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New Our old dog died... And a new one is here.
Our companion of over 15 years, Lika, died yesterday. She stopped eating and drinking a few days ago, she was crying all the time... The doctors told us that she probably won't live through the weekend. So we said our goodbyes, and they gave her the shot...

We've got a puppy today - 9-week old pit bull mix female, from a shelter. Lika was not very kind to kids - she was too old when they were born. Now they've got a real puppy, and it's a treat to see them play. Daniel came up with a name - "Mandy".

She already made a couple of poodles and a little heap. The toilet training starts in earnest tomorrow :) We've got her sleeping in a crate now.



------

179. I will not outsource core functions.
--
[link|http://omega.med.yale.edu/~pcy5/misc/overlord2.htm|.]

New Sincere condolences. It'll get easier over time.
We still miss our Colleen terribly, but it's slowly getting easier.

Enjoy your new pup! Watch [link|http://www9.nationalgeographic.com/channel/dogwhisperer/|The Dog Whisperer] on National Geographic if you get a chance (if you haven't seen it already). With a very strong dog like that, it's important to know how to control her.

Best of luck!

Cheers,
Scott.
New Trouble
I've seen the iTunes version of Dog Whisperer, and it seems that all is not well in our pack.

The smaller of my twins, Daniel, ended up being afraid of Mandy. His brother Michael can handle the itchy teeth fine - he gets bitten a bit, tells Mandy not do do it and pushes a chewing toy into her mouth. Works just as well as when I or my wife does it.

Daniel says he is not afraid, but he acts as if he is. And the dog completely feels it. She is perfectly well behaved with me or Irka, pretty good with Mike when he does not gets her overexcited, but she nips at Dan's heels. Looks like she decided that she is higher in the pecking order than my son.

Anyone has any advice as to how to correct the situation? I guess the trick is to train Dan, not Mandy. But where can we turn for such training?

------

179. I will not outsource core functions.
--
[link|http://omega.med.yale.edu/~pcy5/misc/overlord2.htm|.]

New FWIW you're right about who needs to be trained
That's one thing they made very clear in the puppy class we went to: You can't train a dog in 8 one-hour sessions. What you do is train the handler.

I'd be careful how you stop the dog from nipping. If you're always the one to break it up the dog will learn that Daniel is "yours", but when you're not around he's fair game.

Now that the dog already thinks he's above your son, the boy is going to have to "show him who's boss": Put him down agressively, make the dog submit and roll over. Snarling and baring teeth is not acceptable. (If he starts, don't try to grab the muzzle. Place the hand, with fingers together and thumb against the hand, on top of the snout and push down while holding the dog so he can't back up.) Your son will probably feel bad doing this to a puppy, but the dog needs to know his place. He'll be happier and less confused.
===

Kip Hawley is still an idiot.

===

Purveyor of Doc Hope's [link|http://DocHope.com|fresh-baked dog biscuits and pet treats].
[link|http://DocHope.com|http://DocHope.com]
New Alpha roll is method of last resort for experts.
Ark needs to get a trainer into the home.

If you fuck up dominating your dog, you end up with a fear-aggressive animal and a whole pile of trouble. Too many people assume that bad behaviour in dogs is down to dominance or the lack of, and it just isn't so.

I think your (and Bill's, because it's a fancy-pants version of yelling at your dog) advice is bad, Drew, and will lead to more problems, not fewer.

In any event, you shouldn't be leaving a puppy alone with a child.


Peter
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Expand Edited by pwhysall Dec. 13, 2006, 08:16:12 AM EST
New Since I have trained more dogs than you have et hot dinners
It is not a version of yelling at your dog. The dog is a pack animal, He needs to know where he fits in. Doesnt mean you dont love the mutt, the dog will be told that often. You are just speaking dog to him until he can learn your language.
thanx,
bill
Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free american and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 51 years. meep

reach me at [link|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net]
New Anecdotal.
You call it "thrashing" the dog, assert physical dominance over it and make growling noises at it?

Yeah, that's a fancy-pants version of yelling at your dog.

You might well have trained more dogs than I've "et" hot dinners, but so what?

