How did you get into dogs?
- Thread starter crazedACD
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I feel like I've been somewhat into dogs my entire life. I can recall me begging and begging for a dog at 3 1/2 years old LOL. My dad finally caved and we got a Golden Retriever for my 4th bday. Then as I continued growing up, I was always really into any and every dog related movie that came out. Air Bud, 101 Dalmatians, Homeward Bound, etc. I remember collecting these little dog toys/figurine things and playing with them. And I had a Dog Breed book that I 'studied' for hours haha. I was obsessed with Australian Shepherds and then ended up with a German Shepherd when I was 10yrs old (because it still has the name 'Shepherd' in -- uhhh, that makes a lot of sense? :rofl1
Sadie, the GSD is what got me interested in training a little bit. I loved working with her with what little knowledge I had. But it wasn't until I got Jackson at 18 that I become truly 'involved' like I am now, researching for hours about food, vaccines, health, collars, gear, training, etc.
Sadie, the GSD is what got me interested in training a little bit. I loved working with her with what little knowledge I had. But it wasn't until I got Jackson at 18 that I become truly 'involved' like I am now, researching for hours about food, vaccines, health, collars, gear, training, etc.
There was really only a short amount of time that I haven't been "in" dogs... and that is when I was REALLY into horses.
I grew up with dogs, albeit BYB bred ones, but still. I did dog 4H with showing and weekly practices for 5 years. Then switched over to the horse show scene and that took up all of my time. Plus, by then my dog was getting older and slowing down quite a bit. I started off with a Pittie/Dal/?? that showed up on one of our fields, apparently left by migrant workers because all he understood was Spanish.
Once I graduated high school and was ready to get my own, I started doing all sorts of research- how I found dog forums. I kind of blew them off and went BYB for Harlow. Oops. Lurked every once in a while, started talking with Linds which led me here and since then I've turned really nuts.
I grew up with dogs, albeit BYB bred ones, but still. I did dog 4H with showing and weekly practices for 5 years. Then switched over to the horse show scene and that took up all of my time. Plus, by then my dog was getting older and slowing down quite a bit. I started off with a Pittie/Dal/?? that showed up on one of our fields, apparently left by migrant workers because all he understood was Spanish.
Once I graduated high school and was ready to get my own, I started doing all sorts of research- how I found dog forums. I kind of blew them off and went BYB for Harlow. Oops. Lurked every once in a while, started talking with Linds which led me here and since then I've turned really nuts.
My dad is totally a dog person, I grew up with the family dog we got when I was so young that I barely remember a time when we didn't have him.
He died when I was in high school, and then I went through a period of time where life circumstances kept me from having a dog until my late 20s and I've had dogs ever since.
I didn't really get into dog sports until Squash, though. Previous dogs were happy to be "just" pets but I knew I would have to do something above and beyond that with him. That's how I got into first joring, then rally and now dabbling in agilities. All of which I hope to continue with Toast, and obviously Maisy got sucked up in joring along the way, too.
He died when I was in high school, and then I went through a period of time where life circumstances kept me from having a dog until my late 20s and I've had dogs ever since.
I didn't really get into dog sports until Squash, though. Previous dogs were happy to be "just" pets but I knew I would have to do something above and beyond that with him. That's how I got into first joring, then rally and now dabbling in agilities. All of which I hope to continue with Toast, and obviously Maisy got sucked up in joring along the way, too.
I was always interested in dog sports and training. I tried to train our dogs when I was growing up but we never went to classes and resources were limited before the Internet took off, so I didn't get very far. My family has always been super into their dogs even though we didn't do any training really. We always had dogs and it was hard to spend about 10 years without a dog during college and my first job.
When we got Watson I knew I wanted to try a variety of dog sports and make that my hobby. I'm not a particularly competitive person, but I enjoy training and trying everything. I didn't intend to get into conformation though - his breeder talked me into that. So I think my dog hobby developed into more of a real community than I expected since I got involved with other people in the breed.
