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I didn't even get past your reply before thinking WHAT THE ****! Electric collar is mentioned before patience and lots of work - surely you have it mixed up.. If I could rant in a foreign language right now I would do it! Matty - there is simple ways of teaching a dog to heel. I simply just turn around and wait till they catch up, then go back the way I was going in the first place. You go in circles and don't actually get anywhere for a while, but it works. The whole pulling on the lead is because they get to where they want to be quicker. So if you make it impossible to get to that place unless they are walking nicely - then they learn that way. Of course dogs learn through repetition and consistency, they are animals so don't have a rational mind. Mine know the routes to our local walks and if I let them they would pull so they get there quicker - so they can be let off lead quicker and run around like ***** quicker. So if they walk nicely - that end bit is the reward. They get let off when we reach our destination because they have walked there nicely. It took about a week to teach the older dogs. 2 weeks for my youngest boy and still learning for the pup (but then I am not the only one who walks them so my work is messed up a lot because folk won't bloody listen!)

I have; Sadie, Benjie, Jack, Lou and Pen. Louie and Pennie are the gundogs, they have their proper names and the names I use for recall etc. So you could get a name you can shorten. My nieces call the dogs Louie and Pennie, but if I'm out training, they're Lou and Pen. Works just the same. My next one will be called Tick. I'm planning on a WCS - so ticking time bomb . I know a Husky x called Flea.

Thanks everyone! Red it's nice to be back, it was only a short break but I needed it.

I just got a Nikon Coolpix L810. It's actually not as good for action shots and you have to be really steady for the still ones, so I keep it on sports continuous - and it works for me. He's actually stood in a puddle with his tongue out He'd just taken a drink - but it does look really strange now that I look at it! Got it in one!

Hey, He wasn't expensive but then I didn't know about health tests when we got him. However his breeder did have them for his Mum. Don't know about his Dad. I found this out when I got Pennie, his half sister. Lou cost £300 and Pen was £250. You'd think you'd have the best of both, but other than the looks - not much is lab about them. It tones the Springer down a little but not much. And with the Springer in a Lab body - comes the cut tails and thin fur. Louie's got the end of his tail busted up and forever being scratched on his tummy.

The way I see it - the dogs left it when they woman swooped in and again when she was running off with it. Now if they really wanted to rip it to shreds - they'd have taken the woman down too. And the fact it was released unharmed.. one dog bite can cause a hell of a lot of damage.. be it skin or fur.

I can remember it Lol. Walked the dogs, lounged about then town with work friends. Had to have someone to have the pup though, she can't hold herself as long as the boys. It's been so weird not having her for a couple of days.

Hey guys, Had to have a break from forums for a bit. I'm good, the dogs are good. Training is coming along nicely. In fact I have a weekend booked off where I will be visiting friends in Scotland and going rough shooting with them in the new year with the boy. His ear is clearing up too. I turned and celebrated my 21st yesterday. So anything new? How is everyone

Took the boys out today, a few retrieves with the brown'un and just a walk with the black'un. Anyway - he's the photos - I just got a new camera Jack decided to have a go, I wouldn't let him have his ball. Keeping an eye on that Moorhen Charming. Posing.

Tripe, Duck, Turkey. Louie dropped a load of weight a couple of months ago and I fed him up on those 3.

No I believe every piece of dog training equipment has it's place and when used properly it can work well. But it's far too easy to stick one on a dog and force it to behave. I use training techniques that allow the dog to make a choice, allow the dog to work out for itself what I want - thats what training should be. And I can back up my opinion, but as I've said - it wouldn't be listened to so whats the point. I have given a member on here another technique to stop the barking in the car but nope they want to spend god knows how much money on something that actually does shock their dog - I've had one around my wrist and it does shock. It's not like a vibrating collar - which I completely agree with since I have seen them used on deaf dogs and used in a proper manner. My Opinion still stands that if you have to use a Shock collar on a dog then you don't deserve to own one. And Kent, a lead will fix a dog trying to take off and kill sheep - it's not rocket science. My dogs would happily chase sheep and cows, so they aren't offlead around them and I try to avoid them where possible. It's not hard. I don't even agree with people putting dogs in with Tups that will tell them where to go if they try to attack them - because whilst it can send the dogs back, it can also make it more of a game for the dog. So if you have a dog that will chase or kill sheep, keep it on a lead near sheep! It's simple. Thats all I'm going to say on the matter.

Thats the problem I had, found a couple of proper butchers but one wanted to charge us for taking it off his hands when he paid £80 a week to have it all took away. We were saving him £80 a week just taking the waste off his hands.. And the other seems to be hit and miss when we go in. But these are pretty good from what I've had off them so far.

The video I posted was to show another example of fixing barking in the car. All she uses is cloth and a guard and a sharp tone to let the dog know that what it is doing is unacceptable. I will not get into an argument with people about my opinions over Shock Collars especially when they won't listen to reason and are stuck in their ways. Whats the point. Wastes my time and at the end of the day if you're going to go around electrocuting your dog because you can't be bothered to find a decent way to train it - then thats your problem. The day I have to resort to a shock collar is the day that I will give up owning animals all together. They are nothing but barbaric and the lazy option. And if you can't train your dog with patience and time then IMHO you don't deserve to own one.

