> How have you dealt with your Cavalier's love to run? Is there any sort of > training or socialization techniques that help prevent this? The running > issue is my biggest concern.
I would not necessarily call a Cavalier a runner. Overall, my Cavaliers listen very well and come to me virtually every time--unless my timing is off and they have begun to run in earnest towards something they want by the time I call them. I rarely have trouble anyhow because my yard is fairly large (and will be a lot larger next year!) so they get to *run* all day long--if they want to. However, they choose to sleep most of the time! When out on walks or hikes, they are on lead most of the time--unless we are way off a roadway where there is no danger. The couple of times my dogs *escaped* because a gate was left open all I did was go out in the front yard and call them and they all came running back immediately. > Another question: My husband and I are very quiet and for most of the time > our dog will be with us, however we have 12 nieces and nephews and more on > the way. Do you have any suggestions for helping our dog adapt to big get > togethers? In general, what has been your experience with the Cavalier > dealing with big family get togethers? My dogs LOVE get togethers. They all think the *party* is for them! I doubt that will be a problem at all. In fact, if you want to eventually put the dog away during the get together--you are likely to be met with resistance. > Also, my husband and I don't have children, but may have a baby in a year or > so, has anyone on this list dealt with introducing their cavalier to a new > baby in the house? I started in Cavaliers in 1976. My first child was born in 1978 and my second in 1993. Never had the slightest problem with the dogs adapting to the children. Every single Cavalier, without exception, was wonderful to the babies, toddlers, and on up. Completely trustworthy. I think it is better that your dog is an adult when you start your family than getting a dog after you start a family--unless you wait until the children are much older. > A weather question, we live on the coast in New England. How do Cavaliers > like the snow and beach? Mine like both. I've never used a coat on my Cavaliers in the winter and I don't have any air conditioning. They deal with heat and cold very well. > What is the best method for cleaning the Cavalier's teeth? I know if we get > a dog I am going to be adamant about cleaning its teeth! You can have the puppy/dog chew on raw marrow bones regularly. Very little cleaning may be necessary. Brushing the teeth when needed can help. I don't brush teeth. If the dog is building up any tartar I scale the teeth with a tooth scaler. I have a couple of dogs that have never had their teeth cleaned and they are sparkling white still--especially my Tia. > Finally, are there any sort of training techniques you recommend for the > Cavalier? Any books on training that you have found helpful? Any toys you > suggest (I am starting a collection of toys already)? I am interested in > agility training, not for competition, just for fun. Clicker training is the absolute best--get a good book on clicker training and train your puppy/dog that way. Both of you will love it. Toys--my dogs love the fuzzy toys, raw marrow bones, balls, those chewable/beef flavored/grenade looking things sort of like a Kong, and buster cubes with treats inside. Cavaliers tend to love agility training. You will have a lot of fun with that. Laura Trunk Roycroft Cavaliers ========================================================= "Magic Commands": to stop receiving mail for awhile, click here and send the email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20NOMAIL to start it up gain click here: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20MAIL E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance. Search the Archives... http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ckcs-l.html All e-mail sent through CKCS-L is Copyright 1999 by its original author.
