Support NeoGAF

[Tenks]

Ah ok.

lol @ harassing. My dog is a collie mix and let me tell you, he gets SUPER excited any time I have a guest over. He will go over to them and not leave their side until t hey pet him. He will bring over all his toys, especially tennis balls, and bark once or twice to let them know to toss the ball so he can chase after it. It might be a collie thing.

Yes collies are an extremely active breed. It doesn't help that my aunt doesn't exercise the dog at least 30 minutes a day. Bringing a variety of toys to guests isn't bad behavior but it leans over towards alpha behavior when he pushes them into the person's crotch if they are sitting or walks between the person's legs if they are standing. Those actions are considered behavior of an extremely confident dog that sees himself as the house leader -- especially if you correct him to stop and it continues.

Unfortunately most guests kind of love it and don't understand rewarding that behavior is compounding the problem. As the pack leader of the house it is kind of your job to stop any unwanted behavior to guests.

 

[MrOogieBoogie]

I know what you mean. Banjo is very well behaved and considers me the pack leader. My wife on the other hand is a different story. It's crazy how different he is around me compared to her sometimes. Especially when on the leash.

Do elaborate. I find this all fascinating (seeing as how I've never owned a dog in my life, but love them nonetheless).

 

[Veezy]

My girlfriend got her dog from the Humane Society. A few year old West Highland Terrier that was a breeder dog at a puppy mill. It was a fucking mess of an animal.

- When she first got the dog, it needed to be shaved and bathed. Despite this, for a week, she was picking bits of shit out of the bitch's fur.
- Since the dog was feed shit food, she had teeth that needed to be pulled and intense scrubbing needed to be done to clean layers of garbage off her molars.
- It would bark at night at random. No noise, just barking.
- Didn't eat for, honestly, a week.
- Had to be trained to not shit in the road and to shit in the grass, instead.
- Had to be taught to play. Which, unfortunately, was my job. The dog didn't know the difference between biting to fight off the animal trying to steal your food and biting a toy. Since Westies have a jaw bigger than a dog of their breed does, that meant super sharp teeth. I have several scars on my hand and wrist from the dog playing too rough.
- The dog is afraid of certain trash cans.
- The dog, for a month solid, barked when me and the girlfriend had sex. Kinda, ya know, kills the mood.

It was almost a year before the dog walked with her tail up, like most Westies do. She's okay now, but nowhere near as adjusted as a normal dog is. Seriously, don't buy dogs that come from mills.

 

[tycoonheart]

- It would bark at night at random. No noise, just barking.
- Had to be taught to play. Which, unfortunately, was my job. The dog didn't know the difference between biting to fight off the animal trying to steal your food and biting a toy. Since Westies have a jaw bigger than a dog of their breed does, that meant super sharp teeth. I have several scars on my hand and wrist from the dog playing too rough.
- The dog is afraid of certain trash cans.
- The dog, for a month solid, barked when me and the girlfriend had sex. Kinda, ya know, kills the mood.

These are the things that you go through with every puppy.

Edit: How old was the dog when she got him?

 

[Tenks]

Even not eating much for a week isn't exactly unusual behavior for a new dog

 

[Kentpaul]

I don't believe in keeping animals in captivity, so i don't even have a dog/cat

 

[Tenks]

I don't believe in keeping animals in captivity, so i don't even have a dog/cat

Pretty sure I provide a better living experience for my animals than they could ever dream about in the wild

 

[tycoonheart]

Even not eating much for a week isn't exactly unusual behavior for a new dog

Yeah, but I would be very very concerned about that.

My dog didn't eat for an entire day when he was little. Turns out he had worms. He wasn't in the best of shape when we rescued him.

 

[CornBurrito]

I don't believe in keeping animals in captivity, so i don't even have a dog/cat

The wild is a really harsh place to be. Keep in mind that dogs originated from wolves, and were bred for domestication. I'm not sure how well they would fare in the wild.

 

[Kentpaul]

Pretty sure I provide a better living experience for my animals than they could ever dream about in the wild

I'm pretty sure you do, also love my friends dog's, I'm just not the type of guy to keep a dog.

 

[Tenks]

Yeah, but I would be very very concerned about that.

My dog didn't eat for an entire day when he was little. Turns out he had worms. He wasn't in the best of shape when we rescued him.

I kept a 10 week old Pembroke Corgi for around a week or so and he just plain didn't eat much during this time. Literally about half of what he should have been eating. Some dogs just react differently to changing environments and one way is not eating.

