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8/9/2012 10:57:43 PM

8/9/2012 10:59:05 PM

My Zella. iPad is causing pic issues.

[Edited on August 9, 2012 at 11:59 PM. Reason : Beagle-yellow lab mix. About 30 lbs now. No longer use the harness]

8/9/2012 11:58:03 PM

golden retrievers are one of my favorite breeds, give him a great home!

8/9/2012 11:59:42 PM

Big?

[Edited on August 10, 2012 at 12:00 AM. Reason : Fuck it]

[Edited on August 10, 2012 at 12:01 AM. Reason : Hrgg]

8/9/2012 11:59:53 PM

Quote :

"good points/agreed, except #3. You don't need a choke collar. At all. Get a leader (e.g. gentle leader) and be persistent about the dog's positioning compared to yours (typically, the head should be where your feet land while walking or just parallel to your body). The leader will do everything the choke collar would do. The dog probably won't like the leader at first (my dog hates it), but just stop him from playing with it/removing it and get him moving and he'll eventually forget about it. Start training with the leader in the house (just wearing it around for 5 minutes at a time; no leash/don't walk, just let him wear it). Edit: Well let me say this, 99.999% of the time with a golden you'll never need a choke collar. I just don't see it. If you have a larger/heavier/more aggressive breed and leaders just will not work, then OK; but it's still probably a training problem not a tool problem."

We had a golden retriever that was almost exactly like the one in the picture on the background (it is astonishing to me how my dog and the one in the background look alike). He was put down about a year ago (around 14 years old, he had cancer in his mouth, horrible trouble walking, was in pain constantly).

When he was a pup though, he had a horrible habit of pulling on the leash, hard. Once, when I was about 9 or 10 at the the time, he drug me in a parking lot.

We didn't quite get a choke collar (it wasn't chain). It looked very very similar to a Martingale collar, though it was all nylon (and it may very well have been a martingale collar, but I know it wasn't a straight up choke collar). It was pretty gentle on him, and it worked. It took a while for it to break him of his habit, and I personally liked it better than the normal collar we got for him later (seemed he could always slip out of that). When he would start outpacing you, you could give it a gentle tug and say his name, and he would slow back down. Then a few minutes later, he would do it again.

Personally, looking at a gentle leader, I don't like anything that would go around the dog's muzzle. It wraps too close to his eyes, though a Haltis (I guess a brand?) looks like a better design than a standard gentle leader. If you have an energetic dog that will pull and pull, it may cause some pain and discomfort around the eyes.

8/10/2012 1:29:25 AM

Quote :

"If you have an energetic dog that will pull and pull, it may cause some pain and discomfort around the eyes."

But, see...they don't pull when they're on the gentle leader...that's the point.

8/10/2012 8:13:25 AM

Imgonna let you finish, but Maggie was the cutest puppy ever!


Also, I have a large dog crate/ pet carrier for FREE. I should have put it in Abby's car before she left.

Whoops.

[Edited on August 10, 2012 at 8:28 AM. Reason : .]

8/10/2012 8:28:25 AM

OMG PUPPIES

8/10/2012 8:33:35 AM

lolz, puppy at the bank

this is a stick-up, see?

8/10/2012 8:47:06 AM

^4 (jbrick). yep, that's the entire point of a leader, merbig. I haven't seen a dog pull while wearing one (of course there are probably examples, but it's not common). Besides you have to encompass training, not just slap on a leader and think you're good to go. See the lounge pet discussion thread.

Besides, I'd rather be pulled by a leader (which isn't going to happen), than have chokers pierce my dog's neck, or have another type of collar cause a throat collapse.

[Edited on August 10, 2012 at 9:10 AM. Reason : .]

8/10/2012 9:01:01 AM

good choice..i love golden retrievers


i woudnt do anything different as far as raising my dog
chasey is perfection in dog form


youve met her..you KNOW how awesome she is


id like to clone her..





[Edited on August 10, 2012 at 9:14 AM. Reason : asdfqwe5tgb ]

[Edited on August 10, 2012 at 9:15 AM. Reason : dgf]

8/10/2012 9:14:16 AM

I got a puppy today (Saturday)! Its a golden/lab mix.

8/11/2012 10:36:27 PM

Quote :

"But, see...they don't pull when they're on the gentle leader...that's the point."

They sure can and they do. This is one of the main criticisms against leaders (not to mention that for some people/dogs, it's not effective at training the dog to behave while on a leash without a leader, which should be the ultimate goal in training).

Quote :

"yep, that's the entire point of a leader, merbig. I haven't seen a dog pull while wearing one (of course there are probably examples, but it's not common)."

