That post is for "Workingshepherds" not "workingdog". My apologies. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

*****Then there is the ever-colorful Brendan who really has contributed some excellent thoughts on this web board, but who also has a knack for spicing things up a bit. I agree with you Vince, he is ok in my book as well!LOL******

Right on, guys! I'm with you on this!

A note to newcomers: dissing of Brendan on this board is strongly frowned upon--this is a privilege reserved for old-timers only <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> !

You were right Chuck, just as things were getting a bit dry...LOL. Wait till Brendan comes back and opens a real "can of whoop arse"... Oh, boy...

Vince, you threatened to post a serious training question last Monday. I'm still holding my breath--but I'm starting to look like this . Hurry up!

Renee,

The thing I notice about Brendan though is that he is good at getting his shots in(no pun intended!lol)and then disappearing off into the sunset! Hey, you know what they say, leave em' wanting more! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> lol

George,

I agree with you partly. I think where we part ways is the idea that "dogs are dogs." Yes, in many ways dogs are dogs. However, we are talking about 2 female pit bulls who have already displayed agression towards each other, not two sweet Golden Retrievers maybe growling at each other over a toy. Yes any "ASS" can read advice and follow it, but not any "ASS" will be able to properly use an electric collar, or know when its safe to try taking the muzzles off ect. These dogs may never be able to co-exist without a muzzle on and I don't think that this is what the owner has in mind. If the E-collar is not used correctly, it could make matters even worst. I'm not sure I would even recommend one in this instance.

The advice that I gave involved finding a home for one of the dogs(without other dogs)and work on obedience training the other into a good pet. Not Killing, or compost or whatever. I admit...I am a wimp...I cant compare to Brendan"the diplomat"!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> LOL

George,
Regarding your post on Dec. 7 where you were responding to my response to yours.....I didn't even read the whole thing because of the formatting. If you're going to use quotes and then respond to them, you should probably space down between the quote and your response. That would make it less laborious to try and figure out what you're trying to say! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

My repsonse to you was a generalization, not a point by point debate. One thing I love about this particular forum, is that people are free to express their opinions plainly. I belong to other boards where sugarcoating your opinion in order to appear supportive is the norm. To me, that feels false and dishonest. If this board reminds you of the WWF, then perhaps it's not the right board for you.

If I were to have sugarcoated my initial response to bmatis, as on a different board, it would have been something like:

Oh, bmatis! Hugs to you for doing such a good thing for these two beautiful fur-sisters! They sound absolutely adorable! I know that each breed is different, but under it all, they are all dogs, and will have their scraps from time to time! I think you should take them to puppy kindergarten and socialize them with other dogs and people, and work on obedience training with them individually. When they fight, put them in their crates for time out. I'm sure your furbabies love each other and don't really want to hurt each other. Have fun with your furkids!

Is that more like it, George, or does it make you want to puke as much as it does me? THAT is what you'll never see on this board, and that is why I come here. I don't even own Shepherds (also commonly spelled Sheppard, Shephard, and Shepard on every other board I know of) but I do have a low tolerance for sugarcoating my replies and appearing to be supportive and telling people what they want to hear, when maybe they need to hear reality.

Furkids? Do people really call them that? Oh boy!!LOL <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

J Parker, so true. I recently shit-canned another board for that same reason. My method(Eds')of stoping a dog from jumping up was "breaking the bond" and "bordering on abuse". I don't think I'll be going back any time soon. I called their methods "fluffy". <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Chuck, yes they certainly do, routinely! I just can't bring myself to do it!

Jason,
I'm all for using positive motivation as much as possible, and for using aversives only when neccessary, i.e., using the gentlest methods possible for the individual dog. It's not the training methods that I generally object to on other boards, it's the way you have to overflow with estrogen just to not rub anyone the wrong way (not knocking estrogen, I'm a woman, but there is a limit to how warm and fuzzy I can be)!!!! As you can imagine, I'm not incredibly popular on the other boards, but they can't seem to get rid of me........ <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />


Anyway, I'm off topic again! To bring it back around, I'll say "Yes, APBTs ARE different, just as all breeds are different from each other. A Golden Retriever is very different from a Malinois. A Lab is different from a Shepherd. A Rottie is different from a Border Collie. A St. Bernard is different from a Welsh Corgi. Dogs will be dogs, but even within the dog family, there is variation of temperament based upon breed. For a novice dog handler, I'd recommend a Sheltie or a Lab over a Pit any day.".

Good Post JParker. That was exactly what I was trying to say. Raising 2 Border Collies together is not the same as raising 2 Pit Bulls. You explained it nicely. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />