EnMasse

[Cartman]

I was going to place this in consumption since I will be paying for a dog, but it just did not seem right after seeing the "Bush gnaw on the kitty picture."

I am looking at getting a dog. After looking around (well my wife anyways), I feel kind of put off by the whole thing. My wife tells me that buying from a pet store is a bad approach because they buy from some shady characters. As well, she has learned that some breeders can be cruel and may even hide problems with their pets. I am not sure I want to buy a "designer dog" anyways. The shelters, she claims, often expect you to apply with references etc. and I am hesitant to provide names for that. It just seems punitive and I do not want to bother people.

So, how should a person go about getting a dog? What should we avoid? Are claims about breeders and puppy mills really just myth?

[Bookish Agrarian]

One was found not far from here. I know some of the staff who had to go in. The conditions were horriffic.
However pet store does not equal puppy mill. It's like anything. You have to ask questions and talk to friends and aquantiances.
As for pounds - that's where our beautiful frined of 13 years came from. He was a wonderful companion and dearly loved by all. The process now is much stricter, but I expect where you are getting the dog, determines how over the top some of the actions can be.

[Chester]

i'm sure there are bad breeders and puppy mills but that they are out numbered by decent folks. we bought a cokapoo a few years ago: looked in the paper, responded to adds, visited the puppies and brought home sprocket! he is now basically untrained, obsessed with getting human food and challenges anything that walks by the back fence, but we love the little dickens anyway!

[Tommy Shanks]

The Humane Society seems the best route. You end up adopting a dog (a normal dog, not a "designer dog") that if left there would be put down at some point. That always makes one feel good.

And while I can appreciate that the process of interviews and references can be a hassle (It took us 6 hours to get our kitten which, in hindsight, was nothing but more indignity being heaped on us by the beast), I understand they do it purely as precaution. They simply don't want the animals ending up with people who can't or won't look after them properly.

[chcmd]

Absolutely do not buy a dog from a pet store, they almost always come from puppy mills, and not only would you be supporting a really horrible group, you risk all kinds of health problems with the dog. Breeders are the way to go if you want a pure bred, you will know when you meet the breeder where they are coming from - a good one will treat you like they are placing their child with you instead of a dog!
I personally always go to the shelter for pets. They do ask for references etc, but that's to make sure that they are placing the animal in a good home. If you want to be an "anonomous pet owner" the best way would probably be to keep an eye on the classifieds for someone looking for a new home for their pet.

Good luck, and really, consider adopting from SPCA/shelter!

[RealityBites]

Often in pet stores, veterinarians' offices, etc., you will find notices by people forced by circumstances to give up their companion. Sometimes in classified ads as well. This can be sort of like an open adoption. They have the comfort of knowing what happened to their friend, and you aren't getting an unknown. Of course this option is not available if you want a puppy.

I've been on both sides of the equation.

[fern hill]

Oh, Cartman, I'm envious. My 'dogological clock' goes off every time I see one that reminds me of my two best friends.

[skdadl]

On the one hand, I am opposed on principle to the pure-breeding of domestic animals, of whom we already have too many, most of whom we treat horribly. Pure-breeding is also a human-concocted fantasy and has produced a host of serious illnesses in the wee critters, especially dogs, who are almost all seriously overbred now (many more centuries of domestication than cats).

However, I am also very much in favour of caring for any animal now with us. Wherever you get your friend, just love him/her and care for him/her, as well as you can.

The process that the SPCAs/Humane Societies follow is principled - they know how many irresponsible owners there are out there, and how many people adopt an animal on a whim, and they are trying to educate us all out of that cruelty, so it is good to support them.

If you have a favourite breed, you might check to see whether there is a rescue organization for that breed. Some breeds that are exploited for work or sport (greyhounds, eg) used to be put down as soon as their peak performing years were past, so rescue organizations arose to take those dogs over when they were retired and find them companion homes. They won't be puppies, but they won't be that old, either, and they will probably be exceptionally well trained.