I've played more games of Counter-Strike than you've "et" hot dinners, and I'm rubbish at THAT.


Peter
[link|http://www.no2id.net/|Don't Let The Terrorists Win]
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New kiss my ass, you might be good at that
its how dog trainers are trained
thanx,
bill
Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free american and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 51 years. meep

reach me at [link|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net]
New You bothered to post /that/?
Lame.


Peter
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New It must be the holidays
good cheer and all that rot.
Too much of today's music is fashionable crap dressed as artistry.Adrian Belew
New naw, too much of einsteins theory is anecdotal :-)
Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free american and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 51 years. meep

reach me at [link|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net]
New We're talking about a specific behavior
Too many people assume that bad behaviour in dogs is down to dominance or the lack of, and it just isn't so.
Nipping at one child, when it doesn't nip at the other, is not just "bad" behavior. It is dominance.
===

Kip Hawley is still an idiot.

===

Purveyor of Doc Hope's [link|http://DocHope.com|fresh-baked dog biscuits and pet treats].
[link|http://DocHope.com|http://DocHope.com]
New And an alpha roll is not the way to fix it.
The reason the alpha roll works is because you put the dog in fear of its life - it's the position the alpha male puts the wannabe alpha male into before he rips its throat out.

Way to train!


Peter
[link|http://www.no2id.net/|Don't Let The Terrorists Win]
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Use P2P for legitimate purposes!
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New I'm going to stop complaining now...
...and give some positive ways to both reinforce pack heirarchy (if that's the problem) and to promote good behaviour:

1. Ensure that when you enter the room, you greet people first, then the dog. Ignore the dog (no matter how much he plays up) until you've greeted all the people, then greet the dog. Alphas greet first.

2. Eat before the dog and ensure he can see you eating before him. Alphas eat first. Then make him sit and wait for his food. It's tricky with a puppy, but we had Max sitting before eating at 12 weeks old. If he won't sit, just keep the food out of reach but in eyesight for a moment or two.

3. Reward good behaviour as much as you reprimand bad behaviour, and be metronomically consistent. Good behaviour includes toileting in the right place. This is very hard indeed, especially at 3AM when you're trying to be enthusiastic about the dog peeing outside.

4. Out-think your dog. Dogs are problem-solvers par excellence, but you might need a spot of lateral thinking to understand what problem he's trying to solve. Take, for example, the problem of the kitchen bin. It's a powerful draw to most dogs, and yelling at him will make him leave it alone. He'll solve that problem by simply going to the bin when you're not looking.

5. Be aware of when the dog's training you, instead of vice versa. Classic example is the dog wandering up to you and sitting nicely at your feet, and you give him a treat. The dog's in control of that situation. Reward the dog when he does what he's asked to do, and not otherwise.

6. Crate train your puppy. This will help bladder control (dogs don't like to mess their sleeping quarters), self-confidence (the crate is their special safe place where they can go when they've had enough play), and will help avoid the problem of the dog only sleeping on your bed. Don't use the crate as a punishment.

Alpha roll? Bollocks to that. You'll just get a dog that's snappy, or pisses everywhere, or is hand-anxious.

Lastly, pick up after your dog. I hate seeing dogshit on the pavement.

Edit: Really really lastly: unless you want puppies or to put the dog to stud, spay or neuter your dog. A lot of annoying testosterone-fuelled behaviour goes away in male dogs, too - there's no power or command or food treat that can bring back an intact male dog that's got a sniff of an in-season bitch, and humping's just embarrassing.


Peter
[link|http://www.no2id.net/|Don't Let The Terrorists Win]
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[link|http://guildenstern.dyndns.org|Home]
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Expand Edited by pwhysall Dec. 14, 2006, 08:22:37 AM EST
Expand Edited by pwhysall Dec. 14, 2006, 08:27:17 AM EST
New Lots of good advice.
Colleen hated the crate. She was house-trained when we got her, so that wasn't an issue with us. My SIL's husky mix loves her crate, though. IOW, crates aren't a universal training tool.

