Archive through January 01, 2002
The ClubHouse: Archives: DOGS:
Archive through January 01, 2002
Grooch | Saturday, December 22, 2001 - 10:56 am     Wink wrote "Grooch will laugh. Guaranteed." Sorry, Wink. You lose. I can not tolerate one iota, obnoxious children or pets. I believe in the old "they should be seen, not heard" saying. (of course I never understood that saying when I was a kid.) I may never achieve that saying. But I can try. Thanks to everyone for their advice. It seems to be working. Last night when I got home and he started the pants thing again, I tried being mean and growling my words, it worked after the 3rd try. Even this morning when he tried again, everytime I said no, he stopped. He loves chewing on cords too. I can now get him to stop 70 to 80% of the time when I tell him no. I am switching to the Ah sound now like MsBat suggested. It does sound more like a growl. He is about 98% housebroken after one week. The one bad indulgence I do allow is that he sleeps with me. I can't help it and we both get a good nights sleep. Gail, as to the rolling him over exercise, I don't think I really need to do it. He is constantly flopping himself over to have his belly rubbed. He loves it! As to getting him to learn how to sit will be hard. He is so low to the ground right now, there is really no difference. But I will work on him with that. As to his chewing, I am finding out that I am being a much better house cleaner now. Everthing is up and put away. I mop the floors almost everyday (in case he did pee somewhere that I missed) vacumming and washing everthing (in case of fleas and god knows what else.) He already seems extremely sociable. The neighbhood kids all come by to visit him and he pays more attention to them to me. They have all volunteered to babysit him if I need someone. Hubby loves him because if we are out with him, all the women stop and come over to play with him. He is just the cutest little precious thing in the world (next to Daisy) Daisy and him get along great so far. (fingers crossed.) She likes to have him chase her, which gets them both exercising. I've even caught her a few times letting him jump on her stomach (when I wasn't looking) When she catches me looking she puts on a "this is so undignified look" then runs away. She is enjoying his company. He is one of the most happy-go-lucky dogs I've ever seen. (Ok, I'm a bragging mom. I can't help it.) |
Wink | Saturday, December 22, 2001 - 11:11 am     OK. Not the first time I've been wrong about someone |
Spygirl | Saturday, December 22, 2001 - 03:23 pm     Grooch, you've got yourself a good dog!!! The best thing in the world is to train them early, but be loving and gentle. My little dachshund is the most precious thing in the world. He loves people and I will be using him in therapy, too, he is so gentle. He has slept with me in the bed since the first night he came home. I don't sleep very well without him, and I think it was good for him, too. And that exercise that Gail mentioned is helpful, too, even if you don't do it formally. Your dog needs to be comfortable being still and letting you clip toenails, look and clean ears, and check for any thing else that may come up like stickers in paws or hurt feet. Toby just lays there patiently whereas my pomeranian won't let me even touch him 90% of the time b/c I didn't train him well. Good luck!!! |
Squaredsc | Sunday, December 30, 2001 - 08:21 pm     hey fellow pet lovers, question, i have a 5 month female rottie and she likes to pee in her crate as well as poo poo, even when i have had her outside for a good while. for some reason she lately doesn't like to poo outside, only inside on my floor or in her crate. i have had many people tell me that dogs won't mess where they sleep, well she does and doesn't care. we had a warm spell a month ago and it also rained (she doesn't like to go out in the rain) and she stopped poo'ing outside. any ideas??? i also have a 2 year male bichon frise who i never had this problem with. i love both my dogs to death but this new one has taken me into a whole new world. she is strong, acts like a big baby but also will pull me down the street. i am trying to save a little money to send her to obedience school which won't be until the new year, one place i called said they don't take dogs until 6 months. she is also very rough with my bichon who tries but she overpowers him with her size. any advice is appreciated. |
