courtnek

well, when I used to hike with my dog... gauze, neosporin (only to be used UNDER the gauze..they should not ingest it) no-pain tape (the kind that you can pull off without ripping the hair out), sunscreen, (for light noses, dark noses dont need it) water, of course....I can get you a collapsable bowl and send it to you, they're the rave here....neosporin with pain killer is the best..makes the dog comfortable if they get cut or torn.....same for you....treats, muzzle, like I mentioned (hope you never need it) also, for you, some pain-killer based rub in case you trek too far...an extra slip-leash, just in case...you can use a standard leash for that, but you have to realize that you will have to hold onto the "hook", or use the hook to attach itself to the body of the leash....you can either wrap the hook at your end (which I personally think is better) or wrap it at the dogs end...dont panic, in most cases none of this is necessary, except the water...but to be safe, just in case. it's good to have handy. The lack of cell bothers me. So instead, tell your people where you're going, and how long you intend to be gone. Tell them if you're gone longer than an hour more than you intended to be back, to call for help. You will have to watch your time, and not wander off. It's very dangerous to go hiking without someone knowing where you are...remember that Shara...

are you looking for purebred's only?

water is a BIG must....as much as you can carry. you can get dog dishes that fold up and can be put in a pocket, rather than carry big plastic ones. A first aid kit is a must as well, with sunscreen, treats, leash, muzzle (just in case) and cell phone if you have one. IMO, the phone and water are the biggest priorities, for yourself and Coal. If something bad happens (God FORBID) you can call for help..... I say muzzle, because if Coal gets hurt, he could bite you trying to help him. That doesnt mean he's bad, but when in pain they become very protective of themselves. in a pinch, you can make a muzzle from gauze (which you should carry) but it's not as effective as a real muzzle. And it takes longer to put on. Have fun, and be safe, both you and Coal... :)

I didnt think of ebay either, and I have an account there!! duh.... :oops: :oops: :oops: the old mouse is a good idea..... :lol: :lol:

they have both on amazon.com

Out of curiosity, do you have a problem with no-pull harnesses? both of my dogs wear flat webbed collars (I dont like leather, they both sweat underneath it) and for my walks, I like to let them set the pace....better for me AND them.... just curious :)

except for two short leashes in the back, to attach the dogs in the car, none. I dont take them anywhere in the car, except the vet. I dont go to dog parks because Freebee cannot be left off leash, and there are no dog friendly beaches or forests around here where they are allowed off leash..... I walk them on leash through the parks and neighborhoods, but all I carry with me is my cell phone. Neither of them will poop anywhere but in the yard....so even on the longest walk, they wont go til they get back home.... I think of it like "I dont like Public Bathrooms..." :D :D :D

so after reading this, I took the dogs for a walk (it's blowing gale-force winds out here, more challenge) and of course Freebee starts to pull right away, and drag Laurel after her (I have a dual leash for them) and as soon as she hits the end of where the halter will give, she stops and turns to look at me like "I want to go faster!!!" she doesnt pull, she stops. After a few minutes she gives me the "look" (like, "you're not gonna let me run, are you?") and settles down to a nice walk...I find these no-pull harnesses very useful with stubborn, headstrong dogs, like Freebee. One "DONT PULL" is enough to settle her down...usually...LOL I could heel her, but I get more exercise walking at her pace, and not mine, so I dont. She is trained to heel, and will, but then we walk too leisurely for good exercise... :D

that's a dominance trait....which may be making Devin nervous. Da sooner da snip, da better.... :lol:

oh, Gooey, mine arent nose collars....I tried them, and while the dogs behaved well, they didnt like them at all, even after being acclimated, and Freebee designed a way to "slip" them and pull them off. Mine are chest halters. The chest is usually their strongest area, and the halters are lightweight and non confining, providing they dont pull. When they pull, the halter tightens and stops them, without hurting them. Picture it like the pull forward, the halter stops them at the chest, and they stop pulling, kinda like it's easier to restrain a dog by the chest then by the neck if using your hands. If they're not pulling, the halter lies loosely on them and they barely even feel it.

