BlueMenace

My husband has wanted a 'shepherd' for years. And now wants to get one soon. He's done his research and decided on a Belgian Malinois. He's really set on paying the obscene cost of getting a purebred pup from a good line overseas. He has the money....the time to and resources to train... and this will not be his first dog. And this will be HIS DOG.

However, I HATE SHEPHERDS. I love their look. Respect the breed and what they're bred for....but my personal experience has been....they are skittish (German Shepherd's) and can be fairly aggressive or stubborn.

My question is....does anyone have good experiences or bad with either breed? What happened? If you own one, what qualities do you admire most and what qualities do you dislike?

At my clinic, we have gotten those clients that insist on NOT vaccinating their dogs for: Bordatella(prevents upper respiratory infection a.k.a kennel cough) and Leptospirosis(bacterial and transmitted from rodents through water and soil...also transmittable to humans).

Mainly, their reasons have been their breeder advised them to NOT have their vet administer those vaccines due to allergic reactions in their line.

I guess my questions are:

Have you ever heard this before from breeders?

Do you take medical advice from breeders?

What could you possibly say to an owner that doesn't want to vaccinate their dog/puppy for fears of allergic reactions?

Would you even try to convince them?

614,000 for a salary?

http://m.clickorlando.com/news/local-6-investigate...

We know the situations with local shelters not having enough funds to perform simple health care procedures ( I remember hearing of a dog put down last year because it had a form of mange. The shelter did not have enough to afford the care or meds for the dog, who was euthanized shortly after rescued. ) Most equipment, food, and accessories are donated, and a good number of people volunteer for these organizations.

What are your thoughts on the article?

Have you ever donated to the HSUS or other charitable animal organizations?

Do you think the salary ratio for the CEO is justifiable?

One of our vet techs is moving to France. We gave his dog the exam and all the necessary vaccinations to be accepted.

My question pertains to the extra requirements international countries require of dog owners. The vet tech knows French and taught his dog in French. But the requirement for the dog to be accepted into France was, the dog needed to know both French and English.

Why would France require the dog to know commands in English?

What are some of the international requirements you know of when traveling with a dog out of your country?

Breeding?

If you wanted to breed your dog do you feel your dogs vet is over stepping by telling you its not a good idea?

What are some things you feel a vet could say that would be over stepping their boundaries as your DOGS health care provider?

(For example telling someone to never have kids while they have a dog with an aggressive/territorial temperment)

An owner came into the clinic today to drop off her dog for a physical. Apparently the dog fell down the stairs so the owner wanted her dog to be held a certain way, touched a certain way, etc. She also DEMANDED that a specific veterinarian look at her dog, and "if anyone else touches her dog she will sue".

A few months back, she complained about how her dog was handled by another vet.

Can an owner really sue for that?

If we were to harm a dog in our care or accidently give a dog vaccines when it is allergic, the dog may die or have severe reactions....this I know can create a lawsuit. But as far as wanting a specific vet?

So I'm was in PetsMart today and witnessed their trainers in action.

The trainer had the group with leashes and treats in a single filed line.

The owners were told to walk the dogs in formation down the aisles...stopping when instructed to, sitting, and laying down as well when told.

However, if you go into any Petsmart or PetCo, there are so many distractions. People shopping with or without their dogs. Children and adults not realizing a training session is going on and wanting to approach the dogs.

My questions, because I had to ask the instructor, are distractions the best components to training?

Do you think without distractions, the dog will learn the commands better?

Do you think WITH the distractions the dogs will learn better?

The trainer stated the dog or pup (which most were) will learn to listen to their owner regardless of distractions. Which is why they do their classes within the actual Petsmart store and not a quiet location.

Thoughts please on training with distractions.

Does this really soothe a fearful or scared dog?

Most ppl I see at my job or even when I visit the vet, participates in baby talk. I have to admit it seems to get the dogs attention as opposes to a deep confident voice.

What do feel about baby talk?

Do you 'baby talk' your dog as a pup but change up when they get older?

Do you or have you ever truly trusted a dog?

I hate to be a bigot, but I see such a difference in dog behavior pertaining to their personal situations and training.

The dogs at the shelter come from the streets, abuse, unfortunate situations, and I have to say they come to be the most ppl friendly dogs I've met. Maybe suffering from separation anxiety, but willing and ready to be around people.

Pets at the vet clinic and daycare=fear aggressive or attention whores or animal aggressive.

Working dogs act like you're not even there and could careless unless your their owner. And some will let you pet them but immediately after....they dismiss your presence.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Do you disagree?

Have you noticed different?

Can you tell by the animals eyes and body language whether its friendly, aggressive, submissive, scared?