Sunshinemiss | Sunday, December 30, 2001 - 09:25 pm     Add my question to the list too, please- I want to get my 8 year old son a puppy, and would appreciate advice on what kind. We will be doing the trip to the library for books etc but I find direct advice from another person to be the best. so... I want a small-ish dog (around 20-25 lbs tops) with short hair (Asthma problems in the house) and fewer tendencies for yapping/barking. I know it is unreasonable to expect NO noise but I also know some breeds are better than others. I had initially considered a beagle but have been advised they are VERY vocal (makes sense now that I think of it, they are hunting dogs) and it goes without saying that it should be a fairly tolerant breed- my son is good with dogs BUT a nervous or nippy one is out. I also understand some breeds are predisposed to health problems and would aprreciate a heads-up on what to avoid as well as what has worked.I will be looking for temperament within the litter too of course but I figure some advise would get me started down the right road. Thanks! |
Evilnurse | Sunday, December 30, 2001 - 09:59 pm     Sunshinemiss I have a cocker spaniel, named Lucy, she is the sweetest dog I have ever had. She plays well with the children especially with my 6 year old. She is also very quiet and was easy to train. Cockers can have long hair but you can also keep them clipped short. |
Grooch | Monday, December 31, 2001 - 04:17 am     Sunshinemiss, I just got a pug, and he is the sweetest puppy in the world. (Look in my profile) He is shorthaired and will get up to 15 to 20 pounds. They are extremly sociable dogs, he runs up to say hi to everybody and he is afraid of nothing (of course he is only 3 months old so he really has no common sense yet.) And pugs are not barkers. Only when they want to warn you. There is not one bit of yappiness in him. Even though they are short haired, I think they might shed, so I don't know if there would be any asthma problems. Another choice is a greryhound. I know they are much bigger than you want, but they are suppose to be the best family dogs. They sleep all day and only need to be exercised once a day. They don't shed and they bark. And they are suppose to get along with children the best. (I say it on a dog show once.) And you can probably get a rescued one. If they are to big for you, ask Zed about the Italian greyhound. They are smaller than the regular greyhound, but I can only assume they have a similiar personality. I don't know. |
Car54 | Monday, December 31, 2001 - 04:39 am     I had a beagle, Sadie, and she really didn't yap at all. Just when someone came around she didn't know and she thought she was protection. A very sweet, loving dog. She would have loved an active little boy to play with. |
Grooch | Monday, December 31, 2001 - 04:58 am     That is a good point you just made, Car. Sunshine does have an active 8 year old boy. A beagle could keep up with him. Pugs are more of a lap dog. |
Car54 | Monday, December 31, 2001 - 05:07 am     Grooch, your pup looks like a future couch potato- He is such a cutie! What a face! Sadie got away from me- she loved to run, and ran into a road and got hit. She did want to be able to get out and stretch her legs, and I was probably too sedentary for her. She was a sweet friend, tho. I got her from a shelter, and she had grown up in a concrete pen. She loved laying on the couch or on a carpet- I figured she had never been on something soft before she came to me. She was very social- everyone in my neighborhood knew her. |
Gail | Monday, December 31, 2001 - 05:19 am     Squaredsc - you are correct that dogs don't usually potty where they sleep - that is why crate training is usually so successful. Where did you get your dog? Did you get her in a pet store or from a shelter where it was confined in the same area and not taken out to potty? That would explain why she is so willing to potty in her crate. How long have you had her? |
Littlebreeze | Monday, December 31, 2001 - 07:49 am     Sunshinemiss.... an English Bulldog might be a breed to think about. Short-haired, very little shedding. The temperament is gentle and calm yet happy and full of personality, extremely loving. It's not a large breed, short to the ground but muscle packed. Victoria weighs in at 65 pounds. Poodles are a non-shedding breed. They shed no fur at all. If allergies are a concern, you may want to look to that breed. I'm not all that familiar with pet allergies but I've heard that, many times, it's not the fur at all that causes the allergy but it's the pet dander. Don't know how true that is but thought I'd throw it in. |
