One tail at a time...

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[elvenferretots]

More and more, I’m talking to folks under 30 who refuse to use food puzzles or slow feeders for their pets. The argument always goes, “I don’t believe that humans should have to work for their basic needs, so why should my pets?”

This has been baffling to me, because giving your dog a Buster Cube is not making it put on a suit and work a 9-5. Outside of the confines of capitalism, we would naturally grow or forage or hunt our food. Even if we’re handed our food and left to recreational pursuits, why do we go on walks to the ice cream shop? Why do we plant blackberry bushes and apple trees? Why do we pick berries and mushrooms on hikes? It feels fulfilling to forage. Food we noodled around to get often tastes better, and special treats are more fun when something makes them special. So you worry it’s cruel for your pet to have to work for their kibble? Get a nutritionally complete canned food or freeze-dried raw for the puzzle feeders, and let that be a special treat. No reason to only eat out of a boring bowl placed in front of your face twice a day. Even if we got our food supplied by the government, we would still enjoy shelling peanuts and baking pies and going for rides through the drive-through. You wouldn’t enjoy the local social worker just handing you a tv dinner at your door on a strict schedule.

Then, consider that your life is likely infinitely more self-fulfilling than your pet’s. You do not spend time in a cage or crate. If you sleep on the couch all day, it’s because you chose to. You have the autonomy to leave your house any time you’d like, and reach out to friends when you feel like it. You have books, movies, and music to fulfill your emotional needs. You have games, hobbies, and sports to fulfill goal-seeking behaviour. Even if you went on a hike today, you probably put on some tv or pick up a project when you get home. Even if your pet gets lots of exercise and toys, it can be beneficial to their mental well-being to have some goal-fulfilling behaviours available. And you could be surprised; they may not use the puzzle very often until one day they get bored and do. 

I’m probably preaching to the choir on this platform, but like, you can be a socialist and give your dog a Kong.

[fjordfolk]

Stupid comparison but tbh my dog approaches a kong or scattered kibble with much the same excitement as my childhood self organizing all the gummy bears by colours before eating them

[afourpawstory]

Dog breed suggestions

Yes hello me again! Long time since I used this blog huh…

————————————————————————————–

So on to the point of this post I need suggestions advice on something.

I am hopefully going to be moving out either on my own or with my sister within the next year and I a very nervous person is worried (Shocker!) about it.

I planned on getting a dog anyway and have a list of my 100% want breeds but as a single young woman I have been considering getting something the general public are more ‘wary’ of as a deterrent for my home or should I just going with my current breeds to get list? I am a first time dog owner but have done a boat load of research and am willing to do more.

but I am also hella concerned in getting a dog breed WAY over my head and making life difficult in training and living situations you know?

This may all be just nonsense and my overly anxious self doing the anxiety again.

Anyway here is my list of breed wants:

Yes: (In order of want)

Rough collie

Standard poodle

Greyhound

Aussie

Possibly?:

Airedale Terrier

German Shepherd (The one I am considering most in terms of deterrent breed although I really like them anyway)

————————————————————————————–

Things I am looking for:

Must haves:

Medium to large (Preferred not giant though)

Easy to train (They pick things up easily and will be easier on a first time dog owner)

Good with small critters, cats and children (I am aware that training is a part of this)

Affectionate

Will enjoy sport like activities (Even if they are not competitive)

Walk almost every day + other activities but could cope with a day off of a walk somedays if needed (Other exercise will be provided)

Nothing super high energy (Aka a Malinos level but not like a greyhound, I love them but they sleepy, something mid range you know?) 

Owner focused

Ok without but I like:

Herding breed

Long haired

Aloof with strangers

Other info:

I live in the UK

I can’t shell out like £2000 for a puppy right now

Looking for an adult to start with! Is it possible to get a well bred adult other than Greys from a Grey rescue?

I will be renting

Any advice/opinions on this situation or breed suggestions welcome! Feel free to PM if you desire instead.

