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Messages - Jen and Rick

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31
Great Dane Discussions / Re: Pray for my baby Tonka!
« on: September 21, 2005, 09:47:54 pm »
My thoughts and prayers are with you.

32
Dogs can look/sound/act very very serious and yet by some miracle with all the flashing of fangs, not a drop of blood is spilled. 

That said, there are some dogs which just are not meant to be dog park sorts of guys.  They lead great lives, but just can't be trusted to socialize around other dogs. I rescued an Akita from the local pound who was not reliable around other dogs, period.  It didn't make him a bad dog...but it was just something I had to realize.  The girls could go out, but not the Akita.

If it were me, I'd contact a professional to see if the problem could be worked through.  Have the dogs been through a formal obedience class? 

33
Golden Retriever Discussions / Re: Thor
« on: September 20, 2005, 09:06:06 am »
Welcome back!  I love the pics you posted, especially the one of Thor with his kitty friend!

34
Well, Becca sheds a lot year round, despite being on Eagle Pack her whole life...hopeful ly the change to raw will help.

But here's my trick for taking care of fur in the house.  Pretty much everywhere she lies down leaves a bit of fur behind...it flows under the couch and everywhere.  Get a soft bristle brush, the human type (to be used only for the carpet). "Goody" makes a good one with a wood handle and short, black bristles.  Now brush the carpet, the couch,  and run it under the couch too.  It works wonders at picking up hair in hard-to-reach places!

I always run it around the baseboards and under things the vacuum has trouble reaching.  It takes hair right off the couch, too, much better than using a vaccuum attachment.

Jen

35
Great Dane Pictures / Re: Hissy fit anyone?
« on: September 19, 2005, 07:50:09 pm »
ROFL!!!  I really did laugh out loud when I saw these pictures!  So cute!

36
Great Dane Pictures / Re: I think I found a Halloween costume!
« on: September 19, 2005, 07:24:09 pm »
What a great idea!  That is adorable!

37
Great Dane Discussions / Re: help my new puppies eating me
« on: September 19, 2005, 01:46:36 pm »
Red gave some really good advice, and that article link is a gem!

In my experience, the most important thing is to never let the dog think you're afraid of him.  Rebecca is one of the sweetest, most gentle girls.  Yet when she was a puppy, I had her on my lap brushing her.  She started to writhe about and snarl and snap.  I held her close, said no in a firm voice, and she quieted.  I waited a couple of beats while she was good and then praised her and let her down.  I warned Rick of her behavior, and sure enough she pulled the same stunt on him that night while he was brushing her.  He was ready, though, and reacted just as I had done earlier that day.  And that was it.  She had tested us, discovered it wouldn't work, and she quit for good.

If we had shrunk from her or let her down immediately, it would have sent a clear message to her that she was alpha in our house.

My first dog was a Rottie who tried to seriously attack the vet as a tiny pup on his very first visit to be checked out.  The vet pronounced the pup vicious, and said to take it back.  I already loved the little guy...we had picked him out at 4 weeks and took him home at 8 weeks...and I was stubborn and decided the dog could be trained out of his behavior.  Well, he lived to 14 and never harmed a soul.  It took lots and lots of reading on the topic, much socialization, and some changes in my way of thinking on how dogs should be raised (growing up we'd had poodles!!). But it can be done. Dogs are not vicious, but they can and will use any method they have (teeth, claws) to get their way.  My advice is to read all you can on the subject and do what works for your dog.


Rick and Magnus



38
Introduce Yourself to the Forum / Re: Hi just wanted to introduse myself!
« on: September 19, 2005, 09:18:09 am »
Welcome neighbor!  I'm from Morro Bay.  McKenzie is a cutie!  I can hardly wait to see more pics.  :)

39
Great Dane Discussions / Re: training collar?
« on: September 18, 2005, 08:21:33 pm »
I use a pinch collar on both of my girls.  I've also tried one of those leads that goes around the head and nose...Emma freaked.  Also, we've used a body harness which worked well, until Emma (the problem child) chewed it up.

So, I'm back with the pinch collar and very happy with it.  The important thing when shopping is to get a high quality collar.  Feel the prongs...make sure they are well rounded and not sharp as that could irritate the skin.  The ones I bought are German made and very rounded and safe.  I checked out the collars at Pet Smart once, and I wasn't too impressed with the quality. Our newest collar is "Sprenger" brand, and I love it.  I did a quick search, and lots of online stores carry them.  There are probably many great collars out there, but I've found the German ones to be a better quality (prongs well rounded).

As for getting a dog to walk on a leash, hot dogs work wonders!  Be careful not to feed too many, tho,  because too many hot dogs might cause problems.  One of our dogs (Emma of course) developed pancreatitis towards the end of her obedience class after too many training treats.

Jen

40
Great Pyrenees Pictures / Re: New Pyrenees Pup
« on: September 18, 2005, 07:58:03 pm »
Welcome to the boards!  I just love your puppy! She is absolutely adorable, and I can hardly wait to see more pictures!

Jen

41
General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / Re: the DISASTER that is my LIFE
« on: September 18, 2005, 07:50:20 pm »
I absolutely feel your pain on this!  I read the whole thread, and I'm definitely looking forward to meeting you and your babies when I'm in Fresno! :)  ::huge hugs!:: I completely understand the impulse to just give up.  But the thing is, dogs and kids have their days, and we eventually feel better.  I've been furious at my kiddos for a couple days, but I got over it, eventually.  It's just so hard to stay mad at their cute, furry faces!

Oh, and when I said I feel your pain, I really, really do.  I am sitting here typing with a bloody knee, ripped up brand new jeans, and a dog (Emma) who is in trouble for trying to eat a golden retriever puppy at the dog park about 20 mins ago.  I am mortified and hurting, but I know this will pass.  It had better!  lolol. 

Jen

42
Well, I didn't take this pic, but I've done so many repairs on it (a work in progress), that I feel it's sort of mine by now!  :)  It's a family picture of my grandmother, her half-brother, and the family dog, Buster. It's one of my favorite dog pictures.  :)


43
Poor little guy! I'll be sending lots of positive thoughts your way.

44
Introduce Yourself to the Forum / Re: Saint Bernard "hi" from Morro Bay, CA
« on: September 17, 2005, 11:50:42 am »
I'm in Fresno quite a bit, and would love to hook up at the dog park one of these trips!  :)

Speaking of the dog park, can any Fresno area folks tell me where it is and what times people go?  The girls would love to have a new park to visit!  And we're in Fresno so much that we would be able to go fairly often.

Jen

45
Anything Non-Dog Related / Re: I GOT A JOB! NO KIDDING!!!!!!!!!!
« on: September 17, 2005, 11:37:48 am »
Woooooo!  Huge congrats!!!

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