A dog's life

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Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
24,799
8,103
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#1
Actually I WISH I had my dog's life. He plays, eats and sleeps. No bills, no job, no shaving, no washing dishes...

Ahem... Anyway, the recent discussion of canines in the sharing thread indicates we should have a thread for dog talk. It becomes a pain to pick out the dog posts in a thread as random as the sharing thread.

I will repost gypsygirl's recent comments here, as what she said is as good a way to kick the thread off as any.

how fun! i love dog topics. iand i'll throw in my two cents about my experience with training since this is the top

@ chickswithsticks: actually, one of the hardest things for people to take on board (in my opinion) with getting dogs under control is that we routinely apply our own system of management, logic and priorities to our dogs and think they are the same. while it's important for your dog to know any commands, such as "no" or "stay", in my experience, it's not a lack of understanding that prevents behavior. it's the fact that a lot of dogs, especially dogs with strong, more dominant personalities don't see you as their "leader". dogs that routinely ignore generally see you as their inferior in their own "internal org chart".

why is this? well, dogs have very clear ideas of what establishes them as a leader, and they usually aren't things we consider as their usurping leadership, but just good management. i could list a lot of these, but this would really add to the length of the post.

i've trained a LOT of animals, mostly dogs and horses, and what is almost universally the most effective way of re-establishing your role is through the use of food. for dogs, it's absolutely the biggest opportunity. in fact, one thing i am almost religious about is how i feed my dogs. most people throw the food down and the dog eats at will. this sort of puts you in lower, service role. here's my suggestion:

1. don't feed your dog before or during your meal time. never ever ever feed your dog from your plate. if you ever give them human food, make sure it's in the dog's bowl and not during your meal time.

2. when feeding, tell your dog to sit and stay. pour the food in the bowl (first) then begin to put it on the floor or whatever you use. invariably, the dog. will start to get up and stick its head in. take the bowl away as soon as they start to get up. the goal is for the dog to sit and stay even while you're placing the food. once they are able to do that, then you give them your release command. mine is, "ok, mangia!" but you ONLY say that after they've been sitting and staying, rather than in perpetual motion.

the first time you do this, it will take a few minutes, but it won't take all that long. why? because you have FOOD in your hands. i have taught dogs to sit and stay for dinner in under 5 minutes MANY, MANY times. just keep at it.

why is this such an effective thing? in the pack world, it's the leaders who provide access to the food. but only when they are finished and full. it's always on the terms on the pack leaders. i have watched this subtle change actually create massive shift in a dog.

i don't care how many times you yell "no" or poke your dog, if they don't recognize you as the "boss of them" it will be as unimportant to them as it would be the president of any company taking orders from the night janitor. until your dog sees you as the leader, you ARE the night janitor. : )

now, some dogs are more submissive in personality and this org chart settles pretty easily--this is absolutely true of my current doggie, chloe. but some dogs, and some breeds are more important that you follow and utilize the necessary steps to establish your home's org chart. for example, my last dog mya was an akita, and one of those dogs that was a massive behavioral problem in previous home, and in pretty short order was an ideal dog, because i didn't abuse any of those rules that give dogs mixed messages. at her old house, she was the president and everyone worked for her. it's all very sensible.

oh one more thing: the maintenance is always necessary, because the org chart is a very fluid item in the dog world. which is good news for those who are being "led" by their dog, and bad news, in that there is always some maintenance. that is why the "food routine" is the best way i know to help maintain that balance.

finally, even good dogs will be bad if they don't get enough exercise. dogs need to be out and walking. not just running around in your backyard. they need to explore, smell, and walk, especially those active ones.

p.s. since this was kind of unsolicited, if you're interested in more info, please let me know. : ) i'll be happy to share more.

and now, my beloved mya

 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
24,799
8,103
113
#2

why is this such an effective thing? in the pack world, it's the leaders who provide access to the food. but only when they are finished and full. it's always on the terms on the pack leaders. i have watched this subtle change actually create massive shift in a dog.