When we got Watson I knew I wanted to try a variety of dog sports and make that my hobby. I'm not a particularly competitive person, but I enjoy training and trying everything. I didn't intend to get into conformation though - his breeder talked me into that. So I think my dog hobby developed into more of a real community than I expected since I got involved with other people in the breed.
You know...I don't really know. It just sort of happened?
We got our first dog, a rescue Lab named Blackie, when I was 6. Before him, our only pet was a cat (Rush) that we'd had since I was 2. Neither of my parents are huge animal lovers (then - I've converted them hahaha), but I always enjoyed animals. As I got older, we got another dog (Rose) and I took over a lot of their care. I'd feed them, groom them, walk them, play with them...so I also tried to train them. My love of reading lead me to training books, which lead me to the internet, which lead me to dog forums, which furthered my love of dogs.
Can't thank whoever impulse bought that Lab pup and then dumped him when he got to much to handle enough. Blackie honestly helped shape my life. My love of him lead me to the world of dogs, which lead me to my interest in behavior, which I majored in. Met Michael through a friend in the same major. Got my first job at a vet clinic and found my career path there. All because of a 6 month old black Labrador my parents decided to bring home one day.
We got our first dog, a rescue Lab named Blackie, when I was 6. Before him, our only pet was a cat (Rush) that we'd had since I was 2. Neither of my parents are huge animal lovers (then - I've converted them hahaha), but I always enjoyed animals. As I got older, we got another dog (Rose) and I took over a lot of their care. I'd feed them, groom them, walk them, play with them...so I also tried to train them. My love of reading lead me to training books, which lead me to the internet, which lead me to dog forums, which furthered my love of dogs.
Can't thank whoever impulse bought that Lab pup and then dumped him when he got to much to handle enough. Blackie honestly helped shape my life. My love of him lead me to the world of dogs, which lead me to my interest in behavior, which I majored in. Met Michael through a friend in the same major. Got my first job at a vet clinic and found my career path there. All because of a 6 month old black Labrador my parents decided to bring home one day.
I just always loved dogs.
Dog was one of the first words I said. Dadda, Mamma, Ba-ba (bottle), Dog-dog., As a toddler every animal was a 'dog' to me.
I've always loved animals and the zoo. Mostly liked dogs and horses growing up. Always wanted to ride horses but never had the opportunity to really get much into it.
We had pet dogs when I was born. I credit our GSDx, Shack, to being why I adore dogs. I got my shelties at around 10 years old and taught Nikki a lot of tricks. I remember seeing agility on tv and thinking 'that is so cool!'. Trey's breeder also did agility with her dogs and showed me some of it. I was very interested but again wasn't able to pursue it.
I also played a computer program, petz, as a kid and a lot of the people involved in petz showing also had real life show dogs. that might be the biggest influence on me because I wanted to show too. Finally at 17 years old I convinced my mom to get a show dog (though she chose breed). Obviously, the show thing ended up fizzling out. But I don't think we would have gotten papillons without it. Moved off to college and eventually got Summer, who was from our show dog's breeder.
Agility had caught my eye a long time before. Like I said, I don't recall seeing it the first time but just being aware that agility was really cool. So naturally Summer and I tried a class. then moved. Then tried another class. Then moved. Then tried another class. Eventually we competed when she was 9 years old. Just took us a little longer than usual. And now the bug has bit. I've been pretty 'seriously' involved in agility since 2012. I can't see myself NOT being involved in agility and some other dog sports. I've met so many cool people and dogs through agility. I've become a much better trainer. It's here to stay.
Dog was one of the first words I said. Dadda, Mamma, Ba-ba (bottle), Dog-dog., As a toddler every animal was a 'dog' to me.
I've always loved animals and the zoo. Mostly liked dogs and horses growing up. Always wanted to ride horses but never had the opportunity to really get much into it.
