Louis

Hi all I would love your views on how successful rehabilitation of certain 'intensively' trained dogs can be? Here in the Uk there has been considerable debate over the possible banning of certain 'bloodsports' involving hunting wild game with dogs. Not that it is particularly relevant but I do oppose such sports. A great deal of the outcry of the pro hunt lobby has been over the future of the hounds that chase these animals, and they have stated that they will have no future should hunting be banned, that entire packs will have to be destroyed. They are said to be used to kennel life and running as a pack, and though the RSPCA had offered to take on the dogs, the general consensus has been that it would be pointless as the dogs would be incapable of adapting to a normal family life. I don't know that much about the breeds involved, so I would like to know if other more knowledgeable people could tell me if it is true that dogs brought up this way cannot alter and learn to live in a different environment? The same question could be asked of fighting pitbulls that are rescued, a lot of the time I seem to find myself reading accounts of dogs that are put to sleep because they are too dangerous to rehome. What percentage of dogs from such environments are successfully rehabilitated and rehomed? Is it true that the majority are considered to be a danger and a risk that cannot be taken? I suppose the same question could be asked of seriously abused dogs also.. Is rehabilitation successful? Can a dog forget to do what he has been trained to do for much of his life or forget treatment he has formerly received and go on to lead a completely different life with a new home and family? I have no idea myself, I really want to hear the views and experiences of others!!!!!!!!!

Hi all, info seeking again........ On another thread I read about, and saw, one of the most beautiful dogs I ever laid eyes on, the Saarlooswolfhound, or wolfdog as I have now seen it called. It may well have been love at first sight! However I have had very little success in surfing the net for more info on the breed.. can anyone tell me more? Somehow I think my chances of getting one are very low indeed, as I am Uk- does [u]anyone [/u] have one in this country?! I'd love owners- I know at least one has visited the forum- to tell a little bit more about their dogs and what they're like to keep. Oh and are they recognised by any breed societies because I can't find them on the UK or American kennel club sites........Thankyou!!!!!!!!!!!!

You could browse through the dog breeds bit on this site, when you have a free evening, and you might stumble across it? I am only suggesting cos I spend ages browsing through the breeds, I think its quite fun!

Well done Roo for not giving away the INNOCENT 'fugitive'. I am seriously wondering now if I have ever met an APBT but been told it was something else??

[quote] Pitty good press.... [/quote] And its about time!! :)

I am much better informed than I was, thanks!! I realise its perhaps a much less attractive topic than some, but I have never wanted to view the world of dog ownership through rosy spectacles.. I am fully aware, and ready to deal with the fact, that while the front end will be licking me all happy cos I am home, the back end will be brewing up something less easy to get enthusiatic about............!! :lol:

Please guest, I don't want to start another huge war so can we please, [i]please[/i] just agree that it is a [b]FACT[/b] that not every pit bull is going to attack everyone that comes up to pet them just as not every Yorkshire terrier or Jack russell will roll over playfully to their have their tummy tickled in the same situation.. Believe me, I know!!!

Course I didn't forget you! Couldn't recall my messages very well.. Am very sorry! You were my first ever PM!!! :)

Of course.. sorry K I did forget.. ! Not much of a memory at the moment, things are so wierd at work all I have are short periods of frantic activity interspersed with random web surfing.. hence many posts.. I do declare we have hijacked yet another forum.. sorry all :oops: :o

I'm intrigued K.. what gave me away? I do a pretty good impression you know. Wanted to say something in a chat room where everyone was hitting on eachother, so signed in as a guy to avoid personal embarrassment.. but was sent 3 girl's mobile numbers within 4 minutes! Then they started fighting over me with eachother so I got out fast! Think there were a lot of teenagers.. these hormones are terrible things aren't they!? :lol:

Yet more exploitation then... Some people will stop at nothing to make a fast buck.. God knows what quality of dogs they've got their hands on. I always believed the husky was a relatively healthy breed- look out for 'hereditary' problems appearing in the near future. Gee thanks irresponsible breeders. :(

Hiya, just checked in here! Aww he's real cute. And I am stuck across the water.. Damn. As Roo pointed out he wouldn't really have that much fun even if I could get him over here. :( As I mentioned in another post today a friend has just pointed out that my user name could be misleading sex wise, so just to clear up I'm a female, I can rarely use 'Louise' so I knock off the E.. Just so you guys know, sorry I didn't say sooner and I am not offended in the least! :)

:o Yuk! Someone mentioned a doggy toilet I think..? Where can I get one?! Are they a lot?

Hmmmm, I have cause to believe that there is a certain amount of bias in the posts being placed here... :lol: :D :D :lol:

Okay.. I gotta ask... As I am considering my first dog(s) at present I would love to know what everyone does for 'waste disposal' when picking up after their pets? I am not keen on the common method around here of putting a hand in a plastic carrier bag to pick up muck.. this is because I would rather use something biodegradeable to put poo in. Anyone got an environmentally friendly system they can reccommend for disposing of doggy do..? Also I have got the impression from caring for other people's dogs that those fed on dry rather than canned dog food had firmer and less smelly droppings- we may have mentioned this a bit in a former post- Would anyone back up this perception or am I wrong? Okay, I realise its a bit of a yukky topic.. :oops: But I really need to know about this stuff!! Thanks for any help!

Hi I saw a white boxer being worked in a 'halti' (headcollar type thing) in my Dog magazine here in the UK and there didn't seem to be any problem with it, seemed to stay on okay.. I realise this isn't to my personal experience but I thought it might be useful :)

Agree with you Sasha- I have had my final word on the subject...

:o Didn't realise things had got so nasty here..! :o [b]Personally [/b] I would argue that a dog is what you make it, whatever the believed predisposition.. Regretfully certain unpleasant people want certain types of dogs for unpleasant reasons.. and I can see why they would want to have a dog like this Bandog, based on what they [u]think [/u]they know about its parents.. And the comment on Stiff's dog with the fighting reference was quite below the belt in my opinion.. :(

I mean- its not the DOGS fault that these people want them and are going to train them for that is it? :-?

[b]Ouch.. [/b]I wouldn't say I was interested in it that way... :o It was mentioned way back in a mag I read long time ago, couldn't remember what it looked like, that's all, I was curious... Again.. ouch!

Hi- when I put the link up I had only surfed around for a couple of minutes for a piccie for you guys, I had noticed the father described as a very 'game' pit bull which actually rung an alarm bell- something about the way it was stated- but I didn't have a lot of time on my hands so I hadn't scanned through everything.. Hope no one is offended and that my stance on dog fighting (VERY ANTI...!!) is still clear.. :o

Try this link Giz- pics & info... [url]http://home.no.net/roand/herkuleshjemmeside/herk/index.htm[/url]

Abu. that is wonderful news about the pup and it is brilliant that you are keeping a watchful eye on him and his mum, that relieves just about every concern I had about the mother's health.. You are a good person to care about them, thousands wouldn't... :(

Thanks Sashagirl :)

Hello, Bebe, are you out there? I am sure a lot of folks here would like to know how you are getting on... Hope all is well.... :)