Postings by Riku (Forever Missed)'s Family

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Gunther Giant Shih Tzu     Barked: Sat Jun 15, '13 3:44am PST  Exactly, Ophelia! These people, in my opinion, have personality disorders or even hints of psychosis. They believe they aren't like other people and have the capacity to bond with and tame these animals like no one else. It's also a bit of narcissism as well. Domesticated animals aren't special enough for them, because they feel they need something more unique and exotic to suit their own delusions of grandeur. Ember is exactly right. You can't get any more rugged than the Northern Breeds, and these dogs will actually bond with people and enjoy working with them. I saw a documentary once where people raised two wolf pups and two dog pups - all together - and at less than a year old the wolves were leaping onto tables and stealing food, snarling aggressively, ignoring the people who raised them entirely, they didn't learn basic commands, and were constantly trying to escape. The dogs? They were fully bonded to the behaviorists and had learned a wide array of commands. These animals were raised in the EXACT same way. There is absolutely NO need to try and domesticate wolves when we have a fully domesticated breed of dog for literally any purpose on the planet. my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Gunther Giant Shih Tzu     Barked: Fri Jun 14, '13 11:05am PST  I know a tiger is a different story, you misread my comparison entirely. My point was that just because an animal is majestic and beautiful, it doesn't mean anyone has a right to own it. Crossing wolves with dogs is not only stupid, but entirely pointless and a disservice to both dogs and wolves alike. my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Behavior & Training > Would a wolfdog at a dog park be a cause for concern?

Gunther Giant Shih Tzu     Barked: Fri Jun 14, '13 7:54am PST  Tigers and Bottle-Nosed Dolphins are also spectacular, magnificent animals, and it's certainly a privilege to touch one. But wild animals need to live in proper sanctuaries if a release is impossible. It's infuriating that people like that man are so selfish they want to confine wild animals in HOMES. It's just disgraceful. Then uneducated people see him with those animals and decide they want one as well, when these animals never should have been subjected to cross-breeding and captivity in the first place. I'm also tired of the argument that "dogs were once wild animals". Dogs practically domesticated themselves historically. People were not taking Gray Wolves out of the wild and crossing them with domesticated animals to create the dog. The dog practically created itself by following human camps and coming closer and closer to civilization over thousands of years. Humankind realized the usefulness of them and encouraged them to stay (with food!). The more docile animals were then kept and bred. This is why it's simply absurd to say that it's the same thing to take a wild wolf, which is a different species than the domestic dog, cross it with a German Shepherd, and call it a pet. It's not even in the same vein. At all. my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Behavior & Training > Would a wolfdog at a dog park be a cause for concern?

Gunther Giant Shih Tzu     Barked: Thu Jun 13, '13 7:03pm PST  I agree with everything you've said, Gus. That animal is mostly WOLF, and she has no business owning it. The people who keep "Wolfdogs" are no different than people who keep Ocelots, Owls, Tigers etc. as "pets". They do it because they crave attention and need the creatures to give them some sense of individuality they are incapable of obtaining. A normal, domesticated companion animal isn't enough for them, because I believe they have mental issues and personality flaws that should be addressed. No one who subjects wild animals to captivity is a true animal lover. my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Choosing the Right Dog > APBT/Amstaff/Staffie Comparison

Gunther Giant Shih Tzu     Barked: Mon Jun 10, '13 3:35am PST  As you may know, Onyx, I am the previous owner (in my teens) of a severely DA Pit Bull. You're well aware that genetics play an enormous role in the way a dog will turn out. When I was that age, however, I thought I could rescue Biscuit, who came from fighting parents in Downtown Indianapolis, and raise that little puppy into a sweetheart who loved everything and everyone. She proved that entirely wrong. She despised other dogs so much she turned on her own pack and would literally foam at the mouth when she spotted another dog - and that was AFTER socialization. So, I think I would steer away from rescuing a puppy, which is something you've already considered avoiding. I would either go the breeder route or rescue an adult well into maturity. my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Riku- (Forever- Missed) Heart of Gold     Barked: Fri Jun 7, '13 5:18am PST  I wouldn't have an open mind about this if I hadn't had that experience. Riku would let my FAMILY know I was coming home, not the other way around. my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Behavior & Training > Telepathy between dogs and humans

Riku- (Forever- Missed) Heart of Gold     Barked: Thu Jun 6, '13 2:19pm PST  I don't know guys... I think there's something to it. When Riku was still with me, I often had to leave her for weeks at a time when I would stay with my fiance (I was still living at home with my Mom), and I never came back after any set time frame. They said the entire day I was coming home - no matter what day - she KNEW. She would wait in the window, whining softly. Sometimes I would be away for three weeks. Sometimes only one. It was a five hour drive back home, and they said from the moment she woke up she knew, somehow, I was coming home that day. The rest of the days, she acted normal. And I often never called or told my Mom when I'd be there. How could she possibly have known something like that? She would act that way before I'd even left - just on the day I was going to return. Pretty bizarre! my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Choosing the Right Dog > You shouldn't get a _____ if ______.

