[quote user="dyan"] I don't have a crate anymore, he hasn't been in one for quite a while now, I was never able to confine him in that crate without worrying about him...how good can it be for this dog to be so upset being in a crate that he would bark, slobber and cry the whole time ( which he did when we went out and the whole entire night while I was trying to crate train him ), causing the whole bottom of the crate to be soaked, it actually rusted and him overheating in it.

[quote user="2shelties"] I'd really love my next dog to be a Belgian Groenendael, so that's definitely #1 on my list. I'd also like a pug and another sheltie, a rough collie, and a silken windhould or a whippet. [/quote] Hey someone who likes Black Dogs! A lot of the stuff you say you are looking for in a dog match up with Belgians - except for one all of my girls have all been right around 40lbs and are happiest when they can go everywhere with their owners and "hang out"

[quote user="2shelties"] I didn't even know the breed existed until a few months ago when I met a Tervuren at the dog park. I was so impressed with the looks and temperament that I came home and did some research...came across the Groenendael and liked them even better. I have been emailing with a breeder that breeds both Groenendaels and shelties about a 2010 litter, but then I started worrying about reactivity and thinking about easier breeds. I'm still on the fence...hubby has

Sounds like you have a plan for now at least. I would suggest though, that from now on you may want to really work on teaching him some behaviors that will help him be less of a worry when family visits. Teaching him to accept being confined and/or barricaded won't just help for these situations but if he ever needs to have surgery which requires he be kept inactive or ever needs to stay at a vet clinic it will make it much less stressful on him and you. Also teaching a super solid down/stay

[quote user="dyan"] But seriously...I guess there are those that would agree and disagree...but I don't think a dog should be kept away from company, do you? A dog should be behaved no doubt, but do we want to lock our dogs up when we have company? [/quote] With all due respect, you were considering sedating him to help with his behavior around guests. Teaching him to tolerate being confined or barricaded, as well as teaching him a solid stay and some impluse control could save a lot

This is an article on the trainer in the video and his training methods. The video is from the 50s but he used what we consider modern training methods. And I was right - the dogs worked for pancakes ;) It is interested that he commented he found the Grey very easy to train, probably due to using positive methods. http://workingaussiesource.com/stockdoglibrary/scott_sisler_article.htm

[quote user="rwbeagles"] I would likely have issue with a 4' fence with my breed. Being bored or engaged has little to do with a scenthounds drive to track...and wandering is a WELL KNOWN breed trait for other breeds so I would not count on training or consider it a personal statement on your dogs love for you or lack thereof if they dog try to escape...sometimes, just like people the drive to see what's over the next horizon is just THERE. It's IMO the ultimate in self rewarding

[quote user="jennie_c_d"] I have a 4', chain link fence. The PRT can open the gate, climb it, jump it, or dig under it. The IG can flying leap it like it's not there. The Crested can climb it, and did, the day I brought her home. [/quote] LOL the toy dogs I knew who would go over 3' ex pens were all Cresteds! I saw one attempt to climb a 6' kennel run once too but they were caught and stopped (luckily enough - that is waaaay too high for them to be jumping or falling from

[quote user="rwbeagles"] yes Tibbies are more a Spitz-like, than a Spaniel-like really to me, going by what I researched...that might even be so for Paps, who knows! Cockers do have a known propensity for submissive wetting which is a bummer...both the ones I've known personally have done so. That'd be a deal breaker for me. [/quote] Yeah many of the ones I have known do the submissive peeing thing too. It seems more common in girls but I have seen boys do it too.

[quote user="Liesje"] Can he go to boarding for the day? [/quote] This is a good suggestion but I can't imagine being able to find a place to board him this close to Thanksgiving, especially not being an established customer some where. Since he goes to daycare is it possible to take him Mon, Tues AND Weds next week for whole days? That should make a big difference in his level of energy and excitement, especially if he isn't used to going every day. He will be much easier to deal