wildbunch

It is nice to hear everyone else's stories. Everyone has such joy in their words. Here is my story. Dogs we have now: Shiloh was found in a brown box with 6 other pups her daddy was a black and tan coonhound and her mommy was a fox hound, lab cross. The owner was standing guard over the box as everyone looked at the pups. Shiloh was the only pup rolled on her back with a lazy look in her eye. She didn't care who was there "I'm sleeping can you all just leave me alone" that kind of attitude. She was the only pup with any color, the rest were solid. (This is my husbands story by the way, I wasn't in the picture yet.) He knew the minute he laid his eyes on her that she was his. She is now a VERY independent dog, still lays on her back "Um, I'm sleeping here" and gives us that look of disgust when we play to rough with the other dogs. :lol: She is one of a kind. But boy does she have a nose on her she'll track elk, deer and even bear for miles. We had trained Willow and Shiloh to signal bear for us since our home area was crawling with them. Anyways, just so yall know Shiloh is the one that brought my husband and I together. We both went to work at a remote, mountain lodge my from Washington him from California. I met Shiloh and fell madly in love, I spent more time with her than anyone else at the lodge. One day she disappeared and I looked for her almost catching pneumonia came home with blue lips from walking through feet of snow hollering for her. She ended up having been accidentally shut in a bathroom in the employee housing unit. OOPS. :-? That is when Robert and I became fast friends and the rest from their as they say is history, we are very happily married. That fall I was adamant that I wanted a malamute, a dear friend of mine had them growing up. So I started doing a lot of research, I was bummed that there were NO breeders in our area (of course it was a town of 800 people). Then out of the blue one day someone came up to me in town and said that there was a breeder in town "WOW". She was very discreet but she did show. You won't believe it I called her and she had a litter that was going to be ready on my birthday would you call this fate or what. Willow was born on August 12, 1998. We went down to look at the pups after talking with the breeder and they were just so cute. They look like little racoons when they're babies. They were playing outside in a pen when I walked up. Willow was the one that came right up to me with a big old smack of a kiss on the nose. We wanted to pick carefully and did look at another pup but the breeder decided to keep him as pick of the litter. She wanted to show him. So I went back to Willow and sat with him for awhile and knew it was meant to be. He came home with me a couple days before my birthday. At 9 weeks of age he was bitten by a brown recluse in the gums he swelled up and looked like a Shar-Pei. He has had 4 relapses through out his life. He has torn all the muscles in his back legs twice. Once falling out of my truck, another time ran over a stump and torn his entire leg open. He was paralyzed for two weeks. He has bit two porcupines the worst time he tried to kill it and came out with 40 quills through the roof of his mouth, actually sticking out the top of his muzzle. OUCH :o He may be the most accident prone dog in the world but I absolutely adore him. He is one of a kind. Currently we are battling with a pinched nerve in his neck, poor baby yelps all the time. I feel so bad. :cry: Willow's Registered Name: Geyser Creeks Strike It Rich (By the way the breeder saw him a year ago and was bummed he was actually the best looking dog in the litter.) Okay I'll finish up now. :oops: We had talked about a third dog for a long time and really wanted a dane as my hubby had grown up with them. And Willow needed a playmate. Shiloh doesn't play (she thinks her duty in life is to protect the couch and guard the perimeter of the yard from birds and squirrels :roll: ) We started looking around our area and found an add in the paper for some pups. I talked to the breeder and found out that she only had two left and they were 9 weeks old. I talked to her for about two hours straight. Found out that the little girl was very shy with people, would run away and hide from all strangers. Very timid. The little boy was almost solid white with just a little color on his face. She said she would probably keep the little boy. Hubby and I talked about it and decided that she was the one for us. If anyone could bring her around we could. Of course now she is the most friendly, bubbly puppy around. She is almost 4 months old now, weighs 45 lbs and is 24" at the shoulder. BIG, BIG paws. :lol: She is a joy and the other two absolutely adore her. She is a dream. Her name is Kimba, we are still debating on registered names. She bounces around alot so we're thinking either Kimba's Jumpin For Joy or Kimba's A Blessing In Disguise. What do you all think? Any votes? Sorry the post is so long, longest one I've ever written.