Gunther Giant Shih Tzu     Barked: Tue Jun 4, '13 1:59pm PST  You shouldn't get a Shih Tzu if : You don't want to groom a dog nearly constantly. You think they won't need any exercise. You want a dog that will listen to the cues you've taught it every time. You want a dog that will be 100% reliably housebroken. You want a dog that doesn't have a serious attitude. You want a "cuddle-bug" that wants to be on your lap. Or if you want one only for their looks and to "pamper" them. You're in for one trouble-making, sassy little brat! my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Behavior & Training > My dog bit my son - is it time..........

Gunther Giant Shih Tzu     Barked: Fri May 31, '13 1:46pm PST  Sampson, I know there were a lot of heated replies on here, and I'm sorry for that, but I can assure you these are good people here. They just love dogs and want what's best for them. But for you, as a Mother, you absolutely have to do what's best for your son. I personally don't feel that your son did anything to warrant a bite like that, as he wasn't even touching Sampson or approaching him while he was eating, etc. I babysat for my sister for the first three years of her son's life, and our Chow Chow, who was somewhat unpredictable, wasn't allowed around the baby. Bigger, moody dogs just can't be trusted around babies, and the fact that you spent so many years trying to save him is why this is so devastating for you. It will be difficult to keep Sampson away from the baby every moment for the rest of his life, however long that may be, like we did with the Chow. The baby didn't live with us, so it was much easier. But is it possible to make the guest room his "safe" room? A place where he feels secure and has his own bed, toys, water bowl, etc. ? I hate to say this, but eleven is old for a large breed dog.. I'm not sure how much more time he might have with you guys. How is he on outings? Maybe you could schedule in a few more trips to the park so he doesn't feel trapped in the guest room? Maybe more chews and bully sticks are in order to keep him occupied? These are just suggestions, as I know it hurts you to think of giving him up or putting him down.. I don't think you are a bad mother or a bad dog owner, based on how much time you've put into trying to save this dog I think you're a better dog owner than most. You already know it was a mistake to trust Sampson, so I don't understand why everyone is repeating that. You now realize you can't even allow the baby in the same room with the dog, which is so extreme considering the fact he's been with you for so many years. I understand why you wanted so much to trust him, and you felt comforted by the behaviorists bad advice. But now, the lesson has been learned, now it's just a matter of finding him a new home or making it work the way things are. Try not to be mad at Sampson.. I know that's hard, but he is a troubled dog. It was an extreme reaction, yes, but try not to look at him as a monster. He is only an animal, after all. Putting him down is by far the worst option, and I don't believe you'd already made up your mind about that, but as a mother I feel if you made that choice as a last resort, it would not be a cruel thing to do. Not in light of what's happened. I'm wishing you the best, and I hope comfort comes to you and your family soon. my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Gunther Giant Shih Tzu     Barked: Fri May 31, '13 1:07pm PST  Jackson, Tiller, and Mulder - thank you for the insight there, as it really helped me understand exactly why Biscuit (the name did NOT fit her, but it made it cute) was so intense. Intense was really the only word to describe her, and I see what you're saying when you describe how if the DA was gone, she wouldn't have had the same level of drive. It was like she was a coiled spring all the time, and even with constant conditioning and attempts to curb the aggression, there were always set-backs. She wanted hikes hours long, fetch sessions so long she would end up vomiting all the water she drank, and would STILL want to keep going.. It was impossible to tire that dog out, and being only a teenager at the time I had a lot of time and energy to try! What I wished was that there was some level of control I could have obtained with her. She ended up nearly killing our two smaller terriers she was raised with, and the aggression continued to worsen over time. It may very well have been partly my fault, despite my tireless efforts to train, exercise, and manage her, but being only sixteen at the time, it was not my choice when my Mother decided to have her put down at only three years old. I guess my pain over it, and my wish, was that I could have had the same dog just without the off-the-wall aggression towards her own "pack" members. It was just a devastating situation, to have such an incredible dog, but that couldn't live with any other dogs in sight. But I fully agree with what you guys presented, and I'm actually thankful to have that further knowledge. I don't think all dogs should have NO DA (Our Chow was VERY DA, but not towards his own canine family members) - I just wish that Biscuit could have at least not had a desire to kill dogs she'd been raised with... my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

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