Sometimes the over-on-the-back maneuver is necessary. Pit bull mixes and other large, powerful dogs especially need that reinforcement, sometimes. It's a good way to get their attention and impress upon them that you're serious.

It would probably be best if Arkadiy (and family) went with his pup to a training class with someone well-recommended, though. Armchair quarterbacking and TV shows only go so far.

The last thing I would add is that it's important that dogs have enough to do. Make sure you've got time for regular, long walks with them and have toys for them to stay occupied. Dogs that have nothing to do but attack the mailman every day get to be neurotic.

Cheers,
Scott.
New You missed why the alpha roll causes problems.
Seriously. It's like hitting your engine randomly with a lump-hammer to fix a sticking lifter.

I don't want ANYONE to do it, because it's the dog equivalent of getting what you want by threatening, in all seriousness, to kill someone.

I got this off t'internet (top result from a Google search for "alpha roll"), but it's a reasonable summary of why I think the alpha roll is wrong in pretty much any circumstance:

The only reason that a dog will FORCEFULLY flip another dog over on its back is to kill the animal.
By forcing an animal to submit in that way you are literally putting the fear of death into them, they think you are trying to kill them. It is not surprising that a lot of people get bit trying to do the alpha roll - the dog believes that the human is trying to kill them so they try and defend themselves. Doing this behavior to an already dominant animal can increase the likelihood of aggression. Doing this to an already submissive animal will increase the fear in that animal - leading to submissive urination and possible fear biting. Hands should never, ever be used to hurt an animal - an alpha roll does just that and its efficacy at asserting dominance is next to zero."


Just because a dog is naturally strong-willed doesn't mean you have to scare it to death to train it.

That said, I don't think a sharp smack on the nose is always a bad thing. One of the problems that people have with punishing their dogs is this: dogs use pain to discipline each other, but the difference between a dog doing it and a human doing it is that most of the time, the dog's timing is much, much better. Accept that as a human, your timing is crap and that you're better off, most of the time, not hitting your dog.


Peter
[link|http://www.no2id.net/|Don't Let The Terrorists Win]
[link|http://www.kuro5hin.org|There is no K5 Cabal]
[link|http://guildenstern.dyndns.org|Home]
Use P2P for legitimate purposes!
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New I didn't miss it, I disagree.
Caveat: I'm no expert.

In shows I've seen on TV about wolf behavior, they show their submissive behavior by rolling on their sides or back and exposing their neck. I've never seen (that I recall) a dominant wolf attacking another in such a position. They don't seem to regard it as a suicidal action, but a sign of respect.

In "The Dog Whisperer", Caesar often puts dogs on their sides or backs when they don't respond to lesser methods. He doesn't yell at them, he doesn't hit them (but will poke them to get their attention). He uses what they understand as alpha behavior to impress upon them that they're not the alpha. He raises and trains dogs and has a specialty in pit bulls and rotweilers. He certainly [link|http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20041017-9999-lz1a17beast.html|seems to know what he's doing].

FWIW.

Cheers,
Scott.
New Dog Whisper Bloke doesn't alpha roll dogs.
If the dog goes down of its own accord, that's not an alpha roll. That's submissive or appeasive behaviour.

If you don't violently flip the dog, it's not an alpha roll. After all, I frequently roll my dog over when we're playing, but there's a clear difference between that and an alpha roll - one involves violence, the other involves having his feet and tummy tickled.

And finally, I believe that there's a big disclaimer on the Whisperer along the lines of "DON'T ATTEMPT ANY OF THIS SHIT WITHOUT CONSULTING AN EXPERT DOG TRAINERIZER", much like the Dog Borstal and It's Me Or The Dog programmes on this side of the pond.

Final analysis: I'm not sure that what you call an Alpha Roll and what I call an Alpha Roll are at all the same thing.