well, if we're doing cats.... someone left a box of kittens on the doorstep where I used to work. I took one of them...jet black with amber eyes, and named her Isis. "She" turned out to be "he".....so we modified the name a little to Isoceles and called him Isis for short. No one knew the difference. the cat I have now was "dumped" by my ex mother in law, who dumps pets on a regular basis...She bought him at a pet store and named him Timmy, then at about 3 months decided she didnt want him and was going to take him to the shelter. I took him instead. and renamed him PushyCat....or "woose" for short. And he definitely lives up to his name. :lol: :lol: :lol:

well, here's a thought.... all the other dogs are 5 or over...Devin and Fifty are closer in age, and Fifty is intact. Devin may feel slightly threatened by this, and afraid of losing his position in your pack...After all, new face in the crowd, with all his parts, and close to his age, it sounds like Devin is remarking all his territory to inform the newcomer that no ladder climbing will be allowed.... I would get Fifty neutered ASAP, and see if the problem then goes away....

you hit the nail right on the head, dogsgalore....YOU know the proper method for using a choke collar. The quick snap-and-release is to remind the dog that his behavior is unacceptable. However, choke collars (now commonly called "check chains", choke chain gives off a cruel conotation) dont come with instructions. Anyone can walk into any grocery store and buy one from the pet food department. The only instructions included are on how to put in on the dog, not how to properly use it. However, I have watched in horror as people have been dragged, or have dragged, dogs down the street by the chain. The chain wont stop the dog from pulling, unless obedience training is included in the exercise. Thats the part that people dont get. The chain doesnt train the dog, the person has to do that. So in the wrong hands, I agree with the article that the choke chain is not a good training method. I use no-pull harnesses on both of my dogs. Freebee used to pull terribly, and choke herself, even with command training. The harnesses work off of a different body posture, they push against it with their chest, not their necks, and it literally stops them from moving. The harness wraps around their chest, goes under the front legs, comes up around the back and then is attached under the collar at the neck, not the throat. they can be attached without the collar at all in fact. When they pull the harness tightens across their chest and front legs, literally forcing them to stop without hurting them. This causes no damage to the throat or neck, with a heavy puller. I see no problem with the choke chains providing the owner knows how to use it, like you do....for the clueless, however, it can verge on cruelty.

I agree 100% with K - you do deserve a medal...I also tend to agree with the spay option, but again, it is your choice and I respect that....as to [quote]There are some strange people out there...[/quote] You got that right...you're preaching to the choir, here. I think collectively, amongst all of ushere, we've see it all...why not join us and become a member? :D

good point HF....You are of course correct....I was thinking "it's another round of visits from the Jehova's Witnesses"...which always sets off a barkfest around here, but it wasnt them last night. I will be more careful, since it wasnt them I dont know what it was that set the dogs off... thanks :oops: :oops:

Both of them were barking, warning, most of the the dogs in the area were up in arms... I opened the front door to check... she slipped out, between my legs. and ran to the edge of the lawn...I called her, she looked at me, then looked away to whatever her nose was telling her was out there.. I called her again, SHE CAME BACK... I think this is an extraordinary thing. She didnt follow her nose. she came back to me. Maybe I have reached her? Maybe she loves me... I know that hounds run to the scent...and are often untrainable on recall.. SHE CAME BACK!! Did I do something good??? I was always afraid that Laurel would run...she came back..I could not have caught her..she came back on her own...