Karuuna | Monday, December 31, 2001 - 09:23 am     I have a male beagle, just over a year old. He barked a lot outside, but I got one of those "sonic" collars that emitted a high-pitched noise when he barked. He wore it for about 3 days and then figured it out. He doesn't wear it any more, and only barks outside if another animal goes by. He never barked when he was inside, so that wasn't ever a problem. He's very sweet, and he and my 7 year old son are the very best of pals. Frequent bathing helps the dander/allergy problem a great deal. Also I understand that the wirey hair of terrior breeds causes less problems than dogs with softer fur. You might want to consider a Jack Russell Terrior - they stay under 12 inches, and I've heard great things about their intelligence and disposition. Hope that helps! |
Carolinakisses | Monday, December 31, 2001 - 11:34 am     I have two Jack Russell terriers. Each weigh about 12 pounds. They are the most loveable and loyal dogs I have ever owned. I have the short-hair kind like "Milo" the dog that was in the movie Mask. They love to hunt, so if you live in an area when they can run and explore I highly recommended this breed. |
Sunshinemiss | Monday, December 31, 2001 - 04:00 pm     Thank you so much for all of your advice! I now know where to start my research. I can tell you all love your "goggies" (my 2 year old nieces pronunciation) and I am looking forward to adding a new member to our family. I will keep you all posted when we do! |
Resortgirl | Monday, December 31, 2001 - 04:44 pm     We are dog and cat lovers. We have had a golden retriever in the past and they are wonderful dogs! We recently adopted an 8 year old Pomeranian (click on my name to see a picture of her) Sophie is an absolute doll. I never thought I would like a little "lap dog" but she is a gem. She is very sweet, with children and other animals, very smart and VERY low maintenance. She cuddles on a pillow or your lap (which she prefers of course) loves to go for walks, but since she is so little (7 pounds) she doesn't need to go far for a good workout. She knows probably about 30 words, but I've read that they can learn over 100. Although we were reluctant to adopt a dog that was 8 years old (we don't want to attach to her and then lose her) they can live to be 20. Average age is 16. She was originally given to a woman who had cancer and Sophie kept her company through her illness. Unfortunately the woman died. She then went to the home of a woman who had just lost her husband. She comforted her for about 4 years and then that woman died. THEN she went to a older couple who pampered and loved her but they lost there home and had to move into an apartment that wouldn't allow pets. That's when she came into our lives. She's a little guardian angel and we love her dearly. I would highly recommend Pomeranians. She can be a little yappy when strangers approach but warms up very quickly. We were going to install a doorbell in our home, but she works much better! LOL |
Spygirl | Monday, December 31, 2001 - 05:14 pm     Pomeranians are WONDERFUL!!! Check out my member's folder to see pictures of my Henry. Click Here for Spy's Folder!!! I also have a dachshund -- which I would have a 100 like him if I could -- and a Cocker Spaniel. I highly recommend all of these breeds. But keep in mind, the dogs are only as wonderful as they are treated. Love and train just about any dog from birth and they will certainly be the best dog you've ever had. |
Sunshinemiss | Monday, December 31, 2001 - 10:13 pm     I, myself, would prefer the lap dog aspect, but it is for my son Miles, so a little less "fragile" might be better. My sister has a doxie who is sooo precious but she always gets after Miles for romping too hard, saying their backs are fragile? There is aso the aspect of some time alone- although I will absolutely try to minimize it, there will be at least 4 to 5 hours a day during the week when the dog will have to be alone in the house- I was thinking maybe a parakeet for some company? Put the cage on the kitchen table or some such... Thanks again for all the input. I truly trust word of mouth much more than any library book. |
Spygirl | Monday, December 31, 2001 - 10:26 pm     Sunshine -- just get two dogs!!! They'll never be lonely or without a playmate. My dogs are just fine being alone during the day -- sometimes for 8 hours (which I hate, but they seem fine with) |
