The Official "Dogs of the DMF" Thread

[Stella]

Came home after 4 hours of non-paying work and networking to find a screen (with the frame - all intact) pushed out of one of the windows.  Even though the house has been broken into in the past and they caught guys from recent break-ins, I got overconfident and left a window open.  (Fresh air trumps a/c.) 

Apparently when someone dropped the useless new phonebook on the front step, bouncy brian went bonkers and tried to get at the guy.  Went to the open window and pushed and pushed... 'til the whole thing popped out.   

This is what the guys told me who were working in the yard next door.  (Which also made them "very scared".) 

I am ok with this - from a guarding the house perspective!  (Although I won't leave the windows open again - for several reasons!)

[cyrus buelton]

Thanks for that video, Kogjaker.


Totally want to get our dogs into that. Not for competition, but for fun and a great exercise activity for our dogs.


Thanks Somegirl for info on who to source for training.

I think Greta would love that! She loves running at the dog park and i think she would thoroughly enjoy that activity and Tag would probably too. We have held off taking him to the park, so he has only had some good running experience at my parents house a few months ago. I wanted to make sure he was thoroughly vaccinated before turning him loose in a park that does not check for vaccines, etc. Sure, he is up to date on all his shots, heartworm, flea, etc, but want to make sure he is fully settled in his shots as some don't do that around here which is just awful in my opinion.

I showed the video to my wife and we would love to get our Dobe's involved in an activity like that. I have no interest in competition (as you stated above is not important), but just a cool thing for them and for us to enjoy the true aspect of the breed.

Thank you 

[cyrus buelton]

Big Little Taggart sleeping.

We switched from tampons on his posting to 1inch copper pipe foam for his ear posts. They will better assist his large ears and his cartilage development.

He has no issues with us taping his ears or having them taped. In fact, he doesn't give a shit at all.

He is such a good puppy and is getting very big on us too quickly. At 6mons, he has already lost his puppy face andhe is already the same weight and taller than our nearly 3yr old female. Needless to say,he is going to be a big boy!!!!






I just need to beat him to bed each night..........he steals my pillow and my spot in bed!!!!

[DanTheMan]

He has no issues with us taping his ears or having them taped. In fact, he doesn't give a shit at all.

He's scared to shit what else you might cut off of him. 

[cyrus buelton]

He's scared to shit what else you might cut off of him. 

You never know!

He already got his tail and thumbs cut off!

[minnesotamonster]

Did a little fishing this weekend 

[Stella]

Looks like a happy boat captain!   

[Lor]

Very well mannered albino dobie i met this weekend "nina"

[akmnstr]

Since we lost our Siku about 2 weeks ago my wife has been searching online of rescue huskies and malamutes here in Texas.  Yesterday we spent a few hours checking out 2 malamute, German shepherd mix females, sisters, about 1.5 years.  Very sweet and beautiful dogs.  But they are extremely shy.  They were rescued from the woods where their parents were surviving after being abandoned by their owner.  They are simply shy, not growling or threatening, just fearful of people.  One of the dogs has a problem passing people when taken for walks.  I've trained several dogs but I've never had to overcome an emotional problem like this before.  My question to the group, has any of the dog lovers here had success overcoming shyness in an adopted dog?   How did you do it?   

[Triple J]

My question to the group, has any of the dog lovers here had success overcoming shyness in an adopted dog?   How did you do it?  

Our Great Dane, Emma, was extremely shy when we got her (she was 3 years old). The previous owners (my sister-in-law and her husband  ) didn't physically abuse her, but they neglected her by leaving her in the garage all the time with little interaction. It was so bad that it took us staying with them for 2 days before she would let me pet her, and my wife had to offer her a piece of pizza.  

The shyness eventually freaked out my SOL/her husband, and they became worried she was going to bite someone...a ridiculous worry, especially since they taught her to be shy! So we took her in.

Anyway, to get her over it we just took her for lots of walks (twice a day usually), and took her to the dog park once a week when the weather was nice. Basically, we just exposed her to lots of people and situations. We ignored her shy behaviour, and praised her when she allowed someone to pet her.

Within 3 months or so she was noticeably improved, although still a bit shy. Within a year she was essentially over her shyness. Now she is a complete pet whore, and isn't shy in the least. She's a great dog!  

We also have a very outgoing lab/pit mix, which may have helped a bit. But overall I think we overcame it by socializing her properly.

Here's a re-run picture of her.  

[akmnstr]

Thanks for the success story Triple J.  I just had lunch with my wife and told her that I would look forward to taking on the challenge.  I'm leaving this decision up to her. That is a very nice looking great dane.  I had a great dane several years ago.  They are wonderful dogs. 

[SacDuc]

We have a similar story with our Dane. Very shy, almost devoid of personality when we got him. It has been been a joy to watch him turn back into a dog. Just treat your dog kindly and it will warm up to you. Lots of treats and pets at the ready. Ease the dog into new social situations, just as JJJ said. The only thing I would add is that keep from disciplining the too much even when it is acting inappropriately. At first the most important thing is to establish trust with your dog. A harsh scolding for digging up the garden may set you back a ways. Let the little stuff slide for a while. Of course if the dog does something really bad, like putting his mouth on you in anything but the most playful way then you have to correct that immediately. After six months with our Dane he is finally secure enough that I can tell him NO! without it him acting like I kicked him.

If the dog is just shy your love and care will win it over in the end. You may want to consider taking it to a behaviourist to check out if there is any aggressive tendencies underneath that skittish exterior. The piece of mind you gain may help you bond with the new pup faster.

Good luck.

sac

[LMT]

Meet Rocky. He is 8 years old, a Lab German Shepherd mix.  We got him at the Seattle Humane Society yesterday. He is 91 pounds.

[cyrus buelton]

I met my first Rhodesian Ridgeback's yesterday.

A lady had two males and they are "therapy dogs"

Very cool looking dog

[Kopfjager]

Meet Rocky. He is 8 years old, a Lab German Shepherd mix.  We got him at the Seattle Humane Society yesterday. He is 91 pounds.

That's gonna be a great dog.