Peter
[link|http://www.no2id.net/|Don't Let The Terrorists Win]
[link|http://www.kuro5hin.org|There is no K5 Cabal]
[link|http://guildenstern.dyndns.org|Home]
Use P2P for legitimate purposes!
[link|http://kevan.org/brain.cgi?pwhysall|A better terminal emulator]
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New I don't alpha roll dogs either.
I don't have a recipe for that.
[link|http://www.aaxnet.com|AAx]
New Clarification.
An example of what I'm talking about is when he picked up a snarling, thrashing dog, held it on its side or back with his hand on its neck and said "Shush!" and didn't relent until the dog calmed down.

For an video example, search for "Cesar's Toughest Cases" [link|http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/video/index.html|here] for an example 3 minute video clip. It's the first one that shows up.

And finally, I believe that there's a big disclaimer on the Whisperer along the lines of "DON'T ATTEMPT ANY OF THIS SHIT WITHOUT CONSULTING AN EXPERT DOG TRAINERIZER", much like the Dog Borstal and It's Me Or The Dog programmes on this side of the pond.


Indeed. I agree that he needs to see a trainer. :-)

Cheers,
Scott.
New Training vs. breaking bad habits
I'm hoping my next dog will be a puppy. I've never had one. I'd like to start out with all the "right things" and maybe it'll all work.

But the one I have now was a stray. After the first class, the trainer pulled us aside and said if we couldn't keep him from going after the other dogs at the next session, we'd have to get private training. At the last session two months later, there was a German Shepard bitch in season. Woodie was the only one that would walk past her without stopping. (Well, not every time. [Okay, he walked past her once.])

Yes, he was probably afraid of me the first couple of months. You'd never know it to see him now. He has never gone after people, or we wouldn't have kept him. But he was afraid of other dogs. He had probably lost a few fights. I had to convince him that I was the only one that got to challenge other dogs.

Yes, I'm a sample size of one. But I did the research, listened to a trainer, and it seems to have worked.
===

Kip Hawley is still an idiot.

===

Purveyor of Doc Hope's [link|http://DocHope.com|fresh-baked dog biscuits and pet treats].
[link|http://DocHope.com|http://DocHope.com]
Expand Edited by drewk Dec. 15, 2006, 09:35:18 PM EST
New oh, did you get that crap from willyipedia?
The only reason that a dog will FORCEFULLY flip another dog over on its back is to kill the animal.
you read it on the internet so it must be true?

ABSOLUTE BULLSHIT that activity is extremely common in packs and is just a place holder. Why the fuck do you think dogs like their belly rubbed? Because it itches? No they are submitting to you. It is submission/reminder behavior, not killing behavior. Dogs that want to kill hamstring before going for the throat.

Agree on the neutering bit
thanx,
bill
Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free american and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 51 years. meep

reach me at [link|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net]
New Whatever, Bill.
And remember, I'm reading what you're saying on the internet.

bill->hoist(bill->petard);


Peter
[link|http://www.no2id.net/|Don't Let The Terrorists Win]
[link|http://www.kuro5hin.org|There is no K5 Cabal]
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Use P2P for legitimate purposes!
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New yabut /me isin ixpert
Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free american and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 51 years. meep

reach me at [link|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net]
New That is not my experience and I have 3 dogs.
I have 2 retriever mutts and a miniature schnauzer. The alpha has put the schnauzer on her back a number of times without harming her. It's just a way of establishing superiority.

I also put them on their backs when they forget who's boss. I am not rough, but firm and I don't growl or threaten. I just stare into their eyes until they submit. Then I let them up. They remain friendly (sometimes overly so) and their main treat in the morning is to roll onto their backs for tummy rubs as part of their morning petting.

My 0.02
New There's an element of training in there.
I've been reminded of how I made friends with my mother-in-law's dog - an 8yro Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. I'm not afraid of dogs, but I won't have them doing what they like to me. She might have a favourite way to say 'Hello - Can I Be Your Friend?', but my response needs to be 'I Can Be Your Friend, But You're Never My Equal'. Without even realising I was doign it, I taught my mother-in-law's dog that I preferred to rub her belly in greeting, rather than have her jump up and lick my face. Within only a few weeks, she would roll over on her own accord as her way of greeting me.

So rollover submission can be taught. :-)

Wade.
"Don't give up!"
New nope you train the dog
the following technique is called thrashing your dog. Keep yer shirts on and put the hotline to the spca down.

