The Doogle Blogs

A change in these times is long overdue. I am not sure how to go about this and would welcome any and all suggestions please?
Roly Wright

Are you one of those dog owners who shouts at other owners for correcting their dog? I had a very upsetting experience in Craigavon Park once with a dog owner who shouted abuse at me for correcting my dog with the choke chain (as I had been taught to do by my fantastic trainer). I have also heard a lot of criticism for use of electronic training collars.

I would beg those criticising dog owners to read this and perhaps understand a little more why some people (in this case, me) have chosen such methods:

Having always loved being around animals and grown up with dogs, I felt it was high time I brought a dog into my life. I decided against getting a puppy because I felt adopting would be the right thing to do - so many abandoned and euthanased dogs is something I cannot abide the thought of.

I adopted a lovely dog but it turned out she is very dog aggressive. I knew she needed training, but this was way more that I was aware I had taken on. I initially chose a trainer who did not use "cruel" tools such as a choke chain. I had specifically wanted not to use anything that I felt was negative. Unfortunately, his methods actually made her worse.

I am now with a trainer who does use a choke chain and / or electronic training collar. We used the choke chain to begin with, and whilst it was effective, I did not find it ideal: I have had serious back problems and correcting with the choke chain tended to jar my spine. In addition, I don't like the way the chain can rub my dog's neck. Our trainer tried us out with an electronic collar one day and the response was amazing - even better than with the chain, and we are making huge improvements, and fast.

So, please, if you are one of these people who have criticised people correcting their dog, consider this:

- The owner may not have had their dog from a pup (when it is easier to train them, and when corrections can be milder) - they may have to be dealing with adopted issues.

- The owner probably does love their dog very much, and that is why they are going through the (somethimes traumatic) process of training them to behave appropriately.

-Would you rather the owner did not train their dog, and be unable to exercise their dog properly and give their dog a full and happy life?

-The pack leader in a pack of dogs will correct a dog without hesitation. Do you see them as cruel? We are only doing what our doggie counterparts would do in nature.

-Please do not assume that the owner has chosen this as their first preferred method - they may have had to try and discard several other "kinder" but ineffective training methods.

- An owner who has made the decision to purchase such a tool and the training that goes along with it, is a dog owner who has probably put a lot of thought, research, time and effort (not to mention cash!) into their dog. Have you done as much for yours?

In addition, i would like to add a couple of notes about electronic collars. So many people criticise these as cruel and, yes, they can be cruel and ineffective if not used correctly. But when used correctly, they are very effective, and help to train fast. The shock is no worse than a static shock from a car, or perhaps a joke pen. My dog loves her training collar - when it comes out, it means to her that we get to go to fun places, and she'll always know exactly what is expected from her, so she can relax and enjoy herself. One day we won't even need it.

So, if you see someone correcting their dog with a choke chain, or using an electronic collar, instead of assuming they are a terrible dog owner and hurling abuse at them, how about you ask them about it, and find out a bit more about what they have been through and why they choose that method? If the owner is a good dog owner, I'm sure they, like me, would be happy to discuss it with you, and will have very good reasons for using their training method.

I expect I will still receive some criticism from people about using an electronic collar. If you have only negative things to say, I suspect you have a dog that has been trained well as a pup, and you have never had to deal with a difficult, dominant dog. With respect, it would perhaps be best, in that case, if you do not speak about things about which you know nothing!

Thanks for listening, fellow dog owners, I hope this is useful to some people.

Hi All,

Am originally from Palmerston North and Peepi has grown up running at the Manawatu river, his and my favourite place to go adventuring! : ) Have been searching Auckland to find something similar but am not having much luck in finding a never ending bridal track like that in Palmy. Does anyone have any ideas of something similar? Would be great to find a really big area for my big dog to play in rather than the little parks that are classed as 'dog off lead areas'. They just aren't big enough for a good walk.
Cheers : )

We are getting a puppy and we named it Marley. Do you now an off leash area in Onehunga for the new member of the famliy.

from Thomas

Hi there,
we are a professional couple with an English Pointer looking for a house to share with 1-2 other dog friendly people. We live in Birkenhead at the moment and would like to stay in that area.
So, if you want to rent out your house or you are looking for someone to move into your existing flat or if you are keen to join forces to find a nice place to live in - please get in touch with us.

Simone & Robin

Hi, I am a recent film school graduate and the proud owner of Tigger, a 8yr old retired greyhound.
I am shooting a self funded short film on the 23rd of January 2010 at the studio in Wellington. This will be entered into short film competitions and festivals.
I would like anyone interested in volunteering their greyhound as an extra to contact me by e-mail - julietbergh@gmail.com
I am also desperate for greyhound crates which I would need for the 22nd and 23rd January - to set up the set!
Any extra props such as muzzles, collars, racing vests will be much appreciated.
I am happy to talk to anyone interested about the script/story and what will be happening.
xxx
Juliet Bergh

I was just wondering if all the dog exercise areas listed are fenced. We took our dog to the Pt Chevalier one today and it was great - all fenced off so the owner can relax while the K-9 has fun. Any help regarding this would be much appreciated.

We are currently living in Auckland but shifting to Napier to live. I would like to know where there are off leash areas to exercise my dog.

Hi

I would like to go on holiday to Gisborne with my dog, but from first glances it seems I can't really go anywhere with her. Any ideas where we can go on decent walks?

Looking for nice campgrounds near the beach in the north island that allow dogs. trying to plan summer holiday. Have looked around online and there are alot of campgrounds that allow dogs....BUT...are they nice??? Don't want to end up at a dirty, old, run down capmground(as I know some that allow dogs are!) any ideas?

I am struggling to find good places to walk my dog where I can take the pram as well. Western Springs is an example of the ideal park for this purpose, but it's a long way from the North Shore. Can anyone suggest any good parks with lots of well formed paths where I can take my dog for a decent walk without having to subject my baby to a very "bouncy" off-road ride!

Hi

I'm new to the Taranaki region with a very lively 11month old chocolate lab. Does anyone know of any good walking/exercise areas? Anyone in this region interested in joint dog walking. My beautiful girl (Harley) is very sociable and we have done the first stage of obedience classes.

Elaine

feel like having a rant! anything in the media that fires you up?

Most of us have probably been down that road; standing in a cold wet park in the middle of winter in order to teach our companion the basics of behaviour. Then, within months of passing the course, it's back to the old tricks. Share your tips and trciks with others.