 

[tycoonheart]

I don't believe in keeping animals in captivity, so i don't even have a dog/cat

My dog gets the entire house when I'm not there (and even when I'm there).

He gets a minimum 2-3 mile walk A DAY.

He gets to play with all the neighborhood dogs.

He gets the best food.

He's always up to date on his vaccines and health checkups.

And he gets a shit ton of love.

I don't think he would feel as if he is in captivity.

 

[LyleLanley]

The wild is a really harsh place to be. Keep in mind that dogs originated from wolves, and were bred for domestication. I'm not sure how well they would fare in the wild.

I kind of want to see a pack of Shih Tzus or Dachshunds in the wild.

 

[Tenks]

I kind of want to see a pack of Shih Tzus or Dachshunds in the wild.

Haha that would be hilarious. There is a good reason the Wolf won the canine evolution war prior to domestication.

 

[teruterubozu]

I don't believe in keeping animals in captivity, so i don't even have a dog/cat

Your house must be unfit for you then.

 

[Deku]

I know people who run Pet Shops. They are usually good people with good intentions and buy their own pets from their own stores. They pay for the upkeep, shots, food, care, grooming, vet bills for the pets until they are sold, which can be weeks to months.

These stores usually hire pet lovers as their staff, who go in on weekends at odd hours, (including holidays like Christmas) to care for the pets.

And yes, they've had overzelaous people like the OP go into their stores to scream and yell at them for 'animal abuse' and generally make a scene. It's disgusting.

 

[LyleLanley]

Haha that would be hilarious. There is a good reason the Wolf won the canine evolution war prior to domestication.

I can just imagine a pack of wiener dogs attacking a deer for their meal. It's a glorious image.

 

[ReBurn]

I thought the animal shelter was the puppy store. There aren't any pet shops around here that actually sell pets as far as I know.

 

[FutureZombie]

I actually agree with the comparison of adopting children. Can someone explain why that is a ridiculous comparison to make? Having to create your own kid is selfish and somewhat superstitious when you really break it down. Why do you need a child who is of your own genetic material? That's primitive thinking.

 

[LyleLanley]

I actually agree with the comparison of adopting children. Can someone explain why that is a ridiculous comparison to make? Having to create your own kid is selfish and somewhat superstitious when you really break it down. Why do you need a child who is of your own genetic material? That's primitive thinking.

Because children aren't killed if they don't get adopted and like has already been stated, kids are not dogs. Giving birth to a child is not at all like getting a dog from a pet store. It's a stupid comparison.

 

[FutureZombie]

Because children aren't killed if they don't get adopted and like has already been stated, kids are not dogs. Giving birth to a child is not at all like getting a dog from a pet store. It's a stupid comparison.

Maybe the result for the orphan isn't death, but not having a loving family is arguably worse in many instances. I think it's a good comparison.

 

[tycoonheart]

I actually agree with the comparison of adopting children. Can someone explain why that is a ridiculous comparison to make? Having to create your own kid is selfish and somewhat superstitious when you really break it down. Why do you need a child who is of your own genetic material? That's primitive thinking.

Isn't there a shortage in adopting children? I've read about there being a long waiting list, at least in the US.

Its the opposite for dogs. Shelters are overwhelmed with too many of them.

 

[teruterubozu]

I actually agree with the comparison of adopting children. Can someone explain why that is a ridiculous comparison to make? Having to create your own kid is selfish and somewhat superstitious when you really break it down. Why do you need a child who is of your own genetic material? That's primitive thinking.

What next? Cats, birds, fish, turtles, hamsters, baboons, giraffes? They're all like kids!!!!

Please stop.

 

[Tenks]

Maybe the result for the orphan isn't death, but not having a loving family is arguably worse in many instances. I think it's a good comparison.

It isn't Dogs are dogs and humans are humans. You cannot directly compare an apple to an orange.

 

[Deku]

Because children aren't killed if they don't get adopted and like has already been stated, kids are not dogs. Giving birth to a child is not at all like getting a dog from a pet store. It's a stupid comparison.

Questionable. That's the reason why so many white couples adopt unwanted girls from China.

The sad thing about it RE: adoption, is this is the same constituency that tend to support more social programs for the poor, but they often refuse to adopt native born babies because their parents are druggies or have HIV or all sorts of problems and they rather let those kids be wards of the state, grow up in dysfunctional environments and cost the tax payers a fortune.