Thank you everyone!! Xx

[afourpawstory]

@doberbutts

Hello! Person who messaged you about tagging here, thank you for replying! I know you both have and work with breeds the public deem ‘dangerous’ or whatever they think and are very knowledgeable on dog training/breeds in general + work in protection sports so if you have any advice that could help that would be great! I just don’t know if this is a reasonable idea or if I am being anxious again and should just get one of the breeds I have on my go to list? If this is something the you think people will go off about and try drag you into drama, don’t worry about replying I understand Xx

[doberbutts]

I don’t really know availability or pricing in the UK having never been there, so I won’t comment on that aspect. I also don’t know about “very knowledgeable”- there’s folks on here who’ve accomplished way more with their dogs than I have with mine- but I’ll try to answer the best I can.

In complete honesty, it can really go either way. I would personally exercise a lot of caution in getting a dog breed primarily as a deterrent for people bothering you- I say frequently that in general if you are afraid of someone attacking you, arm yourself or at least take self defense lessons (esp since you live in an area where carrying a weapon is not necessarily the easiest or most legal thing in the world!) and learn to minimize your risk factors while maximizing your “don’t fuck with me” behaviors. In general, anyone that comes prepared to deal with a largish dog that barks is also not someone that specifically a protective breed would manage to actually do anything against. Teeth do not win against bullets and rarely win against knives.

A retired breeding or competition dog may be an option for you to pursue, but what I would focus on is determining what you want in a dog (as you have) and then being honest with yourself on whether you can manage the other things that come with the breeds on your list. You want a deterrent breed like a GSD, but you don’t want to manage the high energy of a mal. Perhaps it’s just because I tend to get working breeds from breeders breeding for the same ideals as myself, but I don’t really… see a huge difference in the energy itself between a correct working GSD and a correct working mal provided both dogs have an outlet and are taught manners. There’s plenty of hyper individuals of both breeds but I wouldn’t consider either very correct. You want a dog good with cats and small animals but are considering a greyhound- remember that not all of them are going to be good with animals they view as prey.

Honestly what I would do is decide on a breed that you really really enjoy living with while also know that that dog will have its own flaws, and then teaching it to bark on command or when someone knocks or rings the doorbell. Otherwise, pursue whatever legal options you have in the UK to protect yourself with your own power, and walk with as much confidence as you can.

(Also keep in mind that in many places, even if your dog bites someone out of a true desire to protect you, if your dog attacks someone it can legally be taken away and killed as a dangerous dog… so yet another reason to perhaps not rely on the dog to protect you. While a valiant dog job, sadly not much room in the modern world for such a dog anymore.)

[shepherdnerd]

Since you mentioned you like collies, you might consider a smooth collie too. They meet all your needs, not too high energy, and since I didn’t glue my dog’s ears, most people believe he is a German shepherd mix. And they will bark at strangers. :)

[afourpawstory]

Hey!

Thank you for the suggestion! I am considering a Smooth aswell I just prefer the Rough coat! Working rough style coat not show rough though. So my order would in order would probably go Working rough (Aka Less coat), Smooth, Show rough (Aka Walking carpet monster haha) It appreciate someone owning the breed saying they meet my needs that is very helpful. The barking at strangers is a bonus! Plus I think smooths are actually more common here in the UK? For some reason.. So I may end up with a snooth anyway since imprting is hella costly.

Thank you again! Xx

[afourpawstory]

Dog breed suggestions

Yes hello me again! Long time since I used this blog huh…

————————————————————————————–

So on to the point of this post I need suggestions advice on something.

I am hopefully going to be moving out either on my own or with my sister within the next year and I a very nervous person is worried (Shocker!) about it.

I planned on getting a dog anyway and have a list of my 100% want breeds but as a single young woman I have been considering getting something the general public are more ‘wary’ of as a deterrent for my home or should I just going with my current breeds to get list? I am a first time dog owner but have done a boat load of research and am willing to do more.

but I am also hella concerned in getting a dog breed WAY over my head and making life difficult in training and living situations you know?

