Stressmagnet

And the beagle next door that has been howling non stop since his owners went away Friday at 6pm. And who, since his owners had a baby, has spent his days locked outside, yawping every 10 minutes from dinner time to bed time, asking to be let in. For the past 2 years. Ernie spends some time by himself every day -- but we all knew that taking on another dog meant adjustments to OUR lives, not his. Yes, everyone is the household has to get along and learn the rules but next door? That's just sad.

Just wiped my nose on my sleeve. I'm disgusting.

How can someone invest 3 years of their life with a dog and then give that dog up?

We all keep saying this - ban pups in pet shops. It's an obvious solution to a lot, not all, of these people. I keep reading articles like this and seeing that these foul nutjobs sold to pet shops. So why oh why if WE can see the solution to a LOT of the problem - why can't the respective state governments? Ban pet shops sales. It won't solve the entire problem - but it would go a helluva long way.

Yeah but certainly Ernie is a lot easier to train than Georgia ever was. I could see Georgia's brain working out if she really wanted a treat or a cuddle or a toy ENOUGH to do whatever I was asking. As she got older, it was often 'nah, I'm too comfortable/interested in something else/cannot be arsed'. It did make me laugh. Whereas Ernie could be in the circus - if you've got a piece of liver snack, he will whip through his whole repertoire in an effort to get it. Two different breeds. I think the term 'biddable' is the key. I hadn't really understood the term until I got a Labrador, now it all makes sense.

My amstaff was stubborn beyond belief. But that was also coupled with a smart approach to being taught - she needed to see what the upside was for HER before she would comply.

It BROUGHT HIM GREAT JOY'?!?!? What the f***.

My first dog as an adult was a kelpie. Um, because she was cute and was a pretty brown and tan. I didn't even know what a kelpie WAS (they aren't a well known breed back home). Dear Maude, she was so wrong for us. But I persisted and educated myself and never gave up - even when the Fex wanted to give her up for taking his Hugo Boss shirts off the line, for digging holes in our lawn and for howling the house down. I put in the work and that dog ended up being an awesome dog. And sometimes I think the ones we have to work hardest with -- are the ones that steal our heart completely.

Labradors and sticks!! They MUST find one and carry it around with them the MINUTE they step outside. You don't have to throw it for them, but they MUST carry one around.

When getting Ernie (who at 6 months was considered an older dog lol), I summarised our family, mentioned I'd researched the breed and breeders, how much I admired their dogs and so came to them and then asked about their mature dogs. I asked a certain amount of questions about their advertised dog but only with regard to personality (is he outgoing? Does he like car rides?) Then I waited for their follow up. I always got one. The time for in depth questions is as you are both feeling yourselves out. It is a MUTUAL selling process.

I dogsat my friends doxie once, and was getting a bit frustrated that he wouldn't sit for his dinner on the second night. but, he HAD sat, i just couldn't tell from the front because his head stayed at the same height Poor boy ETA: my auntie has one now, and she is really nice, but she is indoors and sleeps on their bed, and also has two young girls to tire her out. Some of the ones that came into work were mental though and you could not shut them up! And i did recently read a list that puts doxies at the top of the 'vicious dog list'. OT AGAIN: The most DA puppy in Ernie's puppy class was a daschund. He could not be within lunging distance of any other dogs, which included not only Ernie but a Russian Black Terrier, a Great Dane and TWO amstaffs. The bigger dogs just looked at him as if he were nuts, while the owners cooed and coddled him.

Ps. Oooh just read about native dog breeds becoming extinct. My daydream dog, a Gordon Setter is in the list. Read bout them - they fit the bill admirably. They need 60-80 mins of vigorous exercise a day, are great with kids and are big boys and girls.

Just annoyed that Gordon Setters are on the list. That's my daydream dog, dammit.

If I could do it, so can you. Kelpies need exercise and brain work. Looks like you've got that covered. They may not be huge but they can look nasty if they need to. While I think a fit muscled Labrador would fit the bill - see the thread called Labs to the Rescue. THATS what a lab should look like. My Ernie is the laid back type so he's also happy to flop on the couch. I take him for a meaningless 1-2 hour ramble but my daughter runs with him every night. She's not at your level (and he's a bit young for a serious run), he loves the afternoon run and as she builds up her endurance - I can see him keeping up. As long as I watch his joints, I think he'll be fine. Edited to say: I still think a kelpie would fit the bill admirably. And you wouldn't have the worry about joints. But not sure about kelpie health issues.

Labradors are the best. That is all.

Kelpies are awesome dogs. Even though I love Ernie to bits - Katie the kelpie was my heart dog. I reckon she could have run all day without stopping.

Not even a slap on the wrist. That's less than my weekly grocery bill. I guess animals don't count.

Tor, I can assure you that's there's nothing more beautiful than a fit and muscled Labrador. They don't have to be overweight- it's just people are lazy. They are great with people, patient with kids and aren't dog aggressive. My boy puts up with a crapload from my daughters. He's currently at a friend's who believed all digs should be outside only; but the word is - she's spoiled him rotten and seems in no rush to get him back. He's big enough to intimidate but not too big to handle. I've seen his bark and behaviour when he didn't like something and he scared me - I was very glad those hackles were raised and those long canines were shown in my defence!

Oh do get a Labrador...

Oh yes. Once they know they can get out, they will. Signed Someone who had to walk the streets looking for her kelpie at 9 months pregnant.

I still can't get Ernie to ring the bell hung round the door when he needs to go out. We've been at it for 6 flipping months. I've followed all the steps and he just "head tilts" me.

How the f*** was that NOT animal cruelty? What the hell do the RSPCA think IS animal cruelty?

Yes. I think I will. Ernie doesn't seem like the most graceful of dogs and I'm sure if he can; he will.

Yes to the battering ram.

(Note to self: Sharpeis are WAY too clever and devious for Stressnagnet)