Since this is a place I can share this little story, I will. Its long ticked
me off, because I know there are way to many people out there like this guy,
and wonder what it is I should have said to him.

Here is the tale....several years ago, I was house sitting for my mother,
who has 2 lovely rotties, Sophie and Simon. Simon is a massive rottie, well
bigger than a male of the breed should be, he is a giant of a dog, and the
biggest dork dog you have ever met, he is dopey as all get out, sweet as a
kitten, and thinks his 200lbs is meant to be cuddled in your lap. When I say
he is a giant, I really mean it, his sister is normal sized, so he is a bit
of an oddball from his litter, but lets just say, he could put my head in
his mouth, and still have room for a 10lb steak. I am only 4'11 and weight
about 98lbs (small women in my family, so its a genetic thing)
So I figure, lets take the dogs, one at a time over to the dog park for a
run and some fun in a new place. Plus, I liked to show off Simon, he was my
fav out of the two. While he is was huge, he was perfectly formed for his
size, and cars would come to a stop in the middle of the road just so the
folks inside could stare at him. I load him into the car just fine, pack a
few toys for him to carry around (as he didn't seem to understand the "fetch
game" he would watch you throw with great interest, go over to where you
threw whatever it was, then come running back with this look, like "hey,
great throw you got there!" leaving the object behind him, still on the
ground. However, he was very polite and would go get you something else to
throw, and praise you muchly for a fine effort.).
I get to the park, take out the toys first, buckle on my fanny pack of
doggie bags for pooh and a collapsable water dish, grab the leash, make sure
there aren't any other really big dogs running free that seem to be too
excited or aggressive near by, and let Simon out of the car with leash
attached. We get about 20 feet near the park fence, then BAM! Simon rushes
forward, knocks me right off of my feet and "almost" drags me along.

Here we stop with the story from my side of things. Now, what the guy who
ran over to me said what he saw, was a dog too big for me to handle, and
could have hurt not only me but others. He said that I was irresponsible for
having him in public, and I should use a prong and/or shock collar on a
dangerous dog. I just said he was fine, I was sorry and mumbled a few more
sorrys, then went over to the other side of the park.

Now we start again. I fall over, the leash goes taunt, Simon stops, whirls
around, sees me on the ground, rushes over to me, and starts licking me
frantically until I grab at his neck to haul myself up, telling him I am ok,
pat him muchly, then we brush me off and go forward, with Simon sticking
close by, looking at me constantly, to make sure I am right next to him. He
was horribly embarassed that I fell over, seemed to know he had done that,
and was quite upset over it. Even to the point of not leaving to run when I
unleashed him and told him to "go play", but still sniffing and licking at
me. I ended up having to do a jog to get him going and giving him his pully
toy to carry in his mouth as he pranced around. At this point, while I am
laughing at Simon and telling him what a silly boy he is, the guy comes over
and tells me his opinion.

Well, for one thing, I was confused as to what he was saying. I had never
heard of a shock collar before, but understood right away what it was. If he
really thought that the dog was dangerous, why was he standing less than 5
feet from it? Why on earth would anyone use pain to calm a dog down,
especially a massive dog, who could go through a plate glass window like it
was paper? And how the heck did he think that any dog would then understand
that you were not his enemy if he figured out that YOU were the one hurting
him? Would he have said the same thing if I had been standing there with a
Neo Mastiff, also know as the Sherman Tanks of the dog world?

What was funny to me about all this, at the time, was that while he was
telling this to me, Simon was laying on the ground, wiggling his butt in the
air, while a yorkie puppy, who had rushed over to Simon, "attacked" him and
the puppies owner was cracking up over it, as Simon rolled over on his back
and "submitted" to the puppy for a few moments and "died", than stood up,
the puppy fell on its butt, looked really confused about it, then pounced
again, while Simon pranced about it, egging it on. It was cute as all get
out, and was showing just how undangerous Simon's personality was. As he was
clearly demonstrating that he was engaging in proper puppy playing manners,
that any well balanced dog would do instinctively to a puppy that was about
as big as his ear!

The Yorkie lady and I wandered away from him after that, with her telling me
to ignore him, that Simon was great and it was great that he was so good
with puppies. I told her about how he had been raised with cats, who ruled
the house over him and would make him wait to eat from his dish, while they
checked it to see if they might want some first, (the cat who does this the
most, is about 5lbs of orange fluff and no claws. Simon just sighs and steps
back.) and I thought that it had helped him to pay closer attention to his
size and strength, since he was very gentle by nature. The dogs then shared
the water dish, found a few goldens to play with, then we went home.

I still think I should have come up with a really good comeback to that guy
though, something along the lines of using a prong collar on him and seeing
how he would like it, or asking to use a shock collar on him, so I could
practise torturing my dog before I was allowed out of the house...or, that I
had just told him to sit on a stick and spin! I don't even want to think
about his poor dogs........

Megan

I also own a Rottie that sounds like a pretty good copy of Simon and I'm a
small women. The fact that the dog, no matter what breed, pulled you down
(irrelevant of whether or not he was sorry for doing it) shows that you
don't posses the size or strength to control the dog. My rottie is very well
trained, he can walk by me without a leash but when in a public setting I
like to be prepared, actually I'm obligated to be prepared, and to be able
to have constant control over my dog at all times. The fact that he
"unseated" you showed that you didn't have that control. I think the guy's
suggestion was made in a rude fashion but it was an accurate assessment of
the situation. The fact that Simon is a Rottie makes people feel a little
less secure about you not having control and more apt to make a rude
comment. Is that fair - NO, but it's a fact of life you get use to when you
own a Rottie. I do NOT personally approve of shock collars. There is nothing
wrong with a prong collar if you know how to properly utilize it. It
actually has a lower injury rate than a flat buckle collar. I use a prong
for training only. For walks I use a Halti.


wrote in message
...
Since this is a place I can share this little story, I will. Its long
ticked
me off, because I know there are way to many people out there like this
guy,
and wonder what it is I should have said to him.

Here is the tale....several years ago, I was house sitting for my mother,
who has 2 lovely rotties, Sophie and Simon. Simon is a massive rottie,
well
bigger than a male of the breed should be, he is a giant of a dog, and the
biggest dork dog you have ever met, he is dopey as all get out, sweet as a
kitten, and thinks his 200lbs is meant to be cuddled in your lap. When I
say
he is a giant, I really mean it, his sister is normal sized, so he is a
bit
of an oddball from his litter, but lets just say, he could put my head in
his mouth, and still have room for a 10lb steak. I am only 4'11 and weight
about 98lbs (small women in my family, so its a genetic thing)
So I figure, lets take the dogs, one at a time over to the dog park for a
run and some fun in a new place. Plus, I liked to show off Simon, he was
my
fav out of the two. While he is was huge, he was perfectly formed for his
size, and cars would come to a stop in the middle of the road just so the
folks inside could stare at him. I load him into the car just fine, pack a
few toys for him to carry around (as he didn't seem to understand the
"fetch
game" he would watch you throw with great interest, go over to where you
threw whatever it was, then come running back with this look, like "hey,
great throw you got there!" leaving the object behind him, still on the
ground. However, he was very polite and would go get you something else to
throw, and praise you muchly for a fine effort.).
I get to the park, take out the toys first, buckle on my fanny pack of
doggie bags for pooh and a collapsable water dish, grab the leash, make
sure
there aren't any other really big dogs running free that seem to be too
excited or aggressive near by, and let Simon out of the car with leash
attached. We get about 20 feet near the park fence, then BAM! Simon rushes
forward, knocks me right off of my feet and "almost" drags me along.

Here we stop with the story from my side of things. Now, what the guy who
ran over to me said what he saw, was a dog too big for me to handle, and
could have hurt not only me but others. He said that I was irresponsible
for
having him in public, and I should use a prong and/or shock collar on a
dangerous dog. I just said he was fine, I was sorry and mumbled a few more
sorrys, then went over to the other side of the park.

Now we start again. I fall over, the leash goes taunt, Simon stops, whirls
around, sees me on the ground, rushes over to me, and starts licking me
frantically until I grab at his neck to haul myself up, telling him I am
ok,
pat him muchly, then we brush me off and go forward, with Simon sticking
close by, looking at me constantly, to make sure I am right next to him.
He
was horribly embarassed that I fell over, seemed to know he had done that,
and was quite upset over it. Even to the point of not leaving to run when
I
unleashed him and told him to "go play", but still sniffing and licking at
me. I ended up having to do a jog to get him going and giving him his
pully
toy to carry in his mouth as he pranced around. At this point, while I am
laughing at Simon and telling him what a silly boy he is, the guy comes
over
and tells me his opinion.

