HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: szeff@ssf-sys.DHL.COM (Sharon Zeff)
Subject: Greyhound Obedience Training
Organization: DHL Systems, Inc.
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1992 16:32:59 GMT

Teaching a greyhound to sit is exactly what I am doing now.  I am actually
making very good progress with her.  She will now sit about half the
time that I ask her too without me having to 'help her', meaning pushing
down on her backside.  
I took me a while to get her to this point, I have been working on it 
everyday for several weeks, although maybe not as hard as I should.  The
way I started was inside, on a carpet, she will sit on pavement, but is
more reluctant.  I found that when I tried to push her into a sit position
she would back up instead of going down.  I had to position her so that she
could not back up.  I found food worked really well as an incentive to
perform.  At first she got a lot of praise for letting me force her, gently, 
into the sit position.  Now she gets the praise when she does it on her own.
Now, inorder for her to get any treat she must sit, inorder for her to
get her leash on for a walk she must sit, although I still sometimes have
to tap her on her butt to get her to sit, she seems to have a pretty good
idea of what I am talking about.
I think that after I get her to sit reliably the other commands will come
easily.  She heels already and kind of knows stay and come.  I think down
will be a relief to her, because I know she does not like the sit position.
Anyway, I am sure this can be done, just takes persistence and patience.

Good luck,

Sharon
szeff@ssf-sys.DHL.COM
From: rhh@alice.att.com (r hardin)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Motivational Methods
Summary: 50 years of science
Date: 1 Oct 92 19:23:17 GMT
Article-I.D.: alice.23775
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill NJ



Jon Krueger writes:
>It's sad to see the amount of folk wisdom that floats around on this.
>For many people it appears that 50 years of EAB simply didn't happen.

>And yet they'd never settle for the medical technology of their
>grandparents' day.  They're well aware that over the last 50 years
>we've learned something about how to cure disease.  But when it comes
>to behavior, they pass around what was believed 50 years ago.

It isn't relevant to dog training, to horse training, or to cat training.

I mention the latter because there is an old axiom in behavioral
research, ``Don't use cats.  They'll screw up the data.''

As soon as the cat figures out that you want him to do something,
he'd rather die than do it.  Very bad for the curves, when your cats
all starve on you rather than do your test.

Well, dogs, horses, cats all relate to people in ways not captured,
not even slightly captured, by someone who wants to observe but not
commit to the animal.

So what you've been studying for 50 years is not of interest to
dog people, horse people, or cat people; and you may come to the
point yourself where it isn't even interesting to you, someday.

Want to read something on the question?  Adam's Task, by Vicki Hearne,
try the preface.  After all, that's how you learn.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: kjt34420@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Kristin J. Thommes)
Subject: Re: New to this group.. Where are the FAQ(s)??
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Distribution: rec
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1992 15:43:51 GMT

You can find the rec.pets.dogs FAQ, plus many others, in the group
"news.answers"


--
From: mlhb@mammoth.dr.att.com (BL054626-BonhamM(DR2020)214)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Please tell me my dog is not stupid
Date: 29 Sep 92 22:08:51 GMT

In article <1992Sep29.193433.17919@mksol.dseg.ti.com>, pyron@skndiv.dseg.ti.com (Dillon Pyron) writes:
|> 
|> In article <1a9q57INN970@rodan.UU.NET>, lorelei@rodan.UU.NET (Lorelei Horner) writes:
|> >|I have a siberian husky.  My roommates are convinced she is retarded
|> >|because she does not always come when told or sit when told.  I think
|> >|she is just very independent.  So who is right?
|> >I have the same dog...do we share?? I am convinced that Sasha is not
|> >stupid, just TOO smart for her own good. I have had huskies in the
|> >past and it was my experience that until they are about five or six
|> >years old, they will do what you ask when they want to or ONLY if
|> >they feel dominated........
|> How sad, your dogs both suffer the same disorder as mine, Selective Hearing.
|> 
|> "Ivan, come.  Ivan, COME.  Ivan, %$#@&!!! COME!"  ("Oh, me?")

Are you sure your dog's name isn't Conan? ;-) ;-) ;-)

Sky Warrior and
Conan, Cuawn, Shadow, Mirin, Dancer, Skye, Jasmine, Kersel, Ed, Tasha and Kiana

Help!  I'm running out of names!