But if you feel you just have to save that puppy in the window - I couldn't blame anyone who did that. It will continue to fuel puppy-mill production, most likely, but ...

[lagatta]

I have seen notices for puppies to give away or sell for a modest fee (usually the latter, when selling mixed-breed puppies or kittens, is to cover a bit of home-rearing costs and especially to ward off the creeps who "adopt" furbabies to sell them for medical research). Seen such notices at my local pet food shop and at the vet's.

I agree with the principles of shelter interviews, but I am fanatically private about my own business, so I certainly understand that.

Renzo (a cat) adopted me when he was a kitten, but I suppose that is rarer among our canine friends, at least in town.

skdadl, I agree about purebreeding, but we want so much for our friend in Vienna to acquire a wirehaired dachshund! (the facial expression and hair would be identical)...

...

Edited to add: I do hope some cute dog pics will be posted on this thread. I need a good Awwwww...

[JPG]

"No doggy that's a bad doggy"

Cartman wil get it.
_________________
We are the youth, we'll take your fascism away...

[Clog-boy]

[HeywoodFloyd]

Head down to the pound or the humane society to get a dog. Any dogs up for adoption there want to go to a home and they need it far more than some pet store that sells "purbred Labradoodles" for hundreds of dollars. I prefer the pound because most city or county dog pounds have a limited time they can keep the critters, then it's off to the bridge with them.

A colleague of mine who is a City of Calgary Aldermen put it to me bluntly a month ago: "We slaughter them. It's all we can do."

As a side note, I never shop at a pet store that sells dogs or cats. If they have an adoption ward in conjunction with the pound or the humane society that is a different story.

[Boom Boom]

My brother and I have had great dogs in our lifetimes - he with Collies, Huskies, and a German Shepherd on his farm, and me with a Beagle on my place in northern Ontario. All our dogs came from private owners who wanted to give away their litters, although I paid something like $200 for my Beagle as it was really a purebred, but not registered. I've always been around dogs, although me mudder had one damn cat after another, three black strays she adopted, and one very hairy white Persian she got from a friend. As for dogs, I perfer Mutts, my experience with them has been great. If a dog takes to me at first sight, I know I'll be comfortable with it. Problem is, I've never met a dog I didn't like, and vice versa. I don't need my own dog here, many of my neighbours have dogs and at least one likes to follow me when I take a long walk. Few if any are tied up. This is an isolated small community (100 approximately) and everyone knows all the dogs.

[Cartman]

I think we will end up getting a mut. It seems to me that pure breds have a lot of health problems. My mum had a boxer (sooooo incredibly cute), but it had constant ear infections and only lived 7-8 years. She lived the longest out of the entire litter!

Mrs Cartman wants a puppy while I would just as soon get an older dog that has been trained somewhat. The ace up my sleeve is that she also wants to save a dog from the pound, so maybe I will get my way (hehe). The pound sounds like a good idea although it is hard to pick because they seem to all go apeshit being locked up like that. I would like to get a calm animal.

[chcmd]

Most SPCA/pound/shelters give potential adopters the chance to take the doggy out of lockup for a "walk" around to get to know each other. Then you have a better chance of determining whether your personalities mesh.

[Boom Boom]

I know folks who have rescued dogs from the pound - yeah, they go nuts inside there, but once they're rescued and put into a (much) better environment, they recover nicely after a few days of loving care.

[idont]

Friends rescued a greyhound from an agency that does that. What a lovely dog.

We have a purebred lab, with papers. I thought (and still do) that this was beyond silly and expensive to boot but the husband felt that if he went to the pound he would too upset. I don't agree with this logic but...

Our vet regularly has photos of dogs of clients who need a new home for various reasons. Adopting via the vet seems to me to be a good route as you get the animal's health history and will know if it has any problems.

I always cry a little tear when reading classifieds for animal adoption when the owner can no longer care for the pet because s/he is going to a nursing home.

Lagatta, I'd love to post a cuuute picture of my pet so you can go awwww but I tried and can't seem to get it right.

