The dog musing/vent thread

[Airn]

That means you called about him though

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I want a dog ready to compete in agility 2-3 years from now, when Lucy can't do it anymore. I don't want to have 2 dogs (1 young, untrained) + baby over the next 2-3 years though. To be honest, I don't really ever want 2 dogs at the same time. I wish there was a rescue that would put foundations on a dog for me. I also fear that I will never be able to get a small dog from any decent rescue with a young child in the house. *sigh*

Anyone want to adopt and care for a dog through the puppy years so I can take it back when it's 3ish?

I believe Jess is up to the challenge. :rofl1:

But, I feel for you. Having a foster dogs right now is driving me nuts. It's double the trouble. (Though I think it would be much easier with a small dog.)

Not to mention undergoing major life changes.

 

[Emily]

...Do you know what Malinois zoomies look like inside a house?

What I have seen today can never be unseen.

And with that, I'm getting off the internet to prevent further destruction.

 

[CaliTerp07]

I believe Jess is up to the challenge. :rofl1:

But, I feel for you. Having a foster dogs right now is driving me nuts. It's double the trouble. (Though I think it would be much easier with a small dog.)

Not to mention undergoing major life changes.

Yeah, I used to get a foster every time I wanted a second dog...and then I'd realize 1 dog was way more my style and be thrilled when foster dog went home.

Jess--I am vetoing who you gave me for Secret Santa and choosing you instead. Your box may have holes in it when it arrives.

 

[Beanie]

I am down for raising a puppy and putting agility foundations on it... just sayin'.
But you might not like it when it gets to you because it miiiiiiight be just a liiiiiittle crazy.

 

[Red.Apricot]

Today begins project teach the Mal to run next to the bike without killing me. Code name: We're Screwed.

This is what helmets are for.

I did that with Elsie. Good luck. :rofl1:

She only pulled me off the bike five or six times.

 

[Laurelin]

That means you called about him though

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I want a dog ready to compete in agility 2-3 years from now, when Lucy can't do it anymore. I don't want to have 2 dogs (1 young, untrained) + baby over the next 2-3 years though. To be honest, I don't really ever want 2 dogs at the same time. I wish there was a rescue that would put foundations on a dog for me. I also fear that I will never be able to get a small dog from any decent rescue with a young child in the house. *sigh*

Anyone want to adopt and care for a dog through the puppy years so I can take it back when it's 3ish?

Ugh god I feel you. I keep looking at logistics of three dogs and it's like... Ahhh. So much harder than loading up my two easy dogs. I'm spoiled. My two can go everywhere and do everything with me and a third dog will put a wrench in that a bit.

Oh well, I want it bad enough so it'll happen. It will be an adjustment. I still need to finish saving my downpayment though. never ending. Hopefully the timing is right./

 

[Emily]

I did that with Elsie. Good luck. :rofl1:

She only pulled me off the bike five or six times.

LOL!!! Yeah, I might die. I took her out already for a serious game of fetch in a giant open field, did that till her tongue was hanging, then worked a bunch of obedience and jumping exercises. I'm hoping somehow that helps keep me on the bike.

...Right?

 

[CaliTerp07]

I am down for raising a puppy and putting agility foundations on it... just sayin'.
But you might not like it when it gets to you because it miiiiiiight be just a liiiiiittle crazy.

Haha, focused crazy can be good

Dunno though, you really ready to disrupt your royal flush of shelties with an outsider?!?

 

[CaliTerp07]

Ugh god I feel you. I keep looking at logistics of three dogs and it's like... Ahhh. So much harder than loading up my two easy dogs. I'm spoiled. My two can go everywhere and do everything with me and a third dog will put a wrench in that a bit.

Oh well, I want it bad enough so it'll happen. It will be an adjustment. I still need to finish saving my downpayment though. never ending. Hopefully the timing is right./

I think realistically I will just have to wait until Lucy is gone Makes me sad to think about losing her and being dog-less, but the logistics of adding an untrained dog (of any age, size, temperament) over the next couple years make my head spin.

 

[*blackrose]

I think realistically I will just have to wait until Lucy is gone Makes me sad to think about losing her and being dog-less, but the logistics of adding an untrained dog (of any age, size, temperament) over the next couple years make my head spin.

You could always look for adult rehomes. Either from a breeder with an adult dog they need to place, or I've even seen ads on craigslist for people rehoming young adult dogs that their kids have done 4H obedience/agility with and since "out grown".

(I am not an enabler. I'm not.)

 

[CaliTerp07]

You could always look for adult rehomes. Either from a breeder with an adult dog they need to place, or I've even seen ads on craigslist for people rehoming young adult dogs that their kids have done 4H obedience/agility with and since "out grown".

(I am not an enabler. I'm not.)

I still browse petfinder and craigslist on occasion. If the right dog fell into my lap this time next year or the following year, I would consider it. Right now too much is up in the air though.

