Am I doing it right? - Exclusively Setters2024-03-29T10:03:04Zhttp://irishsetters.ning.com/forum/topics/am-i-doing-it-right?commentId=865021%3AComment%3A1135432&feed=yes&xn_auth=noHi Becky
I've just read your…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2015-03-01:865021:Comment:11512752015-03-01T18:39:30.445ZTeresa Joneshttp://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/TERESAJONES
Hi Becky<br />
<br />
I've just read your blog. You're doing a great job, don't worry Irish Setters are no different to any other breed, some dogs need a firmer hand than others. Murfee was a handful when he was a puppy, in fact he used to attack me when we were out he would run at me for no reason and start biting me. We had special training but we just hadn't been firm enough with him. I know all trainers say this if they play up but actually this has proven to be the case. If he was naughty we would put…
Hi Becky<br />
<br />
I've just read your blog. You're doing a great job, don't worry Irish Setters are no different to any other breed, some dogs need a firmer hand than others. Murfee was a handful when he was a puppy, in fact he used to attack me when we were out he would run at me for no reason and start biting me. We had special training but we just hadn't been firm enough with him. I know all trainers say this if they play up but actually this has proven to be the case. If he was naughty we would put him straight on the lead and march him into the kitchen and shut the door for a couple of minutes and repeat if necessary if he was quiet he got a lot of praise. We persisted Also with training, he is trained to a whistle, which is very useful because if you do lose him for a while he will be able to hear you wherever you are. I rarely have to use it now because I allow him to roam for a little while as I think setters need this, after a few minutes if I can't see him I blow the whistle and he returns straightaway. The only thing I would disagree with is taking his water away, I think dogs should always have access to fresh water. Murfee is now a very quiet well trained dog. Setters are very intelligent, they may not behave well at training classes because I think they get bored with the repetition. Keep up the good work he is obviously listening to you already. You will not regret getting an irish setter in fact I would never have any other dog myself.<br />
Regards<br />
Teresa Hi Fran,
I have read that gar…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2015-02-09:865021:Comment:11506792015-02-09T06:19:34.902ZHelen O'Keefehttp://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/HelenOKeefe
<p>Hi Fran,</p>
<p>I have read that garlic is toxic to dogs. I understand that the amount in the treats is probably tiny and unlikely to cause a problem for large dogs, or with infrequent treats, but is there any particular reason that garlic is added to the treats?</p>
<p>Hi Fran,</p>
<p>I have read that garlic is toxic to dogs. I understand that the amount in the treats is probably tiny and unlikely to cause a problem for large dogs, or with infrequent treats, but is there any particular reason that garlic is added to the treats?</p> Best wishes with your boy Das…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2014-03-19:865021:Comment:11354322014-03-19T16:54:12.201ZJames Doranhttp://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/JAMESDORAN
<p>Best wishes with your boy Dash, Becky. Oh and wave goodbye to your heart!</p>
<p>Best wishes with your boy Dash, Becky. Oh and wave goodbye to your heart!</p> Sounds like your Dash is luck…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2014-03-16:865021:Comment:11353362014-03-16T11:07:07.917ZDianne cookhttp://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/Diannecook
Sounds like your Dash is lucky to have you as he's mentor and leader......enjoy the wonderful years ahead forming a strong bond Becky. Take care x
Sounds like your Dash is lucky to have you as he's mentor and leader......enjoy the wonderful years ahead forming a strong bond Becky. Take care x Well said Fran.nothing to add…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2014-03-13:865021:Comment:11348412014-03-13T10:44:07.492Zrosie beerehttp://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/rosiebeere
Well said Fran.nothing to add. Becky ditch these outdated and harsh ways you sound like a lovely lass as I said before open minded. Irish setters are beautiful, fun loving, loyal intelligent dogs they use there brains in way I think no other dog does. They work out ways to get you to love them so much, they work out ways to sneak onto beds find ways to open the fridge. This is not naughty it's clever. To own a Setter is a gift don't be harsh and you will have a dream dog. Can be very cheeky at…
