Dogs
Posted by: Rockingdoc on 19 April 2004
My favourite cat is dying, and the vet gives him only a few more days. I've had the mog for 19 years, and he has been rather dog-like in his behaviour. He has always trotted along at heel, and even responds to a few verbal commands (when he can be bothered).
So, after a life of only cat ownership, I am considering a real dog.
Any advice on breeds for an inexperienced dog owner. Any tips. Or am I too old to be taught new dog tricks?
So, after a life of only cat ownership, I am considering a real dog.
Any advice on breeds for an inexperienced dog owner. Any tips. Or am I too old to be taught new dog tricks?
Posted on: 11 October 2004 by Rockingdoc
..... and that's just what we did. After giving the dog issue the time and thought it needed, we got more cats. Two six-week old kittens this weekend. Male and female sibs.
Any suggestions for names? Do I hear Stallion?
Any suggestions for names? Do I hear Stallion?
Posted on: 11 October 2004 by Bhoyo
quote:
Originally posted by Rockingdoc:
Any suggestions for names?
Newton & Ridley
Regards,
Davie
Posted on: 11 October 2004 by Occean
Bentley
KC (kitty Cat)
Can't think of anymore names but heres a link to pictures of our new kittens - Bengal X Mainecoons called Odie and Rolo. Believe it or not from the same litter! Currenty 13weeks old and just too much fun!
Pictures
KC (kitty Cat)
Can't think of anymore names but heres a link to pictures of our new kittens - Bengal X Mainecoons called Odie and Rolo. Believe it or not from the same litter! Currenty 13weeks old and just too much fun!
Pictures
Posted on: 11 October 2004 by BrianD
I have 2 Labrador's, both bitches from the same litter, which is not recommended but has worked fine for me. I got them as puppies from a 'normal person' (not a breeder) near Filey in Yorkshire. I wanted puppies that had been living inside a house, rather than outside in a cage or a barn.
They are now 18 months old and are absolutely soft as muck. Their temperament is fantastic, which as I have 2 children ages 14 and 12, is important.
They have been easy to train, for example they both ring a bell when they want to go outside. This took only 1 day for one of the dogs to learn, the second took nearly 2 months but only because she would just wait until the other one went to do it! I have a medium sized bell hanging on a chain underneath the worktop next to the back door. When they want to go out they hit it with their nose, it can be heard throughout the house and is a great method of enabling them to let you know when they need to 'go'. It's no good teaching them not to do their business in the house but giving them no method of telling you when they need to do it!
They are left alone for 4 days per week for roughly 7 hours and have caused a small amount of damage. This is to an internal door frame, where they chewed some of the wooden surround. I'm not particularly bothered about it as it isn't the end of the world.
When they were really young I used a puppy pen for them, this is a very large cage which they actually liked to use. Costs about £80 over the 'net. I used to leave the door of the pen open all day when I was around and they would go in and out as they pleased, it was their bed effectively. At night, or when the house was otherwise empty, I'd shut them in and they seem none the worse for it now they're older. My neighbour is looking for a giant Schnauzer and will borrow this pen while this is a puppy.
They now have a fair bit of freedom to roam downstairs and havn't caused me many problems although the magazine rack has had it's contents decimated a couple of times.
It's very rewarding looking after these 2 animals and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Labrador's, although as someone mentioned earlier, you have to be careful with some health issues. One of mine developed arthritis after only 6 months and has had an operation 2 months ago on her elbow joint, this cost me well over £1000 but is covered by pet insurance which is a must imo.
They are now 18 months old and are absolutely soft as muck. Their temperament is fantastic, which as I have 2 children ages 14 and 12, is important.
They have been easy to train, for example they both ring a bell when they want to go outside. This took only 1 day for one of the dogs to learn, the second took nearly 2 months but only because she would just wait until the other one went to do it! I have a medium sized bell hanging on a chain underneath the worktop next to the back door. When they want to go out they hit it with their nose, it can be heard throughout the house and is a great method of enabling them to let you know when they need to 'go'. It's no good teaching them not to do their business in the house but giving them no method of telling you when they need to do it!
They are left alone for 4 days per week for roughly 7 hours and have caused a small amount of damage. This is to an internal door frame, where they chewed some of the wooden surround. I'm not particularly bothered about it as it isn't the end of the world.
When they were really young I used a puppy pen for them, this is a very large cage which they actually liked to use. Costs about £80 over the 'net. I used to leave the door of the pen open all day when I was around and they would go in and out as they pleased, it was their bed effectively. At night, or when the house was otherwise empty, I'd shut them in and they seem none the worse for it now they're older. My neighbour is looking for a giant Schnauzer and will borrow this pen while this is a puppy.
They now have a fair bit of freedom to roam downstairs and havn't caused me many problems although the magazine rack has had it's contents decimated a couple of times.
It's very rewarding looking after these 2 animals and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Labrador's, although as someone mentioned earlier, you have to be careful with some health issues. One of mine developed arthritis after only 6 months and has had an operation 2 months ago on her elbow joint, this cost me well over £1000 but is covered by pet insurance which is a must imo.
Posted on: 11 October 2004 by Derek Wright
Damage done by the dogs
You might want to investigate the use of a Kong - check out at pet stores
KOng Info
basically you fill the Kong with treats and the dog spends many a happy hour chewing on the Kong extracting the tasty food. It keeps it interested and minimises the chances of getting bored which is one of the causes of doing damage.
Hope this helps
Derek
<< >>
You might want to investigate the use of a Kong - check out at pet stores
KOng Info
basically you fill the Kong with treats and the dog spends many a happy hour chewing on the Kong extracting the tasty food. It keeps it interested and minimises the chances of getting bored which is one of the causes of doing damage.
Hope this helps
Derek
<< >>
Posted on: 11 October 2004 by Berlin Fritz
I had a crackin mongrel once I called "Down Boy"
Graham George Von Goingtothem
Phydeux ?
Graham George Von Goingtothem
Phydeux ?
Posted on: 12 October 2004 by Rockingdoc
I've decided that you are either a cat person or a dog person, and you can't just choose to change your spots. I'm a cat person.
Posted on: 12 October 2004 by domfjbrown
quote:
Originally posted by Rockingdoc:
Male and female sibs.
Any suggestions for names? Do I hear Stallion?
Lysander and Hermia - that's what I've always wanted to call a pair, if I ever get round to it (my housemate's one of those dog people). There IS a catflap though...
__________________________
Don't wanna be cremated or buried in a grave
Just dump me in a plastic bag and leave me on the pavement
A tribute to your modern world, your great society
I'm just another victim of your highrise fantasy!
Posted on: 13 October 2004 by Rockingdoc
I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but that's what some character in the Archers called her dogs.
Posted on: 13 October 2004 by Simon Perry
quote:
I'm a cat person.
Yay!
Dogs shmogs. Cats are where it's at.
Posted on: 13 October 2004 by SteveH
If you live in the South of England you might care to hav a look at this website
http://www.lrsec.org.uk/fset.htm
Steve
http://www.lrsec.org.uk/fset.htm
Steve
Posted on: 13 October 2004 by Rockingdoc
Nah! We don't like dogs anymore. It's cool for cats.