I always find it disturbing and hypocritical.

 

[LuchaShaq]

or walks between the person's legs if they are standing. .

Never thought of this as "alpha" behavior, my dog does this all the time but then stops halfway through for butt rubs lmao.

 

[Venfayth]

I actually agree with the comparison of adopting children. Can someone explain why that is a ridiculous comparison to make? Having to create your own kid is selfish and somewhat superstitious when you really break it down. Why do you need a child who is of your own genetic material? That's primitive thinking.

Because adopting a child and getting a dog are two completely different activities with different motives, different processes, and different outcomes.

 

[teruterubozu]

Never thought of this as "alpha" behavior, my dog does this all the time but then stops halfway through for butt rubs lmao.

Yeah, if anything that's submissive behavior. People get too carried away with those Dog Whisperer shows and books.

 

[LyleLanley]

Questionable. That's the reason why so many white couples adopt unwanted girls from China.

The sad thing about it RE: adoption, is this is the same constituency that tend to support more social programs for the poor, but they often refuse to adopt native born babies because their parents are druggies or have HIV or all sorts of problems and they rather let those kids be wards of the state, grow up in dysfunctional environments and cost the tax payers a fortune.

I always find it disturbing and hypocritical.

I think you're too stuck on the idea of adopting a child = adopting a dog. Just because I encourage adopting dogs doesn't mean I would necessarily adopt a child but it doesn't mean I wouldn't either. As has been said, they are two completely different things.

I can't believe I'm having a discussion as to why adopting a dog and a child are not the same thing...

 

[bengraven]

Because adopting a child and getting a dog are two completely different activities with different motives, different processes, and different outcomes.

Oh boy, and here. we. go.

 

[Venfayth]

Oh boy, and here. we. go.

Haven't read the rest of the thread, have you?

 

[FutureZombie]

Because adopting a child and getting a dog are two completely different activities with different motives, different processes, and different outcomes.

Yes, of course they are different. But the logic remains the same. In both cases you are choosing to add to the population when there is a readily available, perfectly good kid/dog that needs a home.

 

[LyleLanley]

Oh boy, and here. we. go.

What are you talking about, we've been going for a while now.

Yes, of course they are different. But the logic remains the same. In both cases you are choosing to add to the population when there is a readily available, perfectly good kid/dog that needs a home.

Unless you're a dog looking to give birth to another dog then the logic does not remain the same.

 

[Lucky Forward]

Never thought of this as "alpha" behavior, my dog does this all the time but then stops halfway through for butt rubs lmao.

My dog walks through my legs all the time as a way of being affectionate, but he's otherwise submissive to me in all other respects, e.g. I can easily take food away from him or have him drop an object on command.

 

[Venfayth]

Yes, of course they are different. But the logic remains the same. In both cases you are choosing to add to the population when there is a readily available, perfectly good kid/dog that needs a home.

Them needing a home has nothing to do with someone wanting a pet/kid. It's a non-issue.

 

[Bentendo]

Because people want a specific dog

Exactly. My family is allergic to almost every type of dog except a couple of breeds and the shelters we went to didn't have it. We've had our dog for 10 years now and she's one of the greatest things that's ever happened to us.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Sorry it grinds your gears so much OP :/

 

[teruterubozu]

Exactly. My family is allergic to almost every type of dog except a couple of breeds and the shelters we went to didn't have it. We've had our dog for 10 years now and she's one of the greatest things that's ever happened to us.

Let me guess. Cockapoo

 

[suzu]

Puppy mills are bad. Supporting puppy mills is bad. Most pet shops get their animals from puppy mills.

Reputable breeders are good. Random person breeding for puppies in his backyard is bad.

Not all shelter pets are "broken". You will find one that fits you/your family if you look hard enough. Older pets are not un-trainable. Also for a specific breed, you can try visiting rescue shelters instead.

 

[Bentendo]

Let me guess. Cockapoo

Close. A bicahpoo.

 

[Tenks]

Close. A bicahpoo.

When you say allergies everyone knows its going to be a *poo. I was considering getting a corgipoo. A few came up for adoption and they were really cute.

