Carolk9s

[quote name='beagle88']Oh sorry about that. And thats fine that you think they look good with natural ears, thats what cropping and docking is all about, looks.[/quote] THAT'S exactly my problem with this, is serves no benefit to the dog. As Stiff said, girls (and) boys get their ears pierced to affect a certain look, if it's their choice, cool. I also do not agree with parents getting their 6 month old baby girls ears pierced. If your dog wants to have his or her ears cropped, go for it. How do you know you dog isn't horrified and shocked at the surgery you've put him through so he will look a certain way?

Well then when I get my dobie he will have no tail or ears... It calls for it in the standard. They put the dog out and they don't feel a thing. Its just the same as spaying, you spay the dog and they put the dog under and they will be a little sore but people still do that... :roll:[/quote] This is your statement where I thought you were saying dogs were put out to have ears and tails done. Personally I think dobes with natural ears look very nice and dignified. Dogs with 1/2 an ear look 'wrong' to me, my opinion.

Beagle88 can you please check with your vet about them 'putting the dog out' to dock a tail. I imagine they do it for ears but not sure about the tail. I am quite willing to be educated so if my info in old and out of date please someone feel free to update me on these procedures. My understanding is that dog tails are docked when the pups are about 3 days old and supposedly nerve endings are not complete and the pup experiences very little distress at the time. Ears I believe are a different matter altogether. Isn't this done sometime after pup is 3 or more months old? What pain management is offered to dog during the healing of the ears? What is the purpose? Dobies CAN be shown with full ears in the AKC ring, while ears are 'normally' cropped it is not a requirement or a disqualification in the show ring.

My 'not so humble opinion' is that NO body parts should be cut off/out from a dog unless there is a valid medical or preventative reason. These validating reasons would include spay/neuter, correction of an injury to the dog, prevention of an injury to the dog. There are most likely some that I've missed, what it boils down to is that I do not agree with lopping off doggie body parts for cosmetic reasons alone. I do not care if 'that's the way it's always been' I do not care if that is the breed standard, I do not care if 'it's my dog and I'll do what I want'. I hate it. Think it's barbaric. Ask the dog if they want part to most of their tail chopped off. Ask if they want 1/2 their ears sliced away. Where's the Pet Psychic when you need her, why doesn't she ask dogs these kinds of questions?

Here is a link to some info about the so called Toy Munchkins. [url]http://www.sunshineband.org/articles/MUTTS.shtml[/url] You can also do a search from yahoo.com just type in toy munchkin dog and press enter. Certainly it's Let the Buyer Beware. If you want a mutt, great! Mutts are wonderful dogs. If you want to spend a couple thousand dollars for your mutt, go for it, it's your money. If you want to finance these so-called breeders so they can make more little mutts, who can stop you. Please just do your homework. If you want to rescue a mutt from your local shelter or check out petfinder.org, all the better. You can find an adorable little mutt that needs a home, as well as many purebred dogs, for a whole lot less and you might just have saved their life.

One reason running backwards while your dog is weaving is that when you are done with weaving you then have to turn your body CORRECTLY to help direct the dog on to the next obstacle. Since your dog takes much of it's direction from your body language, if you turn awkwardly or incorrectly you might send them to the wrong obstacle. Even if you can call them back before they go off course, you've wasted 'precious' seconds getting your dog back on track. You might then also become flustered at this point and sometimes that can snowball on you. Also, as others have mentioned, should you stumble and fall, so many things can happen, you might fall on your dog, in your dogs path, fall into the weave poles or just plain hurt yourself and wreck your run. If you fall on your dog or into the weave poles, runs over, you've DQ'd. If you hurt yourself, runs probably over as well. If your dog comes to you to ask why you are sprawled on the ground when there's more stuff to do and touches you, most likely will also DQ. However, if this method really REALLY works for you and your dog, I sure wouldn't tell you no no bad handler, I'd just be holding my breath as you executed your repositioning to go on.

