The Vent and Rant Thread

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by 5thWiggleWife

I totally agree with you. Too many people choose pets based on how they look and don't seem to do basic research into the traits of the individual breed.

Years back, some friends who live in lower Manhattan recounted what happened when someone put out poison that killed off most of the feral cat population. The rat population soared. Suddenly all the locals who had bought Jack Russell Terriers because they were cute little dogs, properly sized for small Manhattan apartments, discovered what else they were when they encountered rats. "You didn't know Jack Russells were bred for centuries to be ratters? This came as a surprise to you? That's what you get for being ignorant and not Looking Stuff Up before you adopted..."

We adopted the lovely boy in my avatar from our local animal shelter. He is a cross between a wheaten terrier and a poodle; both energetic hunting breeds. He is high strung and needs to run and play. He was still a puppy (all teeth and chewing) when he was literally dumped over the fence at the shelter by his former owners. He did not take well to being in a cage and wasn't very nice to a couple of perspective families.

The "likes to run and play" is a prime example of what I was talking about. Some dogs need to be out and getting exercise, and react badly when they can't.

We have had dogs before (duck tollers) but still hesitated at adopting this rough guy. We finally decided to take him because we were worried no one else would.

Eight years later Lukey has mellowed into a cherished and loving member of our family.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

Years back, some friends who live in lower Manhattan recounted what happened when someone put out poison that killed off most of the feral cat population. The rat population soared. Suddenly all the locals who had bought Jack Russell Terriers because they were cute little dogs, properly sized for small Manhattan apartments, discovered what else they were when they encountered rats. "You didn't know Jack Russells were bred for centuries to be ratters? This came as a surprise to you? That's what you get for being ignorant and not Looking Stuff Up before you adopted..."

Nature has a way of reminding us that top of the food chain, or not, she's still boss.

The "likes to run and play" is a prime example of what I was talking about. Some dogs need to be out and getting exercise, and react badly when they can't.

Oh, yes. I cringe when city-dwellers with small yards or worse, none, adopt dogs like Wiemers, German Shorts or Labs. Weimers get downright neurotic without boatloads of outdoor BOUNDING time, and Labs can get very antsy without adequate exercise, as well and BONDING time with their owners. Very few people are willing to do the 2 miles of roadwork (at a trot, mind you) that a large dog needs daily. And I'm not even talking really large dogs--I'm talking dogs in the hunting group. Want to see how an Afghan Hound or other large sitehound turns bad? Lock them up in a party-girl (or guy's) 1BR apartment in NYC.

I'm proud to say that Mr. Hitch's nephew has adopted any number of unadoptable critters from the pound. Dogs that nobody else wanted. One blind in one eye and deaf (a Chihuahua); a dog with advanced arthritis and cancer, that needs meds (but was young), and a host of others. All have gone on to have happy lives with him, for as long as they lived.

We've done similar things with cats, (cats that weren't easy to home, cats with IBS, cats that don't love kids [come on in, the water's fine here, kitty]) as I haven't had dogs in decades. That's, mostly because I have always worked so many hours that I couldn't be certain to be home to walk, water, feed, etc. at a given time. And I won't do that to a dog. I don't even like the cats being alone for many hours each day, but as they are indoor kitties, with GIGANTIC kitty trees (7' tall and many feet wide), Ripple rugs, and every other sort of cat exercise device at their instant disposal, I feel less guilty.

Spoiler:

Not that they let me forget it. After all, cat slaves are supposed to be instantly accessible, should their masters so desire.

Hitch

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

Few adopters knowingly adopt problem animals. My concern is that too many people simply know nothing about animals when they adopt, and have totally unrealistic notions about having a pet.

We're on our second rescue Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and this guy "Sparky", really doesn't have any serious problems. OTOH, the preview one, Trey, had substantial structural problems caused by a combination of vet incompetence and vet abuse. His life was shortened by many years, but he was a constant joy to us while we had him. Even IF he was nicknamed Sir Barksalot. We knew what we were getting and he ate every meal for the first 2 years we had him in his Bailey Chair. After a while, though, he recovered enough he could eat without it. (He also learned how to work around his metasophigous (sp?) a bit himself, which helped. )

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

My rescue dog is laying beside me sleeping. We got him when he was 6 months old and teething. The people that had him couldn't afford rawhides for him so he was chewing on whatever was handy. He is now almost 14. The other problem is he was being fed spicy foods so he will NOT eat dog food. He usually has rotisserie chicken. Tonight he will have tacos with everything but onion.
Now he did eat wet cat food once. Mom was doing her feeding frenzy and since he was in there with the cats she gave him a bowl.

