Quote: tracy collins

Thank you, Kelly. This thread bothered me for two days but I didn't want to be the one to say anything.

I don't have a Shiloh, but I do have a house full of dogs that by many members' standards are "useless" because they aren't working-line GSDs or Mals--breeds that newbies are, probably rightly, routinely talked out of when they come here and ask about them.

If this is a working dog (only) forum then somebody just needs to say so. Then those of us with poodles, pugs, showline dogs, and Shiloh Shepherds won't feel like we are intruding where we aren't welcome.

Yes, thank you Kelly.
I have felt like this too Tracy. Most of the time, I try to let this stuff role off my back, but this got to me as well.
Some of it may have been said in gest, but for those of us who have the breeds Tracy mentioned, it can make a person feel as if they are not excepted or wanted here.

I come here because it is the most comprehensive forum I know of.
I appreciate all the various forum topics as well as the experienced members knowledge etc.
But, it gets old when the snarky comments are made from time to time.

I hope Debby sticks around, because this is still a great place to learn a ton of very useful information.
I am always referring people here to Leerburg, it would be nice to know that everyone is welcome, regardless of whatever breed dog they have.

 Quote: Tracy Collins

If this is a working dog (only) forum then somebody just needs to say so. Then those of us with poodles, pugs, showline dogs, and Shiloh Shepherds won't feel like we are intruding where we aren't welcome.

Back about the time Bob and I joined (2002) it was primarily working dog training. But like all good things it has changed and evolved and while there may be a few more working line folk here I think the intent is for it to encompass all dog training.

They were mean in 2002. I probably didn't post to 03 or 04!!!!

I was scared...

 Quote: Betty Waldron

Back about the time Bob and I joined (2002) it was primarily working dog training. But like all good things it has changed and evolved and while there may be a few more working line folk here I think the intent is for it to encompass all dog training.

They were mean in 2002. I probably didn't post to 03 or 04!!!!

I was scared...

I was scared until 2005.

Some of the retorts/replies were classics............

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

It's a board for people who care about all their dogs' training/feeding/health.

I'm glad to hear it.

It's probably worth remembering that this site is also--primarily--a retail store. Selling training DVDs, collars, supplements, and toys is the livlihood of the board's owners. This forum exists, I can only presume, to build traffic and offer a value-added experience for visitors. I'm glad it exists; but it wouldn't without the business behind it.

It's not unlike the store owner allowing us to use the back room to chat about dogs in the hope that we might attract new potential customers who might benefit from a product sold here. I doubt whether or not anyone at Leerburg cares whether the purchaser of a DVD owns a Shiloh Shepherd or a Malinois.

But I bet there's at least one Shiloh Shepherd owner that won't be buying anything here any time soon, and that's a shame.

Drive-bys and trolls are pretty much weeded out with the registration process wisely set up for this forum. People register here with real names, fill out a form, and have to get approval. It's not as easy to just wander in here as it is on many web forums--and that's one of its many good points. I don't think it's too much to ask that people who actually do commit the effort to join, then post, be given the benefit of the doubt before we decide for Leerburg's owners that he doesn't ever want their money, or the money of all the people they tell about how they were treated.

All good points!

There. I gave her 5 stars. My wrong is righted.

I'm PMing you about those short-legged JRTs.

 Quote: connie sutherland

 Quote: tracy collins

... If this is a working dog (only) forum then somebody just needs to say so.

It's not. It's a board for people who care about all their dogs' training/feeding/health.



PS
I know that we also tend to know that our dogs are dogs and not furry little kids, and they are beloved and respected for being exactly what they are.


PPS
I really do think there is often a reaction to drive-by ads and plugs of other boards, and that this thread is an example of that reaction, overdone.

that was my intial reaction, we've had a few of them try to plug their product or kennel in the very first post. My opinion stands on Shilos, I did research them when I was looking for a working line GSD to purchase. I was disappointed when they took the GSD WAY out of standard and trying to pass them off as "old style" is disingenuous. Pre Von Steph dogs were lighter, smaller dogs not the 120 plus dog we see in the Shilo kennels

First off I wholeheartedly agree that everyone should feel welcome here regardless of the dog that they have! It is a dog and training forum with lots of good information that that we can all benefit from and contribute to - with whatever breed we may have!

But I would like to point out that sometimes being passionate about something can come off as sounding like a snob - even though we don't mean too!!

For instance - I'm on a working BC forum and people there are passionate the BCs should only be bred for working ability. But it's not uncommon for people to misinterpret that as "you think I'm second class if I don't work my dog on sheep, or only do agility, etc". Nope, not that at all. Forum members only care that you respect the heritage of the breed and do right by your dog.

And FWIW - back when I first joined someone here once told me that I probably shouldn't have a second BC because of my job situation. Oh well, poor Kipp is still stuck with me