Vagueness and the Aftermath - A sporadic diary

[Tal]

Have you decided on your favourite owl, yet?

http://thebighoot.co.uk/

Here they are:

http://thebighoot.co.uk/trail/

I think my favourite is Alf the Penguin Owl

[Rod Paradise]

It's not lmpossible to cure Omm, but it is bloody difficult, and most people are understandably reluctant to do what is necessary. That said, I'll tell you what I know and you can make your own mind up.

You've probably read about aversion therapy. Well it does work, but you have to make it so that from the dogs point of view, the downside of rolling in fox muck far out weighs the pleasure. You also, (and thus is absolutely crucial) have to make sure that th the unpleasant part comes at exactly the right time. i.e. the very moment he makes contact with the poop.

There are a couple of ways of doing this, both require that you first locate some Fox poop to walk your dog near.

The first method is to booby trap the poop. This can take the forum of a short length of electric fence of the type they use for cattle and horses strung in such a way as to zap the dog when he's virtually on top of the poop, or you can rig a trigger mechanism up to a battery powered 'screamer' alarm. You can even buy laser beam or movement sensor triggers these days, photographers use them to trigger cameras.

In the old days dig trainers used to modify a gin trap by replacing the jaws with tin sheets that clanged together when the trap was sprung. With any luck, the dog would catch a clout from one of these too.

The other method is a corrective collar. These are collars capable of delivering anything from a mild to a severe electric shock to to the dog and can be remotely triggered by a key fob like device from several hundred yards away.

If you go down the corrective collar route, be sure to test the strength of the shock on yourself first and be super careful only to trigger it when you are absolutely positive that your dog is rolling, or about to roll in fox poop.

I have never had to use any of the above methods myself, but I do know dog men who have used them successfully.

I did once have a dog that used to roll in rotting carcasses at every opportunity. I cured him by giving him a good hiding with a well rotted chicken. (it didn't really hurt but it scared the bejesus out of him).

Good luck.

Not sure where Tal is from, but be aware that shock collars are banned in Wales.

To agree with what Red said though I ended up using a collar.

I felt really guilty using one, but Kerry (the folks' dog) had started chasing sheep and her recall was almost non-existent. So I had the choice of fixing the problems or her never being off the lead, which I thought would be cruel. The collar stopped working after about 6 weeks, they're meant to be water resistant, but ditch mud did the job. It didn't matter though, Kerry knows to stay within recall range, comes back pretty well & could walk through a flock of sheep and would pretend not to see them (although that training also involved a good hiding on the carcases of a dead sheep).

She now gets her special collar on before I take her out (I now use a collar with leds in it so I can find her as the nights are drawing in) but putting the collar on is her signal she's getting out without the lead & she's excited but knows to come back.

One other note though, I'm the boss with Kerry, I'm the one she listens to. My parents have to take her out on the lead still. If they'd wanted to take her without it they'd have needed to be part of the training, be sure to include everyone in training yours, we would have but neither of my folks can walk too far especially in the rough ground I take Kerry into..

[Tal]

Not sure where Tal is from, but be aware that shock collars are banned in Wales.

Rod, please! That's how rumours start.

[Rod Paradise]

Not sure where Tal is from, but be aware that shock collars are banned in Wales.

Rod, please! That's how rumours start.

 

[RED-DOG]

It's not lmpossible to cure Omm, but it is bloody difficult, and most people are understandably reluctant to do what is necessary. That said, I'll tell you what I know and you can make your own mind up.

You've probably read about aversion therapy. Well it does work, but you have to make it so that from the dogs point of view, the downside of rolling in fox muck far out weighs the pleasure. You also, (and thus is absolutely crucial) have to make sure that th the unpleasant part comes at exactly the right time. i.e. the very moment he makes contact with the poop.

There are a couple of ways of doing this, both require that you first locate some Fox poop to walk your dog near.

The first method is to booby trap the poop. This can take the forum of a short length of electric fence of the type they use for cattle and horses strung in such a way as to zap the dog when he's virtually on top of the poop, or you can rig a trigger mechanism up to a battery powered 'screamer' alarm. You can even buy laser beam or movement sensor triggers these days, photographers use them to trigger cameras.

In the old days dig trainers used to modify a gin trap by replacing the jaws with tin sheets that clanged together when the trap was sprung. With any luck, the dog would catch a clout from one of these too.