This may all be just nonsense and my overly anxious self doing the anxiety again.

Anyway here is my list of breed wants:

Yes: (In order of want)

Rough collie

Standard poodle

Greyhound

Aussie

Possibly?:

Airedale Terrier

German Shepherd (The one I am considering most in terms of deterrent breed although I really like them anyway)

————————————————————————————–

Things I am looking for:

Must haves:

Medium to large (Preferred not giant though)

Easy to train (They pick things up easily and will be easier on a first time dog owner)

Good with small critters, cats and children (I am aware that training is a part of this)

Affectionate

Will enjoy sport like activities (Even if they are not competitive)

Walk almost every day + other activities but could cope with a day off of a walk somedays if needed (Other exercise will be provided)

Nothing super high energy (Aka a Malinos level but not like a greyhound, I love them but they sleepy, something mid range you know?) 

Owner focused

Ok without but I like:

Herding breed

Long haired

Aloof with strangers

Other info:

I live in the UK

I can’t shell out like £2000 for a puppy right now

Looking for an adult to start with! Is it possible to get a well bred adult other than Greys from a Grey rescue?

I will be renting

Any advice/opinions on this situation or breed suggestions welcome! Feel free to PM if you desire instead.

Thank you everyone!! Xx

[afourpawstory]

@doberbutts

Hello! Person who messaged you about tagging here, thank you for replying! I know you both have and work with breeds the public deem ‘dangerous’ or whatever they think and are very knowledgeable on dog training/breeds in general + work in protection sports so if you have any advice that could help that would be great! I just don’t know if this is a reasonable idea or if I am being anxious again and should just get one of the breeds I have on my go to list? If this is something the you think people will go off about and try drag you into drama, don’t worry about replying I understand Xx

[doberbutts]

I don’t really know availability or pricing in the UK having never been there, so I won’t comment on that aspect. I also don’t know about “very knowledgeable”- there’s folks on here who’ve accomplished way more with their dogs than I have with mine- but I’ll try to answer the best I can.

In complete honesty, it can really go either way. I would personally exercise a lot of caution in getting a dog breed primarily as a deterrent for people bothering you- I say frequently that in general if you are afraid of someone attacking you, arm yourself or at least take self defense lessons (esp since you live in an area where carrying a weapon is not necessarily the easiest or most legal thing in the world!) and learn to minimize your risk factors while maximizing your “don’t fuck with me” behaviors. In general, anyone that comes prepared to deal with a largish dog that barks is also not someone that specifically a protective breed would manage to actually do anything against. Teeth do not win against bullets and rarely win against knives.

A retired breeding or competition dog may be an option for you to pursue, but what I would focus on is determining what you want in a dog (as you have) and then being honest with yourself on whether you can manage the other things that come with the breeds on your list. You want a deterrent breed like a GSD, but you don’t want to manage the high energy of a mal. Perhaps it’s just because I tend to get working breeds from breeders breeding for the same ideals as myself, but I don’t really… see a huge difference in the energy itself between a correct working GSD and a correct working mal provided both dogs have an outlet and are taught manners. There’s plenty of hyper individuals of both breeds but I wouldn’t consider either very correct. You want a dog good with cats and small animals but are considering a greyhound- remember that not all of them are going to be good with animals they view as prey.

Honestly what I would do is decide on a breed that you really really enjoy living with while also know that that dog will have its own flaws, and then teaching it to bark on command or when someone knocks or rings the doorbell. Otherwise, pursue whatever legal options you have in the UK to protect yourself with your own power, and walk with as much confidence as you can.

(Also keep in mind that in many places, even if your dog bites someone out of a true desire to protect you, if your dog attacks someone it can legally be taken away and killed as a dangerous dog… so yet another reason to perhaps not rely on the dog to protect you. While a valiant dog job, sadly not much room in the modern world for such a dog anymore.)

[afourpawstory]

@doberbutts

Hey sorry for the late reply I got real busy!