Maybe you haven't seen dogs pull with one. I don't know what you have seen. Had it been my dog, he would have pulled with it. He was a "puller." And no, I don't mean pulling to the point of jerking your arms off, but pulling to the point that on an extended walk, it could certainly cause some discomfort for the dog if he kept tension on the leash. If a leader works for you. That's great.

Quote :

"Besides you have to encompass training, not just slap on a leader and think you're good to go. See the lounge pet discussion thread."

This is true with anything you use. Whether it be a leader, martingale, choke. The purpose should be training, not just temporary obedience.

Quote :

"Besides, I'd rather be pulled by a leader (which isn't going to happen), than have chokers pierce my dog's neck, or have another type of collar cause a throat collapse."

To say that you're not going to be pulled by a leader is ridiculous. How about you just add "which isn't going to happen" to the end of each of those statements? How can you say that you would rather your dog pull you with a leader? Instead of applying pressure around the neck (choke) or pinching around the neck (prong collar), you're now applying pressure around his muzzle and eyes, which can be just as harmful and discomforting for the dog! If you're convinced that a dog won't pull with a gentle leader, then the same is true with any other training collar, as they are all designed to make disobedience discomforting! But you know that's not true, otherwise you wouldn't be using a training collar to begin with.

If your dog isn't pulling (which includes pulling due to excitement/outpacing your speed, trying to run up to other dogs), then using a gentle leader or any other training collar is unnecessary. If you're really convinced that a dog won't pull with a gentle leader, then why use one? If you're relying on the gentle leader for obedience, then you haven't trained your dog.

8/11/2012 11:14:11 PM

humphrey is very cute

8/11/2012 11:18:21 PM

^^you're doing it wrong.

8/11/2012 11:19:48 PM

I didnt read that junk but merbig is an idiot

8/11/2012 11:20:21 PM

^^ Considering that we used a martingale on our golden retriever with great success, we did nothing wrong. But I'm not recommending anything. A gentle leader may do fine, it may be ineffective. To hail it as the solution for her puppy is ignorant. But you clearly don't understand the risks/benefits of training collars...

8/11/2012 11:37:59 PM

I think you're just making this up

8/11/2012 11:39:04 PM

Making what up? If you seriously disagree with what I've said, then provide a bit more sustenance.

8/11/2012 11:41:12 PM

a martingale collar is not a training collar

8/11/2012 11:44:06 PM

^^making everything you. you probably don't even have a dog.

8/11/2012 11:45:32 PM

^ You're right. I don't have a dog. He died over a year ago after being put down for cancer. Here's evidence, even though I don't owe you any.

Pictures taken in the last year of his life.





So. Go fuck yourself.

^^ Really?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martingale_(collar)

Quote :

"These collars have gained popularity among other breed owners in the recent past with many trainers now recommending them instead of choke chains or buckle collars."

8/12/2012 12:09:12 AM

yeah, good job citing a wikipedia article that was completely typed out of someone's ass. the only citation is from a doggy boutique trying to sell you shit.

the purpose of a martingale collar is to prevent dogs with small heads from slipping out. it tightens, but doesn't constrict. they're meant to be used permanently, and wouldn't do anything for your golden that a choke collar wouldn't do better. also, you're a retard.

8/12/2012 12:30:58 AM

I can google search for dogs too

8/12/2012 12:32:04 AM

Hello, friends.

I got my dog yesterday- Humphrey- He's doing really well. We've had one and a half accidents in the house so far- which sucks. I wanted 0. But, apparently that's just not going to happen. We wanted to stay outside all day long while we built a deck but damned if it's raining out! So Humphrey is learning how to turn $100 in to $500 on Picker Wars or whatever it's called.

So- thanks for all the tips and tricks. I've learned a few things:

-Don't say his name when you're telling him not to do something. I don't want him to associate his name with "bad"....
-We are saying "ouch" instead of "no bite" because it's a little more natural and abrupt to stop the behavior.
-A friend of ours told us not to use any plastic toys because they're toxic- especially for puppies. I got him a rawhide bone and that's about all he chews on inside.
-Is it bad for him to eat grass outside? What about little pieces of gravel from the road? I figured it's like good ruffage for his digestion...
-I like to hold him like a widdle baby....he's so cute.
-He slept in his crate all night last night without whining- FTW. He only started meowing like a cat this morning at around 7:30 because he was hungry. ...and ready to play.

LOVING THIS DOG! I'll try to post pics. Thanks again- even to Merbig- for your input. I've been putting a leash on him and looping it through- you know, like a slipknot- and taking him for walks. It seems to work so-so. He walks a little bit but then he'll plop down and I'll drag him a foot or two and then pick him up and take him farther from home. Not sure how to keep him from laying down on the leash- I want him to walk when I walk. But this is seriously his 2nd day ever meeting me or wearing a leash. So, I'm giving him a little time to get used to it.

