The Psychology of Sticky Threads

[Doberluv]

It is quite apparent by many of the posts, that most people do not read the sticky threads. Why is that do you suppose? Can we discuss the possible psychology behind it? I'd like to analyze if there's a more effective way.

We see thread after thread of the same things; puppy won't stop biting, puppy pees, puppy pulls on leash, puppy won't come when called. etc. (It's OK, but....)

There are some great articles and posts in those stickies that address these very situations and more. I know that many of us are more than willing to help people with tips and our own experiences of how we dealt with things. And we type similar things over and over again because sometimes it's easier than digging up old posts we wrote. And I, for one don't mind doing that one bit............up to a point. But after years and years.....LOL.

For basic, very common behavior problems, (maybe they don't know they're common) I just wish people would browse through the stickies, see if there's anything that pertains to them, perhaps try the search feature and then, if all else fails, ask.....by all means.

 

[DanL]

I think this thread should be a sticky.

 

[Charliesmommy]

I think maybe I looked at the stickies the first time I came here, but I completely ignore them now. They are sort of just annoying because there are so many of them that they take up most of the first page. I have probably scrolled right past them a hundred times, just to go on and ask a question that probably could have been answered by reading them.

Don't know a good solution, but I certainly agree.......I know I ignore them.

 

[Psyfalcon]

Too many stickies.

In a few the title does not explain what the the thread is about either.

 

[GlassOnion]

Too many stickies indeed. It's a flood of information, you're not guaranteed to have your answer in there, and it's quicker to ask your specific question then read the entire sticky and hope it's in there.

Plus it's a rebellion against established authority so all the cool kids do it.

 

[happyhound]

I think this thread should be a sticky.

Why? You don't want anyone else to read it? lol

 

[Kmh1]

Hmm--I think its because people want to be part of the "conversation"--they want to feel like someone's advising them personally--also its more effort to go through and find stuff and if you are new to the board it just probably didn't occur to them to check stickys and they might be unsure how to the use the search feature or didn't notice it.
I think mostly its a way to try to get the info without having to sift through other posts--or to have someone tell them specifically where to look.

 

[Doberluv]

Some good points here to ponder. I think you're all right.

Well, Kmh...I think you're right. But if someone is unwilling to do a little looking, a little research, it's scary to think how willing they are to do the work it takes to raise a puppy. I mean...what's the difference in reading a post in reply to their question and reading a post already made which answers their question? That is the question. LOL.

 

[GlassOnion]

Because reading the post takes time out of your day to deal with the puppy. Sometimes you just want to post a question then come back a couple hours later and get the answer. Not spend those intermittent hours reading a bunch of stuff that has nothing to do with your question.

 

[corgipower]

i do read most of the stickies. i don't think it's just a matter of people not reading the stickies, i think it's also a matter of people not using the search function (which i have been known to be guilty of myself )

people maybe think that a thread about person A's dog and the problem they are having is just for person A and their problem. they don't want to risk taking over the thread with their dog, even if the problem is virtually identical.

or perhaps they feel that even though their dog is doing the same thing as person A's dog, as well as person B's, C's and D's dogs, it still must be a unique problem and needs a discussion of it's own.

 

[malmo]

Sometimes it's hard to match up search words and find what you're really looking for, too.

I like stickies. I read them all when I first joined up. But, I'm like you. There are already some really nice answers in there.

Perhaps a note before you post? "If you're asking a question, please make sure the topic has not already been covered in ________ section." Or something?

Maybe a page or section dedicated to training articles that would be easy to link to in a pinch? Rather than typing out more information, we could just say, "There's a good article about this at {link}." That way, people would know where all the resources were and they'd be easier to get at?

I dunno. Just brainstorming.

 

[mjb]

I've been coming to Chaz for quite awhile now and posting, too. I click on New Posts when I come in and browse. If I want to start a new thread, I know what to do, and I pick what I think would be the correct forum to put it in. I have used the Search before to look for a topic. I see that people suggest certain threads be Stickied. I just don't know exactly what that means and where to look for the stickied threads. I guess it's threads that never go away?

So, I guess I don't look at Stickied threads because I don't know what they are and where to find them.

I go to another forum that people ask for posts to be sticked from time-to-time. Their stickies pop up when you first sign on, but the same ones don't seem to stay there forever.

I guess I'm just not that savvy. I know how to enjoy the forums but not really the intricacies of how to use them to the fullest! I am all for being enlightened, though!

 

[Dizzy]

I agree with GlassOnion.

Takes 2 hours to read a sticky, and 2 seconds to ask a specific question.

You can always reply with a link to an appropriate sticky if you can't be bothered to repeat yourself

 

[Dizzy]

In all honesty, I don't think santa threads (X2), tourist swap (whatever that is) etc need to be stickied.... but of course, who am I to have a humble opinion

 

[cyclefiend2000]

which stickies are you talking about? i usually post in this section or the general section. the only stickies in general deal with BSL, a photo contest, and the pet food recall.

i probably have never read the stickies in the other sections, because i rarely post there.

 

[Doberluv]

MJB:

The stickies are the ones on the top portion of each individual forum; the training, puppy, general, firehydrant, dog breeds, etc. They have a little blue thumb tac along side them. They always stay right there. So, you have to scroll down past them to see the active, more current threads.

 

[RedHotDobe]

Plus it's a rebellion against established authority so all the cool kids do it.

I totally put my vote in for this.

I think a good idea might be to have one FAQ sticky for each forum, with a list of common thread topics, and links to threads where it's already been discussed.

I'll admit, I skip most of the stickies. There's just too many and, for me, they get in the way. I'd rather sift through the other threads to find something that appeals to me, rather than take the time to read something that I know will still be in the same place and easily accessible tomorrow.

 

[Dizzy]

Excellent idea RedHotDobe.

I am feeling organised vibes from you. I bet you organise your sock draw in alphabetical colour order, no?

 

[RedHotDobe]

LOL! No, my sock drawer is a mess. I do like to keep things fairly organized, though. I organize when I'm bored.

 

[Lilavati]

Plus it's a rebellion against established authority so all the cool kids do it.

Nah, its like reading the manual. It takes time and effort and people really just want to jump right in . . . that and the assumption is the manual only states the obvious . . . which is why, of course, so many people blow things up . . .