Dogs.

[Torvy]

Most of our neighbors have taken in strays that were dumped by irresponsible people. What do people think is going to happen? Some neighbors have 5+ dogs because they feel bad.

We fenced the whole thing to keep our dogs in and to keep strays out.

 

[Dftodd]

Most of our neighbors have taken in strays that were dumped by irresponsible people. What do people think is going to happen? Some neighbors have 5+ dogs because they feel bad.

We fenced the whole thing to keep our dogs in and to keep strays out.

Im slowly working on getting my property fenced. So far just a half acre. The rest will be fenced after we can get a house built.

Although, I've been enjoying not having the back yard fenced. I've seen a momma deer and a couple fawns on occasion over the past couple weeks.

 

[Jstpssng]

The first few pages of this thread were right on the mark.
Like most post's with over 22 pages topics go all over the place.
I almost regret bringing this up, but some of you guys have
more experience and may be able to help me get over.......
....people that buy dogs, adopt dogs etc and have absolutely
no business owning a dog. What do I mean? Could be a single gal gets
a toy poodle, but she's still renting and her career is more
important than her dog, so give the dog away, turn it in to
a shelter etc when the girl has to move due to work and can no longer
have a pet? Maybe the girls boyfriend hates poodles, whatever.
Or the idiot that gets a Great Pyrenees, GSD, Doberman, big
Lab etc but they live in a freaking efficiency apt, same story, have to
move, no time for proper training, no time for exercise, pup is now
being destructive, etc etc
Yea, puppies are cute.
They keep the dog through the "prime" training months, then decide to
get rid of the dog. I call BS on that whole thing. Really makes me mad.
Why at this particular time am I delving into this topic? Because we
are looking for another GSD. We are looking for a male.
I have no intentions of becoming a breeder. Our female is spayed.
I don't really want to deal with a rescue, but I do appreciate those who do.
I'm too old to be chasing a runner all over the county. Mainly looking
for 8wks to 3 month max. I know. Very particular, but it's what I'm
comfortable with.
Wife checks social media, I check Craigslist. If you're still reading this
I guess this is the issue (sorry for the long post), I am amazed at how
many dogs, of all different breeds, that people are just willing to be rid of,
done with, out of sight - out of mind. Dogs become part of your family.
At least all mine have. My current GSD knows we're her people. She's
part of us. Just to throw part of your family away.....I'd probably not be
able to be civil around that type of person.
Maybe this is more of a rant. Sorry.

You're preaching to the choir, for most of us keeping up with this thread.

There is no logical explanation. They think a dog is like designer jeans or a trendy watch, just another fad to jump onto.

 

[JRH02]

Aside from when I was very young, and my family had pure bred bull mastiffs and earlier dash-hounds, all my own later dogs have been mixed breed, pound retrieved dogs. These earlier kennel raised pure bred dogs, as I remember, were easy to deal with. Just off the shelf, here is your dog and it will behave. All of these pound dogs I later got, had problems. I would take on the problem dogs as we lived in the country and I thought I knew enough about training dogs that they would come around. Our current dog, is the best of dogs, yet he has his issues. He is getting old and still has his issues. He can't be around other dogs at all. He will immediately attack any dog smaller than him. I believe this now to be the most difficult area of having a pound dog. Some things, you can not train them out of, cause they are sort of fixed.. Especially about them being social to other dogs.
So, for the jury to decide, do I get my last dog, after this one passes, from a breeder/trainer and not the pound? Or does it make any difference?

We only buy a puppy from a breeder. Known blood line and long term health. And raise the dog as a family member. Sorry for the shelter dogs. They can be somebody else's problem or for 19.99 per month you can sponsor some, or one.

That dog is a commitment. Do it right.

 

[John0829]

Sorry for the shelter dogs. They can be somebody else's problem

Shelter dogs have been some of the most solid companions we have had over the years. Having had both pure bred and mixed breed dogs the mixed have generally had fewer issues as well. Maybe we have just been lucky but personally between pure or mixed give me the mixed.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

We currently have 5 dogs. All are rescues, all are either labs or lab mixes, and all are a close part of our family. One of them goes in for surgery tomorrow to have a lump removed from his throat. He's still young-ish at 6 or 8 (dang, have to think about that one, not really sure on his age at the moment). The lump isn't giving him any problems yet, but it is growing. So we're having the surgery now, while he's still young enough to tolerate the surgery well. He's our silver lab, and he's had at least 4 other "owners" before we got him (4-5 years ago). Took a while to get him settled down, but we're in it for "keeps".

I have no idea how someone could just give up a dog like it's nothing. They are fiercely loyal and would rip out their own heart and give it too you if they could.

 

[grsthegreat]

Im slowly working on getting my property fenced. So far just a half acre. The rest will be fenced after we can get a house built.

Although, I've been enjoying not having the back yard fenced. I've seen a momma deer and a couple fawns on occasion over the past couple weeks.

My entire 30 acres is fenced, but that doesnt keep out the deer, moose, coyotes or bears.

Dont want to keep them out. One of my neighbors has taken it upon himself to get rid of the coyotes, so now the rabbit population is going thru the roof. Hes an idiot. He doesnt have any livestock, he just hates coyotes.


My little cutie….or shadow. Never more than 20 feet from me.

 

[1 Old Man]

Dogs in my area that run loose, tear up trash or harass neighbors normally don't live long. I've seen a few FB pages on my local group where people complain about their dog missing.

Same here. Dogs running loose can be a problem. But my neighbors are all at least
1/4 to 1/2 mile away except the guy across the road. You can usually tell if it's a
farm dog or stray/dump.
Several years ago the property
west of me had a pack of loose dogs chew the ears off a young calf. The dogs were relocated
to dog heaven. The calf ended up being one of the best mama cows my neighbor
ever had. Anyway, my neighbor adopted a pit bull that was dumped. He tried to run her off
but she wouldn't leave. He gave in and they are a new family. The pit is really sweet,
loves everybody, and has trashed the inside of my neighbors truck with slobber and drool.
Too nasty. I won't ride in it. But he loves her and she loves him. Its all good.

 

[1 Old Man]

You're preaching to the choir, for most of us keeping up with this thread.

There is no logical explanation. They think a dog is like designer jeans or a trendy watch, just another fad to jump onto.

I get that. Posted because I was reading ads trying to "rehome" GSD's (individuals not rescues)
and the pics they posted showed the dogs in kennels or leads. Some had comments like "no time for dog due to work", "moving", "not good with cats", "knows basic commands" (really?), and most were
1 - 3 years old. The whole thing just p...ed me o.f. Those dogs had problems and I put it directly
on their owners. Although not an ordained minister....I have been known to preach.