Well, for one thing, I was confused as to what he was saying. I had never
heard of a shock collar before, but understood right away what it was. If
he
really thought that the dog was dangerous, why was he standing less than 5
feet from it? Why on earth would anyone use pain to calm a dog down,
especially a massive dog, who could go through a plate glass window like
it
was paper? And how the heck did he think that any dog would then
understand
that you were not his enemy if he figured out that YOU were the one
hurting
him? Would he have said the same thing if I had been standing there with a
Neo Mastiff, also know as the Sherman Tanks of the dog world?

What was funny to me about all this, at the time, was that while he was
telling this to me, Simon was laying on the ground, wiggling his butt in
the
air, while a yorkie puppy, who had rushed over to Simon, "attacked" him
and
the puppies owner was cracking up over it, as Simon rolled over on his
back
and "submitted" to the puppy for a few moments and "died", than stood up,
the puppy fell on its butt, looked really confused about it, then pounced
again, while Simon pranced about it, egging it on. It was cute as all get
out, and was showing just how undangerous Simon's personality was. As he
was
clearly demonstrating that he was engaging in proper puppy playing
manners,
that any well balanced dog would do instinctively to a puppy that was
about
as big as his ear!

The Yorkie lady and I wandered away from him after that, with her telling
me
to ignore him, that Simon was great and it was great that he was so good
with puppies. I told her about how he had been raised with cats, who ruled
the house over him and would make him wait to eat from his dish, while
they
checked it to see if they might want some first, (the cat who does this
the
most, is about 5lbs of orange fluff and no claws. Simon just sighs and
steps
back.) and I thought that it had helped him to pay closer attention to his
size and strength, since he was very gentle by nature. The dogs then
shared
the water dish, found a few goldens to play with, then we went home.

I still think I should have come up with a really good comeback to that
guy
though, something along the lines of using a prong collar on him and
seeing
how he would like it, or asking to use a shock collar on him, so I could
practise torturing my dog before I was allowed out of the house...or, that
I
had just told him to sit on a stick and spin! I don't even want to think
about his poor dogs........

Megan

I also own a Rottie that sounds like a pretty good copy of Simon and I'm a
small women. The fact that the dog, no matter what breed, pulled you down
(irrelevant of whether or not he was sorry for doing it) shows that you
don't posses the size or strength to control the dog. My rottie is very well
trained, he can walk by me without a leash but when in a public setting I
like to be prepared, actually I'm obligated to be prepared, and to be able
to have constant control over my dog at all times. The fact that he
"unseated" you showed that you didn't have that control. I think the guy's
suggestion was made in a rude fashion but it was an accurate assessment of
the situation. The fact that Simon is a Rottie makes people feel a little
less secure about you not having control and more apt to make a rude
comment. Is that fair - NO, but it's a fact of life you get use to when you
own a Rottie. I do NOT personally approve of shock collars. There is nothing
wrong with a prong collar if you know how to properly utilize it. It
actually has a lower injury rate than a flat buckle collar. I use a prong
for training only. For walks I use a Halti.


wrote in message
...
Since this is a place I can share this little story, I will. Its long
ticked
me off, because I know there are way to many people out there like this
guy,
and wonder what it is I should have said to him.

Here is the tale....several years ago, I was house sitting for my mother,
who has 2 lovely rotties, Sophie and Simon. Simon is a massive rottie,
well
bigger than a male of the breed should be, he is a giant of a dog, and the
biggest dork dog you have ever met, he is dopey as all get out, sweet as a
kitten, and thinks his 200lbs is meant to be cuddled in your lap. When I
say
he is a giant, I really mean it, his sister is normal sized, so he is a
bit
of an oddball from his litter, but lets just say, he could put my head in
his mouth, and still have room for a 10lb steak. I am only 4'11 and weight
about 98lbs (small women in my family, so its a genetic thing)
So I figure, lets take the dogs, one at a time over to the dog park for a
run and some fun in a new place. Plus, I liked to show off Simon, he was
my
fav out of the two. While he is was huge, he was perfectly formed for his
size, and cars would come to a stop in the middle of the road just so the
folks inside could stare at him. I load him into the car just fine, pack a
few toys for him to carry around (as he didn't seem to understand the
"fetch
game" he would watch you throw with great interest, go over to where you
threw whatever it was, then come running back with this look, like "hey,
great throw you got there!" leaving the object behind him, still on the
ground. However, he was very polite and would go get you something else to
throw, and praise you muchly for a fine effort.).
I get to the park, take out the toys first, buckle on my fanny pack of
doggie bags for pooh and a collapsable water dish, grab the leash, make
sure
there aren't any other really big dogs running free that seem to be too
excited or aggressive near by, and let Simon out of the car with leash
attached. We get about 20 feet near the park fence, then BAM! Simon rushes
forward, knocks me right off of my feet and "almost" drags me along.

Here we stop with the story from my side of things. Now, what the guy who
ran over to me said what he saw, was a dog too big for me to handle, and
could have hurt not only me but others. He said that I was irresponsible
for
having him in public, and I should use a prong and/or shock collar on a
dangerous dog. I just said he was fine, I was sorry and mumbled a few more
sorrys, then went over to the other side of the park.

Now we start again. I fall over, the leash goes taunt, Simon stops, whirls
around, sees me on the ground, rushes over to me, and starts licking me
frantically until I grab at his neck to haul myself up, telling him I am
ok,
pat him muchly, then we brush me off and go forward, with Simon sticking
close by, looking at me constantly, to make sure I am right next to him.
He
was horribly embarassed that I fell over, seemed to know he had done that,
and was quite upset over it. Even to the point of not leaving to run when
I
unleashed him and told him to "go play", but still sniffing and licking at
me. I ended up having to do a jog to get him going and giving him his
pully
toy to carry in his mouth as he pranced around. At this point, while I am
laughing at Simon and telling him what a silly boy he is, the guy comes
over
and tells me his opinion.

Well, for one thing, I was confused as to what he was saying. I had never
heard of a shock collar before, but understood right away what it was. If
he
really thought that the dog was dangerous, why was he standing less than 5
feet from it? Why on earth would anyone use pain to calm a dog down,
especially a massive dog, who could go through a plate glass window like
it
was paper? And how the heck did he think that any dog would then
understand
that you were not his enemy if he figured out that YOU were the one
hurting
him? Would he have said the same thing if I had been standing there with a
Neo Mastiff, also know as the Sherman Tanks of the dog world?

What was funny to me about all this, at the time, was that while he was
telling this to me, Simon was laying on the ground, wiggling his butt in
the
air, while a yorkie puppy, who had rushed over to Simon, "attacked" him
and
the puppies owner was cracking up over it, as Simon rolled over on his
back
and "submitted" to the puppy for a few moments and "died", than stood up,
the puppy fell on its butt, looked really confused about it, then pounced
again, while Simon pranced about it, egging it on. It was cute as all get
out, and was showing just how undangerous Simon's personality was. As he
was
clearly demonstrating that he was engaging in proper puppy playing
manners,
that any well balanced dog would do instinctively to a puppy that was
about
as big as his ear!

The Yorkie lady and I wandered away from him after that, with her telling
me
to ignore him, that Simon was great and it was great that he was so good
with puppies. I told her about how he had been raised with cats, who ruled
the house over him and would make him wait to eat from his dish, while
they
checked it to see if they might want some first, (the cat who does this
the
most, is about 5lbs of orange fluff and no claws. Simon just sighs and
steps
back.) and I thought that it had helped him to pay closer attention to his
size and strength, since he was very gentle by nature. The dogs then
shared
the water dish, found a few goldens to play with, then we went home.

I still think I should have come up with a really good comeback to that
guy
though, something along the lines of using a prong collar on him and
seeing
how he would like it, or asking to use a shock collar on him, so I could
practise torturing my dog before I was allowed out of the house...or, that
I
had just told him to sit on a stick and spin! I don't even want to think
about his poor dogs........