We had pet dogs when I was born. I credit our GSDx, Shack, to being why I adore dogs. I got my shelties at around 10 years old and taught Nikki a lot of tricks. I remember seeing agility on tv and thinking 'that is so cool!'. Trey's breeder also did agility with her dogs and showed me some of it. I was very interested but again wasn't able to pursue it.
I also played a computer program, petz, as a kid and a lot of the people involved in petz showing also had real life show dogs. that might be the biggest influence on me because I wanted to show too. Finally at 17 years old I convinced my mom to get a show dog (though she chose breed). Obviously, the show thing ended up fizzling out.
But I don't think we would have gotten papillons without it. Moved off to college and eventually got Summer, who was from our show dog's breeder.Agility had caught my eye a long time before. Like I said, I don't recall seeing it the first time but just being aware that agility was really cool. So naturally Summer and I tried a class. then moved. Then tried another class. Then moved. Then tried another class. Eventually we competed when she was 9 years old. Just took us a little longer than usual.
And now the bug has bit. I've been pretty 'seriously' involved in agility since 2012. I can't see myself NOT being involved in agility and some other dog sports. I've met so many cool people and dogs through agility. I've become a much better trainer. It's here to stay.
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Very much me as well. I loved my childhood dogs and always was looking for things to do with them.
I rescued Henry seven years ago and it's all been downhill from there lol!! I've turned my lifelong love of dogs into true dog nerdiness. I got into the reputable breeder scene and haven't looked back. I purchased my first reputably bred dog, my Amstaff, Rhys, not quite two years ago. I've gotten into conformation, weight pull, and lure coursing with him. I really love my relationship with his breeders and all the friends I've made in the purebred/dog sport world. I will always have a rescue and a show dog
I rescued Henry seven years ago and it's all been downhill from there lol!! I've turned my lifelong love of dogs into true dog nerdiness. I got into the reputable breeder scene and haven't looked back. I purchased my first reputably bred dog, my Amstaff, Rhys, not quite two years ago. I've gotten into conformation, weight pull, and lure coursing with him. I really love my relationship with his breeders and all the friends I've made in the purebred/dog sport world. I will always have a rescue and a show dog
Well, we got our first dog Max when I was 5 or so. We also always had a ten gallon fish tank running. I just developed an interest in animals in general, was always watching animal planet (back when it was unsurprisingly animal) and wanted to be a vet. When I was 8 I got gerbils, then eventually got hermit crabs. Gave up on them and got a leopard gecko. I just had all sorts of pets.
I remember when I was little we had a dog book (training, breeds, general care) and an Uncle Matty movie given to us by a friend when we got Max. I remember constantly reading that book and repeatedly watching that film (and then pretending I was a dog for hours afterwards). I could probably recall every training case from that movie and I haven't watched it in like 15 years. Unfortunately uncle Matty's cure for all problems was yank the choke chain (he even had a leash designed to give the best collar correction that he tried to sell throughout the whole movie) so I practiced not nice things on poor Max. But it did get me interested in training.
I don't remember a whole lot about my animal interests throughout middle school other than I watched a lot of animal planet (Breed All About It and That's My Baby) and bred guppies. I got a huge book of dog breeds and became really interested in learning about the breeds. I got my cats in middle school.
I didn't become an "educated" dog person until I found this forum. I was searching the internet for those "which breed is right for me" quizzes and after doing all of them a thread from Chaz showed up on my google search where someone was asking for breed advice. So I joined to ask which breed would fit me. The rest is history.
I actually really got into dog training after Max died and I started hanging out with Phoebe, my aunt and uncle's dog. She doesn't do much, doesn't have a lot of get up and go, but she's really smart and loves food so training was a lot of fun. I taught her all sorts of tricks and really came to love training. I also started volunteering at animal shelters after Max passed.
But yeah, I've always LOVED animals but didn't become an educated dog person until this forum. Then I learned more about training, sports, behavior, food, doggy politics, responsible breeding, etc. At this point I don't really do any dog things as I don't have a dog to do them with (I love Tucker but can't do much with him, plus he's more of my mom's dog), but I can't wait until I can, I plan to go all out dog nerd.