Our current rescue Cavalier cuddles with my DW, leaving the older Cavalier (my current avatar) to curl up on my lap. Or, more accurately, to over-flow my lap. Sadly, we won't have him much longer. He's clearly a very senior citizen, but he still enjoys a lap, so we'll stick with him. (He's now stone deaf, has cataracts, and his hips are very iffy, along with a worsening heart murmur. But his nose still works!)

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by Hitch

Oh, yes. I cringe when city-dwellers with small yards or worse, none, adopt dogs like Wiemers, German Shorts or Labs. Weimers get downright neurotic without boatloads of outdoor BOUNDING time, and Labs can get very antsy without adequate exercise, as well and BONDING time with their owners. Very few people are willing to do the 2 miles of roadwork (at a trot, mind you) that a large dog needs daily. And I'm not even talking really large dogs--I'm talking dogs in the hunting group. Want to see how an Afghan Hound or other large sitehound turns bad? Lock them up in a party-girl (or guy's) 1BR apartment in NYC.

My SO had a Weimer when she was a kid, but the family lived in a house on LI with an actual yard. By all accounts, Sam was smart. They quickly learned to spell various words around him so he wouldn't understand what was being said.

When we first got together, she had a Collie/Shepard mix named George (who was actually female.) George joined us in NYC, but was older and getting a bit blind by that point. She was happy to be a couch potato and get a walk every night.

Dizzy was still with me at the time. He first met George at my SOs home in LI when I brought him for a visit. I was holding him, George came over to sniff curiously, and Dizzy shit himself in my arms and had to be cleaned up. He was mortified by the experience. He did get used to George and they lived together reasonably well.

Friends in the Bronx had a Golden Retriever named Scooter, that came along with his person Wren when she moved up from DE to join Keith. Keith would take Scooter to the local park for exercise , and was deeply amused. Scooter was a working breed, and he'd spot something, point, then look back at Keith with a "Hey! We're a team here! I point it out, you shoot it, and I go retrieve it for you. I'm doing my part of the job! Do yours!" expression.

Scooter died earlier of old age. 12 is ancient for a Golden. Scooter was 15 when he passed. He'd had a very long and happy life with loving people who understood how to care for him.

I'm proud to say that Mr. Hitch's nephew has adopted any number of unadoptable critters from the pound. Dogs that nobody else wanted. One blind in one eye and deaf (a Chihuahua); a dog with advanced arthritis and cancer, that needs meds (but was young), and a host of others. All have gone on to have happy lives with him, for as long as they lived.

It's the "as long as they lived" that can be heart wrenching.

We've done similar things with cats, (cats that weren't easy to home, cats with IBS, cats that don't love kids [come on in, the water's fine here, kitty]) as I haven't had dogs in decades. That's, mostly because I have always worked so many hours that I couldn't be certain to be home to walk, water, feed, etc. at a given time. And I won't do that to a dog. I don't even like the cats being alone for many hours each day, but as they are indoor kitties, with GIGANTIC kitty trees (7' tall and many feet wide), Ripple rugs, and every other sort of cat exercise device at their instant disposal, I feel less guilty.

We are in no hurry to acquire another animal. There are various reasons it wouldn't be fair to us or the animal if we tried.

The last animal here was Bugsy. Technically, Bugsy belonged to another tenant in the building. He was an older fixed male, but had been fixed well after puberty, and maintained tomcat instincts (like prowling the neighbourhood getting into fights with other toms.) He became sort of a floor cat, making rounds and accepting snacks. But he wasn't a mooch. The building has mice, and he was a champion mouser. The other tenants were happy to accept his services and provide treats in return.

Bugsy apparently decided we were his preferred people. (Given his nominal owner, I could see that as a rational move...) He'd sleep here. When we traveled, our elderly gay neighbor down the hall has a key and would let him in. The first time we were away for a few days, he showed his displeasure by leaving a turd on the bed. But he soon learned that while we went away, we came back. We'd come in to find him on the bed, and he'd give us a "Oh, you're back. About time. Food and attention, if you please." look.

He developed a growth on his abdomen. The vet said "If he were younger, I'd open him up and look, but he's old enough now it might kill him." (Our best guess was that he was about 14.) "Give him lots of attention and his favorite food, and when he declines too much, bring him in and I'll put him to sleep." A week before he was euthanized, he caught his last mouse.
______
Dennis

[ProfCrash]

Cooper and Caya are both rescues. We adopted them when they were pups. Cooper was neurotic but we adopted the little dude and that meant that it was up to us to help Cooper feel comfortable with humans and enjoy his life.

