Everyone is so discouraging.

[snoozy]

I go online to research different breeds -- I like BIG dogs -- and every website and FAQ says in bold letters DON'T GET A _______DOG IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED FOR ______ (hair, barking, vet bills, stubborness, delinquency, maiming, evil ...) IN LARGE DOSAGES.

It's so hard to find the right doggie.

[Deleted]

I've had dogs all my life and mostly big dogs, Dobermans, Rottweilers and most recently a German Shepherd. I raised/trained/showed Rottweilers for over 20 years, in fact and I like big dogs as well. However, all breeds do have quirks and I think a lot of breeders are very concerned that so many people get a dog without really knowing what they are getting into and then, instead of figuring out how to make it work, simply dump the dog.

There are some things I can't live with, others that I'd prefer to avoid, but fortunately with 20 years of dog shows in my background, I'm at least vaguely familiar with a lot of different breeds so can politely 'step around' the breeds I know I wouldn't get along with.

[Deleted]

I've been watching a lot of Cesar Millan videos lately. He says to get a dog that matches your energy level: low, med, high, and super high.

Unfortunately our 4 month old Catahoula puppy is super high energy and we're barely medium energy people - we're really having a hard time establishing that we are pack leaders.

Here is an episode you should watch before you get a puppy - I sure wish we had.

 www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uvXTjESrAs

[snoozy]

Thanks for the link to the video. I watched it, and will watch more of his videos. I do think he is greatly helped by having more than one dog -- already trained by him -- which helps a lot in training a newie.

[Maura]

I did not realize how big your avatar is, he looks like a puppy. My Irish Setter was 31” at the shoulder. The only dog I ever saw taller than him was an Irish Wolfhound. He was wonderful, but his first owners gave him basic training. A puppy who will get big should never be allowed to jump on people.

I think it is great that those websites post “don’t get a….” There are so many dogs in rescue because people did not realize how big that puppy would get, dogs don’t train themselves, heavy coated breeds shed a lot, dogs must be fed,…

I personally do not like Cesar Milan. He does have some good advice, and he has changed his methods a little because of all the backlash. Any serious trainer will advise you to get a dog that
a) is suited to your energy level
b) suited to your exercise limits
c) suited to your ability to pay a vet (some breeds are very sick)
d) suited to your family situation
e) suited to your personality (in your lap or in the corner)

Often a dog seems to not understand who is pack leader because he doesn’t really understand what you want, especially if he is a puppy. Establish leadership by having the puppy sit nicely before you give him dinner. If you have young children, they should be the ones to feed the puppy, especially the one kibble at a time mode.
Have the puppy sit at the door before you open it. Hold him there until you say ‘out’. This keeps him from bolting out the door.
Don’t let him on the furniture and especially not your bed. Once you are pleased with his level of obedience, you can let him on the furniture if you want.
Don’t give him treats just to be nice. Use treats (and/or his kibble) for training. Sits for you, treat; sits at door, treat; waits until you tell him out, out; doesn’t jump on you, treat; goes potty outside, immediate treat; pick up his paw without grabbing, treat; use brush with one stroke, treat; two strokes, treat…; look in his ears, treat and so on.

You are the Benevolent Dictator for Life.

[kawaiitimes]

Apr 1, 2015 19:04:30 GMT snoozy said:

I go online to research different breeds -- I like BIG dogs -- and every website and FAQ says in bold letters DON'T GET A _______DOG IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED FOR ______ (hair, barking, vet bills, stubborness, delinquency, maiming, evil ...) IN LARGE DOSAGES.

It's so hard to find the right doggie.

This is why I like mixed breeds. It kind of evens things out a bit (unless it is a terrible mix - why people are mixing so many breeds with poodles is just BEYOND me).

Dane, Mastiff and St. Bernard mixes have always been great dogs for us and several of our friends. Mixing with a smaller (relative), higher energy (relative) dog works out to you having a not quite so huge, slightly more energetic pal. 

[manygoatsnmore]

I love big dogs...little yappy, nippy dogs get on my nerves. Big dogs can look scary to a trespasser, without actually having to DO anything. I love my Great Pyr/Golden Retriever cross.

[snoozy]

Apr 1, 2015 22:45:14 GMT Maura said:

I did not realize how big your avatar is, he looks like a puppy. My Irish Setter was 31” at the shoulder. The only dog I ever saw taller than him was an Irish Wolfhound. He was wonderful, but his first owners gave him basic training. A puppy who will get big should never be allowed to jump on people.

