Chit Chat in VOLTVILLE Thread #2 :)

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Wuzznt Me

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Renolizzie

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'moanin, Voltizens.

They look like they get along well, Lizzie, and look pretty good, too!

Leo went to his first "basic obedience" class yesterday and, WOW, is it a "tad" different than the last class. There were thirteen other dogs there, no "toy" sizes, and only four of them were puppies. He was so excited to see all of them, the first time he's seen more than two dogs at a time. Actually, he behaved fairly well and we managed to keep him quiet and sitting through the lecture. The first class is more lecture than actual training to cover their rules, insurance rules and introduce the trainer. He seems more practical with his approach to training, which I hope is a good thing. He started with two commands to learn, "look" which means look at me the owner, and "collar" to get them used to being held by the collar.

The class is later in the evening so when we got home, he plopped in his crate, started snoring both within about five minutes, and stayed there until this morning. I'll try to get a photo or two next week.


Very interesting. I have had dogs I had to train to "Look at me." I tell the horses "Pay attention" . It is great that Leo is getting more exposure to other dogs.

The horses seem to get along pretty good. I need to go feed them so I can put them out together a little later.
 

awsum140

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'moanin, Volties.

Winter has arrived, again, but since it hasn't actually ended yet we can't complain too much. It won't get over about 35 today and tomorrow, but there is some warmer temps predicted for next week those predictions can be relied on (NOT!!!!). What, me skeptical???

Leo has started a new behavior that we need to stop immediately, if not sooner. He has growled at me several times when feeding him. He did it this morning and was immediately put into a "submission" and held there until he calmed down. We need to get this one fixed, completely, before he gets too big and strong. Since that happened, he's been sticking to me like glue so maybe it has had an effect already. I'll see what happens at lunch.
 

Renolizzie

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'moanin, Volties.

Winter has arrived, again, but since it hasn't actually ended yet we can't complain too much. It won't get over about 35 today and tomorrow, but there is some warmer temps predicted for next week those predictions can be relied on (NOT!!!!). What, me skeptical???

Leo has started a new behavior that we need to stop immediately, if not sooner. He has growled at me several times when feeding him. He did it this morning and was immediately put into a "submission" and held there until he calmed down. We need to get this one fixed, completely, before he gets too big and strong. Since that happened, he's been sticking to me like glue so maybe it has had an effect already. I'll see what happens at lunch.

Yes, need to get on top of that behavior.

One idea is to throw his food in the bowl a little at a time making him wait to get the next handful of food.
 

Wuzznt Me

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'moanin, Volties.

Winter has arrived, again, but since it hasn't actually ended yet we can't complain too much. It won't get over about 35 today and tomorrow, but there is some warmer temps predicted for next week those predictions can be relied on (NOT!!!!). What, me skeptical???

Leo has started a new behavior that we need to stop immediately, if not sooner. He has growled at me several times when feeding him. He did it this morning and was immediately put into a "submission" and held there until he calmed down. We need to get this one fixed, completely, before he gets too big and strong. Since that happened, he's been sticking to me like glue so maybe it has had an effect already. I'll see what happens at lunch.
Lot's of ways to deal with that. The alpha roll is one of them but I think I'd ask the instructor at obedience class. Jeb tried to pull that on me a few times when he was a puppy. He doesn't anymore.
 

awsum140

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We did talk to the assistant instructor, couldn't get to the instructor due to class size and another class arriving as we were departing. She mentioned the alpha roll as did the breeder. It does seem to have had a very fast effect, no problems at all at lunch or dinner. If it stays the same tomorrow at breakfast and lunch, we'll start pushing into his "space" as he eats. It will take time, but has to be pursued to point where we can have hands n the bowl while he eats without any problems.
 

Wuzznt Me

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We did talk to the assistant instructor, couldn't get to the instructor due to class size and another class arriving as we were departing. She mentioned the alpha roll as did the breeder. It does seem to have had a very fast effect, no problems at all at lunch or dinner. If it stays the same tomorrow at breakfast and lunch, we'll start pushing into his "space" as he eats. It will take time, but has to be pursued to point where we can have hands n the bowl while he eats without any problems.
Quite agree. You should be able to pick it up and put it down with him wondering what you're doing instead of protesting it. Since he's made it an issue if I were you I'd continue picking it up a few times a month just to make sure you maintain your alpha status. He'll probably challenge you again during his "teen years" if you don't and he'll be a lot bigger then. I'm not a fan of the alpha roll but did have to use it on Jeb, largely due to his wolf breeding. In a pack animal it's almost their obligation to challenge the alpha at some point no matter how good the relationship is.
 

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Wuzz, according to the breeder Boerboels are very dominant and stubborn. I don't like using the alpha roll either, it has to be done very quickly and decisively or there is danger of getting bitten. The size/strength difference is still big enough that either of us can do it fairly safely, at least as safely as it might be able to be done. Hopefully, after a few more times it won't be necessary. He is exhibiting signs of "food worry", eating fast as well as the aggression. I think that's a holdover from before we got him when he had to "compete" for food with his brother and sister. I've got to try to find a food dish with dividers that will fit into his tray to help slow down his eating a bit.

Lunch and dinner yesterday were a case of put the food down with him sitting, then calling him to his food and walking away. That went smoothly. This morning, I did the same thing but lingered while in his "personal space" and he growled again. Needless to say corrective action was taken immediately and he didn't struggle much at all, once in the alpha. I don't know if that is progress or if it was from me doing it rather than Mrs. Awsum, she beat me to it yesterday morning so she ended up being the first to do it. I'll see how lunch goes. It is a slow process and needs to be handled carefully with small steps to avoid serious problems, at least from what I've seen and been advised.
 