[Fed]

I have three "gently used" cats. SPCA is the way to go, IMHO.

[Triz]

I volunteer dog-walk at the Toronto Humane Society. There are an absolutely staggering and horrible number of cats (though soon a new cat facility will help) but not very many dogs. "Any" is too many of course, but the other thing is that most of the ones that are not instaneously adopted are not taken straight away because they are aggressive. The THS is very honest with potential adopters about this - the details of each dog's behaviour are laid out - and trainers work hard with the dogs to help them to improve. But unless you are willing to adopt this kind of dog, you may need to go back several times at least before you find a dog that is right for you.

The whole vet thing is a good idea.

[Feral]

[Agent 204]

[Toedancer]

Get a mixed breed. That's the ticket to a best friend, if that is what you are looking for.

My heart is hurting, because my best friend for 7 years is sick right now. She is a Australian Cattle Dog, incredibly smart and intelligent, speaks 2 languages. BUT you should know when you get a dog, you are in for life. Or at least I am, since dogs taught me to walk. Dogs are what I know easily, breezily, cats are another kettle of fish.

Good Luck, in searching for your dog. BTW, when your dog lifts it's one leg, in many situations, it is only so they can attune their hearing better than it already is. Which is incredible, considering the rabbits I come across that she warns me about. The one leg lift is to keen their already keen hearing. I fully expect my buddy to live to 25. So think and choose wisely. And ride your bike with her/him right from 6 months. hilarious and fun.
_________________
"Just can't live that negative way....make way for the positive day!" - Bob Marley

[Cartman]

Mrs. C chose the following goofs. We obtained them from a farmer in Southern Alberta.
Top: a really good boy.
Middle: an aggressive girl on the left, brother on the right.
Bottom: totally bagged out after playing fight club all day.


[/img]

[F.Codger]

They're a-dorable! I am so jealous. I've wanted a puppy for a few years, but the three we have take up enough time...

Am I right in understanding these are your first-born?

If so, I can point you in the direction of good, positive trainers. I have tonnes of connections in the dog world. I'm also full of unsolicited advice:

First thing to do with new puppies: teach bite-inhibition. Whenever puppy puts his/her teeth on your skin, yelp loudly and pull your hand away. Offer your hand again; if puppy bites again, yelp again and then puppy goes away for a minute or two (in a crate, in a small room, even in a closet.) Only for a minute; after a minute puppy forgets what he's done anyway.

Next most important thing is proper socialization. Find a training facility that offers controlled socialization or puppy parties. Socialization teaches puppies how to get along with other dogs and with people. It teaches confidence, among other things.

If you're interested, I can also point you in the direction of excellent literature. Send me a note if you'd like more.
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This... will end... badly

[Feral]

Oh. My. God.

Sweetness overdose. Someone call a doctor.
_________________
He said WHAT?

[Hephaestion]

Awwwwwwwwww!!!!! Cartman! I am totally in *love* with that lil' guy on the top!
_________________
"The dignity of an animal is measured by his capacity to revolt in the face of oppression." -- Mikhail Bakunin

[fern hill]

Awwww, Cartman. I'm envious too. All Lab, mostly Lab?

A woman I know, who is of the useless class, has one redeeming trait. She lives in the country and takes in mostly Lab pups who are destined to be guide dogs. She doesn't do any training, but gets them used to people. She always has a couple or three. Labs are so nice.

[lagatta]

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

Such sweethearts - At a community centre where I was working for my tenants' association, they socialise guide dogs and companion dogs - for blind people and for people with other disabilities. They are a mix of Labrador and Bouvier Bernois (Mountain Bernese, a Swiss working dog). Adorable but also very useful: www.mira.ca

[Red T shirt]

Congrats Cartman, they're absolutely beautiful. I've never owned a pure Lab, but have a Lab/Terrier cross. This much I know about Labs: they love the water, they are highly food motivated, you have to watch their weight as they reach adulthood, they have a wonderfully even and agreeable temperment. Good choice and best of luck with them.

