A sad day for Julia and her ASF animal lover friends

Gorgeous Julia. I mean, she's gorgeous Julia. I mean, of course you're gorgeous Julia, and so it Lucy gorgeous Julia.

My sister sent photos of her new puppy last night. Name is Lucy Lu. Must be something in the air.

Happy puppy training,

Ghoti

Awww, she's adorable! Very lovely puppy, Julia.

What a cutie! I can almost see her thinking "what will I chew on first??".

Hope you bring each other much joy.

Just out of interest, do you intend to take her to obedience training or some such, or will you train her yourself? I've not had a dog (have marine fish) but if the kids ever talk me into it I'd be interested to know how long it generally takes to train a dog, even one of superior intellect such as Lucy

sails said:

Julia - she's beautiful and she looks so placid! So happy for you and she is one lucky little puppy to have come into such a caring home...

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Yes, I agree.

lasty said:

That ones got NAUGHTY written all over its face..

Enjoy your new companion

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Probably more mischievious and playfull... a suttle difference.

But looking closer into those eyes, I'd say she is still a little overwhelmed by the new world around her.

Have fun with her Julia and I'm sure you'll be a great duo.

Nah, what she's really thinking is.."I hope she's not going to spend all her spare time on the computer talking to dorky ASF chatters. I hope she'll spend some time with me".

Great dog Julia. Watch the hoses, slippers, the washing --- but I figure you will have wonderful fun together and be fabulous company for each other.
Lovely to see.
Best wishes
Rick

DocK said:

What a cutie! I can almost see her thinking "what will I chew on first??".

Hope you bring each other much joy.

Just out of interest, do you intend to take her to obedience training or some such, or will you train her yourself? I've not had a dog (have marine fish) but if the kids ever talk me into it I'd be interested to know how long it generally takes to train a dog, even one of superior intellect such as Lucy

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DocK, much joy already. Re the chewing: all puppies do this. It's part of their adult teeth coming. The trick is to give them plenty of things they are allowed to chew so they don't get into the good shoes (or their owners toes and fingers).

Re training: depends on the breed. Shepherds are very trainable on the whole (and no doubt other breeds also). It also depends on the temperament of the dog. A dominant dog can be very difficult to train.
They are reluctant to accept that the owner is the pack leader. Dogs are pack animals and they need a strong leader. You can love a dog absolutely but still be in control. There are various ways you establish this, from such small things as never letting the dog go through a door in front of you, to feeding it after you have eaten yourself, and never letting the dog determine what you do, i.e. whine, bark etc until you give in. Only reward the dog when that behaviour stops. Then they learn that there is a reward for being quiet.


I have started training Lucy already. Just a minute here and a minute there.
To overdo it at this stage would put her off. The basic principle is positive reinforcement, i.e. when she does what I want I reward her with heaps of praise and a small treat. Soon it will be just the praise and no treat. The aim is for the dog to seek only the owner's approval.

When she's about five months I will take her to obedience classes. I should by then already have her trained to walk at heel, sit with just a hand gesture, lie down via the same, and retrieve an object, plus stay on command.
The classes are good for teaching dogs how to be polite around one another, and to ignore aggression from other dogs, essentially a socialisation process.

I'd say that Lucy will be well trained by about 9 months, in that she will know what to do long before then, but will not be mature enough to be dependable until up to about a year old.

It's really rewarding training an intelligent dog.

Whiskers said:

But looking closer into those eyes, I'd say she is still a little overwhelmed by the new world around her.

Have fun with her Julia and I'm sure you'll be a great duo.

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Hi Whiskers, Thank you. Overwhelmed? Not really. She has actually just taken up residence very easily. It's a good indicator of her temperament, given such a big change from the breeder kennels to here.

nulla nulla said:

Nah, what she's really thinking is.."I hope she's not going to spend all her spare time on the computer talking to dorky ASF chatters. I hope she'll spend some time with me".

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I had to laugh at this, nulla. I'm only vaguely aware of how my shares have fared this week, and have missed much of what's going on ASF!
It's fun just watching her killing a soft toy, e.g.

Oh wow, she is such a cutie!!! Is she a long or short haired G.S?

I must say Julia, that your methods of dog training and my methods of child-rearing are remarkably similar in a number of areas

I'd say that my sons will be well trained by about 40 years, in that they will know what to do long before then, but will not be mature enough to be dependable until up to about 50 years old (if I'm very lucky).

It's really rewarding training an intelligent son.

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My "pets" are particulary good at rolling over and playing dead

Congrats Julia, You and I both know that you will have the immeasurable loyalty of a best friend for life. We all send our best wishes and sloppy kisses.

Kimberly said:

Oh wow, she is such a cutie!!! Is she a long or short haired G.S?

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Short haired, Kimberley. At present, though, just fluffy with a pink tummy.

DocK said:

I must say Julia, that your methods of dog training and my methods of child-rearing are remarkably similar in a number of areas



My "pets" are particulary good at rolling over and playing dead

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DocK, be assured that Lucy is already working out the fun of frustrating me, e.g. lying under the bed where I can't reach her.

communique said:

Congrats Julia, You and I both know that you will have the immeasurable loyalty of a best friend for life. We all send our best wishes and sloppy kisses.

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Many thanks, communique. Yes, already that attachment is becoming obvious.

Very glad to hear that you have gotten yourself a new companion Julia - she looks like a very cute little lady right now - I'm sure she will present a slightly more formidable sight once fully grown though! All the best with it.