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Author Topic: Dogs  (Read 2845 times)

Offline funky49

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Dogs
« on: February 28, 2012, 05:23:06 PM »
I'm thinking of adopting a dog. Right now I'm checking our some greyhounds to see if they are a good fit in my home. I have a cat. A dog visited last Sunday who was VERY sweet but had an awesome prey drive that made her lunge at my cat... twice. No wonder that dog raced in the A class!

Who's got pooches? Who likes 'em? Who hates 'em?

I'm digging the greyhound breed because they're quiet, don't slobber much, don't shed much and are pretty docile. They're called the world's fastest couch potatoes. What's pretty crazy is I've been scared of dogs most of my life. This breed is the most cat-like :)

Dogs Decoded - GREAT special on understanding dogs
http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Dogs_Decoded_Nova/70148726?trkid=2361637
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/nature/dogs-decoded.html

Science of Dogs - good, but not as awesome as Dogs Decoded
http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/National_Geographic_Science_of_Dogs/70144621?trkid=2361637
National Geographic Video Preview Science of Dogs.m4v
« Last Edit: February 28, 2012, 05:25:08 PM by funky49 »
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Offline HammysHangout ( Hammy )

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Re: Dogs
« Reply #1 on: February 28, 2012, 06:50:24 PM »
i hear herman has dogs :P
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Offline Sid

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Re: Dogs
« Reply #2 on: February 28, 2012, 07:11:57 PM »
You better have a good sized yard.

My father had a couple of Greyhounds, they are great dogs but love to run.
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Offline ibis

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Re: Dogs
« Reply #3 on: February 28, 2012, 07:35:02 PM »
Yes, they need space to exercise!!  Good call Phil.  I have a lab and a poodle, both excellent dogs.  I had a Shepard before these two idiots.  Very loyal and is a pack dog.  If you raise them right, they will adapt to your cat.
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Offline TheBatman

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Re: Dogs
« Reply #4 on: February 28, 2012, 08:08:40 PM »
I have 3 cats, and now we just got 2 dogs to visit for a while.  The cats get the house, the dogs now have the outside pasture to roam, since they scare the cats and the dogs haven't grown up with cats, and vice versa, so not gonna risk anything.  I've had a cat co-mingle with small dogs before with not much problem, the cat was more dominant than the stupid yip yap dogs.  If you get a dog when he's a puppy or very young and mix him with cats then (especially when the cats are the same size or bigger), I don't think you'll have a problem.  To throw a grown dog in with cats when they've never been mingled before I wouldn't do, as their natural instincts may take over, even if they're just playing they can grab the cats and hurt them.  Get a young puppy, and should be fine imo.
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Offline Steve O

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Re: Dogs
« Reply #5 on: February 28, 2012, 09:58:48 PM »
I have a Black lab/Golden Retriever mix.  Great temperament.  We used to have two cats that we inherited and she wanted to chase the cats at first.  They all got used to each other and the smallest cat was the queen bee.  The cats have since passed away from natural causes but I still have the dog.  The house would not be the same without her!!
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Offline MilitiaMan

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Re: Dogs
« Reply #6 on: March 01, 2012, 12:21:03 PM »
I have a Golden Retriever - still a puppy, but starting to calm down a good deal.

Awesome dog - great with kids, cats, humans, whatever ...

Steve
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Offline t2000

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Re: Dogs
« Reply #7 on: March 02, 2012, 06:03:29 PM »
I have an 11 year old Golden Retriever and agree with Steve they are awesome dogs. Good around kids and other animals, but does still have a little leg hound in him.
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Offline Yosho

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Re: Dogs
« Reply #8 on: March 02, 2012, 07:15:11 PM »
Yeah, gotta agree with the Golden Retriever recomendation... but are you sure you really want a dog?  They're a lot more work than cats.  It's not like you can just decide to go away for the weekend and put a little extra food and water down like you can with a cat.  Their medical costs are higher too.  Unlike cats, most dog breeds were breed for a specific purpose (like the Greyhound) - and most weren't bread to be lap dogs/family friends.  They can do that TOO, but just keep in mind their original purpose.  If you don't, most will have too much energy and anxiety... and act out.  I love German Shepherds, but they require more work and attention than Ryoko and I have at this point in our lives. 