Megan

I also own a Rottie that sounds like a pretty good copy of Simon and I'm a
small women. The fact that the dog, no matter what breed, pulled you down
(irrelevant of whether or not he was sorry for doing it) shows that you
don't posses the size or strength to control the dog. My rottie is very well
trained, he can walk by me without a leash but when in a public setting I
like to be prepared, actually I'm obligated to be prepared, and to be able
to have constant control over my dog at all times. The fact that he
"unseated" you showed that you didn't have that control. I think the guy's
suggestion was made in a rude fashion but it was an accurate assessment of
the situation. The fact that Simon is a Rottie makes people feel a little
less secure about you not having control and more apt to make a rude
comment. Is that fair - NO, but it's a fact of life you get use to when you
own a Rottie. I do NOT personally approve of shock collars. There is nothing
wrong with a prong collar if you know how to properly utilize it. It
actually has a lower injury rate than a flat buckle collar. I use a prong
for training only. For walks I use a Halti.


wrote in message
...
Since this is a place I can share this little story, I will. Its long
ticked
me off, because I know there are way to many people out there like this
guy,
and wonder what it is I should have said to him.

Here is the tale....several years ago, I was house sitting for my mother,
who has 2 lovely rotties, Sophie and Simon. Simon is a massive rottie,
well
bigger than a male of the breed should be, he is a giant of a dog, and the
biggest dork dog you have ever met, he is dopey as all get out, sweet as a
kitten, and thinks his 200lbs is meant to be cuddled in your lap. When I
say
he is a giant, I really mean it, his sister is normal sized, so he is a
bit
of an oddball from his litter, but lets just say, he could put my head in
his mouth, and still have room for a 10lb steak. I am only 4'11 and weight
about 98lbs (small women in my family, so its a genetic thing)
So I figure, lets take the dogs, one at a time over to the dog park for a
run and some fun in a new place. Plus, I liked to show off Simon, he was
my
fav out of the two. While he is was huge, he was perfectly formed for his
size, and cars would come to a stop in the middle of the road just so the
folks inside could stare at him. I load him into the car just fine, pack a
few toys for him to carry around (as he didn't seem to understand the
"fetch
game" he would watch you throw with great interest, go over to where you
threw whatever it was, then come running back with this look, like "hey,
great throw you got there!" leaving the object behind him, still on the
ground. However, he was very polite and would go get you something else to
throw, and praise you muchly for a fine effort.).
I get to the park, take out the toys first, buckle on my fanny pack of
doggie bags for pooh and a collapsable water dish, grab the leash, make
sure
there aren't any other really big dogs running free that seem to be too
excited or aggressive near by, and let Simon out of the car with leash
attached. We get about 20 feet near the park fence, then BAM! Simon rushes
forward, knocks me right off of my feet and "almost" drags me along.

Here we stop with the story from my side of things. Now, what the guy who
ran over to me said what he saw, was a dog too big for me to handle, and
could have hurt not only me but others. He said that I was irresponsible
for
having him in public, and I should use a prong and/or shock collar on a
dangerous dog. I just said he was fine, I was sorry and mumbled a few more
sorrys, then went over to the other side of the park.

Now we start again. I fall over, the leash goes taunt, Simon stops, whirls
around, sees me on the ground, rushes over to me, and starts licking me
frantically until I grab at his neck to haul myself up, telling him I am
ok,
pat him muchly, then we brush me off and go forward, with Simon sticking
close by, looking at me constantly, to make sure I am right next to him.
He
was horribly embarassed that I fell over, seemed to know he had done that,
and was quite upset over it. Even to the point of not leaving to run when
I
unleashed him and told him to "go play", but still sniffing and licking at
me. I ended up having to do a jog to get him going and giving him his
pully
toy to carry in his mouth as he pranced around. At this point, while I am
laughing at Simon and telling him what a silly boy he is, the guy comes
over
and tells me his opinion.

Well, for one thing, I was confused as to what he was saying. I had never
heard of a shock collar before, but understood right away what it was. If
he
really thought that the dog was dangerous, why was he standing less than 5
feet from it? Why on earth would anyone use pain to calm a dog down,
especially a massive dog, who could go through a plate glass window like
it
was paper? And how the heck did he think that any dog would then
understand
that you were not his enemy if he figured out that YOU were the one
hurting
him? Would he have said the same thing if I had been standing there with a
Neo Mastiff, also know as the Sherman Tanks of the dog world?

What was funny to me about all this, at the time, was that while he was
telling this to me, Simon was laying on the ground, wiggling his butt in
the
air, while a yorkie puppy, who had rushed over to Simon, "attacked" him
and
the puppies owner was cracking up over it, as Simon rolled over on his
back
and "submitted" to the puppy for a few moments and "died", than stood up,
the puppy fell on its butt, looked really confused about it, then pounced
again, while Simon pranced about it, egging it on. It was cute as all get
out, and was showing just how undangerous Simon's personality was. As he
was
clearly demonstrating that he was engaging in proper puppy playing
manners,
that any well balanced dog would do instinctively to a puppy that was
about
as big as his ear!

The Yorkie lady and I wandered away from him after that, with her telling
me
to ignore him, that Simon was great and it was great that he was so good
with puppies. I told her about how he had been raised with cats, who ruled
the house over him and would make him wait to eat from his dish, while
they
checked it to see if they might want some first, (the cat who does this
the
most, is about 5lbs of orange fluff and no claws. Simon just sighs and
steps
back.) and I thought that it had helped him to pay closer attention to his
size and strength, since he was very gentle by nature. The dogs then
shared
the water dish, found a few goldens to play with, then we went home.

I still think I should have come up with a really good comeback to that
guy
though, something along the lines of using a prong collar on him and
seeing
how he would like it, or asking to use a shock collar on him, so I could
practise torturing my dog before I was allowed out of the house...or, that
I
had just told him to sit on a stick and spin! I don't even want to think
about his poor dogs........

Megan

Well, it actually showed that I had the lead too short to allow for his
movement properly, so that if he had started at anything, such as a bee in
his face, or had tripped over his feet, which he was known to do, I would
have been pulled. I can see now that I didn't add that part in, which I
should have, otherwise, its not at all clear why I was so upset over it all
later. But it was supposed to have gone in at the part where I was checking
to see what other dogs were there and shortening his lead, in case there was
an aggressive dog nearby.
Big DUH on me for not being clear and posting that out without checking it
over first. My bad.


Megan


On 26/9/03 10:29 PM, in article , "Kelly"
wrote:

I also own a Rottie that sounds like a pretty good copy of Simon and I'm a
small women. The fact that the dog, no matter what breed, pulled you down
(irrelevant of whether or not he was sorry for doing it) shows that you
don't posses the size or strength to control the dog. My rottie is very well
trained, he can walk by me without a leash but when in a public setting I
like to be prepared, actually I'm obligated to be prepared, and to be able
to have constant control over my dog at all times. The fact that he
"unseated" you showed that you didn't have that control. I think the guy's
suggestion was made in a rude fashion but it was an accurate assessment of
the situation. The fact that Simon is a Rottie makes people feel a little
less secure about you not having control and more apt to make a rude
comment. Is that fair - NO, but it's a fact of life you get use to when you
own a Rottie. I do NOT personally approve of shock collars. There is nothing
wrong with a prong collar if you know how to properly utilize it. It
actually has a lower injury rate than a flat buckle collar. I use a prong
for training only. For walks I use a Halti.


wrote in message
...
Since this is a place I can share this little story, I will. Its long
ticked
me off, because I know there are way to many people out there like this
guy,
and wonder what it is I should have said to him.

Here is the tale....several years ago, I was house sitting for my mother,
who has 2 lovely rotties, Sophie and Simon. Simon is a massive rottie,
well
bigger than a male of the breed should be, he is a giant of a dog, and the
biggest dork dog you have ever met, he is dopey as all get out, sweet as a
kitten, and thinks his 200lbs is meant to be cuddled in your lap. When I
say
he is a giant, I really mean it, his sister is normal sized, so he is a
bit
of an oddball from his litter, but lets just say, he could put my head in
his mouth, and still have room for a 10lb steak. I am only 4'11 and weight
about 98lbs (small women in my family, so its a genetic thing)
So I figure, lets take the dogs, one at a time over to the dog park for a
run and some fun in a new place. Plus, I liked to show off Simon, he was
my
fav out of the two. While he is was huge, he was perfectly formed for his
size, and cars would come to a stop in the middle of the road just so the
folks inside could stare at him. I load him into the car just fine, pack a
few toys for him to carry around (as he didn't seem to understand the
"fetch
game" he would watch you throw with great interest, go over to where you
threw whatever it was, then come running back with this look, like "hey,
great throw you got there!" leaving the object behind him, still on the
ground. However, he was very polite and would go get you something else to
throw, and praise you muchly for a fine effort.).
I get to the park, take out the toys first, buckle on my fanny pack of
doggie bags for pooh and a collapsable water dish, grab the leash, make
sure
there aren't any other really big dogs running free that seem to be too
excited or aggressive near by, and let Simon out of the car with leash
attached. We get about 20 feet near the park fence, then BAM! Simon rushes
forward, knocks me right off of my feet and "almost" drags me along.

