The Litter Box

Nai54

00:43

@lila You could also probably remove RichieACC, "last message 222d ago
last seen 105d ago". I would also add yourself, not only are you a moderator, but you are by far one of the most active participants in this chat, for example, your fellow moderator Harry V hasn't posted a message in 20+ days, and I don't think I have ever personally encountered (in chat or on SE), whereas you are consistently "chatty" and is in here every hour (even where your "sleeping").

Journeyman Geek

@Nai54 mods do have 'full' RO powers

Generally its 'symbolic' - its a good way to denote a 'foreign' mod as someone you trust to moderate the room but otherwise...

Nai54

@JourneymanGeek Mhhh, ok.

@JourneymanGeek Unrelated question, you being the more experienced SE user, I hope you have an answer :D .... how can I see the percentage of messages I've posted in a chat room? Thanks

lila

@Nai54 391/65426 * 100% = 0.5976 %

@Nai54 In the webpage chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/info/10964/the-litter-box you look for your avatar on the right and it has your number of messages, on the big panel on the left you see total number of messages.

@Nai54 Oh thanks for posting your opinion; I have a problem with removing RichieACC because he is actually the only one person from these 4 "old" room owners who I have actually witnessed and he even talked with me a little, so I feel I cannot do it (because of sentiment).

@Nai54 And thanks for encouragement but I think it would be pretentious and obnoxious if I appointed myself as room owner, it would give me the same vibe as patting myself on the back or awarding myself a medal that I specifically bought for myself.

hey

has anyone of you been automatically logged out of the site and chat?

It happened to me about 30 minutes - 1 hour ago, I refresh the page and see I am logged out, but I did not log out myself.

Journeyman Geek

01:05

@Nai54 no automated way to

Shog used to run a script for that

Nai54

02:06

@lila Thanks! :D

@lila except... in your scenario, you would not only deserve the medal, but you would've been head of the Olympics... no one will hold a grudge to rightfully give yourself a medal... after all, we all need medals :)

Stephie

07:35

Look at that poor neglect canine! Playing dead while I am chopping up the training treats. I am left here, dying of boredom!

(Note “the look” - Do you see me?)

Ten minutes later. Having so much fun!

SerenaT

Uuuh what are you training on?

And I mean I totally get needing attention :D Maybe not aaaall the time but what to do without that sweet attention?

Stephie

Basic obedience (sit, stay, heel...), a few tricks. Impulse control.

That’s my parents’ yard, it’s just nice and large and mostly distraction-free.

SerenaT

He really looks like he enjoys training, thats so cool

Stephie

For him, it’s not “training”, it’s “having fun together”. We always play between commands and I am not super strict when it comes to precision. Those who take it seriously will insist on sitting straight and walking at the handler’s side in a specific way.

Journeyman Geek

@Stephie there's nothing worse than people taking it too seriously :(

Stephie

07:48

With all the trouble we had in the past, I am fine if he plonks his rear end down and walkes reasonably close at my side.

SerenaT

How do you train heel? I have seen one dog trainer doing it but that seemed like it would not work for every dog

Stephie

Which version are you interested in? The “classic” way is to hold a treat and let the puppy sniff and push at your hand, then slowly switch to a hand higher up, then treat under your arm and some will go as far as taking a treat in their mouth to encourage the desired “look at your human’s face”.

For a less food-driven dog, they will use a favorite toy, like a ball.

SerenaT

I would be fine if the dog just walked next to me at the same pace, nothing fancy really

Stephie

Ha! Same here.

SerenaT

I often go to a farm for vacation and some work and the dog there is uuuhh rather wild :D

I taught him some basics since I want to be safe when I take him for walks

Stephie

07:53

Ah.

SerenaT

But especially for cars passing by (there are no sidewalks) him walking next to me would be really great

Stephie

For many dogs, “heel” is different that walking in a leash. Don’t ask me why.

We are working on the leash bit as well, especially as he’s got that panic attack impulse.

SerenaT

The leash part is difficult too but since I bought him a harness and a longer leash its gotten better

Stephie

Yep. We use both in longer walks - harness and long leash for “go sniffing”, leash means “stay here, no discussion”. Works so-so. At best.

SerenaT

Yeah we mostly walk through a forest and the long leash is not a problem there, no vehicles and he really does not seem to have any hunting drive

Stephie

07:57

But since we made a point of playing a lot even during walks, he’s more oriented towards us vs. speeding ahead.

SerenaT

But the part on the road is more difficult since I want him closer

When you say play what do you mean? A toy?

Stephie

Our trainer said “go slow, if you manage five meters it’s ok”.

