Dory the Doted One

I live in a pretty well off suburb (although I think I might have dropped the average income quite significantly since moving in ), and I'm constantly staggered at how people with bag loads of cash seem to go for cross breeds or really baaaaaaad examples of purebreds. Although...the neighbours do have a nice Lagotto and the other neighbour has a veerrrrry handsome Dogue. Did see some nice Deerhounds, their owner was a bit astonished that I knew what they were. The rest seem to mostly ooodley things or maltiley things. At work I'm always drooling over some nice dogs.

I'm happy to wait! It's not money I will miss and if everything goes pear shaped (which I'm sure it won't), I'd consider it a donation.

And quite a few dog trainers too. I know for a fact that there are several dog trainers that will ALWAYS as a first question ask if your dog is desexed, and if it isn't, they recommend the first thing you do is desex it. I also know someone that changed trainer when they were harangued every week about not desexing their dog and were actually made to feel like bad dog owners if they didn't. This dog trainer told them about all the problems that they were GOING to have, not MAY have because of having and undesexed dog. I also have to say that whenever we have had people book in their dog for desexing because of a behavioural problem, we tell them that it quite possibly will not have the effect they are hoping for. And try to offer them some more constructive adivice to help with the problem. Most of which is ignored, because they were told by trainers or obedience clubs that desexing their pet will fix the problem. Not all Vets are money hungry and guilt people into procedures. And ofcourse, there is a very strong leaning towards desexing all pets on this very forum.

Hmmm...times change don't they? My parents used to let me walk our DA dog to obedience when I was 12yrs (that's over 20yrs ago) old and I would say he weighed if not more than me, then about the same. He was also an over protective sod too. Only time he ever tried it on...I gave him a good correction and we went on our merry way again. I titled that dog in obedience and won numerous awards at club level too. None of which I would EVER have got to do, if my parents had never let me take him for a walk to our local club. Because they sure weren't interested in taking him or me and if he had never gone, he would've ended up DEAD.

She does sound rather passionate. Dory will bury any food item that is not a part of a chicken or turkey. So pigs ears...buried...any lamb or beef...buried. What intrigues me with Dory is she remembers where she buries things even 12 mths on, she will reposition everything if she feels her hiding spots have been compromised. The only time I've seen her dig up her stores is when I've put her on a diet, or we are moving house. What she doesn't know is her secret squirrel furtive look always gives her game away.

Then shouldn't they be called Breeds with dog aggressive tendencies as opposed to Dog Aggressive Breeds? Pedantic...probably. I just find it mighty amusing that this forum is often heard to cry "Deed, Not the Breed"...and then start talking about DA BREEDS.

Gotta say I'm a little shocked that dog people would say...Dog Aggressive Breed...how does that help with BSL. How do you determine what breeds are DA in the first place? Cos as has been mentioned before we have seen a fair few SWF's that have DA tendencies...okay they aren't a breed...so because they aren't a 'breed' they can't therefore be a DA breed? Even though I've seen a fair few of them be quite aggressive towards other dogs. That would kind of scew the stats a bit. Don't want to way lay the thread...but...*shaking head in consternation*...

What's a DA Breed??????

I pretty much take a dog as it comes...so long as that is not off lead and charging with malicious intent... I don't let it's breed stop me from interacting with them, but I let their body posture and the attiude of the owner be my guide. When I had big dogs I was hassled by little dogs, when I had little dogs I was sometimes hassled by big dogs. So...'eh'... There are some I wouldn't own because of breed tendencies, only for the fact that those tendencies don't suit my personality or lifestyle. But I do enjoy them as 'dogs' owned by others.

I've left Dory in a car and had a 'do gooder' rip me a new one for it. And quite frankly I was offended...very offended. Dory had a bowl of water and I was ducking out to check her every few minutes, and I was clock watching. Which is why I KNEW she had not been left unattended for half an hour while 'do gooder' was watching. Hadn't even been at the store for half an hour!! Had a very verbal and heated 'discussion' in the car park. Don't get me wrong, it's nice she was concerned enough to say something. I've done it myself. Just didn't appreciate her gross exageration of the situation. And got effed off when she was screeching at me and calling me a liar. It was not a planned trip, boyfriend decided to stop and wanted me to see something. :rolleyes: In the end he was taking so damn long and I got sick of constantly ducking in and out. I was not comfortable with leaving her unattended even for a short time. I told him I was going to wait outside with Dory because it was too warm and he was taking way too long. These days if I'm going anywhere with him I leave Dory at home, he is too unpredictable when it comes to window shopping (has been known to do it on a whim) and doesn't think about the logistics. Sends me stupid. And puts her at risk. I have been known to leave her in the car still. Cold days, under shade, windows open and never more than half an hour.

I'm no help. My list of breeds i don't want is much much shorter than the list of do wants. I hope to live long enough to have a good crack at all of them. My heart remains with Rotts though.

Dory gives us warm fuzzies every day. :D She still comes to work with me everyday. I think I would have a riot on my hands if I left her at home. :lol Bosses wife gives her a treat everyday that she is here. In fact, Dory will whine at her until she gets it now. I know I've said it before....We just love Dory to bits, even when she is Norty.