(My vet claims to have this ability just by looking into a dogs eyes)

I'm really into animal behavior and seem to be the only one at my jobs that really want to get to the bottom of dog behavior or care that some dogs are just fear aggressive.

BTW

Because of my natural instincts and self preservation, I DON'T trust any dog that is not mine. As far as mine, they are trust worthy according to what I know they will and won't do.

Besides passing judgment on owners ......see anything interesting with the dogs?

I work at a boarding/daycare facility and a clinic......

Today at the clinic a dog came in, the owner stated kids on his block would come and toss treats into the yard mainly human snacks such as chocolate and chips. And one chold took the initiative to open the gate and let the dog out.....the dog (an Akita) bit one child. Now the owner is facing a lawsuit and trying to prove his dog is sick because of what the children fed him.....and of course trying to beat the lawsuit.

Me personally, wouldve stopped the children from feeding my dog and been present when my dog was outside to kindly address the children.....but just wondering what are your thoughts on this situation?

What are some interesting things or behaviors you've come across working with animals or even dealing with animals of your own?

BTW the owner of the Akita is trying to prove the dog was fed chocolate.....how could the owner prove this?

I've labeled this dog Fear Aggressive.

My sister found her on the streets....no background info at all.

This dog hates my husband, brother, and anybody that walks through the door EXCEPT females.

I'm not one to believe dogs are racist or bigots but it has been tested....this dog will bark when the door bell rings....in walks a girl she's fine. A guy she's growling....and trying to attack.

I say the dog is fear aggressive because she will run and hide behind her owners or a female. My husband stands his ground and when he doesn't back away, she backs up barking and growling. If he approaches her, she will literally go under someone's legs. She has tried to bite him twice. We tried treats after Honey calmes down and we've settled. However the next visit, begins the same way with my husband....she will growl, bark, and behave like she's gonna attack. Her hairs are raised, she snaps at him, and my sister holds her back which seems to increase her enthusiasm to be aggressive. And by this I mean she will bark harder, try to lunge, and her eyes are so big and never lose sight of him.

She's been hit by my sisters boyfriend (especially if she tries to attack visitors)....her normal behavior includes dominant like behavior with their other dog. She barks at my one male (who has a dominant personality)....only when he is behind a gate but when hes not she acts very submissive.

Just based off the above, does this sound like fear aggression?

What could be done to fix her behavior or is this a lost cause?

Do you think fear aggression is genetic or learned?

(I know this is an ongoing argument, but we learn fears through experience, so what do you think?)

I've found that experience is preferred in the animal care field, sometimes over educational background.

If you are or were a hiring manager at a kennel, vet clinic, or animal care company what qualities do you look for in a potential employee? ( this is for a vet assistant position )

Do you prefer education over experience?

Would you take a chance on a person with just passion and desire to work with animals, but the candidate has no formal training?

Dog Description:

Female dog, 6 years, AmStaff Pit Mix

Not food aggressive, just greedy

Good temperment, people friendly, obedient in all other aspects

This dogs steals food indiscriminately. Very sneaky this dog. She grabs food off the stove but waits until there is no one in sight. You just come back to find the dog in the same position but the food is gone. When it comes to the kids, she will snatch the food right off their plate. She boldly takes their food, but yet she sleeps next to them and never growls or bites them regardless of their roughness.

The kids are 5 and 8....should the parents stop the dog from sleeping with them?

I know its a respect and boundary issue with this dog. I am not the owner and they need advice. How can they regain authority over food?

My advice was: set her up by leaving the food, walk away and watch at a safe distance, and correct her before she even grabs the food.

What advice do you have?

She doesn't get table scraps for treats either, nor begs for food. She will lay down as if not interested in food...but she just waits for the opportune time to strike.

After watching the show Alpha Dogs and the special Glory Hounds, I was wondering if anybody has adopted an ex military dog?

Just by researching alittle on the adoption process most facilities require civilians to take a training program to learn how to handle these dogs ( which I think is commendable ).....

There are other requirements as well ......please see link

http://www.militaryworkingdogadoptions.com/mission...

(Training class, certifications, maintain certifications, adoption assessment, etc )

My questions

1. Would you adopt one of these dogs?

2. Do you think this process for ex military dogs should be adopted by regular shelters and adoption facilities? Why or why not

Since these are working dogs and some are not adaptable to civilian life what happens to these dogs that are labeled UNADOPTABLE? Are they put down or live their lives out in a kennel?

I'm moving into a bigger house, and my fiance made a suggestion for our mutual friend.

He has a dog he doesn't have time for, and would like us to take this dog in as our own. I've known this friend and have been close since middle school.

What are your suggestions or thoughts? Would you take over the responsibility, imagining yourself in my shoes?