Thrashing a dog
a new puppy/dog likes to playfully nip. The alpha male and female have to play along by snapping your fingers around the muzzle to simulate a nip while growling, get on your hands and knees to get closer to their level. As the puppy/dog gets a little rougher growl like you are a VERY pissed off dog,grab the dog by the jowls and snarl and snap your teeth close to the neck while roughly placing the dog on its back. That is the submission position for a dog. After the dog yelps and squiggles push it away sharply. Do this a couple of times. After a while when the dog hears that "special" growl, they know they have pissed off the alpha male/female.

Now when the dog is nipping at the boys heel, thrash her immediately, grab the jowls, roll her on her back and snarl. After a while she will realize that although Daniel is "weaker" than her he is above her in the pecking order. After she is thrashed put her nose next to daniel and firmly tell her "bad dog, say sorry" have daniel proffer his hand and see if she will either lick it or instruct daniel to pet her.

shouldnt take too long.
thanx,
bill
Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free american and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 51 years. meep

reach me at [link|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net]
New Both Drew and Box are right.
You need to talk to your kid about it and get him to understand what to do to change the dog's mind. Meanwhile, what you do with Mandy when she tries to lord it over Daniel will give Daniel some time to gain confidence. Mandy will learn that you consider Daniel higher than her and when he can assert his place, she will learn that he considers himself higher than her.

Wade.
"Don't give up!"
New Wolves aren't dogs, but..
I've observed the 'training of a wolf pup' by a mature wolf, on many occasions. And by 'owner' - a visible confluence, to say the least.

Friend L. would be deemed an expert in such matters, not only for having two in her tribe (+ transients) but for her trips around the country, most often related to rescuing such animals from snuffing in Murican animal shelters crematoria -- this for, quite longer than a decade.

While I do not deceive self that I have acquired her lore through osmosis, I've seen enough Live demos + filmed ones, to possess an informed opinion, at least re Wolves, not in-the-wild. Witnessing a few of the techniques the pros learned through shared tips with others - beats any manual.

Among these: L's ... periodic ... need to reassert that She is the alpha male. Period. And with an 80#+ pack-mate, this 'assertion' process will cause owners of cocker-Spaniels to wet pants.. L. is not a large woman (but in great shape); she has had to throw Ivan ~ across a small room - to Get his attention re. some serious infraction of rules for sharing-space, etc. (Ivan won't 'break'; that would be obvious when, with his paws on your shoulders - you are looking at each other at eye-level.)

She must become Tiger lest Ivan imagine that Tsardom is within his grasp. Her moves are premeditated, and have nothing to do with anger, or of instilling a 'fear' response of random neurotic kind: it's about maintaining a hierarchy which, if allowed to deteriorate - WILL produce neurotic behavior in all parts of the tribe, even the 'experienced' biped.

L. would say it better, for having-to - to so many who don't know shit, but read something somewhere. One employs force according to size (!) and the importance of a particular lesson. Sometimes there evasion isn't possible, nor would a 'treat' cajole.

(As Box noted, 'Course! - there Are all kinds of occasions / the majority, in fact / where Love is shown and reciprocated.. probably no more movingly than in Ivan's massive caring for the growth of a *blind* pup (who appears to have acquired bat radar as a now-adult; many cannot believe Jupiter/Jupie is blind, even with the unarguable evidence.)

Dogs are not wolves. But the differences/similarities aren't fodder for a sound bite. The commonality is surely about the pack-animal innate genetic codes shared, despite designer-breeding of the domesticated dogs.

Offhand, I can't think of any substitute for acquiring the tutoring of a truly experienced animal handler, wherever you see that you just don't know what's going on with your beast -- or what you should/shouldn't 'do' about it. (I certainly do not qualify to teach anyone, and believe no one can do much remote analysis.. beyond noting a few attitudes? that can help a new owner to acquire smarts.) No reason a tyke can't learn a few basic 'assertions' - it would likely be good for his own growing sense of er {ugh - another word so badly mauled} 'empowerment'?



