I Miss My Dog

[htismaqe]

I love the idea of rescuing a dog from the pound.

But I wouldn't recommend it at this point.

I got a 7-month old Catahoula in Maryville MO last summer.

He digs, he chews, he tries to bite, he hides under the porch whenever you get close...

He's mentally damaged and despite professional training and a lot of one-on-one time, he's nearly impossible to manage.

[seclark]

put old gabby(lab) down last fathers day. figured i'd go awhile without a dog, but lately i've been thinking of getting another one. the old doghouse is looking pretty empty, and to be honest, after she was gone, nobody really acted like they gave a **** when i got home from work.
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[FAX]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

I love the idea of rescuing a dog from the pound.

But I wouldn't recommend it at this point.

I got a 7-month old Catahoula in Maryville MO last summer.

He digs, he chews, he tries to bite, he hides under the porch whenever you get close...

He's mentally damaged and despite professional training and a lot of one-on-one time, he's nearly impossible to manage.

You have to be careful, that's for sure.

It's funny, though ... I've owned or been around a lot of pure-bred dogs in my life ... labs, setters, pugs, pointers, etc. ... but of all the dogs I've owned, the two that were the best (by far and away) were mutts. One was a German Shepherd mix when I was a kid and the other was Mack. I think there's something to the idea that too much in-breeding creates a dumbass dog.

I understand and appreciate your words of wisdom and caution, Mr. htismaqe, but Mack set a pretty high bar and I'm going to be very selective if I decide to get a new one.

FAX

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by FAX

You have to be careful, that's for sure.

It's funny, though ... I've owned or been around a lot of pure-bred dogs in my life ... labs, setters, pugs, pointers, etc. ... but of all the dogs I've owned, the two that were the best (by far and away) were mutts. One was a German Shepherd mix when I was a kid and the other was Mack. I think there's something to the idea that too much in-breeding creates a dumbass dog.

I understand and appreciate your words of wisdom and caution, Mr. htismaqe, but Mack set a pretty high bar and I'm going to be very selective if I decide to get a new one.

FAX

It's not the genes with my dog. It's the fact that he spent the first 4 weeks of his life under a deck, with mange so bad that one of his siblings died from it, and then spent 7 more months in a 3x3 cage with another dog.

For the first week I had him, he went under the porch and never came out, at least not while we were around.

[FAX]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

It's not the genes with my dog. It's the fact that he spent the first 4 weeks of his life under a deck, with mange so bad that one of his siblings died from it, and then spent 7 more months in a 3x3 cage with another dog.

For the first week I had him, he went under the porch and never came out, at least not while we were around.

Damn. That's sad, Mr. htismaqe.

When they experience early, negative imprinting, it's darn difficult to get them straightened out, that's for sure.

Mack had a terrible fear of storms ... especially thunderstorms. I came to believe that, while he was living in the streets, he had probably been caught up in a storm and couldn't find shelter ... or something along those lines.

Anyhow, he hated water and despised taking baths ... and, whenever there was a thunderstorm, or on the 4th of July, or on New Year's Eve, or during any fireworks-related event, he would find the deepest, darkest, farthest corner of the basement and curl up in a ball and he wouldn't come out for love nor money nor hamburger meat.

In all other aspects, he was a brave, little guy. A true fighter when the need arose. But, I was never able to convince him that the thunder wasn't going to find him and kill him.

FAX

[Rasputin]

I miss my dog Chow

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

I love the idea of rescuing a dog from the pound.

But I wouldn't recommend it at this point.

I got a 7-month old Catahoula in Maryville MO last summer.

He digs, he chews, he tries to bite, he hides under the porch whenever you get close...

He's mentally damaged and despite professional training and a lot of one-on-one time, he's nearly impossible to manage.

I had the same experience. I just didn't have the experience or patience to deal with it so we had to take him back (fortunately, someone else adopted him). I ended up buying a purebred Aussie from a local breeder and she has been an awesome dog. Unfortunately, she's over 14 years old now so we'll probably be facing this sooner rather than later. Other than being deaf now, though, she's in great shape.

Aussies are "dogs for dummies" as they are so smart and easy to train. They are also active, so you have to have a decent sized yard. I would like another one when she's gone but may go with a different breed so we can get something smaller.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Frosty

I had the same experience. I just didn't have the experience or patience to deal with it so we had to take him back (fortunately, someone else adopted him). I ended up buying a purebred Aussie from a local breeder and she has been an awesome dog. Unfortunately, she's over 14 years old now so we'll probably be facing this sooner rather than later. Other than being deaf now, though, she's in great shape.

Aussies are "dogs for dummies" as they are so smart and easy to train. They are also active, so you have to have a decent sized yard. I would like another one when she's gone but may go with a different breed so we can get something smaller.

I have an acre and a half but unfortunately I can't allow him to "use" it. Too scared he'll disappear...

Or go over to the neighbors and maul somebody...

[beach tribe]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

I love the idea of rescuing a dog from the pound.

But I wouldn't recommend it at this point.

I got a 7-month old Catahoula in Maryville MO last summer.

He digs, he chews, he tries to bite, he hides under the porch whenever you get close...

He's mentally damaged and despite professional training and a lot of one-on-one time, he's nearly impossible to manage.

I adopted a Min Pin from a lady, and have spent $$ out the ass on training and shit, and the ****er is completely unmanageable.
He is a ****ing NIGHTMARE.
I've had him for 3 years, only because my GF LOVES him. He had 3 owners before me, and they all begged the next one to take him.
Like you said about yours, he's damaged goods.

[Goldmember]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

I love the idea of rescuing a dog from the pound.

But I wouldn't recommend it at this point.

I got a 7-month old Catahoula in Maryville MO last summer.

He digs, he chews, he tries to bite, he hides under the porch whenever you get close...

He's mentally damaged and despite professional training and a lot of one-on-one time, he's nearly impossible to manage.

And yet there are thousands of great pets that come from pounds too.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Goldmember

And yet there are thousands of great pets that come from pounds too.

I never said there weren't.

Bottom line is that getting a dog from a pound is taking a chance.

Getting a puppy gives you COMPLETE control over a dog's upbringing.

[FAX]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

I never said there weren't.

Bottom line is that getting a dog from a pound is taking a chance.

Getting a puppy gives you COMPLETE control over a dog's upbringing.

Oh ... I'm beginning to understand now ...

Does your rescue pound not have baby dogs? The ones around here (Brentwood and Belle Meade) have puppies ... although, sadly, not for long. I think they have either 7 or 10 days to be claimed and that's it.

FAX

[Dayze]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

I love the idea of rescuing a dog from the pound.

But I wouldn't recommend it at this point.

I got a 7-month old Catahoula in Maryville MO last summer.

He digs, he chews, he tries to bite, he hides under the porch whenever you get close...

He's mentally damaged and despite professional training and a lot of one-on-one time, he's nearly impossible to manage.

sounds a lot like Cassel.

[gblowfish]

The pain we feel when we lose a pet is terrible. But our lives are much richer for sharing it with them. The give you unconditional love, which money can't buy. A couple of my kitties are getting older, it's going to be crushing when they pass on. But I can't imagine not giving them a forever home. It was, and is, the right thing to do. I hope you you'll open your heart and give another puppy a chance to be your best friend.

[bevischief]

My other dog I got by while I just put my lab down and was calling the local rescues and getting my name on a list and back ground check from my vet. The local vet tech had a dog she needed to find a home for. She called and brought the dog over and the dog never left.