-- 
-----------------------------                                              
SKY WARRIOR aka MLH Bonham  | "Good tea.  Nice House." -- Lt. Worf
mammoth!mlhb@druhi.att.com  |----------------------------------------------
mlhb@drutx.ATT.COM          | SKY WARRIOR RACING KENNELS - Coming to an
                            | Iditarod near you!
-----------------------------
From: trimpe_b@wums.wustl.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Selective hearing VS playing dumb?
Date: 30 SEP 92 12:02:14 GMT
Organization: MIT PLASMA FUSION CENTER
NNTP-Posting-Host: msnews.wustl.edu


I've been following this selective hearing thread for a bit but I don't think
anyone's really addressed the playing dumb part.  For example- I have a lab
that I walk most every morning but before we leave I throw the frisbee a 
few times in order to "induce a dump" before our walk.  Well today I guess
he really wanted that walk so after a few throws he dropped the frisbee in
the middle of the yard and stood by the gate.  I tried to make him get the
frisbee from the middle of the yard but he acted really stoopid about it.
He's fetched and 'gottn his frisbee' a million times but this morning he
circled all around it searched 'hi and lo' in the far corners of the yard
with out quite being able to locate it.  He HAD to KNOW  where it was.  In
this case it's not really an "obedience" problem (altho technically i guess
it is) but a 'lets train my master to do it the way I want without really
pissing her off' problem.  Any one experience this sort of thing where it's
really play time not obedience but equally annoying?  Any one know of a
good response to that?  He's generally very good about behaving on or off
lead- will return to heel position from 50 feet(maybe more) etc.   but I
can't figure this one out.
Bev
From: karenp@sybase.com (Karen Paulsell)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Dogs and Bikes
Date: 30 Sep 92 04:38:58 GMT
Organization: Sybase, Inc.

I taught my dog to "heel" with the bike, but it took a lot of work.
He'd already learned, off leash, to stop at street corners until
he got the command "cross", so I don't have to keep him heeling
with the bike all the time, just at busier times, or busier areas.

When I started, he know "heel" really well. I started by walking
with the bike, and getting him to heel. Once that got pretty good,
I'd ride slowly, with the leash looped so that if he really did
try to run, I could choose to hold on, or let go. Figured it he
pulled me over, I'd probably let go anyway, so I might as well
reserve the option!

If he started to pull, I could give him a small tug without 
endangering my balance. If that didn't work, I'd holler "Don't Pull"
stop the bike and give him a good tug, and make him sit.  Used 
to be every half block or so. But the heeling got better and better,
we go for blocks with only a gentle "Don't Pull" in between.

I hate having him on my left side, but the rear brake is on the
right side.

I only fell twice, at low speeds. Do wear thick pants, your gloves,
your helmet! And it was scary, the time I thought he was gonna pull
us both out into the traffic! I tend to pick the quieter times for
these expeditions, like a Sunday. And I admit, my dog is NOT stubborn,
he wants to please me, he's been easy to train, and he only weighs
50 pounds.  I'd never try this with a thick-headed, stubborn, 100-lb
dog!

People grin at us as we go by, this Smiling Dog running by the bike,
looking like there couldn't be a better thing in the world for a
dog to be doing!
From: hckrus01@ulkyvx.louisville.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Health Survey - AGAIN
Date: 5 Oct 92 21:29:03 GMT
Article-I.D.: ulkyvx.1992Oct5.172903.1
Organization: University of Louisville

Jeez - what a mess this was when I originally posted it - let's try again!


The Irish Setter Club of America recently conducted a survey of its members to
find out what health problems seem to be most common in the breed and which
problems members most felt needed to be studied.  The survey was done in part
to help the Institute for Genetic Disease Control in Animals and its new open
registry.  Anyway, I thought y'all might be interested in the results and might
want to compare them to disease frequencies and concerns in your own breeds:

                % OWNERS/BREEDERS         # WHO WANT IT  
DISEASE            WITH PROBLEM              STUDIED
----------------------------------------------------------
Hypothyroid            45.7                     22