Here we stop with the story from my side of things. Now, what the guy who
ran over to me said what he saw, was a dog too big for me to handle, and
could have hurt not only me but others. He said that I was irresponsible
for
having him in public, and I should use a prong and/or shock collar on a
dangerous dog. I just said he was fine, I was sorry and mumbled a few more
sorrys, then went over to the other side of the park.

Now we start again. I fall over, the leash goes taunt, Simon stops, whirls
around, sees me on the ground, rushes over to me, and starts licking me
frantically until I grab at his neck to haul myself up, telling him I am
ok,
pat him muchly, then we brush me off and go forward, with Simon sticking
close by, looking at me constantly, to make sure I am right next to him.
He
was horribly embarassed that I fell over, seemed to know he had done that,
and was quite upset over it. Even to the point of not leaving to run when
I
unleashed him and told him to "go play", but still sniffing and licking at
me. I ended up having to do a jog to get him going and giving him his
pully
toy to carry in his mouth as he pranced around. At this point, while I am
laughing at Simon and telling him what a silly boy he is, the guy comes
over
and tells me his opinion.

Well, for one thing, I was confused as to what he was saying. I had never
heard of a shock collar before, but understood right away what it was. If
he
really thought that the dog was dangerous, why was he standing less than 5
feet from it? Why on earth would anyone use pain to calm a dog down,
especially a massive dog, who could go through a plate glass window like
it
was paper? And how the heck did he think that any dog would then
understand
that you were not his enemy if he figured out that YOU were the one
hurting
him? Would he have said the same thing if I had been standing there with a
Neo Mastiff, also know as the Sherman Tanks of the dog world?

What was funny to me about all this, at the time, was that while he was
telling this to me, Simon was laying on the ground, wiggling his butt in
the
air, while a yorkie puppy, who had rushed over to Simon, "attacked" him
and
the puppies owner was cracking up over it, as Simon rolled over on his
back
and "submitted" to the puppy for a few moments and "died", than stood up,
the puppy fell on its butt, looked really confused about it, then pounced
again, while Simon pranced about it, egging it on. It was cute as all get
out, and was showing just how undangerous Simon's personality was. As he
was
clearly demonstrating that he was engaging in proper puppy playing
manners,
that any well balanced dog would do instinctively to a puppy that was
about
as big as his ear!

The Yorkie lady and I wandered away from him after that, with her telling
me
to ignore him, that Simon was great and it was great that he was so good
with puppies. I told her about how he had been raised with cats, who ruled
the house over him and would make him wait to eat from his dish, while
they
checked it to see if they might want some first, (the cat who does this
the
most, is about 5lbs of orange fluff and no claws. Simon just sighs and
steps
back.) and I thought that it had helped him to pay closer attention to his
size and strength, since he was very gentle by nature. The dogs then
shared
the water dish, found a few goldens to play with, then we went home.

I still think I should have come up with a really good comeback to that
guy
though, something along the lines of using a prong collar on him and
seeing
how he would like it, or asking to use a shock collar on him, so I could
practise torturing my dog before I was allowed out of the house...or, that
I
had just told him to sit on a stick and spin! I don't even want to think
about his poor dogs........

Megan

Well, it actually showed that I had the lead too short to allow for his
movement properly, so that if he had started at anything, such as a bee in
his face, or had tripped over his feet, which he was known to do, I would
have been pulled. I can see now that I didn't add that part in, which I
should have, otherwise, its not at all clear why I was so upset over it all
later. But it was supposed to have gone in at the part where I was checking
to see what other dogs were there and shortening his lead, in case there was
an aggressive dog nearby.
Big DUH on me for not being clear and posting that out without checking it
over first. My bad.


Megan


On 26/9/03 10:29 PM, in article , "Kelly"
wrote:

I also own a Rottie that sounds like a pretty good copy of Simon and I'm a
small women. The fact that the dog, no matter what breed, pulled you down
(irrelevant of whether or not he was sorry for doing it) shows that you
don't posses the size or strength to control the dog. My rottie is very well
trained, he can walk by me without a leash but when in a public setting I
like to be prepared, actually I'm obligated to be prepared, and to be able
to have constant control over my dog at all times. The fact that he
"unseated" you showed that you didn't have that control. I think the guy's
suggestion was made in a rude fashion but it was an accurate assessment of
the situation. The fact that Simon is a Rottie makes people feel a little
less secure about you not having control and more apt to make a rude
comment. Is that fair - NO, but it's a fact of life you get use to when you
own a Rottie. I do NOT personally approve of shock collars. There is nothing
wrong with a prong collar if you know how to properly utilize it. It
actually has a lower injury rate than a flat buckle collar. I use a prong
for training only. For walks I use a Halti.


wrote in message
...
Since this is a place I can share this little story, I will. Its long
ticked
me off, because I know there are way to many people out there like this
guy,
and wonder what it is I should have said to him.

Here is the tale....several years ago, I was house sitting for my mother,
who has 2 lovely rotties, Sophie and Simon. Simon is a massive rottie,
well
bigger than a male of the breed should be, he is a giant of a dog, and the
biggest dork dog you have ever met, he is dopey as all get out, sweet as a
kitten, and thinks his 200lbs is meant to be cuddled in your lap. When I
say
he is a giant, I really mean it, his sister is normal sized, so he is a
bit
of an oddball from his litter, but lets just say, he could put my head in
his mouth, and still have room for a 10lb steak. I am only 4'11 and weight
about 98lbs (small women in my family, so its a genetic thing)
So I figure, lets take the dogs, one at a time over to the dog park for a
run and some fun in a new place. Plus, I liked to show off Simon, he was
my
fav out of the two. While he is was huge, he was perfectly formed for his
size, and cars would come to a stop in the middle of the road just so the
folks inside could stare at him. I load him into the car just fine, pack a
few toys for him to carry around (as he didn't seem to understand the
"fetch
game" he would watch you throw with great interest, go over to where you
threw whatever it was, then come running back with this look, like "hey,
great throw you got there!" leaving the object behind him, still on the
ground. However, he was very polite and would go get you something else to
throw, and praise you muchly for a fine effort.).
I get to the park, take out the toys first, buckle on my fanny pack of
doggie bags for pooh and a collapsable water dish, grab the leash, make
sure
there aren't any other really big dogs running free that seem to be too
excited or aggressive near by, and let Simon out of the car with leash
attached. We get about 20 feet near the park fence, then BAM! Simon rushes
forward, knocks me right off of my feet and "almost" drags me along.

Here we stop with the story from my side of things. Now, what the guy who
ran over to me said what he saw, was a dog too big for me to handle, and
could have hurt not only me but others. He said that I was irresponsible
for
having him in public, and I should use a prong and/or shock collar on a
dangerous dog. I just said he was fine, I was sorry and mumbled a few more
sorrys, then went over to the other side of the park.

Now we start again. I fall over, the leash goes taunt, Simon stops, whirls
around, sees me on the ground, rushes over to me, and starts licking me
frantically until I grab at his neck to haul myself up, telling him I am
ok,
pat him muchly, then we brush me off and go forward, with Simon sticking
close by, looking at me constantly, to make sure I am right next to him.
He
was horribly embarassed that I fell over, seemed to know he had done that,
and was quite upset over it. Even to the point of not leaving to run when
I
unleashed him and told him to "go play", but still sniffing and licking at
me. I ended up having to do a jog to get him going and giving him his
pully
toy to carry in his mouth as he pranced around. At this point, while I am
laughing at Simon and telling him what a silly boy he is, the guy comes
over
and tells me his opinion.

Well, for one thing, I was confused as to what he was saying. I had never
heard of a shock collar before, but understood right away what it was. If
he
really thought that the dog was dangerous, why was he standing less than 5
feet from it? Why on earth would anyone use pain to calm a dog down,
especially a massive dog, who could go through a plate glass window like
it
was paper? And how the heck did he think that any dog would then
understand
that you were not his enemy if he figured out that YOU were the one
hurting
him? Would he have said the same thing if I had been standing there with a
Neo Mastiff, also know as the Sherman Tanks of the dog world?

