Slightly afk from forums for a while because...

[serenity]

I picked up my new puppy yesterday and she is really, really, really, really demanding. I stepped away from the kitchen to type this and you would think someone is killing her in there the way she is frantically barking and howling.

What did I let myself in for?! She's beautiful, though. Pictures are coming when I get time to go get some new batteries for the camera.

I'm so sleepy.

[patch]

Yay!!! Puppy!!

Hurry up and get some batteries! I wanna see her!

[masherscf]

Yay!!! Puppy!!

Hurry up and get some batteries! I wanna see her!

It sounds like puppy already has Serenity well trained.

[phunlee]

I just got my dog back from the vet.

She's got an ear infection. Yay for eardrops! :P

She's an expensive pup, but I love her.

Here's Ripper:
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/8772/summer07187mediumff6.jpg

[patch]

Thats a great shot phunlee.

Here's my dog (http://totallyradfans.com/file/pic/gallery/14.jpg). This was taken when he was about 1 1/2. He's 3 now. I really need to get a camera so I can get more pictures of him. :/

[wizmaster]

Cats > Dogs. That is all. Good luck though, caring for babies is a PITA.

[tokenuser]

Cats > Dogs. That is all. Good luck though, caring for babies is a PITA.

WTF??

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/cat_proximity.png

(Originally posted by Patch in another thread).

It takes awhile for the puppy to be happy by itself. Our puppy is currently 13 years old, and will still bark to find out where in the house someone is.

[gglynn00]

Serenity: Photoshoping your new puppy as a zombie = Rad...Just kidding:) But if you want to photoshop it with a crown or something else cute, that would be rad...

[wizmaster]

WTF??

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/cat_proximity.png

(Originally posted by Patch in another thread).

It takes awhile for the puppy to be happy by itself. Our puppy is currently 13 years old, and will still bark to find out where in the house someone is.

xkcd is awesome but I stand by my convictions.

[eddielee]

Congratulations! Your dog will become one of your most trusted and loved companions I promise you.

[serenity]

Awww thanks guys! I wasn't sure if I should post a "personal" thread - after all who cares about my new puppy?

You do! Yay!

Thanks for everything. Now if I can just get through this week... :P

I haven't had a puppy for 20 years, my last dog lived 17 years and I was only 12 when he was a puppy so I've forgotten what to do!
Plus, my Mom bought him at a pet store so he was used to being in a cage all alone. Just being with people getting any attention at all was probably heaven for him.

River (the new pup) was taken from her mom and 5 brothers and sisters so she's used to having someone there all the time. It must be really hard for her being locked up in my kitchen. I don't know what else to do though since she isn't trained yet and she'll pee everywhere if I let her out to often.

I was so against crate training but I went out and got one anyway, for the nighttime at least. I need some sleep and perhaps she will come to learn that crate time is quiet time. When she's trained it's straight to the bed with us so I can give the crate away then. :)

I took some pictures but have no idea how to load them into John's computer (mine is still dead) so I'll have to wait until he gets home.
He started his 1st day at the Apple store today after taking 6 months off of working to work on his music. Hooray for friends who loan you $6,000 to do that, lol.

I'll post pics tonight! She is so freaking cute.

[siraim]

Congrats on the new addition.. and never forget two things.. (a) you're always in charge... (b) the pup will never mature beyond the emotional level of a 5 year old human. (b) isn't necessarily a bad thing given that along with the crazy range of emotion comes a completely unadulterated love that they walk around with.

I've had my border collie since he was 8 weeks old and I wouldn't trade him for the world. He was crated the first year of his life when I wasn't home or at night and it was always available to him when I was home. I never used it as punishment for something he did and he eventually found it to be a cozy place to call his own. You'll want to make sure that you cover up most of the backsides of his crate to make a little cave for the pup.

Congrats again.. can't wait for pics...

[patch]

My dog was the first puppy I'd ever had. When she starts losing her teeth, don't freak about her swollowing them. I did when my dog started losing his baby teeth. Vet said they'll just pass through his system fine.

Also. LISTEN TO YOUR DOG! Training can be super easy, or super hard. If you pay attention to your dog, you will know when they need to be let out to go to the bathroom.

