I'm so, so upset. I can't handle it :(

[KYS]

First don't beat yourself up. We all look at our dogs a bit differently than
others do. (that's because we love them so much)
I have a sister that spoils and doesn't train her love bug little dog
nearly enough, yet in her mind her dog is trained.

Looks like you have two choices.
1st I do not think the team captains should discipline your dog.
I think that should be done by you.
If you enjoy flyball and you think Zeke does too, than
bite the bullet and start disciplining him when he is rude to
other dogs by time outs etc. IF after awhile it looks like Zeke is still
not improving than try something else with him.

I would have loved for my Rocky to be a Therapy dog but he would made a
lousy one. Sheba, I would have loved to compete in obedience with, but
she was not reliable off lead with other dogs.

Give it another try and see what happens.
Either way you have a wonderful dog in Zeke and you are a good owner.
Just my two cents.

[elizabethann]

First don't beat yourself up. We all look at our dogs a bit differently than
others do. (that's because we love them so much)
I have a sister that spoils and doesn't train her love bug little dog
nearly enough, yet in her mind her dog is trained.

Looks like you have two choices.
1st I do not think the team captains should discipline your dog.
I think that should be done by you.
If you enjoy flyball and you think Zeke does too, than
bite the bullet and start disciplining him when he is rude to
other dogs by time outs etc. IF after awhile it looks like Zeke is still
not improving than try something else with him.

I would have loved for my Rocky to be a Therapy dog but he would made a
lousy one. Sheba, I would have loved to compete in obedience with, but
she was not reliable off lead with other dogs.

Give it another try and see what happens.
Either way you have a wonderful dog in Zeke and you are a good owner.
Just my two cents.

Those are some good ideas. I like the therapy dog idea as well as the competetion obedience.

[slleipnir]

I'm waiting for Zeke to be tested to be a therapy dog, although I'm sure he'll suck at that too. He jumps up sometimes, and that is an automatic fail.

[dog_pug123]

I don't mean to be mean at all, but you're acting like he can do nothing. I'm sure he's good at many things that you haven't seen yet. I bet he'll do good for a Therapy Dog, from what I've heard he seems like a real sweetie. Have you ever tried agility or frisbee? Or freestyle?

[slleipnir]

All I ment was, he sometimes jumps up on people, and if he does, he fails. There is no question in my mind that he would be an excellent therapy dog. Then again, same with flyball. He would be excellent at it too if not for his love of dogs.

[Ginger's Mom]

I am sorry Audrey. Two thoughts, first I think it would be great if you worked with Zeke to be a Therapy dog. You already know that his jumping won't be acceptable, but that is alright, you have time to work with him (yes, you can you are a wonderful dog owner). And maybe try agility or frisbee with him. I heard you say that they are the only training group around, but if you get involved with them in an activity where all of the dogs aren't working at the same time it may still be as much fun for Zeke and less stressful for you. Good luck to you, and hugs to Zeke.

[cyber-sibes]

Awww, Audrey, don't be so hard on yourself, anyone would be upset and you are not a BAD owner!
Well,at least the reply you got back was civil. I think she's (he's?) trying to help you see what you need to do, if you want to succeed with this flyball group. It just sounds like not everyone in the group is tolerant of your inexperience, but you're correct in thinking that these things should have been explained to you long ago. Doesn't sound like much fun, though, for you or Zeke right now. So it sounds like you will either have to decide to do whatever it takes to be on top of Zeke every second you're there until he understands what's acceptable and not, or find something where the people are less competitive, that will be a whole lot more fun. Can't find anything around? Hmmm, I've seen people on animal planet that "dance" with their dogs- it looks like a blast! And maybe setting up an agility course on your own would be fun, no fancy equipment, but lots of imagination & creativity. keep your chin up.
BTW- I've been looking at your handome Zeke everyday on the Pettalk calander & thinking of you. He's got such personality! I hope you can find something better than this lousy situation.

[pnance]

The others are right, your definately are not a bad pet owner and don't ever think that. Zeke is a well cared for happy boy and for that you should consider yourself a great pet owner. It sounds like Zeke isn't the only one who has this problem, but the way you correct it may be where the problem lies. The trainer gave you some good advice on how to go about correcting Zeke if he does this. I don't know how your flyball training is setup, but if their are different levels you might want to take him back a level or 2 and start at the basics. He knows flyball so your focus can be on correcting the problem rather than teaching how to do flyball. I've seen an owner in Hunters agility class repeat a level to give them a chance to gain better control. Bottom line is no matter what don't ever think of yourself as a bad pet owner.

[slleipnir]

I'm finished with them.