What was funny to me about all this, at the time, was that while he was
telling this to me, Simon was laying on the ground, wiggling his butt in
the
air, while a yorkie puppy, who had rushed over to Simon, "attacked" him
and
the puppies owner was cracking up over it, as Simon rolled over on his
back
and "submitted" to the puppy for a few moments and "died", than stood up,
the puppy fell on its butt, looked really confused about it, then pounced
again, while Simon pranced about it, egging it on. It was cute as all get
out, and was showing just how undangerous Simon's personality was. As he
was
clearly demonstrating that he was engaging in proper puppy playing
manners,
that any well balanced dog would do instinctively to a puppy that was
about
as big as his ear!

The Yorkie lady and I wandered away from him after that, with her telling
me
to ignore him, that Simon was great and it was great that he was so good
with puppies. I told her about how he had been raised with cats, who ruled
the house over him and would make him wait to eat from his dish, while
they
checked it to see if they might want some first, (the cat who does this
the
most, is about 5lbs of orange fluff and no claws. Simon just sighs and
steps
back.) and I thought that it had helped him to pay closer attention to his
size and strength, since he was very gentle by nature. The dogs then
shared
the water dish, found a few goldens to play with, then we went home.

I still think I should have come up with a really good comeback to that
guy
though, something along the lines of using a prong collar on him and
seeing
how he would like it, or asking to use a shock collar on him, so I could
practise torturing my dog before I was allowed out of the house...or, that
I
had just told him to sit on a stick and spin! I don't even want to think
about his poor dogs........

Megan

Well, it actually showed that I had the lead too short to allow for his
movement properly, so that if he had started at anything, such as a bee in
his face, or had tripped over his feet, which he was known to do, I would
have been pulled. I can see now that I didn't add that part in, which I
should have, otherwise, its not at all clear why I was so upset over it all
later. But it was supposed to have gone in at the part where I was checking
to see what other dogs were there and shortening his lead, in case there was
an aggressive dog nearby.
Big DUH on me for not being clear and posting that out without checking it
over first. My bad.


Megan


On 26/9/03 10:29 PM, in article , "Kelly"
wrote:

I also own a Rottie that sounds like a pretty good copy of Simon and I'm a
small women. The fact that the dog, no matter what breed, pulled you down
(irrelevant of whether or not he was sorry for doing it) shows that you
don't posses the size or strength to control the dog. My rottie is very well
trained, he can walk by me without a leash but when in a public setting I
like to be prepared, actually I'm obligated to be prepared, and to be able
to have constant control over my dog at all times. The fact that he
"unseated" you showed that you didn't have that control. I think the guy's
suggestion was made in a rude fashion but it was an accurate assessment of
the situation. The fact that Simon is a Rottie makes people feel a little
less secure about you not having control and more apt to make a rude
comment. Is that fair - NO, but it's a fact of life you get use to when you
own a Rottie. I do NOT personally approve of shock collars. There is nothing
wrong with a prong collar if you know how to properly utilize it. It
actually has a lower injury rate than a flat buckle collar. I use a prong
for training only. For walks I use a Halti.


wrote in message
...
Since this is a place I can share this little story, I will. Its long
ticked
me off, because I know there are way to many people out there like this
guy,
and wonder what it is I should have said to him.

Here is the tale....several years ago, I was house sitting for my mother,
who has 2 lovely rotties, Sophie and Simon. Simon is a massive rottie,
well
bigger than a male of the breed should be, he is a giant of a dog, and the
biggest dork dog you have ever met, he is dopey as all get out, sweet as a
kitten, and thinks his 200lbs is meant to be cuddled in your lap. When I
say
he is a giant, I really mean it, his sister is normal sized, so he is a
bit
of an oddball from his litter, but lets just say, he could put my head in
his mouth, and still have room for a 10lb steak. I am only 4'11 and weight
about 98lbs (small women in my family, so its a genetic thing)
So I figure, lets take the dogs, one at a time over to the dog park for a
run and some fun in a new place. Plus, I liked to show off Simon, he was
my
fav out of the two. While he is was huge, he was perfectly formed for his
size, and cars would come to a stop in the middle of the road just so the
folks inside could stare at him. I load him into the car just fine, pack a
few toys for him to carry around (as he didn't seem to understand the
"fetch
game" he would watch you throw with great interest, go over to where you
threw whatever it was, then come running back with this look, like "hey,
great throw you got there!" leaving the object behind him, still on the
ground. However, he was very polite and would go get you something else to
throw, and praise you muchly for a fine effort.).
I get to the park, take out the toys first, buckle on my fanny pack of
doggie bags for pooh and a collapsable water dish, grab the leash, make
sure
there aren't any other really big dogs running free that seem to be too
excited or aggressive near by, and let Simon out of the car with leash
attached. We get about 20 feet near the park fence, then BAM! Simon rushes
forward, knocks me right off of my feet and "almost" drags me along.

Here we stop with the story from my side of things. Now, what the guy who
ran over to me said what he saw, was a dog too big for me to handle, and
could have hurt not only me but others. He said that I was irresponsible
for
having him in public, and I should use a prong and/or shock collar on a
dangerous dog. I just said he was fine, I was sorry and mumbled a few more
sorrys, then went over to the other side of the park.

Now we start again. I fall over, the leash goes taunt, Simon stops, whirls
around, sees me on the ground, rushes over to me, and starts licking me
frantically until I grab at his neck to haul myself up, telling him I am
ok,
pat him muchly, then we brush me off and go forward, with Simon sticking
close by, looking at me constantly, to make sure I am right next to him.
He
was horribly embarassed that I fell over, seemed to know he had done that,
and was quite upset over it. Even to the point of not leaving to run when
I
unleashed him and told him to "go play", but still sniffing and licking at
me. I ended up having to do a jog to get him going and giving him his
pully
toy to carry in his mouth as he pranced around. At this point, while I am
laughing at Simon and telling him what a silly boy he is, the guy comes
over
and tells me his opinion.

Well, for one thing, I was confused as to what he was saying. I had never
heard of a shock collar before, but understood right away what it was. If
he
really thought that the dog was dangerous, why was he standing less than 5
feet from it? Why on earth would anyone use pain to calm a dog down,
especially a massive dog, who could go through a plate glass window like
it
was paper? And how the heck did he think that any dog would then
understand
that you were not his enemy if he figured out that YOU were the one
hurting
him? Would he have said the same thing if I had been standing there with a
Neo Mastiff, also know as the Sherman Tanks of the dog world?

What was funny to me about all this, at the time, was that while he was
telling this to me, Simon was laying on the ground, wiggling his butt in
the
air, while a yorkie puppy, who had rushed over to Simon, "attacked" him
and
the puppies owner was cracking up over it, as Simon rolled over on his
back
and "submitted" to the puppy for a few moments and "died", than stood up,
the puppy fell on its butt, looked really confused about it, then pounced
again, while Simon pranced about it, egging it on. It was cute as all get
out, and was showing just how undangerous Simon's personality was. As he
was
clearly demonstrating that he was engaging in proper puppy playing
manners,
that any well balanced dog would do instinctively to a puppy that was
about
as big as his ear!

The Yorkie lady and I wandered away from him after that, with her telling
me
to ignore him, that Simon was great and it was great that he was so good
with puppies. I told her about how he had been raised with cats, who ruled
the house over him and would make him wait to eat from his dish, while
they
checked it to see if they might want some first, (the cat who does this
the
most, is about 5lbs of orange fluff and no claws. Simon just sighs and
steps
back.) and I thought that it had helped him to pay closer attention to his
size and strength, since he was very gentle by nature. The dogs then
shared
the water dish, found a few goldens to play with, then we went home.

I still think I should have come up with a really good comeback to that
guy
though, something along the lines of using a prong collar on him and
seeing
how he would like it, or asking to use a shock collar on him, so I could
practise torturing my dog before I was allowed out of the house...or, that
I
had just told him to sit on a stick and spin! I don't even want to think
about his poor dogs........