You will get stressed, and annoyed, and maybe even mad, but pay attention, and be patient.

Also, you may want to try going to a local puppy school of sorts. Seeing as its really your 'first puppy' it could really help.

[siraim]

Also, you may want to try going to a local puppy school of sorts. Seeing as its really your 'first puppy' it could really help.

Couldn't agree more.. obedience is more about building that bond between you and the pup as parent/child or.. pack leader/pack member even.. it'll pay you back when you need them to listen. My pup is still head strong, but I can see his obedience classes helping out when he gets his mind focused on something..

[jafarykos]

Don't get rid of the crate because you think it's cruel to keep them in it. I've had 8 dogs so far in my life, 3 right now and all of them loved their cages.

Dogs are den animals and love a place of their own. It's been a long time since we've actually locked the door on the cage, but the way I see it, is they have their own mini bedroom. All of our dogs alternate sleeping in their cages or in our bed.

[patch]

Don't get rid of the crate because you think it's cruel to keep them in it. I've had 8 dogs so far in my life, 3 right now and all of them loved their cages.

Dogs are den animals and love a place of their own. It's been a long time since we've actually locked the door on the cage, but the way I see it, is they have their own mini bedroom. All of our dogs alternate sleeping in their cages or in our bed.

Agreed. Also, its sometimes good for travel. So just keep it around for home use and incase you travel at all.

[serenity]

Don't get rid of the crate because you think it's cruel to keep them in it. I've had 8 dogs so far in my life, 3 right now and all of them loved their cages.

Dogs are den animals and love a place of their own. It's been a long time since we've actually locked the door on the cage, but the way I see it, is they have their own mini bedroom. All of our dogs alternate sleeping in their cages or in our bed.

It's not because I think it's cruel (though I do, kinda) but because of a story a friend of my Mom's told me:

She had a fire in her house. She ran around frantically trying to find her dog, calling the dog and failing to see him. Apparently her dog had gotten afraid when the fire started and cowered in fear in his "den", the crate - where he died.

I want ME to be River's place of safety, not a crate.


Ok, PICTURES! (btw thanks for posting pics of you guy's dogs! So cute!)

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/Oomsoup/Life/River7.jpg
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/Oomsoup/Life/River6.jpg
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/Oomsoup/Life/River2.jpg

[gglynn00]

That's great advice, I don't see using the crate as cruel either...Like everyone said, they are dogs that are used to dens, etc. The last couple of dogs that we have had, it wasn't very hard to get them potty trained with the crate b/c they don't like to go in their "area." Also, I was always told to not let a dog enter the house, etc. before you do...because in nature the lead dog always shows dominance by entering the domain first and getting first pick of where to rest...This translates to dog/human too.

that is Uber cute...did you already say what kind it is?

[patch]

Awwww!!! Shes so cute!! Thats a Chow Chow right? If so, I know them to be super lazy dogs. Lol.

[heyseuss]

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h217/heyseuss_/rosie0.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h217/heyseuss_/bodhi0.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h217/heyseuss_/sollady1.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h217/heyseuss_/bbsleep.jpg

[patch]

Are those your dogs Heyseuss? Or are you just posting random pictures of dogs?

[heyseuss]

Cats are cool too. Animals like looking at the view too.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h217/heyseuss_/Holysurvey2.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h217/heyseuss_/Holysurvey.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h217/heyseuss_/busterchill.jpg
Sorry for big photo.

[heyseuss]

Are those your dogs Heyseuss? Or are you just posting random pictures of dogs?

4/5 are dead now, but yeh. all photos I took.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h217/heyseuss_/bodhi2.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h217/heyseuss_/hollybodhiC.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h217/heyseuss_/solladyhands.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h217/heyseuss_/bodhi7.jpg

[serenity]

Patch asked what kind of dog - I forgot to tell you guys, sorry!


She's not a Chow, she's a Keeshond. :D

[frankiethewaffle]

Sorry to hear about any lost dogs. I will not shed any tears cause I really am not a pet person. That is why I am single with no kids. I am not sure if it is because I am not the type or in spite of it.

