Postings by Lisa

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Lisa Always my angel.     Barked: Fri Mar 29, '13 10:55am PST  Cool! Sounds like it works as long as the dog isn't already conditioned to go crazy over it. I'll definitely look into this... my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Lisa Always my angel.     Barked: Thu Mar 28, '13 11:53am PST  Has anybody ever used a laser pointer for target/touch training? I don't personally like using laser pointers as a pet toy, but it occurred to me that they might be useful for targets since I could use it to point at things I want the dog to "touch" from a distance. But I want to make sure there aren't any possible downsides or things to be aware of with that. Anybody have experience with this? And if you don't (or you don't like them), what do you use for target training? my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Rescue, Adoption & Happy Endings > Rescues Unwittingly Promoting Designer Breeds/Pockets, etc.

Lisa Always my angel.     Barked: Wed Mar 27, '13 2:34pm PST  I guess I don't see how just using these names necessarily promotes irresponsible breeding. If we're going to tell people to rescue these dogs if they want them instead of buy from an irresponsible breeder, wouldn't it make sense for rescues to use these terms? With designer titles in particular, I actually find them useful since most rescue websites (Petfinder, etc.) won't let you search for a specific cross, or even for more than one breed at once. So if want, say, a Poodle/Cocker cross, you would have to put in either Poodle or Cocker Spaniel and then wade through a ton of results that aren't what you want. If you put in "Cockapoo," though (which is a searchable field on Petfinder), then it's much easier to find the results you want. I actually think it's fine for rescues to use these kind of marketing words. I don't think the words are evil in and of themselves. Those same rescues should be educating people about poor breeding practices and what these little marketing terms actually mean, though - I'm definitely with you on that. So if they use, say, "Pocket Pit Bull," then they should explain that that's not a standard size variety for the breed, but they're using the term here so you know what they mean. Something like that. my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Choosing the Right Dog > Tips for the first meeting?

Lisa Always my angel.     Barked: Mon Mar 25, '13 10:30pm PST  Toto! Your post really made me laugh, because of course you're right. If it were someone else posting this question, I would have advice for them. It's just that it's all finally actually real and I think that's freaking me out a bit. So...yes. Relax. That is the best advice. Ophelia, walking is a really good idea. Love the first date analogy, though I'm not sure it will make me less nervous, BOL! I'm personally not concerned with manners or loose leash walking or any of that - for me the main thing is the temperament. So you have a good point - it will be helpful to see how he reacts to different things. Jake & Sweet Caroline, I loved hearing your stories too. It sounds similar to my brother's experience with his dog, Troy - this dog was totally quiet and insecure for the first week or so out of the shelter - he'd do almost nothing but sit on my brother's lap or crumple next to his feet when my brother put him down. Then one day Troy dipped down into a play bow and was basically never a calm dog again! He was a puppy though, so maybe it's a little different with adults who are a little more set. The little guy I'm seeing on Thursday night (he's a Poodle mix!) has only been with his foster for a short time, but he sounds exactly right. And I've been really selective up to this point, so hopefully that will help. I just want to make sure I don't miss anything that would indicate any nasty surprises down the road...though I imagine that's unlikely. It's really encouraging to hear, Toto, that your adult rescues only improved with time. That does set me at ease a bit, hoping that happens in this case too...if it all works out, that is! (I don't want to jinx it! ) my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Choosing the Right Dog > Tips for the first meeting?

Lisa Always my angel.     Barked: Mon Mar 25, '13 4:54pm PST  Hi pups! I'm set to meet with my first couple of pre-approved rescue dogs this week (well, pre-approved if there's a good fit), and I'd like some last minute advice as to how to handle it. I've never done this myself before (closest was when I adopted a rescue ferret with my mom when I was 14), and I'm a little nervous. Mostly I'm worried I'll be so excited about meeting a dog that I'll forget to think clearly about things! I've been doing so much research and thinking for so long that I'm starting to get myself all turned around. So please, tell me - how should I handle myself? What kinds of questions should I ask? What are some tell-tale signs to help me figure out things like temperament? I'll be looking for that connection and gut feeling too, but I don't want to miss out on any red flags or other things that can help me make the best possible decision. I want to make a good impression on the foster mom, as well as evaluate the dog clearly...I'm sure many of you here have experience with both of those things. I'm putting together my own list as well, but any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated! my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Lisa Always my angel.     Barked: Fri Mar 8, '13 2:18pm PST  I don't have anything to add, but I thought I'd bump this up since I'm looking for the same thing! I have a tendency to go through tons of training treats, especially in the first couple of months, so with new dog coming up I'm trying for some more economical options. my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Choosing the Right Dog > Name ideas for a scruffy-looking girl?

