kristof65 Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 I had to argue with a few of them about rotties as a breed generally being oversized lovable 100+ lb lapdogs. It's only the ones that are mistreated or trained to be aggressive that we hear about in the news. I've known quite a few Rotties, thanks to friends and family. I have encountered one other time when a normally loving rottie will be very agressive - protecting their family. My uncle's rottie Alfie was very, very protective of my cousin Zac when he was an infant/toddler - we'd go camping, and Alfie would stake out the playpen Zac was in - if anyone other than my Aunt or Uncle came within 10 ft of that playpen, he'd let you know you weren't to go there - and, boy, did he look mean when he was in that state of mind. He'd also do the same thing at home, but not quite as bad, unless you were a total stranger to him. But otherwise, he was a great dog - and even in his aggressive attitude in protecting Zac, I don't fault him - no way anything bad was going to happen to Zac while Alfie was around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rastl Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 I grew up with a dog in the house and that does tend to make it a home. I've got 2 Yorkies right now but I don't think those qualify as 'dogs' to most people. And to the cats in the house either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qwyksilver Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 I had to argue with a few of them about rotties as a breed generally being oversized lovable 100+ lb lapdogs. It's only the ones that are mistreated or trained to be aggressive that we hear about in the news. I've known quite a few Rotties, thanks to friends and family. I have encountered one other time when a normally loving rottie will be very agressive - protecting their family. My uncle's rottie Alfie was very, very protective of my cousin Zac when he was an infant/toddler - we'd go camping, and Alfie would stake out the playpen Zac was in - if anyone other than my Aunt or Uncle came within 10 ft of that playpen, he'd let you know you weren't to go there - and, boy, did he look mean when he was in that state of mind. He'd also do the same thing at home, but not quite as bad, unless you were a total stranger to him. But otherwise, he was a great dog - and even in his aggressive attitude in protecting Zac, I don't fault him - no way anything bad was going to happen to Zac while Alfie was around. And even then, he just growled. A truly aggressive dog would have attacked. It's a well trained dog that is warning people to back off. More often than not people that are attacked by dogs don't pay attention to the blatant warnings a dog, or any animal is giving them. And willing to bet, anyone in the presence of the uncle or aunt got a free pass to Zac, as would anyone he has accepted into his pack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helltown Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Heh... I'd like to get a dog, but I can't due to renting so I taught one of my cats dog tricks. He sits, begs, and lays down on command and only requires bribes when he's got a fresh audience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristof65 Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 And even then, he just growled. Oh no, he didn't just growl. He growled, barked and would make feinting lunges towards whomever it was. I would have felt no sympathy towards anyone who ignored his warnings. A truly aggressive dog would have attacked. It's a well trained dog that is warning people to back off. More often than not people that are attacked by dogs don't pay attention to the blatant warnings a dog, or any animal is giving them. And willing to bet, anyone in the presence of the uncle or aunt got a free pass to Zac, as would anyone he has accepted into his pack. Yep, the presence of my aunt or uncle was a sign that he could let people pass. What was unusual about it was that he was really only that protective in the great outdoors. At his home, or even our house, he might growl a little, but he was much more mellow, and people he knew, like my sister and I didn't get much attention from him at all, whereas while camping even we were forbidden. It was like he knew things had the potential to be much more dangerous in the wilderness - unfamiliar territory, or something like that - and he upped his reactions. Not only do I think many dog attacks are people not paying attention, it wouldn't surprise me at all to find that many are provoked - either in tentionally or unintentionally. Many years ago, one of my neighbors had a large part chow mutt that was accused of being an aggressive and vicious dog - and the HOA was trying to force them to get rid of it. I was completely shocked when I learned of this - the dog was always very sweet and friendly to me. Shortly afterwards, I happened to witness something that put an end to the whole thing - the dog had gotten out of the back yard again (a long story involving a dispute with the contractor who built the fence), and was growling & barking at some kids - I came outside to find them yelling and throwing rocks at the dog, and she charged at one of the kids. I managed to call her off and get the kids out of there - but yep, the kids were those of the very people pushing to get the dog expelled from the neighborhood. What was happening was that one of the smaller kids was scared of dogs in general, and her friendly advances towards the children were taken wrong, and the kids would try and drive her off by throwing rocks and yelling at her - which did make her agressive. Once we stopped the kids from provoking the dog (and got the contractor to fix the fence), all the "vicious" dog problems with her went away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharky Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 I'm surprised that no one has put up their dog's pictures yet. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragon Snack Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 Well, he IS my avatar, but I was thinking the same thing... He used to be such a good dog... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldarchy Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 We see lots of pro-cat posters, but are there a lot of dog people among us? I love dogs and am a firm believer there are no bad dogs just bad owners... like Michael "Should be in prison until he's fifty" Vick. No he should have to live the rest of his life being tortured the same way he tortured those animals! He is a sick human being and I can't believe the NFL took him back! UGH! I am a dog person! Dogs rule! Conan and Duffy are some of the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerebro1974 Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 Big dog lover here, we have 2 beagles-probably one of the best breeds in the universe- Archer and Boomer. Love them!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qwyksilver Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 Big dog lover here, we have 2 beagles-probably one of the best breeds in the universe- Archer and Boomer. Love them!!! I love me some beagles. And almost every Beagle mutt I have ever seen has had that distinctive Beagle howl. God I miss that the most about the dog being at my moms. Daisy was a Beagle, Black Lab mix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kataclysm Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 Was raised on a farm, rabbit hunting in the fall/winter with a well trained pack(3) beagles. I still go to hunts where its just running the rabbits and not actual killing. Had a dobbie in the house, yes a house dog, he was soooo spoiled. He scared the crap out of poeple when they came around tho, just his lean "I'm hungry for meat" look. Long story short, he got to one of our female beagles and she had 4 mixed pups. Those turned out to be the best accident ever. Gave them all to good homes with kids, I kept tabs on em all. they where the best house dogs ever. A bit off topic, probably my most favorite pet i ever had was a squirrel I raised by hand when i was 10. Surprisingly well behaved, a bit hyper but very cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldarchy Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 Beagles are cute but Westies are the most adorable and hilarious guys ever! Conan provides me, Reaper Darryl, Reaper Bryan and Shannon (Reaper Bryan's Wife) with good entertainment. Ever seen a dog want to attack his own butt because he makes audible farts and startles himself? No? Well come to my house and Conan will put on quite a show! Or how about a dog who thinks the clean laundry is his bed? No? That's Duffy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haldir Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 no dogs in our house now but my daughter wants one. She just doesn't want the responsiblity of being a dog owner, or at least that is way she comes about it. We have a guinea pig & she takes care of that but not enough for a dog. Myself I like the medium-size breeds like the German Shepard & Labs, but I do like the hounds as well. Whenever we do get one, it'll be a shelter-dog, that's for sure!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldarchy Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 You can always do a test run with a shelter dog to see if she is in fact ready for the responsibility. Most rescue leagues always need foster parents for new finds. I did that with Conan before adopting him. I had to make sure he and Duff would get along. The league covered expenses so all you give is your time and your love. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharky Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 I never really considered myself a "pet person" at all really (although I do like our dog, as mentioned), until we took our daughter to get her pet snake this past weekend. Man, I really like playing with the critter. To those who attend Reaper's Friday night gaming: Be prepared to have Rhianna talk your ear off about her new pet :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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