tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post7673301688637973869..comments2024-01-03T03:28:48.980-07:00Comments on mugwump Chronicles: Good Dog, Bad Dog...."Mugwumphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01487540636265322556noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-8280393827153659182012-12-11T14:03:11.668-07:002012-12-11T14:03:11.668-07:00"Dachshunds were recorded in the English stud..."Dachshunds were recorded in the English stud book as German Badger Hounds in 1874, contributing to the mistaken belief that Dachshunds are hounds rather than terriers. As long ago as 1906, a breed expert commented: “That it is used occasionally as a hound in the sense that it follows rabbits and hares by scent as does a beagle, does not alter the fact that it is essentially a dog that goes to earth and is therefore a terrier.” In 1927, a great dog historian (Edward Ash) commented that a Dachshund is, in fact, a terrier with very crooked legs, but possessing in a very great degree both the appearance and fine nose of the beagle. Some say that the best way to settle the hound-versus-terrier argument is to say that the Dachshund is a hound that became a terrier, and that it displays the best qualities of both."<br /><br />http://www.petwave.com/Dogs/Dog-Breed-Center/Hound-Group/Dachshund/Overview.aspx<br /><br />You guys have been mugwumped.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-59808129075941481932012-12-11T13:58:15.278-07:002012-12-11T13:58:15.278-07:00"First off the name Dachshund is German meani..."First off the name Dachshund is German meaning badger dog. German hunters bread this dog for hunting. The Dachshund was said to have been bread from dwarf mutations of taller hunting hounds like the Schweisshund (bloodhound) and the Bibarhund. By the 18th century hunters had shorted the legs in the hunting hounds by selective breeding. Thus producing the standard Dachshund."<br /><br /> http://www.everything-about-dachshunds.com/dachshund-history.htmlmugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-58514399248912124792012-12-11T12:51:31.197-07:002012-12-11T12:51:31.197-07:00"Contrary to what people seem to think... Dox..."Contrary to what people seem to think... Doxies are Terriers and not hounds..."<br /><br />Everything I know (from AKC etc) says that doxies belong in the hound group. :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-13185405174584034152012-12-11T05:36:44.166-07:002012-12-11T05:36:44.166-07:00What a hornest nest of controversy! First it was ...What a hornest nest of controversy! First it was nosebands, now dog training!.....*wiggles my eyebrows*....maybe a post on child rearing is needed....lolololol<br /><br />I do respect your way of doing something that is newish to you; or when you are trying to improve the way you have done something in the past. Maybe 'cause it is kinda sorta the way I do things.<br /><br />You study, read, research, ask questions, maybe contemplate with and adult beverage; and then try, mix things up, and find what fits you, your animals, your life, and your circumstances.scsarahnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-29462458534951547502012-12-10T10:44:46.789-07:002012-12-10T10:44:46.789-07:00LOL! I'm just laughing at all the preaching g...LOL! I'm just laughing at all the preaching going on from the comment gallery. I have input on training dogs too, but somehow I think Mugs will get along just fine without it. :)<br /><br />Most people are fully capable of "muddling through" (and I'm NOT saying this is what you are doing, Mugs - I'm speaking in general here) and figuring out what works for them and their critters when they are interested in learning and committed to making it work. Dogs and horses are really good at figuring out what their owners/trainers want too, even if the o/t doesn't ask the "right" way.<br /><br />Anyway, I always appreciate your posts, Mugs. They are always thought-provoking and I always have to read them at least twice! I'm really enjoying hearing about your dog-family too. (And that was a good Tally tease!). Half Dozen Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00253311679688366394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-63097403266325786762012-12-10T00:29:32.228-07:002012-12-10T00:29:32.228-07:00I'm following this with interest. I've go...I'm following this with interest. I've got three dogs of my own (and have had up to SEVEN, including one neurotic GSD, in my house at one time), so thoughtful explorations of training and working with a pack of dogs always fascinate me.<br /><br />As for the tug game, in my experience as a dog owner and certainly NOT a professional trainer, I've found that any degree of tugging tends to excite a dog. Even if you're holding the tug still and he's just pulling against it, it's still fun and still a reward. What worked for me, instead of extinguishing the behavior, was to catch the dog's collar and let the tug hang limp. The dog can't pull because I'm holding him, and the toy is no fun because there's no resistance. Eventually he gets bored and drops it. Then just as he opens his mouth I say "Give!" and once the toy is out, release him and tell him he's wonderful. And, of course, start the game again. Just my two cents - I'm sure you'll find tons of info out there.anissa_royhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03894777903420200863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-28572591400422611312012-12-09T05:00:20.001-07:002012-12-09T05:00:20.001-07:00Alas, poor Brockle, now blog fodder.