3mg Meniere

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He is exhibiting signs of "food worry", eating fast as well as the aggression. I think that's a holdover from before we got him when he had to "compete" for food with his brother and sister.
On first thought, this is probably the origin of the problem. He may not have been alpha among his littermates. I have read Cesar Millan's criticism of the alpha roll, and I agree that it could have dangerous consequences. Just helping him understand that you are not going to deprive him of his food should do it. Maybe more frequent smaller meals would help. He is a growing boy, and the gnawing of an empty stomach may be a trigger.
 

awsum140

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He already gets fed three times a day. I know the pluses and minuses of the alpha roll and, frankly, didn't really want to use it. But after both our trainer, granted a new trainer, and the breeder recommended it decided to give it a try. I do think that competition when he was with his family is the basic root of the problem. He regularly takes food, both kibble and raw foods by hand with no problems so it really shouldn't be all that difficult to overcome. It's funny, but food aggression is a common and serious problems with dogs in general. With Bo, from day one I could take the food out of his mouth while he was eating, and he was the "runt" of the litter, and that's where I want to get Leo to.
 

Wuzznt Me

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It is a slow process Awsum, along with overcoming a few other aspects of training, but definitely worth the effort. Being able to take the food out of his mouth could save a trip to the Vet or even his life if he tries to eat something harmful. I'm sure you'll get it figured out eventually. It's not your first rodeo with his breed and you checked out his breeder and line before you got him. If my wife weren't so sick I think we'd probably get a permit and get a full blown wolf. We've had larger breeds all our life from Dobies to Rotties, all house dogs. We've got enough acreage to keep a wolf happy.
 

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I don't expect instant progress and know it will take time, like weeks or longer just to overcome the initial problem let alone being able to take food out of his bowl or mouth. I will say he has calmed, noticeably, since he's been put in alpha a few times. I think it's helping him orient his position more fully in all respects, not just with food.
 

Wuzznt Me

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One more trick is when he backs off put something like a small treat in. We used to do it with cooked beef liver with our Rottie. She got where she looked forward to us reaching for the bowl since it meant there was going to be a little bite of liver.
 

Renolizzie

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awsum140

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Our weather is on a rollercoaster to say the least. Yesterday was beautiful, temps in the mid 60's, sunny and a gentle breeze. Now it's snowing and windy. The prognosticators predicted a "snowmageddon" and it does seem to be happening north and west of us, but not really here. It rained until 7AM, then went to snow. There's already an inch, plus, but I really don't think it's going to get to the stage of batten down the hatches, at least here.

Leo had a god day, yesterday, with the nice weather. We were outside a lot and he got to go to the bank with me. My bank lets dogs inside and he got a treat from the teller. The manager was surprised when we walked in, then said "my God, he's gotten so big already!" He was actually very good, stayed when told, walked fairly well on the leash and he paid attention when I set up the ramp for him to get into and out of the Jeep. Last night he went to "school" and did very well. I will say the head trainer seems a little "standoffish" around him, but the assistant trainer is a giant breed lover so it all evens out.

Lizzie, the whole idea of the "state" owning the water that either falls on your land or can be accessed by a well on your land boggles my mind. My understanding of property rights just doesn't allow for that. It goes to prove that politicians can bend anything to suit their own purposes for their own profits or gains. I guess the next thing would be to claim ownership, by the state, of the air you breath. I have a bumper sticker that says "Fight organized crime, vote them out of office".
 

Renolizzie

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There has always been the rule you could have a domestic well if you had a home with some exceptions like if there are already city water pipes in your area. 2 acre feet max for water consumption. I don't have a problem with having a rule but to try to take away our rights to life [water is life] and to start saying we need meters when there is no evidence anyone uses more than their allotment is ridiculous.
 

awsum140

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Let's be honest. If you have a well, say one with a 2hp, 220v, motor on it, do they really think you could pump that much water? The two acre foot limit, by itself, is ludicrous. There was a "rumor" that NJ was going to require a meter on a well, too. There was almost a riot at the State House based on that rumor and it went away. I'm amazed that out "west", where freedom has always been championed, stuff like this even enter the heads of the government. To me, it's all based on getting their hand in your pocket no matter how they do it. Follow the money and I'll bet I'm right. They'll either make money directly off a program like this, or by "contributions" from companies and individuals who will make the money.
 
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Renolizzie

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Let's be honest. If you have a well, say one with a 2hp, 220v, motor on it, do they really think you could pump that much water? The two acre foot limit, by itself, is ludicrous. There was a "rumor" that NJ was going to require a meter on a well, too. There was almost a riot at the State House based on that rumor and it went away. I'm amazed that out "west", where freedom has always been championed, stuff like this even enter the heads of the government. To me, it's all based on getting their hand in your pocket no matter how they do it. Follow the money and I'll bet I'm right. They'll either make money directly off a program like this, or by "contributions" from companies and individuals who will make the money.


We are concerned that this has something to do with Las Vegas "needing" the water. It is possible that the area of Pahrump is over pumping since there is apparently 11,000 wells in a fairly small area. Diamond Valley apparently has a problem with ground water levels or concerns about levels and they are trying to develop a plan to deal with it so that everyone affected in their area gets a fair shake. We shall see how it all plays out.
 
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