1st off, I absolutely agree that ANY dog not intended for breeding in order to improve or add something wonderful to the breed should be spayed or neutered. However, I do understand what is meant by 'spay coat'. Females who are spayed and therefore do not go through the hormonal fluctuations may grow ENORMOUS coats that are soft and highly mattable. In BSD's, one can brush and brush until your arms fall off and the girlie dog just smiles and grows more coat. I believe it's primarily the undercoat that is the problem, the soft, fluffy, tangled down tight to the skin undercoat. Of course the problem may be partly due to breeding dogs for huge show coats in the first place.

Jesse BSD and I have done obedience, agility, and herding, tracking is coming in the fall. Brittany and I have done obedience and agility. Candy and I have done obedience and agility, flyball coming soon. Non 'formal' activities include running wild at the dog park having a blast playing with their pals, going for rides in the van, going to Petsmart, visiting grandma and teasing the cat-who puts ALL the dogs in their place with no problem at all, piling together on the big bed to watch tv and cuddle.

I use a chair and a whip. Maybe some raw meat. Ok, I'm JUST KIDDING folks, tho they do love raw meat. Way back when I first started the way to train involved leash pops and a more punitive approach than is used today. I'm so glad ideas about dog training have evolved somewhat. Now I use primarily positive reinforcement, clicker, treats and play after training. I also use a lot of body language, smiles, arms wide open with effusive praise for a job well done, pats and mini hugs etc. While the dog is LEARNING there are no 'real' corrections, just redirection so the dog can understand what I want. Sometimes baby steps are used then all is tied together with huge praise.

[quote name='pitbullluva']we do feed him 3 times a day, but the total amount of food for the day is what a dog his size should be eating. We tried to mix some puppy food with some adult and he would just eat around the adult formula (WHAT A BRAT!!!)We went out and bought Eukenuba the other day. He still hesitates a little but if you turn your back on him, he runs to the bowl and devours it. So I guess we'll try this brand for a bit.[/quote] Hm, almost sounds like he's playing you with that 2nd to last line. If he's got energy, is able to poop ok, appears fine in other respects, he may just be testing YOU. I personally would not switch brands too often, as you say you will try the Eukenuba for a bit, I would not let him dictate too much as to what he will or will not eat. Both Science Diet and Eukenuba make a quality product, I also like Pro Plan for my pack. Good luck and don't baby him if he's healthy but just being a brat!

My oops again, I reread your post and you ARE already using food. I would continue even trying something pup does not always get, a bit of cooked chicken or dried liver. Does your pup LIKE riding in the truck?

Oops, forgot to login first. Previous post from 'GUEST' was me.