Cancer Types           43.1                     36

Bloat                  40.9                    152

Chronic Ear Probs.     40.9                      2

Allergies              40.9                     22

Seizures               37.8                    139

Hip Dysplasia          35.6                     39

Panosteitis            23.2                      7

Spondylosis            23.0                      6

Heart Disease          20.4                      3

HOD                    18.2                     33

Cataracts              17.1                      1

Autoimmune Dis.        14.6                     31

Osteoarthritis         14.0                      1

OCD                    13.2                      5

Megaesophagus           7.8                      1

Other Bone Dis.         3.9                      3

Progressive Retinal
Atrophy                 3.6                     41

Laryngeal Paralysis     2.8                      1



Holly        
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: jpk@Ingres.COM (Jon Krueger)
Subject: Re: Pet Population Legislation
Reply-To: jpk@Ingres.COM (Jon Krueger)
Organization: Ask Computer Systems Inc., Ingres Division, Alameda CA 94501
Date: 6 Oct 92 23:11:05 GMT

 rhh@alice.att.com (r hardin) writes:

> normal institutional instincts.  Once you build any system, it does
> whatever it goddam well pleases.  It grows by encroaching.

Please enlighten us further.  Explain how this applies to AT&T.

-- Jon
--
Jon Krueger  jpk@ingres.com  
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: cdm@pmafire.inel.gov (Dale Cook)
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 92 22:59:13 GMT
Organization: WINCO
Subject: Re: Motivational Methods
Summary: 
Followup-To: 
Organization: WINCO
Keywords: 

In article <1992Sep29.194305.8449@newshost.lanl.gov> crs@beta.lanl.gov (Charlie Sorsby) writes:
>In article <23746@alice.att.com> rhh@alice.att.com (r hardin) writes:
>[much discussion about "flexibility" definition deleted]
>
>= I wish I had a dollar for every person who's stopped me and said
>= that he wished his dog was half as well behaved as mine, and
>= THAT HE'S BEEN TO OBEDIENCE CLASS BUT IT DIDN'T HELP, HIS DOG IS
>= TOO UNCONTROLLABLE.   These are the drop-outs that the obedience
>= instructors seem to forget when they tell how well their flexibility
>= is working.  The guys that don't come back.
>
>Well, I haven't been to obedience school but I must comment here.
>Are you considering the possibility that it is the *student* who is
>to blame here rather than the instructor?  I've seen people that
>you can tell to make a correction until you are blue in the face
>but who simply refuse to do something so mean to little Fifi...

I must add here that many people come to classes for an hour a week,
obviously *never* work with the dog between classes, and wonder why
Fifi isn't progressing.

Charlie's point is well taken that often as not, much, if not all, of
the blame lies with the student.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
...Dale Cook    "I'll do the thinnin' around here!"
                   ---Quick Draw McGraw
The opinions are mine only (i.e., they are NOT my employer's)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: Stacey Curtis <sec@softserver.canberra.edu.au>
Subject: Re: Motivational Methods
Organization: University Of Canberra
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 92 01:55:34 GMT

In article <23746@alice.att.com> r hardin, rhh@alice.att.com writes:
>Second, because flexibility, knowing lots of tricks, gives the beginning
>trainer a very tentative attitude, which acts against training; the
>beginning trainer is unable to MEAN what he commands when the syntax
>of training is indefinite for him, if I can put it that way.
>
>Third, because flexibility is a cop-out in obedience classes.  The fact
>is that most dogs do not get trained, and the leading cause of euthanasia
>is not disease but behavior problems.  People TAKE their dogs to
obedience
>classes not because they want to be trainers but because they need help,
>and it really burns me that they can't get it, and drop out, discouraged.
>
>I wish I had a dollar for every person who's stopped me and said
>that he wished his dog was half as well behaved as mine, and
>THAT HE'S BEEN TO OBEDIENCE CLASS BUT IT DIDN'T HELP, HIS DOG IS
>TOO UNCONTROLLABLE.   These are the drop-outs that the obedience
>instructors seem to forget when they tell how well their flexibility
>is working.  The guys that don't come back.
>
>The fact is that most people do not want to correct their dogs,
>they want to be nice, not cruel, and they are confused about
>what niceness is and what cruelty is, and it is the responsibility
>of the obedience instructor to straighten them out on this.

