Going to the DAWGS

Well, I am hoping we make it out to the UW Spring Game this Saturday, but if we don’t that’s okay.

I started conducting research on dog breeds. I had read or heard someone say that all breeds were designed to do something and have their own traits. That makes perfect sense, but I don’t know much other than what I can logically conclude.

I grew up with a dog in the house, all of them but one were Doberman Pinschers and the exception was a black Lab. My mom always wanted a dog that could serve as a guard dog and I guess Dobermans were fashionable in the 70’s… then since my mom doesn’t change, she never thought about a different type of guard dog. As a kid, Doberman’s aren’t really cuddly dogs and playing fetch is somewhat foreign to them. In my mom’s drive to save money, she often found dogs that were free or didn’t cost much and so they had issues. Now she has a perfectly healthy dog that had obedience training but doesn’t listen to her.

There are also some frieds of the family that have a couple of dachshunds. It sounds like they’e not very gracious towards their dogs. In both situations it seems like the dogs are really only tended to on the owners terms and aren’t treated like canines and more like humans.

I have a natural inclination towards handling dogs. One time with ETaurus’s dogs (a pointer/dalmation mix and a pug) Twin walked the pug while ETaurus walked the pointer. The pointer is really well behaved, because its a timid dog it automatically recognizes a male as an alpha. The Pug on the other hand isn’t like that. So that dog is sniffing and marking everything and Twin feels helpless. I tell her that you have to take control of a dog. You have to be firm. I took the leash and he was fine after a few tugs and stern commands.

In my research and the point of me writing today was I found that my mom really needs a different dog, and there are other types that are good guard dogs that are more low-energy indoors. My mom is not an alpha by any means. She may get nasty and yell, but it takes persistance to get to that. My mom doesn’t behave like the alpha because she’s more cowardly and opportunistic. It seems like dogs pick up these things. My mom is also self-centric and doesn’t consider the needs of the dog.

I’ve only begun my reseach. We’ve been talking about getting a dog, so I was looking for something that is good with other pets (like our cat), sociable, easily trained, but medium-large in size. It seems as though we might get a German Shephard, but I would also be happy with a Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, or maybe some other kind of dog that’s similar. I fully understand now what makes dogs like me and how to train them to be obedient. I learned what causes their neurotic behavior and how to avoid separation anxiety. I think it will be fun, of course take a lot of responsibility… it would be worth it though I think.

I treat our cat like a dog, and he behaves somewhat like one… he’s just more skiddish. He doesn’t trust in my ability to keep him safe, but enjoys that I help safeguard his territory.

*PerfectlyImperfect*

April 23, 2012

You will love having a dog! Im so glad we got Nala, she is the perfect addition to our family. German Shepards, Labs, and Retrievers are all good dogs, I’m sure you’ll find the right one. Are you rescuing one, or are you going to a breeder? If you’re looking online, I highly recommend petfinder.com That’s where we found Nala 🙂

spazzyhilo

I love dogs and labs make great pets. In my experience they are good with people and pets and are very easy to train. They also love the water and would probably be good kayaking dogs. I saw a guy who had his golden lab on a small paddle boat with him. Cutest thing I’ve ever seen!

Phoenix Seraph

I love dogs. But then I love cats too. Good luck finding the right dog!

xPrettyxFacex

April 24, 2012

Pickles is a jack russell and ****zu mix. She’s insane. I rescued her from a shelter. J picked her out really.. but I love all dogs, so I’m okay with it. I don’t think I’d have picked her necessarily though.

Amber

I LOVE Dobermans!! It’s insane just how smart dogs are. I grew up with lots of dogs because my mom showed/groomed/bread them. It started out Lhasa apsos & Maltese. Then Pomeranians. Then Golden Retrievers. Yeah quite a bunch. We also had a hit load of parrots (ie. Macaws) and a few horses at one point. soooo off topic haha

dellusion

our ideal dog would be a golden. we’ve talked about getting one once we have kids so they can grow up together. i’ve had a variety of pets growing up, dogs especially since my mom was a mail carrier and would always bring home strays (mostly mutts). have also had rottweilers (super obedient and smart), great dane, german shepherd, etc. if i had more time/energy we’d get a dog now, but as it is, we’re going to wait. wouldn’t be fair to a dog right now since we’re both so busy, which is why we’re getting more cats, lol.

RYN: I have to admit, your note totally left me scratching my head. In what way, exactly, was I “hysterical” in the previous entry? I was hurt and disappointed, yes, but that’s a far cry from hysteria. It makes me wonder if you even know what that term means… Futhermore, what did you mean by the comment of “if this even happened”? That confuses me too. Are you implying that Iam or I may be lying about something?

KPinK

Great idea! I want a dog, but I will wait until Im finished with my Masters… then I will research the right dog for me. 🙂

RYN: you are so right. I am going to have a chat with Del and Im going to let him know about Jock. Too bad so sad. Of course, Im going to be decent about it. Also, Jock was adopted when he was 5 or 6, along with a bunch of other kids, so I think that is what makes him different about the kid/parent connection.

I am all about the big dogs myself. The bull mastiff, the Shepard, and the malamute, and the Alaskan huskies are all on my list. What has stopped is the fact that i work long hours, I am rarely home, etc. I can’t do that to any animal. leaving it for long period of time, unattended I am sure would cause problems for both of us. So i really have to wait till i move in with someone. good luck

RYN: Thank you for explaining. It all makes a lot more sense now. We all have those moments when the words fail us and we don’t get out point across as clearly as we would like.

RyN: actually those people were not my parents. I am still in my place till this coming Saturday. You arent the only one that thought it was. 🙂

April 26, 2012

RYN: you are actually correct. Jock’s actions match what he says. 🙂

Looking4Forever

RYN: Yeah, they just released their 4th album with their new singer and will start touring in June, according to their FB page. I’m only just now learning of this band. I’m listening to whatever videos I find on youtube of their’s and I gotta say…I think they are my new favorite band. Haha…and yes, “Cold” is a perfect song for doing just as you described…only I’m in my Mustang. 😉

Ok…so I listened to Evans Blue’s latest music with Dan Chandler on vocals singing “Erase My Scars” and they do have a new sound, but that is to be expected with different singers. I still, however like it – but I love Kevin’s vocals probably more. Interesting. Still dig this band though. Gonna check out some others they have toured with in the past. I need some fresh music, even if it’s not new.

Labs are the best dogs in the world. We got a chocolate lab when she was 8 weeks she’s now a year and a half. She’s been the best dog ever she’s wonderful with children and other dogs she’s been a joy to have. 🙂