.  I feed him about 2 cups of Science Diet three times a day and he eats this in a good minute flat, if that.  My vet is German so communication is kinda hard sometimes but she is real good with spazz.  Says he looks good. and to try feeding him carrots to curb his appetite. 

So i guess what im asking is can i give spazz to many bones and ears and stuff to chew on and eat?  And if he always seems hungry should i feed him a little more?

And last question ;-) the heel command.  I cant really get him to understand.  stop and sit by my leg.  then walk with me and then stop by my leg.  He wants to sit everywhere else.  he wont walk right beside me and if i have a treat out to keep his attention well thats all he focuses on.  So he's jumping and butting trying to get this tasty treat.  The dog in the book is just looking at the treat walking calmly.  That just wont work for Spazz.  Any Suggestions. 

LOL I know this was a long post.  I got a little carried away.  next time ill break it up.

He is Nothing but Paws.  He's Hyper, and starting to ignore all my commands AND I LOVE HIM TO DEATH.  He is 4 months old.  He finally realized that his legs can be used for Jumping, Running and Scratching.  He was doing good with the jumping until about a week ago now he seems to love to jump and run.  He very smart and very sneaky.  He figured out how to open doors so he got out of his room today.  He found the paper towel Roll in my room.  Needless to say he had a Wonderful Day today.  I couldnt do anything except laugh and beat myself for not locking the door.