I remember when I was little we had a dog book (training, breeds, general care) and an Uncle Matty movie given to us by a friend when we got Max. I remember constantly reading that book and repeatedly watching that film (and then pretending I was a dog for hours afterwards). I could probably recall every training case from that movie and I haven't watched it in like 15 years. Unfortunately uncle Matty's cure for all problems was yank the choke chain (he even had a leash designed to give the best collar correction that he tried to sell throughout the whole movie) so I practiced not nice things on poor Max. But it did get me interested in training.
I don't remember a whole lot about my animal interests throughout middle school other than I watched a lot of animal planet (Breed All About It and That's My Baby) and bred guppies. I got a huge book of dog breeds and became really interested in learning about the breeds. I got my cats in middle school.
I didn't become an "educated" dog person until I found this forum. I was searching the internet for those "which breed is right for me" quizzes and after doing all of them a thread from Chaz showed up on my google search where someone was asking for breed advice. So I joined to ask which breed would fit me. The rest is history.
I actually really got into dog training after Max died and I started hanging out with Phoebe, my aunt and uncle's dog. She doesn't do much, doesn't have a lot of get up and go, but she's really smart and loves food so training was a lot of fun. I taught her all sorts of tricks and really came to love training. I also started volunteering at animal shelters after Max passed.
But yeah, I've always LOVED animals but didn't become an educated dog person until this forum. Then I learned more about training, sports, behavior, food, doggy politics, responsible breeding, etc. At this point I don't really do any dog things as I don't have a dog to do them with (I love Tucker but can't do much with him, plus he's more of my mom's dog), but I can't wait until I can, I plan to go all out dog nerd.
Juno started it.
I had Molly growing up, and then got Lucy as a teenager, but I never did anything with them outside of "typical" dog ownership... we went for walks, we played fetch in the yard. That's about it.
When I got Juno I didn't really WANT to do more, but kind of ended up realizing I HAD to. I had to actually learn about training and put it to practice... and she was soooo energetic and could be so naughty, I had to find things to do with her.
Cajun has been an extension of that and has gotten me more interested in the sport side of things, since she is a more eager participant when it comes to that sort of stuff.
I had Molly growing up, and then got Lucy as a teenager, but I never did anything with them outside of "typical" dog ownership... we went for walks, we played fetch in the yard. That's about it.
When I got Juno I didn't really WANT to do more, but kind of ended up realizing I HAD to. I had to actually learn about training and put it to practice... and she was soooo energetic and could be so naughty, I had to find things to do with her.
Cajun has been an extension of that and has gotten me more interested in the sport side of things, since she is a more eager participant when it comes to that sort of stuff.
I've loved dogs (really all animals) since I was little, and I've never let go of that passion.
Then there was the dog rescue, and finally Fable, my very first dog. I hope to get into agility with her this year (one of my new year's resolutions) and I am also looking into getting a guide dog puppy.
They're just something I've always loved.
Then there was the dog rescue, and finally Fable, my very first dog. I hope to get into agility with her this year (one of my new year's resolutions) and I am also looking into getting a guide dog puppy.
They're just something I've always loved.
I got started with a bad 4-H club. We never were successful there and then my mom signed us up for a "clicker workshop." Nothing changed dramatically after that but the seed was planted. I quit taking classes for a while and the found an agility instructor I loved. We took classes off and on for many years and the more I learned there the more I wad able to apply to obedience. I haven't ever been a serious competitor but we did our things happily. Gabby is the first dog I have trained from the ground up the way I want to. And it has been so much fun to see how differently she works.
Championships were never that important to me. I wanted to try everything and with limited resources that meant lower level titles all around. Maybe someday I will get that elusive OTCh and TC.
Championships were never that important to me. I wanted to try everything and with limited resources that meant lower level titles all around. Maybe someday I will get that elusive OTCh and TC.