I think it is great that those websites post “don’t get a….” There are so many dogs in rescue because people did not realize how big that puppy would get, dogs don’t train themselves, heavy coated breeds shed a lot, dogs must be fed,…

I personally do not like Cesar Milan. He does have some good advice, and he has changed his methods a little because of all the backlash. Any serious trainer will advise you to get a dog that
a) is suited to your energy level
b) suited to your exercise limits
c) suited to your ability to pay a vet (some breeds are very sick)
d) suited to your family situation
e) suited to your personality (in your lap or in the corner)

Often a dog seems to not understand who is pack leader because he doesn’t really understand what you want, especially if he is a puppy. Establish leadership by having the puppy sit nicely before you give him dinner. If you have young children, they should be the ones to feed the puppy, especially the one kibble at a time mode.
Have the puppy sit at the door before you open it. Hold him there until you say ‘out’. This keeps him from bolting out the door.
Don’t let him on the furniture and especially not your bed. Once you are pleased with his level of obedience, you can let him on the furniture if you want.
Don’t give him treats just to be nice. Use treats (and/or his kibble) for training. Sits for you, treat; sits at door, treat; waits until you tell him out, out; doesn’t jump on you, treat; goes potty outside, immediate treat; pick up his paw without grabbing, treat; use brush with one stroke, treat; two strokes, treat…; look in his ears, treat and so on.

You are the Benevolent Dictator for Life.

All these things I pretty much do. All good advice. I never allow dogs on furniture, or even upstairs.

We have a dog now, but she is useless. I mean, she is a wonderful pet, but as useful as a chihuahua. Not even that much. She minds, she is quiet, she is very sweet, great hiker. But she would rather be at the neighbours and so is not around to even be a doorbell, much less be a guard dog.

Like yesterday, around 6:15, two young guys suddenly appear at my door, and our house is in the middle of the forest, so I am not used to strangers suddenly appearing. Fortunately, they were not ax-murderers, but Jehovah's Witnesses , and I said, "We're Greek Orthodox here, so we got it all covered." (I also recommended they get some umbrellas because they were completely soaked from the rain.)

Anyway, Keiko just has zero proprietary instincts. None. Heck, she'd hide behind me silently, if she had been home.

(Toby is about 6 in that pic, so a full-sized fellow.)

[Deleted]

Apr 2, 2015 15:51:42 GMT snoozy said:

Apr 1, 2015 22:45:14 GMT Maura said:

I personally do not like Cesar Milan. He does have some good advice, and he has changed his methods a little because of all the backlash. 

The thing you need to realize about Cesar is that he really is the last chance for aggressive, and/or high energy, and/or poorly behaved dogs, and that's what they show on TV.
If you have a well behaved and/or low energy dog you don't need him or his methods. But in our case, we need his more extreme methods.

[mollymckee]

If you watch Cesar you realize that he does train people. Many of the people he helps should not have dogs, and he can work with them patiently. It's hard to believe how out of touch some of his clients are.

[Deleted]

Apr 1, 2015 19:04:30 GMT snoozy said:

I go online to research different breeds -- I like BIG dogs -- and every website and FAQ says in bold letters DON'T GET A _______DOG IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED FOR ______ (hair, barking, vet bills, stubborness, delinquency, maiming, evil ...) IN LARGE DOSAGES.

It's so hard to find the right doggie.

I think it is most important to understand that breed type translates what their instincts will drive them to do.

For instance, herding breeds like border collies are driven by genetics to gather...cows, horses, chickens....any thing they can herd.  This also makes them high maintenance as they have endless energy.  A fenced in yard with nothing to do will spell trouble.

Hunting breeds, like hound dogs and beagles want to do just that.  And they bay as compared to barking.  They tend to talk a LOT and are prone to pick up a scent and just off they go following their nose.

There are livestock guard breeds and breeds who would rather guard people. 

So if you kind of look into what a dog breed has been bred to do...you can get a better handle of what kind of dog is right for you and your situation.

I do like some large mixed breeds.  We have a border collie lab cross that is very protective of me.  The mix kind of mellow's out each of their dominate traits. If that makes sense???   Oh well, hope this is some what helpful.

