Live Chat about dogs transcript

Thanks Stefanie,

Could you post this to our Gather Dogs group please. My dog died but I enjoy other peoples photos and stories.

Sure! I just cross-posted it.

Thank You.

As I have the best dog in the whole wide world, no that's not a cliche, I will try to make it.  Dogs are the best people.

My dogs are "Wonder Dogs".  I will try my best to be here for this chat.

Of course, I will be here!

I will try to be here. we have 4 dogs. we are definitely dog people. lol.

I'm so glad that childless people will now get a chance to win this book. That last contest to win it was for people with kids, but I need this book. I'll say why tonight.

We are a dog family, I'll try to make it!

We have a dog, but we also have 2 cats.  I myself am more of a cat person.. 
I wish I could attend the chat but we are going to be camping!

Love dogs so I hope to be able to get in on this chat.  One of my favorite topics.  Have one barking to come back in right now.

I grew up with cats, but now have two large mixed breed dogs. I miss having cats, though. I did some vet training and learned a lot about dog breeds - for small breeds I really like the the Japanese Chin and the Papillon for their kind, gentle nature and how they get along with other animals/people. For large breeds I love the Whippet and the Saluki. I've never had any of these breeds, but have met both of the small breed dogs and really liked them. I tend to favor larger breed dogs since they are not too nippy around young children, however I think that any small dog can be trained properly to behave well around smaller children.

Our two dogs are from a shelter, and my very first dog (Simon) was from a shelter. He ended up passing away only 6 short months after we adopted him due to seizures from a brain tumor. He also had stress induced colitis. He was the sweetest dog ever! Our two current dogs are Rexey - lab/GSH pointer mix and Abbey - German Shepherd/Shar Pei mix. Rexey is around 7 years old and Abbey is around 5. Rexey still struggles with some obedience issues - he steals from the table, but we also credit that to the fact that he is on a diet and we have a toddler who probably feeds him on the sly....not good excuses though. He has come a long way though - from when we first got him - he would jump up into our bed and start biting me, to a mostly well behaved dog that he is today. He was in a shelter in Ohio and was shipped to Maine to be placed in a shelter there. We adopted him in Maine one year before we moved to Ohio (we didn't have plans to move here when we adopted him).

I probably won't be able to make it back to the chat tonight, but wanted to comment.

I love both dogs and cats! Right now we have a weenie dog named Susie Q. A lady was going to give her to the pound because she couldn't take care of her because she was always working and my husband brought her home one day and now she's a part of our family. She has such a sweet personality!

I have both cats and a dog (appropriately named Marley...if you have seen the movie or read the book). She failed her dog training the first time around, but somehow squeaked by with the second attempt. She could use some more Superdog training!

Thanks for the invite!  I'll try to be here. :)

/me slaps a big ole post it note on her second monitor to remind herself of the chat!

.....hopefully that works. ;)

I am in dire need of some help with training Murphy. On top of his other "endearing" habits, he has taken to getting me up in the middle of the night to play. Not cool

Have you considered crating him at night?  My mom keeps her dogs out during the day, but they sleep in crates.  They sometimes choose to go in their crates (with the door open) during the day as well. 

Amanda, crating is an excellent idea.

I would hate to have a crate big enough to hold him in my bedroom. He does have a bean bag bed that he goes to when I tell him. I have also not been allowing him to go to bed early, like he was doing.

·Do you consider yourself a dog or a cat person?
both. I love cats, dogs, rabbits, deer, birds, squirrels, etc.

·What is your favorite breed of dogs?
no favorite, although I’m partial to chows because my last dog was a chow

The blue tongues are fascinating.

We have strong storms coming in so I'm not sure how long I'll be able to be online so I'll just lump all my questions (from above) and answers in this one comment. ;)

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# Do you consider yourself a dog or a cat person? Definately a dog person.  We have two cats ...they were Bill's cats before I moved here.

# What is your favorite breed of dogs? Mutt is good but if I had to choose it would be a Golden Retriever.

# Did you (or do you) have a dog as a family pet?  Yes a dog. What is your favorite memory?  Scampy peeding in my big straw hat and then I plopped it on my head.  My neighbor saw it and teased my Mom about me probably smelling that night when I came in for a bath.  I was just a toddler.

