kendalyn

It usually doesn't take most dogs too long to learn that tangling with cats is NOT the way to go! Those suckers are fiesty!

I don't think he cropped them himself, but whoever did it probably did about as good a job as he would have. It looks awful. It kind of looks like someone did it with a pair of scissors. They're not really pointy at all. Just straight across and really close to his head. Honestly, you can't tell he has ears until you feel his head. Big Brothers/Big Sisters is an organization that is usually for kids that don't already have a strong role model at home. Yes, technically any child can get a big sister or big brother but each kid's need is sort of assessed and given a priority as there is a waiting list for big sisters and big brothers. Usually the kids come from single parent homes where there may be a mother who is very busy and may have more than one child to look after. The big sister commits to spending one on one time with the child for at least a couple hours once a week. It just makes sure that the kid gets special attention and doesn't feel lost in the shuffle. If anybody out there is interested in becoming a big sister I highly recommend it. Amber and I have been matched for 2 years and I love it. I think I am going to suggest that Amber and I train him together and we'll do it if she wants to. I think I can entice her by showing her the agility stuff and some of the tricks my own dog can do. I'm not going to force her to do it because that wouldn't really work. I'm not sure where we can do it though. I think that we will have to do it at Amber's house which will be difficult because she has 3 brothers and sister that will need to be out of the way. Chino isn't allowed upstairs or else we could work in Amber's room. Maybe a special allowance can be made... Thanks for the suggestions! I'll let you know how it works out!

HF, I don't think you need to worry so much. You haven't ruined your dog's psyche. The way you handled Pauly's aggression worked. That is really the main point. There is always more than one right way to do something and your approach was fine in my opinion. What your husband did was not cruel or abusive and it taught Pauly that you and he would not tolerate such behavior. Good job!

That looks nice! Why do they chop it off??

Well, I've only ever met Tang once or twice. He's not around a lot when I'm there because he can't officially live at Amber's house. He's on parole in another city about 45 minutes away. Chino does get a lot of love at Amber's house. He's excellent with the kids. Amber has a 4 year old brother and a 6 year old sister and Chino is very gentle. I just feel sad because they won't take the time to train him. A while ago I suggested Amber and I do it together but she wasn't very into the idea. Amber wanted to walk Buck and Chino together but Amber's mom is kind of afraid of Chino. She did not want the dog and at that time believed many of the common misconceptions about pit bulls. She told Amber that if a pit bull barks at someone it is against the law??? I don't know whether she actually believed this or told Amber this to stop her from asking to walk him with me. Amber also thought that you had to teach a pit bull not to bite otherwise they will be viscious and of course the whole jaw locking thing... I told Amber this was all wrong. I don't know, maybe I should bring the subject up again with Amber now that Chino is older. It would be a great project for us... Is anybody else a Big Sister out there?

I volunteer with Big Brothers/Big Sisters (it's a mentoring program for those of you who don't know it. I'm the big sister and Amber is my little sister. We're not actually related though) and a little while ago my little sister's mom's boyfriend bought a little pit bull puppy. I don't trust this guy because he recently got out of prison and I was really worried that he would fight this dog. I've kept a close eye and am positive that he has never fought the dog. Which is a good thing. But I'm still sad because Chino (the puppy) is one of the sweetest dogs I've ever met and my little sister's mom and boyfriend have no idea how to properly train a dog. He's almost a year old and doesn't even know how to sit. Plus, her boyfriend (Tang) cropped his ears and it is seriously a horrible job! Chino really has no ears left! They don't point up or anything, they're just gone! Everytime I go over there I have to remind myself that I'm there to see Amber and not the dog! I am really just so worried that Chino will become hard to live with as a result of his lack of training and they will get rid of him. Plus, it's just sad to see his potential wasted. I mean he really is sweet and cute. He's even pretty calm for such a young dog with a lot of energy. He'll sit and let me pet him and rub him for a really long time. *sigh* poor Chino. I'm pretty sure he's not neutered too. And I know he's not licensed so who knows if he has the proper vaccinations. I am encouraging Amber to convince Tang to get him a license. I just worry about this poor little guy. :cry:

I voted too! He is a cutie!

I'm not sure I understand your question. What do you mean when you say she defleas you?

