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astrid

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Posts posted by astrid

    Our new dog is probably going to die

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    I'm sorry--- that's so hard.

     

    My bet is that she was purchased from a pet store, and therefore is a puppy mill dog. Health issues such as this are notorious in mill dogs. The people who bought her surrendered her when they realized what they were up against. Poor thing.

     

    Again, that's my guess. Nobody knows for sure except her original owners.

     

    My sympathies.

     

    astrid

    Who was your favorite MASH character

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    Mine was Radar. He seemed like such an innocent in a war zone, however he did his job as clerk so well. Plus he loved animals.

     

    Gary Burghoff is a good actor. He's lived in my town for years and he's a jerk in real life. I've had several encounters with him in stores, while waiting tables at a small cafe here in college, etc. He's not very nice at. all.

     

    But I did love Radar O'Reilly. :D

     

    astrid

    Experienced Mom asking, perhaps, a silly question

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    I guess I think somethings are so huge that only well informed advice should be given. I don't think I said that people are taking SIDS lightly, I apologize if I did. Maybe the advice was well informed - if so I guess my point was that posters were not posting evidence of that - up to them but seems to be a topic that would benefit from hard evidence, that can be reviewed by us readers. JMO

     

    And again, what makes you feel that people here who have responded are not well-informed?

     

    For that matter, again, I don't see people giving advice. Advice usually starts something like, "You should......."

    I've seen mostly responses recounting personal decisions and experiences.

     

    Maybe we could draw up a list of "Huge Things" about which advice should not be asked? So those of us who are Uninformed Masses can just skip it, and only pediatricians here can answer?

     

    Personally, I think if you're asking for pediatric advice on a homeschooling messagboard full of SAHM and working moms, you're not looking for Gospel Truth, but that's just me.

     

    astrid

    Experienced Mom asking, perhaps, a silly question

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    So why criticize?

     

    Are you suggeting that we provide annotated references each time we offer advice? Because this is a group of moms and some dads who hang out and chat about lots of everyday topics-- some earth shattering, some less so. This list is peppered, around the clock, with requests for advice on everything from infant sleeping positions to friendship foibles to economical meals to ways to impress ones' spouse. Lots of advice is given, but at the end of the day it's up to the OP to do whatever due diligence she/he sees fit in order to find a solution that works for them.

     

    I doubt that anyone here takes infant sleeping positions and the risks of SIDS here lightly, as you seem to think so many of us do. Rest assured you'll find that we, as a community of educated parents, tend to be nothing if not exhaustive researchers.

     

    astrid

    Experienced Mom asking, perhaps, a silly question

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    All three of mine slept on their tummies. They wouldn't sleep any other way. I'm not convinced that tummy sleeping babies are at risk.

     

    Call me crazy.

     

    :iagree:

     

    Molly was born during the height of the whole "back to sleep" campaign-- even the disposable diapers had the logo and slogan on the waistband. I'd put a "back to sleep" diaper on her, turn her on her tummy and shed go off to sleep. She always slept on her tummy, with the pediatrician's blessing. (Not that I needed his blessing; dh and I were perfectly fine with her sleeping preference--- and I was prepared to stand my ground to the pediatrician if need be.)

     

     

    astrid

    Anyone experienced with large dogs - GSDs specifically

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    There are differing opinions on that. You've stated yours.

     

    Mine is that if this dog lives in a residential neighborhood, with other dogs, other kids, strollers, delivery men, etc., then he needs to be able to TOLERATE these things. I didn't say he needs to love them and seek out interaction with them, but refrain from acting aggressively.

     

    The fact is that chasing down strollers and raging at delivery men is a surefire ticket to The Big Pink. He may not LIKE delivery men, but he's got to deal. Or live in a crate. Because no one can manage an environment totally.

     

    But that's just my opinion. Ymmv.

     

    astrid

    Please help me with this pee issue

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    I'm confused---- it seems like you're saying that your dogs will pee on any rug, anywhere. Is that what you're saying? Or just in front of doors?

     

    If it's the former, were they "paper trained?" I know you have a lot of rescues, so maybe before you had them? Lots of little dogs in urban settings are trained this way. It can be a tough habit to break.

     

    That said, housebreaking violations are a no-go. If a dog's not trustworthy in the house, he's in a crate or tied to a person.

     

    More info, and maybe I can understand better?

     

    astrid

    Anyone experienced with large dogs - GSDs specifically

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    Without seeing him and knowing the exact timeline, my guess is that without meaning to, you actually escalated his behavior by using the remote ecollar. Here's why:

     

    Luke sees someone walking by on the sidewalk. His mind goes into alert mode, and his levels begin to rise--- he's now heading toward the sidewalk, ready to go into his protection mode.

     

    You correct him with the ecollar. He feels it, and in his mind, his fear is reinforced. BINGO, he thinks. I KNEW they were dangerous!!!! So now he associates people at the door or walking by as a threat because they cause him pain. He doesn't know it's YOU, with the ecollar remote. He sees the threat, feels pain, and his fear/aggression is reinforced. "Oh, so I"m RIGHT to be afraid!"

     

    I think a lot of this behavior is fear based, and again, without spending time with him, I can only speculate. Your description of his behavior around other dogs in his class leads me to think that he's got some insecurities which are leading to his separation anxiety/destructive behavior and his aggression. You inadvertantly exacerbated them with the ecollar.

     

    :grouphug: He's a good boy. He'll come around. But really-- DO send him to the breeder for training.

     

    astrid

    Anyone experienced with large dogs - GSDs specifically

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    You've got a lot of issues going on there, and some potentially VERY DANGEROUS behaviors, including your description of how his training class went.

     

    Now take a rolled up newspaper and hit yourself over the head with it for continuing to allow him freedom in the house when he's demonstrated he's not trustworthy. :D

     

    Crate him when you leave the house. Even for five minutes. Do NOT set him up for failure by giving him (and his separation anxiety) free rein in the house.

     

    Personally, I"d take your breeder up on the offer to train. I wouldn't worry about him only obeying the trainer. If the behaviors are truly learned, he'll sit when you tell him to sit. GSD's are smart dogs, but increasinly, I"m seeing temperament issues in them that make me so sad.

     

    astrid

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