Play can be a toy, something we pick up like a pine cone or stick, suddenly changing direction and doing a kind of slalom through the trees, a short jog / catch game, hiding the dummy...

I could verbally call him back yesterday. There was a mountainbiker crossing before us (a huge trigger) and while he clearly was torn and kept watching, he came back and was rewarded with a bit of ball playing.

To me, that’s a gigantic improvement!

SerenaT

That does sound amazing! Training is never about what others can do, it is about your progress

Stephie

We very much need to practice and get that done with as soon as possible - the Black Forest is literally overrun by walkers, bikers, people with dogs... in summer. Covid didn’t help, a lot of city folks have rediscovered the area and hiking is a trend.

I stay at home on Sunday afternoons for a reason.

SerenaT

I get that, I take some shelter dogs for walks (when there is no covid) and I usually try to go where we wont meet 600 other dogs and children

Stephie

08:09

Especially as Xabi freaks out when he meets other dogs. It totally stresses him. And we have no idea why.

SerenaT

Yeah the shelter dogs mostly do too. Some are afraid, others get more aggressive, but the hardest part is other dog owners not having any control or care for their dogs

Journeyman Geek

@Stephie defensive or just scared? :(

Stephie

This weekend I was walking with him towards a crossroad in the forest (on the Flexi) and another dog came around the bend, dashed towards us. No working recall. I had a growling and barking monster at my side, hair on end. Luckily the other owner understood and we ended up with both dogs about five, six meters apart. While he “exploded” a few times, he also managed to callm down, sit, lay down, look at me for guidance.

Journeyman Geek

ah

Defensive - and probably confused why you're not freaking out? :D

Stephie

@JourneymanGeek Good question. The GSD will always pick fight over flight, when things get too close. And he tries to get away when we “are followed” by something he considers “dubious”. His comfort distance is quite large, that’s also a problem.

So there’s a large portion of “scared” plus he’s defending his “human resources” at all cost. When we meet people he will try to position himself between me and the other person. We very diligently push him behind us. Rinse and repeat. Then he will occupy himself for a bit, then sneak to the front. Or try to.

Problem is that we meet a lot more friendly pedestrians than potential attackers.

Journeyman Geek

08:19

@Stephie Telling the difference is important :D

(we kinda had the 'benefit' of a trainer who did bomb and attack dogs back in the day - Other than geography, sounds like the sort of person who'd do your doggo good :D )

Stephie

We have seen a big improvement when it comes to the home turf. He used to do a big drama when people walked along the garden on the side walk. That’s getting better, a week ago he was happy on his back, getting his belly scratched while a child was tottering along on inline skates. The family with pram and toddler on a balance bike got a quick glance, but that was it.

Dogs however.... urgh.

Sometimes I need a pat on the back and an “it’ll be fine”. That dog is a challenge - and we survived our fair share of drama with the kids, so we are no strangers to “not average”.

Stephie

08:49

@JourneymanGeek only if in full protective gear. I would guarantee for nothing in case of a real attack. We are looking at 70 pounds of muscle, teeth and determination.

Journeyman Geek

@Stephie ah... that's the thing

a good attack dog dosen't "attack"

You can't call off an agressive dog. They will grab and not let go, sure but its a "game"

So, Ash was about.... big enough to pick up with one hand and hung around gentle giants :D

Stephie

@JourneymanGeek exactly. And as long as we don’t have Xabi’s behavior with others under control, we will definitely not do anything like IPO. No matter whether he comes from a line of dog sports ancestors.

Journeyman Geek

IPO?

oh

Stephie

Former “Schutzhund”.

Journeyman Geek

@Stephie More the trainer than the training

If that makes sense

Stephie

09:06

? Don’t get it, sorry.

Journeyman Geek

09:25

@Stephie hm. I'm not sure how to articulate that ._.

(Also wondering if I put my foot in my mouth :D )

Stephie

No problem!

lila

12:14

hi

Elmy

12:24

hi

Journeyman Geek

lo

Allison C

14:04

hello

lila

hi

SerenaT

hey

lila

@Nai54 haha thanks! I still would feel like I was doing something pretentious and obnoxious, though :D

Sarov

Salutation.

lila

Are you claiming that you salute us, that there is a salutation existing and you are stating its existence, or giving me a salutation whether I want one or not?

Sarov

14:15

Yes.

lila

I am sorry if I am nagging, but what is your opinion about you answering this question?

3

Q: How cruel is it to make your cat listen to other cats?

From time to time, to control how cats act, I use other cat sounds (I play these sound using my phone). Female cats are attracted to crying kittens, whether they are spayed or not, while male cats are controlled by fighting cats. In case of emergencies, such as to get a hiding cat for a vet visit...

Last chance for +100.

Sarov