Also keep in mind that dogs are a pack animal and respond to dominance and fear issues.  If you don't project confidence, authority, and a calm disposition around them... most will act out - usually trying to take over as pack leader.  You mentioned you've been scared of dogs most of your life - something to think about.

With all this said, you might be able to find your perfect dog... just keep at it and don't rush.
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Offline funky49

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Re: Dogs
« Reply #9 on: March 05, 2012, 08:18:49 AM »
I adopted a dog! KATIE!
She's a greyhound who never got to race. Her breeder got sick. They tried to use her as a Hounds4Heroes dog but she flunked out of that. She's sweet and great. I was so proud of her for pooping for me. Crazy.

YES she loves to run. Greyhounds are fast as frak! They're also incredibly LAZY. When their motor isn't going they lounge like its their first week of welfare (OH SNAP!)

The cat calls the shots on boundries and the dog listens. A home visit with another grey had the dog going for the kitteh. The last home visit had two greys who were curious but didn't want to eat the cat. Last night was their first night together. Cat was sleeping on top of the couch, dog was on the floor on the other side of the couch.

The one thing I need my gf's dog (black lab, trained as a service animal) to teach Katie how to climb stairs. I'm trying to make a game of it but she's nervous. It will take some time but she's a sweetie and I know we can do it.
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Offline number six

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Re: Dogs
« Reply #10 on: March 05, 2012, 10:28:04 AM »
Guy i work with has a ex-racing greyhound. Seems like a nice dog but they are HUGE (his is close to 100lbs?) and a lot of work. Apparently you really gotta be careful with food and temperature with them.

Good luck!
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Offline Niloc

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Re: Dogs
« Reply #11 on: March 05, 2012, 02:37:23 PM »
Quote from: number six on March 05, 2012, 10:28:04 AM
Guy i work with has a ex-racing greyhound. Seems like a nice dog but they are HUGE (his is close to 100lbs?) and a lot of work. Apparently you really gotta be careful with food and temperature with them.

Good luck!

My sister has ex-race greyhounds too. Seems to have 2 or 3 of her own at any given time and 1 or 2 that she's watching temporarily. I think she's got a boxer now too. It's a good thing she got married fairly young or she'd be the crazy dog lady. Then again, maybe she still is.

The dogs are always nice enough, but greyhounds, at least the ex-race dogs, never seem to have much personality to me. As others have mentioned they're surprisingly lazy couch potatoes for a dog bred for racing. Hers never want to run even if you throw a ball for them in the back yard - crap that labs and retrievers, and well most dogs really, go nuts for.

On the up side they're gentle, quiet and not slobbery or rowdy. I've never seen a mean greyhound and have only ever heard of one, and it was probably abused.

Personally I like dogs, but I don't like responsibility, and I really don't like cleaning up shit, so no pets for me. If I owned a house and was wealthy enough not to have to work I'd probably get a couple dogs, but until that day comes...

« Last Edit: March 05, 2012, 02:51:18 PM by Niloc »
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Offline Yosho

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Re: Dogs
« Reply #12 on: March 05, 2012, 04:01:59 PM »
Yea!  Good job.  I can't wait to meet her.   ;D
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Offline funky49

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Re: Dogs
« Reply #13 on: March 05, 2012, 06:47:11 PM »
Today had a hiccup. I gave her a rawhide bone but later when I went to take it away from her, she growled. Oh boy! My first reaction was to let her have it, then I remembered that I need to be the alpha dog and she only has it because of me. I changed to the dad voice, told her NO the next few times she growled. I took the bone away with no problem. Later I did it again and she let me have MY bone.

Also today we went to a dog park. She didn't let the boy dogs try to be around her romantically by barking at them. Good girl! She also was a rocket, the fastest in the dog park. She made the other dogs look like they weren't trying to run! Truly warp speed to their impulse power.
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Offline Yosho

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Re: Dogs
« Reply #14 on: March 05, 2012, 07:37:13 PM »
Good job!  It's certainly your bone that you allow her to have.  I recommend building on that experience and take some dog training classes.  It'll be good for both of you! 
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