poodlefan Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 (edited) I'm coming up on my 7th Anniversary of membership of the DOL forum. My that time has flown. Being a member here has changed a lot of things about my ownership of dogs. Since joining I have: * added two more dogs to my tribe including a new breed (Whippet) * changed the way I feed. I was a committed BARFer when I joined but now my dogs also get some kibble * learned a HELL of a lot about dog behaviour and health. * learned even more about breeds other than mine and more about my own. * found an awesome trainer to help with some of the more challenging behaviours in one of my dogs ( K9Pro) * made the leap into the show ring * met some bloody awesome people who are members here * had my eyes opened to many issues relating to dogs in the community including rescue and BSL ETA * bought a lot of stuff that evil DOLers have posted links to or that I've found on advertised sites here. Troy you and this forum Just wondering how DOL might have had an impact on others? Edited January 20, 2011 by poodlefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogfan Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 Well in my short time here so far I've learnt: • How many wonderful member of DOL there are, and hoping to see many more • Learned a lot about many other breeds and there health • That I talk a lot (Been here less then a month with 100+ posts ) Will edit if I think of others... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evolving Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 Yes this forum introduced me to lappies and now I own two of them. It has also introduced me to showing and most of all I have found some really good friends from being on here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monah Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 Same here PF, I've now been here for a few years. I was always a bit of a breed 'tart' and research has been a big part of my life anyway in other areas, inc. work, so that was not a change for me. The biggest change for me was gaining knowledge about dogs issues as I had never had a dog with issues or even met one... The reason I joined was I had often perused the breeders on DOL and when I got a challenging.. dog I found I needed help, I was way out of my league... I have made friends on here, gained knowledge about things that I would not have even thought of, found LOTS (too many) great things to buy... been able to assist others through many avenues Also been guided by fabulous people like k9pro and Jane Harper.. Discovered the difference betwwen trainers and behaviourists Read many differing opinions on a large variety of subjects thus opening my eyes to many things I dont encounter personally Found a huge amount of knowledge on all dog sports I also love the cat forum... I do not often visit rescue, rainbow bridge or the news as I am not able to get some things out of my mind, especially in the middle of the night Have found some fantastic wonderful people who I can be a crazy dog /cat woman with who don't think I'm crazy!!! I learn new things on here every day Thanks so much Troy.xxx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted January 20, 2011 Author Share Posted January 20, 2011 I didnt know what an emoticon was before I joined here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W Sibs Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 - learn A LOT about diets for the dogs - learning more about health issues - found a lot of new doggie website to go to buy treats, toys - changed my way in training my dogs. finding new ways of training my dogs - made some real awesome people who I can consider friends from DOL - i got introduce to many breeds through this website (eg, Finnish Lapphund) - I'm happy to learn that I'm not the only Dog Crazy person out there Thanks Troy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCPuppy Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 Knowledge in copious amounts Dolers have educated me in so many ways, hadnt had a dog since I was a child had no idea about anything I am a research nut too, so found that some of the things I worried about were silly, learnt that dogs are not meant to eat what we do, somewhere to ask questions no matter how odd, how to teach my puppy the right things, that there are wonderful people out there who really CARE, I have immense respect for anyone involved in rescue. DOLers really are an awesome bunch Did not realise - or maybe did not want to - the implications of pet shops, indescriminate breeding, pet farms, irresponsible owners, breed discrimination, that the RSPCA is not allways right I too find it difficult to visit the rescue and rainbow bridge forums and news, they can be too confronting for me (head under covers) also embarrasing to be caught bawling eyes out at work I think Dol has made me a much more responsible owner, my dog is well behaved, social and healthier because of DOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monah Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 (edited) I didnt know what an emoticon was before I joined here :laugh: Is that what they're called? I 'learnt' of another app. this week!! I still dont know how to isolate quotes.. I also learnt that I'm not the only one who does not like check chains etc. (it was the dark ages here until about 2 years ago, I used to get told off a lot...re training..) i thought I was ALONE..... and found I was not.xxx Edited January 20, 2011 by Monah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted January 20, 2011 Author Share Posted January 20, 2011 (edited) I didnt know what an emoticon was before I joined here :laugh: Is that what they're called? I 'learnt' of another app. this week!! I still dont know how to isolate quotes.. I just highlight it, click the little speech bubble and delete the rest. I was always a bit of a breed 'tart' I'm beginning to think we were separated at birth in that regard. Edited January 20, 2011 by poodlefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dee lee Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 OMG, where do I start?! DOL has changed my life. It was here for me when I was going through tough times with my previous dog. Because of her issues I was on here all day and night getting great advice. (ha! So what has changed? ) I have learnt SO much. One not so good side effect is that I may have become a bit of a know-it-all about dogs IRL. I realised this this morning when I bumped into an acquaintance and her gorgeous puppy. I had to bite my tongue after she told me she had owned dogs all her life and it was pretty obvious she did actually know what she was doing. Actually that too is something DOL has taught me- DIPLOMACY when posting. Well, sometimes- too often my "mouth" works faster than my brain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpotTheDog Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 I own a backseat buddy style seat cover thing because of you lot. Gus thanks you for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyStar Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 What DOL has given me: - has opened my eyes to other breeds and now I have a "wants" list. Before DOL there was only ever one dog breed for me - introduced me to the training gurus in WA which has not only helped me become a better trainer, but I class them as friends, too Without them I don't know where I'd be! - introduced me to the eeeevils of the Clean Run website - great friends who I would call real life friends now, and training buddies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4Kelpies Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 