kendalyn

Have fun on your home check! I'm sure they will be wonderful people :) My Grandpa's a cop though so I have a soft spot for them.

Great job Sassy! You are the cutest! :D

Well, I know that if I were eating and someone was constantly poking me with something I would growl too. There is a way to do it without provoking the dog, she should learn it.

It's been 2 weeks and I still haven't gotten mine. :cry: I guess I'll try to register again.

A good place to work with her offleash in the winter is a community baseball field. They are usually fenced in and are totally empty in the winter time. They are big enough for her to run and play and for you to work with her.

It sounds to me like you are doing everything right. Introducing Zaphod and Kavik slowly is a good idea. You don't want to do too much too fast. I would play it by ear and see how they progress, especially Zaphod. I guess the only idea I have is maybe going to the park with another dog that they know and who is reliable in the dog park. It might relax them seeing their buddy so at ease around the other dogs.

1. How many times do you take your dog out in a day? [color=green][/color]A. 1-2 times. Usually 2 but on a really busy day I may get him out only once. 2. About how long are you out with your dogs in a day? [color=green][/color]B. Between 60 and 90 minutes. Our walks are about 40 minutes long. 3. What do you do to give your dog mental exercise? [color=green][/color] B, C and D. Train obediance, teach tricks and make up games. He loves this part of the day! [color=green][/color]4. A Dogs are my life!

That walking limp thing is a great idea! I have been trying to think of a new trick for Buck and that sounds like a really fun one!

I am pretty much hooked on mutts, but someday I do hope to have a Standard Poodle again (much to my boyfriend's dismay!). Kody will be gone 2 years in April and I miss him soo much still. Standard Poodles are just such awesome dogs.

Kiger Wrote: [quote]Some people know what they want and like to have a choice[/quote] I've always thought of it the other way around. It seems like people buying purebreds have less of a choice to me. If you want a purebred Lab or Chihuahua, or other breed, they are pretty much going to look very similar to other dogs of the same breed. And if bred right, their temperment should have similar characteristics also (that's not to say their personalities are the same though). Mutts are all very different. It's almost impossible to go to a shelter and find two that look and act alike. I think that's where the choice part comes in. :)

I got my first dog in 3rd grade. I hated 3rd grade. I had always done well in school (and always did after 3rd grade) but I really did not like my teacher and I refused to do my school work. This meant that I was required to stay in every recess and copy from the dictionary and I had to bring home EVERY book every night and sit with my parents and do my homework with them. It was very hard for me. For some reason my parents took pity on me. I had been wanting a dog for a while and one day I came home from school and there was Molly sitting with them on the porch. I couldn't believe it. She was about 6 months old and was a yellow lab/border collie mix. She was a purebred mix as a result of an unintentional breeding by someone who bred both breeds. Bad, I know, but she was a great dog. My parents got her from a coworker who didn't have the time to devote to a puppy. She was the answer to all my prayers. She really helped me make it through that school year. After that, I was hooked and have been ever since!

There is a lot of good information about Welsh Springer Spaniels at this link: [url]http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/welshspringerspaniel.htm[/url] I've never met a Welsh Springer Spaniel so I have no personal experience with them. It does say that they tend to be a bit reserved with strangers but I would think that with proper socialization it would be fine. Here is a quote from: [url]http://www.akc.org/breeds/recbreeds/welshspr.cfm[/url] "The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a very energetic sporting dog who needs daily vigorous exercise." "The Welsh Springer Spaniel makes an excellent pet for children, although puppies may have too much energy and strength for very young children. They make wonderful house dogs and can live in city apartments as long as they are given lots of attention and exercise." "The Welsh Springer Spaniel is an active dog displaying a loyal and affectionate disposition. Although reserved with strangers, he is not timid, shy nor unfriendly. To this day he remains a devoted family member and hunting companion."

When I was little we fostered a purebred Brittany Spaniel for a little while. She was excellent with my sister and I. We named her Brittany! Isn't that original? :lol: We didn't foster her for long because she was such an excellent dog. It didn't take long for someone to snatch her up! I know that's not on your list, but you might want to consider a Brittany. Here's a picture for you: [img]http://www.brittany-spaniel-dogs.com/brittany-spaniels-l2.jpg[/img] Here is a quote from [url]http://www.brittany-spaniel-dogs.com[/url] "Brittany Spaniels are a medium sized dog with a fairly short and light coat. They appear to very intelligent looking in the face and tend to be active and agile. They are very loving and gentle dogs. They are always waiting to do something nice for their owner and remain happy and alert at most times. Being such an intelligent and obedient dog, they are sometimes used hunting woodcock, partridge, and hare. They also have an outstanding instinct for retrieving from water. The brittany spaniel is very adaptable to all types of terrain such as woods, plains or hills and seem to be rather resistant to cold and dampness. Because of its happy character, it is also popular as a companion dog and a family dog. If raised around children they will enjoy their company to the utmost." Just a suggestion, I'm sure you will be happy with whatever you choose! Good job doing your research!

Oh, I wish we had something like that here! It looks like a lot of fun! Mutts need some recognition too :)

Wow, Meg's had to save your mobile twice now! :lol:

I saw that show on Animal Planet tonight too! It was really interesting! I didn't know the differences between the English and American collie. Maybe I should start telling people that Buck is a lesser newfoundland mix! :lol: It would make him seem more fancy

:x Hopefully this is just a passing idea. I don't know your Grandma but I just have this picture that most older people are more sensible than that. If she wants puppies, tell her to volunteer as a foster home for abandoned dogs. Litters of young puppies are quite often found or rescued. If she is retired and home a lot she may be the perfect person to care for them. Young puppies require a lot of care and maybe she would have the time.

So this has been a problem for 8 years? He's 11, I would just let him enjoy being an old dog. Why try to fix it now when it's been going on so long? Is there some reason you want him to like the water?

I would stay away from terriers in general with small children. They are pretty demanding dogs. Well, all dogs are demanding but terriers seem to be more so in my opinion.

[quote]What is a "responsible" breeder? I think there is no such thing. Breeding in general is irresponsible because you are causing the death of animals all over!!! [/quote] I tend to agree but you have to be realistic. Some people want a purebred dog for a number of reasons. If that's what they want, then that's what they are going to get. There are people out there who are breeding and doing it as responsibly as it can be done. Those are the people that the laws should be protecting. The BYB, puppy mills and people who are just too lazy to spay and neuter are probably the hardest to shut down and these are the people who are really contributing to the problem.

Wow, I'm terribly sorry. You did give him a wonderful life and I'm sure he knew that.

I am a Sheep or a Beaver but possibly a Penguin. I think the Beaver fits me the best. That was pretty fun!

Buck would certainly be afraid of it and wouldn't want anything to do with it! It looks like a giant rose! :lol:

I didn't mean to imply that you are a bad dog owner, but I can see how it could have come off seeming like that. I don't think a fence is a necessity for being a responsible dog owner. Buck stays in the yard very well, but I never leave him out there without both of my eyes on him. I never will and he's 2. Coal is still very young and tempted by Duke, so if you don't want him leaving the yard, then just make sure you are watching all the time. Problem solved!

Is there a link? It looks like fun!