My In-Laws got a Laberdoodle from a breeder but that was because he is allergic to dogs and the Laberdoodles he had been around for long periods of time did not lead to a reaction. There were no rescues with a Laberdoodle in their area so they went to a breeder.

When the day comes, we will get another rescue dog but hopefully that day is a good ways off. Caya is 6 and Cooper 5 1/2, we are hoping for another 5-8 years for each of the dogs but without knowing their breeds it is hard to guess.

[wodin]

Originally Posted by CRussel

... Even IF he was nicknamed Sir Barksalot...

One of those lives with us, Thor (all 12 pounds of him) is a toy poodle long haired chihuahua mix (Chi-Poo) and he inherited mostly the chi side of the mix.

Every day when I get home from work I ask him if he was a goodboy today, and Susie says "Yes, Thor was a goodboy today." Since he didn't inherit the poodle intelligence, I'm not sure if he understands, but it seems to make him happy.

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by wodin

One of those lives with us, Thor (all 12 pounds of him) is a toy poodle long haired chihuahua mix (Chi-Poo) and he inherited mostly the chi side of the mix.

And chis are noisy and aggressive. When I see a prospective dog conflict on the street, the way to bet is that the small dog started it, and if the small dog is a Chihuahua, the odds get to near certainty.

This is worsened by owners who think that behavior is cute, and don't properly socialize their dogs to prevent it.

I have tried to get across to owners "Dogs are pack animals. The pack takes its lead from an alpha. You must establish yourself as the alpha of the pack your dog is now a part of, and make clear what behavior is acceptable for a member of your pack. If you don't, neither you nor the dog will be happy."

Every day when I get home from work I ask him if he was a goodboy today, and Susie says "Yes, Thor was a goodboy today." Since he didn't inherit the poodle intelligence, I'm not sure if he understands, but it seems to make him happy.

Standard poodles are working breeds, and highly intelligent. (The show cut in dog shows for a standard is an exaggerated version of the working cut.)

Toy poodles, alas, tend to be neurotic and stupid. Just as well if your mix didn't inherit that part from the poodle side...

(A former girlfriend had a toy poodle in the family when she was a kid. It was reported to have been so excited upon meeting it's future owners it peed on the floor. Her mom and dad thought that was cute. It never did grow out of it.)
______
Dennis

[wodin]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

Toy poodles, alas, tend to be neurotic and stupid. Just as well if your mix didn't inherit that part from the poodle side...
______
Dennis

I think we need to agree to differ here, another member of our pack is Peanut, an apricot toy poodle. She's getting on in age now, but she's the sweetest dog I've ever met (and I've met more than a few). In fact it's official, her health record has a entry in it that says "Very Sweet".

Some years ago I lived with George, another (silver) toy poodle, who until I met Peanut was the best dog I'd met. Those were the days when dogs were allowed to roam free, and they naturally congregated into packs. At seven pounds, George was the alpha of the neighborhood. It was hilarious to watch all those dogs weighing in at ten time his weight following him around like he was the King. It wasn't his size that mattered, but his intelligence. He was smarter than any three of them.

I may have been very lucky, but both of the toy poodles in my life were neither neurotic nor stupid.

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by wodin

I may have been very lucky, but both of the toy poodles in my life were neither neurotic nor stupid.

I send "tended to be", not that all were. It's a consequence of the sort of breeding used to produce toy breeds.

I can't say whether you were lucky, but if yours were both smart and sane, you've done well. Many I've encountered are neither.
______
Dennis

[wodin]

We once had a white miniature (almost a standard) poodle from a shelter who was both stupid and neurotic. After only a few days we found out why she was in the shelter (stupid and neurotic). It was too long ago to recall the details, only that she was more than we could handle and ended up back in the shelter.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

And chis are noisy and aggressive. When I see a prospective dog conflict on the street, the way to bet is that the small dog started it, and if the small dog is a Chihuahua, the odds get to near certainty.

This is worsened by owners who think that behavior is cute, and don't properly socialize their dogs to prevent it.

I have tried to get across to owners "Dogs are pack animals. The pack takes its lead from an alpha. You must establish yourself as the alpha of the pack your dog is now a part of, and make clear what behavior is acceptable for a member of your pack. If you don't, neither you nor the dog will be happy."


