....and you know me, I rarely miss an opportunity to use 10,000 words when only a few are neccessary! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

L "Essay" Swanston

I expect to see your new handle on your bi-line ASAP. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

OOHOOOHOOOH!!! Can I answer, Can I??? HUH?HUH?HUH?

PLEASE!!!

#1. How do the working folk do it?

There are several options here. Get the dog when you can have a couple days off. When you go back to work, come home at lunch. If this is not possible, maybe a friend can let the dog out. Also, there are doggie daycares(YUCK!), pet sitters, and the like. If nothing else a well built kennel run outside. All the amenities of course.

#2. How much time per day should one spend with the dog?

I dunno. I never ask my wife how much time I should spend with her. Maybe I should...NAH!!!
You do what feels right. Look into your dogs eyes. That will tell you how your dog feels. I know, I know they always want to be with you. Cut the purse strings <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

#3. What would I be missing were I to forego a puppy purchase and get an adult who's already had basic obedience and what-not? I'm actually drooling over that young black male of Todd Gasters

HEHE...Doesn't matter, I sold him, sorry. Anyway, The bonding is not an issue. The main thing I feel you would miss out on is the learning process. How to raise a puppy. See what works with yours and what doesn't.

#4. Does either sex tend to be more protective of people or geographic areas, respectivly?

I don't believe so. However, there is a difference in maintenance. Bitches go into heat. Dogs lift their legs...That type of thing.

#5. Does either sex tend to resist (resent?) commands from a stranger more?

This has less to do with sex, and more with temperament and dominance of the dog.

#6. If a male and female co-habitate (dogs, now), who tends to dominate whom?

Alas, just as with people the women call the shots.(DONT TELL MY WIFE, SHE DOESNT KNOW) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

#7. Are there implications on the working-dog to being subordinate to an adult dog who already inhabits the home?

All dogs are suboridinant to me. It is not their choice to work it out themselves. I say, they do. When I am not around...CRATES.

#8. What role does one's spouse play in the rearing of such a dog?

Thats funny! The spouse plays the role of "Youre doing it wrong!" "That's not how they did it" "Youre gonna break that dog" "TOLD YA SO"
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

OK, how's this?

Now I feel all this pressure to get wordy. This post seems too short. If it can be said in three words, might as well use 57. As long as I'm wordier than neccessary, I don't think I have to have a minimum word count.

Gotta go back and edit now. There that's better.

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~~~L "The Essayist" Swanston: Vixen of Verbiage~~~

I'm truly in debt to those who've posted so far. Great stuff.

Todd,

I was hoping you'd make an appearence. I've been lurking for some time, and I like your style.

Ok, now that's enough of that. If we keep complimenting Todd today, he's not going to be able to get his big head through the door. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Vixen huh?

That was funny. . .