Reprinted from other list MEMPHIS, Tenn. (USA) - Last week, The Commercial Appeal reported on a recent Tennessee Court ruling that was "worthy of a standing ovation." Judge Alan Glenn, rebuked an appeal of a couple from Humboldt who had bred and kept as many as 350 dogs sick and starving in filthy kennels. Not only did Judge Glenn deal very sternly with the offenders, he delivered an excellent oratory that ought to be framed above the door of every court that handles animal abuse cases. He said: "The Court finds that Judy Fay Johnson and Stanley Paul Johnson have been found guilty of 11 counts of cruelty to animals. Bonds are set at $1,000 in each of the 11 counts, which was done by a jury of good and lawful citizens of Gibson County. "Over 350 puppies and dogs were victims of this gross violation of the law. The victims of this crime were animals that could not speak up to the unbelievable conduct of Judy Fay Johnson and Stanley Paul Johnson that they suffered. Several of the dogs have died and most had physical problems such as intestinal worms, mange, eye problems, dental problems and emotional problems and socialization problems. "Since dogs have entered domestic service of human beings, they have given solace and companionship when needed. They have helped hunt, guard flocks, and in ice and snow have pulled sleds. "They have rescued people when lost in snowdrifts. They act as police in sniffing out crimes, and they become eyes for those who cannot see. They guard homes and possessions. All this, these creatures do for kind, humane treatment. "Watching this video of the conditions that these dogs were subjected to was one of the most deplorable things this Court has observed in the 22 years in the course of being on the bench. "And though, Judy Fay Johnson, you urge this Court to take into consideration the mitigating factors that you've been sick up to two years prior to them being rescued from your care. You say you've been sick. You talked about reducing the population, but the only thing you did was sell puppies. "The Court finds that you have a previous history of criminal convictions or criminal behavior, that the offense involved more than one victim, that the victims were particularly vulnerable, that you have a previous history of unwillingness to comply with conditions of a sentence involving release into the community, and that you abused the position of public or private trust. "The Court further finds that you were charged with this exact same charge in 1993, and after a period of probation, the matter was dismissed. "Judy Fay Johnson, you're sentenced to 11 months and 29 days in each of the 11 counts of cruelty to animals.These will be run concurrent. Further, this Court finds that probation would not serve the ends of justice, nor be in the best interest of the public, nor would this have a deterrent effect for such gross behavior. "Therefore, you, Judy Fay Johnson, shall serve six months of your sentence on condition that you make restitution to the Dyersburg Humane Society for $3,242 for the expenses involved in freeing those dogs from their purgatory and your payment of the fine and costs in full. You are further prohibited from ever running or owning any animal kennel or owning any animal as a pet. "Stanley Johnson, the Court finds that your offenses involve more than one victim. The victims were particularly vulnerable. You treated the victims with exceptional cruelty. You abused the position of public or private trust. You were charged with the exact same charge in 1993 that after a period of probation was dismissed. "You are sentenced to 11 months and 29 days in each of the 11 counts. . . . You shall serve 90 days of your sentence on condition that $3,242 be paid to the Dyersburg Humane Society for the expenses involved in removing the helpless dogs from your custody. You are further prohibited from ever running or owning any animal kennel or owning any animal as a pet. "There are those who would argue that you should be confined in a house trailer with no ventilation or in a cell three-by- seven with eight or ten other inmates with no plumbing, no exercise and no opportunity to feel the sun or smell fresh air. However, the courts of this land have held that such treatment is cruel and inhuman, and it is. You will not be treated in the same way that you treated these helpless animals that you abused to make a dollar."

Sorry, fingers got ahead of brain, this line: Other registeries all recognize the Laekenois. Should say: 'Other registeries ALSO not ALL', not sure if Laekens are recognized worldwide.

Replying to SixJollyDogs question about white GSD's and conformation. Perhaps saying you 'cannot' show in conformation was the wrong choice of words. I suppose one could enter the dog, but it will be disqualified automatically, no chance at all of winning any placement. The dog could be otherwise an absolutely breathtaking example for form and structure but due to the white coat, you're outta there. You can register a white GSD if it's from registered parents, you can show the dog in obedience, agility, tracking etc. You can earn titles in these fields. One of my dogs is a Belgian Sheepdog, they are always to be black with MINOR white on chest and perhaps toes. If two registered black Belgian Sheepdogs produce any puppies that are Tervuren colored or any other coloring, the pups are still registered (in the U.S. AKC) as Belgian Sheepdogs but are of a disqualifying color. They can still compete and win in AKC obedience, agility, tracking, herding, etc. It would be pointless to enter them in a conformation class as they would be disqualified. Other registeries such as UKC and outside of the U.S. would allow these dogs to compete in conformation as they consider all Belgian Shepherd dogs to be one breed, 4 varieties. The AKC registers them as separate breeds and only recognizes 3 right now, the Sheepdog, the Tervuren, and the Malinios. Other registeries all recognize the Laekenois. Sorry the long answer but I hope this explains my previous post better.

