Hi from Oz!

[yogabeary]

Hi everyone,

I discovered NDT on the internet while randomly searching for information re dogs. I live in Sydney and have a 9 month old kelpie who is pretty well behaved in most situations but has always gone nuts whenever there are other dogs around. Dog parks are a nightmare as I am always nervous about getting him back on lead when needed. The other dogs are much more exciting than me! Will NDT help with this?

I've bought the DVDs and have slowly started the pushing exercise - mostly just hand feeding and getting him used to coming towards me while touching him around neck and chest area. He was hesitant to begin with but is moving towards me now. He loves tug and I have used this on walks after excitement over seeing another dog. He seems more attentive to me after doing this but there are times when he is not interested in playing. I'm wondering why this happens even after he has been extremely distracted by another dog.

Also, is NDT only in America? I have been unable to locate anybody involved in it here in Australia.

Looking forward to talking to some of you and learning lots more.

[BrownieNJoyce]

Hi! I'm fairly new to NDT and can't help you with whether or not there are any other NDTers in your part of the globe. But I wanted to encourage you to keep exploring NDT since I do think it will help you based on what I've learned so far. If you keep reading the articles and forum posts you'll see that the dynamic relationship you are looking for with your dog (that would result in your dog coming when called) can be developed through NDT without taking away anything from your dog's emotional life that makes him the great creature that he is. This is good stuff. Glad you found your way here.

[neilsattin]

there have been a few other DVDs shipped off to Australia - but where they are on the continent in relation to you - not sure.

If you wanted to organize a weeklong retreat, I'd be game!

[yogabeary]

It would be fantastic to have you visit here Neil!! If I come across others who are interested I will let you know. I am certainly spreading the word to people I know here in Sydney.

I do have some concerns...

Since starting with the tug and pushing Jack has started some behaviours I don't like. He has started jumping on people - something he hasn't done in ages. He is also getting a bit nippy - mostly with my husband but he also nipped the hand of one of my kid's friends. Nothing that hurts but it worries me. Also, he is pulling more on the lead (I use a halti head collar - bad I know! As soon as it tightens because he is getting ahead I ask for a heel. I then stop walking if he doesn't give it to me. I then wait until he comes back alongside me before continuing.)

He was quite subdued before NDT, which I perceived as well-behaved, but at the same time my gut-feeling was that he wasn't really 'happy'. He does seems 'happy' now and is more eager/ lively etc around me. But.. these other behaviours concern me.

I should point out that he is just recovering from a broken toe and has been on limited exercise for 6 weeks so perhaps this has impacted on behaviour.

Thanks Neil and BrownieNJoyce for your replies and comments.

[neilsattin]

Are you still having these concerns...?

[yogabeary]

Thankfully no....it seems to have been temporary. Not sure what caused it. It's like the kids perhaps....just another stage to weather.