Appreciate ...Alas, poor Brockle, now blog fodder. <br /><br />Appreciate your observations. Lol on Stillwell. She is over dressed, but generally dead on imho. Tug on!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13104422629934443842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-70523015378369312522012-12-09T02:13:14.022-07:002012-12-09T02:13:14.022-07:00Sandy,
Contrary to what people seem to think... D...Sandy,<br /><br />Contrary to what people seem to think... Doxies are Terriers and not hounds...<br /><br />Welcome to typical terrier behavior. <br /><br />He needs something to do and to be kept busy, busy, busy and thinking.<br /><br />Gotta find something he likes doing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-35341271085409260402012-12-08T21:49:24.685-07:002012-12-08T21:49:24.685-07:00You might want to work on "leave it" ins...You might want to work on "leave it" instead of "give" when it comes to the mailman lol! <br /><br />To me it sounds like things are going really good and you're making a lot of progress. I like watching our guys too, it's like watching a foreign film with no subtitles... I kinda get what's going on but I'm still missing a lot. <br /><br />My first day back to work after I finished maternity leave I had a woman crying in the front of the shop because she just couldn't stand to leave her baby (dog) at the shop for her haircut.... I gently told her everything would be ok and, hey, I knew how she felt I'd just left my daughter at the sitters for the fist time... She snapped out of it and told me my girl would be just fine... Being at the sitters is good for her anyway.... And she was quite matter of fact about it too. <br /><br />I always found that one kinda odd... <br />Greenienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-10030948900645778322012-12-08T17:09:16.821-07:002012-12-08T17:09:16.821-07:00Love the story! I have a mini Dachshund who is so ...Love the story! I have a mini Dachshund who is so bull-headed! And loves to dig his way to freedom! Any good ideas on stopping the digging?<br /><br /><br /><br />http://forrealdotcom.blogspot.com/Meriwonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06406949558644645067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-90428977063648624132012-12-08T17:06:00.090-07:002012-12-08T17:06:00.090-07:00Amy - Good food for thought. I'll explain more...Amy - Good food for thought. I'll explain more about my dogs to be dogs and puppies to be puppies thinking later, when I'm a little better at explaining myself. I do understand dogs mature at different rates, I thought the bigger they were the longer it took, but your point on breeds is a good one.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-28170012564300286032012-12-08T11:48:24.428-07:002012-12-08T11:48:24.428-07:00I have a little observation to make. Its based in...I have a little observation to make. Its based in many years working with and around dogs. I am often complimented on how pleasant my dog is. Even non-doggy people seem to submit to her charms! I have had a 5 dog household made up of five rescue dogs with various issues and one Jack Russell and worked at a local rescue and at a leading rescue charity in the UK.<br /><br />I don't subscribe to any trainer. I use what works for each dog. You get a sense of which dogs need pushing and which need time to come to the realisation themselves (I am sure that is easy for you with horses Mugs and to some extent with dogs).<br /><br />Victoria Stilwell is brilliant. She is uses a variety of techniques and doesn't espouse one particular way - unlike Caesar. His methods can be enormously dangerous in the hands of novice dog owners (just like Parelli and novice horse owners) - but we know Mugs isn't one of those! Please get past Ms. Stilwell's dress and manner. She was never that bad over here in the UK - the US producers have forced her into a bit of a caricature.<br /><br />My biggest bit of information that I want to share is in response to your comment that you want your: 'puppies to be puppies and dogs to be dogs"<br /><br />Breed has a very big effect on when a dog is 'grown up'. After all, dogs are basically wolves kept very much in the puppy stage. This is an oversimpflification but, it is a valid point. In my experience very independent breeds such as terriers are much more 'grown-up' mentally. A lot of them 'get' the dominance etc and act like grown up dogs (this is why many poorly adjusted ones can be right terrors - territorial and often very scared dogs which have a bad fear aggression problem).