courtnek

RNP, my tears flow for you. I would be devastated if someone stole my dogs.... I only wish there was something I could DO!!! I dont want to feel sorry for you, I WANT TO CATCH THE BASTARDS AND MAKE THEM SUFFER!!! Rott, I hope SnowWhite is returned to you safely.... I really do....my prayers go out to you... :cry:

well, if you want to do the cheapest route (which I did with Freebee) get the widest web collar you can find for his size, and add extra holes until it fits. The web collars are pretty good at having holes added, they dont spread and the holes stay intact because of the webbing. Her body is large, her neck in teeny... :lol:

when? when? WE WANT TO WATCH!!! :lol:

[quote]You could be right .... the neighborhood is not great and it's usually the sketchy guys hanging out on the street that he freaks out on. I try to ignore them, but I do end up watching them -- to make sure they're not coming my way .... [/quote] Dogs know when we are afraid.....obviously, that's being transmitted to him while u walk him. Apparently Zack, who I assume is a male who can handle himself, is not showing fear. This is NOT necesssarily a bad thing. You are bringing him up well. In the pack, his job is to protect you if the Alpha is not around. If you are out without Zack, he then feels the need to make sure you are ok. If he feels your fear, and Zack is not there to protect you, he will do what he can to make sure nothing happens to the Alpha Female.... This is not a bad thing. Providing he doesnt get above himself and try to attack anyone, it's ok. He is telling you, triggered by your fear, that he will look after you. In the pack, ALL the members protect, nuture and help the Alpha female. She is the only one allowed to have pups, with some exceptions, and the strength of the pack relies on her being safe. GOOD DOG!!!

It's a PITPOOCHI!!! Pit, Poodle and Chihauhau mix...curly hypoallergenic fur, grab-and-hold jaws of the Pit, and attitude of the Chihauhau (I'M REALLY much bigger than I look...) LOL some people will accept/believe anything.... that's really very sad in a way.... :evil:

as far as enforcing the existing laws, I would like to add another. A lot of the shelters diagnose dogs, and put up flags about adopting them. Dog needs leash training, is slightly food aggressive, wont respond to recall, etc. in their web page they will have a requirement that the dog be taken in for formal training. This is because they have been unable to train the dog themselves (something they try hard to do) and realize that this dog needs a pro. In the case of potentially dangerous dogs, I believe formal training by a certified and proven trainer is a REQUIREMENT.....NOT an option.... Breeders will not require that, since mostly they deal with puppies, unless they are extremely vigilant about the kinds of dogs they breed. The better ones will always suggest formal training; very few of them require it. I think the law should require it with any potentially dangerous dog. Sad state of things, but necessary. And I think we would find that this would put off a lot of new owners from getting the dog. Too much work, dont want to be bothered. I'll look for a different breed of dog. Of course, any breed can become dangerous if not trained properly, but some are less likely to. This is NOT a GOOD solution, the good solution would be for people to research their dog before getting it, but that cant be enforced... I think a breeder application is necessary too. Is this your first dog? These are the dogs needs and characteristics, can you provide for them? etc.... Do I live in a perfect world? no....but I think in a lot of cases this would help....

For aggression, the prong collar is best. You have better control. A Gentle or Halti wont restrain her if it becomes necessary.... but now I am concerned. Did she react this way ever to the trainer before? Is this normal? or not? Her behavior, if she didnt react this way before, is suspect. Atttacking Pepper is one thing, dogs dont always get along...but attacking a trainer she knows and is familiar with is another thing entirely. She may actually have a neurological disorder - brain malfunction, as it were.... If you can, have a brain scan done and see if (if this behavior towards the trainer is abnormal) if there is a physical reason for her behavior.... What did the vet say?

DONT LOSE FAITH!! It takes a while, one day with the gate wont do it Dogs and cats are NOT narural enemies,,, they just need time to get used to each other. The gate has to be there until they have accepted each other,,,,, and it could take days...