My 3 itty-bitty wolf nips
(Jupie now acknowledges my scent too as, ~~ Shit! this biped already knows I'm a pussycat at heart.. guess we can just play, then.)

New Here's an often ignored rule
If the parents of the child who wants the dog have never cohabited with one of our furry friends, they shouldn't get one.

Ever.
-----------------------------------------
Draft Kucinich [link|http://www.kucinich.us/bio.php|now].
New true, unless on parent has
get them a goldfish or a cat. One is low maintenance and the other is self sufficient. Unless you are willing to commit to an animal for its life as an integral part of your family dont bother.
thanx,
bill
Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free american and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 51 years. meep

reach me at [link|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net]
New Must've been the weekend to hit the shelter
We picked up 2 kittens although one stayed at the shelter to get neutered. The other one came home and slept in my hair all night, kneading my head and purring. I didnt get much sleep, but he is a darn cute little thing!

Sorry to hear about your dog. I hope your new little puppy quickly becomes part of the family.
New My kittens have all but grown up.
The [link|http://gallery.yceran.org/v/Cats/Genevieve+on+the+furry+cushion.jpg.html|grey burmese] is now almost 18 months old. I've had her since she was about 8 weeks old. She is developing a variety of ways of saying 'Sit down: I want to curl up on your lap.'

The [link|http://gallery.yceran.org/v/Cats/Antionette+in+repose.jpg.html|tabby one] is a bit younger, perhaps 14 months. She's just started getting her adult body shape.

[link|http://gallery.yceran.org/v/Cats/|All pics]

Wade.
"Don't give up!"
New OT: Check your W3C validation link
===

Kip Hawley is still an idiot.

===

Purveyor of Doc Hope's [link|http://DocHope.com|fresh-baked dog biscuits and pet treats].
[link|http://DocHope.com|http://DocHope.com]
New Eck.
I'd never noticed that bit of oddness.

I made it take the link out.

Wade.
"Don't give up!"
New Nice pictures.
I havent owned a cat in years. It's nice. Unfortunately, the kitten my daughter picked out got very sick before they could neuter him. The Humane Society called me this morning to say it didnt look like he was going to pull through. They recommended we make another choice. So my daughter and I went out there and found another nice little grey/black tiger who came home today. We are all getting to know each other.
New Thank you.
I have more; I just have to scan them or get them off my camera phone.

I've had cats with me almost as long as I can rememeber. I think there was only a small period when I was renting that I didn't have cats with me, but I visited my parent's once a week or so and spent time with mum's cat.

Wade.
"Don't give up!"
New Sorry to hear it.
When we lost our pooch, Trudy, after 18 years, we decided we'd wait a while to fill the emptiness. In our case "a while" was almost 2 weeks. We now have a pair of retriever mutts from a shelter and a schnauzer we inherited from my MIL.

It's hard, but time heals. Enjoy the new pup.
New sorry to hear it, pits need strong owners
read up on them. Watching the dog whisperer is a good idea. I have watched that, he understands dogs.
thanx,
bill
Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free american and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 51 years. meep

reach me at [link|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net]
New condolences
It's been just over a year since we had to put one of our dogs down.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. (Herm Albright)
New Condolences - and congratulations...
Dogs are better than people in many ways - that makes losing them hard, I know...

But puppies are great!

Imric's Tips for Living
  • Paranoia Is a Survival Trait
  • Pessimists are never disappointed - but sometimes, if they are very lucky, they can be pleasantly surprised...
  • Even though everyone is out to get you, it doesn't matter unless you let them win.


Nothing is as simple as it seems in the beginning,
As hopeless as it seems in the middle,
Or as finished as it seems in the end.
 
 
New Condolences, and good luck with the puppy!
Alex

When fascism comes to America, it'll be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross. -- Sinclair Lewis
New Condolences. And congrats!
And I thank you for your lesson in canine genetics. I didn't know pit bulls could "make a couple of poodles". All this time I thought poodles were a different breed...