Megan

Well, I do use a prong collar on Chloe and this morning was a good
example. Its 615am and we are out for a walk. Its pitch black out
still, and we live in a neighborhood with no streetlights and houses
set far from the road w/ large yards. At one point an armadillo
runs across the road right in front of us. Like any dog, Chloe made
a quick burst to chase. She leapt to the end of her lead.
Litterally jumped in the air, and I let loose of the slack lead I keep
in my hand, so that it would extend the leash to the max length,
extended my arm and leaned forward in an effort to leave as much slack
on the prong as possible, as I announce "Chloe HEAL,," She landed
with a couple inches to spare, reached the end of her leash and sat
down... of course her nose and tail are going a mile a minute. SHe
only received a minor correction on the leash from her own forceful
forward leap, but because I allow for extra lead and such,. Also,
being 55lbs, she is still a strong dog and could have thrown me off
balance if I had her leash restricted and didn't allow for slack.

I can see where the bonehead came from who corrected you. I can see
that someone who is a bystander seeing a woman that is half the size
of her dog and the dog beign a rottie ... this leads to cause some
nervousness. I've seen some real idiots bring uncontrollable dogs
and non sociallized dogs to the parks before. Rotties have a
reputation of being big, mean and aggressive, although I've never met
one like that in public. Usually they are happy go lucky big ol'
dufuses that are willing to please any and everyone.

My Chloe has a similar look to a pitbull (coloring, size and
stalkyness of legs only) so I do get the question of "friendly?" when
we go to the dog park. I always say "very friendly, non aggressive
but still a puppy who needs proper socializing"

And recently while in Homedepot with her, I actually had a couple come
up, pet chloe, and the husband started antagonizing Chloe into
aggressive type play. The wife immediately corrected her husband
with "Leave her alone, the dog is in training"... (as I'm calming
reminding Chloe to sit still). It was actually a good "training"
situation for her and Chloe reacted commendably.

On Fri, 26 Sep 2003 23:46:47 +0800,
wrote:

Well, it actually showed that I had the lead too short to allow for his
movement properly, so that if he had started at anything, such as a bee in
his face, or had tripped over his feet, which he was known to do, I would
have been pulled. I can see now that I didn't add that part in, which I
should have, otherwise, its not at all clear why I was so upset over it all
later. But it was supposed to have gone in at the part where I was checking
to see what other dogs were there and shortening his lead, in case there was
an aggressive dog nearby.
Big DUH on me for not being clear and posting that out without checking it
over first. My bad.


Megan


On 26/9/03 10:29 PM, in article , "Kelly"
wrote:

I also own a Rottie that sounds like a pretty good copy of Simon and I'm a
small women. The fact that the dog, no matter what breed, pulled you down
(irrelevant of whether or not he was sorry for doing it) shows that you
don't posses the size or strength to control the dog. My rottie is very well
trained, he can walk by me without a leash but when in a public setting I
like to be prepared, actually I'm obligated to be prepared, and to be able
to have constant control over my dog at all times. The fact that he
"unseated" you showed that you didn't have that control. I think the guy's
suggestion was made in a rude fashion but it was an accurate assessment of
the situation. The fact that Simon is a Rottie makes people feel a little
less secure about you not having control and more apt to make a rude
comment. Is that fair - NO, but it's a fact of life you get use to when you
own a Rottie. I do NOT personally approve of shock collars. There is nothing
wrong with a prong collar if you know how to properly utilize it. It
actually has a lower injury rate than a flat buckle collar. I use a prong
for training only. For walks I use a Halti.


wrote in message
...
Since this is a place I can share this little story, I will. Its long
ticked
me off, because I know there are way to many people out there like this
guy,
and wonder what it is I should have said to him.

Here is the tale....several years ago, I was house sitting for my mother,
who has 2 lovely rotties, Sophie and Simon. Simon is a massive rottie,
well
bigger than a male of the breed should be, he is a giant of a dog, and the
biggest dork dog you have ever met, he is dopey as all get out, sweet as a
kitten, and thinks his 200lbs is meant to be cuddled in your lap. When I
say
he is a giant, I really mean it, his sister is normal sized, so he is a
bit
of an oddball from his litter, but lets just say, he could put my head in
his mouth, and still have room for a 10lb steak. I am only 4'11 and weight
about 98lbs (small women in my family, so its a genetic thing)
So I figure, lets take the dogs, one at a time over to the dog park for a
run and some fun in a new place. Plus, I liked to show off Simon, he was
my
fav out of the two. While he is was huge, he was perfectly formed for his
size, and cars would come to a stop in the middle of the road just so the
folks inside could stare at him. I load him into the car just fine, pack a
few toys for him to carry around (as he didn't seem to understand the
"fetch
game" he would watch you throw with great interest, go over to where you
threw whatever it was, then come running back with this look, like "hey,
great throw you got there!" leaving the object behind him, still on the
ground. However, he was very polite and would go get you something else to
throw, and praise you muchly for a fine effort.).
I get to the park, take out the toys first, buckle on my fanny pack of
doggie bags for pooh and a collapsable water dish, grab the leash, make
sure
there aren't any other really big dogs running free that seem to be too
excited or aggressive near by, and let Simon out of the car with leash
attached. We get about 20 feet near the park fence, then BAM! Simon rushes
forward, knocks me right off of my feet and "almost" drags me along.

Here we stop with the story from my side of things. Now, what the guy who
ran over to me said what he saw, was a dog too big for me to handle, and
could have hurt not only me but others. He said that I was irresponsible
for
having him in public, and I should use a prong and/or shock collar on a
dangerous dog. I just said he was fine, I was sorry and mumbled a few more
sorrys, then went over to the other side of the park.

Now we start again. I fall over, the leash goes taunt, Simon stops, whirls
around, sees me on the ground, rushes over to me, and starts licking me
frantically until I grab at his neck to haul myself up, telling him I am
ok,
pat him muchly, then we brush me off and go forward, with Simon sticking
close by, looking at me constantly, to make sure I am right next to him.
He
was horribly embarassed that I fell over, seemed to know he had done that,
and was quite upset over it. Even to the point of not leaving to run when
I
unleashed him and told him to "go play", but still sniffing and licking at
me. I ended up having to do a jog to get him going and giving him his
pully
toy to carry in his mouth as he pranced around. At this point, while I am
laughing at Simon and telling him what a silly boy he is, the guy comes
over
and tells me his opinion.

Well, for one thing, I was confused as to what he was saying. I had never
heard of a shock collar before, but understood right away what it was. If
he
really thought that the dog was dangerous, why was he standing less than 5
feet from it? Why on earth would anyone use pain to calm a dog down,
especially a massive dog, who could go through a plate glass window like
it
was paper? And how the heck did he think that any dog would then
understand
that you were not his enemy if he figured out that YOU were the one
hurting
him? Would he have said the same thing if I had been standing there with a
Neo Mastiff, also know as the Sherman Tanks of the dog world?

What was funny to me about all this, at the time, was that while he was
telling this to me, Simon was laying on the ground, wiggling his butt in
the
air, while a yorkie puppy, who had rushed over to Simon, "attacked" him
and
the puppies owner was cracking up over it, as Simon rolled over on his
back
and "submitted" to the puppy for a few moments and "died", than stood up,
the puppy fell on its butt, looked really confused about it, then pounced
again, while Simon pranced about it, egging it on. It was cute as all get
out, and was showing just how undangerous Simon's personality was. As he
was
clearly demonstrating that he was engaging in proper puppy playing
manners,
that any well balanced dog would do instinctively to a puppy that was
about
as big as his ear!

The Yorkie lady and I wandered away from him after that, with her telling
me
to ignore him, that Simon was great and it was great that he was so good
with puppies. I told her about how he had been raised with cats, who ruled
the house over him and would make him wait to eat from his dish, while
they
checked it to see if they might want some first, (the cat who does this
the
most, is about 5lbs of orange fluff and no claws. Simon just sighs and
steps
back.) and I thought that it had helped him to pay closer attention to his
size and strength, since he was very gentle by nature. The dogs then
shared
the water dish, found a few goldens to play with, then we went home.

I still think I should have come up with a really good comeback to that
guy
though, something along the lines of using a prong collar on him and
seeing
how he would like it, or asking to use a shock collar on him, so I could
practise torturing my dog before I was allowed out of the house...or, that
I
had just told him to sit on a stick and spin! I don't even want to think
about his poor dogs........