Thank you Pouty - that's been my whole point - there is no such thing as the dog who "suddenly" goes crazy (with the exception of disease or neurological disorder) They have had these characteristics for a long time; their owners ignored them or didnt recognize them as being a problem. A true-to-life point. I am Alpha here, I require my dogs to obey. period. I let Freebee and Laurel out, they were playing in the yard. They started barking, baying and making a ruckus about something. I trust my dogs instincts, so I checked. There was someone walking a dog close to the yard (in fact, letting it POOP in my front yard, we had a discussion about that!) and I made her clean it up and leave, then went to the backyard to let my dogs in (it's a worknight, people need to relax and dont want to hear dogs yapping in the yards all night) Freebee came back, she knows that when I say IN that means NOW! Laurel is new here, and continued to bay at the fence. I looked at Freebee and said "Go get Laurel" She went around the corner, and I heard a low, short growl, and Laurel came back with her. They both came in, no questions asked.... This is how the Alpha would control the pack - dont get involved if you can get an underling to do it for you... Freebee knows I mean business, and Laurel is learning that Freebee will discipline if I tell her to... Laurel is very intelligent, and has put stuff off on me that i never would have imagined, like acting afraid so I pay extra attention to her... Once realized, I put a stop to that, and she's better behaved. But it's better for me, and her, if Freebee teaches her the ropes. They respond so well to pack rules that I let them work it out. I am ALPHA. Do what I say....

Freebee wil play with a new toy for a while, then ignore it. Her all time all consuming passion is her "Jolly Ball".... it's a large inflated ball (about the size of a soccer ball) with a handle on it. She wants to fetch it, ALL THE TIME.... as soon as I go into the back yard she grabs the jolly ball and insists I throw it so she can bring it back and I can throw it again. This could go on for hours if I let it... No other toy surpasses that one. :lol:

yea, I agree. But if the people dont understand the way dogs think, they end up in these situations. I had to take a control stick to my friends house, round up her Chocolate Lab who wouldnt give her her bed back, and retrain him (and her) in the pack rules. Without the control stick, I am CERTAIN Roscoe would have bitten me, altho he's seen me many times before and always been friendly. But I was taking over his turf, and he was pissed....I was kicking him off the throne, and putting Therese in his place, and he wasnt happy about it. He was so far gone he required THREE WEEKS of being leashed to her whenever she was home, crated during the day (altho he's 5 years old) and LOCKED out of the bedroom at all times. All because she let him have his way, and he took over. She didnt know any better. It's a very common mistake with first time dog owners.... I am happy to say Roscoe is now a demoted, obedient dog. She can let him sit on the bed with her when she wants to, but when she says OFF that's it. He's OFF....I found it pretty funny that she demoted him saying "I'll call Katy if you dont behave" in a stern voice. He is still nice to me, and wags his tail when he sees me, but he does avert his eyes.... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

They need to be properly introduced - indoors. I have always had both. Dogs will chase anything that runs, or tries to run, and an unfamiliar dog that just bounds up to the cat is going to make the cat try to escape. Instead of trying to stomp his natural instincts. bring the cats indoors and put a baby gate up between two rooms. Dog on one side, cats on the other. This allows them to get to know one another without injury to either. They can look, sniff and peer through the gate, until they get used to each other. It took about 4 days for Alex to get used to PushyCat. Once he got to sniff him, and got familair with him, and used to him, he stopped trying to chase him down. Once PushyCat felt comfortable, he took over supreme control of the animaldom and had both dogs doing what HE wanted. (cats have a way with that - lol) since yours are somewhat feral, it may take longer. But it will work out :D

In most cases, the dogs like it better that way since they're pack animals. But it depends on your dog. Is it aggressive, dominant, or gentle and tolerant? Does it go ballistic when it sees other dogs outside, or wags its tail and looks like it wants to play? If the former, you would be better off with a puppy. Most dogs can handle a puppy, they have an instinct that tells them not to hurt it. Your best bet is to see how your dog reacts around other dogs, and then decide. :D p.s. my girl is a "bitch" (no pun intended) and I had to search far and wide to find a dog she is compatible with....

