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Connie, this has become way off topic & I will no longer respond on this thread. I will answer your question in PM

No need!

It wasn't my topic. It was yours and Judy's.

What a good thing that Ed and other forum members don't feel the way Anne does! I have learned so much for the good of my dog on this forum and I feel that we can all learn, if we keep an open mind. I don't have working dogs, so I don't read those threads: it's easy to read only that of interest. My dog is now fed raw and I constantly get compliments on his appearance. I always read what Connie posts, because she seems to be so wise and a very calm person and she gives a lot of her time responding to questions from novice owners, to help them to help their dogs. That may not be why Ed set up the forum in the first place, but I don't see how it harms the owners of working dogs to have that element in the membership also. Whether people own a working dog, a sport dog, or a pet, surely we all overlap on matters concerning the health and well-being of our dogs.

Anne - your out of line and your post are offending people - me included.

My board is for DOG TRAINING and not JUST WORKING DOGS - as far as I am concerned there is no difference. Are we to assume that because someone trains their dog to do a ROBOT ROUTINE like Schutzhund that they are better trainers than the guy who has to walk his dog in an area where their are multiple unleashed stray dogs - I think not !!!

In fact the dog trainer who can master that trick is often a far better trainer than 99% of the schutzhund trainers out there.

Are we to assume that someone who can train a prey dog to go out and turn a helper into a PREY DRIVEN SLEEVE BOY is a better trainer than a pet trainer who can learn to live with 3 very dog aggressive dogs?? I think not.

So Anne - words of sound advice - tone it down and be careful about what you post on my web board. I happen to think that there is far more to dog training than the BS that Schutzhund trainers like to toot their horns about. The vast majority of them (mostly beginners) have an inflated opinion of their dog training knowledge and skills.

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What a good thing that Ed and other forum members don't feel the way Anne does! I have learned so much for the good of my dog on this forum and I feel that we can all learn, if we keep an open mind. I don't have working dogs, so I don't read those threads: it's easy to read only that of interest. My dog is now fed raw and I constantly get compliments on his appearance. I always read what Connie posts, because she seems to be so wise and a very calm person and she gives a lot of her time responding to questions from novice owners, to help them to help their dogs. That may not be why Ed set up the forum in the first place, but I don't see how it harms the owners of working dogs to have that element in the membership also. Whether people own a working dog, a sport dog, or a pet, surely we all overlap on matters concerning the health and well-being of our dogs.

Wonderfully put! I also have come to appreciate Connie and her calm approach to debates (she must be a great pack leader!). As another newbie, I also really appreciate her willingness to respond to our sometimes tedious questions, even if she's answered them a hundred times before. And thanks to Ed for this site (which, however it was begun, has really helped countless working and pet dog owners)and for making it clear that all trainers of all dogs are welcome. Cheers!!