I have two male Apbt. 1 yr and 9 mths. Both go to obedience training every Saturday since 6 mths of age. Both are well behaved, met this dog and are fine ( yet not tested within our home their territory ).

My friends dog,

-FEMALE AND INTACT ( which I will have to fix her )

-7 yrs old

Taken from her mom at 6 WEEKS!!!

Obeys simple commands but can't be trusted to not go on the table and steal food

Not up to date on shots

Even tempered with kids and adults (passive and gentle)

Staff/Pit mix

Overweight

I'd basically will have to dedicate a lot of time, money, and energy into this dog for the first few months alone and know the first year will not be easy breezy. I at least pray things work out smoother, but there's no guarantee.

If you have been in this scenario of adding a dog to your home, what did you do?

I don't want my friend to further neglect this dog or surrender her. The dog and I have a strong connection, as I have been around her since her youth ( walking, bathing, and training simple commands).

I'm trying to find the story so you have more information but the story is:

A lab was lost by their family in 2009. The dog was at a shelter for some time. The dog came from a breeder and was located at the shelter AFTER it had been put down. Now the breeder and family are ralling to sue the shelter and make it a fine to put a dog to sleep that has no medical or behavioral issues.

The vet commission statement is this will cause an abundant economical effect on shelters nationwide.

Do you think if this fine was instituted, will it be beneficial or burdensome?

Do you think breeders should have the right to sue rescues if their produced dogs become property of the shelter and are put down?

Please explain your view.

No t/d

I'm not sure I understand when people use the word protective vs territorial when describing their dog.

Explain, in short, your definition of these terms...

1. Protective

2. Territorial

3. Aggressive

4. Possessive

I would assume a dog that barks when a stranger approaches their home is being territorial. Yet a lot people award their dog as being protective ( which term defines the dogs behavior?

A dog has a specific toy he plays with and does not allow other dogs or owner to take it or touch it. He responds with a low growl when the toy is threatened to be taken or touched. ( which term describes this behavior )?

A dog gives a warning growl or bark when a stranger tries to pet it. The stranger proceeds to pet it and gets bit. ( is this aggression? )

Please feel free to add an example of the above terms.

I finally saw that Cesear episode with Holly the Lab and her food aggression behavior.

I think I would've given up on the dog, as its owner. I was wondering if Holly was a pup, had they practiced taking her food while eating or any other techniques that would've prepared Holly as an adult to not be food aggressive.

My real question is what is the longest you have spent on one dog, either training it for a trick, performance, or other actions? ( including if you had a hard time doing recall or other obedience commands )

What was the issue and how long did it take for the dog to learn?

Do you think the delay had anything to do with the age, breed, intelligence, genes, or your own abilities?

I never competed in the show ring nor bred a dog. The facts I'm stating are strictly from a documentary about show dogs and their owners.

The researcher, I felt was bias to the show ring, and it showed when she interviewed the kennel club president and judges. More interesting is the fact more show dogs are bred in their lifetimes ( producing a dozen or more litters ).

My question is, and I know I'm beating a dead horse, would you categorize the show ring breeders as ethical?

The presidents exact statement pertaining to disqualifing dogs with health issues " we would lose people and they would continue breeding".

The Best in Show was awarded to a King Charles Spaniel with a neurological issue ( who fathered more than 20 litters )

What are your thoughts on dogs in the show ring not being disqualified for having cosmetic surgery to fix a defect or for having health issues?

I had orientation at a well know pet clinic, which didnt sit well with me. The clinic had 1 Vet Tech, that just graduated from school and a bunch of assistants ( which in my state and many others it is not required for them to go through formal training and certification through the state ).

The staff was friendly to me, but man oh man, they "dogged" their clients. I wanted to approach the clients and answer their questions myself and give them detailed information as well, but i was intrusted to just observe. I also did not want to go over anybody's head.

My questions....

If you work in an animal care facility, when a persons asks you question about their pet, even if you have answered similar questions a million time to other clients, how do maintain your civility and polite demeanor?

****these people were rolling their eyes at the clients and responding like, "you should know this...we have already had this discussion...."

I learned that even in the animal care field or dealing with animals, there will be people and you should be able to maintain you politeness regardless of the stupidity of their question.

Dont get me started on the Veterinarian.....she was clueless and careless. A guy brought his dog in that was showing the early signs of Parvo ( which it did not end up being ) and she rather finish her sandwhich and talk s***t about the man.

What are your thoughts? Have you had any bad experiences at the Vet or at any pet business?

SECOND QUESTION: Do you think the guidelines on Vet Assistants should become more strict?

( Every assist there did a "learn as you go" training, mimicking other assistants that trained them. I guess at that facility, thats the best they can do.