If it's a form of Staph it's contagious. It sounds alot like mange, which is caused by mites that transmit a staph infection to the pet. I would take the others in and have them checked. They may need to be dipped if they have the mites, and put on antibiotics. I am very sorry about your loss.....May your heart heal quickly. :angel:

[quote]Its all in how you raise them... how do you explain dogs that are raised the right way and then one day just snap and rip the face off of the kid next door? its happened on more than one occasion and all that can be said is" he/she was such a sweet dog, it never did anything like that before. I dont know what happened[/quote] Thank you for that question. It goes back to what I was saying about the completely spoiled Golden/Lab's that dont appear dangerous....until someone doesnt give them their way. They are fine with the famile (SOsweet) because the family allows them to do whatever they want. No issue there, the dog is Alpha and the family is subordinate and everyone is happy that way. The dog doesnt bite the family members because no one ever argues with him/her. I'll sleep on the couch, Fido is SOOOO cute laying there on the bed. (You think I'm kidding? I know people who sleep on their couches because the dog wont give up the bed... they thought it was "cute" at first...now they're afraid of the dog cuz it shows teeth when they try to get it off the bed) This Alpha dog then comes in contact with a child, who shows fear, or doesnt give the dog the toy he's playing with, and the dog attacks because he's Alpha and therefore everyone is required to obey HIM.... It's a horrible situation. And most people dont even realize they are doing it, because the dont understand the way dogs think. Children and dogs are a bad combo without an Alpha presence around (more Alpha then the dog at least!!!) because children wave their arms, have high squeaky voices, and are stubborn as a general rule.... The dog sees this as disobedience, and retaliates.... Does that help you?

[quote]Right now Sassy is at a friends house until I deal with what's going on. I just don't know how to feel about her until I find out what caused this. Sassy is a domiant-dog personailty, Pepper thought she was a domiant dog also I think. Who knows. Tomorrow we have an apointment with my vet & trainer[/quote] Sharpie, if it helps....some dogs just do not ever get along. If they both had dominant personalities, and one wouldnt back down, this was bound to happen. As sad as it is, it was inevtiable. In their doggie minds, the pecking order is everything. It's as instinctive as breathing. The whole pack society would fall apart if the leser animals did not obey the leader. It's what the whole pack, and dog instincts, are made up of..... I went through "testing" Freebee with 5 or 6 dogs....she failed 3 of the tests and the other dogs were adopted out before she could meet them. She is a very dominant personality, and only a submissive dog would work with her. Alex and Freebee had their moments when he was first here, she won only because he backed down.... Please think it over before deciding to get rid of Sassy. I know you're mad at her, and it's a good thing the vet and trainer will see her soon, but understand that she was only being a dog. She may never allow you to have another dog, unless, like Laurel, that dog is very tolerant and submissive. **hugs** to you. Keep in touch with us please. Katy

Since his mom knew where he was, it sounds like a little "attitude" thing. He decided to spread his wings and not check in. Maybe he wil have learned from this that his parents have his wings clipped and he better check in.... I am the mom of a teenager. He checks in, because I give him a lot of room to move around in, providing he follows my rules and lets me know where he is and if he needs help. Maybe just talk to him? It's the best thing you could do for him. I'm sure there is some anger that, at being reported and dragged home. Should I say it? Kyle's friends tell me what he's doing, if they think he could get himself in trouble. He;s very pigheaded.... :D

omg!!! Sharpiegirl, I AM SOOOO SORRY..... I dont know how to make you feel better....I only know that I had to work really hard at finding a dog that Freebee would accept....Did Sassy ever show non-acceptance of Pepper? Did Pepper try to be top dog? My heart goes out to you....I hope yours heals soon.... :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