<br /><br />Other breeds which were designed to take more direction from us (spaniels, herding breeds etc) are more puppy like or take longer to reach 'adulthood'. Some never really do. To them 'dominance' is weird - they get that the other dog wants the toy and give it up but the whole 'pack hierarchy' thing doesn't work so well. <br /><br />Again - an generalisation but perhaps food for thought? <br /><br />P.s Part of the reason your 'pack' is chilled is because you are? My pack were always fine with me, with my nextdoor neighbour or our occasional dog walker but when my mum was in charge (she spends a lot of time faffing and not much of it paying attention) the two bitches would fight and the terrier would run off on walks. I had to leave my current dog with her for 3 months as my dog-friendly uni accommodation fell through and it took that long to find more. During that time she developed severe separation anxiety (chewing the door and surround, cut her mouth and feet)and it took six months to fix it and we have little to no problem now. I still believe it is because my mum just isn't a calm person generally and my dog is quite sensitive to that.<br /><br />Ooh deary me I went on rather longer than I meant it to!AmyUKnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-36368418516726606272012-12-08T05:13:58.083-07:002012-12-08T05:13:58.083-07:00Thank you Heidi! I have waded into a very personal...Thank you Heidi! I have waded into a very personal subject to many, don't you think?<br />Becky -I know! Yikes!mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-11375940426186591732012-12-08T01:17:36.620-07:002012-12-08T01:17:36.620-07:00When you muse about horses, we all nod quietly and...When you muse about horses, we all nod quietly and thank you for sharing.<br /><br />When you muse about dogs, we all have opinions about how you can improve and what you're doing wrong.<br /><br />Faaaaaaaaaascinating.<br /><br />Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09544884349722760099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-75533269841037021732012-12-07T23:24:47.505-07:002012-12-07T23:24:47.505-07:00Another excellent share Janet, thank you.
Makes m...Another excellent share Janet, thank you.<br /><br />Makes me wish I understood these principles when I was raising my boys. I like to think the guys turned out OK despite my well intentioned yet misguided efforts.MichelleLnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-14173115439334397882012-12-07T22:43:14.279-07:002012-12-07T22:43:14.279-07:00I am far from being a dog expert, though I've ...I am far from being a dog expert, though I've been around dogs. The only dogs I've been a primary handler of, however, have been Shelties. I like Shelties, even modern versions, but they do require a light and perceptive hand as opposed to other types of dogs.<br /><br />That said, I think with dogs, even more than horses, you have to analyze their primary purpose and instincts and go from there with their training. I've observed a keen field-bred (as in champion field bloodlines) hunting Golden Retriever and that's a far cry from the Sheltie temperament or a Rottweiler. Herding dogs are different from hunting dogs, scenthounds from visual trackers and so on. Much more specialized than horses.<br /><br />So I'm an interested observer on the side. Dogs don't really resonate with me, except maybe for the Shelties, and those are just too high-maintenance for my current life (nothing's quite as pretty though as a happy, proud, well-groomed Sheltie in good conditioning out for a stroll. Unless it's a Sheltie who's had a chance to herd some stock. My personal protector childhood Sheltie had the chance to herd sheep--once. He circled, rounded them off, and backed off on verbal command...with no prior experience other than herding cats...literally...with his sister).Joyce Reynolds-Wardhttp://www.joycereynoldsward.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-39916391979564751772012-12-07T22:00:21.021-07:002012-12-07T22:00:21.021-07:00Janet, I can recommend a great book that helped me...Janet, I can recommend a great book that helped me to develop a solid out on my dog. I also got a strong and fast retrieve, and a good hold up until release without re-biting. The book is called "Schutzhund Obedience : Training in Drive". It has a wonderful game "two hoses", which is well described and has a natural progression that will eventually lead to a solid retrieve, tug, and out with just one toy. Initially you need two identical toys, this book uses hose pieces. <br /><br />Based on your description of your dog he will probably respond very well to this game, and you will like that it doesn't require any food. The reward is the toy, and since there are two that are identical, you always get to have control of the most interesting one! You can use the second toy to shape a solid out, it is pretty cool stuff.<br /><br />I feel like I have a bit more to contribute now that we are talking a bit about dogs =)<br /><br />Here is an address that you can paste in, or just search on the title. http://www.amazon.com/Schutzhund-Obedience-Training-Sheila-Booth/dp/0966302028<br /> Whywudyabreedithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12069453160852561143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-69515565861039184442012-12-07T21:57:15.835-07:002012-12-07T21:57:15.835-07:00Mugs, you might enjoy this blog: http://cynography...Mugs, you might enjoy this blog: http://cynography.blogspot.com/2012/05/pip.html <br /><br />She's a professional dog trainer and heavily involved in search and rescue, working farm dogs, and dog rescue. Her approach to training reminds me a lot of yours. I've linked directly to one of my favorite posts, which recounts the life of (one of) her favorite dogs. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-52001974736107870612012-12-07T20:50:15.027-07:002012-12-07T20:50:15.027-07:00I love this part:
