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General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / Re: Now there is four!
« on: February 25, 2009, 05:12:03 pm »
She's beautiful! What a cute little figure she has! I hope everything works out and you get to keep her!
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17
Behavior, Housebreaking, Obedience / Re: HEy everyone!!!
« on: February 22, 2009, 11:52:53 pm »
I don't know if I'd praise her for peeing on the porch because she'll probably think that's where you want her to go. I would just ignore that, actually.
When I was training my little guys, my husband and I would crate them for about 1 to 2 hours, and then take 'em out, put on their leash, and take 'em right to the pee pad. We'd get a chair and sit there for about up to 15 minutes waiting for them to pee. If they went, we'd praise and treat, and then we'd let them loose for play time. If they wouldn't pee, we'd put them back in the crate for another hour and try again. This way, there was no chance for failure and they learned quickly. It took about a month for my yorkie-maltese to get it 100%. It only took my bichon-yorkie 2 weeks to learn.
When I was training my little guys, my husband and I would crate them for about 1 to 2 hours, and then take 'em out, put on their leash, and take 'em right to the pee pad. We'd get a chair and sit there for about up to 15 minutes waiting for them to pee. If they went, we'd praise and treat, and then we'd let them loose for play time. If they wouldn't pee, we'd put them back in the crate for another hour and try again. This way, there was no chance for failure and they learned quickly. It took about a month for my yorkie-maltese to get it 100%. It only took my bichon-yorkie 2 weeks to learn.
18
Behavior, Housebreaking, Obedience / Re: HEy everyone!!!
« on: February 22, 2009, 06:36:08 pm »
In addition to putting something she's soiled outside and giving her a verbal cue, you might try giving her a treat when she gets it right. We gave our little dogs little bite-size pupperoni treats when they peed in the designated spot (we use pee pads). And tons of praise and excitement! Just keep a little bag of treats handy by the door if you want her pee outside. Make the whole experience fun and exciting and they learn quickly. My Napoleon used to pee and then come looking for me so he could get his treat! When they were about 6 months old we phased out the treats and just praised them. Now they're 100% reliable using the pads which is pretty awesome for yorkie mixes, which are notoriously difficult to train!
19
General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / Re: What I love most about my Big Paw!
« on: February 22, 2009, 06:16:47 pm »
I love that when I wrap my arms around their necks and bury my face in all of that glorious white, soft, fluffy fur the entire world seems to disappear and I feel only pure joy.
And as therapy dogs, they can provide this comfort for countless sick kids and their families at the hospital.
And as therapy dogs, they can provide this comfort for countless sick kids and their families at the hospital.
20
Smaller Sibling Discussion & Pictures / Re: How many people does it take to trim a Papillon?
« on: February 22, 2009, 06:01:24 pm »
Oh, I feel your pain! My bichon mix was the same way as a puppy! The first time I tried to trim him up, he squealed like a piglet and my gentle baby turned into a biting little tazmanian devil! He's always had a dominant personality, but fortunately so do I! 
I don't know if this will work for your pappy, but I used to lay Napoleon on his back between my legs while sitting on the floor and hold a pair of scissors on his face, or against his paws or belly. Not cutting any hair yet, but just so he knew I wasn't going to hurt him with them. Lots of calm praise, belly rubs and treats when he stayed calm. Eventually I would cut a little on his face, paws, or belly and then repeat the praise and treats. It took almost a year before he totally gave up complaining and trying to squirm away. But now when I pull my grooming bag out of the closet he just lays down where he is and waits for the inevitable!
Hope this helps some. Just remember to stay calm and assertive, like Cesar says! Eventually Cody will realize you're not trying to kill him with grooming utensils! If all else fails, a muzzle can help with grooming or even the vets office. It seems to put an anxious dog into a bit of a trance so you can do what needs to be done quickly. I only use it for painful things, like when Napoleon needs blood drawn or the hair pulled out of his ear canals, because no amount of praise is going to make that not hurt.
Good Luck!
