It is obvious that several persons that choose to read and respond to other postings do not have the ability to actually read what is written; rather they read into what is written and make false assumtions as well as judgements towards others without a shread of true knowledge. The "followers" then join in as sheep to fuel the misguided, and further distort what has been written. There are also those who readily admit they have no first hand knowledge nor experiece in sharing their household with eleven dogs, yet they are the first to condemn and label someone who does and is sucessful.
In my 20+ years of sharing my household with a variety of feline and k-9 companions; I have had to restort to drastic correction twice in a split second decision to immediately halt the aggressor dog; who's intent is do grave physical harm to another dog who lives within my household via the means of using brut force by my foot which was the only available means at the time. On one other occasion; a chow mix dog lived within my household for almost a year. She had been a stray that I had taken in with the intent of finding her a permanent life home. In the year that I had her; she demonstrated periods of aggression that I delt with on an increased obedience level and behavior modification thru the advise of experienced individuals. The dog proved to me thru an aggressive attack on my other dogs and then towards me in the heat of the aggression (which occured as I was rounding up dogs and taking them to the safety of the house by my hand on their collars; a couple at a time that would not follow the command to go to the porch)that she was a danger to humans and was humanely euthenized the following day. My vet praised me for my efforts and assured me that I had done everything I could have possibly done.
For those persons who do not understand the several stages of personality growth starting with "puppyhood", then "teenage punk years", then a mature adult; I would suggest you catch up on your reading materials besides teaching a dog to bite.
If you open your heart and your home to the personalities of the individuals; you will gain a wealth of knowledge by simply watching their body language and understanding the workings of their mind. Unfortunately..you will never know your companion if you kennel them..away from the family..where they most desperately want to be. After all..dogs are pack animals.
There was a stupid remark in a posting that critizized my description of my pup..so..let it be known that my pup is (Sire: Valcom Vom Leerburg and Dam: Zalinde Vom Leerburg) a well
bred german working line (excuse me if my horseman expressions extend into k-9 areas. I didn't give a thought to the ignorant who wouldn't understand) and the dog will be educated in a loving, kind enviroment to protect me because she loves me..not because I make her. I also hope to educate her to search/rescue work to provide a much needed service within my community.
I treat each and every one of my dogs as if they are my children and they are. I prefer my dogs to most human beings as they make no false claims and are true to those they love. I have the best of both worlds to bring a new pup into my household. The older dogs provide social teaching skills while the younger ones provide the stimulus of play for the newcomer. All of my dogs are well socialized; mannerly and will protect me because they love me. You'd have to be a damn fool to step into my house without permission granted.
To have the quanity of dogs that share my home is not for everyone; nor the inexperienced. To label someone who does without the benefit of first hand knowledge is an insult.
To critize one's posts and label that person as stupid is simply a defense of ignorance, machoism and rudeness. There are those who should go back to school and learn how to comprend what they read.

Your right....I have no knowlege of sharing my household with 11 dogs. I have way to much KNOWLEDGE of pack behavior and rank to do so. I haven't had to put a dog down because I put the dog in a pack situation in the first place. In that situation, I'm sure I would lay all the blame on the dog as well. Maybe had you added a 12th dog you could have worked things out. I will admit, 11 dogs, only 1 destroyed. Decent odds I guess. I wonder if that dog would still be alive if put in a stress free home where it was the only pet? I guess we will never know will we. Here you definately have me beat...lots of experience, no argument. Sorry if you were offended. Here we never sugarcoat. Good luck to you.

Oh yeah...I forgot to add that my house is way too small for 11 dogs. Besides, it would smell like shit anyway.

Ah, well, Barbara....it helps to wear emotional armour when participating in a forum like this. Some posts are just nastier than others, so just blow off the rude, crude and uncouth. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

IMHO, everyone needs to make his/her own decision on their relationship with their dogs, as long as it's not abusive. Our neighbor keeps 7 Spitz in his back yard. Not the way I would do it, but the dogs are well cared for so it's his business, not mine. And then there are some doggie folk who kennel their dogs for life. (Yes, I know...some dogs can only handle a kennel existance.) But I like the dogs in the house, if for no other reason than burglers don't usually break into kennels. (And yes, I also understand that a dog is not an automatic protector) All I need is a little warning so I can get out my shotgun.

Oh, oh...now I've done it! Someone is going to call me down on having a firearm in the house. See, you just can't please everyone... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

For such an "experienced" dog person, your view on the working dog world seems a bit clouded. To imply that all the people on this board have kennel dogs is just as bad as the accusations you think have been thrown at you.

I too have to question if the Chow mix really needed to be put down. It is not uncommon for a dog that is in drive to turn and bite the handler during a fight. EXACTLY the reason you are told never to try and break it up with a hand or a foot to begin with.

I hate to say it, but there are a lot of people in rescue that end up with a god complex. You get to the point you can justify any actions you wish. After all you are saving them, right?

Most vets will tell you that you are doing the right thing. Veterinarians are just that, vets. Behavior is not always their specialty. Just like not all Doctors do not make good Psychologists/Psychiatrists.

Take what I say as you wish, after all I am just a kid compared to you. I have been rescuing dogs on a small scale for 9 yrs. I have Euthanized one. Of course this dog bit me when I picked him up, and subsequently everytime I handled him for the two weeks that I was trying to work around it, but none-the-less I have to think back and wonder if I did the right thing. Even though the vet told me so.....

I for one read the original post and the way in which you described "putting a foot in the dogs ass" came off sounding as if you used that as a normal training measure. I agree that it is wrong to haul off and kick a dog no matter what you weigh. If you did not have so many dogs, you may not have so many fights. But there again, you are the experienced one here, not me. The most dogs I have ever shared a house with was 4. I know my human limits.....

BTW..... Both of my dogs sleep with me. My dogs are my kids too.

"Opinions are like assholes; Eveybody's got one, and I am stuck with mine"

Hats off to anybody that bothers to read that whole damn thing. :rolleyes: <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I READ IT ALL!!!!

If telling the truth and making sense without sugarcoating anything is being rude and crude then count me as guilty as charged.

Schnauzergirl....good post.

Dogma,

You don't find sticking one dog after an other into a pack rank issue where they are just behaving like they are genetically pre-disposed to, and then kicking the dog or having to put one to sleep because of aggression cruel? This is typical of society as a whole today. Everyone has this "oh well...whatever works for you" or "it's all good" mentality. No one wants to call things like they see things anymore. Wrong is just wrong. Cruel is just cruel. Period. Here we have a situation where someone creates a stinkin' problem, then criticizes others because they don't have the same "experience' as them. Experience at what? Foolishness? Then to top it off, comes off as some kind of rescue dog hero.

For the most part, I've always remained a level headed, calm member of this board. But certain things just yank my chain and this has done it. This isn't rudeness this is straight forwardness. Bottom line.