Standard poodles are working breeds, and highly intelligent. (The show cut in dog shows for a standard is an exaggerated version of the working cut.)

Toy poodles, alas, tend to be neurotic and stupid. Just as well if your mix didn't inherit that part from the poodle side...

(A former girlfriend had a toy poodle in the family when she was a kid. It was reported to have been so excited upon meeting it's future owners it peed on the floor. Her mom and dad thought that was cute. It never did grow out of it.)
______
Dennis

My chi is not noisy or aggressive. The only time he barks is if a big dog invades his territory or a salesman comes to the door. Then you would think he is a shepherd or rottweiler.
But yes, that is called training.
The only person he ever bit was my supposedly grown daughter. (She was over 18.)She had been told numerous times to leave the dog alone. Note: he did not draw blood or even leave a mark. She cornered him. He bit. She squealed. Next thing she heard was "I told you to leave the dog alone."
She said the dog then looked at her and smirked.

[Katsunami]

Well, dogs... let me put in my two cents.

My dad has a small dog. It's a cross between a Jack Russell Terrier, and a Papillon. It's often said that one can't train small dogs, and I've seen many people who don't even take the trouble. I beg to differ. My father and I did train this dog. This beast is extremely smart, and does everything a big dog does (and should do), and just as welll:

No-hooo... (Stops what she's doing, wags tail, and goes off to do something else.)
NO! (Stops what she's doing, cringes, and stalks to her basket. Then sits there looking at you to call. Knows she was wrong.)
Sit
Lie down
Come here
Inside
Want to go outside?
Wait (When throwing a ball)
Fetch (Get the said ball)
Where's the ball? (Find a random toy)
Basket
Couch (Heh)
*point* Get it (For food: she doesn't eat any food that's either lying somewhere, or is given to her, until it's pointed at and the command given.)
*pat your lap* (Jumps up to sit on your lap)
Kiss (Touches your cheek with her nose)

When I visit:
"Do you want a snack?" (Flips out)
"From the doggy door?" (Races to the cupboard)
"I'm gonna get you!" (Playtime...)

Doesn't bark. Ever. Not when the doorbell rings, not when there's a thunderstorm, and doesn't howl at sirens. Loves everybody and everything. Every new animal or person is just another chance to get some more playing done.

Now, for two other small dogs, of similar size. They're in a house which I pass when I walk to work from the bus stop. First, they crash into the front door, barking and scratching. Then when I'm past, they run through the house, through the dog flap in the back door, into the garden, and start crashing into the fence, barking, snarling and whining, and even biting the bars. The owner is always shouting: "Stop that! No! Come here! Silence!!!111". It never works. Too late dude. Should have raised them properly.

When you don't know those dogs are there, you'll shit your pants first time you walk past that house. Those are two dogs I'd rather see dead than alive.

[Cinisajoy]

Our neighbor also had a Chihuahua. He was noisy. He also escaped on a regular basis. Funny thing was when he hurt his dew(due) claw, my husband is the one that fixed it. His owners could not get near him. Yet, I could go outside and he would want in my lap.
So agreeing, it isn't the dog it is the owner.

[ProfCrash]

Caya pees every time her Foster Mom comes to visit. I don't know if it is because she is excited to see FM, because she was the first person to give her love and attention, or if there are bad memories associated with FM because Caya was so scared when FM took her into her care.

All breeds have certain tendencies but there are exceptions to the rules. It is easy enough for people to find the exceptions but those tendencies are still there and still true. I know the next time we adopt a dog, hopefully not for a good long time, we will probably not get a lab blend or a shepherd blend because we are not the best about training and walking the dogs. We took them to classes and have done some private training but we have been bad about follow through. We have a nice size back yard that the dogs can run and play in so we have been bad about walking them and they are awful on leashes.

That said, they only get on the bed and stay off all other furniture. They get off the bed when we say down. They do not eat until they are sitting and we release them. They do know and respond to basic commands. This is how I know that their other issues are based on our inconsistencies and not their intelligence.

[Rumpelteazer]

The eucalyptus and peppermint oil seems to work. I had expected it would only drive away the mouse from my room, but I haven't heard anything in between the walls or ceilings.

However, I was in the livingroom this morning when I saw movement from the corner of my eye. There was a mouse sitting on Lexie's dry food bowl! A very cheeky mouse to steal catfood in the livingroom with two humans and a cat present. Last week my mother remarked that Lexie ate more dry food than normal, now we're wondering if that was because she had help.