Well said Fran.nothing to add. Becky ditch these outdated and harsh ways you sound like a lovely lass as I said before open minded. Irish setters are beautiful, fun loving, loyal intelligent dogs they use there brains in way I think no other dog does. They work out ways to get you to love them so much, they work out ways to sneak onto beds find ways to open the fridge. This is not naughty it's clever. To own a Setter is a gift don't be harsh and you will have a dream dog. Can be very cheeky at times. That's the joy of them if you want a boring dog should have got another breed. Here is a brilliant article,…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2014-03-13:865021:Comment:11349542014-03-13T09:40:51.574ZFran Griffinhttp://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/FranGriffin
<p>Here is a brilliant article, which tracks the history and then comes up to date with how things have turned the circle and fallen backwards again with Cesar Milan.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/14_12/features/Alpha-Dogs_20416-1.html" target="_blank">http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/14_12/features/Alpha-Dogs_20416-1.html</a></p>
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<p>I was one of the first trainers in the UK to teach dominance theory when I worked with a man by the name of John Fisher…</p>
<p>Here is a brilliant article, which tracks the history and then comes up to date with how things have turned the circle and fallen backwards again with Cesar Milan.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/14_12/features/Alpha-Dogs_20416-1.html" target="_blank">http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/14_12/features/Alpha-Dogs_20416-1.html</a></p>
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<p>I was one of the first trainers in the UK to teach dominance theory when I worked with a man by the name of John Fisher who wrote several books. I was also one of the first to test the theory and found it wanting. I tested it first of all on my own dogs, and all it taught them was how to walk through doorways, how to lie in their own beds, and an expectation that I ate first, but this is how the brain learns. Persistence and consistence on rules. It taught them absolutely nothing about respecting me or trusting me. Nothing. Nada. This is also what people reported back to me in training and behaviour consults too. We eventually did a full scientific study on the pack leadership theory and that's when John Fisher decided he wanted to get a new book out to counter what he had previously written. However, he died of a brain tumour before we got beyond the first chapter.</p>
<p>What does work is being a good parent, interrupting poor behaviour and teaching teaching teaching, reviewing reviewing and reviewing - just like you do when you start a new job from scratch, or learn to drive a car.</p> I think you're doing great, B…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2014-03-13:865021:Comment:11348252014-03-13T02:44:27.931ZKimberly Simmonshttp://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/KimberlySimmons
I think you're doing great, Becky. And I don't know, "alpha" may have a bad connotation for some people, but someone had better be the pack leader. It's like being a good parent, you love your children, but you'd better be in charge! Lol I use positive reinforcement too but the treats are coming out less and less for Dougal because he becomes unglued when he sees/smells the treats and it's difficult getting him to focus. Lol They'll always keep you guessing . And if you haven't noticed, if you…
I think you're doing great, Becky. And I don't know, "alpha" may have a bad connotation for some people, but someone had better be the pack leader. It's like being a good parent, you love your children, but you'd better be in charge! Lol I use positive reinforcement too but the treats are coming out less and less for Dougal because he becomes unglued when he sees/smells the treats and it's difficult getting him to focus. Lol They'll always keep you guessing . And if you haven't noticed, if you ask for advice on here....you're going to get it. Everyone always has your best interest at heart, so you should find something that works for you and Dash. : ). Great job Becky,
I've used th…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2014-03-12:865021:Comment:11349922014-03-12T17:07:44.885Zrob winemakerhttp://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/robwinemaker
<p>Great job Becky,</p>
<p>I've used the crate from day 1 with my boys, particularly feeding them there to avoid food confrontations. They now know the crate is their private room and they'll go in there on their own if they are very tired or when they don't feel well.</p>
<p>BTW, Dash is a great name.</p>
<p>Great job Becky,</p>
<p>I've used the crate from day 1 with my boys, particularly feeding them there to avoid food confrontations. They now know the crate is their private room and they'll go in there on their own if they are very tired or when they don't feel well.</p>