[Cartman]

[fern hill]

What names are you and Mrs. C. thinking of?

My first dog was a purebred German Shepherd. He had a long purebred name out of which we picked Max. My second dog was a mutt, and the runt of the litter. Poor thing, he had a crisis in his first few days of life. He was born in a basement. A few days later, the water heated exploded. The humans rescued the mother and pups, but couldn't find one. Looked and looked, couldn't find. That was the skittish one I got. When we brought him home, he immediately hid out under the couch. Stayed there. He could be coaxed out for a few minutes, but skdadled back under the couch at any noise or sudden movement.

I was in the kitchen. Bf had coaxed pup out and was playing gentle finger game with him. First sound out of pup was 'Roooo'. Scared himself and went back under the couch.

Natch, he was named Roooofus. Swell dog. A comedian, as it turned out.

[Cartman]

We are waiting to name them until we determine their personalities. The funny thing is that the female is the runt of the litter, but she is also completely bananas. As I write, she just started chewing the power cord for the laptop and then pulled over a speaker (a small Bose speaker). She gets in these moods you know? The boy is pretty quiet and well behaved.

I am a little concerned about how much they are pooping.

[lagatta]

Cartman, have you taken them to the doctor's yet? They'll need their shots anyway, if they didn't have them before. I doubt it's anything serious but a vet can tell you if there is a little problem with their diet, worms or another minor complaint, or simply stress.

Oh, another banshee runt. Had a Siamese cat like that. Chased big dogs.

[HeywoodFloyd]

[Cartman]

We have not taken them into the vet yet because the whole litter just had their first shots. They will have to go in again in two weeks for boosters and the next round of shots and deworming. I hope the stomach/poop problems are the result of the Puppy Chow they used to be fed. Maybe stress too.

[HeywoodFloyd]

Oh eucch. Puppy chow?

[lagatta]

aka cheap crap? Could it be that you are switching them over to good-quality puppy food? I think any change in diet, even for the better, can cause tummy upset and poop problems. But we'll have to wait for brebis noire, or you'll have to call a doc!

[HeywoodFloyd]

We went through a phase where our dogs were on Science Diet to get a urine crystal issue under control but our normal feed is Eukanuba. We find the fur is great with it.

[lagatta]

Eukanuba is fine. There are many good quality pet food cheaper than Science Diet, and I privilege those that are made locally. But Puppy Chow really isn't very good. Really don't mean to be a (pet)food snob; there are times I've had to go for cheaper food than I'd like.

[deBeauxOs]

[F.Codger]

Science Diet is okay. But think about brands like California Naturals, Nutro Max, Solid Gold or brands such as these. They tend to be found only at higher end pet food stores. Yes, they're more expensive, but they contain much less filler and have higher nutritional value.

As well, feeding to the directions is not advised. The directions tend to encourage you feed more than necessary. Think about 2/3 of the recommended feeding level. You'll want to watch their weight: labs have a tendency to be overweight anyway, but it's okay for puppies can be a bit chubby.
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This... will end... badly

[Triz]

Maybe it is a Lab thing? Because that's what our family had growing up and I can still remember the amazing horror of the puppy stools. Also the way their heads smelled if you sniffed their foreheads. People talk about babies smelling nice; dogs smell lovely forever. Horrific puppy stools and all.

Congratulations Cartman! (now we need an envy emoticon).
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Real feminists do it with class.

[Cartman]

Puppy update.

Yay! The puppy poohs are better. The new food agrees with them much more than the Puppy Chow. They had one accident, but it is hard to correct the poor things when they both had the shits. Thank goodness it was on an extra piece of carpet that the flooring people left in the basement of the house.

They have adjusted quite well. They love their bed and the new toys Mrs. C. bought them. They are completely nuts! They wrestle all day long and play tug of war with their toys.