I'm really tempted to call his number, after hours, and leave numerous messages on the voicemail.... "Hello, I've been bitten by a chihauhau, do you take those cases?" "Hello? I got bit by a sausage-dog mix, can you help me?" "Hello, My neighbor 15 houses down got bit by a wild rabid skunk, should I have her call you?" and so on...and leave different phony numbers on every call...HEE HEE!! I could have FUN with this...they cant trace it, it's a cell phone...doesnt leave a note on caller id... and then end it with a riddle...."why do sharks never bite lawyers?" "professional courtesy..." :evilbat: :evilbat: :evilbat: :evilbat: :evilbat:

actually, the carpet, to them, feels more like grass, or underbrush...tile is not a natural place for them to go. easier for us, but not natural for them. if he got into the trash, his poor belly is upset. I keep the trash up high enough where they cant get into it (on top of their "vittles vault") and they dont bother it. get an enzyme cleaner to get the smell out... :fadein:

Judy was right, they are truly gentle giants. They are good with other animals, good with kids (except small ones need to be watched because Pyr's will accidently knock them over) but yes, the hair is all-consuming and the grooming is strenuous. Very loving, loyal animals, lots of people are afraid of them because of their size. Personally, I would walk straight up to a Great Pyr before I'd go near the two chihauhau's next door... :lol: :lol: :lol:

I have given all my dogs unique names (except Laurel, she's too old to change it) Taurus (we have a member with a dog by that name) Jarvis (black and white markings made him look like a butler) Rasillon (fostered, named after a science fiction character) Luigi (fostered, came named) Freebee (current nutcase - she was free) Laurel (came named) I have a friend who lives with her sister, and they are getting two labs, one male and one female. Thye want to name them Laurel and Hardy

there is a book you can get at amazon.comm called "book of the Bitch" about breeding, and I am certain there are tons of websites you can visit use your search engine for "dog breeding" and wade thru. Best of luck to you and your newfound friend. You are a dear for rescuing her like that. On the side of the road she may have been dumped once they discovered she was pregnant.

you could try this.... " YOU get your redneck ASS anywhere NEAR my dogs, and I'll WHOOP your redneck ass WORSE then yor mama ever did.." you might think I'm kidding..I'm not. Have a stick, tree branch in hand.

lab/pointer mix: Pro's - very intelligent, easily trained, good with people she knows, can go either for all day exercise, or sleeping on the couch. Whatever mom wants is ok with her. Very loyal, protective and little grooming is required. Loves water. Cons: does not like small children or strangers. Cannot ever be trusted off leash, because she is a hunting dog and would be off in a shot. stubborn. manipulative. demanding at times. Did I say stubborn? Foxhound: (this probably does not apply to foxhounds raised from puppyhood) Pro's: very loving, very loyal, a cuddler snuggler. little grooming required. intelligent, can reason things out to an extent (like taught herself successful countersurfing, and then trained Freebee how to do it!) loves to be outside. Excellent sense of smell (woke me up when the garbage was smoldering)good with people she knows and trusts, good with children. Cons: intelligent, can reason things out to an extent (like taught herself successful countersurfing, and then trained Freebee how to do it!) too smart for her own good in some cases.... :D can not be trusted off leash. can not be trusted to not try to find a way out of the yard. (I have caught her checking every square inch of the gate and fence, looking for a way out), digs under the shed (I believe there is a critter living under there)her hunting instincts and excellent nose seem to get her in trouble. is too sensitive, frightens easily and even a stern NO will make her run away...

WHAT?????? you CANNOT leave me in the lurch on this!!!! :o :o

[quote]Do NOT do that to me!". Uh then he gets scared and acts like I'm going to hurt him or something. Then I feel guilty for being stern with him[/quote] the difference is that this time what you took away from him was food-orientated. Food is the most common problem area with a dog. You did the right thing Star - let him have it with tone of voice. He backed down, as he should. the acting scared of being hurt is instinctive - it they piss off the alpha they could get punished. as only an angry alpha can do. the only thing I would change would be that once he gave it up, I would praise and pet him, to reinforce good behavior. Remember, they dont remember things for long....if he gives it up and you praise him right then (even though you're still PO'd) he will associate being polite with good things... :)