The other method is a corrective collar. These are collars capable of delivering anything from a mild to a severe electric shock to to the dog and can be remotely triggered by a key fob like device from several hundred yards away.

If you go down the corrective collar route, be sure to test the strength of the shock on yourself first and be super careful only to trigger it when you are absolutely positive that your dog is rolling, or about to roll in fox poop.

I have never had to use any of the above methods myself, but I do know dog men who have used them successfully.

I did once have a dog that used to roll in rotting carcasses at every opportunity. I cured him by giving him a good hiding with a well rotted chicken. (it didn't really hurt but it scared the bejesus out of him).

Good luck.

Not sure where Tal is from, but be aware that shock collars are banned in Wales.

To agree with what Red said though I ended up using a collar.

I felt really guilty using one, but Kerry (the folks' dog) had started chasing sheep and her recall was almost non-existent. So I had the choice of fixing the problems or her never being off the lead, which I thought would be cruel. The collar stopped working after about 6 weeks, they're meant to be water resistant, but ditch mud did the job. It didn't matter though, Kerry knows to stay within recall range, comes back pretty well & could walk through a flock of sheep and would pretend not to see them (although that training also involved a good hiding on the carcases of a dead sheep).

She now gets her special collar on before I take her out (I now use a collar with leds in it so I can find her as the nights are drawing in) but putting the collar on is her signal she's getting out without the lead & she's excited but knows to come back.

One other note though, I'm the boss with Kerry, I'm the one she listens to. My parents have to take her out on the lead still. If they'd wanted to take her without it they'd have needed to be part of the training, be sure to include everyone in training yours, we would have but neither of my folks can walk too far especially in the rough ground I take Kerry into..

It sounds like you did a fine job with your dog Rod.

Your absolutely right about dogs knowing how far they can go with each person. I've had dogs that would take liberties with the kids that they wouldn't dream of taking if I was there. Dogs are easy to fool though, by spying on them and suddenly jumping out from nowhere when they break the rules, you can convince them that you are always there.

[tikay]

Cat hater.

[MrDickie]

We have the same problem but would never use an electric collar. We just tend to put the guilty ones on a lead where we know they regularly roll and let them off when we pass.
This stuff is really, really good for the aftermath though:-

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/fox-poo-dog-shampoo-250ml

[Omm]

Cheers guys, I've got that shampoo and also some wipes of the same brand that I keep in the car, certainly is the best I have found in clearing up the aftermath.

It seems the shock and awe tactic maybe the only one left but I'm not sure if I'm willing to do that, I'm gonna have a good think about it. Don't get me wrong I'm not the sort of person that is a bit precious about using these techniques which I'm sure many people can be, I know that my dogs are well looked after and loved and sometimes need some strong authority which usually starts with the bellow of my voice and a little growl in the ear, but I have never "hurt" my dogs to get the to do something, sorry hurt is probably the wrong word, maybe shock is a better word, which is what exactly happens when the hear me shout.

Funnily enough this morning after writing the post Dobby did not disappoint but being extra vigilant I managed to shock him by giving the biggest bellow I could just as he was about to start rubbing himself, I've become accustomed to the signs and it always begins with a sniff, a sprite lift of the tail and then the curl of his head as he looks to dive in neck first. If you had seem him this morning, well I thought he was nearly gonna crap himself as the neck started to curl (he was about 10 ft away from me) I shouted "DOBBY" so loud the ducks flew away. Made him stop in his tracks and sprint to get beside me. Anyway enough of my babbling, thanks for the advice. I'll let u know how I get on.

[tikay]

A friend of mine has an adorable tabby cat, but it won't do as he asks, ever.

What would you recommend?

[booder]

A friend of mine has an adorable tabby cat, but it won't do as he asks, ever.

What would you recommend?

Give it away and get a dog.

[RED-DOG]

A friend of mine has an adorable tabby cat, but it won't do as he asks, ever.

What would you recommend?

Stop asking.

[bobAlike]

How could you possible hate cats when they look this cute?

Click to see full-size image.

[RED-DOG]

I can't. I don't hate cats.

Some cat owners on the other hand......

[bobAlike]

I can't. I don't hate cats.

Some cat owners on the other hand......

Surprised you haven't stated that you have friends who are cats.

[RED-DOG]

I can't. I don't hate cats.

Some cat owners on the other hand......

Surprised you haven't stated that you have friends who are cats.

I have friends who are burds.