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Post by Elle on Sept 5, 2011 9:14:30 GMT
What about if you picked some of the bad mushrooms and then taught him LEAVE IT. Aversive therapy. Make him HATE them. Chi's are very sensitive. I bet if you showed him one and then when he goes to even sniff it or look at it, you give him a correction and say LEAVE IT. Then when he turns away from it, you can reward.
I have done this with bird poop and other nasties that are everywhere when we go for walks. Now if I say 'leave it', he will just keep walking, where before he would try to give it a slurp.  I admit I hadn't thought of doing that Tracy! Trouble with Harry is that although he's obedient much of the time, when it's something that really draws him, he just ignores me, and all the commands he's been taught. I really don't know how to get more respect from him when it matters - if I get very cross with him, he then sometimes starts trembling at me... and I've never ever tried to hit him or hurt him... maybe my shouting hurts his ears, idk  But you have given me an idea about aversion therapy... maybe I could try squirting him with a water pistol every time he goes near fungi or bird poop! Oh i feel your pain!
Darla is the hoover here.
I am always running her past stuff i know she will pick up when out on walks.
Sometimes i am not quick enough though and it scares me too. You're right to be scared I think Terri. By the law of averages, there's going to come a time when the hoovering ends up with something nasty. I've joked about Harry being a vacuum cleaner, but after the recent scare, I know longer find it amusing.  Little sods aren't they? |
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Post by rosiesmum on Sept 5, 2011 9:23:06 GMT
While I wouldn't WANT to muzzle my dog, given your situation, it's something I might consider. If I were you, I too would not risk him coming into contact with the fungi, so if he is to run around I think a muzzle would be the only option. Basically it depends how he tolerates it, some dogs do adapt while others really hate it and muzzle needs to be introduced very slowly. I do think training is the way forward in most situations, not just putting a muzzle on, but a muzzle for sure can be a dog's life saver sometimes. If you do decide to try a muzzle, check out what is availble in tiny sizes, it's probably limited. A dog must still be able to pant. Good luck whatever you decide to do  x |
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Post by Elle on Sept 5, 2011 9:37:55 GMT
I can't bear the thought of that gorgeous little face having a muzzle on it  I just wish I could train him to allow him to sniff at, but not to pick up, all the interesting (to him) things on the ground. The silly thing, is that I have managed to do that when we're walking in the street. He barely stops to sniff at things... certainly nowhere near as much as I see others having to stop every few yards for their dogs. Maybe I'll use Tracy's suggestion of aversion therapy, but without the offending nasties being involved... just train him that if he ignores my 'leave it' command, he'll get a quick shower (of the water pistol variety!). |
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Post by rosiesmum on Sept 5, 2011 9:43:56 GMT
I can't bear the thought of that gorgeous little face having a muzzle on it I just wish I could train him to allow him to sniff at, but not to pick up, all the interesting (to him) things on the ground. The silly thing, is that I have managed to do that when we're walking in the street. He barely stops to sniff at things... certainly nowhere near as much as I see others having to stop every few yards for their dogs. Maybe I'll use Tracy's suggestion of aversion therapy, but without the offending nasties being involved... just train him that if he ignores my 'leave it' command, he'll get a quick shower (of the water pistol variety!). Good luck with the training just be so careful, I'm sure you will be But it would only take a tiny amount of that fungi to make him ill again (if it was indeed the culprit) and if he gets to it before you and eats any  Difficult one isn't it? All the best x |
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But you have given me an idea about aversion therapy... maybe I could try squirting him with a water pistol every time he goes near fungi or bird poop!
Little sods aren't they?