;-)
jb4
"When the final history is written in Iraq, [link|http://images.ucomics.com/comics/tmate/2006/tmate060926.gif|it'll look just like a comma.]"
George W. Bush, 24 Sep 06
Expand Edited by jb4 Dec. 12, 2006, 10:40:10 PM EST
New It never rains but it pours
Three days after we've got Mandy, my wife found out that she will not be feeling well for next few months. And then she'll have precious little time on her hands (those who guessed the reasons, please, let's not discuss them. We're keeping every part of every appendage crossed :) :) :) :) ).

The dog is now purely kids' responsibility. So far so good - they've rose to the occasion. Daniel is doing better with her, too.

She bites a lot - I put it down to teething. She is not aggressive, just needs to chew things, preferably in playful mode.

------

179. I will not outsource core functions.
--
[link|http://omega.med.yale.edu/~pcy5/misc/overlord2.htm|.]

New Congrats! Best of luck all around.
New its a pitt cross, they love to chew
give them large unchewable stuff to chew
congrats :-)
Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free american and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 51 years. meep

reach me at [link|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net]
New congrats!
--
Steve
[link|http://www.ubuntulinux.org|Ubuntu]
New May it all go well!
Alex

When fascism comes to America, it'll be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross. -- Sinclair Lewis
New I have failed...
We took Mandy back today.

My wife can't come near her for the nausea, and the kids still get bitten every day...

We decided to give her up while she is still a puppy and has a chance to get re-adopted. She needs an adult-only or teenager family.

Intellectually I think we did the right thing.

In my heart, I feel like a sorry loser and, to borrow an older expression, a scrub.

Daniel and Michael cried...

------

179. I will not outsource core functions.
--
[link|http://omega.med.yale.edu/~pcy5/misc/overlord2.htm|.]

New I'm very sorry. Don't be hard on yourself.
You did the right thing. Your kids will come to understand over time.

Hang in there.

Cheers,
Scott.
New you didnt fail, you realized it wouldnt work
while the dog is still adoptable. If you consider another dog try a gentle breed such as a bloodhound, boston terrier or french bulldog.
thanx,
bill
Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free american and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 51 years. meep

reach me at [link|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net]
New Ditto that thought.
Alex

When fascism comes to America, it'll be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross. -- Sinclair Lewis
New Sorry to hear that
Some breeds -- scratch that, some individual dogs -- require something different from what you've got. Whether it's kids vs. adults, country vs. city, whatever, it's hard to say. I hope you find one better suited. Good luck.
===

Kip Hawley is still an idiot.

===

Purveyor of Doc Hope's [link|http://DocHope.com|fresh-baked dog biscuits and pet treats].
[link|http://DocHope.com|http://DocHope.com]
New You did the right thing for your family AND the animal...

Imric's Tips for Living
  • Paranoia Is a Survival Trait
  • Pessimists are never disappointed - but sometimes, if they are very lucky, they can be pleasantly surprised...
  • Even though everyone is out to get you, it doesn't matter unless you let them win.


Nothing is as simple as it seems in the beginning,
As hopeless as it seems in the middle,
Or as finished as it seems in the end.
 
 
New *nod*
oops, meant to reply to Arkadiy

a little short term pain will be worth the growth your children experience from this event. It in NO WAY reflects negatively on you as a father, in fact it's quite the opposite. In this day and age of cocoon-like child seats for cars, instant antiseptic handwash to prevent spread of germs, bicycle helmets, etc, etc, we've learned to help minimize the physical risks our children are exposed to. However, we've somehow transferred that feeling of safety we have to the emotional growth of them as well: we've come to expect that they will deal with little or no emotional pain growing up. And while it may pain us to see them endure such pain, it's a very healthy and necessary part of their maturation. They're dealing with loss which is akin to the grieving process. As they go through this now with their parents to help them understand and deal with what they're feeling, the next time will be easier on them. When they no longer have you there to help them process, they'll be able to deal with pain maturely as adults.
--
Steve
[link|http://www.ubuntulinux.org|Ubuntu]
Expand Edited by Steve Lowe Jan. 3, 2007, 12:29:40 AM EST
Expand Edited by Steve Lowe Jan. 3, 2007, 12:30:03 AM EST
New You didn't fail, honestly!
It's better to make a decision like that one early, so that there isn't a lot of attachment to get past. I'm sure a gentler and kinder puppy will be a much better fit.