# Is a dog more than just a pet? Yep he is part of our family.  Why would you recommend someone get a dog?  Nothing compares to the unconditional love that a dog will give you.

# Which rule? Big dogs or little dogs?  I'm more of a med to large dog lover.

# Have you adopted a dog from a shelter? Yes, Fritz was a rescue dog adopted from a local shelter.  He was brought from Puerto Rico.

# What was your favorite dog from TV or a movie? Gotta be Lassie. :)  We tease Fritz all the time when he's trying to tell us something and he's all excited....we're like  "What? Timmie fell in the well???"  lol  He just looks at us like we're nuts. ;)

# Do you believe a dog can sense how a human is feeling? Yes.  Fritz definately knows when I'm sad.

# How does a dog teach an adult or child responsibility? They are completely dependent on you.  Is there anything else one can learn from taking care of a dog?

hello im here:) and on time for once

• Do you consider yourself a dog or a cat person? Im more of a cat person myself
• What is your favorite breed of dogs? I would have to say beagel
• Did you (or do you) have a dog as a family pet? What is your favorite memory? Oh yes his name was Mooch he was wonderful I rememeber when he would actually pull us around on the sleds he would grab the rope and pull us it was fun he was a smart german shepard
• Is a dog more than just a pet? Why would you recommend someone get a dog?Yes they are more then just a pet they are really smart animals and great to have if you are by yourself. if you are lonely I would recommend a pet to someone ..
  
• Which rule? Big dogs or little dogs? I say little dogs:)
• Have you adopted a dog from a shelter?Yes we did but actually had to take him back we got him in 1995 when my daughter was born he was a dalmation he was way to hyper and wold try to chew on my daughters feet so yes we had to send him back:(
  
• What was your favorite dog from TV or a movie? I would have to say Lassie
• Do you believe a dog can sense how a human is feeling? oh yes they can:)
• How does a dog teach an adult or child responsibility? Is there anything else one can learn from taking care of a dog?dogs are just liek kids to adults and brothers or sisiters to children. you have to take care of a pet dog or cat just liek you would any child.
  

I would say I am both. Altho we have a cat now.

I do want a tiny dog. I miss having a tiny dog.

I've never had a "tiny" dog. Are you talking about something like a tea cup chihuahua?

hello everyone:)

Hello Charity!  I almost missed this one.

hows everyones night going?

Pretty good, how about yours.

• Do you consider yourself a dog or a cat person? DOG! No question about it.
• What is your favorite breed of dogs? American Staffordshire Terrier (Pit Bull)
  
• Did you (or do you) have a dog as a family pet? What is your favorite memory? my favorite memory of a dog I had when we were kids is a dog named Amy. She used to leap around like a gazelle and make us all laugh.
  
• Is a dog more than just a pet? Why would you recommend someone get a dog? A dog is a family member, not "just a pet". I would recommend that everyone get a dog IF you can properly take care of one and give exercise every day. Even small dogs need walks!
  
• Which rule? Big dogs or little dogs? BIG. They don't bark constantly and nip people. Small dogs have Napoleon complexes.
  
• Have you adopted a dog from a shelter? All three of our dogs were rescued. My motto "Don't Buy While Dogs Die".
  
• What was your favorite dog from TV or a movie? I loved them all! I've been a dog person since I was little.
  
• Do you believe a dog can sense how a human is feeling? Absolutely. My dogs always know when I'm sick or really depressed. They bring me out of it.
  
• How does a dog teach an adult or child responsibility? Is there anything else one can learn from taking care of a dog? All I know is that on my worst days when I don't want to even get out of bed, the dogs need me. They need to be fed and cared for. They are the lights of my life.
• I cannot even count the number of way a person can learn from a dog: one learns patience, responsibility, honesty, joy, happiness, unequivocal love, laughter is the best medicine, etc.
  

