The dog musing/vent thread

Red.Apricot

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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?
Let me know if that helps.

Poor Elsie just had to deal with me swearing at her a bunch until she figured out that just stopping wasn't really an option. :rolleyes:
 

Southpaw

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How is it possible for this puppy to be so mellow and nonchalant. Bath? No big deal. Ear cleaning? NBD. Nail trim? NBD. Oh, you want to post my ears while I'm sleeping? That's cool, I'll just continue to sleep during it.

Pretty sure that would NOT have been Juno's reaction at that age lol.
 

GipsyQueen

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Why must Zora feel the need to eat everything? She tried to eat an ballon on a string. A BALLON! **** dog. Thank god there was a ribbon on the ballon so that I was able to pull it out. -.-
 

Pintage

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I can't get Lugia OR Circus to hold a "stay" when I have my camera out :( They both have to rush up to me and poke at my lens with their pointy noses...
 

Oko

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I can't get Lugia OR Circus to hold a "stay" when I have my camera out :( They both have to rush up to me and poke at my lens with their pointy noses...
Haha, I feel your pain! It's nice when I have my big lens out, that way the giant hood protects the glass. Luckily Wes & Feist only feel the urge to leave noseprints when they're together. :)
 
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It's snowing. I was so excited to see Penny's reaction to the snow for the first time. She loves it. All of my dogs, past and present, have always loved the snow. A dog who doesn't like snow is unnatural. lol
 

*blackrose

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Idiot dog. Let him out in the yard to do his morning business at the same time my neighbor lady was stepping outside to go and do her laundry. Since typically first thing in the morning Abrams pees, then runs out a bit farther to poop, then comes right back up to the door to be let in, I had stepped away into the bathroom to take care of my own morning business. Then I heard him alert barking, so I had quickly finish peeing, run outside in the snow barefooted in my pajamas with my hair looking like a crazy person, to make sure my poor neighbor wasn't having a heart attack, as he was hanging back about ten feet and barking at her. Abrams didn't want to say hi until I went up to her and said good morning and apologized, then he was all like, "Yes, best person EVER!" and super friendly.
I really hope she doesn't think he's mean, because he isn't. I'd feel bad if every time she stepped outside and he also happened to be outside on his tether that she felt threatened. I don't *think* she does...but he is a big, barking dog. And I really wouldn't know what to do about it anyway, as I already try my best to bring him immediately inside if he starts barking. Oh, well.

On the bright side, he had the exact reaction that I wanted out of him if it had been any other "stranger". Just wish he'd realize the nice neighbor lady lives here, too. :rolleyes:
 

DJEtzel

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As much as I love money, it feels really nice being down to my four again and not having to crate anyone at night, get up early with puppies, do a ton of training when I'm home wanting to relax, and deal with the noise! It's nice and quiet around here... we'll see how long that lasts!

Plus I don't have to fill kongs as much!

Idiot dog. Let him out in the yard to do his morning business at the same time my neighbor lady was stepping outside to go and do her laundry. Since typically first thing in the morning Abrams pees, then runs out a bit farther to poop, then comes right back up to the door to be let in, I had stepped away into the bathroom to take care of my own morning business. Then I heard him alert barking, so I had quickly finish peeing, run outside in the snow barefooted in my pajamas with my hair looking like a crazy person, to make sure my poor neighbor wasn't having a heart attack, as he was hanging back about ten feet and barking at her. Abrams didn't want to say hi until I went up to her and said good morning and apologized, then he was all like, "Yes, best person EVER!" and super friendly.
I really hope she doesn't think he's mean, because he isn't. I'd feel bad if every time she stepped outside and he also happened to be outside on his tether that she felt threatened. I don't *think* she does...but he is a big, barking dog. And I really wouldn't know what to do about it anyway, as I already try my best to bring him immediately inside if he starts barking. Oh, well.