A woman I work with has a Queensland Heeler. She is having trouble with the dog. She is very aggresive, chases kids on bikes and won't let anything in the yard. She even bit her sons girlfriend. The dog is actually her sons and has been spoiled, she is a year old. I have told her to seek some professional behavioural assistance but she may not be able to afford it. Anyone have any ideas in how to curb this in the butt before it gets to far? The son loves the dog with all his heart and the dog loves him but mom is thinking that this is getting a little too out of control for her taste. I don't want her to think her only option is to have the dog put down. And I'm not so sure the dog should be placed in a new home on a ranch because the dog is a house dog now. All advise is greatly appreciated.

We would want the insurance for future preventative care. We thought it might be a good idea because of cancer and other degenerative problems. I am doing some research but would really like to talk to someone who has the insurance. Thanks for the reply Carol.

Anyone out there have pet medical insurance? If so what kind. My husband and I are looking into it as Willow-(Malamute), is having some horrible problems with his neck. He can't lift it or turn it. He starts yelping in pain. We have scheduled a vet appointment for x-rays and a neurological exam on Tuesday. Right now he's on an aspirin a day, anyone know of anything else to ease his pain until he sees the vet? Willow has had a really tough life, medically. Started with a brown recluse spider bite when he was 8 weeks old. Then numerous accidents with his back legs (was once paralyzed for two weeks). He is very accident prone and gets hurt quite easily. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Goblin, I completely disagree. Our 3 dogs ARE our children. My husband and I have convinced our parents that these are their grandchildren. No two-legged breeds in this family. My husband and I would definately give our lives to save one of our fur kids. To some of us these dogs are our lives, our reason for living. Yes you can have your opinion but most of us on this forum are completely 100% devoted to our 4-legged kids. In my family the dogs come first, us second, we don't go on vacation unless they can go too. We don't buy a vehicle without their approval. And so many more things. They always, always come first. They are our children.

Sorry about the double post. Computer is acting a little goofy

I wish we could report these people. They are breeding about 20 different breeds of dog, monkeys and cats. Can anyone say "Puppy mill, etc" You can't possibly breed good animals with that many types. I bet that all the photos aren't theirs either. Makes me sooooo mad :mad: I really wish we could do something. After rescueing so many poor dogs I can't stand seeing this anymore.

I wish we could report these people. They are breeding about 20 different breeds of dog, monkeys and cats. Can anyone say "Puppy mill, etc" You can't possibly breed good animals with that many types. I bet that all the photos aren't theirs either. Makes me sooooo mad :mad: I really wish we could do something. After rescueing so many poor dogs I can't stand seeing this anymore.

I understand all of your feelings completely. These are the ones that get to me the most: Look at the pretty husky (he's a malamute) Wow, it's a snowdog. (from the movie, ugh) They call Kimba "Simba" even though I correct them all the time. Why do you have all those dogs? (well I think it's probably cause I just plain love dogs) They call He a She or She a He or She and He It. I know I'm being silly but those comments really get under my skin for some reason. It's a little obvious to me that I have 3 very large dogs, they don't have to tell me wow you have 3 giant dogs. LOL Okay I've done my ranting. Thanks for the ear.

Willow-Plastic buckets and his "duckey" (a stuffed goose we've had for 5 years) Shiloh-Golf Balls (shreds them in minutes) Kimba-Squeeky toys and the other two dogs :wink: I know I'm a little late posting. Sorry :oops:

I have to agree with Mei-Mei. You need to assert yourself as Alpha. I know exactly what you are going through. We have a 4 month old dane puppy and she has been showing aggresive signs towards our female hound. All of my dogs are altered except the puppy (she will be shortly). We took her to a positive reinforcement trainer and have been working hard at kicking this behaviour in the butt. She now knows that WE are alpha of this pack NO EXCEPTIONS. We tell them when they can get on the couch, where they are allowed to go, when they can play. We've done time outs (helps alot). She has settled down and doesn't bare her fangs at the hound now. (That was scary, her being so young and all.) You might think about seeking a behaviouralist or professional positive trainer. I also agree with Roo. If she is showing highly aggressive signs please don't breed her. Whoever gets the pups may not take it as well as you do. Let us know how it's going.