·Did you (or do you) have a dog as a family pet? What is your favorite memory?
We had a chow, Cinnamon, when we lived in San Diego. We loved her so promised her that one day we’d move someplace where we had a big backyard for her. At that time we lived in a condo. Shortly before we moved to our house with a huge backyard in Michigan, our Cinnamon died. I miss her every day. I have a million memories.

We plan to adopt a dog from the Michigan Humane Society now.

Yay for rescue, Elizabeth!

I wish I could save them all!

I had a dog named Cinnamon, and it was a chow mix.

I could go on and on about my three dogs. I love them more than anything!

·Which rule? Big dogs or little dogs?
both

• Do you consider yourself a dog or a cat person? I would say both
• What is your favorite breed of dogs? pomeranian
• Did you (or do you) have a dog as a family pet? Yes, we did I loved my little tiny doggy
• What is your favorite memory? I love how loving she was.
• Is a dog more than just a pet? my pets are my family. Talouse my cat is my sons baby brother. My son calls him little boooother!                          Why would you recommend someone get a dog? They are loving and loyal
  
• Which rule? Big dogs or little dogs? I love the little ones
• Have you adopted a dog from a shelter? I would. The last dog was given to me
  
• What was your favorite dog from TV or a movie? Benji
• Do you believe a dog can sense how a human is feeling? Oh of course
• How does a dog teach an adult or child responsibility? Is there anything else one can learn from taking care of a dog? Make sure you feed and love them

I am good how are you?

·Have you adopted a dog from a shelter?
We would have. Our dog would have gone to a shelter if Keith hadn’t saved her. Same with our cat.

·Do you believe a dog can sense how a human is feeling?
definitely

I purchased our cat from the northwest seed and pet and our dog was given to me when I was a teenager. I want to get another one.

Our dog had belonged to another couple. She got pregnant, so they wanted to get rid of her, can you believe it. Keith saved her.

Our cat was a stray we found outside our kitchen window. She was a kitten and starving. We saved her, too.

Hello to all!  My dog is the cutest little beagle and we got him from the animal shelter last year and now it's like he is part of the family.  He is a great dog.

Well hello fellow Beagle Mom.

beagles are the best!

• Do you consider yourself a dog or a cat person?    Dog
• What is your favorite breed of dogs?  Beagle
• Did you (or do you) have a dog as a family pet? What is your favorite memory?  Yes.  I fell off my bike and broke my arm and while my brother went to get our parents my dog curled up next to me and stayed with me until my parents came.
• Is a dog more than just a pet? Why would you recommend someone get a dog?   **Yes!  I would recommend it to many people but not everyone is ready for or wants a pet.
  
• Which rule? Big dogs or little dogs?  I like all dogs but prefer medium sized dogs for myself
• Have you adopted a dog from a shelter?  Yes, two of my three dogs were adoped.
  
• What was your favorite dog from TV or a movie?   Lassie
• Do you believe a dog can sense how a human is feeling?   Yes
• How does a dog teach an adult or child responsibility? Is there anything else one can learn from taking care of a dog?  Having a pet can teach responsiblilty in both adults and children. I think everyone can learn patience, tolerance and unconditional love from having a pet.
  

• Do you consider yourself a dog or a cat person? DOG
  

• What is your favorite breed of dogs? Lab mixes or great danes
  
• Did you (or do you) have a dog as a family pet? What is your favorite memory? Henry was my baby, there are all good memories.....except when he ate my shoes.
  

• Is a dog more than just a pet? Why would you recommend someone get a dog? For me a dog is my child. I wouldn't recommend someone get them unless they are ready for a big commitment.
  
• Which rule? Big dogs or little dogs? HUGE dogs
  
• Have you adopted a dog from a shelter? Just about all of them
  
• What was your favorite dog from TV or a movie?Benji
• Do you believe a dog can sense how a human is feeling? Of course
  
• How does a dog teach an adult or child responsibility? Is there anything else one can learn from taking care of a dog? Responsibility is obvious. You also earn compassion and to stop being selfish.
  

Hi, everyone!  We have a black Lab named Blue that we adopted from the animal shelter in 2001.  He's a very loveable playful dog who still thinks he is a puppy. 