<p>BTW, Dash is a great name.</p> Yes I use treats. They are ma…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2014-03-12:865021:Comment:11349802014-03-12T11:01:12.111ZFran Griffinhttp://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/FranGriffin
<p>Yes I use treats. They are made by a friend of mine as I can't bear making them myself. Liver, a small amount of garlic, and she uses spelt flour and another ladies treats I use contain rice flour. So to the dog they are very high value, very tasty, and soft enough that they can be broken up into very small pieces. When I use treats I only give very small pieces, but when the dog does something really well I give a jackpot. I start to reduce the treats as the dogs understanding increases,…</p>
<p>Yes I use treats. They are made by a friend of mine as I can't bear making them myself. Liver, a small amount of garlic, and she uses spelt flour and another ladies treats I use contain rice flour. So to the dog they are very high value, very tasty, and soft enough that they can be broken up into very small pieces. When I use treats I only give very small pieces, but when the dog does something really well I give a jackpot. I start to reduce the treats as the dogs understanding increases, and then when fully understanding they are completely withdrawn unless I am feeling very generous and they are being very appealing. </p>
<p>When Dash is selling down and being good, I start naming what they are doing "good boy, settle down" and repeat those words every time they do it until they associate the words with the action (which is one of the ways we learn language). You have to also bear in mind that we have about 63,000 words in the human language but dogs can only understand to up to about 260 when they have been specifically taught. I have worked out that my Tally knows about 125 with Barkley and DaisyMae understanding about 90 each. I have taught Tally more tricks than Barkley and DaisyMae. I have also taught them the name of varioud items such as socks, keys, gloves, phone, pens, all the things I loose on a regular basis so that they find them and bring them to me,. Started teaching this out of the puppy 'naughtiness' turning naughty behaviour into positive things :-D Again rewarding the correct responses :-)</p> Hi Becky
It is very clear how…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2014-03-12:865021:Comment:11347062014-03-12T10:22:20.051ZFinding_Beauhttp://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/HammerBeau
<p>Hi Becky</p>
<p>It is very clear how much you love your boy, Dash, and that you are trying to do your very best for him.</p>
<p>I am sharing my views only to give you another perspective to think about. I do not believe in the Alpha/Dominance viewpoint even with a horse who can weigh 500kg+. I do not believe any dog/puppy wants to dominate a human being. A puppy is a baby. Above all else a puppy needs unconditional love as well as knowing he/she is safe and obviously good nutrition, etc. I…</p>
<p>Hi Becky</p>
<p>It is very clear how much you love your boy, Dash, and that you are trying to do your very best for him.</p>
<p>I am sharing my views only to give you another perspective to think about. I do not believe in the Alpha/Dominance viewpoint even with a horse who can weigh 500kg+. I do not believe any dog/puppy wants to dominate a human being. A puppy is a baby. Above all else a puppy needs unconditional love as well as knowing he/she is safe and obviously good nutrition, etc. I do not reprimand a puppy if they chew a piece of furniture for instance. They are not being naughty. How are they supposed to know they should not eat something like this. I try to keep things like this out of their reach until they grow up a little. I am not “on their case” all the time about trivial things. I only use the word “NO” very selectively and when I do, my English Setters (and horses) really take notice.</p>
<p>English Setters cannot be left on their own so I have never purchased a puppy without another English Setter to help them (as well as me). A mature aged English Setter will teach a puppy so much. My boy, Hobson was marvellous with my baby girl, Annie.</p>
<p>I can prove that dogs and horses understand human language very well. I believe it is important to talk to your puppy. He will understand and will only want to please you, except puppies do need to be puppies in the process.</p>
<p>I have never used "treats" much at all as a reward with my English Setters. They thrive more on hugs and verbal praise. I give them "treats" any time and they soon learn the reason I do this is because simply, I love them so much.</p>
<p>I do not allow puppies to cry. My puppies/ dogs have always slept inside the home from the first night, and in my bedroom, so that I can keep an eye on them. I do not believe in crate training.</p>
<p>I like what Turid Rugaas writes about puppies. If you type “turid rugaas puppies” in a Google search you can download a PDF document "The Puppy and the Young Dog, About Growing Up".</p>
<p>Best wishes from Susan in Australia</p>