Is it bad for his hips to jump up a step?

8/12/2012 9:11:41 AM

Does this work?

This is Humphrey.


6 Weeks old! And laughs at everything- like a nervous school gurrrrrl.

[Edited on August 12, 2012 at 9:17 AM. Reason : pics]

8/12/2012 9:15:38 AM

I thought puppies were supposed to stay with their mothers/siblings for at least 8 weeks for proper social development

8/12/2012 10:07:36 AM

I thought that too- But my vet confirmed that 6-8 weeks is the window.

8/12/2012 10:15:14 AM

Quote :

"-We are saying "ouch" instead of "no bite" because it's a little more natural and abrupt to stop the behavior."

Try to do it in a high-pitched voice. Dogs associate that with the "yelping" sound that other dogs make when you've "taken it too far."

My old roommate got his dog at right at 6 weeks and that dog has a few social issues (and they train and treat it well). I don't know why you wouldn't err on the side of caution with that. What's two weeks when it could mean life-long social issues. Serious breeders will not allow you to pick up before 8 weeks.

Grass is "meh" (personally I don't want my dog getting in the habit of fucking up my yard)...but was that a serious question about letting your dog eat gravel?

8/12/2012 10:21:14 AM

Quote :

"our friend Derk (who is a tww stalkerrrr)"

Hey, I post every once in a while.

Quote :

"Try to do it in a high-pitched voice. Dogs associate that with the "yelping" sound that other dogs make when you've "taken it too far.""

This. Works a lot better than any normal words. At that age, before much training they don't understand any words, but they understand a yelp.

Quote :

"What about little pieces of gravel from the road?"

A couple of little pieces aren't going to be a big deal, but you don't want him learning to eat rocks. Bigger ones are going to require a vet visit to remove and you don't want to have you untrain that behavior.

Quote :

"-I like to hold him like a widdle baby....he's so cute."

Do it while you can! He won't be that small for very long.

Quote :

"Is it bad for his hips to jump up a step?"

Jumping up/climbing up shouldn't a problem, it's jumping down and hard landings that can really be bad for their hips and other developing joints.


I highly recommend clicker training like Cass said. My dog knew sit, down, wait and leave it the first few days I had him with a clicker. It's incredibly easy if you know what to do and you can use it to train anything.

Teaching wait, leave it and other self control behaviors is really important.

8/12/2012 10:39:03 AM

Quote :

"I can google search for dogs too"

Find those pictures on Google that doesn't link back to this site, faggot. You're now just trying to be an ass just to be an ass because I put you and your butt buddy in his place.

Quote :

"yeah, good job citing a wikipedia article that was completely typed out of someone's ass. the only citation is from a doggy boutique trying to sell you shit. the purpose of a martingale collar is to prevent dogs with small heads from slipping out. it tightens, but doesn't constrict. they're meant to be used permanently, and wouldn't do anything for your golden that a choke collar wouldn't do better. also, you're a retard."

Their original purpose, and still a purpose of martingale collars, is for like what you said, dogs with small and pointy heads.

But they have also been recommended by dog trainers to be used as training collars over that of a choke collar.

Want more sources?

http://www.positivedogtraining.org/article/dog-training-collars-review/

Quote :

"Martingale Collar – A martingale collar mimics the action of a choke collar, yet in a much more gentle and safe way. The majority of this collar is of flat nylon material with a small, attached portion of chain link, which sits on the under portion of the animal’s neck. When the leash is pulled, only the chain portion of the collar contracts, allowing the handler to implement corrections or gain better control of the animal. The beauty of this collar however is that the collar will never become constrictive to the animal or cause any harm, as it does not have the ability to contract to a size smaller than that of the animal’s neck."

http://www.ehow.com/how_5883458_size-martingale-training-collar.html

Quote :

"Originally used for dogs with heads narrower than their necks, such as Salukis and greyhounds, martingale collars have fast become the humane training collar of choice. Martingales are a gentle form of choke collar, made entirely of nylon webbing with one large loop (the actual collar) that is tightened by a smaller loop connected to the leash. If your dog tries to slip out of her collar or resists a leash correction, the collar gradually tightens. Unlike chain choke collars, martingales will tighten only to a point. They also exert even pressure, minimizing the odds of injury."

http://theartfulgroomer.com/blog/martingale-collars-for-dog-training

Quote :

"the whole fucking thing"

If you disagree with them, good for you. You're still wrong and are free to eat dog shit.

8/12/2012 11:11:57 AM

I heard those collars cause cancer...you essentially killed your dog.

8/12/2012 11:18:25 AM

Yup. He died a month before his 14 year birthday. He left us far too soon!!!!

Aren't you that guy whose family doesn't know how to train their dog?