Today I realised I signed on to DOL Sept 08 when I got Dory from Dol Member Leema. It's been nearly three years since she has been my constant companion. It got me to thinking how much has changed and how much she has changed since she came to me. - I can leave her at home (crated) without obsessive barking and destruction. - She is happy to meet new people without freaking out, in fact, has learnt to turn on the cute factor in order to solicit attention. (Although she is still reserved with overly friendly people who get into her space before she is ready). - She will spend several hours outside without trying to beat the door down. - She has conquered the oxy welder when it is turned on, and regards it like any good tradie dog. With utter unconcern. (She's still working on the air compressor). - She has learnt to play with balls and bring them back. - I have been able to cut her nails, without too much struggling and squealing. (okay it's still a two person job...but this is progress!) - I can leave her in the car for long enough to get a takeaway coffee from a cafe, without her opening the car door and sneaking into the shop looking for me. - We don't touch the Cat Food! (although if I fall asleep on the couch...all bets are off). - Left her for a weekend with a friend while I went interstate. And she was Brilliant. I'm sure there are other small achievements we have made, these are just the ones that come to mind. I often forget how long she's been with me, and how old she is, because she is still so playful, cuddly and still loves puppies and young things. And not above having a good muck around with them. There have been days where I have torn my hair out with her. Days where I'm sure she wanted to pull her hair out because of me! Sometimes she has been a pain because her 'issues' have meant I've had to forgo some things or have had to plan trips to accomodate her insecurities. But she has also been one of the best things to have happened to me too. Through thick and thin, Dory has been there. And she gives AWESOME cuddles right when you need them most. And she never ever knocks back a cuddle when you need someone to squeese. Thankyou Leema for allowing Dory to be my Best Bud.

Dory has been on Sensitive skin diets...she's a bit of a guinea pig sometimes, Hills Sensitive Skin...did okay, but got stinky after a couple of weeks. Poos were great! Always consistant, not too voluminous and didn't smell too bad. Eukanuba Sensitive Skin...Crap. Although Poos were similar to Hills. Eukanuba Response....Really good, until I read it had ethoxyquin in it...freaked out and don't use now. Advance Sensitive Skin...best for her skin condition, she stays smell free longer. HOWEVER...she poos a LOT more than she used too. Poos are pretty well formed but STINK. We have used the Advance Cat food on Oscar The Shark Slayer (kitty kat) and... horrendously stinky for a house cat. And a lot of it.

It used to give me the Poopies when people would say I was turning my rottie into a wuss by letting him socialise with everyone and anyone. My philosophy was...How can he know the difference between a good person and a bad person if he meets no persons. Being a rottie I never seemed to have had need to test my theory, although he did seem to be a good judge of people at times. He never was overtly aggressive or growly, but he would step in between people he wasn't comfortable about, and even some I was comfortable about. It didn't concern me, as my dog was never purchased for protection or safety. I just loved rotties. Now Dory is different. *sigh* I know I'd be protecting her in a scary situation.

I've plugged the date in, but it depends on what else is happening for me. Aside for spotting Earl a mile away...where will everyone meet?

Girl dog here. Mostly because boys pee up things. Every now and then the neighbours boy dog comes for a visit, and my yard REEKS days afterwards because he has piddle on everything up right and then some. But I do like boys and girls equally.

I have seen confirmed Rott x's with such a shaped head and body as this dog. Heck, I've seen pure Rotts with head shapes like this.

I would have thought a Rottie x.

I wonder though...is it the season? Or is the fact that they are a more mature dog by the time they have the season? Are they scatty heads prior to that first season because the hormone levels are changing and thus after a season the hormones all start to settle back down and then so does the dog? For myself, I get a bit frustrated with myself that I only seem 'normal' and 'well adjusted' about one week in every 4. I love that one week post period.

Do you have to be registered....and do they check?

What about the emotional support they lend to owners in general during the challenging times of pet ownership, especially new owners or owners loosing a precious one. Often a Vet ends up being a bit of a counsellor to people, as more and more people have only their pets as company.

Sometimes conditioning them to being on their own can take time though. I have only really ramped up Dory's conditioning since leaving house share situations for my own rental. Being in a rental also restricts how I go about conditioning her too. She can be quite destructive when left alone. And you can forget about keeping her in a yard without her spending most of her time getting out. She is more bonded to me than my daugther, so when my daughter is home I leave her with her. I also recognise I'm dealing with my own worry about leaving her. I don't like the thought that she is stressed and this causes me stress. I also don't like to think she is barking and whining enough to annoy my neighbour who lives very close. So we do slow and steady. I have boarded her with a friend I trust, that went well. But she is unable to take care of her these days. So now I'm planning in advance and going to try leaving her at the kennels for short stints. Being a pound puppy I do worry how she would percieve being in a kennel situation. Am I attaching too much human emotion to her? Probably. But she's my dog, and ultimately I have to live with her and I try to do what works best for BOTH of us. And that's what I say to anyone else. Do what you feel comfortable living with. Cos YOU live with the dog and have to deal with the aftermath of your decisions...good or bad. (Well, so does the dog). If it was my own house, I would be less worried. Because if she damages anything, she's damaged my property. If it was my own house, I would be able to build her an escape proof yard. And so, I could do things a LOT differently to what I'm doing now.

*Hand Up In Air* I am a Sook. I have left her at work for a couple of hours to do shopping. She used to whine the whole time, but she has gotten better realising now that I will come back. I leave her at the BF's, that took some adjusting (for her) and she is crated. She is okay with it now...although she cracks a sad look when I leave her. When I leave her at home for a short time, she is also crated. She used to bark a lot, but now she is quiet as she knows we will come home. But again, cracks a sad pouty look. (It makes me feel so bad). I'm trying to plan for a dog free holiday. I have to admit, it is tearing me up. I'm really worried how she would react to going into a boarding kennel. I'm planning on leaving her for trial runs of one night and hoping she will relax as she realises we ARE coming to get her. And not abandoning her like her previous owner. But where ever possible...Dory comes with us.

Other people call me Dory's Mum. I just think of her as my buddy. My daughter is not her sister. And the BF is just one of her 'favourite peoples'. Don't mind how other people refer to themselves. And have no probs with the terms skinkids or furkids, unless said in a tone that suggests the dogs babied in the :omg: scale.