I don't know if this will work for your pappy, but I used to lay Napoleon on his back between my legs while sitting on the floor and hold a pair of scissors on his face, or against his paws or belly. Not cutting any hair yet, but just so he knew I wasn't going to hurt him with them. Lots of calm praise, belly rubs and treats when he stayed calm. Eventually I would cut a little on his face, paws, or belly and then repeat the praise and treats. It took almost a year before he totally gave up complaining and trying to squirm away. But now when I pull my grooming bag out of the closet he just lays down where he is and waits for the inevitable!
Hope this helps some. Just remember to stay calm and assertive, like Cesar says! Eventually Cody will realize you're not trying to kill him with grooming utensils! If all else fails, a muzzle can help with grooming or even the vets office. It seems to put an anxious dog into a bit of a trance so you can do what needs to be done quickly. I only use it for painful things, like when Napoleon needs blood drawn or the hair pulled out of his ear canals, because no amount of praise is going to make that not hurt.
Good Luck!
21
Great Pyrenees Pictures / Re: Introducing.............Ursa CGC!!!!!
« on: February 22, 2009, 12:07:07 am »
YEEEEAAAAAH!!!! I'm soooo happy for you guys!
22
Newfoundland Pictures / Re: Fargo and Sadie get their first diplomas!
« on: February 15, 2009, 10:36:38 pm »
HUGE Congrats!!! Love the pictures!
Love the pictures!
23
General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / Re: Left or right Pawed?
« on: February 14, 2009, 05:33:20 pm »
Interesting... . I think Zeus must be a lefty as well. He always offers the left paw first.
24
Great Pyrenees Discussions / Re: CGC Practice Test Disaster!
« on: February 14, 2009, 03:47:23 pm »
Apollo did the same thing, but at his actual TDI test. He decided that he didn't feel like walking in the directions that I wanted to go. He wanted to see all the other nice doggies! Then he refused to lay down and just sat there looking at me like he had never heard the command "down" before. I was so frustrated. But the tester let me try again and he finally listened. At the end of the test she said she was passing him mostly for his exceptionally sweet personality and calm demeanor and she wanted me to continue working with him on the loose leash walk and down command. I know I was really lucky to get such an understanding tester.
I hope Ursa's test goes better than the practice one. I'm sending lots of good luck wishes your way! Just try to stay calm and show off the best of her pyr personality!
I hope Ursa's test goes better than the practice one. I'm sending lots of good luck wishes your way!
Just try to stay calm and show off the best of her pyr personality!
25
General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / Re: A Reason to always pay attention to instruction and details.
« on: February 02, 2009, 10:43:01 pm »
Oooooh! So wrong! LMAO!
26
Great Pyrenees Pictures / Re: Saw this on Google Images, thought it was cute. =)
« on: January 29, 2009, 02:45:31 am »
Love it!
27
General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / Re: Did you know that you can freeze poop for easier pick-up?
« on: January 29, 2009, 02:42:35 am »
Jeez, I hate frozen poop. I had to use an ice chipper the other day because I waited 10 minutes before going out to pick up the morning poo. Not fun. 
28
General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / Re: He's coming next week and I have Pictures!!!!!!!!!!
« on: January 27, 2009, 09:54:19 pm »
OMG - What a beautiful baby! I love the silver ones. I have a neighbor that walks hers in front of my house all the time and he's seriously on my dognap list! I can't wait to see this little guy grow up! Congratulation s!
29
Bull Terrier Discussions & Pictures / Re: I'd Like to Introduce...
« on: January 27, 2009, 05:02:33 am »
Congratulation s Jodi! What an incredible looking baby! Good job Jigsaw!
30
General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / Re: Cute video of a boy and his lab
« on: January 26, 2009, 03:19:28 am »
I thought the same thing. But the lab seemed to really enjoy this little guy's company. And the Barry Manilow song was the perfect touch, don't you think? It's definitely one of my all time favs! (and I'm not at all embarassed to admit it! )
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