Well your “very knowledgeable” compared to what I know haha,

Thank you so much for your advice and opinion, that was very helpful and appreciated <3

I will get a breed that I enjoy and work on the other stuff you mentioned instead of my original idea. Plus work futher with what I actually want in a dog. If I get A GSD it will be bacause I like the breed not for a deterrent . As for the part on the greyhounds I am aware of their preydrive towards cats/small animals but the rescue I will be getting my future grey from tests all intakes with cats and is willing to work with you in finding a cat/small critter friendly grey in their system! So I have that sorted at the very least!

Thank you again!

[gustavowasright-deactivated2022]

I just think offered behaviors are a kind of question and each successive attempt is a means of rephrasing the request and if the answer is “no” too many times consecutively, the question is gonna stop being asked. the more subtle the offered behavior, the quieter the question, the more unsure the dog is about your response. it takes confidence to learn to speak up and some of us are more naturally inclined to speaking up than others but we ALL need encouragement to propel us beyond our base potential, and failure to develop oftentimes has to do with receiving discouragement for our efforts, instead. 

[gustavowasright-deactivated2022]

I was going with this a bit further but forgot. if your dog is used to hearing the answer “no” from you in response to their questions in day-to-day life, there is not a magical boundary thwarting that pattern of experience from influencing your dog’s confidence and behavior in formal training sessions. they are learning from us, and how to approach us, all the time. 

I don’t mean day-to-day requests like “hey that looks good can I have some,” necessarily ( @aquestionablemutt​ Happy does the same thing re begging except I, shamefully, give in. I commend you for your willpower. may it defeat Roma’s soon). I also don’t mean demand behaviors. 

It’s more like, your dog needs to be able to trust that if they express a need, you will meet it. “will you comfort me,” “will you refill my water bowl,” “will you let me back inside,” “may we walk this way so I can sniff this particular object…” the subtle little favors that are easy to brush off, or the big emotions indicating need for support. 

dogs are dependent upon us. in average circumstances, we control almost all aspects of their lives. I don’t want that to mean I am limiting mine’s. if I can accommodate a request, I want to.

in the process I find I am able to thwart a few obnoxious behaviors, which sprang up because the itch behind voicing the request wasn’t scratched. the urge doesn’t go away just because the initial request does. oftentimes, the urge will just express itself differently. 

for instance, Happy is very polite about giving me one short bark when she wants to come back inside, well before the incubation period after which she starts lazily nuisance barking. (ARF… ARF… ARF…) when it’s not a good time for her to come back in, I compromise, by giving her a way to quietly entertain herself, in the yard. our response as handlers does not have to be binary. we do not have to choose between “yes” or “no.” if I can’t say YES, at the moment, I want to say “not quite yet” or “how about this instead.” 

saying no sometimes is inevitable, but most of the time, it doesn’t have to be. I want my dog to focus on success above failure. I want her to feel like she has powerful ability to manipulate her environment, by cooperating with me. I want to listen carefully for her requests and accommodate them the best that I can, so that she becomes increasingly enthusiastic about doing the same for me. 

[afourpawstory]

Dog breed suggestions

Yes hello me again! Long time since I used this blog huh…

————————————————————————————–

So on to the point of this post I need suggestions advice on something.

I am hopefully going to be moving out either on my own or with my sister within the next year and I a very nervous person is worried (Shocker!) about it.

I planned on getting a dog anyway and have a list of my 100% want breeds but as a single young woman I have been considering getting something the general public are more ‘wary’ of as a deterrent for my home or should I just going with my current breeds to get list? I am a first time dog owner but have done a boat load of research and am willing to do more.

but I am also hella concerned in getting a dog breed WAY over my head and making life difficult in training and living situations you know?

This may all be just nonsense and my overly anxious self doing the anxiety again.