On the bright side, he had the exact reaction that I wanted out of him if it had been any other "stranger". Just wish he'd realize the nice neighbor lady lives here, too. :rolleyes:
C/T for looking at her from across the yard while you're all (Abrams, you, the lady) outside? I bet it'd fix your problem real quick with him barking at her specificially. :)
 

*blackrose

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C/T for looking at her from across the yard while you're all (Abrams, you, the lady) outside? I bet it'd fix your problem real quick with him barking at her specificially. :)
That would probably work. But I wouldn't even begin to know how to set it up. With my weird schedule, the dogs aren't typically outside when normal people are outside. We maybe have this issue once every week or two. Which is probably part of the problem, as he views seeing her as "abnormal" since 90% of the time he goes about his business outside she's not around.
Maybe I could just set a treat jar outside on the bush that separates our porches and tell her to throw treats at him if he's outside and she steps out. Then he'll be her BFF forever.
 

DJEtzel

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That would probably work. But I wouldn't even begin to know how to set it up. With my weird schedule, the dogs aren't typically outside when normal people are outside. We maybe have this issue once every week or two. Which is probably part of the problem, as he views seeing her as "abnormal" since 90% of the time he goes about his business outside she's not around.
Maybe I could just set a treat jar outside on the bush that separates our porches and tell her to throw treats at him if he's outside and she steps out. Then he'll be her BFF forever.
That would be a great idea! Just make sure you don't worry about her feeding him OTHER things...

Sometimes when you give specific permission to people like that about dogs, they think it means they can give the dogs whatever they want! :confused:
 

Emily

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Maybe I could just set a treat jar outside on the bush that separates our porches and tell her to throw treats at him if he's outside and she steps out. Then he'll be her BFF forever.
That's what I was going to suggest... If you just want to have control of the guardy behavior when you're around, C/T and obedience would be perfect, but if you want him to simply like and trust your neighbor, I'd see if she can't deliver the treats herself. A cookie jar with something high value and non-perishable like jerky treats cut into bits should do the trick?
 
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A lot of people are really receptive if you just ask them "could you help me train my dog?" You kill two birds with one stone - you're letting her know you don't think it's ok for your dog to bark at her and you want to fix it, and you're involving her in the solution so she has some control over the situation. Two things that people LOVE.

Just be really, really specific and show her exactly how you want her to toss the treats and how many. Or yea, you'll end up with a fat dog.
 

Dogdragoness

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Idiot dog. Let him out in the yard to do his morning business at the same time my neighbor lady was stepping outside to go and do her laundry. Since typically first thing in the morning Abrams pees, then runs out a bit farther to poop, then comes right back up to the door to be let in, I had stepped away into the bathroom to take care of my own morning business. Then I heard him alert barking, so I had quickly finish peeing, run outside in the snow barefooted in my pajamas with my hair looking like a crazy person, to make sure my poor neighbor wasn't having a heart attack, as he was hanging back about ten feet and barking at her. Abrams didn't want to say hi until I went up to her and said good morning and apologized, then he was all like, "Yes, best person EVER!" and super friendly.
I really hope she doesn't think he's mean, because he isn't. I'd feel bad if every time she stepped outside and he also happened to be outside on his tether that she felt threatened. I don't *think* she does...but he is a big, barking dog. And I really wouldn't know what to do about it anyway, as I already try my best to bring him immediately inside if he starts barking. Oh, well.

On the bright side, he had the exact reaction that I wanted out of him if it had been any other "stranger". Just wish he'd realize the nice neighbor lady lives here, too. :rolleyes:
Meh ... In my yard, at the appropriate time of day ... My dogs can bark at whatever the heck they want. I had neighbors with large barking dogs and I just ignored them like "ok, whatever dog. Do what you gotta do".