Howdy!

• Do you consider yourself a dog or a cat person?   I'm just an animal person period.  But more dogs if I had to pick
• What is your favorite breed of dogs?   Shar Pei
• Did you (or do you) have a dog as a family pet? What is your favorite memory?  I've always had dogs, right now we have 4 dogs and 4 puppies
• Is a dog more than just a pet? Why would you recommend someone get a dog?  They are my kids
  
• Which rule? Big dogs or little dogs?  I am more partial to big dogs but I love them all
• Have you adopted a dog from a shelter? Yes and rescued from abusive home
  
• What was your favorite dog from TV or a movie?  Lassie
• Do you believe a dog can sense how a human is feeling?  I know they do, Emily knows everytime I'm not feeling well she sticks right by me and won't move.  My son had an Epilepsy Seizure Alert Dog when he was younger and his Epilepsy was uncontrolled it knew everytime he would have a seizure
• How does a dog teach an adult or child responsibility? Is there anything else one can learn from taking care of a dog?  Teaches them they must take care of them to have a healthy loving pet.  As well teaches them so much unconditional love.

I also have a short-haired beautiful solid white cat named Scout who was a stray.  He lives in the house with us, but our dog must stay outside since he's so hyper.  He has a good place though.  Our yard is big and fenced in, and he has plenty of shade to get out of the hot sun. 

aww Scout is a cute name

Oh, one of my favorite things!  I love Chinese Cresteds.  (Guess I just kind of love unusual pets:  hedgehogs, hairless rats, hairless dogs, tiny opossums (short tailed). 

I want a Chinchilla, pig, and cow for a pet too lol

I've had 2 of the 3 already!  (And actually my grandmother had cows I used to visit, so I kind of had that too!)  Chinchillas do not do very well in Florida.

MY daughter and I were looking at a three legged Chinese crested to adopt...the dog was found roaming the streets of Atlanta....Adopting the dog was cost prohibitive though....they wanted way TOO much money to adopt him....

Angela also wants a hedgehog, but I don't think she is old enough yet.

Crested are great personality wise!  They will pretty much adapt to what their owner wants.  i.e. play or lay.  They are little clowns and VERY clever (except a couple I have had). 

I am probably more of a dog person.....

We have adopted a beagle mix that we named Maggie. She was severly beaten and had been dragged by car, so when we adopted her, she was in rough shape. In the over 2 years since we got her, Maggie has come a long way. She does travel with us too....and as we are currently in Michigan, so is Maggie dog.

Our Beagles go with us also.    From the photos you have posted of Maggie you could not tell by looking at her that she had such a horrible start.  Your family has loved her well Janet.

If you really look at Maggie, she has one leg that has no hair/fur and is very scarred up. If it gets too cold outside, we have to put something over it to prevent frostbite.

Poor girl.  It sickens me what some people do to animals.

There is a real lesson about forgiveness when you see a dog or cat adopt a new owner after being abused and love them unconditionally.

• Do you consider yourself a dog or a cat person? I am both, I love my cats and dogs.The cats are easier to handle though.
• What is your favorite breed of dogs? Scottish Terrier, but I don't own one yet. That was my fist dog and I fell in love with the breed.
• Did you (or do you) have a dog as a family pet? What is your favorite memory? I had Rosie, the scottish terrier, and she used to kill snakes when we went walking together.
• Is a dog more than just a pet? Why would you recommend someone get a dog? A dog is a family member, just like a cat. They are more than just a pet. I think they are great copany and they are always lovable.
  
• Which rule? Big dogs or little dogs? I like them both equally.
• Have you adopted a dog from a shelter? Yes I have, that was my second dog. Mainly I adopt them from people. Some find me as strays. I have a big heart for animals.
  
• What was your favorite dog from TV or a movie? Lassie
• Do you believe a dog can sense how a human is feeling? Yes, they always try to cheer you up when you are down.
• How does a dog teach an adult or child responsibility? Is there anything else one can learn from taking care of a dog? You have to feed them and water them, but also you have to play with them and care for them in other ways too. Patience is something that they can definetly learn!
  