 

[SolKane]

Breeders and pet stores are the same scum. Do people even research the standards? Animals are treated like throwable consumer products, thats nothing new. The excuse of that you "save" the animal from the pet store doesn't work in the longrun, if they get the puppy sold they will get a new one, you are supporting the market and encouraging more suffering. Dog breeds have a lot of problems, and most of the time people want breeds due to the looks. You cause more suffering by even encouraging the breeding practices for profit. If people are willing to pay for a dog they might show some responsibility in their investment, but it does not mean that breeders encourage good dog owners. Many people have no prior experience with dogs and often don't care or try to understand their dogs other than being a product.

My mom's a dog breeder, and this is absolutely not true. The amount of care, attention and healthcare that goes into raising our dogs is more than a large majority of people even give to their pets. Furthermore we screen all the people who want to buy a dog to make sure they are willing and capable of good pet maintenance (e.g. getting their shots in time, healthy, raw diet) and that the household is a loving, supporting one which will not bring any harm to the dog. There have been a number of people we've turned away because we didn't think they would be a good home for one of the dogs.

 

[Veezy]

These are the things that you go through with every puppy.

Edit: How old was the dog when she got him?

Dog’s a she. Couldn't tell the age due to not having papers on the birth. The dog was basically born in the mill and then, since she was a healthy female, used to breed. The best guess is between 1.5-3 years. The dog's not a puppy, she full gown as she was able to breed. The shelter’s guess was the dog had a 10-20 litters of puppies.

Yes, some of those things are normal. When I mean taught how to play, the dog teeth have a snap to them. She'd go into this weird violent freak out occasionally when we played and would just attack. Not normal puppy stuff, since she was trapped in a cage with other dogs for years fighting over scraps of food. She was biting to kill. It's better, now but a while there my hands took a beating.

The barking wasn't a gid deal, admittedly. The trash can issue, however, is a little disconcerting. I don't mean "scared of loud noises" when I say scared. I mean, the trash can at my GF's apartment complex that you through the dog poop bags away in causes her to bolt in fear, whimper, shit on the ground, and shake like she being chased by somebody trying skin her. It may be common, but I've never seen it before and I've had puppies in the past.

 

[Tunin]

Well, one reason why folks don't get dogs from shelters is because some of those dogs are from abusive homes. Tortured, neglected, mistreated. Some of those dogs have issues, and you end up taking home damaged goods. Now you have a dog that is a problem.

I don't think that's a problem. My dog belonged to an abusive family that only wanted her to please a small girl, she lived in a 2x2m space, rarely lived inside the house and when they allowed her to enter she destroyed everything in that was in her way.
So obviously the girl got tired of her, they bought a new dog that could live inside the house and decided to give her away, my aunt told us about it and we decided to keep her.

Following your logic she'd be a real trouble for us, but turns out she's more lovely than any other dog I've met so far. My parent's house isn't that big, but we give her space to do her things. So far she didn't destroy anything (it's been 1 year) and she's really obedient to me, since I'm not abusive giving orders.

Bonus! Her picture:
http://twitpic.com/64htf2
http://twitpic.com/64ht9g

 

[Puddles]

Yeah, it's a shame about the ones there now that came from mills, but if people do their research first and either adopt from a shelter or buy from a reputable breeder that actually cares about the welfare of his stock, then eventually there'll be less incentive to keep the mills going.
Personally I don't think pet shops should stock any animals beyond fish and feeder rodents.

What about birds?

I'm personally against all bird-keeping, because I think the natural life of a bird is to fucking fly, but my mom has like eight birds, and she loves them to death. They're good companions. If people are going to keep birds, where should those be purchased from?

 

[Moofers]

Personally I don't think pet shops should stock any animals beyond fish.

Fixed that for you. Rodents are very under-rated and misunderstood. Treating them as throw-away commodities is disgusting.

 

[Brian Fellows]

What about birds?

They are legal tender!

 

[Capitan Futuro]

You just never know what a shelter dog has been through. And usually a pet shop puppy is way cuter. They have this fresh smell, like new cars or these McDonald's bags.

 

[balladofwindfishes]

What about birds?

I'm personally against all bird-keeping, because I think the natural life of a bird is to fucking fly, but my mom has like eight birds, and she loves them to death. They're good companions. If people are going to keep birds, where should those be purchased from?

Same type of place you'd get a good dog.

Get a breeder who hand fed/trained the birds since they were chicks. It's a little more money, but they make much better companions when they are able to rest on your shoulder or arm, instead of cooped up in a cage for the rest of their lives.

 

[Axion22]

Breeder pup, reporting in.