I have this to say, and then I'm done here.... ANY and ALL dogs CAN be aggressive, depending on breeding, socialization. Depending on treatment, feeding, and training. Dogs are descended from wolves....most people either dont realize that or dont want to accept it. Wolves are pack creatures who live by a SET series of rules....Alpha rules, everyone else (including Alpha female) obeys. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS. There is a theory that dogs dont respond to pack rules, that they "dont need them" because they live with people.... It's BECAUSE they live with people that the rules are more important They are STRONGER than us, FASTER than us, they KNOW they can take us down if they want to.....we have to gain the Alpha control over them FROM THE BEGINNING. If they realize they can win, we lose. Sound harsh? yes it is. These creatures are ANIMALS!! and while not all will require the strict following of the Alpha rules, the rules are instinctive to them. It's what THEY UNDERSTAND..... so your average Golden or Lab may be spoiled rotten and never be dangerous. Their breed standard lists them as "people orientated"...most are. NOT ALL. Guest, a child in my neighborhood was mauled ny a Golden Retriever, and lost half his face in the skirmish. He will now require repetitive plastic surgery to repair his face, and no one can guarantee he will ever look "normal" and everyone says "A GOLDEN? A GOLDEN DID THAT?" YES, A GOLDEN DID THAT!! A Golden who;s owners never followed the rules of dog training. Let the dog do whatever it wanted, eat first, go thru doors first, lay on the beds (and snarl the owners OFF of them)...but he's harmless right? HE'S A GOLDEN.... ANY and EVERY dogs will use the pack rules to their advantage. If they think they can be "top dog" they're gonna go for it. Poodles end up in this situation, and chihauhau's, because people consider them harmless. They're too close to the ground to rip your face off. In a large, powerful dog, it becomes an issue. A chihahua you could kick away from you if you had to...a Pit? Not likely....DONT YOU SEE? The dog is only responding to what his human owners have taught him, whether they realize it or not. The Pits you see on the news have not only NOT been properly raised and trained, but a lot of them have been abused, fought, and injured....How would YOU react to being treated like that? If the dog senses you want him to hurt somebody, in most cases he will. If he has been treated like shit his whole life, how is he going to feel about people in general? If he has been mis-bred, mis-treated, un socialized and untrained, he will respond to the only rules he knows. Those of the pack. And the pack rules are basically "survival of the fittest" "kill or be killed" And you think Pits are the only dogs that act like this? I've been alive for 46 years. I watched the German Shepherd get mis-bred, mis-bought and mistreated by the same kind of macho morons who now buy Pits. I watched the GSD get the slammed reputation (that he still has) of being a "dangerous dog"...same with the Rotties, the Dobies, and now the Pits. Popularity has made these dogs "evil" because everyone wants one. Without bothering to see what the dog wants, or needs, from his owners... I think there should be a necessary tgraining class for anyone who wants a dog, who cant peove they know the needs of that dog and its requirements, as far as training, raising and upbringing. Banning the dog wont solve the problem...these bastards will simnply find another dog to fight, to mistreat.... there needs to be STRICT laws in place with HIGH FINES for anyone found treating a dog like this, and for the uneducated, training before they are allowed TO HAVE THE DOG. :evil:

True or False? Throwing rice at a wedding is dangerous for birds because it will make their stomach's explode. dont look it up - then go to NDR for the answer.

Urban Legend, True or False? (DONT CHEAT - what do you think?) In 1987 a dog was elected mayor in California. NO looking it up guys!!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: After you've answered - go to NDR for the real answer.... :drinking:

My lab is double coated, and sheds quite a bit spring and fall....

Freebee wont tolerate anything but a Bandana pn her neck - I havet tried to dress Laurel yet... I usually put a big pumpkin candy basket around her neck with a Harley bandana, and take her around. Then I let her stand at the door when I answer it. The kids think it;s hilarious.... :lol:

You're gonna laugh at this DP, but my "vittles vault" (GREAT name for it) actually has my garbage can on top of it. It's about 2 1/2 feet tall, and with the garbage can on top of it the dogs cant get the food OR the garbage.... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: I'm sure the dogs hate me for it. They both sniff at the vittles vault all the time, and their noses then hed up to the garbage, which they cant reach... :evilbat:

Thank you Gooey!! :D :D :D I learn something new everyday....