I don't really have a favorite breed of dog....I like a lot of breeds.

I love pets! My son wants to pick out another pet!

When I was in high school we adopted a Scottie from the humane society.  She was a sweet dog (with a BIG head).  Other than that, I have not had any shelter dogs.  I did get one of my first Cresteds from a rescue though.

My husband and I have two dogs. A 5 year old husky mix named Misty, and a 2 year shih tzu named Snuffy . Misty is a female and a medium size dog , and Snuffy (male) is a small dog .  Can't say whether we are dog people or cat people , we also have 2 male cats . However I guess the dogs are our favorite  and I would grief more deeply if we had to lose either dog .  Our dogs are definately part of our family unfortunately are quite spoiled. Funny we never spoiled our kids ( twin girls that are 25)  I could use this book - I would like to find out if it is possible to retrain our dogs .

Snuffy is a cute name for a Shih Tzu. Is that him as your gather icon?

I had a teddy bear hampster as a pet too when I was a teen. Her name was Brandy!

Thanks for mentioning this. I've also had mice, snakes, iguana, etc. as pets. Each has its draw (and challenges). There is something stable and consistent in a life with dog(s) and cat(s), though.

• Do you consider yourself a dog or a cat person? dog
• What is your favorite breed of dogs? beagle
• Did you (or do you) have a dog as a family pet? What is your favorite memory? we have a dog named Stewie
• Is a dog more than just a pet? Why would you recommend someone get a dog? Our dog like a member of the family!
  
• Which rule? Big dogs or little dogs? medium
• Have you adopted a dog from a shelter?yes
  
• What was your favorite dog from TV or a movie? Oh that is easy Turner and Hooch!
• Do you believe a dog can sense how a human is feeling? yes
• How does a dog teach an adult or child responsibility? Is there anything else one can learn from taking care of a dog? A dog is a big responsibility we have our son help take him out and feed him.
  

We plan on getting a dog at the Michigan Humane Society because our dog died. I don't know what kind would be best to get, so I have to read up on that first.

What is your family situation?  What do you want from a dog?  Do you prefer large or small, long or short hair? 

I do think you really have to go and look and look.....we didn't plan on having a beagle mix, but Maggie has been a great dog for us. My hubby wanted either a Chessie or an airedale.

With the economic climate there, you may have quite a selection. That is too bad ... but you might get a really great dog!

My family is full of animal lovers, so I get my love for animals from them.  I love both cats and dogs equally.  I would have more pets if I could afford them.  I am partial to big dogs though because they seem to be better tempered than little dogs.  My mom adopted a stray toy poodle recently, and he's very cute but hyper and moody.  He can't be around small children and has a tendency to bite when he gets in one of his "moods."  My big loveable Lab would never bite anyone. 

We had a poodle when I was younger that would also nip (but only then I told him to ;)).  He would only listen to me.  They are one person dogs for sure.

Right now I have a Pomeranian, a Manchester Terrier, and six of their puppies. I also have two cats, Crackerjack and Tex.

I am a dog person my self but I have not had a dog in over a year my last one (Bubba Gump) died and I never could go "replace" him I had him almost 16 yr before he passed away.

Sorry for the loss. I know I will cry when any of mine die.

My husband thinks that will be hard for him, too. But I think as soon as you and he have a puppy  (or any dog you save, really) in your home, you'll love it.

I am justing waiting for another one to just come along, the way he did.  I'll know MY dog when I see Him

We have three dogs.  Snoopie and Blackie are lab mixes.  Trixie is a terrier.  Trixie came from the shelter.  Snoopie was found on freecycle, and Blackie was found on the side of the road.

Right now, I have both a big and small dogs.  I prefer small.  I only have the big one now because of my friends moved to India and asked me 3 days before he moved if I would take him if he didn't find him a home.  I guess I haven't really tried to find him a home in the almost 4 months I have had him.  He is so shy I don't want to stress him out too much. 