"No running, jumping, game...I love this part:<br /><br />"No running, jumping, game playing and so forth. Quiet, gentle behavior only, with plenty of ear scratches and back rubs. The same rules apply to the dogs."<br /><br />Heidi the Hickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00639479864903922047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-11550405604595781472012-12-07T20:43:17.494-07:002012-12-07T20:43:17.494-07:00Treats aren't bad. Keep them small and light....Treats aren't bad. Keep them small and light. Keep them irregular. <br /><br />Early on it might be: work, work, work, get treat.<br /><br />Later it should be: Hey! A treat! What a great surprise!Jennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15597630887713954960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-46154716101396850602012-12-07T20:24:51.725-07:002012-12-07T20:24:51.725-07:00I'll be interested to continue to hear about y...I'll be interested to continue to hear about your dog training experiences and those in the comments. While I grew up around dogs, I never had much to do with their training (with the exception of teaching one dog how to high-five). My boyfriend and I are hoping to get a dog once we are more settled and I will admit I have been fanatically watching how owners interact with their dogs in public, watching what training techniques and commands they are using. It has given be some great ideas!Rosenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-69968689486174178162012-12-07T19:01:22.399-07:002012-12-07T19:01:22.399-07:00Pax
My comments about Milan were a combination of...Pax<br /><br />My comments about Milan were a combination of an example of someone who talks a good game, but has horrible execution (if you want, I'll go into detail); and response to people who mentioned him in tones that struck me as admiring.<br /><br />Stillwell's window dressing is annoying, but her methods (theoretical and in application) are sound.<br /><br />I'll bring a fresh tug toy next visit. It's your home, you get first dibs.Darcy Jaynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04748163130094102062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-35341607938011976912012-12-07T17:35:38.067-07:002012-12-07T17:35:38.067-07:00DarcyJayne - I too am continually frustrated by as...DarcyJayne - I too am continually frustrated by assumptions. <br />I only write what I mean. Unless I'm mocking, teasing or lying. So there you go.<br />When I said I'm not a dog trainer, I meant not in the same capacity as I am as a horse trainer. Which I can with a clear mind state, I am. <br />I explained, I thought very clearly, how the dogs in my life behave.<br />They are well mannered, quiet and have been welcome at every barn I've ever worked or boarded at. This is not a small accomplishment, as any dog/horse person knows.<br />This means they respect all livestock, children, clients and strangers.<br />They get along with other barn dogs and leave the barn cats alone.<br />I don't need to know where they are and can focus on my job because they are where they're supposed to be.<br />I have immediate recall.<br />Dogs aren't born this way.<br />I've had six good barn dogs in my life and two mediocre ones. I've lived with 10-15 B.O.'s dogs, some spoiled, some good, some in the middle. They all spent most of their days with me and not their owners.<br />Brockle is more dog then I've ever dealt with. It doesn't mean I don't think I can deal, but I want to learn and do right by him. It's how I work. So, I'm reading, watching and absorbing.<br />How you guys glommed on to me being a Cesar Millan fan, I have no idea. <br />I'm planning on writing about each trainer as I form an opinion. <br />I have watched his video's and he's easy to watch, because I understand what he's doing and why.<br />I haven't however, started browsing his products page.<br />I also watched several Victoria Stillwell videos and moved on. The all black leather, stiletto heeled, finger shaking, wide-eyed Amazon stance annoyed the crap out of me. I understood her, just felt like I was reading a comic book.<br />I did not mean I was going to monitor Charlie more closely. I don't have to. I intervene when I feel it's necessary. Always have, always will.<br />Picking out the parts you felt were <br />repeated dog/behavior myths and deciding because I said "I want to learn" meant I was too naive to understand even basic dog behavior leaves me feeling like the points I actually wanted to make fell on deaf ears.I'll try to be open, but we'll be sparring if I'm made to feel stupid.