Anyway here is my list of breed wants:

Yes: (In order of want)

Rough collie

Standard poodle

Greyhound

Aussie

Possibly?:

Airedale Terrier

German Shepherd (The one I am considering most in terms of deterrent breed although I really like them anyway)

————————————————————————————–

Things I am looking for:

Must haves:

Medium to large (Preferred not giant though)

Easy to train (They pick things up easily and will be easier on a first time dog owner)

Good with small critters, cats and children (I am aware that training is a part of this)

Affectionate

Will enjoy sport like activities (Even if they are not competitive)

Walk almost every day + other activities but could cope with a day off of a walk somedays if needed (Other exercise will be provided)

Nothing super high energy (Aka a Malinos level but not like a greyhound, I love them but they sleepy, something mid range you know?) 

Owner focused

Ok without but I like:

Herding breed

Long haired

Aloof with strangers

Other info:

I live in the UK

I can’t shell out like £2000 for a puppy right now

Looking for an adult to start with! Is it possible to get a well bred adult other than Greys from a Grey rescue?

I will be renting

Any advice/opinions on this situation or breed suggestions welcome! Feel free to PM if you desire instead.

Thank you everyone!! Xx

[afourpawstory]

@doberbutts

Hello! Person who messaged you about tagging here, thank you for replying! I know you both have and work with breeds the public deem ‘dangerous’ or whatever they think and are very knowledgeable on dog training/breeds in general + work in protection sports so if you have any advice that could help that would be great! I just don’t know if this is a reasonable idea or if I am being anxious again and should just get one of the breeds I have on my go to list? If this is something the you think people will go off about and try drag you into drama, don’t worry about replying I understand Xx

[afourpawstory]

Dog breed suggestions

Yes hello me again! Long time since I used this blog huh...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

So on to the point of this post I need suggestions advice on something.

I am hopefully going to be moving out either on my own or with my sister within the next year and I a very nervous person is worried (Shocker!) about it.

I planned on getting a dog anyway and have a list of my 100% want breeds but as a single young woman I have been considering getting something the general public are more ‘wary’ of as a deterrent for my home or should I just going with my current breeds to get list? I am a first time dog owner but have done a boat load of research and am willing to do more.

but I am also hella concerned in getting a dog breed WAY over my head and making life difficult in training and living situations you know?

This may all be just nonsense and my overly anxious self doing the anxiety again.

Anyway here is my list of breed wants:

Yes: (In order of want)

Rough collie

Standard poodle

Greyhound

Aussie

Possibly?:

Airedale Terrier

German Shepherd (The one I am considering most in terms of deterrent breed although I really like them anyway)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Things I am looking for:

Must haves:

Medium to large (Preferred not giant though)

Easy to train (They pick things up easily and will be easier on a first time dog owner)

Good with small critters, cats and children (I am aware that training is a part of this)

Affectionate

Will enjoy sport like activities (Even if they are not competitive)

Walk almost every day + other activities but could cope with a day off of a walk somedays if needed (Other exercise will be provided)

Nothing super high energy (Aka a Malinos level but not like a greyhound, I love them but they sleepy, something mid range you know?) 

Owner focused

Ok without but I like:

Herding breed

Long haired

Aloof with strangers

Other info:

I live in the UK

I can’t shell out like £2000 for a puppy right now

Looking for an adult to start with! Is it possible to get a well bred adult other than Greys from a Grey rescue?

I will be renting

Any advice/opinions on this situation or breed suggestions welcome! Feel free to PM if you desire instead.

Thank you everyone!! Xx

[woolywoofs]

Hey guys. Would any of you be interested in commissioning me? I’m having surgery and need some extra cash to help us get by and pay the bills (including Lotta’s vet bill which is currently the biggest by far). I do high quality digital drawings of dogs and cats. Due to it being kind of an emergency (5 days till surgery and each drawing takes its sweet time oops??) I will be selling them for a steal at 60-70 dollars a piece (depending on difficulty) with a 45% discount for any additional orders. I am willing to take orders and start the commission without pay if anyone needs to wait for next months paycheck as long as it is 100% confirmed that it can be paid off.  I don’t know how many commissions I can squeeze in but feel free to contact me. TIA.

[despazito]

[wolftheidioticfan]

Hope you don’t mind if I add on, OP

[afourpawstory]

See that's a message I can get behind no species is an ok or suitable pet for everyone. Some peoples most suitable pet may be a fox or a possum ect. Whatever species you get make sure you research it, build what ever containment you need, have species appropriate diets and enrichment and a vet who is knowledgeable. Also make sure it is legal and you have the proper paperwork for that animal. If you do all that there is very little issue to be had! If you go for a truly exotic pet like a fox, possum, Coati, raccoon dog ect make sure you are not damaging wild populations by going to a rescue or a breeder! This also makes sure your new pet will be more comfortable in a pet setting and with you. 

[despazito]

[fishfurred]

Wait what’s wrong with having cockatoos? Besides most people not realize they’re a lot of work and smarter than everyone

[lookatthisbabybird]

Most parrots are acquired as a party trick or an accessory or something cool to show off with, with little to no research done before acquiring; not to be an actual companion that will be loved and cared for properly. @featherfur

All parrots, especially the larger species like African Greys, Cockatoos, and Macaws, are extremely intelligent, loud, and require many hours of work a day, a lot of money, super big cages, lots of toys, and tolerance to their natural behaviors like screaming, biting and messiness.

Most people do not know what they are getting themselves into when they get one. Then they end up abused, not given proper stimulus, diet, exercise, attention. Parrots self harm like humans when they are neglected or abused. They pluck their feathers or even their skin in extreme cases. Once they start it is almost impossible to stop.

They are wild animals. The ONLY parrot that is even remotely domesticated are budgies (“parakeets,” but that’s a broad, improper term), but even that, they are still parrots and behave like such.

Keep in mind, I myself have two cockatiels, but I believe breeding needs to stop and the only remaining parrots in captivity should be in/from rescues, and once they die out they should stay out of human homes.

[shadowkat678]

What about Foxes? 

[microweave]

foxes are usually easier to look after than parrots but they’re still wild, undomesticated animals with different needs than dogs. not only will it be harder to cater to and train a fox but it’s also cruel to keep a wild animal caged up as a house pet unless you seriously know what you’re doing.

[shadowkat678]

Haven’t they started domesticating them in some states?

[microweave]

i have no idea. i live in england and the foxes are all wild here, i’ve never heard of anyone taking one in as a pet.

but sometimes i do see those little trash dogs running by my front garden with their kits. cute

[shadowkat678]

Yeah, I don’t know about on your side of the pond, but I know I heard a friend over here talking about how some of our states have made owning foxes legal, and I assumed that meant they were starting domestication. 

[afourpawstory]

@quasidyke Actually foxes are not only legal as pets in England but there are breeders for them too. People like to keep their foxes on the down low in general since people will release them or kill them due to hatred or AR nutters which is why you have probably never heard of it. Fox owners pretty much only talk to people who want a fox or already have one from what I have seen. They have to keep it quiet to keep them safe.   Foxes are not generally “caged up as a house pet” as someone who wants a pet fox (After doing all the proper research and preparations) I joined a bunch of fox owner Facebook groups and EVERY single one has a large outdoor enclosure with swinging tires and climbing frames ect. While harder to train them many people have taught them to do tricks and house train them so they can spend time inside. There are so many videos in those groups of happy foxes playing or bouncing around being petted by their owners in a giant outdoor enclosure so I would not say it was cruel to own a fox in anyway if you actually look after them. They are not dogs or cats or cat dogs but they are not completely untamable or wild. You just need to be very aware this is still a wilder animal and that they have complex care needs.   So all in all most pet foxes are from breeders and live in large escape proof enclosures with access to indoors when supervised (Or in a fox proof room). Also I have spoken to many people who have foxes here in England since I wanted to know their experience of it so they do exist for sure. They are definitely not for everyone but for those who are prepared for the ‘wilder’ behaviors and like that kind of pet they can be an excellent companion.