I was a large dog person until several friends of mine got smaller dogs. I have found them so engaging that I am agnostic on size right now. I also found that a breed "name" doesn't give me enough information about personality to include or exclude that breed. A friend just got a terrier / poodle mix, 4 years old, just a wonderful little guy.

As far as movie dogs, Lassie is one of my favorites. 

I have to agree with you on that one. Lassie is excellent. I also like Benji.

Lassie all the way!

Amanda come over and we will watch all the episodes.  Wait I don't have them all but I got a lot lol

Sounds good.  That is one of the few shows I will watch in black and white!

Rin Tin Tin.....

Okay all come to my house for Lassie party!

Janet will be bringing Rin Tin Tin as well

Lassie is awesome too. I really do love benji

I really love the Bolt cartoon! I could bring that if im invited...and also cookies...I would bring cookies!

I'm more a wolf person *g* and my favorite 'dog' from a movie is Balto. 

We always had dogs when I was growing up.  One that was very dear to me was a working farm dog we called Miggles.  When I was very small, she led me back home again when I got lost in the woods around my Grandma's homestead.  Later she came to live with us and watched over us until she became an old, old dog.

Have you ever had a wolf as a pet? 

3/4 wolfdog.  They're a challenge, you really have to know what you're doing.  I wouldn't take one again unless it was a rescue sort of situation like my last one was.

My cousin had one that was part wolf.  Most gorgeous dog. 

Are they more aggressive or just unpredictable?

They bond really strongly.  Separation from you or from others (animal or human) they've bonded with is really hard on them, so it's a major commitment.  They can't be treated aggressively, and can get to a point where they might challenge you for control of the "pack."

I have a friend with a 50-50 mix. It has the large paws of a wolf and the kind of dominence / submission issues for my friend's family that are from the wolf side. Fortunately, the animal is rather old, as they are not comfortable having a baby until this dog is gone -- not wanting the "mouthing" behaviour with a newborn.

 I have had some Great dog friends in the past, but none for the past few years to call my own. I am the neighborhood dogsitter, tho :)

That's a nice thing to do for your neighbors.

 My fav are wolf breeds also, Lune...but the one that I kept offf and on for three years thought my cats were din-din...I had to tell her No-No a Lot,lol

Hehe, penni!  Stormy knew my mom's sheep were for dinner, and it confused the heck out of her that I tried to convince her otherwise.

And there is always "borrowing" a dog. Some dogs are really great about this -- they get to expand their circle of friends, too.

Do you believe a dog can sense how a human is feeling?

Definitely.

 YES!!!

I grew up around dogs and cats because my family has always had them.  My parents have only dogs now though because my mom and sister are allergic to cats.  My parents had a big beautiful golden retriever who died in 2007, and now they have the toy poodle who was a stray that found them.  My mom also feeds all the stray cats that come around her house.   My grandma has four cats and a dog and my other sister has four cats and two horses.  As you can tell, we are a family full of animal lovers. 

I wish I could post grr I would show the babies, they turned a week today.  I was able to post one then I couldn't I jinxed it.

They start to get REALLY cute at about 2 weeks when their eyes open anyway. ;0)

Yes they do but I have been trying so hard to get 2 of their coloring.  My camera wouldn't capture it so I have my pastor's camera tonight.  They are so cute.

I love my new camera, but my old HP did a pretty good job.  Puppies are the best to get pictures of especially when they start to show their personalities and play.  :)

We never had pets when I was growing up. My mother had five kids and felt that was enough. Now that I've had my own pets, I know I missed out.

Has anyone noticed a big increase in the cost of dog food lately?  Last month when I bought food it was $22 (up from $18 last year).  This month it was $28.  That seems like a big increase in one month. 

What we buy our dogs has gone up about $5 in the last six months.

I totally believe in adopting pets at the animal shelter because there are so many wonderful dogs and cats that get put down every day because no one will adopt them.  I know with the economy though, there are even more animals at the shelter than ever.  I hate the thought of all the abandoned animals out there because their owners threw them out when they could no longer afford them.  My pets are like children to me, and I could never just throw one out to fend for itself. 

I know exactly how you feel.  I would do without to make sure my dogs were fed and have the things they need.