Yeah, that dog surely deserved the chance to have found a good home. Especially since the only reason he ended up at the shelter was because someone was moving. Sounds like the dog was probably fairly stable and a good candidate for adoption.

I really don't see the purpose in crucifying the animal control officer who attempted to put the dog down. It sounds like conditions in the shelter weren't very good and neither was his training. Why don't they try to correct that instead of issuing criminal charges against someone who doesn't sound like a criminal to me? The officer wasn't trying to inflict undue harm to the animal. I'm sure he genuinly thought that the dog was dead. I think the dog should have been put up for adoption first but even if it had, there is still a pretty big chance that the dog would have had to be put down anyway. There just aren't enough resources to care for all the abandoned and dumped animals that are out there.

[quote]What fun is a discussion board where everyone has the same beliefs and ideas. that would be like talking to yourself[/quote] LOL! You're absolutely right! :lol:

There is something about him that is just kind of weird.... I can't put my finger on it. I mean besides the tongue thing. He's cute, but kind of strange looking...? Maybe it's just me.

Somebody please go to this website and take a look at this little dog named Mr. Winkle. I have no idea what breed or mix of breeds he is. At first I didn't think it was a real dog... But he is real and he's very cute! But his tongue is always sticking out of his mouth... [url]http://www.mrwinkle.com[/url]

MishugiShihTzuMom, We are being harsh here with our advice, but I do want to say that it is good that you are looking for help. It's going to be a lot of work getting Madison to learn manners and her place in your family and I hope you are willing to do it. You've already taken at least one important step. So listen to the advice here and learn about dog behavior. There are quite a few posts here about dog aggression and one of them does a good job of explaining it I think. It is in the training section under the post "training frustrations" It was written by Doglistener. I would read it. It would be a good place to start.

Everyone is right. You have created a monster by spoiling her and giving her privileges that she hasn't earned. Start training immediately and keep her away from children. Also, get a book and learn about dog behavior so that you have an idea of what is really going on with her. I'm sure someone on here could recommend a good one. [quote]She apparantly thinks she is a pit bull or something[/quote] This isn't acceptable behavior for ANY dog, no matter the breed!!! This is a bad misconception about pit bulls.

He sounds like a real sweetie! Glad you found him and he is fitting in nicely in your family :-)

I think it's ok as long as you are established as the boss and the dog knows and follows a command that tells them to get off the bed or furniture. I will let Buck on the bed but not the furniture. I personally don't like dogs on furniture because of the hair and because I just don't really think they need to be up there. Guests don't sit on my bed, but they do sit on the couch and I hate for them to be all hairy when the get up.

you as well! :)

Very cute :) I liked the part about you not being able to get out of bed!

[quote]I didn't scan every single kennel you had posted[/quote] K doesn't post these, again it is the owners of the site. You should speak to them.

wow 4 dogs! Great job taking them in!

I think you should tell kids what you believe to be the truth, no matter how abstract. I said that the concept of the rainbow bridge was too abstract because I was saying this from the standpoint that it does not exist. So I wouldn't tell a child that the dog is at the bridge because I don't think they would understand that this is just an idea that is sometimes comforting to people. A child would think that it is an actual place. If you really believe it to be a real place than sure go ahead and tell the kid that. Death and heaven and hell are complicated ideas, but (IMO) they are real. So even if it is a hard concept for the child, he/she needs to know about them. [quote]What is your experience with this issue? I am very interested[/quote] My experience comes from more of a theological point of view. My dad is a pastor and has taught me about theology. My parents never told my sister and I that there was a santa clause or any other fictional being. I always appreciated knowing the truth. I have taken some child psychology courses (although I am no expert). Mostly these have given me a good idea of what most children are capable of at certain ages. [quote]Do you know what the child psychologists have to say about it?[/quote] No I'm not sure, but I do know that you will find about 100 different opinions from about 90 different scholars!! :lol:

I believe the dog has to actually have ACCESS to the shelter. And he didn't have access to drinkable water if it was frozen. :evil:

We are to try to love unconditionally, to mold ourselves into His image. Dogs are a great example of unconditional love. [quote]And Kendlyn, as far as I am concerned, voice your views[/quote] Thanks, I do believe I will :)

wow... I didn't know it would bleep out hell...