I know this will sound really mean but you can put a little hot sauce diluted in water and put a small amount on the vet-wrap. One taste and they're done. Also the elizabethan collar can work. We started Willow inside with the booty so we could watch him. Everytime he even thought of touching it we gave a sharp NO, leave it. He is fine now lets us put anything anywhere. With the nail thing, we had the same problem with Willow for a while. Hated anyone touching his feet, wouldn't bite, but would make it impossible to hold him still. Took 3 people to hold him down. Every night during cuddle time start with the upper leg and just start massaging, eventually you'll work your way down to the paw. Start massaging gently and tell him "What a good boy/girl!" in a very soft voice. It may take a long time but the long term results are so worth it. Hope this helps.

Hey guys, A year ago while riding my draft horse he stepped on Willow's (my mal) paw. Cracked the pad wide open, well as we all know you can't stitch a pad with very much success. I put some antibacterial lotion inside the cut and wrapped the foot up to the knee in a booty made of vet-wrap. Worked great he couldn't get anything inside the wound and couldn't play with it a whole lot. He looked like a cat the first time he started walking with the booty. :lol: But, he got used to it. It heeled quickly. I changed the bootie every day when inside so that the wound could breath. Hope this helps I always have vet-wrap around for the horses and it's very cheap. Usually $0.69 to $0.99. I highly recommend keeping some around. You can wrap almost any wound on the body with it, it sticks to itself.

Hey Everyone, Just thought I'd throw a little personal experience into this. My malamute met his brother last year and we had him around for a good six months. Willow (my mal) hated his guts and would launch at him everytime he came near me. Both were altered. Anyhow, Since they were in a standoff biting eachothers faces my husband and I each grabbed a dog by the scruff and threw them apart. I have learned a great deal since that day. I now have a bullhorn that is at the ready. All I have to do is blow this and it startels the dogs enough that we can get to them and seperate them. An airhorn or dog whistle works just as well. A little easier to carry a dog whistle then a bullhorn when out and about. Another idea is a squirt bottle with water in it. Aim at their faces and fire when ready. Doesn't get water everywhere! I think all dogs are different in the way they fight and the ways to seperate them. Just keep trying different things until you find something that always works. Mine is the bull horn. Good luck to you all.

Hey Rowie, Here's a really silly question: You have the cutest sneakest golden in the world but why a picture of a sheltie in your info? Was just curious why you don't put Rowie's picture there. Do you have more than one dog? I feel silly but I had to ask. :oops:

Dear Nearstorm, In the past 10 years I have purhased and rescued several dogs. I know exactly how you feel and completely understand your point. You would think you're joining the army not getting a dog. I look at it this way if they didn't ask these questions and take a good hard look at all of us this cute little dog could someday end up starved to death, beaten, tortured, etc....... :cry: They have no idea who we are why we want a dog, what kind of dog would suit, they have to gather all this info from us and give us a once over the minute we walk through the door. I've had shelters come to my home to check fencing, check the home for hazards, look into our dogs histories, and many other things. They can be a bit extreme sometimes but if you think of it for the sake of the dog. They deserve the best chance possible to live a normal, happy, healthy life. The shelter workers feel it is them to blame when a dog is returned or they find a placement was neglected. Also, please remember they do this out of the goodness of their hearts, the majority of them are volunteering in their spare time. :angel: Okay, just wanted to say that so you would go to a shelter again someday. I hope you understand, I finally did. I now have become one of those nerotics who LOVES to volunteer at shelters so that I can place those poor puppies in fine homes. If it is truly a horrible shelter that was prejudiced the moment you walked in talk to the manager and tell them how you felt so that it won't happen to the next person. Also, do you have a dog run? They are cheap and keep the furkids safe while you're away. Great way to get around the no fenced yard deal. :D Sorry to take so long. And again if you feel hurt personally by the way they treated you please report it to the manager or if it is a humane society to the regional director so that fine folks like yourself won't have to go through this again. I've known alot of people with enough kids to fill a hotel and they always made great parents to a new furkid. With that much love in your heart who could go wrong. Okay, sorry again I could keep going forever. (Just so you know my hubby refuses to go into the kennel area of a shelter and hates the majority of the workers. :lol: When we rescue I have to do the interview or we would never get a dog)