Good luck...and I hope you find a perfect match!  

[Deleted]

Apr 1, 2015 23:13:52 GMT kawaiitimes said:

Apr 1, 2015 19:04:30 GMT snoozy said:

I go online to research different breeds -- I like BIG dogs -- and every website and FAQ says in bold letters DON'T GET A _______DOG IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED FOR ______ (hair, barking, vet bills, stubborness, delinquency, maiming, evil ...) IN LARGE DOSAGES.

It's so hard to find the right doggie.

This is why I like mixed breeds. It kind of evens things out a bit (unless it is a terrible mix - why people are mixing so many breeds with poodles is just BEYOND me).

Dane, Mastiff and St. Bernard mixes have always been great dogs for us and several of our friends. Mixing with a smaller (relative), higher energy (relative) dog works out to you having a not quite so huge, slightly more energetic pal. 

kawaiitimes,  They started mixing labs and goldens and such with standard poodles to create a hypo-allergenic big breed.  So they are not supposed to shed like the labs and other breeds do.  I do think there is some truth to the theory as I have been a pet groomer for over 25 years and have worked on some of them.  Kind of funny, but they are actually kind of cute.

[wolfmom]

Apr 3, 2015 22:54:15 GMT @libertygirl said:

Apr 1, 2015 19:04:30 GMT snoozy said:

I go online to research different breeds -- I like BIG dogs -- and every website and FAQ says in bold letters DON'T GET A _______DOG IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED FOR ______ (hair, barking, vet bills, stubborness, delinquency, maiming, evil ...) IN LARGE DOSAGES.

It's so hard to find the right doggie.

I think it is most important to understand that breed type translates what their instincts will drive them to do.

For instance, herding breeds like border collies are driven by genetics to gather...cows, horses, chickens....any thing they can herd.  

How True!

I had an Australian Shepard/Queensland Heeler mix. One day my DD took her jogging. In 10 minutes she was back with Jake stating "I can't run with him - he keeps herding me".

[Maura]

You do not need Cesar’s methods just because you have a head strong dog. Do more research into clicker training and you’ll find operant conditioning works well with any animal, including people. Clicker is used with police dogs and search and rescue dogs because the final trainer can fine tune the dog with a click. Clicker works well with dogs that have been abused or have had no training at all. Just because a dog is at his last chance doesn’t mean he needs to be dealt with harshly. I’m a dog trainer and rescue dogs, including dogs used as breeders in a puppy mill (never seen the light of day). Some things Cesar does we all do, it’s the differences that make him hated by positive based trainers. Of course, I don’t hate him, but I think he is over rated.

[mikeinohio]

We like Siberian Huskies. We've had our current one (Apollo) for 4 years now and our previous one (Taz) for 12 years (we got him when he was 3). Even within a breed there can be quite a variation in personalities.

Taz was initially raised as part of a dog sled team. He was always possessive about food and how he loved to run. If he slipped away he would run for hours. He was about as head strong and willful as they come. But what a mind. If he was out back in the fenced area and decided he was going to kill a <insert raccoon, squirrel, etc here>, he would dig a hole to bury it before he actually went after it. I've never seen a dog prepare that way.

Apollo likes to run but he stays close and will come when called. We raised him from when he was a few months old. He has a mind of his own but pays more attention to us.

[mollymckee]

Have you seen the contracts some breeders and rescues want you to agree to if you want one of their puppies? They want you to pay a lot for what is essentially their dog, that they want to keep under their control. While I agree with some of the requirements, I find some are over the top.And I bred Westies.

[Deleted]

Apr 5, 2015 2:48:24 GMT mollymckee said:

Have you seen the contracts some breeders and rescues want you to agree to if you want one of their puppies? They want you to pay a lot for what is essentially their dog, that they want to keep under their control. While I agree with some of the requirements, I find some are over the top.And I bred Westies.

We were put through so much going through a rescue when we got our border collie many years ago that we decided never to go through a rescue again.  He had been found running down the road with one leg dangling after being hit by a car, and they had paid to have the leg removed, so I understand they had a lot invested in him.  The $ we paid for him covered his vet bills.  But - it felt like we were being treated like criminals or something during the whole interrogation to determine whether or not we'd be worthy owners.  We had to show vet records of the dogs we already had, and we live in an area that was heart worm free due to the severity of the winters.  Our vet had recommended against heartworm preventative because the risks outweighed the benefits, so of course our dogs weren't getting it.  They treated us as if we were abusing our dogs by following vet recommendations.  Then we had to show them pictures of the frontline packages to prove we were really using frontline on our dogs.  Never ever again.