Ah, so is THAT it? All I know is, I got tired of my dog cold-nosing me and pushing me out of the way when I put his food down, so I started making him wait. He's an australian shepherd - not as dominance-assertive as a boxer, but he sure has a lot of energy - and he was so impatient to stick his nose in the food bowl that I would have to throw it in the bowl and jerk back. Forget that!

And it did take him a few minutes the first time, and it does take reinforcing occasionally, but he knows to wait until I clear the food bowl before he plows in. He knows if he doesn't wait on his own I'll say "wait" and then he'll have to wait until I tell him he can go.
 
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kaylagrl

Guest
#3
Ah, so is THAT it? All I know is, I got tired of my dog cold-nosing me and pushing me out of the way when I put his food down, so I started making him wait. He's an australian shepherd - not as dominance-assertive as a boxer, but he sure has a lot of energy - and he was so impatient to stick his nose in the food bowl that I would have to throw it in the bowl and jerk back. Forget that!

And it did take him a few minutes the first time, and it does take reinforcing occasionally, but he knows to wait until I clear the food bowl before he plows in. He knows if he doesn't wait on his own I'll say "wait" and then he'll have to wait until I tell him he can go.

No picture of Lynx's doggie? :(
 
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jennymae

Guest
#4
The kids are on us all the time now. Why? They want a dog. Everybodys gotten a dog, they're saying, but not us. We want a dog! is the most used words right now lol. Now, I dont have anything against dogs, but I know who is left with all the work, and it sure aint the kids. We've tried tellin them we cant travel nowhere...no more..ever...if we're getting a dog, but it is like Mr Trump, whatever you're saying, the toupee clings to his head...rant over...sorry Lynx for derailing a felines dog thread...lol
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
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#5
We've had our dog "Bella" now for around 3 months. She's a blast! :)

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Dec 18, 2013
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#6
Actually I WISH I had my dog's life. He plays, eats and sleeps. No bills, no job, no shaving, no washing dishes...
Rule 1 for dogs: don't get a dog.

Get a cat instead if you must own a pet.

"Beware of dogs..." ---Bible.

Cats > dogs.

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Yes Lynx, I just cat bombed your topic about dogs. So I will gladly take a cat or dog bomb retaliation at the time of your choosing. #TeamCat
 
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Hellooo

Guest
#7
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My dog has it made...
 
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Shouryu

Guest
#8
Yes Lynx, I just cat bombed your topic about dogs. So I will gladly take a cat or dog bomb retaliation at the time of your choosing. #TeamCat
Come on now, GiS. This is Singles. This is NOT how we do things.






If we derail a thread here, we derail it by talking about food.

And being half Thai, I can point out that dogs are a lean and delicious source of protein. Dry heat works best - grilled, pan seared, or broiled. Cuts should be cooked bone-in for extra moistness. Cat, on the other hand, tends to fare better in moist applications: stews, soups, goulashes. The natural gaminess and high amount of tendon in the cuts favors good ol' low and slow, much like a rack of baby-back ribs.

BOOM. Both derailed and yet somehow still on topic at the same time. I AM BEST DERAILER.
 
Dec 18, 2013
6,733
45
0
#9
Come on now, GiS. This is Singles. This is NOT how we do things.






If we derail a thread here, we derail it by talking about food.

And being half Thai, I can point out that dogs are a lean and delicious source of protein. Dry heat works best - grilled, pan seared, or broiled. Cuts should be cooked bone-in for extra moistness. Cat, on the other hand, tends to fare better in moist applications: stews, soups, goulashes. The natural gaminess and high amount of tendon in the cuts favors good ol' low and slow, much like a rack of baby-back ribs.

BOOM. Both derailed and yet somehow still on topic at the same time. I AM BEST DERAILER.
Lol (literally lolling, almost rofling.) You win indeed, you are the best.
 
Jul 25, 2015
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#10
Fantastic Thread Lynx!

Everyone..your dogs are adorable...still waiting on a pic of Lynx's.

I will ill provide an update on Rugers training but again I sincerely appreciate everyone's input and Gypsygirl graciously offered to provide additional information to kick start my program.

RugerIsms:
1) When he eats he picks up a mouthful and spits it out on floor and proceeds to eat each piece one at a time. He never leaves a mess
2) when playing and excited he does a perfect imitation of Chewbacca from Star Wars. My son knows how to make this noise that gets Ruger to reciprocate with the "Chewbacca growl"...makes me laugh every time. It is so adorable
3) Ruger has won the heart of a close friend that is not a dog person. She comes over and will sit on floor a lot while we are chatting and Ruger senseing from day 1 that she isn't a dog person (boxers are wicked smart) used to belly crawl on the floor inching to her. As all boxers are convinced they are lap dogs despite their size he worked his way into her lap and she no longer fights him over it. Lol

just in case everyone missed the other thread I wouldn't want you too miss out...I have attached his pic again!!

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JesusLives

Senior Member
Oct 11, 2013
14,551
2,171
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#13
Take advice from Blond do not get a dog if you are afraid of commitment as it is one for life. The fact that I tried says a lot but Gino only stayed with us a little less than two weeks. He was a great dog and after riding in the car three times was trying to jump up in it on the fourth time taking him back to where we got him.... I don't know what I was thinking it took me 35 years to re-marry and I thought I could own a dog.... I was wrong as I still have commitment issues.

Truth is we didn't have a fenced in back yard and my right knee is starting to give out so walking many times a day troublesome.....but I gave him high praise when returning him as he was doing great with potty training (he was a puppy) and loved to ride in the car and didn't bark much....High on my list of good dog....
 

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kaylagrl

Guest
#14
Well Im ducking out of the flag burning crowd and coming to a peaceful place for a minute...Whew.I have two doggies,most know my youngest ask shes usually my avatar. Then I have her dad...


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and one of them together....lol


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seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,940
4,580
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#15
BOOM. Both derailed and yet somehow still on topic at the same time. I AM BEST DERAILER.
Just being honest...

I don't have a dog.

I just want to see a CC-wide competition to find out who REALLY is the best derailer in the entire community... (NOT that I would even qualify for the try-outs, with Shour here... :rolleyes:)
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
24,799
8,103
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#16
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So this is my dog. Dan, an "australian shepherd mix." Mixed with what, I don't know. All I know is he has a ton of energy and he does not have the instinct that compels full blooded australian shepherds to round up the neighbors' livestock and herd them home.

It's fortunate we live out in the county though. He'd suffer under a town's leash laws.
 
Jul 25, 2015
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#17
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So this is my dog. Dan, an "australian shepherd mix." Mixed with what, I don't know. All I know is he has a ton of energy and he does not have the instinct that compels full blooded australian shepherds to round up the neighbors' livestock and herd them home.

It's fortunate we live out in the county though. He'd suffer under a town's leash laws.

Aww..he is too cute! Don't laugh as I have no idea why but he seems shy. Lol
 
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LiJo

Guest
#18
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My babies....always ready to fetch!!! Caribou aka Boo & Bailey
 
Dec 1, 2014
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#19
Why not start a doggie chatroom in the secular division? Who needs to fill a ChristIan chat with more senseless rhetoric and topics not affiliated with CHRIST? Do people go to a MUSIC CHATROOM To discuss auto mechanics? Why would a CHRISTIAN need to go to a CHRISTIAN chatroom to discuss dog's lives? Makes NO sense to me....keep CHRIST first and foremost and those other topics have their own avenues and places.
 
Jan 27, 2015
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#20
Why not start a doggie chatroom in the secular division? Who needs to fill a ChristIan chat with more senseless rhetoric and topics not affiliated with CHRIST? Do people go to a MUSIC CHATROOM To discuss auto mechanics? Why would a CHRISTIAN need to go to a CHRISTIAN chatroom to discuss dog's lives? Makes NO sense to me....keep CHRIST first and foremost and those other topics have their own avenues and places.
Some Christians have dogs.

And they still love Jesus.