All too true.  People all too often blame the instructor for their
inability (misinterpretation, whatever) to follow the instructions given,
and also the instructor can be very inept at giving instruction,  it
works both ways.  I have a really good book written by a very experienced
dog handler, instructor, trainer, person.   The book is basically about
dog pyschology and is titled "Solving Your Dog Problems" by Micheal
Tucker, Published in Australia by J.M. Dent Pty Ltd.  It is really funny,
and it really makes you think about the messages that you give your dog. 
I highly recommend it for anyone who Instructs in obedience or who is
trying to train their dog to be obedient, or just easier to live with. 
If you are interested in it and cannot find it locally please Email me
and I'll try to get you a copy.

Stacey
From: emm@cbnewsj.cb.att.com (ellen.m.mcsorley)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: re: Women in the dog world.
Date: 5 Oct 92 15:52:33 GMT
Organization: AT&T

I've only been "in dogs" for about 2 years.  I see
a 50/50 split of people showing Newfoundlands, and
also for the judges.  Don't know about other breeds.

BUT, the number of women in my obedience club EASILY
out number the men.  Now, that may be because only the
women have time to go to the meetings, but we definitly
have more women handlers in the classes than men, also.
Again, it might be because "mom" takes the family dog
to class.
From: andy@cmptrc.lonestar.org (Andy Hart)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Help with neighbor!!
Date: 6 Oct 92 15:29:55 GMT
Organization: CompuTrac Inc., Richardson TX

(Seale (Jeff)) writes:
[stuff deleted]
>...a couple of weeks ago the teenage neighbor boys threw a kitten in our
>backyard. I saw them and asked them not to do it again. The neighbor
>made his son apologize and all was forgotten. Yesterday upon returning 
>home, we found that the same kids had thrown green tomatoes at our dogs
>because they were barking. My wife went to ask the neighbor about it and he
>proceded to curse at her...
>...He then said the next time he would just get his shotgun
>and shoot them...  
>We are really quite stressed about this whole thing and would appreciate
>any advice. Post or email to jeff@grserv.wustl.edu  
> 
  What a jerk!  I empathize with you.  I know how hellish a bad neighbor
  can make life.

  It certainly doesn't sound to me like you have anything to worry about with
  the humane society.  What I would do is:

  1)  Call the landlord yourself.  Explain the situation as you did here.
      You shouldn't have to put up with people throwing kittens and vegetables
      at your animals.  You shouldn't have to put up with jerks cursing your
      wife.  You shouldn't have to put up with people threatening you with
      shotguns.  This guy is in the wrong, NOT you.  Preempt him by calling
      the landlord yourself.

  2)  Call the police non-emergency number.  Explain the situation and that
      the guy is threatening your dogs with a shotgun.  Ask them what you
      should do.  If nothing else, you will be on record as peaceably trying
      to resolve the situation.  

  3)  If there are any further encounters with this jerk, explain to him 
      in a deadly serious and matter-of-fact tone what you have done about
      the situation.  Explain to him that his behaviour is NOT acceptable
      and that you will not tolerate it.  Explain that if he has legitimate
      complaints you will be happy to listen, but shooting your dogs and 
      cursing your wife are not options.  Explain that you will call the 
      police to resolve the matter if there are any further occurrences of
      such actions.

You have the right to the peaceable enjoyment of your home.  There is nothing
inhumane about keeping your dogs on tethers while you are away, if that's 
what you have to do.  The burden of proof is on him, not you.

*I* might actually have a few other things to say to this jerk, particulary
if he cursed my wife, but then I'm 6'4" and weigh over an eighth of a ton.

You don't have to put up with this.  He's a bully and bullies back down when
confronted.  Just keep calm and rational and cover all the bases.

Good luck!
From: micki@novell.com (Michelle Duncan)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: AKC Papers
Date: 30 Sep 92 13:40:17 GMT
Organization: Novell, Inc.


In article <15843@mindlink.bc.ca> Valaria_Vorlop@mindlink.bc.ca (Valaria Vorlop) writes:

>Have you had the dog examined by a vet yet? Are there any health guarantees?
>CAN you return the dog? If you can, I would give serious thought to it and go
>out and find yourself a decent breeder...I assure you, a dog from a breeder
>will be no less affectionate or cute than the dog you bought.

My sister works for a vets office and says that puppy mill dogs are usually 
pretty obvious to spot.  The first example she gave was an aversion to
bright light.  The vet explained that puppy mills are often dark (like old
barns or warehouses) and the puppies never see light, so when exposed to they
tend to squint.

the other things she told me about these places broke my heart.  We have 
always bought from breeders or adopted from the pound.  It totally amazes
me that there are people out there who can run a puppy mill...