I loved dogs when I was little and devoured books about them. My dad got me a puppy when I was 7 and she was my best friend until she died last year at 16. She was a BYB lab/BC mix and she was just amazing, but she was a family dog and didn't live with me while I was in college. I still miss her every day. I also volunteered at the local shelter for like 5 years and that got me into basic obedience training because so many dogs were so much more adoptable with even just a little training.
When I started looking for a dog that would be mine last summer, I knew I wanted a dog that was velcro and up for anything, because I loved that about our family dog. I wanted a dog I could really have a relationship with so I looked into dog sports. Really wanted to try agility and disc but Hugo ended up having a bad back leg so that will be second-dog. We've turned to tricks and obedience and we're loving it.
When I started looking for a dog that would be mine last summer, I knew I wanted a dog that was velcro and up for anything, because I loved that about our family dog. I wanted a dog I could really have a relationship with so I looked into dog sports. Really wanted to try agility and disc but Hugo ended up having a bad back leg so that will be second-dog. We've turned to tricks and obedience and we're loving it.
I've always loved dogs --- I didn't have a dog until I was 9 or 10, but before that I would always ask for a dog, read dog books and play "dogs" with my brother and sister (they were my dogs and I would train and take care of them, make them wear collars and leashes). And I would tell everyone I wanted to be a vet since I was old enough to know what a vet was.
When I was around 8 or so my aunt who was/is very involved in agility and breeding and raising Labs started taking me to agility trails and hunt tests. I loved everything about it and eventually I started running one of her labs in the trials.
Then we stared getting family dogs....and it all got better and crazier from there!
When I was around 8 or so my aunt who was/is very involved in agility and breeding and raising Labs started taking me to agility trails and hunt tests. I loved everything about it and eventually I started running one of her labs in the trials.
Then we stared getting family dogs....and it all got better and crazier from there!
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Oh, I remember begging for a dog at a very young age. We got Charcole when I was maybe 5 or younger? I don't remember really. He was some sort of Lab mix. We had to get rid of him when my little sister was born because he peed on trees or some lame reason. My parents have never really been all that interested in animals.
After reading Shiloh in school, I begged and begged for a Beagle- got Buddy (Beagle mix) after a while of searching the newspapers (I was like 10, didn't even have a computer yet so I didn't know the difference between BYB and responsible breeders). I named her after Air Bud- I really wanted a boy, but ended up with a girl. I was sticking to the name, though!
I always wanted to do 4H or compete in any way with Buddy, but my parents never let me (they saw dogs more as something to come home to and pet, and that was that- no more needed). Roxie was supposed to be my competition dog, and she could have been great (still could be!), but alas, things never worked out for us in that avenue. I just do stuff at home, mostly- never even been to a training class in my life (which oddly enough, people look down on me for... even though Roxie is very well trained- or so I'm told, haha). I do whatever I can with her with what I've got.
Even though I know she has so much potential and could do so much more than what I'm able to do with her, Roxie is an amazing dog and never fails to excel at what we can do. She is the dog I have always wanted Our relationship is perfect, lol.
I really only started getting on dog forums when I got Roxie... she was a really good challenge when I first got her, and we've both pushed eachother in exactly the direction we need to be going. Roxie has absolutely propelled me into dog sports- even though we don't really compete or anything (I mean, we do compete with eachother, I guess?) and I have become a much more intelligent and educated dog owner because of her and the challenges she's brought me.
After reading Shiloh in school, I begged and begged for a Beagle- got Buddy (Beagle mix) after a while of searching the newspapers (I was like 10, didn't even have a computer yet so I didn't know the difference between BYB and responsible breeders). I named her after Air Bud- I really wanted a boy, but ended up with a girl. I was sticking to the name, though!
I always wanted to do 4H or compete in any way with Buddy, but my parents never let me (they saw dogs more as something to come home to and pet, and that was that- no more needed). Roxie was supposed to be my competition dog, and she could have been great (still could be!), but alas, things never worked out for us in that avenue. I just do stuff at home, mostly- never even been to a training class in my life (which oddly enough, people look down on me for... even though Roxie is very well trained- or so I'm told, haha). I do whatever I can with her with what I've got.
