I only use treats when we are training for tricks. When we do the "serious" stuff, they get a serious amount of petting and "attaboys". I used to use a clicker to mark behaviors but I've found that using whatever unique word (or sound) for my command but I'm not coordinated enough to handle a clicker, a dog and keep myself upright when I trip over the 2 left feet I have.
So now I just use "Good *insert whatever command they did properly here" and lots of loving.
I also don't have dedicated training sessions more than once a day. Those sessions are only 10-15 minutes long and are usually for breaking down a wanted behavior into the smaller steps before we actually start working in the sound for the command.
Each dog, actually each pet, regardless of species, is different, of course, and I love them all. But this guy ... Man ... He is stinking adorable! I am SO glad I got him. I watched Dawg and him in the kennel this afternoon for a little bit and he FINALLY got Dawg to play "tag" with him for a bit. He would boop Dawg with his nose and then RUN down the side of the kennel. Dawg would chase after him and boop Snoop and BAM!! they would throw on the brakes, whip around and then Snoop would chase Dawg!
They are both dead to the world right now! LolTrigger warning! Snoop doesn't have a modest bone in his body! He's been in this exact spot for at least the last half hour.
Neither one of them moved a muscle when Scott came in from work. THAT is unheard of -- because Scott ALWAYS has treats from McDonald's ... Lol
He's been in this exact spot for at least the last half hour. Neither one of them moved a muscle when Scott came in from work. THAT is unheard of -- because Scott ALWAYS has treats from McDonald's ... Lol
Because he reminds me of ole duke. Rip
Ok ... I'll bite. And why is that??
My gosh!!
He IS a handsome boy!!I'm glad I didn't make any catty comments about you guys and your nuts. Cuz then I would have felt bad.
(And you have NO IDEA how close I came to making said catty comments ... 
)
What are the benefits of getting him fixed? I think there are health benefits to keeping him intact.
Ok ... I'll bite. And why is that??
It keeps me from killing HIM ... Because he is MOUNTING EVERYTHING, he grooms his lollipop CONSTANTLY (when he is not trying to mount someone/thing), and Dawg is starting try and mount everyone/thing also.
He is over the age of 1, so fully developed, and while he doesn't have a mean bone in his body all the sexual activity and one-up-manship we have going on right now is gonna create behavioral problems with both my dogs if I don't get a handle on things.
I've never had any health problems with a dog, male or female, that has been neutered. Not saying it doesn't happen, just saying I have no personal experience with that issue.
And I have rarely had a dog ... Or cat ... That has not been neutered. In fact, Nero is the only intact dog I can remember having in the last 30-40 years.
Dude? You're joking, right?
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It keeps me from killing HIM ... Because he is MOUNTING EVERYTHING, he grooms his lollipop CONSTANTLY (when he is not trying to mount someone/thing), and Dawg is starting try and mount everyone/thing also.
He is over the age of 1, so fully developed, and while he doesn't have a mean bone in his body all the sexual activity and one-up-manship we have going on right now is gonna create behavioral problems with both my dogs if I don't get a handle on things.
I've never had any health problems with a dog, male or female, that has been neutered. Not saying it doesn't happen, just saying I have no personal experience with that issue.
Unless you intend to breed them for a purpose they need to be fixed. All of them.
Don't believe me, go ask the folks at any shelter.
I always left my bird dogs intact, because I intended to breed them, the good ones anyway. Pets get fixed. Bird dogs aren't pets. They're bird dogs.
Not saying that for your benefit. You had a vet in the family, I know you know.
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There are pros and cons to both neutering or not, but the benefits outweigh the risks by a long shot.
It eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and greatly reduces the risk of prostate cancer. And, yes, they're less like to mark and run off. Not to mention it eliminates the incidence of MORE unwanted puppies and dogs that need to find homes rather than be killed.
The shelters in this country would be damned near empty if most dogs were spayed and neutered. And that would be the best benefit.
It eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and greatly reduces the risk of prostate cancer. And, yes, they're less like to mark and run off. Not to mention it eliminates the incidence of MORE unwanted puppies and dogs that need to find homes rather than be killed.
The shelters in this country would be damned near empty if most dogs were spayed and neutered. And that would be the best benefit.
