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Woof! Bark! And also Whiiiiiiiiiine.

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Dave A Feb 2016 9:09pm, 3 Feb 2016 21,250 posts	0 Dave A Wow! Huge improvements in 2 days. Dogs more excited to see us when we get home. Better walkies and, so far, calmer when other dogs approach (it was very hit and miss with Phoebe). We've both been out all day at work. So they had a short walk this morning, a visit st midday for the inlaws to let them out. Then an hours walkies and not even 10 mins okay this evening and they are settling really nicely now. I think making them walk nicely and concentrate on their walks help. But general obedience is loads better all ready. We have been warned of a backlash in behaviour after about 2 weeks. Once that has gone we will be taking them to one on one obedience classes with the fella who gave us the advice. Just to reinforce what we are doing with them now.
Dave A Feb 2016 9:10pm, 3 Feb 2016 21,251 posts	0 Dave A deltaonecanines.co.uk Of course if it all goes tits up I'm blaming Bob. Bloody coppers 😉
Helegant Feb 2016 9:18pm, 3 Feb 2016 2,999 posts	0 Helegant Great news. I think our dogs want to do the right thing because it maintains the relationship with us. But then, I am a natural optimist
Sharkie Feb 2016 9:27pm, 3 Feb 2016 8,590 posts	0 Sharkie I'm with you Helegant. Nat (our behaviourist friend) always says in our agility classes that she can see Jess wants to please us - but and I know you relate to this - we are not quick enough to tell her what to do sometimes.
Dave A Feb 2016 6:10am, 4 Feb 2016 21,252 posts	0 Dave A One thing we were told, and I've read, is that being alpha, pack leader etc is very hard for dogs. So if someone steps in, they go with it. There are very few true leaders amongst dogs, apparently.
Cyclops Feb 2016 8:28am, 4 Feb 2016 2,176 posts	0 Cyclops Being lead animal is also very stressful - the lead beasts don't live as long as the followers.
Helegant Feb 2016 12:47pm, 4 Feb 2016 3,000 posts	0 Helegant Fascinating stuff.
Derby Tup Feb 2016 12:57pm, 4 Feb 2016 20,041 posts	0 Derby Tup There's nothing our Tuss loves than having everyone together. He's happy with me and Stef but if Sam's around too he's delighted Behaviour is interesting to observe on our group vizsla walks. Dogs often split into sub-sets of similar age and size and spend time sizing each other up
Sharkie Feb 2016 1:04pm, 4 Feb 2016 8,592 posts	0 Sharkie Although dogs aren't wolves (obviously!) they do share a lot of behaviour. One main difference is that they are dependent on us - ie humans - so in a way they are more like wolf CUBS. They are perpetually puppies! But wolf society is based on family groups (I love that) and dogs like family groups too - as DT has just implied.
Sharkie Feb 2016 1:11pm, 4 Feb 2016 8,593 posts	0 Sharkie I know I mention Nat a lot but she's intersitng as she's a PHD behaviourist ... but also hugely experienced in a practical sense. She has a 'family' of 8 -10 dogs herself, including wolf dogs, Chinese Cresties (small and horrible to my eyes!) and two Romanian rescues (medium sized mutts!). The most influential dog of all is an older bitch wolf dog who - for instance -sorts out trouble if and when it happens. I've seen film footage of her doing this - quite extraordinary. She doesn't use aggression!