 

[Emily]

Ok then! Took B out with the bike and didn't die. In fact, she was really good!

We went to a big empty parking lot to get our sea legs and she did a great job reading my turns and really seemed to enjoy. And boy does she move beautifully and efficiently next to a bike. When I jog she has to shorten her stride, but the bike is a great pace setter for her.

Of course, we've yet to meet any distractions. HA! *orders helmet on Amazon*

 

[DJEtzel]

Ok then! Took B out with the bike and didn't die. In fact, she was really good!

We went to a big empty parking lot to get our sea legs and she did a great job reading my turns and really seemed to enjoy. And boy does she move beautifully and efficiently next to a bike. When I jog she has to shorten her stride, but the bike is a great pace setter for her.

Of course, we've yet to meet any distractions. HA! *orders helmet on Amazon*

Glad you didn't die!

Do you use a special bike attachment, training collar, or what? I love biking with the dogs and seeing what other people use.

 

[Emily]

Glad you didn't die!

Do you use a special bike attachment, training collar, or what? I love biking with the dogs and seeing what other people use.

Right now she's just on a 4 ft leash that I hold in my hand against the handle bar, but don't loop around my wrist or tie to anything, so I can drop it easily in an emergency. Attached to a well-fitted prong to deter lunging and allow me to "steer" her easily.

Eventually, I would really like to try some kind of attachment with her in a harness and allow her to put some pressure and pull me a little. But not until we have some solid voice cues and good trust. I think in that situation I would attach the harness to the bike/gadget, but still have a lead on a prong collar in hand for control if necessary.

I also love biking with dogs and love how it gives me the ability to match their pace - even Blossom! She's the biggest/longest-legged dog I've ever biked with and it was soooooo fun and her natural stride works really well with the bike! I'm excited about our future biking adventures.

 

[DJEtzel]

I'm doing the same with Sir and Frag- prong on loose leash. I really like how they ride now, and haven't had any issues, I just think an attachment seems more "accepted" so I've been thinking about trying one. I keep going back and forth. Kind of thinking "if it's not broke, don't fix it" especially hearing that other people are doing it, too, without issue. It seems safer to me, honestly, but a lot of people warn against leash/collar riding. :/

 

[Emily]

I'm doing the same with Sir and Frag- prong on loose leash. I really like how they ride now, and haven't had any issues, I just think an attachment seems more "accepted" so I've been thinking about trying one. I keep going back and forth. Kind of thinking "if it's not broke, don't fix it" especially hearing that other people are doing it, too, without issue. It seems safer to me, honestly, but a lot of people warn against leash/collar riding. :/

I rode for YEARS collar and leash with Mackenzy and only like 2 issues ever, none of which were serious, just embarrassing. So don't feel bad about riding leash and collar, I think it can be done very safely if you're just smart about it. I just make sure that 1.) the dog has a reliable recall and 2.) I can quickly and easily drop the leash if necessary.

The only real issues I ever had were with morons letting their dog lunge at me or run right in front of the bike...

 

[Linds]

I'm doing the same with Sir and Frag- prong on loose leash. I really like how they ride now, and haven't had any issues, I just think an attachment seems more "accepted" so I've been thinking about trying one. I keep going back and forth. Kind of thinking "if it's not broke, don't fix it" especially hearing that other people are doing it, too, without issue. It seems safer to me, honestly, but a lot of people warn against leash/collar riding. :/

I've always thought bike attachments (other than for Bikjoring) are scary! The idea that you can't control whether or not you let go of your dog in an emergency, can't switch sides if you need to and basically it's just lack of control that terrifies me.

I've had to let go of the dogs all at one point or another because of a dog or danger and at the same time I've had to hold tight because we crashed near a busy road.

So basically, I completely agree with you!

 

[DJEtzel]

Glad I'm not the only one that thinks it's a better idea! Makes me feel a bit better about it. I definitely don't like the idea of the bike being pulled from a center spot and changing balancing points, etc. Plus, herders don't particularly like pressure and I don't think Sir would appreciate being so close either. I like choosing how close/far away they are for each terrain we ride.

Also, those things cost money! Haha. Just bought new supplements for them, I don't need to pay for a bike attachment anytime soon.

 

[Kootenay]

I've always biked with collar and leash, I totally agree the idea of being attached and unable to let go is scary!

I haven't had issues except, well, once I was really dumb and was riding with a flexi leash and we came across a herd of deer, and then instead of letting to I tried to stop before the dog got to the end of the leash, and it didn't work out so I bailed pretty hard. That's the only crash I've had while biking with a dog though, and I clearly learned my lesson - no flexi leashes!

 

[Julee]

I hate bike attachments, I use a harness and leash. Bloo uses her comfortflex, Em does a Ruffwear Webmaster or comfortflex depending on what's closest.