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Well today.........................I was on a mission. I put both dogs on umbilicle and went for our walk. My mission...looking for other dogs. Well guess what?? I found 2 dogs. One was in it's yard but there was no fence and he started to bark. I knew I would have to correct Mya so I was ready. She started with hair starting to go up on her back I told her "leave it" while I gave the correction. Then came a low growl another correction and command. During this Bailey just perked up and behaved NO BARKING. So my attention was more so on Mya. So again another low growl and yet another correction. The other dog by this time is running back and forth in the yard and really barking at this point. I was somewhat happy Mya didn't try to pull and didn't bark they way she usually would have. But I really need to work more with this.

The second dog was smaller and on leash. I seen them coming so I said hello and both Mya and Bailey were fine. This time no barking.....but they pulled me and with snow on the ground I slipped abit but I maintained to control them. So the lady and I started to talk while the dogs were giving each other a sniff. They did ok until the little dog jumped up on Bailey and Bailey showed her teeth so there was another correction. But after I did that she just went behind me and sat down. Mya behaved well though. So I'm thinking that I REALLY need to get these to out and soicialized more. Now to find someone in my area that will really be willing to help me out with this.

So the challenge goes on

Hey Patty - great work on your mission to find other dogs.

This is exactly the same thing we are working with Jake right now. He still gets quite excited when he see other dogs from a distance and that is where we are working right now....he settles right down when we go up and meet, but we don't always go up and meet the other dog, for whatever reason. We too am looking for places and people that we can go, where Jake will be able to interact with the other dogs. We are having some luck with this, but we are also having a lot of people who are not willing. So some "missions" are more successful than others, but we just keep on working at it.

Thanks Laurence

This is what I'm afraid of too. With them being bigger dogs. I think it is harder to find people that are willing to let their dog interact with them. And well having 2 of them may be a problem too The little dog from yesterday was well I wouldn't say scared of my two but he was shy at first. But after they greeted each other he had gotten frisker then Bailey liked and she showed that she didn't like it.

I have had them to a leash free park in our area, sad to say 2 years ago to get some socilaization but I found alot of the people just let their dogs go and didn't pay any attention to what was going on. I have thought of taking them back with my husband to see how we get along. But after yesterday with Bailey I'm not to sure if I want to. My fear is if the same situation happened again but this time he owner wasn't right there to help in case.

Anyways not to sure if we will get out for our walk today I think when the two of them pulled and I slipped, I twisted my back the wrong way. So I'm alittle stiff today.

Please keep me updated on how you and your wife are getting along with Jake. Let's hope this is going to be one of our missions that ARE successful

WOOOOOHOOOOO !!!!! Another success.

Yesterday Bailey was out front with hubby and actually stayed in the front yard (off leash) while ANOTHER dog walked by. He had her sit and stay and she sat and watched the dog and his owner walk by. She didn't even try and move !!! So after she had showen that she could stay with us she had the privilege to stay out front off leash and play with the neighbours kids. Which worked out for everyone because our neighbours oldest isn't really sure of dogs. After spending the time yesterday playing out front with Mya and Bailey she told her dad that she wants a dog
I told her that for now maybe these two are the best kind because she wont have to clean up the backyard So maybe we'll try and get these guys together again. I have noticed a BIG change in her though. Before she would scream and run when the dog's would just walk over to say hi to her when they were on leash.

So I guess yesterday was a successful day all around for everyone

While my nephew (5) was here I worked with him to feel more confident around Ella because as a rule he doesn't like dogs especially. He started to like her a little by the end of the week if it was throwing balls for her. He started addressing her and petted her twice that I saw.

Then while I was on this site he came and looked over my shoulder and I was telling him what it was and showed him some posts and he helped me post one. Then I showed him Brad's kids book and said maybe he would like to have it one day so he could make money by doggysitting,
"NOT ME! NOPE!" he said matter of factly. I would have been clawing at the computer to get that book as a kid and he has zero interest. It blows my mind but makes me laugh that at least he does know what he wants or not. How is it that some people do not get the animal lover gene???? Everyone in the family on both sides LOVES pets. Curious.