Hey, I've just recently been directed in the path of a new to the market supplier. They're a butchers by trade but they do raw food for pets on the side. I ordered from them last week and they are worth it. http://www.manifoldvalleymeats.co.uk/barf-diet-products/ Now they have had a FB page put up in order to co ordinate deliveries to the areas that are interested. The delivery is £10 and no limit (if they deliver rather than FedEx) so the co ordination group has been set up in order to save hassle for both the company and those wanting to order it. I am not sure however if I am allowed to put the page up. So if you are interested and have FB search for a group called Manifold Valley Meats - delivery route co ordination group. Just thought I'd let you know incase they have something to offer at a cheaper price for you. I've worked out that by using them I'm saving about £20 a month.

Just wanted to share this photo of my boy that I took earlier this year on our holiday. Ruined by the damn slobber on his back and that daft mutt in the back ground

Even so I have done this particular training exercise with my GSD mix that barked in the car at anything and it worked. It took 3 car rides for him to realise it wasn't happening. So I can say that it works - or has done for me.

Thanks I'll let him know. He goes in March.

Can't imagine how bullet proof it is though.. Or if him and all his gear would fit in.

I know right! We're keeping the scenic till everything runs out then he's getting a cheap motor to run the dogs around in and himself to and from work. I can assure you he doesn't need a penis extension. But he's off to Afghan next year so he wanted a nice car to drive before then. Previous owner - he'll be having the stickers took off and a paint job done. Nope - I can't drive.

Whilst I'm not thrilled. I can't complain. I have to compromise too. A '95 Mustang.

Might I suggest watching Victoria Stillwell's approach to stopping dogs barking in the car. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wm_cWySHA4 Skip to 13:19 or round about there and you'll see the behaviour before and after. You will need a friend to help. But you will see how short a time it will take and how much less money you will spend on this technique rather than a shock collar. Or if you feel like a challenge, teach them to bark then teach the reverse. I've taught my GSD mix that barks at everything to speak on command, and after I taught him to speak, I taught him quiet. Now if I say quiet he immediately shuts up. No harsh techniques, just 3 weeks and a lot of treats and patience. As for the OP. I can only echo extra training and bring in some distractions. It sounds to me that you're not challenging her enough so she's not learnt to stop. I'm facing the same problems and luckily I have rabbits and a few friends with chickens that I can put on the garden and with a line, teach the stop and steadiness with the dogs. You have to build up your training rather than expecting them to know when that whistle is blown it means stop whatever including distractions. The way I see the shock collar working is dog sees bird, dog runs, you shock her, she is then put off birds because bird = shock. Dogs don't rationalise. I am not a fan of shock collars. Regardless of whether they are used properly or not.

I'm on a couple of dog forums and this comes up a lot. What often gets said is to teach the dogs to respect the child and his space and as the child grows to teach him the same about the dogs. That way there is no problems. If I was to ever have children I'd probably just teach the dogs to walk beside a buggy before hand, get them used to the sight of the cot and other baby things. Babies don't tend to do much for a while anyway, it's when they start crawling that you have fun.. I am very unfortunate to have two dogs that aren't keen on children. So having two young nieces is helping in teaching them how to behave. Benjie would never be trusted though, Louie just needs to learn that they are OK really and you don't have to bark and then run away.

I've never actually been round Sheffield tbh. Can't say the fella would be too pleased with your idea though I once got so drunk I got a knife from a friends kitchen (house party) and asked her brother to cut my hand so me and my friends could do blood brothers. Someone actually filmed it (no idea why but it got deleted after I'd seen it) and watching that back made me realise that I should know when to stop. He locked the kitchen, took the knife off me and took me to bed. Other highlights of that night were me having to wash my hair because I couldn't do a shot properly and it went up my nose and in my hair.. try standing over a bath with a shower attachment whilst being under a large influence.. And curling up in their dog basket. The last time I got that drunk again I was at a staff christmas do. I was still aware of things I was doing and saying but not that aware. I managed to tumble in a taxi after I'd finished what I thought was enough, got home and fell through the door. My fella just said "you're drunk" and laughed. I meanwhile accused Louie of pushing me through the door, even though he was in his bed the other side of the room. So now I drink to the point of where I go a little dizzy, have a glass of water, then continue on or leave it. But that video haunts me so I know I'll never get that bad again.

I consider the RSPCA useless. There are many more stories about them if you google search and the fact that they have millions in the bank yet always need urgent donations? I'd rather give my money to a smaller charity and see it put to some good. Or like I always do at Christmas, donate blankets and food to a smaller shelter. That way I know that they will have use for it and I know where my money has gone.

Haha thanks guys. I've always been told that I act and sound 20 going on 200! I think the weekend after my birthday is going to be the best. A nice long walk through Sherwood Forest, followed by a meal out with the same friends. I'm a bit cynical about it all really. I only had a meal out with friends and family for my 18th so wanted to do something different for my 21st. Can't afford a big party and I've moved so all my friends and family are in Sheffield and I'm in Notts. Knowing my luck - I'll be working.