Megan






jayjay
http://home.comcast.net/~jennifer.is...b/c_index.html

Well, I do use a prong collar on Chloe and this morning was a good
example. Its 615am and we are out for a walk. Its pitch black out
still, and we live in a neighborhood with no streetlights and houses
set far from the road w/ large yards. At one point an armadillo
runs across the road right in front of us. Like any dog, Chloe made
a quick burst to chase. She leapt to the end of her lead.
Litterally jumped in the air, and I let loose of the slack lead I keep
in my hand, so that it would extend the leash to the max length,
extended my arm and leaned forward in an effort to leave as much slack
on the prong as possible, as I announce "Chloe HEAL,," She landed
with a couple inches to spare, reached the end of her leash and sat
down... of course her nose and tail are going a mile a minute. SHe
only received a minor correction on the leash from her own forceful
forward leap, but because I allow for extra lead and such,. Also,
being 55lbs, she is still a strong dog and could have thrown me off
balance if I had her leash restricted and didn't allow for slack.

I can see where the bonehead came from who corrected you. I can see
that someone who is a bystander seeing a woman that is half the size
of her dog and the dog beign a rottie ... this leads to cause some
nervousness. I've seen some real idiots bring uncontrollable dogs
and non sociallized dogs to the parks before. Rotties have a
reputation of being big, mean and aggressive, although I've never met
one like that in public. Usually they are happy go lucky big ol'
dufuses that are willing to please any and everyone.

My Chloe has a similar look to a pitbull (coloring, size and
stalkyness of legs only) so I do get the question of "friendly?" when
we go to the dog park. I always say "very friendly, non aggressive
but still a puppy who needs proper socializing"

And recently while in Homedepot with her, I actually had a couple come
up, pet chloe, and the husband started antagonizing Chloe into
aggressive type play. The wife immediately corrected her husband
with "Leave her alone, the dog is in training"... (as I'm calming
reminding Chloe to sit still). It was actually a good "training"
situation for her and Chloe reacted commendably.

On Fri, 26 Sep 2003 23:46:47 +0800,
wrote:

Well, it actually showed that I had the lead too short to allow for his
movement properly, so that if he had started at anything, such as a bee in
his face, or had tripped over his feet, which he was known to do, I would
have been pulled. I can see now that I didn't add that part in, which I
should have, otherwise, its not at all clear why I was so upset over it all
later. But it was supposed to have gone in at the part where I was checking
to see what other dogs were there and shortening his lead, in case there was
an aggressive dog nearby.
Big DUH on me for not being clear and posting that out without checking it
over first. My bad.


Megan


On 26/9/03 10:29 PM, in article , "Kelly"
wrote:

I also own a Rottie that sounds like a pretty good copy of Simon and I'm a
small women. The fact that the dog, no matter what breed, pulled you down
(irrelevant of whether or not he was sorry for doing it) shows that you
don't posses the size or strength to control the dog. My rottie is very well
trained, he can walk by me without a leash but when in a public setting I
like to be prepared, actually I'm obligated to be prepared, and to be able
to have constant control over my dog at all times. The fact that he
"unseated" you showed that you didn't have that control. I think the guy's
suggestion was made in a rude fashion but it was an accurate assessment of
the situation. The fact that Simon is a Rottie makes people feel a little
less secure about you not having control and more apt to make a rude
comment. Is that fair - NO, but it's a fact of life you get use to when you
own a Rottie. I do NOT personally approve of shock collars. There is nothing
wrong with a prong collar if you know how to properly utilize it. It
actually has a lower injury rate than a flat buckle collar. I use a prong
for training only. For walks I use a Halti.


wrote in message
...
Since this is a place I can share this little story, I will. Its long
ticked
me off, because I know there are way to many people out there like this
guy,
and wonder what it is I should have said to him.

Here is the tale....several years ago, I was house sitting for my mother,
who has 2 lovely rotties, Sophie and Simon. Simon is a massive rottie,
well
bigger than a male of the breed should be, he is a giant of a dog, and the
biggest dork dog you have ever met, he is dopey as all get out, sweet as a
kitten, and thinks his 200lbs is meant to be cuddled in your lap. When I
say
he is a giant, I really mean it, his sister is normal sized, so he is a
bit
of an oddball from his litter, but lets just say, he could put my head in
his mouth, and still have room for a 10lb steak. I am only 4'11 and weight
about 98lbs (small women in my family, so its a genetic thing)
So I figure, lets take the dogs, one at a time over to the dog park for a
run and some fun in a new place. Plus, I liked to show off Simon, he was
my
fav out of the two. While he is was huge, he was perfectly formed for his
size, and cars would come to a stop in the middle of the road just so the
folks inside could stare at him. I load him into the car just fine, pack a
few toys for him to carry around (as he didn't seem to understand the
"fetch
game" he would watch you throw with great interest, go over to where you
threw whatever it was, then come running back with this look, like "hey,
great throw you got there!" leaving the object behind him, still on the
ground. However, he was very polite and would go get you something else to
throw, and praise you muchly for a fine effort.).
I get to the park, take out the toys first, buckle on my fanny pack of
doggie bags for pooh and a collapsable water dish, grab the leash, make
sure
there aren't any other really big dogs running free that seem to be too
excited or aggressive near by, and let Simon out of the car with leash
attached. We get about 20 feet near the park fence, then BAM! Simon rushes
forward, knocks me right off of my feet and "almost" drags me along.

Here we stop with the story from my side of things. Now, what the guy who
ran over to me said what he saw, was a dog too big for me to handle, and
could have hurt not only me but others. He said that I was irresponsible
for
having him in public, and I should use a prong and/or shock collar on a
dangerous dog. I just said he was fine, I was sorry and mumbled a few more
sorrys, then went over to the other side of the park.

Now we start again. I fall over, the leash goes taunt, Simon stops, whirls
around, sees me on the ground, rushes over to me, and starts licking me
frantically until I grab at his neck to haul myself up, telling him I am
ok,
pat him muchly, then we brush me off and go forward, with Simon sticking
close by, looking at me constantly, to make sure I am right next to him.
He
was horribly embarassed that I fell over, seemed to know he had done that,
and was quite upset over it. Even to the point of not leaving to run when
I
unleashed him and told him to "go play", but still sniffing and licking at
me. I ended up having to do a jog to get him going and giving him his
pully
toy to carry in his mouth as he pranced around. At this point, while I am
laughing at Simon and telling him what a silly boy he is, the guy comes
over
and tells me his opinion.

Well, for one thing, I was confused as to what he was saying. I had never
heard of a shock collar before, but understood right away what it was. If
he
really thought that the dog was dangerous, why was he standing less than 5
feet from it? Why on earth would anyone use pain to calm a dog down,
especially a massive dog, who could go through a plate glass window like
it
was paper? And how the heck did he think that any dog would then
understand
that you were not his enemy if he figured out that YOU were the one
hurting
him? Would he have said the same thing if I had been standing there with a
Neo Mastiff, also know as the Sherman Tanks of the dog world?

What was funny to me about all this, at the time, was that while he was
telling this to me, Simon was laying on the ground, wiggling his butt in
the
air, while a yorkie puppy, who had rushed over to Simon, "attacked" him
and
the puppies owner was cracking up over it, as Simon rolled over on his
back
and "submitted" to the puppy for a few moments and "died", than stood up,
the puppy fell on its butt, looked really confused about it, then pounced
again, while Simon pranced about it, egging it on. It was cute as all get
out, and was showing just how undangerous Simon's personality was. As he
was
clearly demonstrating that he was engaging in proper puppy playing
manners,
that any well balanced dog would do instinctively to a puppy that was
about
as big as his ear!

The Yorkie lady and I wandered away from him after that, with her telling
me
to ignore him, that Simon was great and it was great that he was so good
with puppies. I told her about how he had been raised with cats, who ruled
the house over him and would make him wait to eat from his dish, while
they
checked it to see if they might want some first, (the cat who does this
the
most, is about 5lbs of orange fluff and no claws. Simon just sighs and
steps
back.) and I thought that it had helped him to pay closer attention to his
size and strength, since he was very gentle by nature. The dogs then
shared
the water dish, found a few goldens to play with, then we went home.

I still think I should have come up with a really good comeback to that
guy
though, something along the lines of using a prong collar on him and
seeing
how he would like it, or asking to use a shock collar on him, so I could
practise torturing my dog before I was allowed out of the house...or, that
I
had just told him to sit on a stick and spin! I don't even want to think
about his poor dogs........