So reading about everyone's updates, I thought that I would update Mya and Bailey's progress.

So I guess it's been 3 months now that I have applying Brad's method of training on these two. Well what can I say, things are still going pretty good. I have noticed that with Spring in the air, that while out on or walks the odd time there is still the odd pull to go and check something out. But other then that they have been doing really well. And with the snow gone and nice weather we are doing alot of running around and over objects.

So Mya has decided to challenge me here the other day. Yes , Mya, not Bailey for a change She has decided to do some fence running with the dog out back GRRRR They must have just gotten it that or they are dogsitting. I was outside and Mya walked by the fence and the dog barked at her first (honestly) So then the game began. Back and forth, back and forth while they are barking at each other. Mya has her hair up and tail out So I went over and pulled her away from the fence told her "wrong" and took her away from the fence. Then I continued on with whatever I was doing. Just out of the corner of my eye I could see her sneaking back over. So I thought let her go and see what she does. She went over to sniff and then she barked. This time I just had to yell her name and give a recall. She did come as she was told. So this may be interesting. I will keep an eye on her body language when I let them out in the yard. This way I can correct things before they get started. As for Bailey she'll run along the side of Mya give one bark then turn away and go looking for her ball or whatever she can find. What a GOOF LOL

Patty, I\'ve been meaning to ask you what your experience is like with having both beautiful breeds. I debated about getting a Retriever but decide to get a Shepherd instead. Can you tell me abit about their diferences...good or bad? Just to get an idea case I decide to get a Retriever in the far futur...Do you have kids? Other than your dogs!

(for people reading this) I don\'t want a breed debate just Patty\'s experience.

Thanks!

QUOTE:
(for people reading this) I don\'t want a breed debate just Patty\'s experience.

I'm sorry Michelle when I read this I had to laugh

Yes I do have 3 kids ages 19, 17 and youngest will be 13 in June.

Well like any breed you do your research. I will be honest and tell you that when I was at the Toronto seminar Brad mentioned that Golden's are knowen biters, needless to say my jaw hit the floor. Then I did hear this again while watching the news. But with that being said I feel you can't judge the breed because of this. Bailey has NEVER bitten anyone. She will bark when someone comes to the door, which is something we are working on. Then when whoever comes in the door she'll run and bring them the first thing she comes across be it her Nylabone or my slipper,shoe or like I said whatever is there. Again do your research. I really think it all depends on your consistency and patience in training, and from what I see you have that. I truley beleave that any dog can be a great dog if it's taught the right way from the start.

Training well I will say the Mya our sheperd was easy to train and Bailey is learning but it's that age thing. People have told me it may take them 3-4 years to have the light bulb finally come on and they say to themselves "Oh I get it, thats what I'm to do" Bailey is knowen as THE GOOF here. My daughter even wrote on the driveway in chalk the other day " Bewaare of the Goof" They are clowns and watching the two of them interact with each other is funny. Would I recommend a Golden.... Sure

Anyways not sure if this any help.

Just a quick comment about goldens and biting....I personally (I don't have proof to back this up, just my personal opinion) think that it's more of a numbers game than anything relating to the breed itself. Goldens are popular dogs, and not everyone has the right knowledge or desire to train them properly. So therefore because there are lots of untrained goldens out there, then yeah, you might have more golden bites. Also, if a dog bites, it doesn't typically happen for no good reason, hence the need for good owners who put in the time to train their dogs. So the point I'm trying to make, is that stats or no, the biting and the breed itself are not necessarily related to each other.

As for Mya and Bailey, keep up the good work, my dog's a bit of a goofball too, so I know exactly what you're talking about! They sound like awesome furry friends to have!

lol Just thought I'd mention the debate thing....just in case!!

I think Brad mentionned that at the seminar in Kitchener too... All breeds have potential to bite...
I also heard that they are high on the list for hip dysplasia? Higher then Shepherds...it's what my breeder showed me.

Anyways, yeah for sure, if I were to get another dog, I would research it. Like I did for my Shepherd. I was just curious. But, I do want a rescue. My kids will be older then and I probably would have more time and experience.

LBrinkworth I fully agree with your comment.