RP3 Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 As some of you already know, I have been playing the Anglo for better or worse since 1996. I have acquired some wonderful instruments and even enjoy practicing. But something unexpected has drastically affected my relationship with the concertina. In late July, I brought home a wonderful furry new friend - our latest Australian Shepherd - Fintan. And to my shock, when I took my concertina out for some long overdue practice, with the first note my playing was immediately accompanied by the joyful howl of my puppy dog. I tried different pitch models, I tried moving to the other end of the house from the dog, but his impeccable hearing allowed him to chime in no matter where, no matter when. Since that day I have not been able to play a single tune unaccompanied. What do I do - short of parting with our otherwise adorable pooch? Ross Schlabach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wunks Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 (edited) If he's in tune you're a millionaire......? Seriously though, we've had some luck with buzz collars for barking. Edited February 10, 2020 by wunks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John, Wexford Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 You're lucky - my oldest cat attacks me. She bites my fingers, she bites me on the leg, on the arm and most recently she jumped on my shoulders from the kitchen counter, digging her claws in, in the process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAc Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 10 hours ago, RP3 said: As some of you already know, I have been playing the Anglo for better or worse since 1996. I have acquired some wonderful instruments and even enjoy practicing. But something unexpected has drastically affected my relationship with the concertina. In late July, I brought home a wonderful furry new friend - our latest Australian Shepherd - Fintan. And to my shock, when I took my concertina out for some long overdue practice, with the first note my playing was immediately accompanied by the joyful howl of my puppy dog. I tried different pitch models, I tried moving to the other end of the house from the dog, but his impeccable hearing allowed him to chime in no matter where, no matter when. Since that day I have not been able to play a single tune unaccompanied. What do I do - short of parting with our otherwise adorable pooch? Ross Schlabach I live in a dog household. We're basically our dogs' pets... no, just kidding. Our Dogs don't mind my playing anymore, it's a matter of conditioning. Either Fintan will himself eventually figure out that there is no danger attached to the "noise," or you can condition it into him (usual techniques, for example have your wife shush him as soon as he starts howling and reward him with a treat for obeying. Obviously you need two people to accomplish that. Timing is crucial as I'm sure you know). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Mellish Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 Can't the OP at least get in a bit of playing when another member of the household takes the dog for a walk? This thread does give me an excuse to recount my experiences. Pets' reactions are varied. When I was a nipper, my grandfather had to take his cello to the end of the house furthest from where the dog lived. I don't remember whether that was enough to stop the dog howling or whether he howled anyway but was far enough away for his howls not to interfere too seriously with the music. With my first cat in my present house, as soon as I started to play my concertina she would squeeze herself between the intrument and my body. I was never sure whether this was because she liked the sound so much or because she was trying to prevent me from playing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Wooff Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 19 minutes ago, Richard Mellish said: With my first cat in my present house, as soon as I started to play my concertina she would squeeze herself between the intrument and my body. I was never sure whether this was because she liked the sound so much or because she was trying to prevent me from playing. We had a cat that did exactly the same, pushing herself onto my lap behind the concertina. Sometimes she'd stretch her neck and stare into the ends. Current dog sings only with my metal ended wheatstone.. so the wooden ended one gets played mostly. The dog also hated the Hurdy Gurdy, especially the higher pitched D/G.... Some people like to think the animals enjoy their music making.... I have my doubts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicx66 Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 My dog Layla does the same, her favorite tune is the black dogs ditch, no lie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squeezebox Of Delights Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 Luckily our guinea pigs don't mind my music. In fact, mine actually actively enjoys relaxing to the wheezing honks coming from my second-hand out-of-tune Hohner Double-Ray Black Dot... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wunks Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 To "actively enjoy relaxing" is the holy grail which I seek but does it have to involve guinea pigs and wonky Hohners? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jggunn Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 the problem is the Anglo. The English puts dogs to sleep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squeezebox Of Delights Posted February 12, 2020 Share Posted February 12, 2020 On 2/10/2020 at 11:45 PM, wunks said: To "actively enjoy relaxing" is the holy grail which I seek but does it have to involve guinea pigs and wonky Hohners? In my house, I am afraid so! : ) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RP3 Posted February 28, 2020 Author Share Posted February 28, 2020 Thanks to all for suggestions. Distance doesn’t help: he has good hearing and kicks off when I do! The conditioning option is the only real hope. So before I open the concertina case, I put on my dog treat pouch. As soon as I start playing and Finney starts to sing along, I tell him to be quiet. If He does, he gets a treat. Of course to give him the treat, I have to stop playing so he gets double reinforcement. So I am not sure who is training who. But at least I’ve been able to squeeze out a few tunes - in peace and quiet! Ross Schlabach 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAc Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 18 minutes ago, RP3 said: Of course to give him the treat, I have to stop playing so he gets double reinforcement. that's why i wrote "obviously you need two people..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noel Ways Posted February 29, 2020 Share Posted February 29, 2020 Keep your dog!! Perhaps this thread will provide some encouragement: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LateToTheGame Posted February 29, 2020 Share Posted February 29, 2020 My 4 year old Labrador now just gives a couple of good, "Oh, we're doing that now," howls, then goes and lies down in disinterest. Sometimes, if I'm playing in the kitchen she will stare at the door so I let her out. When she was a pup it was a constant sing along. I basically didn't reinforce her at all negatively or positively. I just ignored her. Your mileage may vary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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