Even though I know she has so much potential and could do so much more than what I'm able to do with her, Roxie is an amazing dog and never fails to excel at what we can do. She is the dog I have always wanted
Our relationship is perfect, lol. I really only started getting on dog forums when I got Roxie... she was a really good challenge when I first got her, and we've both pushed eachother in exactly the direction we need to be going. Roxie has absolutely propelled me into dog sports- even though we don't really compete or anything (I mean, we do compete with eachother, I guess?) and I have become a much more intelligent and educated dog owner because of her and the challenges she's brought me.
We had a family dog growing up, but I begged my parents for my own dog that I could train in agility that I had seen on TV (Incredible Dog Challenge). They got a divorce and felt bad, so allowed me to buy my own dog. I learned all about clicker training, agility, tricks and how to train. Brought him to open gym times so that I could teach him agility, built crappy agility equipment in the backyard and even put on a trick show for my neighbors. He grew older and so did I and my parents didn't really support the dog training ambition that I had, so I stopped doing agility with him. As soon as I moved out, I got a great dane. Trained him into agility and really got back into it then. Helped out with a rescue and was completely submerged into the dog world and haven't looked back since.
I got my first dog when 12...a female chow. But I wouldn't say it 'started' there.
There was a lot of abuse in my home growing up, especially when it came to emotional. It had been years of struggle, and much like dogs...rearing a child was much different then than it is now. It wasn't support. love, encouragement and proper corrections. It was rough, physical, and emotionally degrading. At 15, I was screaming to be sent away because I couldn't take it anymore...I was sent to live with family in CA, where I had the best year of my life when it came to human to human interactions. Though I still suffered from depression, I found more good times than bad.
Despite being told if I did good in school and caused no trouble, I would continue to be able to go back [I got straight As and Bs, didn't get in one shred of trouble, didn't even miss one day of school]...I was forced back with no explanation, where I slumped back into a worse depression...only this time, I had no fight left in me. I was just 'there.'
By time it came to go back to school, I laid lifeless in a bed and that was the end of those days. My parents got me another Chow, a male. It was a means to bribe me or get me over CA...it was suppose to shut me up and it did.
It was that moment, that dog, that time...that dogs became more than just a pet in my life. I didn't have to struggle and work to be acknowledged as someone who had feelings or earn love. I could be completely open, hug and smooch my dog and he didn't pull away to any emotional connections. That Chow just gave it freely, and to this day...the best dog I've ever had. As years passed, after continuing to fail to be what people wanted and being abandoned again and again, I found that dog never left my side. It didn't take long to realize it's easy to loose people, they are very fake, words mean nothing...make one mistake, make no mistake and they are gone. But a dog, they tell you exactly who they are and if you are in with them, there is not ONE thing that will pull them from your side.
To this day, even with my house half torn apart from a POS contractor who stole all my money...my own family distance themselves to assure I don't ask for help and look on as I'm not even there, gossiping instead of offering any comfort. I look down, here's my dogs. They have nothing bad to say about my mistakes, they love me no matter what. I have to prove nothing to them. I don't do dog sports, I don't compete and I would call myself an amateur compared to most of you. I would love to turn Rip into a SD, but know I won't have what it takes.
I would go as far as say as many would consider my relationship to my dogs unhealthy...people, you need people. But the first time I tried to kill myself was age 4-5, THAT was from humans. But I look down at my dogs...Knarly sleeping under my desk, Ro patiently laying there 'trying' to snooze as Rip lays half way on him ripping apart a toy.
If I start crying, they drop all that to be there and they don't ask why, don't pretend they don't see [I spent over an hour crying non stop in front of a brother once, he said nothing, no touch, pretended I wasn't even there]...I don't have to have a reason. I don't have to prove I'm worthy enough for them to this day, yet I have to constantly prove to humans my worth...am I caring enough, smart enough, talk right, mask right, do enough to satisfy them. What do I have that makes me special enough to be included?