8/12/2012 11:20:31 AM

all of those articles say the same thing about what the collars are really intended for. so did you.

the only thing i care less about than continuing this argument is your dead fucking dog.

8/12/2012 11:29:26 AM

I didn't know those collars were called martingales, but that is what we have for my doggie. But that is because we got her when she was 1 yrs old and she had so many bad habits that include pulling very hard. After training her for a few years she is finally better at that, but she is still overly excited by other dogs. I think a leader may work better though, we have the martingale because she will go after other dogs (aggressively) if she doesn't like them. She has a peanut head and a thick neck, meaning she can slip out the back of her collar in .5 seconds before you have time to react.

Quote :

""I'm here to ask all the dog owners: What do you wish you would have done differently when you got your puppy? Would you have trained it differently? What can I do to prevent accidents in the house? I'm trying to take him outside every 20 minutes....for the most part. Should I keep a water bowl in his crate? I'm separating the crate so that it's only about 24 inches by 24 inches. Should I go ahead and put a collar on it? How often should I bathe him? Is picking him up a lot bad for him? I just wanna snuggle. What are the best toys for him that aren't petsmarty toys? Like- should I just give him water bottles to chew up? ""

Like I said I didn't have my dog when she was a pup, but I would have properly trimmed her nails early on. My dog apparantly had an incident before she came to us where her quick was cut and she bled alot, and my dog didn't take it well so now we cannot come near her toe nails, let alond come to her with clippers.... but we are trying.

The dog needs to be socialized with people and dogs early on, and she needs to be used to all grooming things (even pulling ticks, so maybe you can fake it). My dog is neurotic and kind of worst case scenario (she remembers every damn thing that ever happened and holds it against you even if it wasn't you).

I would also recommend that you put her in a harness and muzzle early on. I like harnesses but my dog is weird about them, and as for muzzles yea right. I wish I could get her in a muzzle for the vet, it would make life easier.

Which brings me to the vet, do whatever you can to make the pup have an enjoyable experience at the vet, once they hate the vet... it is a long and painful experience to get through, for everyone involved.

As for the potty training... good luck.

Luckily you have a mild mannered breed so all of these things are probably overkill.

[Edited on August 12, 2012 at 11:42 AM. Reason : .]

8/12/2012 11:36:34 AM

Quote :

"all of those articles say the same thing about what the collars are really intended for. so did you."

Yes, they all say the same thing. But what they say doesn't match up to what you said. You said that a choke collar is better (wrong) and that a martingale is not a training collar (also wrong). Nice try on backtracking. You should back out after being proven wrong. If you really have anything more to say about a martingale, provide some sources or shut the fuck up.

8/12/2012 11:44:24 AM

cute puppy!

8/12/2012 11:50:27 AM

cute puppy!...didnt read the rest of this thread but i have a couple recommendations..

for toys/bones (once he gets a little bit older plush toys wont work..they will just tear them up and make a huge mess. ) chasey and every other dog i have met LOVES nylabones...they are like a hard plastic bone but they have some sort of flavor that the dogs like. a nylabone lasts chasey almost a year...she chews on it every day.
also, make sure you touch the dogs feet,ears, and teeth a lot.., so it gets used to you and so it is cool with your cutting its nails, cleaning ears, and brushing teeth.
you can get rabies vaccination done at the dog park for a good deal when they do the pet adoption events.

[Edited on August 12, 2012 at 12:01 PM. Reason : sorry..doublepost..im confused]

8/12/2012 11:59:18 AM

Hello my name is Lucy, and I'm adorable.

8/12/2012 1:49:58 PM

What does it mean when he chirps and kicks in his sleep? Are they necessarily bad dreams? Should I wake him up? Poor guy...

8/12/2012 9:45:48 PM

shnaw, he's prolly dreaming of running

8/12/2012 9:49:45 PM

Probably just chasing dreamsquirrels. One of my dogs will occasionally have dreams where she whimpers and whines (she was abused as a puppy--not trying to anthropomorphize, but she's also the only dog I have that does that), so I wake her up, but other than that, let 'em dream.

8/12/2012 10:05:55 PM

Quote :

"Aren't you that guy whose family doesn't know how to train their dog?"

Nope.

8/13/2012 7:21:50 AM

When is it too early to introduce him to the beach? I was thinking about carrying him the whole time...he's about 9 lbs.

8/13/2012 2:27:54 PM

Poor Humphrey. He'll be dead in a year. It's almost guaranteed.

8/13/2012 2:29:58 PM

Quote :

""

fucking LOL

8/13/2012 2:31:09 PM

^haha. great job training though!

[Edited on August 13, 2012 at 2:33 PM. Reason : also merbig, you're too easy to troll. sorry man ]

8/13/2012 2:32:37 PM