Postings by Gunther

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Gunther Giant Shih Tzu     Barked: Thu May 16, '13 6:26am PST  That wasn't what I meant, Samson. My dog's testicles are not that important to me - to make my own decisions concerning his well-being are. If it got to a point where we couldn't even make choices on our own concerning our dogs, I probably wouldn't have one. It's just a complete disruption of the freedom we should have. If free speech on the Internet was ever abolished, I probably wouldn't have Internet anymore either, for example. I could certainly live without a dog and the Internet. Would life be less enjoyable? Of course. But I wouldn't have a dog if I had to follow strict guidelines and couldn't make the choices I want to make. Right now, it's not illegal to have an unvaccinated, unaltered dog. I don't want to have him vaccinated or neutered and that should be my choice. my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Gunther Giant Shih Tzu     Barked: Wed May 15, '13 1:42pm PST  I consider Gunther my companion, but if I were to be told by the state how to care for my dog I would be irate. If I was ordered by PETA to neuter him, I would probably just opt to never have a dog again. my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Choosing the Right Dog > Ever "misjudged" a breed?

Gunther Giant Shih Tzu     Barked: Wed May 15, '13 1:32pm PST  Shih Tzus. I think everyone who has never owned one or met one that was actually trained also misjudges them. I get a lot of "breed prejudice" having a Shih Tzu. Even on this site. Shih Tzus are not a "yappy" dog. At least none of the ones I've met and not Gunther. He will bark yes, but it's a big bark. They are actually quite easy to train, as they are highly motivated by food, and even toys in Gunther's case. They are a lot more rough and tumble than anyone would assume. Not fragile, and always ready for a hike, but when you want to relax, they will as well. I was joking with a co-worker about her husband being a former "big dog only" guy. She said that once he got Yoda the Shih Tzu, it completely changed him. I can say the same of myself. A Shih Tzu might not be as impressive as a German Shepherd, but they are through and through a dog. Also the smartest dog I've ever had, and I've had a German Shepherd, Jack Russell, and Rat Terrier. That's saying something! my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Behavior & Training > Dog killed child (irresponsible dog owners)

Gunther Giant Shih Tzu     Barked: Sun May 12, '13 3:34am PST  I agree, Smokey. Without knowing the whole story it's difficult to tell. Though I don't see this as the parent's fault. Unable to leave a dog you trust with your child for 30 seconds? Let alone a pit bull, who are renowned for their tolerance and gentle behavior with children? I'm sorry, but I trusted my German Shepherd alone with my nephew when I watched him for minutes at a time. She adored that child and protected him, never once even growled or flattened her ears at him. It is inexcusable for a dog to kill a child, no matter the circumstances - and the dog did need to be euthanized. I'm sorry, if I walked in and my dog was mauling my child I probably would have killed the dog myself. I adore dogs, but that is unforgivable behavior. my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Behavior & Training > Flexi-lead rant

Gunther Giant Shih Tzu     Barked: Fri May 10, '13 8:36am PST  I agree on all points. Hate Flexis unless they're used by responsible people like you guys. At our park, people don't even use Flexis. We had to stop taking Gunther to this certain park because people kept bringing their Pit mixes and letting them run off lead. These dogs are NOT friendly to small dogs and will make aggressive chase. It's just ridiculous. My Dog is always on a leash and yet these people don't get fined for anything, despite the fact that this park is a LEASH ONLY zone. my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Gunther Giant Shih Tzu     Barked: Thu May 9, '13 5:28pm PST  Chester gave it a try! Haha!! my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Behavior & Training > At the end of my rope with Gunther. Very frustrated.

Gunther Giant Shih Tzu     Barked: Thu May 9, '13 5:27pm PST  That's hilarious about your Guinea Pig, Tiller. It's so odd because Guineas usually like the company of at least ONE other Guinea! She was hardcore. Haha! Jewel, a flirt pole is a fantastic idea! I used to have one when we lived at a different place, but it might be time for another. Gunther learned that I don't give him attention if I'm on the computer, but he has the hubby trained to massage him while he's on it. my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Behavior & Training > At the end of my rope with Gunther. Very frustrated.

Gunther Giant Shih Tzu     Barked: Thu May 9, '13 8:15am PST  Aw, I'm sorry that happened Jewel. It must have been hard to give her up. Yes, Tiller. Gunther is a very demanding, jealous dog. It's why I always balk at the thought of a second dog, honestly. I've had to correct some jealousy issues even with my Husband in the past. Playing some new games with him has helped immensely with the barking though. A new toy that's kept hidden a lot of the time is also a great idea! He lights up when I say, "Go find your (insert name of toy here)!" So I've been doing that every time I hear a sound he might bark at. I've actually caught him going and getting a toy in a time that normally would have caused barking. *Fingers crossed* Ever since putting him in a "time-out" for barking at me trying to play with the pigs, he has stopped doing it for the most part. Then if he's quiet still by the time I'm done, I play a game with him. I think he's getting the point! my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Behavior & Training > At the end of my rope with Gunther. Very frustrated.

Gunther Giant Shih Tzu     Barked: Tue May 7, '13 3:56pm PST  That's great advice Tiller. I'm forgetting somehow that this is the dog that will do about four or five tricks in a row for a tug on a rope toy, and do it with over-the-top enthusiasm. I actually feel bad in hindsight. I was going so bonkers with the barking that I couldn't really focus on what I was doing wrong. Just because he gets to play a ton of fetch or go to the park it doesn't mean he's truly entertained. I think you're right that he's bored with the same old stuff. I'm going to think of a new game, maybe involving his nose. my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Gunther Giant Shih Tzu     Barked: Tue May 7, '13 3:16pm PST  Jewel, was she in pine bedding? Or even Aspen? I'm fiercely allergic to pine bedding myself, and that was what they came in. My throat was swollen until I got them onto fleece and everything scrubbed out. I put a layer of newspaper, a layer of towels, and then 100% polyester fleece on top. The pee wicks through the fleece and onto the absorbent layer. I just sweep away the poos and wash the fleece every few days. It's very clean and there's no odor! Also more comfy for them and better on their feet. Kali - he's been checked out recently actually! Everything's great. It's actually getting better, with the timeouts. I'm just calmly putting him in the other room and shutting the door when he barks, and he hasn't done it much today. When he's quiet, I've been really upping the intense playtime and that's also helping quite a bit. I was so focused on the Guineas that I think I wasn't praising him enough when he WAS being good. He's calming down quite a bit with consistency. Here are the pigs! Bartholomew Roland my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

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