My variety pack consists of: Jesse-Belgian Sheepdog Brittany-Aussie/German Shorthaired Pointer mix Candy-Hard to say, might be lab/terrier, or chi/terrier, maybe some beagle? Mostly when asked what kind of dogs do I have I simply answer, SPOILED

Once a dog gets their championship, at least in AKC, I believe they would then only be able to be entered into the Best of Breed class. The champions would then be judged against Best of Winners for that day. If anyone else knows more, jump on in. A junior handler may show a dog that is a champion, most that I personally have seen are champs, the age of the handler determines the junior status.

Just a little correction/clarification regarding the registering of white GSD's and white Boxers. I am assuming at this point the parent club would be AKC. White boxers out of registered parents CAN be registered, but are of a DISQUALIFYING color for the breed ring. They can still compete in most if not all performance type events. Same with white GSD's. Within the United Kennel Club, white GSD's are registerable and able to be shown. Carol and the Variety Pack at: [url]http://carolk9s.homestead.com/mypage.html[/url]

Here is a link to my Belgian Sheepdog's photo, perhaps this is the breed you are asking about? [url]http://www.dogomania.com/gallery/breeds/981891113.html[/url] Also this link for more photos of Belgian Sheepdogs [url]http://www.dogomania.com/gallery/breeds/breed61/[/url]

I think you are doing a wonderful job there, I agree with Dana about backing off just a bit in picking the pups up. I think you hit on the right path by just stroking mom and then stroking the pups without actually picking them up yet. Mama dog is being very trusting considering she has only been around you for a short while. I also think Purina Puppy food is fine, supplementing with the types of things Dana mentioned will help. I am an advocate of raw treats, small amounts of fresh raw beef or chicken as well as canned tuna, salmon, or eggs-raw or cooked. SMALL amounts of cheese, lots of fat in cheese as well as protein. I supplement my dogs diets with the above, they especially like the raw stuff. Is the shelter helping you with the cost of caring for Gypsy and her pups?

I think it's great that you are asking these questions and also that a mixed breed is a possibility. Some breeds may be more suitable than others but many times it comes down to the individual dog. I would like to encourage you and your husband to visit your local shelter, speak to the shelter staff, sometimes they can provide info about dogs in their care. Most likely a very energetic dog leaping about like a fish on a line will not endear itself to your husband. The shelter should allow you to take the dog to a quieter place so you can evaluate the dogs behaviour outside of its kennel. They may take the dog outside on a leash with you, or perhaps they have a room where you and your husband can play with the dog privately. When I volunteered at my local shelter, there were some dogs who were young and wild, needed a strong person to walk them, some dogs were very quiet and calm. Keep in mind that a dog at a shelter-which can be a very noisy stimluating environment-might exhibit different behaviour once away from that. A restless dog MIGHT calm down to a much quieter pet, of course it also might not! The younger dogs will have much different exercise requirements than an older dog. Maybe the first dog for hubby's sake should be an older, quieter, housetrained dog. Take your time, ask more questions, don't jump too soon, the perfect dog for you will come along. Best of luck to you, I know I never want to be without at least one dog in my life. If you need help locating a shelter in your area, email me privately, I'll be glad to help. My address is on my webpage. Carol and the VARIETY PACK who can be seen at: [url]http://carolk9s.homestead.com/mypage.html[/url]

As long as your dog is safely confined, has room to stretch, has shade for warm/hot days, a warm area for cold days, has an adequate house for shelter from the elements, has cool clean water to drink all day long, is not in danger of being attacked by any roaming dogs, does not wear a choke type collar while unattended, gets to come inside and be with her family at night, I think being outside can be just fine. If I left out anything that others feel is important, feel free to add on. My house has a doggie door, my dogs have access to my entire house plus the double fenced back yard while I am at work. They have water inside and out, my neighbor checks on them throughout the day. If they did NOT have an outlet to run and play with each other outside, I would come home to very tightly wound dogs who had had no exercise during the day. Granted they are still ready for a romp at the dog park when I get home, but if that is not possible, they are happy enough with me throwing a ball in the yard with them.