[doberbutts]

I guess this is the point in my tumblr career that I lose a bunch of followers after reminding folks that I’m pro exotic ownership considering I have exotic reptiles and plan to have more, some of which get really big, and also a few exotic mammals like pine martens and opossums and skunks… and that I’d love to rescue an unreleasable big cat but that’s a money pit that would have to wait for me to have a more serious job than the shitty retail thing I’ve got now.

I like big bitey dogs and snakes that are giant assholes, of course my pet tastes run a little less domesticated.

[afourpawstory]

Thank you for standing up for exotic pet owners on that post so many hateful comments towards pet foxes or raccoon dogs or possums ect Just because they can’t care for it to a thriving point does not mean no one can... Tbh as long as someone does the proper research, has the permits, keeps everyone safe, has hands on experience before buying them and the animal is happy and healthy it should not matter the species since that all shows they can handle it. I would really love a fox some day and or a monitor lizard so I am doing years of research, preparing for and expensive enclosure build and making sure I can handle the species so they can thrive in my home but because it is a fox it’s automatically animal abuse? That’s just idiotic. Anyway sorry just wanted to say I appreciate it!

[handsomedogs]

Pit bulls will always be pit bulls. Malinois will always be Malinois. Shepherds will always be Shepherds. Are there lazy and uber sweet Malinois? Are there aggressive labradors? Are there pit bulls who are dog friendly? Absolutely. But is it wise to assume all of these dogs are this way when their breed characteristics say otherwise? Nope. Genetics matter. More than anything, genetics matter. And genetics are something we cannot neglect.

MEAGAN KARNES

[flexing-shepherds]

Mmmm yep, this is about how it goes. 

[wheremyscalesslither]

if you reblog "dont shop, adopt" and follow that phrase religiously

you’re following the wrong blog, hun.

and it’s ok to unfollow.

[thedognamedepic]

This is me, asking for help.

For two and a half years, it’s been a constant roller coaster working with Epic. We have our incredible successes, and our terrible defeats. Right now, we’ve about hit rock bottom.

Epic is dog aggressive, and human reactive. She’s an incredibly smart dog with a decent drive and will to work. Her issues have regressed to a point beyond what I can handle on my own. Epic’s world is limited as all I know how to do at this point is management, but management is not cutting it.

Being completely honest here, I’ve been looking at rehoming options for months now. Epics best chance is with someone who knows how to handle dogs with such issues. Understandably though, no one can take on a dog aggressive, human reactive project dog with a bite history. I’ve been sent in a million circles, and multiple people have suggested euthanasia.

While a behaviourist has always been a goal, it’s been pretty far out of reach due to lack of money. Behaviourist are trained professionals whose experience does not come cheaply.

There is an amazing behaviourist semi-local who I greatly admire and trust. She has many years of experience dealing with behaviour modification, as well as Ipo and obedience training/competing.

I really hate asking for help, but this is for Epic.

I’m offering:

Art Commissions

Photo Editing

And hope to have a small etsy shop up soon with some collars.

All the money goes straight towards a behaviourist. The currently goal is $200 cad ($155 usd) which is the initial behaviour assessment, and then we’ll see after that.

I’m open to questions and messages.

[doberbutts]

I’m reblogging this a second time bc the first was just to make sure I boosted it and my followers could help. Now that I am in a better frame of mind:

I’ve watched Rhett struggle with Epic in every online interaction we’ve had since the day she was adopted. Epic is not an easy dog to own and it is never easy to hear people recommend you euth your partner. They’ve gotten some quality advice and had many break-throughs, but that does not instantly make her easy to own. A lot of people would have given up sooner. If I lived closer and did not have smaller animals put at risk by her presense here, I would have boarded Epic here by now to see what we could work on, and had actually extended that offer in the past (though with the shibas and cats at risk, it was decided not worth the danger). Rescue is not an option- she is an instant euth take-in due to her bite history.