I have recently taken on a rescue dog though. For some reason I went to a local Humane Society. I walked in and I went right to a certain dog. A beagle fully grown. Three years old in fact. I did adopt her and she took to me and the home like she was a puppy when I had gotten her. She is brilliant. I may be the only straight guy I know to talk about his dog like a kid to be proud of. When you get a dog from a humane society, they come with info. This dog came with, "Not too house trained", "Barks regularly". and such. I don't know what the former owners were thinking. But this dog has never piddled or poo'ed in the house. Never has barked yet. I should worry I think. She is healthy and learns really fast.

I did read that beagles that are trained for hunting are dropped by owners after 3 years. She does have hunting sensibilities. If I give her a doggie treat/biscuit or whatever, she bats it around before she will eat it. Like she only eats what she kills. Like Ted Nugent or something. Not to mention when I walk her she does pick up smells and become obsessed with finding the source. But not in an annoying way. Maybe not obsessed, but she does gain a new direction.

Anyway do what you know to make sure you can find that dog in an emergency while training her to be house broken. You will find the happy medium that will make a great pet/owner relationship.

[tokenuser]

THe only way we got our dog to be quiet the first couple of nights was with her sleeping in a box (cardboard) on an old towel over the top of an old pillow we had removed most of the stuffing from, and me having my hand dangling into the box all night. It didn't make for a good nights sleep, but it was better than the whimpering.

Took a couple of days, then she calmed down. 13 years later, she pretty much sleeps on the (corner of the) bed at night at our feet, and come trotting across the covers and wakes me up if she needs to go outside.

Suzi is a well travelled pooch - moving to the US with us from Australia, and did plenty of travelling with us on vacations as well.

Anyway - pics ...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2311/1849310287_ed878cfd14.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2128/1850126362_6da46cb310.jpg

(sorry - no greeneye reduction).

Oh yeah - Suzi is a Shih Tzu ... the Tibetan Temple Dog ... loyal, protective, dumb as a doornail.

[jafarykos]

Yah, pet thread.

http://rykos.net/myspace/sumo.jpg http://rykos.net/myspace/nimbus.jpg http://rykos.net/myspace/chloe.jpg

Sumo - Half Mastif & Half Lab
Nimbus - No idea
Chloe - Most likely a Catahoula Leopard Dog

All 3 rescues.

[wizmaster]

Sorry to hear about any lost dogs. I will not shed any tears cause I really am not a pet person. That is why I am single with no kids. I am not sure if it is because I am not the type or in spite of it.

I have recently taken on a rescue dog though. For some reason I went to a local Humane Society. I walked in and I went right to a certain dog. A beagle fully grown. Three years old in fact. I did adopt her and she took to me and the home like she was a puppy when I had gotten her. She is brilliant. I may be the only straight guy I know to talk about his dog like a kid to be proud of. When you get a dog from a humane society, they come with info. This dog came with, "Not too house trained", "Barks regularly". and such. I don't know what the former owners were thinking. But this dog has never piddled or poo'ed in the house. Never has barked yet. I should worry I think. She is healthy and learns really fast.

I did read that beagles that are trained for hunting are dropped by owners after 3 years. She does have hunting sensibilities. If I give her a doggie treat/biscuit or whatever, she bats it around before she will eat it. Like she only eats what she kills. Like Ted Nugent or something. Not to mention when I walk her she does pick up smells and become obsessed with finding the source. But not in an annoying way. Maybe not obsessed, but she does gain a new direction.

Anyway do what you know to make sure you can find that dog in an emergency while training her to be house broken. You will find the happy medium that will make a great pet/owner relationship.

Interesting post but I can't take stop thinking about how you consider kids (and possibly a SO) as pets. Pretty much right on the money, but still. LMFAO.

[puddlefish]

Congrats on the new pup Serenity, she's gorgeous. Very well timed thread, myself and my wife just got a new dog last week! we're both huge dog lovers, and had a dog when we lived in Ireland, who died about a year before we moved to Australia. But we finally got an aussie dog.

