My house is covered in fur...Help!

[corneliusmom20]

Believe it or not, i just ordered Victoria's book!!...

Thank you so much....

[Stargazer]

That's why I'm a cat person.

[Xeikeness]

You're welcome.

Everyone seems to think Cesar is a god or something. I've been using operant conditioning for ALL my animals ever since I heard of it. After having worked with so many animals, and seeing what works and what doesn't work, watching Cesar almost always makes me just terribly angry.

He uses force, and only force to get the dogs to "behave". He doesn't care what motivates the dogs.

Victoria, like myself and many other sane trainers, use operant conditioning, which(to boil it down to a tangible point for the sake of alacrity) is the understanding of each dog as an individual, and knowing how to make the dog WANT to behave. Force is never necessary.

Think about this: What makes a good leader(alpha, if you will)?

Is a good leader one who waits until you are bad, and punishes you? One who forces you to act a certain way for fear of punishment? One who says "It's my way or the highway"? One who says "Do this thing now!" and just expects you to know what that thing is?

Or is a good leader one who makes the rewards of your work worth the effort? One who promises good things, and follows through? One who takes things one small step at a time, and is understanding of your faults? One who works within your ability, and strives to make things clear by rewarding every small step in the right direction?

If you were a dog, which one would you bite in the face at the first golden opportunity?

THAT is why I use operant conditioning. There is no yelling, no hitting, no scolding... And you get a well-behaved dog in half the time, who has no fear of you, and is never given a reason to fear you.

[corneliusmom20]

You're totally right...
I now notice that when i watch his show, he basically "tackles" the dog to the floor to dominate him. I always thought that was right, but now i see the sense..it only makes them want to act out more.

I have noticed that Chloe will do what you say when there are treats involved...then again, what dog wouldn't?
But Chloe doesn't do well with yelling, pushing or anything along those lines.
Im watching the dog whisperer right now...and you're soooo right.

[TammyJamaica]

SSShhhh You all need to be calm/submissive.

CorneliusMom, I will be going to Toronto soon - July 4th and I need to know where is the best place to get a good and not too expensive snake hook, and if I can get a hard plastic one istead of metal, as the customs officers here might give me a hassle about it coming back to Jamaica.

I will actually be in Scarborough visiting my brother and parents, but I know I will also be visiting the city of Toronto and wanting to go to a good Pet Shop or reptile supply store! Sorry to kind of hijack this thread.

[SherriX2]

I skipped all the post so I dont know if this has been said but Husky's blow their coats twice a year.

[Adrya]

Bruuusshhh... brush, brush, brush is all you can do.

[midnightlace]

i have raised huskies for 36 years, use a shed ender its tops or just brush daily, and do it lots, it will take about a week, if done right mine went thru it 3 weeks ago, and just do your carpets daily. but the trick is brush and shed ender lots then you wont have fur all over..good luck

[stalk]

Dyson Animal Vacum is $500.

But it is God's Gift to me.

It is the only way I am able to get girls to come to my house. B.D. (Before Dyson) girls saw that I had fur for carpets and dust tumbles rolling around my house. A.D. (After Dyson) I'm getting laid. Dyson is for the cool kids.

Second, Furminator combined with slicker brush works well.

In regards to the training issues, while Victoria Stilwell is good, all of her teachings are based on Dr. Ian Dunbar's methods. As such, my recommendation would be to go direct to the source. In fact, I'll make a new post soon with this information.

Huskies are not to be shaved, ever. Their double coat serves as insulation. Think of the insulation on your house. It keeps you cool when it's hot out, and keeps you warm when it's cold out. Not to mention it protects them from sunburn.

Blowing coat lasts 2-3 weeks twice a year. Brush brush brush brush brush every day until it's over.

For her feet, you need to do trust building exercises. My preferred method is clicker training. I lead them to think it's their idea to let me handle their paws. the other method is just that, build trust. Start at the shoulder. treat her. Work your way down, treating all the way. If she reacts ANY WAY negatively, back up a few steps. Some rescues, it took me several months to handle paws. Do not rush. Rush, and you will break her trust and take a few steps back.