I did know why no one wants their dogs to alert bark at people not of the family when they are not outside. I would be praising my dog for that ... In fact, I still wish I had one who did that, currently I have a bunch of friendly wusses :p
 

DJEtzel

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Meh ... In my yard, at the appropriate time of day ... My dogs can bark at whatever the heck they want. I had neighbors with large barking dogs and I just ignored them like "ok, whatever dog. Do what you gotta do".

I did know why no one wants their dogs to alert bark at people not of the family when they are not outside. I would be praising my dog for that ... In fact, I still wish I had one who did that, currently I have a bunch of friendly wusses :p
Here, barking will get you fined. Most places, barking will get you fined.

What happens if Abrams keeps barking at the lady, gets loose one day and jumps on her? She has it in her mind that he is aggressive so when he scratches her, she sues. Dog have been put to sleep over much less, recently.

Letting your dogs bark fearfully or aggressively at all hours of the day is not ok. My dogs are allowed to bark if someone comes into the yard, but not at people on the street and next door neighbors. That's just... not appropriate.

I work with a woman who's neighbors threw rat poison over her fence to try to kill her dogs. And they weren't even a nuissance.
 

Emily

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Meh ... In my yard, at the appropriate time of day ... My dogs can bark at whatever the heck they want. I had neighbors with large barking dogs and I just ignored them like "ok, whatever dog. Do what you gotta do".

I did know why no one wants their dogs to alert bark at people not of the family when they are not outside. I would be praising my dog for that ... In fact, I still wish I had one who did that, currently I have a bunch of friendly wusses :p
Well to be fair, I don't really care in my situation, but I can see why blackrose does in hers. You also live in a rural area on property, so things area little different than in an apartment set up.

I live in the burbs with a big fenced yard, and I don't really make any attempts to counter condition alert barking or territorial aggression. If they're carrying on outside or I don't want them harassing somebody, I will call them inside or make them come away from the window. I keep things in check and prevent them from getting out of hand or obsessive through management and distraction, but I don't expect them to be friendly to strangers on the property.

That said, we have neighbors we're on good terms with, and if it were more of an issue (it's just... not, we don't leave the dogs outside, especially not Blossom, so there's been no need) I wouldn't have a problem with helping them befriend her.
 

*blackrose

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I really don't care that he barks at people. I'm rural(ish) where I am at now, and have always been rural with my past dogs. But, I've also always made it a point to not let my dogs be annoying. They bark to alert - brilliant. But once they've alerted, they've done their job, and it is now my job to shut them up and not let them continue to alert. Like Emily said, I don't want to discourage the behavior, but I will remove them from the situation so they don't feel the need to continue to alert (by bringing them inside).

If it were me living next door to a dog, I wouldn't care if the dog barked...I would care if the owners didn't care that it barked. If that makes sense.

My neighbor is super sweet and likes the dogs. We're on good terms. She says hi and sweet talks to Cynder whenever she's out. (And Abrams, too, for that matter, even though he doesn't want anything to do with her. Which I think if she'd just ignore him he'd probably do the same.) When Abrams was little she cooed over him. I just feel bad that he still barks at her, because she's such a sweet nice older lady.

I'll likely just start supervising his outdoor time. Kind of do it anyway, I've just been more lazy lately.
 
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I think my puppy is trying to give me heart palpitations. He was lying on the couch peacefully a few minutes ago, rolled a bit, and crashed right off, cracking his head on the coffee table during the descent.

He didn't even yelp. I yelped inadvertently when I heard how hard he cracked his head, but he just looked at me like I was an idiot. He didn't even get up, he just laid there on the ground, in the same position he'd been in on the couch, for a minute or two. Then he got up, shook himself off, and grabbed a bully stick.

I'm just always surprised by how nonplussed this pup is. I'm used to my old, soft little Sheltie, who was timid by nature and took convincing when it came to socialization and new people/places/objects. One fallen vacuum cleaner could make that dog rethink the safety of being around vacuum cleaners for three days. The most I've ever heard out of Astro was when I accidentally slammed his tail in the door (pretty hard too, I felt awful :(), and he let out a surprised puff of air. That's it. I've quicked his nails during trims, I've stepped on his feet, I once kicked him off the end of the bed (all accidents, of course!!), and he never reacts.

