On Tue, 9 Mar 2010 20:46:49 -0500, "cshenk" wrote:

Thank you. Some folks get all upset if you make a mistake in wording
something because you just don't know better. I amy well word somthing
wrong because I don't know enough on how to phrase it.

I'm certainly not going to claim that I'm above being snarky, because
I'm not, particularly after a long or bad day. But there's a
difference between not being knowledgeable and being stupid,
particularly if that stupidity shows a resistance to being educated,
and no there's nothing wrong with the former.

Just bit his ear, no provocation? And this wasn't playing?

No provocation. He was laying on the floor lookimg out the window after
watching her play with some of his toys and gently wagging his tail in what
seems to me to be 'happy you are having fun with the toys even if you do not
want to play with me'.

I'd have to have seen it to really have an opinion on the
significance. Good that there was no skin broken, of course. But in
my opinion, biting the ear of a dog you've just met is sort of missing
a few of the steps in the dance of dogs getting to know each other.

Thats is what we finally decided. Apple is a fine dog, but she's not going
to mix here. I sent the note back on that just a bit ago. I gave them
details so they can use them better to find her the right home. Don's delay
as our fear that she will end up with someone who wants a fighting dog who
will just chain her up in a yard. he K9 rescue does all that is possible to
place pets in responsible homes.

I think that's the right decision. Apple may be best as an only dog.
Do I remember that she's a pit bull? Pit bulls are great dogs, but
"best as an only dog" isn't unusual for them.

I have a sneaking suspicion the 'dog agression' is actually at least 50% the
fostermom place. Apple is the smallest and they seem to want to take her
toys away and snarl. (we saw her there first).

Well, maybe. Dog on dog aggression can be a result of experience - a
"the best defense is a good offense" reaction - but it's probably more
often a temperament thing. Human interference in the pack order of a
group of dogs that live together can increase tensions and make
incidents of aggression more likely to occur. But the behavior Apple
displayed in your home was that of a very confident dog, and while
confidence is OK, I like to see a little deference on the part of a
visiting dog in a situation like this. I don't subscribe to the
'every dog is out to take over the universe, and will dominate you if
you don't dominate him first' school of thought. That being said,
there are dominant dogs, there are dog-aggressive dogs, and there are
dogs that, after coming into a new home, decide they're going to be
the alpha if that means working their way up the pecking order. I've
seen it happen, and it's not a pretty sight.

I call him Cash-PUP because he is as friendly as a puppy and this is the
first time we've had a negative interaction. I just didnt know enough to see
it right at first. Perpahs though my explaining what I saw and the
interpretation, if we are right, will help another who's not excactly the
'dog whisperer' level to make some wise choices.

Meantime, there are thousands of dogs in my local area looking for a home.
We cant rescue them all but we rescued 1 cat (semi-feral) and 1 dog (heart
issues, heartworm caused plus has spinal arthritis) and we will look for a
companion that fits.

Smile, wish us well. I'm looking at at 14 YO little lady who needs a final
home. Her 'daddy' died recently and there was no family to take her.

Senior dogs are always difficult to place. You know that your first
responsibility is to your current dog and there is a dog out there
that will be happy to enjoy Cash's company and that will enhance his
quality of life.