Kstme | Tuesday, January 01, 2002 - 07:50 am     Sunshine...I totally agree with Spygirl!! I also think with two, they don't get into as much mischievous. I know there are some sites on the web that will help you pick out the right dog. AOL has one...you enter your criteria and they do the match. Good hunting and good luck! |
Resortgirl | Tuesday, January 01, 2002 - 08:01 am     Spygirl, You're Henry is adorable! Is he available for dating? |
Gail | Tuesday, January 01, 2002 - 09:06 am     Sunshine - is this going to be a first dog (or first in a very long time?) The reason I ask is that I am not sure if you are looking for a puppy or a dog that is a year old or more. I will be the first to say that getting a new puppy is exciting and nothing is cuter but there are some things you need to be prepared for. Puppies need to be housebroken (requires patience) and puppies LOVE to chew (and those puppy teeth are sharp!!). Puppies need to be watched about as closely as you would watch an 18 month old baby. A lot of people don't understand that and get upset when their new puppy has chewed a hole in their $2,000 couch or chewed on their entertainment center or their expensive new shoes. Check out this site - http://www.specificbreeds.com/ they have some tips for getting ready for a new puppy. Also, if you can find a puppy kindergarten class, this is an excellent program for helping you with your new puppy. They let you go as young as 8 weeks old usually and they are lots of fun for new owners and puppies. Other options are to get a dog from your local shelter or also from breed rescues clubs. Nearly all breeds of dogs have rescue groups everywhere you look. (best place for finding a rescue group is either through a shelter or via the internet or some vets). With a dog that is 6 months old, you will still have a dog that likes to chew but will hopefully be housebroken. If you are going to get a specific breed, please consider the breed rescue or going to a reputable breeder to get it. With a good breeder, you can see both the mother and father and litter mates and also the breeder. (very handy if you have questions or want advice on grooming, feeding, etc later) The pet stores at the mall are not really a good place to shop. They charge a lot more then a good breeder and you may not be getting a purebred dog. A really great option is a good breeder who has a dog between 6 months to a year that they are willing to part with.
This is Maddie - I got her at 6 months old and she just turned 11 years last month and is a wonderful little dog. I have Cairn Terriers (Toto dogs). They are very active, intelligent and funny. They are also good diggers (need a very good fence) and very mischievious. An older "broke in" cairn is a great pet for an older person but under 1 year old they have too much energy for seniors. Cairns can be groomed by a good brushing once or twice a week but eventually, they need to go to a groomer to be clipped to keep them somewhat neat looking. Cairns come in any color except white. West Highland Terriers (westies) are very similar to Cairn Terriers - except they only come in white. A good way to get reliable information about different breeds is through the AKC Breed book or even better if there is a dog show in your area. Each breed has good points and drawbacks and it is better to know them in advance. Breeding plays an important part but also how a dog is brought up is just as important. |
Juju2bigdog | Tuesday, January 01, 2002 - 10:06 am     Wait just a darn minute, Resortgirl! I am the one who is supposed to ask if people's dogs are available for dating!
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Squaredsc | Tuesday, January 01, 2002 - 04:35 pm     sunshine--i have a 2yr old bichon frise who is non-allergenic, he doesn't shed, i got him at 9 wks and my 2 boys were 6 & 8 and he got along great with them, never bit them and is very playful but doesn't need alot of outside running around time (he runs around the house) and was very easy to housebreak. gail--i got my rottie from a breeder and her sire is my aunt's dog, unfortunately i never saw the mother so i don't know her temperment and i didn't see where the puppies were kept but my aunt/uncle swore by their breeder. |
Littlebreeze | Tuesday, January 01, 2002 - 04:47 pm     OMG, Gail.... am I wanting to snuggle that Maddie or what? Soooooo cute! |
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