********************************************************************************
 Michelle (micki) Duncan  :^)  ** They gave me a ladder I looked at the top and
 Novell Information Systems    ** said "Wow! I don't think I want to climb!" I
 San Jose DataCenter           ** just wanted to be up there already, you know
 Internet:  micki@novell.com   ** what I mean?      -Ted Klausterman 
********************************************************************************
From: mjohnson@stake.DaytonOH.NCR.COM (Marget Johnson)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Domination urination!?!?!?
Date: 28 Sep 92 16:46:47 GMT
Reply-To: mjohnson@stake.DaytonOH.NCR.COM (Marget Johnson)
Organization: Stakeholder Relations, NCR Corp in Dayton,OH

A male urinating where (& when) a female does sounds perfectly normal to me.
Especially if the bitch is in heat (plus or minus 30 days) or has a urinary
infection such as cystitis. The latter seems to give off the same odor a
estrus discharge. Even a neutered male will find such an odor irresistible,
and occasionally start peeing on the bitch before she finishes! If your bitch
is not in heat, have her urine checked for infection, just in case. 
Marking of territory is certainly a common practice by male dogs (and many
btiches, too) in the way you described. SO if there is no infection,
everything is normal.
***********************
Marget Johnson, Windwagon Newfs
-- 

Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: Stacey Curtis <sec@softserver.canberra.edu.au>
Subject: Re: Obedience Classes was Motivational Methods
Organization: University Of Canberra
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 92 06:23:17 GMT

In article <15866@mindlink.bc.ca> Valaria Vorlop,
Valaria_Vorlop@mindlink.bc.ca writes:
>When anybody asks me about classes I always say, don't waste your money,
I'LL
>help you with your dog.

Good on you.  I always like to see doggie people helping new doggie
people.

The I also like to help people with their dog training individually.  But
I still recommend people train within a class as this gives the dog and
their people the chance to socialise under very controlled circumstances.
 It allows the owner to test the temperment of their dog around other
dogs whilst in the presence of experienced dog handlers that can watch
for things going wrong.

Just another opinion

Stacey
From: pastor@prc.unisys.com (Jon Pastor)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Someone please help me...my best friend is hurt!
Date: 29 Sep 92 17:05:17 GMT
Organization: not much...

Have the vets have ruled out arthritis?  Our 14-year-old Standard Poodle
started losing the ability to go upstairs, and gradually even standing became
difficult.  The vet was very clear about the fact that it was arthritis in his
hips, and eventually even I could feel the grinding and creaking in his legs
when he walked.  

If it is arthritis, aspirin and/or steroids could help. *IF* it is arthritis. 
Our dog lived on, apparently pretty happily, for a year or two on a couple of
aspirins a day, plus steroids (obtained from vet) when it was really bad.  I
had to carry him up and down stairs for the last year-and-a-half of his life,
but what are friends for?  He was very smart about not trying to do things
that he couldn't do -- I imagine that they hurt, so he didn't do them -- so we
never worried that he'd fall down the stairs.  He did appear, as if by magic,
in my wife's office on the second floor, one day in the last month or two of
his life; he seemed pretty pleased with himself, but he never tried it again.

I realize that arthritis does not directly affect the musculature, and
therefore is not directly related to strength of back legs, but (1) if it
hurts, your dog might not exert the muscles even if they still have power, and
(2) the muscle tends to atrophy from disuse when this occurs.  Since this is a
remediable (to some extent) condition, you should rule it out before pursuing
more exotic and costly diagnoses.  Put your hands on his hips as he walks, and
see if you feel a gritty, crunching, or otherwise peculiar (i.e., not smooth)
sensation in the joints.  If so, ask your vet specifically and directly
whether it might be arthritis, and if so whether s/he thinks aspirin and/or
steroids would help.  Steroids tend to make the dog drink more, which can be a
problem if he's also losing bladder control, but more frequent (short,
slow) walks can help here.  Long-term use of steroids can have complications,
but our feeling was that long-term for a 14-15-year-old dog wasn't all that
long, and his quality of life was dramatically increased by the treatment.  We
used the steroids sparingly, anyway, relying on the aspirin (aspirin with
Maalox) most of the time.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs