bk_blue

Hi Guest, I think what Hobbit is trying to say (correct me if I'm wrong) is that GSDs can require, as most large, dominant, energetic dogs do, a firm-handed owner who will take the time to train them (as you know they have a bad rep- not their fault though), socialise them, and exercise them so they don't get bored and destructive. I'm not saying you'll be like this, but there are a lot of first time dog owners who simply bite off more than they can chew purchasing a big, high-maitenance dog like a GSD, Dobermann, Rottweiler, heeler, don't train or exercise them, and then wonder why their backyard has been redesigned :roll: If you are willing to put in the effort to do all these things (and it takes EFFORT!), then a GSD will be right for you. Otherwise have a think about getting something more manageable and right for your lifestyle. :) Have a look round the local shelters and you never know who might catch your eye, and you'll save a lovely animal from the needle. :angel:

Not much experience but I can't think of any current members with Beagles :oops: Good on you for thinking about rescue though! My aunt had two Beagles, Bonnie and Clyde. Bonnie doesn't bark much at all, Clyde was very boisterous but suffered from epilepsy and had to be put to sleep when he was about 8. Bonnie is still alive, she's 15, deaf, and has her bad days (arthritis) but more good days than bad and still wolfs down her dinner. I think they'd have trained up ok, Clyde was terrible on the leash though and would pull like there was no tomorrow. Both of them went by their noses more than anything else and that could account for any tales of stubbornness and stupidity you may have heard. I don't think they'd come close to matching the intelligence of a Border Collie but you may be pleasantly surprised. :wink:

Dodger welcome :D If you go to "profile" up the top, then go down to avatars, you can get one of your dog as long as it's on your computer already. It has to be a certain size (80 pixels max) so make sure you resize it on the computer otherwise it won't be accepted. hope this helps. :)

I am speechless and about to vomit up my breakfast :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

I've said this before: almost any sort of dog will protect you if you treat him with love and care. Building up that relationship with your dog will want to make him protect you, because he loves you and wants to look after you in the same way you look after him. That's my take on it anyway! A dachshund can sound as scary (well, almost :roll: ) as a larger, more typically "tough" dog, and most intruders will back off without even looking to see the size of the dog. Good luck and I hope you make the right decision for your lifestyle.

BK doesn't block the door, if he is sitting next to me or I make him sit for me, he will put his paw on my lap or my foot so I don't go anywhere without him knowing.

[quote name='gigishiba']I'm sure all our neighbors will be glad when his family is back. Kenzo will scream when I'm outside with Kaiser. 5:30 in the morning is a little early for a screaming dog! :roll:[/quote] Kenzo is such a drama queen :D

Corgi, I spose you could use M&Ms or cherry tomatoes to get your kids to catch in their mouths instead of a tennis ball? :wink: Dogs love having an order, and in that someone they can look up to ie. alpha. A lot of dogs LOVE being told what to do (even though they might not show it all the time LOL), and they do it because they like it, we make it fun or we reward them. I talk to my dog sometimes, not that he understands, but it's very soothing because he doesn't answer back :wink:

Would you be able to breed something widespread like PRA out if you only bred from the dogs who didn't carry it? I thought the whole point of breeding was to better your chosen breed, not add to its problems. :-? But I can definitely see your point GP...

Deep would win, naturally, he's tough as- except when it comes to [color=red][size=6]SPIDERS [/size][/color]:lol:

Dachshund tails can hurt too (or maybe I am just a wuss) :P Such big dogs in such small bodies 8)

Is he an only dog? Often if you only have one dog they will eat when they feel like it because they don't have competition. However it does seem strange that he will go a day without eating anything at all... :o

:lol: Travis obviously thinks you're tough enough to look after yourself!

[quote name='K']I was told never to put hot stuff in the fridge too because it steams up the light :D ...but what about jelly?[/quote] I dunno! I guess jelly is an exception, because you can't really leave it out because it won't set otherwise. (in emergency cases like jelly making, chocolate setting, bugger the power bill :lol: )

:lol: I love that, it's very funny. ACD: YOU want the lightbulb changed?? YOU do it!!

Welcome Alicat 8) Carol- if you could order a blow-up DOG, BK would be kept occupied for a looong time :wink: You can get blow-up cows (yes, they sell them in adult shops), I went to a party the other night to see one being used as a decoration :roll: (where are the blow-up goats for Hobbit? :wink: )

I have heard that a dog's nose will turn pink if you let him eat/drink out of platic bowls, but in my experience it's never happened....? Is there any foundation to this theory?

So sorry to hear about your dog... he will soon be in no pain and while letting go of a pet is very difficult, time will heal you and he will always have a special place in your heart. :angel:

[quote name='eric']"I've had pets all my life," Justice James Yates said. "I was just as sickened as anyone else when I read the stories." [/quote] Hope he would do the same thing if it was a straight-up animal cruelty case, and not let the bastard get away with a slap on the wrist. :roll:

What the hell is a pocket poodle?? Toy Poodles are tiny enough as it is, please tell me it's not smaller than one of those. Or hey- I know- it's a slimline poodle that you can fit in your back pocket like your wallet. :roll: Can anyone also enlighten me on what the AADR stands for in AADR Pit Bull? Extra Crispy Golden... sounds like dinner to me... 8)

I am extremely late... but anyway... K, hope Bobbi is feeling better now, poor thing, I never knew she was an abused puppy machine before you rescued her... you're an angel :angel: You have to make tea in a teapot!!! Grandad makes the best tea (and scones) in the world and he won't make it any other way, and it always ALWAYS tastes better out of a pot than from a teabag. And you ALWAYS PUT THE MILK IN FIRST :D I know so many people who will chuck a tanty if you put the tea in first... Re: the hot water freezes faster than cold water- how does that work? Also, it might be the best way to make ice blocks, but wouldn't it be bad for your electricity bill because your fridge would have to work harder to cool it if it's hot? (maybe this will be cancelled out by my first question). Dad (who's a bit of a tightarse) used to always tell me never to put leftover hot food (curries etc) in the fridge straightaway because the fridge would have to work harder to cool it, and therefore increase the electricity bill. :-? Then I suppose if you leave it out (meat dishes) for too long they'd be spoiled and you might get food poisoning if you reheat it....?

I have what I've been told is a (smooth) Border Collie mix (with lots of cattledog, too much maybe!) :wink:

Ha ha. Gigi, you sound like you're having lots of fun :D really is too bad that Mr Jealous won't let you have another dog... or maybe a good thing, otherwise your house might be full of them! :wink: Eric- Rinny (GSD X) used to do the same thing whenever "his" people- my stepmum and stepsister- hugged anyone ie. my family in his presence. He got upset if anyone looked as though they were overpowering them, and he would bark and carry on... though he got used to it in a few weeks.

Great story; I have tears in my eyes but I'm not crying:angel:

It was looks sort of with BK. How could you resist his little black patch!! Though the way he got our attention was by squeaking and being so affectionate and attention-seeking... hmm maybe I should have seen that one coming... "MEMEMEMEMEMEME" syndrome :lol: