Recent Posts by Astrid

Topic: Support And Suggestions / Unable to post barks

Since yesterday, 8/10, I've been unable to post barks on any pages but my own. When clicking on 'post bark', nothing happens. When posting in places like forums or even on my own page, the option menu is not available, so html is not available. I'm not sure what other type of info I can give in order to help this issue be addressed. This is strange, as I'm usually the one that doesn't have any problems. 

I'm using a Mac OS X Version 10.4.11 with Safari version 3.0.4

Topic: Events / Upcoming events (8/8, 10/4) in Charlotte, NC

Opppps! Too bad we can't edit the title of our thread. That should be Saturday, 8/9, NOT 8/8!

Topic: Events / Upcoming events (8/8, 10/4) in Charlotte, NC

There will be a Dog Days of Summer charity event on Saturday, Aug. 9 at Earthfare Organic Supermarket. With lots of dog friendly activities and events, the main benefactor will be Canine Assitants. Click here for more info. This particular Earthfare location is in suburban south Charlotte.

On October 4th, there is a Dog Day Festival in observance of AKC's Responsible Dog Ownership Day. This is held Best Friends Pet Care in Pineville, a Charlotte suburb. This one will be full of dog games and activities, a micro-chipping clinic, nail trims....all sorts of stuff. There will also be Canine Good Citizen testing going on (Go, Astrid!!). Click for more info. Flyer is on right side of this page.

Topic: Support And Suggestions / Help with statis & mood

It's in the top let side that you can set your mood. Isn't it a fun feature?

Astrid

Topic: Support And Suggestions / MDS messed up again

Bits, bytes and puppy dog tails ***giggles***, unused established profiles don't amount to much 'space' but I find them time consuming and annoying. I used to leave birthday greetings to ALL doggies having birthdays, then I realized I left them on pages that were almost over a year old and never revisited. To have profiles auto deleted that haven't been updated by owner in 'X' amount of time would be a great feature! Come to think of it, Sable and Chi, it WOULD free up space. Lot's of these profiles contain lots of pictures and stuff, and if you lump 'em all together, that could amount something!

Topic: Pals / German Shepherd Lover Here

Is everyone having as hard a time biting their tongue as I am? Especially that Australian comment....now THAT would be fun to run with! Okay....I'm a reasonable grown up (most of the time). I didn't see the apology, though....

Topic: Fun / MDS Lingo

I got one! I got one! Actually two. Hope we're not repeating someone elses, we read them carefully...

ROFBOL - rolling on the floor barking out loud

TTTP - talk to the paw      

Topic: Fun / ok fess up who dresses thier dog

I dress all the time, but in bandanas and ruffles. Mom likes it and I kinda feel 'naked' without them. Wait...I AM naked without them! People warm up to me faster when I have something cute on, too....

Topic: Pals / German Shepherd Lover Here

Now this is true. It might be silly, but true. When I redecorated in French Country, I started to use lots of roosters. Unfortunately, everywhere I looked, all I could think of was the brutality involved in cock fighting and I switched to other things....pigs, cows, apples etc. At least they don't 'fight' those for sport. I still have a set of daily use dishes that sport the rooster motif, but they are getting chipped all the time! Geeeeez....guess I better get rid of them. I will never understand how anyone could be 'wired' so wrong as to enjoy blood sports.

Topic: Pals / German Shepherd Lover Here

We realize that you made your post out of either a lack of social conscience or a lack of information about pit bulls. There is also a certain element that simply enjoy others pain and hurt feelings. While we don't make the rules around here, we do find that type of post unacceptable.

Did you know that a large percentage of pit bull attacks are done by dogs that were enduring extreme neglect and abuse? That side of the put bull story is never told. There's that fact and a whole lot more located here. Go ahead. Inform yourself.

Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / Terrified of the Car? Help?

Cesar (Dog Whisperer) did a show where the dog was afraid of the car. This was an extreme case and when the ride was over the car was a mess of the stinkiest kind! Now, I know this is a TV show and much of this has to be 'staged' a little, but he just kept getting in and out of the car with the dog while he remained calm and assertive. Your attitude really does make a difference.

We hadn't had Astrid too long when we found we were going to move to another state. We needed to stay a little closer to our son to say our good byes so we stayed in a pretty nice hotel for a couple of nights. Well, Astrid DID NOT like the elevator and at that point, we had no experience training her or really even knew what to expect. We indulged her fear and my husband picked her up everytime to ride the elevator. I wish I had pictures of when we landed on the first floor, doors opened and there he stands holding this great big rottie! She also didn't like the stairs, which were circular and outside. Just before our move, I was lucky enough to run into our first Basic class instructor and I told her about this problem. She said that sometimes all you can do is 'tough love'. Our next encounter with stairs was shortly thereafter in North Carolina when we went to look over the Best Friends day camp for Astrid. Prospective campers have to go through an interview process and the interview room was on the second floor. Astrid stopped dead, leaning back, rufusing to go. Using 'tough love' went through my head so I proceeded up the stairs and gave Astrid two choices....follow or choke. Simple. As you can see on her profile she didn't suffer too much damage and from that point on, she really got the idea that mom 'don't take no sh$t! ' Didn't know it then, but it was the beginning of my being 'calm and assertive' in all of her training. 

I've also learned that that coddling voice saying 'it'll be okay' can reinforce the idea that there is something to be afraid of. I know that all dogs have had different life experiences, have different personalities and different abilities. These are just my experiences. Just maybe, you'll see something there that will work for you.

Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / controlling her around other dogs whilst walking!

Enroll in a class if possible. Shelly needs to be socialized. Places like Petsmart and Petco offer regular classes. Try Cesar's way! You've got a computer...check him out! We aren't born knowing how to do these things. You need a regular, consistent, workable way to deal with Shelly on walks. 

Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / A bit OVERWHELMED... Advice?

First, I want to say good luck. You are to be commended for adopting Badger! I've always had rescue dogs, too.

Second, I don't like to give advice, but I'd like to make a suggestion. That would be, don't reward behavior you don't want. Dogs will try to repeat behavior that gets them praise and/or treats.

Astrid's mom

Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / Shaping behavior

That's cool. Your response 'you have such good manners' replaces the sound of the clicker that I'm using. Did you teach Sierra other 'tricks' using a lure that she would just follow with her nose and does she ever show any confusion over the two methods? I tried teaching Astrid the bow using a treat, but she never got it. She DID get it rather quickly with this shaping method like we've both have success with. 

This is really interesting to me. I don't pour over training articles but I have read many, and mostly I've read about using the 'lure' method. I'd be interested in hearing from anyone that thinks the 'shaping behaviors' is stupid, like I did in the beginning. Why didn't it work? I'd ESPECIALLY like to hear from those that it has worked for!

I'm not one to do something just because someone said to, but I think we can learn what to watch for from one another's experiences.

Topic: Fun / Where do you get your doggy clothes???

Even bandannas, Tina? ***laughing*** If it's just bandanas you want, you can make them in a jiffy just by cutting the edges with pinking sheers. Hemming the edges is a much better way to go, OR sew two pieces together for a 'reversible' look. If you are handy at all, there's lots of fun and easy ideas right on the 'net to make. It's easy to make two bandanas at a time. Instead of doubling the fabric over, cut the measured square along the diagonal. There....you'll have one for your dog and one to give to the neighbor's dog! If you aren't going to finish the edges in any way, make sure you get bargained priced fabric 'cause they won't last long.

Topic: Travel / travel to Canada?

Oh, so many years ago we used to take our beagle and lab/mix in the car everywhere. We lived not too far from Niagara Falls. Waaaay back then, we just needed their vaccination records. That was a long time ago. Why not check with AAA?

Topic: Support And Suggestions / Birthdays

The way I do it is go to the home page. That would be the last clickable tab on the left side of your own page at the top. Then,on the home page, over on the right, near the bottom, the birthday doggies are listed for that day. It's fun to check and see if any of our 'pals' are having birthdays that day.

Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / Shaping behavior

I'm interested in other's experiences with this training method. I was never interested in it because, quite frankly, it seemed stupid to reward Astrid for a bunch of random behaviors she might do by accident. At her class yesterday, I was turned into a believer. Not a 'hard core' nothing but shaping believer, but a believer, nonetheless.

Here's a little background. We started a CGC class six weeks ago. Instructor Sarah said Astrid was ready to take the test then, but Astrid's mom does better with 'specific' things to work on with her, so we kept going to class and actually signed up for another 6 weeks. The CGC test and therapy dog  test are going to be scheduled for the near future. As classes go, it has dwindled down to only Astrid right now and we are just really mixing it up with Rally O stuff and yesterday, we started a little with the 'shaping' method'. Astrid actually learned to bow in 20 minutes using shaping. Watching her with the instructor, I could see the thinking process going on which is something I never expected.

I'm not looking to do hardcore obedience work with Astrid. I just want a well behaved, fun dog that can provide her mom with a social life through attending classes and maybe even some Rally O participation. Astrid responds really well to spoken commands and has responded to the 'lure' method of training. Is there anyone that combines several methods in their training? I guess I'm worried about turning Astrid into a psychological mess by combining methods. Anyone out there with good or bad experiences using the 'combo' method?

Topic: Fun / Do you have an MDS twin?

I'm still looking. Some times I bark 'WOOF That's the one!'...then I bark nooooo, not quite the same. Thanks, Olie, for saying I'm fashionable ***blushing***

Topic: Support And Suggestions / Doggie Dollars

Second chances on the gift giving would be good. Or even an opportunity to 'fix' a gift mistakenly sent to the wrong address. There's a couple of gifts on Hef's page that he intended for me...

Topic: Fun / Do you have an MDS twin?

Sounds like a fun game, Sable and Chi's mom! I'll be on the lookout for mine!

Astrid

Topic: Support And Suggestions / Battle for cuteness - feedback

Wow, did we lose sight of what this thread was started for by Hershey and Robert! Me included. Well, I've got some feed back for Hershey and his slave. I'd like it if the Battle For Cuteness stats were an 'opt in' feature on our pages instead the standard. I actually didn't notice it until a moment ago, and no....that's not my opinion because I'm a looooooser. 

Topic: Support And Suggestions / Battle for cuteness - feedback

Why can't we all just take from this site what works for us and leave the rest....i.e.; I constantly worry about all of the dangerous Breed Specific Legislation being passed on a daily basis. I prefer the gentle innocent interaction I get here as a refuge from the world gone mad, and my personal view is that the photo contest is a very judgemental activity (for me), so I won't participate in it. Someone else is having totally different experiences in life and doesn't have to be concerned with such things. If participating in photo contests enhances their life, I think that is fine. Even though I express an opinion, I'm not going to try to decide what is right and wrong for individuals. We are having our basic civil liberties taken away even as I speak in the form of what we can and cannot do with our canine companions. How would you like to get a notice with your next water bill telling you that you own a dog that is now prohibited within your town and you have 90 days to 'rehome' him/her. Yep...it's really happening out there folks.  I choose to pick my battles, and this won't be one of them.  Again....why not just take what is available on MDS that YOU enjoy and just leave the rest.

Astrid's mom 

Topic: Support And Suggestions / Battle for cuteness - feedback

Is this an endless challenge for however long I have to sit and decide which pooch I like better? Seems a little random. Do I like it? Not so much. Black dogs always lose. Especially BIG black dogs just like they are the last to be chosen in shelters. Awards for certain number of wins? If someone HAS to win, how about doggie dollars. Should users have to be a member? Absolutely. 

Topic: General / Rottweilers are bad and here's proof

If you are wondering why Astrid isn't weighing in on this discussion, it is because:

1) Astrid, rottweiler and former shelter dog, is too busy studying for her CGC (Canine Good Citizen) certificate.

2) Astrid, rottweiler and former shelter dog, is too busy studying to be a therapy dog.

3) Astrid, rottweiler and former shelter dog, is too busy out walking and talking (barking?), changing minds and hearts when it comes to big dogs. Especially big black dogs.

4) Astrid, rottweiler and former shelter dog, is too busy accepting the compliments that come her way as people actually come out of their houses and stop their cars to compliment her on what a well behaved dog she is.

5) Astrid, rottweiler,  WILL NEVER BE too busy for the kind, wonderful people here on MDS.  

Astrid's mom is now taking great poetic liscense with a phrase she has been reading in BSL forums, etc. "Fighting ignorance. It's taking a lot longer than we ever thought".