Lisa Always my angel.     Barked: Wed Mar 6, '13 10:47pm PST  Of course I should've known that Missy would approve! These are some great names so far! I really like Priscilla, but I can't think of a way to shorten it besides "Prissy" and that just seems...off. Penelope is cute too. I also like Rhoda, Dahlia, Lyra...I have some really funny associations with the name Phaedra ever since we read Racine's play about her in one of my theatre classes, but it is actually a funky name. I also like the name Lucy (or Lucille), but I know another terrier named Lucy through my extended family, and even though she's a JRT and this dog isn't, I don't want to seem like I'm copying. And I'm really taking a liking to Thisbe, as well...I'm glad you like it, Capone (awesome name, by the way)! my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Choosing the Right Dog > Name ideas for a scruffy-looking girl?

Lisa Always my angel.     Barked: Tue Mar 5, '13 11:54pm PST  Well, I just put in my first application for a new rescue dog (eeee!). I haven't heard back yet, and I don't know if things will work out, so I don't want to jinx it by linking to her Petfinder page. But several of the dogs I have found to be a good fit for me have, by coincidence, been scruffy-looking terrier-ish female dogs. They also have, by and large, names I'd prefer to change. My problem? I have such an easier time coming up with boy names! And the girl names I do come up with all sound too...soft or girly (since that was the direction I was heading looks-wise before personalities started getting in my way ). I haven't seen a good name suggestion thread come up in a while, though, so I thought I'd try one here and see if you all can help me brainstorm! I like names that are amusing, spunky, and/or pretentious (my current top choice boy name is Archimedes, Archie for short). I'm also interested in names that make her sound tough, queenly, or bigger than she is, since I think that's cute on a small dog. Literary or mythological names are good too, but it's hard to find one that fits. Some I've thought of, but haven't committed to: - Cici - Cordelia - Nanette - Thisbe (rhymes with Frisbee) So...what girl names are rattling around in your brains, Dogsters? my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Behavior & Training > What do you teach first?

Lisa Always my angel.     Barked: Mon Feb 25, '13 5:03pm PST  Sheesh, I can't believe I forgot about housetraining! That definitely comes first. Sounds like recall, leave it, housetraining and something like wait/stay/hold position are the basics for most everyone. Which makes sense, really. I never really thought about "touch" as a basic/beginning command, but now that I think about it I can see how it can be a great base for other behaviors as well. Where do you usually go first from there? As a tool for teaching recall, or...? my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Lisa Always my angel.     Barked: Fri Feb 22, '13 4:09pm PST  Let's say you've got a new dog coming in with absolutely no training. Maybe an adult rescue, maybe a puppy, but definitely a dog who knows NOTHING formal. Where would you start? Which commands/cues should come first? I would probably start with: - Sit - Leave it - Beginning recall I've never formally trained a dog to respond to its name - I just generally use the name often enough that they start to pick it up. But I guess you want to start that one early, too. The why behind my choices: to me, "leave it" is crucial in order to protect my stuff (ha!) and also keep the dog safe, of course. "Sit" is incredibly versatile and helpful to build from, and of course a good recall can be a safety issue. Typically recall takes a long time to build, at least in my experience, so it's also good to start on it right away. What is/would be your plan, Dogsters? Personally every dog I've trained/owned in my adult life has come with some baseline obedience in place, however shaky, and that's likely to continue with the next. I do find this an interesting question, though, as it speaks to priorities and all that. my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

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