Good luck with it!

Brenda



"When you take charge of your life, there is no longer need to ask permission of other people or society at large. When you ask permission, you give someone veto power over your life." -- By Geoffrey F. Abert
****************************

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind, don't matter - and those who matter, don't mind." -- By Dr. Seuss
***********************************

"Sometimes it takes a whole lot more strength to walk away than to stand there and fight." -- By the character of John Abbott: said on Young & Restless on 5/19/06
*********************************
     Our old dog died... And a new one is here. - (Arkadiy) - (55)
         Sincere condolences. It'll get easier over time. - (Another Scott) - (29)
             Trouble - (Arkadiy) - (28)
                 FWIW you're right about who needs to be trained - (drewk) - (22)
                     Alpha roll is method of last resort for experts. - (pwhysall) - (21)
                         Since I have trained more dogs than you have et hot dinners - (boxley) - (5)
                             Anecdotal. - (pwhysall) - (4)
                                 kiss my ass, you might be good at that - (boxley) - (3)
                                     You bothered to post /that/? - (pwhysall)
                                     It must be the holidays - (bepatient) - (1)
                                         naw, too much of einsteins theory is anecdotal :-) -NT - (boxley)
                         We're talking about a specific behavior - (drewk) - (14)
                             And an alpha roll is not the way to fix it. - (pwhysall) - (13)
                                 I'm going to stop complaining now... - (pwhysall) - (12)
                                     Lots of good advice. - (Another Scott) - (11)
                                         You missed why the alpha roll causes problems. - (pwhysall) - (10)
                                             I didn't miss it, I disagree. - (Another Scott) - (4)
                                                 Dog Whisper Bloke doesn't alpha roll dogs. - (pwhysall) - (3)
                                                     I don't alpha roll dogs either. - (Andrew Grygus)
                                                     Clarification. - (Another Scott)
                                                     Training vs. breaking bad habits - (drewk)
                                             oh, did you get that crap from willyipedia? - (boxley) - (2)
                                                 Whatever, Bill. - (pwhysall) - (1)
                                                     yabut /me isin ixpert -NT - (boxley)
                                             That is not my experience and I have 3 dogs. - (hnick) - (1)
                                                 There's an element of training in there. - (static)
                 nope you train the dog - (boxley)
                 Both Drew and Box are right. - (static)
                 Wolves aren't dogs, but.. - (Ashton) - (2)
                     Here's an often ignored rule - (Silverlock) - (1)
                         true, unless on parent has - (boxley)
         Must've been the weekend to hit the shelter - (bionerd) - (5)
             My kittens have all but grown up. - (static) - (4)
                 OT: Check your W3C validation link -NT - (drewk) - (1)
                     Eck. - (static)
                 Nice pictures. - (bionerd) - (1)
                     Thank you. - (static)
         Sorry to hear it. - (hnick)
         sorry to hear it, pits need strong owners - (boxley)
         condolences - (jbrabeck)
         Condolences - and congratulations... - (imric)
         Condolences, and good luck with the puppy! -NT - (a6l6e6x)
         Condolences. And congrats! - (jb4)
         It never rains but it pours - (Arkadiy) - (12)
             Congrats! Best of luck all around. -NT - (Another Scott)
             its a pitt cross, they love to chew - (boxley)
             congrats! -NT - (Steve Lowe)
             May it all go well! -NT - (a6l6e6x)
             I have failed... - (Arkadiy) - (7)
                 I'm very sorry. Don't be hard on yourself. - (Another Scott)
                 you didnt fail, you realized it wouldnt work - (boxley) - (1)
                     Ditto that thought. -NT - (a6l6e6x)
                 Sorry to hear that - (drewk)
                 You did the right thing for your family AND the animal... -NT - (imric) - (1)
                     *nod* - (Steve Lowe)
                 You didn't fail, honestly! - (Nightowl)

Beats turning True Believers into Soylent Green. Doesn't it?
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