The captain appearintly talked with both people, and they both said Zeke was biting them, staring them down and "targetting" them. Does this not sound like he is aggressive? They are appearintly experts, but yet they can't tell he is playing? THAT is how Zeke plays. He bites, yes, what dog doesn't when they play? He wasn't ripping into the dog. Zeke may not be so exerperianced with dog language, I don't know. He does play bow, but he doesn't go up to other dogs from the side, play bow. He doesn't. He gets right in their face and is like "let's play!!" he has NEVER had ANY problems with any dog outside of flyball. Every other dog takes this as play. Flyball tells me it is aggressive behaviour. They don' know dogs well. One of the dogs I'm looking after growls and snarls when she plays. At first I thought she was kinda mean, but no, that's how she plays. I believe Nala does the same thing, and from the time I've spent with her, she seems in no way, aggressive. A lot of flyball dogs on my team seem like robots. So why would they want to play with Zeke? Of course they will react badly, they don't WANT to play even if Zeke DID approach normally.

I addressed the issue about Zeke being hit, and they simply avoided the question. They said this and that, but NEVER said "you're right, hitting is wrong" In fact, they said "No one at our club hits dogs. Witnesses say Mike only pushed Zeke" Tell me, how do you push a dog with a rope? He raised it in the air, and brought it down on Zeke. I'm not blind. I know what happened. But, it seems I'm the only one who saw it. Or, perhaps they live in their own world, and if one person says it, then everyone else must agree. They are perfect, after all.

I'm not going to be dealing with people who can't even admit, or acknowlege when they've strike a dog. That's called anger. They keep going on about Zeke being rude...They say me OR zeke are not fit to be flyball people/dog. She said I'm too shy, and can't handle how other people treat my dog. In flyball, people do this to other peoples dogs. And I WAS FINE with it, until he HIT my dog that was under my control. There was NO need.

I'm sure they'll sit around talking about what a stupid person I am, and how my dog is an aggressive dog, and how they're so glad to be rid of me. So much for all the vollenteer work I did for them.

I cried for a good 3 or more hours last night until I was eventually just too tired and fell asleep. There is so much stress in my life, and it keeps building and building. First I had this issue with my friends and a trip, plus I've been working everyday for a month or 2 now, and it's taking a toll on me, now I'm looking after a friends dogs, which is a lot of pressure, now the flyball, and soon my work may or may not close. I don't handle stress well, and I usually get really depressed. I feel like crying all the time. I feel like the year or 2 I spent with those people, and they're just happy to see me go? I guess I was looking for someone to say "sorry to see you go" I'll miss them, but they won't miss me. I feel life isn't going to well for me right now

[slleipnir]

The others are right, your definately are not a bad pet owner and don't ever think that. Zeke is a well cared for happy boy and for that you should consider yourself a great pet owner. It sounds like Zeke isn't the only one who has this problem, but the way you correct it may be where the problem lies. The trainer gave you some good advice on how to go about correcting Zeke if he does this. I don't know how your flyball training is setup, but if their are different levels you might want to take him back a level or 2 and start at the basics. He knows flyball so your focus can be on correcting the problem rather than teaching how to do flyball. I've seen an owner in Hunters agility class repeat a level to give them a chance to gain better control. Bottom line is no matter what don't ever think of yourself as a bad pet owner.

I agree, but she should have told me this in the beginning, not after a problem arises. I've only trained 2 dogs. They've had a lot of dogs, trained a lot of dogs. How can they expect me to be on their level of knowledge? Common sence to them, may not be for me! They NEED to tell me this or I won't know!!

[*LabLoverKEB*]

What a big fat a$$hole of a bully. That's not fair to poor, sweet Zeke. That's so cruel. If anyone did that to my dog, I would deffineatley *be brave* and tell them off. So sorry tyhat this happened, Audrey. Let Zekey know that we her on Pet Talk love him.

[dab_20]

I am soo sorry that your so stressed. Life can be so cruel to perfectly great people.

Your other thread says your trying to get a group going, and I applaud you for that. Please don't give up, Zeke loves and appreciates you for being such a caring person. You go to great measures for him. Those people at fly ball can be in there stupid little group- they are being very unfair and cruel. They don't deserve any respect at all for what they've done to you... and possibly other dogs and people in the future.

Good Luck!!

[wolf_Q]

Audrey, I'm so sorry to hear about all this mess. I can't believe the guy hit Zeke and they won't even admit it. I know I haven't met Zeke but from everything you say about him I can't even imagine him being "aggressive." They obviously just don't understand that some dogs play differently than others. I know how awful I felt when Nebo was kicked out of the agility classes, I was so upset, it still bothers me actually. I hope everything will work out, that'd be great if you could start your own group. Please give sweet Zekey boy a kiss for me!