Mrs. C. chose the female and I chose the male. The female was the runt of the litter and the owner was quite happy we took her as she supposedly would not have made a very good hunting dog. Because she is so tiny, she seems to adapt by using her wits and being aggressive. For example, she can climb all the stairs while the male, who is MUCH bigger, cannot. He just sits there and whines loudly. As well, she will come on walks on a leash while the male resists it entirely. He has learned to body check her.

The only problem is that she keeps peeing on the carpet while he does not. Using 75 feet of chicken wire and 50 square feet of sod, I made a pretty large run for them out back. She STILL pees (little pees) in the house on the carpet even though I keep them out there for the better part of the day. He seems better able to hold it than her. Might there be a difference in bladders? I cannot believe that she does not "get it" because she is clearly the smarter one. Any ideas?

I also need help giving him a proper name. Mrs. C. has named the female "Sasha" and does not like my suggestions of "Duffman" (oh yeah!) or "Skuzzlebutt" for him. I know, not very creative.

[Senor Magoo]

[Makwa]

[lagatta]

Why not name him after somewhere in ... Labrador?

I think of Sasha as a boy's name, but I guess as the old song says:


Times have changed,
And we've often rewound the clock,
Since the Puritans got a shock,
When they landed on Plymouth Rock.
If today,
Any shock they should try to stem,
'Stead of landing on Plymouth Rock,
Plymouth Rock would land on them.
In olden days a glimpse of stocking
Was looked on as something shocking,
But now, God knows,
Anything Goes.

Good authors too who once knew better words,
Now only use four letter words
Writing prose, Anything Goes.

The world has gone mad today
And good's bad today,
And black's white today,
And day's night today,
When most guys today
That women prize today
Are just silly gigolos
And though I'm not a great romancer
I know that I'm bound to answer
When you propose,
Anything goes

When grandmama whose age is eighty
In night clubs is getting matey with gigolo's,
Anything Goes.
When mothers pack and leave poor father
Because they decide they'd rather be tennis pros,
Anything Goes.
If driving fast cars you like,
If low bars you like,
If old hymns you like,
If bare limbs you like,
If Mae West you like
Or me undressed you like,
Why, nobody will oppose!
When every night,
The set that's smart
Is intruding in nudist parties in studios,
Anything Goes.

The world has gone mad today
And good's bad today,
And black's white today,
And day's night today,
When most guys today
That women prize today
Are just silly gigolos
And though I'm not a great romancer
I know that I'm bound to answer
When you propose,
Anything goes

If saying your prayers you like,
If green pears you like
If old chairs you like,
If back stairs you like,
If love affairs you like
With young bears you like,
Why nobody will oppose!

And though I'm not a great romancer
And though I'm not a great romancer
I know that I'm bound to answer
When you propose,
Anything goes...
Anything goes!

[Cartman]

[Toedancer]

My Aussie got skunked full frontal, last night. I was closing up the house as I was extremely tired. At 10:45 she went out for last pee. She was Skunked within 2 minutes. After I immediately saw to her eyes, I ran around looking for the baking soda, the bit of dish detergent and then found about two thimblefulls of hydrogen peroxide left over. Shite. So out to the workroom where I soaped her up with laundry detergent. 4 times and rinsed. Then up to the bathtub for a sweet smelling bath. Dried. Tons of laundry, rags and old towels. House was skunked, cos I couldn't close all the windows as I didn't want to leave her side for even 2 minutes. Got to bed at 1:00 a.m., very late for me.

Glad I left the windows opened, cos this a.m. the grass cutter guy came around and ev. smells sweet once again. Managed a smile cos grass cutter guy walks around with a big fat stogie in his mouth all the time. It fell out of his mouth and into all the grass clippings and was doused. With a sour look he picked it up with the care of picking up a baby bird, cleaned it up and stuffed it into his shirt pocket. Dogs!
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"Just can't live that negative way....make way for the positive day!" - Bob Marley

[HeywoodFloyd]

[RealityBites]

Regionally international. According to their website it's sold in Manitoba,
Ontario, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, in Pet Valu stores.

I feed my dog PC Nutrition 1st Premium Dry Adult Dog Food.