Also, on a TRS related note, we were inspired by the sticker on the back window of our car to call her "Jinx". She's an eighteen month old Heeler cross who was found wandering along a highway all alone. She's settled in really well so far, we're so happy to be dog owners again!


http://photos-821.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v106/25/65/709931821/n709931821_393741_2592.jpg

http://photos-821.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v106/25/65/709931821/n709931821_410020_1403.jpg

[maz420]

Congrats on the new puppy. I myself am the father of a new puppy. Bosco is his name, and he is a Jack Russell Terrorist.

http://www.imagehosting.com/out.php/i1333260_l25f61672566801bb5917406cbc4987db.jpg

http://www.imagehosting.com/out.php/i1333291_lc13fb2d4b726efdfc38b0f8b470403be.jpg

http://www.imagehosting.com/out.php/i1333299_l188394534102c1737d3175945dcd66d7.jpg

[serenity]

Omg cuuuuutttteeeee you guys! :D

Yay for animal thread and grats on the new pups for those that just got one!

[patch]

I'm looking for a second dog right now. I've been really set on getting a Greater Swiss Mountain dog.

Here's puppies (http://www.troutcreekswissmountaindogs.com/images/four%20pups2003.jpg) and here's an adult (http://www.dogcastradio.com/images/Hanibald.jpg). There's only two breeders in my state tho. :( one of them is crazy and the other one hasn't responded to me yet.

[serenity]

I'm looking for a second dog right now. I've been really set on getting a Greater Swiss Mountain dog.

Here's puppies (http://www.troutcreekswissmountaindogs.com/images/four%20pups2003.jpg) and here's an adult (http://www.dogcastradio.com/images/Hanibald.jpg). There's only two breeders in my state tho. :( one of them is crazy and the other one hasn't responded to me yet.

Those are pretty!

My breeder was crazy, too. What's up with that?!

[patch]

Those are pretty!

My breeder was crazy, too. What's up with that?!


I've found that most breeders are a bit... Enthusiastic. Being a breeder means your life IS dogs. You always have dogs around you and so you become passionate about them more than most dog owners are.

[oliviakay]

You shouldn't let that fire story scare you. In the long run, you're really going to benefit from crate training. Eventually you won't really need one if you don't want it, but with puppies it's sooo much easier if you do. I'm such a dog nerd. I used to get dogfancy for years.

[comhcinc]

i don't think dogs should be put in cages. that's just cruel, but with children it's okay.

[trsjeff]

[QUOTE=maz420;229539]Congrats on the new puppy. I myself am the father of a new puppy. Bosco is his name, and he is a Jack Russell Terrorist.

http://www.imagehosting.com/out.php/i1333260_l25f61672566801bb5917406cbc4987db.jpg

http://www.imagehosting.com/out.php/i1333291_lc13fb2d4b726efdfc38b0f8b470403be.jpg

My face just exploded from the cute! Adorable!

-Jeff

[serenity]

You shouldn't let that fire story scare you. In the long run, you're really going to benefit from crate training. Eventually you won't really need one if you don't want it, but with puppies it's sooo much easier if you do. I'm such a dog nerd. I used to get dogfancy for years.

I am using the crate at night now, so we can keep her in the bedroom near my side of the bed. Do you think I should use it during the day when I leave for work for 8 hours? I mean, she's gated up in the kitchen so I don't need to and it just seems cruel but people tell me I should. :(

[oliviakay]

Jeff, get a puppy!!!

http://fc01.deviantart.com/fs15/f/2007/004/2/9/Le_Nez_by_OliviaKay.jpg
my baby snickers.

[serenity]

My face just exploded from the cute! Adorable!

-Jeff




Ok, Bosco can have the cutest boy dog title but mine's the cutest girl. :P
She looks like a little bear!

Edit: Adorable pic, Olivia!

