Training
He has on several occasions behaved aggressively (never bitten) but has growled at each of us and my 22 year old daughter. The most recent incident was with me. We were all watching a movie and talking and out of the blue he just started growling and assumed an aggressive stance. I told him to stop and then ignored him and he was fine, but it was the first time that it scared me a little. He also is all over visitors when anyone comes in and we have to take him out of the room. I know most of this is probably because we've done a lousy job training him. I would like to send him to a camp for training, but to someone good that is experienced with OES in our area (or as close to it as we can get). We live in Delaware. Any suggestions? |
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| I didn't see this post first and I commented to you on the aggresion or dominence post. Thanks, stormi |
| I would suggest a positive reinforcement training class - where you participate in the training! I don't care for the "boot camp" type training programs - and in some cases - have found several of these types of training programs are more punishment based training - which can cause more problems with aggressive behaviors. In addition, you want the dog to respond to your commands and make that connection with you - not with a stranger!
Kristen |
| Thanks Brit for you input. I'm hearing more and more about these camps and agree it's not the best environment for him. He responds very well to positive reinforcement, so that is the direction I'm going to look. Again, if anyone knows of anyone in the delaware area that is good - I'd appreciate the info. |
| I hope you understand that I am coming at this issue from a place where I am both a shelter and breed rescue volunteer. Far too many dogs end up in shelter or rescue programs in part because they were not offspring of reputable breeders. As you know, reputable breeders take dogs from their litters back from owners who need/want to re-home their dog.
At the risk of really annoying you or your husband (apology in advance), I hope you re-think breeding your dog, particularly if he has behavior problems. If you have lots of dog breeding experience and/or are a kennel with a strong genetic foundation, double apologies and stop reading here. This is link that discusses some aspects of reputable breeding: Reputable Breeding Tips Although the site is a Springer Spaniel site, the issues are valid. Researching bloodlines and selecting a mate for your dog is not a trivial undertaking. Researching and testing OFA (hips), CERF (eyes) and thyroid, to ensure sound breeding stock, is not trivial either. Taking the time and effort to socialize and train a litter of new puppies is essential for their future adjustment. Knowledge of the actual birth process, medical issues/complications and post-birth medical care, are essential. I don't mean to seem mean or unreasonable, but I'd hate to tell you the number of times I have begged folks to make sure that their breeding process does not produce dogs that end up in the shelter or rescue -- and the number of times that's exactly what has happened. |
| The "just one litter" concept is terrible for any number of reasons including the dogs getting dumped into shelters or rescue. Your husband wants his "boy" to reproduce........what is this? Testosterone poisoning?
Unless your boy is perfect in temperament, bone structure ( proved by Xrays), has had all the blood work, eyes, ears other stuff checked (all at great expense to you) then why risk contaminating a gene pool of a beloved breed? |
| is it getting hot in here? or is it just that last post? |
| Those of us who have seen what happens to unwanted puppies and dogs are very passionate about responsible breeding. That's why you see the type of responses you do! This is not something to enter into lightly. If a dog is already showing signs of aggression (in any way) - they shouldn't be bred.
Anyone who doesn't understand where we are coming from - needs to step in the shoes of Rescue volunteers that have had to bring a dog to be euthanized because of aggression. Kristen |
| I don't want to get into the argument, but as someone who is considering breeding. My belief, and this is just mine, but if I breed I have to consider how my puppy's will affect family's and vice versa. How would you feel if you bred your dog, had puppies and the aggression that your dog shows carries on to the puppies. Most likely it will. If you don't get the necessary preliminary tests done, there are a number of different things that can carry on to the puppies. I try to put myself in other people's shoes. I don't think it would be fair to watch a family get upset because the puppy that they love so much has a defect.
Also, for arguments sake, lets say that 1 out of 10 puppies are returned to you. Are you in the position to afford to take care of them if there is something wrong with them. My dogs are 13 months and 16 months, they are beautiful, great temperament with everyone, but I wouldn't think of going through with breeding until I get heart/eyes/thyroid/hips/elbows checked. If we decide to breed we are taking on the responsibility of every puppy we help bring into the world. We need to screen so that hopefully you can help the puppy parents know what they are getting into, and they will be your puppy's forever home. But if you make a mistake or a real situation comes up and they can't keep the puppy or 8 year old dog now, you have the responisibility of finding it a new forever home or taking care of it yourself for the life of the dog. It is so hard to see some posts on here that talk about aggression. It is something that if people would just do a little homework or research wouldn't be there. I hope I haven't offended anyone, that hasn't been my intention. I just want anyone thinking of breeding to think about it very seriously and a lot of the researching is easy now with the internet. I just reread this post, and so I am sorry for the rambling. LOL Stormi and co. |
| Oh boy this is a topic I can really get into. I agree with Shaggy and Stormi et al.... it is not something to be taken lightly. Did you know there are very few oes registered in north america each year in comparison with many other breeds? I'd like it to stay that way. The breeding of oes here in Canada has been strictly controlled, something I am absolutely thrilled about. I am moving towards becoming a breeder myself, but first have had 7 years experience with the breed, and a lifetime of experience with animals in general. I have been on waiting lists for over two years for the dogs I have now, researched their pedigrees carefully and can trace them back to the mid 1800's. The breeder I bought my dogs from knew my intent to raise oes from the beginning, and has become a wonderful friend and mentor over the last almost 8 years. The breeders she works with have also been a great help. All of us are combining our experience and knowledge and love for the breed to do the best we can for them. This has been a goal and dream of mine for almost 8 years now, and by the time it comes to fruition it will be close to ten years before I raise my first litter of oes. And that's only if everything goes well. My dogs bloodlines are completely free of genetic defects, and their temperments can't be beat. They are exactly what they should be in every way. But you know what, if for any reason they weren't I would not hesitate to have them fixed and continue to love them as the furbabies they are for the rest of their lives. I will only breed them if I am confident that I can raise happy, healthy, typey sheepies who will be in loving forever homes from the moment they leave mine. I also will be having anyone who gets a puppy from me sign an agreement stating if for any reason they cannot keep their dog it comes back to me. I plan on keeping in touch with every dog that leaves my home, for the rest of their lives. And of course, non breeding agreements on every single one.
Some people get offended at that, and everyone has a right to their oppinion, but we have worked too hard for too long and love this breed too much to let anything happen to them. Out of the four breeders I am working with across the world, 2 of them have more than 40 years experiece raising oes, and one of them over 30 years, the other is retired. Myself being the newbie, have almost 8 years as I said, but I wouldn't enter into this lightly without the help of more experienced breeders. |
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