Nothing, but...dogs don't care, I'm fine whatever way I am. They don't notice the toll of what damaged me from the past, how I'm just not quite 'right' there and go quiet when a person enters the room.
Dog enters a room though...I know exactly what to do and my eyes light up ever so slightly. People call me the dog whisperer [please...I'm no Cesar Millan. I got called that for simply telling my dog to 'look' and them looking up at me...it amazes me how something so simple awes people], but really it's just about being shoved off on them and learning how to understand them because they are the only ones that take time to understand you back.
There was a lot of abuse in my home growing up, especially when it came to emotional. It had been years of struggle, and much like dogs...rearing a child was much different then than it is now. It wasn't support. love, encouragement and proper corrections. It was rough, physical, and emotionally degrading. At 15, I was screaming to be sent away because I couldn't take it anymore...I was sent to live with family in CA, where I had the best year of my life when it came to human to human interactions. Though I still suffered from depression, I found more good times than bad.
Despite being told if I did good in school and caused no trouble, I would continue to be able to go back [I got straight As and Bs, didn't get in one shred of trouble, didn't even miss one day of school]...I was forced back with no explanation, where I slumped back into a worse depression...only this time, I had no fight left in me. I was just 'there.'
By time it came to go back to school, I laid lifeless in a bed and that was the end of those days. My parents got me another Chow, a male. It was a means to bribe me or get me over CA...it was suppose to shut me up and it did.
It was that moment, that dog, that time...that dogs became more than just a pet in my life. I didn't have to struggle and work to be acknowledged as someone who had feelings or earn love. I could be completely open, hug and smooch my dog and he didn't pull away to any emotional connections. That Chow just gave it freely, and to this day...the best dog I've ever had. As years passed, after continuing to fail to be what people wanted and being abandoned again and again, I found that dog never left my side. It didn't take long to realize it's easy to loose people, they are very fake, words mean nothing...make one mistake, make no mistake and they are gone. But a dog, they tell you exactly who they are and if you are in with them, there is not ONE thing that will pull them from your side.
To this day, even with my house half torn apart from a POS contractor who stole all my money...my own family distance themselves to assure I don't ask for help and look on as I'm not even there, gossiping instead of offering any comfort. I look down, here's my dogs. They have nothing bad to say about my mistakes, they love me no matter what. I have to prove nothing to them. I don't do dog sports, I don't compete and I would call myself an amateur compared to most of you. I would love to turn Rip into a SD, but know I won't have what it takes.
I would go as far as say as many would consider my relationship to my dogs unhealthy...people, you need people. But the first time I tried to kill myself was age 4-5, THAT was from humans. But I look down at my dogs...Knarly sleeping under my desk, Ro patiently laying there 'trying' to snooze as Rip lays half way on him ripping apart a toy.
If I start crying, they drop all that to be there and they don't ask why, don't pretend they don't see [I spent over an hour crying non stop in front of a brother once, he said nothing, no touch, pretended I wasn't even there]...I don't have to have a reason. I don't have to prove I'm worthy enough for them to this day, yet I have to constantly prove to humans my worth...am I caring enough, smart enough, talk right, mask right, do enough to satisfy them. What do I have that makes me special enough to be included?
Nothing, but...dogs don't care, I'm fine whatever way I am. They don't notice the toll of what damaged me from the past, how I'm just not quite 'right' there and go quiet when a person enters the room.
Dog enters a room though...I know exactly what to do and my eyes light up ever so slightly. People call me the dog whisperer [please...I'm no Cesar Millan. I got called that for simply telling my dog to 'look' and them looking up at me...it amazes me how something so simple awes people], but really it's just about being shoved off on them and learning how to understand them because they are the only ones that take time to understand you back.
My parents bred labs pre me and did till I was fiveish. So we had two till I was in middle school and they were my everything. They kept me safe and sane and being an only child till I was older and living in the middle of nowhere they were great friends.