Megan






jayjay
http://home.comcast.net/~jennifer.is...b/c_index.html

Well, I do use a prong collar on Chloe and this morning was a good
example. Its 615am and we are out for a walk. Its pitch black out
still, and we live in a neighborhood with no streetlights and houses
set far from the road w/ large yards. At one point an armadillo
runs across the road right in front of us. Like any dog, Chloe made
a quick burst to chase. She leapt to the end of her lead.
Litterally jumped in the air, and I let loose of the slack lead I keep
in my hand, so that it would extend the leash to the max length,
extended my arm and leaned forward in an effort to leave as much slack
on the prong as possible, as I announce "Chloe HEAL,," She landed
with a couple inches to spare, reached the end of her leash and sat
down... of course her nose and tail are going a mile a minute. SHe
only received a minor correction on the leash from her own forceful
forward leap, but because I allow for extra lead and such,. Also,
being 55lbs, she is still a strong dog and could have thrown me off
balance if I had her leash restricted and didn't allow for slack.

I can see where the bonehead came from who corrected you. I can see
that someone who is a bystander seeing a woman that is half the size
of her dog and the dog beign a rottie ... this leads to cause some
nervousness. I've seen some real idiots bring uncontrollable dogs
and non sociallized dogs to the parks before. Rotties have a
reputation of being big, mean and aggressive, although I've never met
one like that in public. Usually they are happy go lucky big ol'
dufuses that are willing to please any and everyone.

My Chloe has a similar look to a pitbull (coloring, size and
stalkyness of legs only) so I do get the question of "friendly?" when
we go to the dog park. I always say "very friendly, non aggressive
but still a puppy who needs proper socializing"

And recently while in Homedepot with her, I actually had a couple come
up, pet chloe, and the husband started antagonizing Chloe into
aggressive type play. The wife immediately corrected her husband
with "Leave her alone, the dog is in training"... (as I'm calming
reminding Chloe to sit still). It was actually a good "training"
situation for her and Chloe reacted commendably.

On Fri, 26 Sep 2003 23:46:47 +0800,
wrote:

Well, it actually showed that I had the lead too short to allow for his
movement properly, so that if he had started at anything, such as a bee in
his face, or had tripped over his feet, which he was known to do, I would
have been pulled. I can see now that I didn't add that part in, which I
should have, otherwise, its not at all clear why I was so upset over it all
later. But it was supposed to have gone in at the part where I was checking
to see what other dogs were there and shortening his lead, in case there was
an aggressive dog nearby.
Big DUH on me for not being clear and posting that out without checking it
over first. My bad.


Megan


On 26/9/03 10:29 PM, in article , "Kelly"
wrote:

I also own a Rottie that sounds like a pretty good copy of Simon and I'm a
small women. The fact that the dog, no matter what breed, pulled you down
(irrelevant of whether or not he was sorry for doing it) shows that you
don't posses the size or strength to control the dog. My rottie is very well
trained, he can walk by me without a leash but when in a public setting I
like to be prepared, actually I'm obligated to be prepared, and to be able
to have constant control over my dog at all times. The fact that he
"unseated" you showed that you didn't have that control. I think the guy's
suggestion was made in a rude fashion but it was an accurate assessment of
the situation. The fact that Simon is a Rottie makes people feel a little
less secure about you not having control and more apt to make a rude
comment. Is that fair - NO, but it's a fact of life you get use to when you
own a Rottie. I do NOT personally approve of shock collars. There is nothing
wrong with a prong collar if you know how to properly utilize it. It
actually has a lower injury rate than a flat buckle collar. I use a prong
for training only. For walks I use a Halti.


wrote in message
...
Since this is a place I can share this little story, I will. Its long
ticked
me off, because I know there are way to many people out there like this
guy,
and wonder what it is I should have said to him.

Here is the tale....several years ago, I was house sitting for my mother,
who has 2 lovely rotties, Sophie and Simon. Simon is a massive rottie,
well
bigger than a male of the breed should be, he is a giant of a dog, and the
biggest dork dog you have ever met, he is dopey as all get out, sweet as a
kitten, and thinks his 200lbs is meant to be cuddled in your lap. When I
say
he is a giant, I really mean it, his sister is normal sized, so he is a
bit
of an oddball from his litter, but lets just say, he could put my head in
his mouth, and still have room for a 10lb steak. I am only 4'11 and weight
about 98lbs (small women in my family, so its a genetic thing)
So I figure, lets take the dogs, one at a time over to the dog park for a
run and some fun in a new place. Plus, I liked to show off Simon, he was
my
fav out of the two. While he is was huge, he was perfectly formed for his
size, and cars would come to a stop in the middle of the road just so the
folks inside could stare at him. I load him into the car just fine, pack a
few toys for him to carry around (as he didn't seem to understand the
"fetch
game" he would watch you throw with great interest, go over to where you
threw whatever it was, then come running back with this look, like "hey,
great throw you got there!" leaving the object behind him, still on the
ground. However, he was very polite and would go get you something else to
throw, and praise you muchly for a fine effort.).
I get to the park, take out the toys first, buckle on my fanny pack of
doggie bags for pooh and a collapsable water dish, grab the leash, make
sure
there aren't any other really big dogs running free that seem to be too
excited or aggressive near by, and let Simon out of the car with leash
attached. We get about 20 feet near the park fence, then BAM! Simon rushes
forward, knocks me right off of my feet and "almost" drags me along.

Here we stop with the story from my side of things. Now, what the guy who
ran over to me said what he saw, was a dog too big for me to handle, and
could have hurt not only me but others. He said that I was irresponsible
for
having him in public, and I should use a prong and/or shock collar on a
dangerous dog. I just said he was fine, I was sorry and mumbled a few more
sorrys, then went over to the other side of the park.

Now we start again. I fall over, the leash goes taunt, Simon stops, whirls
around, sees me on the ground, rushes over to me, and starts licking me
frantically until I grab at his neck to haul myself up, telling him I am
ok,
pat him muchly, then we brush me off and go forward, with Simon sticking
close by, looking at me constantly, to make sure I am right next to him.
He
was horribly embarassed that I fell over, seemed to know he had done that,
and was quite upset over it. Even to the point of not leaving to run when
I
unleashed him and told him to "go play", but still sniffing and licking at
me. I ended up having to do a jog to get him going and giving him his
pully
toy to carry in his mouth as he pranced around. At this point, while I am
laughing at Simon and telling him what a silly boy he is, the guy comes
over
and tells me his opinion.

Well, for one thing, I was confused as to what he was saying. I had never
heard of a shock collar before, but understood right away what it was. If
he
really thought that the dog was dangerous, why was he standing less than 5
feet from it? Why on earth would anyone use pain to calm a dog down,
especially a massive dog, who could go through a plate glass window like
it
was paper? And how the heck did he think that any dog would then
understand
that you were not his enemy if he figured out that YOU were the one
hurting
him? Would he have said the same thing if I had been standing there with a
Neo Mastiff, also know as the Sherman Tanks of the dog world?

What was funny to me about all this, at the time, was that while he was
telling this to me, Simon was laying on the ground, wiggling his butt in
the
air, while a yorkie puppy, who had rushed over to Simon, "attacked" him
and
the puppies owner was cracking up over it, as Simon rolled over on his
back
and "submitted" to the puppy for a few moments and "died", than stood up,
the puppy fell on its butt, looked really confused about it, then pounced
again, while Simon pranced about it, egging it on. It was cute as all get
out, and was showing just how undangerous Simon's personality was. As he
was
clearly demonstrating that he was engaging in proper puppy playing
manners,
that any well balanced dog would do instinctively to a puppy that was
about
as big as his ear!

The Yorkie lady and I wandered away from him after that, with her telling
me
to ignore him, that Simon was great and it was great that he was so good
with puppies. I told her about how he had been raised with cats, who ruled
the house over him and would make him wait to eat from his dish, while
they
checked it to see if they might want some first, (the cat who does this
the
most, is about 5lbs of orange fluff and no claws. Simon just sighs and
steps
back.) and I thought that it had helped him to pay closer attention to his
size and strength, since he was very gentle by nature. The dogs then
shared
the water dish, found a few goldens to play with, then we went home.

I still think I should have come up with a really good comeback to that
guy
though, something along the lines of using a prong collar on him and
seeing
how he would like it, or asking to use a shock collar on him, so I could
practise torturing my dog before I was allowed out of the house...or, that
I
had just told him to sit on a stick and spin! I don't even want to think
about his poor dogs........

Megan






jayjay
http://home.comcast.net/~jennifer.is...b/c_index.html