"On my end, I gave up trying to help people who don't want to be helped ....."



Unfortunately, not always immediately apparent.

Sharon, I think you will find the longer you hang around here that people are actualy extremely kind and have respect for anyone who is willing to learn. Occasionaly you may see a frustrated post or two, but for the most part people get along.

Its funny, but the people who seemed the most gruff back when I was a lurker and then a new member are the ones I feel are now my friends! These people are the ones I turn to whenever I need serious advice or help figuring something out. There is just so much good knowledge, and good humor, on this forum.

Leerburg is definitely a one of a kind place on the internet.

 Quote: sharon degaramo

2) Someone on this forum knows that I felt she was an attention-seeker with some possible clinical psychological issues. I could see, at some point, when the experienced folks on this board began to "handle" her. (Much like talking someone off a ledge.)Everyone gave the best of their knowledge and resources.

This wasn't difficult to discern, even for the layman.

Sadly, no...it's not always apparent when someone doesn't actually want the help that they request. When you realize that you can't help someone because they don't want to be helped, well...you've already been sucked in that far. And when it comes to trying to help an animal or kid or someone else in need of defense because of a single person, it's hard--impossible--to step away until you are force to do so.

Certainly, I can "see" friendships on this forum, and the respect within them. I haven't seen "cliques" (which I hope I don't). I want to expand my knowledge base and feel comfortable while doing that.

LB is rather addictive, I might add. Oh, goody. Just what I need. I gave up projects (good thing)when I realized that the training with my dog was back-sliding--so now he's happy and he and I got back up to snuff...while the husband is saying, in his own way, "Um...hello...I'm over here."

Yeah, whatever. Sucks to be him.

Nice to be here.

I think I speak for just about everyone who offers advice here... It's ALL ABOUT THE DOG.

We care about the dogs. We may bruise a few egos, but most people get over that and listen to what we are saying and work WITH us for the good of the dog.

 Quote: sharon degaramo

while the husband is saying, in his own way, "Um...hello...I'm over here."

Yeah, whatever. Sucks to be him.

Nice to be here.

Hehe....my wife thinks that husbands are trainable....so she tells me...

Heheheheheheh. Animals of the non-human kind can be trained. (I think that that probably doesn't include the sub-specie of husbands.)

I would have to agree with your wife... once the individual temperament and species specific needs are figured out, husbands are incredibly trainable.

Ahhh... back in the land of the living.

I'm really glad this thread was started too, a nice way to debrief after all that trauma.

 Quote: Betty Waldron

They sound pretty cool actually.

Betty, they really are cool dogs. My only caution would be to re-think the training approach a bit. They are really smart and learn quickly but they get bored easily; unlike our GSD’s who generally like a lot of direction and have no problem working all day with us/for us.

The Akita we fostered loved structured walks as opposed to running aimlessly through the woods. He was a really proud boy that appreciated being by my side as opposed to being sent off to do stuff. He could be willful if he wanted attention, as most dogs can, but settled nicely with minimal direction.

They pick up on pack structure stuff like a sixth sense, almost instantly but like inclusion in the process. We had to move his crate (which he loved) a few times before he was comfortable using it as den. And definitely not a dog to be left outside overnight, they like to be included and close to their pack at all times.

They take guarding to whole different level too. Again, unlike most northern breeds that’ll bounce around and talk an intruder’s ear off, telling him where the keys are how to open doors, Akita’s are silent but deadly. Our guy was great with other dogs, kids and guests but if he felt threatened in any way, generally feeding off me, there was very little warning about his intentions.

He had a very relaxed sort of cautious awareness about him at all times (don’t know if that makes any sense). He did very little bouncing in and out of drive. He was just kind of always prepared. Never saw any kind of flight response in him.

A dog approaching with good intentions was always welcome, and even with a more assertive approach, the dog would have to be right on top of him before there was any kind of reaction, but then he could flip like a rattlesnake when necessary, with similar deadly consequences. An out-o- control fifi poo learnt a tough lesson trying to mount his back leg. It was definitely my fault for not catching it quicker, but I learnt a lot from this boy. He wasn’t dog reactive in anyway, just kind of “please play nice” attitude.

And because of his wide berth and tolerant confidence, he was very easy to manage. Wonderful, wonderful dog. It’s been quite a few years and I understand the couple moved but I haven’t heard from them. They knew he could be returned at any time and the last time I talked with them, they were very pleased with him.

Just my experience with one of the breed. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a couple of others and once I got though the ego, on the part of both the owners, they expressed similar characteristics.

CJ,

I appreciate your insight; my experience, actually LACK of experience/understanding of dogs at the time, has led me to probably give Akita's an unfair evaluation. Hearing you describe their personalities helps me look back and reconsider the fact that what I took as potentially something negative, is perhaps just the nature of the wonderful beast and more my ignorance than anything about the dog. My cousin in Texas has a beautiful Akita and I may just have to save my pennies, nickles and dimes to go visit and look at the dog in a different light. Thanks.

Have you forgiven me for spilling the birthday beans?

 Quote: Barbara Schuler

Have you forgiven me for spilling the birthday beans?

Oh Barbara, yes of course.

My temperament, unlike an Akita, is much more like a GSD, very forgiving. As well, please take into consideration that I was not feeling well and sometimes temporary illness/injury (god, my head was hurting) can bring on these kinds of aggressive out lashings. I hope you can also forgive me for my temporary out-of-character response to your wonderful gesture.

Hubby’s been very supportive (years of desensitization and structured training) and allowed me the quiet recovery time I needed. All back to normal.