OverAlready

actually my show dogs are my pets, all my dogs are pet quality, from the cross bred mutt to the show champions. I was actually going to ask that, but decided against it. Very happy to hear that. :D

I think the issue is when the "show" quality owners talk down to the "pet" owners. And I may be wrong, but I dont necessarily think one is better then the other. One excels at being in the "show" world and one excels at being a family member to a loving family. (lets assume) They each have their value and to suggest one is "better" is where the issue lies in this forum, again my opinion.

Sorry, was not specifically for you... my bad.

I did not realize until joining this forum that there was a hierachy in the dog world. Very enlightening. Is there a council that tells you if your on top of the list of breeders? LOL

What is it you breed again?

I leave my dog oustide in a fenced area also. Personally I think that is more humane then locking them inside all day. I feel bad for dogs that are only let ouside to "do their business" then brought back in to never run around outside and have fun on their own. As long as they have food, water and shelter ignore those that made you feel bad. Its ridiculous !!!

I think the difference may be in the routine of a boarding facility. I know the one I use has playtime all day so that my dog is only alone at night. She absoulutely loves going and playing with the other dogs. She actually comes home quite tired and her crazy mentality slows for a few days which is a nice break for me. Hope your dog gets back to his/her normal personality soon !!!

I also find, that at some point they have neglected the needs of their family (assuming they have one) and put the animals first. Not necessarily to the benefit of the animals. For example: A family of little financial resources , yet the hoarder (typically female) uses what little money they have to either buy more animals, or purchase food for the animals before the household. While this may sound ideal care for the animals, it points out the excessive need to be in control of the hoard.

An animal hoarder is distinguished from a person who keeps an unusually large number of pets, but who cares for them properly. A hoarder is distinguished from an animal breeder. Gary Patronek, director of the Center for Animals and Public Policy at Tufts University, defines hoarding as the "pathological human behavior that involves a compulsive need to obtain and control animals, coupled with a failure to recognize their suffering," Delusional Disorder Animal hoarders display symptoms of delusional disorder in that they have a "belief system out of touch with reality".[16] Virtually all hoarders lack insight into the extent of deterioration in their habitations and on the health of their animals, refusing to acknowledge that anything is wrong.[15] Further, hoarders may believe they have "a special ability to communicate and/or empathize with animals,"[22] rejecting any offers of assistance. Delusional disorder is an effective model in that it offers an explanation of hoarders' apparent blindness to the realities of their situations. Attachment Disorder Another model that has been suggested to explain animal hoarding is attachment disorder, which is primarily caused by poor parent-child relationships during childhood. It is characterized by an inability to form "close relationships [with other humans] in adulthood".[22] As a result, those suffering from attachment disorder may turn to animals for companionship. Interviews with animal hoarders have revealed that hoarders have often experienced domestic trauma in childhood, which is the basis of the evidence for this model.[22] Obsessive–compulsive Disorder Perhaps the strongest psychological model put forward to explain animal hoarding is obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). An overwhelming sense of responsibility for something is characteristic of OCD patients, who then take unrealistic measures to fulfill their perceived duty. Animal hoarders often feel a strong sense of responsibility to take care of and protect animals, and their solution—that of acquiring as many animals as they possibly can—is clearly unrealistic.[22] Further, the hoarding of inanimate objects, practiced by a majority of animal hoarders,[15] is a fairly common occurrence in OCD patients.[22] These connections between animal hoarding and obsessive–compulsive disorder suggest that OCD may be a useful model in explaining animal hoarding behavior. So, how do you decide if a person is indeed a hoarder? Is there distinctive signs? I have my own opinions but I am looking for other prespectives to see if what I believe co-exists with others.