<br />In the mean time, lets just politely look away and move on. I'm not ready to share my favorite tug yet, I don't care how gentle you claim to be. <br />Maybe next time we meet at the park it will go smoother. <br />mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-31934115040379546322012-12-07T16:10:39.210-07:002012-12-07T16:10:39.210-07:00Sorry, Mugwump - you don't know me, so why sho...Sorry, Mugwump - you don't know me, so why should you trust what I say? (that's NOT sarcasm). But I am not going to just slink off from your hard stare. I will lower my ears and soften my mouth, maybe even lick and pant a little bit by way of apology for misunderstanding and to show my peaceful intentions.<br /><br />Please accept that my intent is not to bully. If I sound harsh, it's out of frustration. I hate to hear dog-behavior/training myths repeated. I also tend to be very plain-spoken, and sometimes forget that folks on the Internet can't see my face or body language.<br /><br />I've been dealing with assertive dogs for 14 years and have learned a lot, largely by making my own mistakes and figuring out how to clean up after them. I've learned how to recognize a dog bully, and your description of Charlie's behavior sounded like bullying to me. Your statement that you'd be paying more attention to Charlie sounded to me like you were thinking of following his lead. I get now that you meant you'd be monitoring his behavior more closely. Likewise, when you say "lay down another dog" that reads to me as "physically force down", which only very rarely happens as either a serious fight, or mutual play. It's not part of day-to-day "I'm in charge" conversations between dogs. In fact, most of the time when one dog asks another for submission, they'll settle for an offer that's much less obvious than rolling over. So, a series of misunderstandings added to an impression I got from your earlier post about Brockle that you're new to this whole dog-training bit lead me to be concerned, and I expressed it...poorly. <br /><br />My favorite reference over time is the Whole Dog Journal. They go a little overboard in the "positive only" direction as far as I'm concerned, but are an excellent starting point. No advertising, so they're not beholden to anyone but their subscribers.<br /><br />If you want to know a particular BNT for dogs to learn from, try Victoria Stillwell rather than Milan. She's not all wrapped up in the whole dominance/submission thing the way he is, and she is much better at reading dog body language and explaining it to people. That, and I hate to see someone who I've seen consistently fail to read doggy body-language be rewarded.<br /><br />You asked for links, but I rarely save the articles I've read, so I had to do a bit of quick searching. Wikipedia's not my favorite resource, but here's this anyway on laying down a dog: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_roll <br />and another: http://dogs.lovetoknow.com/wiki/The_Alpha_Roll<br />and:<br />http://www.dogstardaily.com/blogs/alpha-roll-or-alpha-role<br /><br /><br />Here's one for tug of war and dominance: http://blog.helpingpetsbehave.com/post/18535186476/scientific-study-dispels-tug-myth <br /><br />As a side note, my very silly 80# dog LOVES to play tug. He wants the game to go on as long as possible, so he adjusts how hard he tugs to his opponent. I've seen him very gently play tug with dogs 1/4 his size.<br />Darcy Jaynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04748163130094102062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-90632249822743371262012-12-07T14:10:02.824-07:002012-12-07T14:10:02.824-07:00I actually knew what OC was guys...
I was poking a...I actually knew what OC was guys...<br />I was poking at the abbreviation and assumption that everybody knew what that was.<br />To be honest, there is as much "my trainer is better than your trainer" that goes on in this world as in any other. <br />I'm not surprised.<br />I'm starting with BF Skinner BTW. Like I said, and will probably say again, I form my own opinions.<br />Holly - Of course you didn't offend me. Got my hackles up? Yes. I always get that way when assumptions are made about me.<br />I have stated I'm not a professional when it comes to dogs. I also admitted I have had aggression problems with my dogs in the past.<br />I guess I should have clarified. I'll give a little history in a post and it might help.<br />Again, of course your comments were directed at me and not a general audience. You quoted my post.<br />I didn't specify how close Charlie was when I gave him the "Off" command. Nor did I have another dog to worry about, as I stated, we were in my backyard.<br />I do however, have quite a bit of confidence in my ability to read a dog situation, both good and bad.<br />I'm also very, very sure of my control over Charlie,no matter where his head is. I'm not new to the world of dogs, just learning new ways to function with them.<br />If we can clear up some of our communication approaches, I think you'll be a great contributor here.<br />these posts are already raising questions I can't answer.<br />mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.com