FREEPER BARK PARK: No Leashes Required

Self ^ | 12/12/08 | Self

[Joe 6-pack]

As per the request of many, here's a holiday gathering place for FReeper dog lovers...grab some hot cider, have a seat in front of the fire with your faithful companion curled up at your feet and tell your dog stories here, share your pics, and enjoy!

This is a friendly gathering, and is NOT the place to bash pit bulls, argue about whether dogs were created or evolved, etc. Those that can't keep a muzzle on it will end up in the doghouse.

Although this is primarily for members of the FReeper Doggie Ping List, non-members who happen to stray in will be welcome and are also invited to post pics of your iguanas, ferrets, exotic fish or whatever other furred, feathered or finned companions you'd care to share with us.

As some of you know, I've been working back in the northeast for a few months and found some time in my schedule to make a pilgrammage to New Skete Monastery on Saturday morning. I'll look forward to all the pics and pet stories tomorrow evening when I get back!

Enjoy!!

[wally_bert]

We love her to just to end.

[Emperor Palpatine]

Mine would want to play with the ribbons, not wear ‘em, hehehe.

Last Christmas he didn’t mess with the tree, decorations, or scene underneath it. He did bark at the Lionel train running around under it, but I slowed it down to a crawl and he went up to sniff it.

Got a snootfull of smoke from the locomotive’s smokestack and after a short sneeze-fest left the train alone, too.

;-)

[wally_bert]

Just about everyone who meets her says something along those lines. Photos really don't do her justice. Her coat is that shiny, no photoshop effects.

[shibumi]

http://www.shilohshepherds.org/

[wally_bert]

I play around with styles. The one called Terra TV2 uses a track from a production music CD called "Robogirl". It also reminds me a lot of Abbie on NCIS.

[jacquej]

Give your little guy time, Irene.

We adopted Shadow after he had been left in a kennel since puppyhood. He hid under a side table in the living room for weeks after he came to us. He didn’t know how to play, was terrified of my husband, and basically didn’t trust anyone.

It took us well over a year to get him to run without his tail tucked under his legs. It took him almost two years to come to my husband when called. But, eventually, with lots of love, treats, and praise, he became a healthy happy and confident dog.

He now carries his tail with confidence, loves protecting our property, and is the nicest dog you could imagine. It really does take time to rehabilitate dogs, but once you do, they are totally loyal and loving.

[Joe 6-pack]

Yes...at about eight years, I'm guessing you're right about having an, "impaired" dog for life. Having said that, I have a feeling that deep inside, he's aware of what you've done for him...and it may not be as complete as you might think.

Timber was a large, healthy assertive, but not aggressive GSD. When I brought Ranger home, he was timid, obviously abused, malnourished, abandoned, and heartworm +. Granted he was younger, but having another dog around was very helpful and though Ranger still displays some neurotic, insecure behavior from time to time, he's as gentle as a lamb, and knows that he's loved.

[koraz]

I love all dogs but this one, Penny, really has a special place in my heart. Very sweet disposition and she takes GREAT pictures. I rescued her from the shelter about 10 years ago. Unfortunately she is slowing down so I not sure how much longer she has.

[MarineBrat]

Nice post you made about Sparky. I pray that Sparky is stretched out in front of her/his heavenly hearth, and awaits your return. Such a difficult loss. I know I’ll have a tough time when I have to let go of my Labbie. Our GSP is a great dog too, but she’s more of my wife’s dog and the Labbie is mine. As you can see in the pic, there’s snow in them thar hills, and the water temperature reflects it. Evident by how the Labbie is full spead ahead and the GSP is hitting the brakes. :)

[wvguy]

Mutts are wonderful. I think they are grateful to be given a chance.

Couldn't agree more! Zeus was rescued from a very bad situation, and we were lucky enough to adopt him.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Give him time. We adopted a similarly troubled dog four years ago. He'd been found on the street and was labeled a biter at the pound. Fortunately a woman who rescues dogs from shelters found him and did some rehabilitation before bringing him to an adoption fair. For at least a year he wouldn't go near anyone except my wife and I and would bark at anyone else. My wife would tell everyone who came to our house "don't look at him!"

Cut to today, he's still a little skittish when people he doesn't know come over, but he's so much better than he was that people who remember him from back then are amazed.

[Joe 6-pack]

I’d agree with you for the most part, but in the past two years, my job’s taken on a lot more travel. Fortunately, it’s of a nature that Ranger can usually accompany me for a lot of it, but right now, I don’t have the time to properly bring another dog on board and integrate him into the pack. Personally, I’d love to, but it wouldn’t be fair to the new guy.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

they are wonderful! You can see the love in their eyes and how they guard you.

[Gator113]

LOL.... Here’s the deal. A few months ago I bought a new IMac (no I’m not gay and I hate Gore) and then last month I bought a new Canon 50D, but I have yet to buy a new brain, so I haven’t figured out how to make all these toys dance together.

Oh, and while I have managed to sneak a few shots of my boy, he doesn’t pose well and would ALWAYS rather play. ;>) He is fun every minute, but he can be a handful... and it recently occurred to me that in dog years, I should already be dead. ;>)

Perhaps this weekend I will quit playing with these toys and actually read all the instructions.... for hours and hours.

It’s coming, honest..... LOL

[koraz]

This was our "problem child." He was 1/2 rotti and mistreated as a pup so he had some "aggression" problems (really it was just defensive on his part). We got professional training (based on the Monk's method) and he was a wonderful, smart companion for 10 years. We had to put him to sleep last year. I was glad we were able to rescue him.

[Joe 6-pack]

LOL. Not for my sake, but for years. One of the hardest lessons I’ve ever learned is you can never have too many pics of your dog.

[TASMANIANRED]

Both of mine are so black that it’s hard to photograph them.

I just love GS, I was raised with them.

If I weren’t in love with Labs, I would have GS.

[Joe 6-pack]

years=yours

[jacquej]

and, keep on working with him, for he will get better and better!

Do you notice how happy he is when people he knows come to visit? If so, then let him retain his distrust of strangers, but make sure he knows your command to sit, or go to his crate. That will give him confidence that you are in charge.

Even if you have to tell the stranger to wait while you take him to his crate, or the bedroom, whatever. He will get the message that you are in charge, appreciate his warning, and the stranger will get the message that your dog is not real tolerant of strange interlopers.

This is actually why we picked the Malinois to be our companions. They are very friendly to those they know, but have no tolerance for strangers. They do not bite, but certainly do a “bark and hold” that intimidates all comers, unless they know the breed.

We never discourage this behavior, but we make sure that the dogs know we are in charge of analyzing the threat after they have brought it to our attention.

[wally_bert]

Terra, being so black, is hard to photograph well. When one works out, it works out.