Welcome Aboard TBerkhouse, Any way you decide to go make sure that you have a nice warm place for the pup to go when it gets chilly. An insulated dog house is great as in summer it keeps them cooler and in winter keeps them warmer. Is this a puppy? If so how old? If it is a baby you will want to spend time with the puppy to let it adjust to that many hours alone. You don't want a pup that grows up with seperation anxiety. I would agree with Carol about the 50x50. Make sure that part of it is covered. A patio is great. An invisible fence is really designed for the adult dog. You can start now with some training if you want the invisible fence. Definately do not do the crate for an entire 10 hour spread. Way too long for a dog to be cooped up. The garage can be a dangerous place as dogs can get into poisonous items. Remember Antifreeze is lethal. Hope this helps and let us know what you decide. Danna & The Crew

Hi Rowie, Out of shear curiousity I did a search on the name Rowie. I now know that there are quite a few famous people with that name but also found one meaning. ROWIE: A rowie is the Aberdeen version of a butterie (a rich bread roll made with butter). The name is of scottish origin. LOL. Couldn't find anything else.

My family is coming up for Thanksgiving, and they have a digital camera. We will take pictures next week and post for all to see.

The mantle is well received here in the U.S. but most find Merles to be a defect. Again thick head is on Alot of people in the U.S. think that a Merle dane is not a dane but a basically a reject. I think I'll stop here but all in all she is a beauty no I won't show her but she is a wonderful companion. The whole point to this was that I am frustrated that people are willing to accept a Merle in alot of other breeds but not the dane.

When I started agility with Willow this is the way the trainer taught me. She wanted him to know that listening, watching is very important. When we started Willow had sit, down and stay down pat but still dragged me around on the leash. He also hated the leash thing and thought I was a mean mommy for trying to direct him. She told me that starting with heel bonds the dog to you and tells him/her that you are in control at all times. We started Willow on the right as an ice breaker, he had to move when my leg leads off. He now works both sides by my stepping out with the foot I want him to heel on. Starting with right heel helped us alot. Also the heel helped willow focus on my voice. Basically he now knows where the his focus should lay. I agree this method of training is not for all, but this is how we accomplished agility with a very stubborn dog. He is bull headed. All dogs have a very distinct personality and not all can be trained the same way. (If I were to do it again I would have started Willow alot earlier on heel)

Hey Rowie, Thanks for the welcome. Below is the list. Shiloh-Coon hound, fox hound, lab mix-5 years young, Altered Willow-Alaskan Malamute-Silver & white-4 years young, Altered Kimba-Merle Dane-3.5 months (Willow was featured in the Espree international clothing catalog last winter) Had to brag a little. He is gorgeous. And he loves the camera he was sucking it up. Shiloh is a little porker, right now we're working on a diet but nothing works. :oops: Daddy spoils them rotten :wink: I try to keep them fit but he can't resist sneaking the extra good fatty foods.

Hey Sasha, Where in Florida are you? We took a road trip to Florida this past spring. Rented a house with a pool (for the puppies). We stayed for 12 days and had such a wonderful time. The road trip was great too. Took us about a week to get there. Camped along the way. What fun! We're definately going to do it again just next time we're going to skip DisneyWorld. It was kind of a let down. The dogs had such a grand time. (they're all that matters of course :wink: )

Boy she's a little bitty thing isn't she. I take back the german shephard. Sounds like she'll be a medium sized girl when she gets older. For now lets just call her a beautiful mutt. When she's older we might be able to see some breed traits in her. That face is just soooo cute. Ah, puppy breath. Good luck. (doggie porno :wink: Can't stop laughing. Although I can't imagine what people are thinking who just came to the sight to browse.) :lol:

Yellow in answer to your question- You will usually see all types of ear infections in the floppy long eared breeds. Usually caused by moisture and dirt trapped inside. I personally recommend cleaning your dogs ears at least once every 2 weeks. Ear infections can also come after a bout with ear mites. Ear infections are painful horrible things. The dog will scratch himself raw trying to decrease the burning. The yeast infection (like in people) is the worst. Very tough to get rid of. Hope this helps.