[oliviakay]

I am using the crate at night now, so we can keep her in the bedroom near my side of the bed. Do you think I should use it during the day when I leave for work for 8 hours? I mean, she's gated up in the kitchen so I don't need to and it just seems cruel but people tell me I should. :(

Well that's up to you. It really does build a little 'home-like' den in their minds if they are in it most of the day, and eventually it will feel more like a safe haven to her..even when she just wants to get away from the family or eat a treat or something. We always kept my dogs in the laundry room and had their crate in the corner of that. It's really up to you though, but I would keep her in there at least for a while..which is until she stops crying at night. lol

[patch]

I am using the crate at night now, so we can keep her in the bedroom near my side of the bed. Do you think I should use it during the day when I leave for work for 8 hours? I mean, she's gated up in the kitchen so I don't need to and it just seems cruel but people tell me I should. :(

Put some bedding in the crate, maybe take the door off of it, and leave it in a corner of the kitchen so she has a safe place to be while you're gone. The crate doesn't have to be something you lock your dog in. Just a safe place for them to stay in.

[serenity]

Yah, pet thread.

http://rykos.net/myspace/sumo.jpg http://rykos.net/myspace/nimbus.jpg http://rykos.net/myspace/chloe.jpg

Sumo - Half Mastif & Half Lab
Nimbus - No idea
Chloe - Most likely a Catahoula Leopard Dog

All 3 rescues.

The one in the middle looks part Weimaraner. Something about the size and coloring. Pretty!




Edit: Thanks Olivia and Patch. Yeah, it is in there now with her with the door open. I just didn't want to lock her in it.

[frankiethewaffle]

Jeff, get a puppy!!!

http://fc01.deviantart.com/fs15/f/2007/004/2/9/Le_Nez_by_OliviaKay.jpg
my baby snickers.

What the hell is that!?

Seriously, Bosco is a cute little dog. Congrats.

I know this pic isn't Bosco. Two separate thoughts in one post.

Oh and a third part. I was making a comparison of myself against people that talk about pets like they are kids. I hate that and don't want to become like that. I was not thinking kids are like pets. But, I have been on planes with some kids that I would put in a cage in the cargo compartment.

[patch]

What the hell is that!?

Looks like a Schnauzer to me.

[oliviakay]

What do you mean what the hell is that? :(

it is a schnauzer.
she's beautiful.

[patch]

What do you mean what the hell is that? :(

it is a schnauzer.
she's beautiful.

My puppy is part Giant Schnauzer. :)

I'm not a big fan of the 'standard' sized Schnauzers.

[cyber34]

I've not taken a shot of my Family's Dog for a while now, 1st pic is from like 2 years ago, 2nd/3rd is from 8 months ago.

http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/6265/r1yo2.jpg http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/8238/r2ah0.jpg http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/1614/r3pk9.jpg
Rocky's a Yellow Lab, 6 years I think.

Everyone has such rad pets.

[patch]

Ha. Cyber. He looks like a wise old dog!

[geekluv]

ZOMG Doggie thread!!!! :D Sorry, had to do it. I'm totally an animal person, I prefer having dogs (and a cat) to having children. Serenity, and everyone else who recently got pups, CONGRATS!!

Both of my babies are rescues, one from the Humane Society (we drove 2 hours each way to get her) and one from a Florida Boxer rescue (we drove 4 hours each way to get him). They snore, fart, and burp in your face, but they're awesome.

Falcor
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r88/g33kluv/Falcor2.jpg

Laney
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r88/g33kluv/LaneyChaseLizards2.jpg

[patch]

Is Falcor blind in his right eye? Or does he just have a blue eye?

[geekluv]

Is Falcor blind in his right eye? Or does he just have a blue eye?

Nope, he's not blind, he just has one brown eye and one blue eye :)

[patch]

Nope, he's not blind, he just has one brown eye and one blue eye :)

I love that in dogs. Its just so unique.

I've always wondered who it happens with dogs tho. I've never once seen it with a cat or a human. Do you know by chance? Seeing as you have a dog as such.

[geekluv]

I love that in dogs. Its just so unique.

I've always wondered who it happens with dogs tho. I've never once seen it with a cat or a human. Do you know by chance? Seeing as you have a dog as such.

I have no idea. I know that white Boxers that have blue eyes are usually deaf, Falcor is the only one I've seen with one of each color, and he has no hearing issues. One of the mysteries of nature, I suppose.

[patch]

Google FTW!