Met lots of people - one (that I know of) in person, others through private email or telephone call and hope to meet one when she is on her holiday. I often wonder how many others I have met but don't recognize their aliases. Changed to Orijen dog food after hearing about it here - not so good as it turned out, but I haven't noticed any ill effects for my dogs. I don't have cats. Changed to Black Hawk dog food and am very happy with this. Bought Breakaway collars after hearing about a DOLer's dog who died when his collar was caught. Have followed lots of links and have bought things and caught up with information that I wouldn't have found otherwise. Have changed my mind about the RSPCA and stopped supporting them. Have learnt lots about BSL and other current issues. Had a lovely signature made for me by Rach.... Not dog related but have enjoyed different opinions on a whole range of topics in off topic and kept up with latest information about events such as the floods. Improved my computer skills - learned how to upload pictures (still have occasional problems) use emoticons, quotes etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiskedaway Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 (edited) Since joining DOL I have: - been introduced to the world of showing - been introduced to some new breeds (such as the Finnish Lapphund) - am about to add a new dog to my pack (our gorgeous show girl, Halo) - bought WAY TOO MUCH stuff thanks to other DOLers - changed the food for my dogs (used to feed Supercoat, now feed Pro Plan) - been helped with so many of the issues that I've had with Akira (including her fear of men which is almost at a managable level) - started obedience, agility and will start training Akira for her ET towards the middle of the year - learnt about ethical registered breeders, and why some registered breeders aren't actually ethical - made some WONDERFUL new friends - I think this and Halo is the best part about joining DOL. Edited January 20, 2011 by whiskedaway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lollipup Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 (edited) I have learnt a lot. I research everything already but on DOL you can find links to more places to research and you can talk to people who have actually been through similiar things. I have no dog crazy friends locally but I have met some wonderful people on DOL already, one who I have become good friends with. I now have an email buddy to "talk dog" with She gets me through the day. Also met some great people who have been kind enough to call and email me with support. I have learnt a lot about diet, training, health issues, and breeders. I have learnt more in depth about puppy farms and pet shops and what goes on. I've found ideas for tricks to train and other training tips, found some great photos on here too. I've got a glimpse into other possibilities of things I can maybe do with my dogs in the future. I have learnt about good trainers who I otherwise would not have heard of but in the dog world its like they are famous and I have people to look up to, people who I want to be like one day. I have also found a lot of online shopping sites for dog related things which has had a detrimental effect on my bank account I've learnt to be careful what I believe in what I read and also to be careful what I write. I am learning new things all the time from DOL directly or from info which DOL has led me to. I have become a little more irritated with other dog owners who are making mistakes but I manage not to offend anyone (yet) because I have a lot to learn too. I often get a laugh from the stories on DOL too. Oh and I have expanded my list of breed I want to own one day, by a lot. Would love to have an Aussie Shepherd next time. I don't post very often but I am often here reading along and I am thankful to have access to DOL. Thanks Troy. Edited January 20, 2011 by Lollipup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adza Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 - Can find information or with the support of others get great advice. What helped me the most is the better way to raise a puppy - Some training techniques on here have really solved some of the usual problems with pups - Made me want to socialise my dog a lot more often than I ever used to (dog parks not as often) we now have some of the neighbourhood meeting up every night for a play date - Being able to discuss everything dogs in general, I haven't got many dog mad people in my life so it's been very rewarding - Being able to keep up with laws, new proposals, and general news that impacts dogs & owners - Want to be more involved in activities in relation to dogs, do more, see more, meet new people There is so much more but better get back to work I love DOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiekaye Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 I joined about 18 months ago when I found DOL while looking desparatly for information on paralysis ticks. Since then I have been a bit addicted. I have learnt lots more about dogs. I have been made aware of puppy farms and animal wellfare issues that I havnt been exposed to. I find all the advice ,topics and differing opinions very interesting. Food for thought. There are a few members whose advise is very sound IMO and I often look out for their posts and words of wisdom. (poodlefan is one of them) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corvus Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 I have made friends, learnt about target training, got help with my clicker training, got lots of tips about coat care, made some enemies, been shocked, excited, and insulted, but most of all, DOL motivated me to get into dog research. Actually, I think it was your fault, PF. I think I said I didn't want to do dog research because of the politics, and you told me it was only as political as I cared to make it. I started seriously thinking about it as a result. You were wrong as it turned out, but I don't care. I'm happier now than I have ever been, adore my project, and have had the delight of discovering a lot of dog-related literature. Ongoing delight. DOL gives me somewhere to air my enthusiasm, and it's motivated me to start a blog so I can air my enthusiasm with more freedom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted January 20, 2011 Author Share Posted January 20, 2011 I have made friends, learnt about target training, got help with my clicker training, got lots of tips about coat care, made some enemies, been shocked, excited, and insulted, but most of all, DOL motivated me to get into dog research. Actually, I think it was your fault, PF. I think I said I didn't want to do dog research because of the politics, and you told me it was only as political as I cared to make it. I started seriously thinking about it as a result. You were wrong as it turned out, but I don't care. I'm happier now than I have ever been, adore my project, and have had the delight of discovering a lot of dog-related literature. Ongoing delight. DOL gives me somewhere to air my enthusiasm, and it's motivated me to start a blog so I can air my enthusiasm with more freedom. I happily accept blame. Everything is 'political' - its unavoidable. You may as well be doing something you're passionate about and putting up with the politics than having to endure them anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan3 Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 I didn't play with DOLz before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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