[Maura]

Don’t let one rescue turn you totally off of rescue organizations. I work with Midwest Boston Terrier Rescue. They are great to work with. Some rescues seem to want to keep their dogs. Others only seem picky because of the breed. For instant, a boston terrier cannot be an outside dog. Some dogs need a great deal of hard running, another needs a fenced in yard or to be always on leash. You just have to decide if the rescue you apply to is realistic. If not, look for another.

It’s kind of like adopting a baby. People who can’t adopt an American baby adopt foreign babies with no problem.

[Deleted]

Apr 4, 2015 18:39:44 GMT Maura said:

You do not need Cesar’s methods just because you have a head strong dog. Do more research into clicker training and you’ll find operant conditioning works well with any animal, including people. Clicker is used with police dogs and search and rescue dogs because the final trainer can fine tune the dog with a click. Clicker works well with dogs that have been abused or have had no training at all. Just because a dog is at his last chance doesn’t mean he needs to be dealt with harshly. I’m a dog trainer and rescue dogs, including dogs used as breeders in a puppy mill (never seen the light of day). Some things Cesar does we all do, it’s the differences that make him hated by positive based trainers. Of course, I don’t hate him, but I think he is over rated.

Sorry, but clicker training did nothing for our high energy head strong dog.

Cesars methods are NOT abusive, but it is true that many dogs do not need a strong pack leader - however, some do.

[Otter]

Apr 1, 2015 19:04:30 GMT snoozy said:

I go online to research different breeds -- I like BIG dogs -- and every website and FAQ says in bold letters DON'T GET A _______DOG IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED FOR ______ (hair, barking, vet bills, stubborness, delinquency, maiming, evil ...) IN LARGE DOSAGES.

It's so hard to find the right doggie.

It is a rebound from the breed books of the 80s and 90s. Go on and read some - EVERY breed is great, wonderful, easy to train, amazing with children, etc. People slowly began to realize that breeders pick a breed because the breed is all that for them. But not for everyone.

Then, it became a fad and an elitist thing to point out every negative trait that can appear in a breed, as if it makes you part of some amazing club if you can handle it. If you want to be active in the dog world, stay away from those breeds. If you just want a pup, find a breeder disgusted with the main breed club for it.

As far as finding the right breed, that depends on you, and what you want. But by all means DON'T go to breeders to ask about the breeds!! Todays' "Oh, they're huge and they drool and shed and eat cats" idiots are just as bad as yesteryear's "Oh, they're wonderful and the perfect fit for any family" idiots, just in an opposite direction.

Ask trainers. Ask vet techs. Ask groomers. Even if the breed your interested in is large and sleek, ask groomers. Plenty of Rotties go in for a bath, ear clean and nail trim. Lots of folks with big dogs don't want to wrestle them into a tub and wrestling someone else's dogs into tubs tells you a lot about what that breed is like.


And guys, don't get turned off by all rescues. I rescue and I feel that many places are over the top and just looking for a reason to keep them. My "application" is 3 questions; "Why do you want a cat?" - so I can figure out which cat would be best for you: "What happened to your last cat?" - I confess, this is my screening question. If your answer is "I dunno", "We had it sleep in the garage and my husband felt really bad when he backed over it with the car" or "She got pregnant and we had to take her to the pound so we want a boy this time", you are likely not getting a cat from me, but overall I'm really easy to work with; and "Who's your vet" because far more often than not I will refund your adoption fee to your veterinarian if the cat isn't already nuetered.
So please folks, don't give up on rescue. there are plenty out there run by nice, sane people who really, really want to give animals to decent homes.

So, ah, Snoozy, you know that if you want a well-rounded dog, you have to raise your pup with a kitty. For socialization, y'know, and so he has a snooze-buddy when you're not around. I can help you out with that

[mjslady]

My favorite dog is a Lab.
My favorite mix is a lab, irish setter cross.
I have a dachshund, wire hair terrier cross.
She is very high strung and very loud... looks more dachshund, acts like a terrier.