This is not a failure on Rhett’s part nor is it a scam. I am willing to stake my own reputation on wholeheartedly asking that my followers help one of my friends find a solution for their dog. Dogblr has had its ups and downs, but I know we as a community can do some good too. Even if you cannot donate, please reblog to spread the word. Every effort helps.

[crippledhockwalker]

Reblogging because Rhett is good people.

[spanishmal]

This blog supports dog racing and all other sighthound instinct sports in the United States.

[k9kesi]

I also wish more people would realize that supporting something doesn’t mean you support every INDIVIDUAL who participates. Not every owner or breeder or pet owner is created equal. Some work hard to do the absolute best by their dogs, while others do less and a few bad apples are downright neglectful or abusive. Pet ownership itself is something I support but NOT for everyone.

Yes, let those hounds run. Let them course and chase and compete; to do what is in their blood (for hundreds and thousands of years!). If they are taken care of (and most are), let them run! 👍

[afourpawstory]

grantwardshipsterglasses : I’m not sure if English Shepherds would be easy to find but they are very similar to Aussies. They even look almost identical, just a bit leaner.

Hey sorry for the super late reply!! I read the message and just forgot to reply to it until I remembered today D: I was not ignoring you or anything! Anyway I have looked into English Shepherds before, and I do really like them! I would like to have one someday (Along with Aussies and Rough Collies) but from my (pretty basic entry research) they are a rarer breed in general? they are just hard to find everywhere even here in the UK it looks and if you do find a good breeder you love from what I have seen you may be waiting on a puppy for years (Some pages said waiting lists are like 5+ years o.O). On top of that it seems that because they are so hard to find and waiting lists are so long that breeders don’t tend to take chances on newer/first time owners which I would be. So I would LOVE English Shepherd but from my research it looks like I will have to wait a good while before I can get the chance ): Thank you for the recomendation though I appreciate it!! (If any of this is wrong please do correct me!! I may have just been looking at the wrong sites or missed the important bits :D )

[psychdogblog]

Could a dog who's deaf be a good service dog? My mother is close friends with a dalmatian breeder and she wants me to adopt from them but dalmatians have the tendency of becoming deaf, so just in case I was wondering if they could still be a sd. I need a doggo for psych work

Congratulations on your first plunge in the service dog world! :) That’s a great question.

I would not start out with a disabled dog as a service dog prospect. Since you are owner training, you will be putting an immense amount of time and effort into training your prospect. All of that would essentially be wasted if the dog were to wash out. Therefore, you want to start off with a dog that gives you the best chance of success.

I am not saying that disabled dogs cannot be service dogs, but if you choose to go that route you must accept the fact that you are taking a bigger risk of having to wash out your dog. Deaf dogs run the risk of being startled more easily, which can lead to aggression or fear issues. You will constantly have to scan your environment for things that could make him react, instead of just having him help you. Additionally, you may run into problems when you need to give your dog a command but are unable to use somatic gestures (like if your hands are full or you are writing something on paper, etc). You must work harder to train and develop good communication between you and your prospect. There is also a possibility of heavy medical bills. You should weigh these factors and decide if you are willing to take that chance.

If you have a service dog who starts off perfectly healthy with good genes from parent dogs that passed all their health tests, and that dog later develops a disease/disability that you couldn’t possibly have known about, that is different. I would say then to have your vet assess if they can work, and only work your dog if he wants to work.

But starting right off the bat with a high probability of disability is not what I would recommend, especially for first-time handlers. Best of luck.

-Avery

[afourpawstory]

@pinkmanthedog has a deaf service dog I believe? and they have (at least?) 2 deaf dogs in their care so may be able to help you with training tips, ideas, recommendations ect If you are serious about wanting to have a deaf dog! I am pretty sure they also found that their deaf dogs actually startle LESS than the hearing dogs they have trained? (That may be different to your experiences though I have never owned a deaf dog personally so can’t comment on the truth behind this) So I would really recommend talking to them about any deaf or deaf/blind dog training you want to do they are super friendly with questions!!

(PS if any of this info is wrong I am super super sorry and will gladly delete the post if you wish me too!)