Whatever breeds he's got in him are pretty tough.
 

Dogdragoness

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Yes I am rural (very rural ... As in like ... No neighbors for the next 10 miles ... So it's different out here and anyone who comes to visit us has to abide by an "it's my way or the highway" policy xD. The dogs live here too ... This is their house and if you don't like it then you know where the gate and the road is.
 

joce

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So never heard back from first choice breeder.

I started googling and looking at the DPCA referal site and the ones that look good to me are asking if you don't have a fence would you be willing to install one to get pup from us? No.

I feel like I am running into all the things people complain about with rescue I always said isn't really there. We didn't care about a fence. Just you are not playing in the street with it.

And I am just feeling so blah about ever getting another animal. Rejection is hitting me harder and all the woe is me stuff. In a year we have lost two dogs, a cat, and know its coming in a couple months with gizmo. I'm also paranoid my new vet doesn't like me and what's she going to say to them?! Bloodwork for everyone every visit is all that seems to make her happy. And no I do not do shots at fifteen. Got a lecture there. You tell me she has a couple months but hurry and update her shots or that could be detrimental? Doubt it.

I just feel like whining. I still miss my Byron and then my kitty dies and its just not even the same coming home anymore. About to convince the husband to get a corgi pup just so I can hug and love on a puppy but I know that's not the right thing to do. Blitz takes all his energy and I need a dobe(though I'd snuggle any puppy right now!).

:(
 
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So never heard back from first choice breeder.

I started googling and looking at the DPCA referal site and the ones that look good to me are asking if you don't have a fence would you be willing to install one to get pup from us? No.

I feel like I am running into all the things people complain about with rescue I always said isn't really there. We didn't care about a fence. Just you are not playing in the street with it.

And I am just feeling so blah about ever getting another animal. Rejection is hitting me harder and all the woe is me stuff. In a year we have lost two dogs, a cat, and know its coming in a couple months with gizmo. I'm also paranoid my new vet doesn't like me and what's she going to say to them?! Bloodwork for everyone every visit is all that seems to make her happy. And no I do not do shots at fifteen. Got a lecture there. You tell me she has a couple months but hurry and update her shots or that could be detrimental? Doubt it.

I just feel like whining. I still miss my Byron and then my kitty dies and its just not even the same coming home anymore. About to convince the husband to get a corgi pup just so I can hug and love on a puppy but I know that's not the right thing to do. Blitz takes all his energy and I need a dobe(though I'd snuggle any puppy right now!).

:(
I'm sorry you're feeling the pet-search blues, and have experienced so much loss recently :( I can relate, I was there this summer. My lovely old dog passed away, and it wasn't pretty (he was put down peacefully, and it was the right time, but he had a world of health issues leading up to it that made the whole thing emotional and hard to take). And then I started looking at dogs and it just...wasn't right. None of it was right.

I contacted breeders, and heard nothing back, and that stung a lot given the place I was in psychologically. Then I started looking at rescues, fell in love with a great dog, but at the last minute, after a home visit and an application and a drive 2 states away to go see her, that fell through too. Even fostering didn't pan out, because my ancient, indoor-only cats don't get yearly vaccinations. They're both older than dirt and going to the vet makes them crazy stressed, so we made the executive decision awhile ago to only bring them in for necessary bloodwork/emergency care, but that didn't sit well with the rescue organization. My heart hurt, the house was oddly quiet, and the cats are on the verge of passing too, and I just wanted to crawl away and not deal with any of it.

...But then Astro just sort of fell into my lap. I hope you get that moment and that dog, regardless of what route it comes through. Sometimes life just decides to mess everything up before letting things get better :/
 

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