[oldmania]

I love our purebred Golden Retriever. Our previous favorite dogs were Rottweilers and German Shepherds. No warnings prepared me for two things: 1. How sweet he is. 2. How much he sheds.

[Deleted]

We love our mixed breeds. We have two heeler/german shorthair mixes and a purebred heeler. The heeler is 5 years old and already had to have one eye removed due to severe glaucoma. She's rapidly going blind in the other eye and if she doesn't get her meds on time it bulges out and hurts badly and she can't see out of it at all until the meds kick in. I ran into a dog that I'm certain is a litter mate of hers - same age, looks just like her, also blind in both eyes.

We've always got all of our dogs from the pound or as rescues, and never got a puppy until a couple of months ago. It was so nice, not having to deal with the house training and the chewing. Getting them as adults meant we didn't get to enjoy them as long and we've had to burry a lot of old dogs I wished they lived longer.

I did have a puppy once, in my "previous life" - a sheltie. He died young of osteomyeloma. Our 3-legged purebred border collie that we got from the rescue died young of some sort of liver disorder that caused him to bleed internally. It's only the purebreds who have died early - the mixed breeds have lived to be 13 or 14, and they were large breeds (shepherd mixes).

[motdaugrnds]

Apr 1, 2015 19:04:30 GMT snoozy said:

I go online to research different breeds -- I like BIG dogs -- and every website and FAQ says in bold letters DON'T GET A _______DOG IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED FOR ______ (hair, barking, vet bills, stubborness, delinquency, maiming, evil ...) IN LARGE DOSAGES.

It's so hard to find the right doggie.

Snoozy, that is actually good advice. There are so many people picking out a dog without giving much consideration to what they are getting; thus, rehoming is common. If those wanting a dog would do more thinking about themselves, i.e. what they have to offer a dog and then choose a breed they can deal with...be it large or small...the outcome would be better for all.

I personally like the large and potent breeds. Been around them all my life and know how to get respect; however, I do it from puppyhood. Were I to purchase an older dog, I would think more about my present situation and make sure to get the type of dog I, personally, can handle WELL...not mean but "well".

I enjoy Cesar Millan's videos as I believe he is truly in tune to the dog's psychy; and in watching his episodes, it is clear to see he is working with dogs who already believe they have the right to bite/attack even their owners. I don't like the way he uses what I call a "strangle" hold with that leash up high around the neck; however, if I ever was around a dog intent on killing me, I would not hesitate to show it I can kill too...I just choose not to......

I've used some of Cesar Millan's technics ON MYSELF, i.e. checking my own energy level, attitude and thought structure at the time; and I must say, this has helped me deal with the initial aggressive outbursts of my Karakachan. (She was only 8 weeks old when I got her and already believed she could do whatever she wanted to do. At first I would scruff her by the back of the neck; but as she grew I learned my own energy changed the situation significantly. Example: The time when she was an adolescent and had stolen a hen egg, was carrying it out of the barn to eat when I caught her, told her to sit, put my hand under her mouth and told her to give it to me. She did not want to let me have that egg and just sat there looking at me. I used Cesar's idea of checking my own energy and staying relaxed and positive as well as confident; and after a few minutes, this Karakachan let me have that egg. Another example: When I was doctoring her cut paw...She would growl at me and I just stopped what I was doing with her paw while still holding it and looked at her for a few minutes, then continued. I have no doubt she was responding to my "assertive/positive" energy as she let me tend her paw.)

I'm not saying not to get a large dog as some people shouldn't even get a small dog. What I'm attempting to convey is that it is important to get a dog your life style and emotional situation can deal with in a healthy manner.

[Deleted]

Apr 1, 2015 19:04:30 GMT snoozy said:

I go online to research different breeds -- I like BIG dogs -- and every website and FAQ says in bold letters DON'T GET A _______DOG IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED FOR ______ (hair, barking, vet bills, stubborness, delinquency, maiming, evil ...) IN LARGE DOSAGES.

It's so hard to find the right doggie.

It's the internet, everyone has an opinion and a lot of them are wrong. I've noticed a tendency for people to pounce on those looking for a new dog, especially the larger breeds. I think it's best just to ignore them. Do good breed research and most importantly pick the best kennel you can with the bloodline that matches what you are looking for. There can be enormous variation in breeds. Always a good idea to see both parents if possible and see if their attitude and actions are what you're looking for.