Primarily, eye color is determined by genetics. Although irises come in different colors, they actually only contain brown pigment. When an iris has alot of brown pigment, the eyes appear brown or dark. When the amount of brown pigment is small and is only on the back surface of the iris, the shorter wavelengths of light are scattered from the unpigmented portions and eyes appear blue, green or gray. This effect is similar to the scattering of light that makes the sky appear blue. The iris pigment may not be fully developed at birth so alot of young animals eyes may appear blue or gray at first until their pigmentation fully develops. Sometimes, one eye may contain more pigmentation than the other, making the eye colors within one individual distinctly different.

[cyber34]

That 2nd eye scared me for a second, looked like it was empty space. Very nice ears.

[heyseuss]

I've always wondered who it happens with dogs tho. I've never once seen it with a cat or a human.

Human with 2 different colored eyes, Jens Pulver. Like it's not creepy enough with that, he has to go and have a bunch of tatts and stupid 'intimidating' hair.
http://www.sherdog.com/_images/pictures/14/14376.jpg

[serenity]

Oh Geekluv, they are gorgeous!!


Patch, I've seen the two different colour eyes on a person - it doesn't often happen naturally though but if there is an accident to the eye you get ...

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/Oomsoup/Random%20Shit/bowie.jpg

David Bowie! <3

Edit: To be fair, his eyes really aren't 2 different colours exactly - the pupil on one is just permanently dilated.

[heyseuss]

I'm totally an animal person, I prefer having dogs (and a cat) to having children.

My farter (he used to wake himself up), I mean boxer, had two white toenails in the middle on one foot.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h217/heyseuss_/bustholly.jpg

[heyseuss]

Edit: To be fair, his eyes really aren't 2 different colours exactly - the pupil on one is just permanently dilated.

I have that kind of. Since ever. Doctors freak out when they check my eyes because one pupil is so much bigger than the other, but you wouldn't notice it just looking at me.

[serenity]

I have that kind of. Since ever. Doctors freak out when they check my eyes because one pupil is so much bigger than the other, but you wouldn't notice it just looking at me.

Maybe you poked yourself in the eye while still in the womb. :P

[heyseuss]

Maybe you poked yourself in the eye while still in the womb. :P

But I've only seen pictures of you recently. ;)

[patch]

Okay Heyseuss. We don't need to turn another thread into this. You have the "Dan sucks" thread for that.

[heyseuss]

Okay Heyseuss. We don't need to turn another thread into this. You have the "Dan sucks" thread for that.

I'm not going to, not that I started it.

[serenity]

I'm not going to, not that I started it.

Lol, yes you did - I meant with your finger!

Filthy mind you have, sir. I'm innocent!

[heyseuss]

Lol, yes you did - I meant with your finger!

Filthy mind you have, sir. I'm innocent!

Oh. Guess I was wrong. I think the real reason I have one big pupil is because I hit my head alot as a baby, and as an adult. Last year I was going out, walked to the garage door and opened it, over my shoulder I saw a light on in the house so I went back inside to close it. Came back out to the garage and walked into the corner of the open wooden garage door, slamming perfectly into my eye socket. Woke up ass up with my chin on the driveway, walked back into the house and 7 mins had passed from when I had originally left. I cleaned up the blood, took the little pieces of wood out of my eye lid and socket area, and still went out. I have a hundred 'hit my head stories'. Being tall is great, but there are drawbacks.

[serenity]

Oh. Guess I was wrong. I think the real reason I have one big pupil is because I hit my head alot as a baby, and as an adult. Last year I was going out, walked to the garage door and opened it, over my shoulder I saw a light on in the house so I went back inside to close it. Came back out to the garage and walked into the corner of the open wooden garage door, slamming perfectly into my eye socket. Woke up ass up with my chin on the driveway, walked back into the house and 7 mins had passed from when I had originally left. I cleaned up the blood, took the little pieces of wood out of my eye lid and socket area, and still went out. I have a hundred 'hit my head stories'. Being tall is great, but there are drawbacks.

Yikes. I'm clumsy but luckily not so much with my head.
I tend to trip over things.