We seemed to be a beacon for strays. Some stayed, some visited.
I am lucky I have had many great dogs.
I started fostering in high school/ college. Realized people were idiots. Do want to do that again if I ever have this house set up better.
I had goal to be a trainer but the guy I was training with turned out to be scum. He was taking money and dogs from the best friends organization and keeping the money and dropping the dogs off at the pound to get put down. It just turned me off completely.
I got Truman as a show project and then he injured his ear. Eventually I'll have a show dog.
We seemed to be a beacon for strays. Some stayed, some visited.
I am lucky I have had many great dogs.
I started fostering in high school/ college. Realized people were idiots. Do want to do that again if I ever have this house set up better.
I had goal to be a trainer but the guy I was training with turned out to be scum. He was taking money and dogs from the best friends organization and keeping the money and dropping the dogs off at the pound to get put down. It just turned me off completely.
I got Truman as a show project and then he injured his ear. Eventually I'll have a show dog.
Applebear, if you want to learn more about SDs - let me know! Training them really isn't all that difficult.
I've always really, really loved all animals.
I had a geriatric Springer for the first few years of life. I tried to run away with him a few times, he'd always bring me back home LOL. He was euthanized for old age when I was about five.
I could not be without a dog, so we got Lucky the border collie mix when about a month later. I adored that dog, but she had issues. Very dog aggressive. My dad brought home Shadow (now 12) not too long after we got her... my mom signed up for classes with Lucky to work on her issues. Before classes started, Lucky got out and got hit by a car, which killed her. We had her for about a year.
So we started those classes with Shadow. And I wanted to be in charge. I took various classes at that facility at least once per week for about eight years. I still do drop ins and ring rentals there - it was by far the best part of my childhood. When I was old enough, I started 4H, and did that for about six years. Shadow is kind of a weird, shy, quirky dog, but we did pretty well.
I got Em after I stopped 4H. The rest is history.
I've always really, really loved all animals.
I had a geriatric Springer for the first few years of life. I tried to run away with him a few times, he'd always bring me back home LOL. He was euthanized for old age when I was about five.
I could not be without a dog, so we got Lucky the border collie mix when about a month later. I adored that dog, but she had issues. Very dog aggressive. My dad brought home Shadow (now 12) not too long after we got her... my mom signed up for classes with Lucky to work on her issues. Before classes started, Lucky got out and got hit by a car, which killed her. We had her for about a year.
So we started those classes with Shadow. And I wanted to be in charge. I took various classes at that facility at least once per week for about eight years. I still do drop ins and ring rentals there - it was by far the best part of my childhood. When I was old enough, I started 4H, and did that for about six years. Shadow is kind of a weird, shy, quirky dog, but we did pretty well.
I got Em after I stopped 4H. The rest is history.
I have always just been an animal person. Growing up on a little farm definitely helped with that, although out of all my siblings I'm the only one who is just totally animal crazy.
The first dog I remember (I know there were others before then, we had a GSD who died when I was really young) was a Sheltie named Licha who I got when I was 5. We did lots of tricks and training and took some agility classes.
I guess I was somewhat more into horses throughout my childhood, I mean I loved all the family dogs but horses were my main focus.
Then I got MY first dog, Jasper, when I was 19 and that sent me along the path that I'm on today. I got a job doing offleash dog walking and loved it, and that influenced my decision to go to dog training school. I've been just totally involved in the dog world ever since.
The first dog I remember (I know there were others before then, we had a GSD who died when I was really young) was a Sheltie named Licha who I got when I was 5. We did lots of tricks and training and took some agility classes.
I guess I was somewhat more into horses throughout my childhood, I mean I loved all the family dogs but horses were my main focus.
Then I got MY first dog, Jasper, when I was 19 and that sent me along the path that I'm on today. I got a job doing offleash dog walking and loved it, and that influenced my decision to go to dog training school. I've been just totally involved in the dog world ever since.