DogTown

[PsychoCat]

Since there seems to be a gathering of animal lovers here....I want to give a plug for dogtown on the national geographic channel. :thumbup: Really great show!!

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/dogtown

[Jeff Craddock]

We watch every week. Friday night is my wife's "dog TV" night. Two episodes of the Dog Whisperer, followed by Dogtown. I like Dogtown the best--I like Cesar, but how much Calm Assertive Energy can one take? ;)

I especially loved the show about Micael Vick's dogs. Truly amazing.

[CATHYnKY]

Since there seems to be a gathering of animal lovers here....I want to give a plug for dogtown on the national geographic channel. :thumbup: Really great show!!

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/dogtown

Animal lover here. Haven't gotten another dog since our Cocker died about 10 year ago. But we do have a cat and a new kitten to replace the 15 year old cat we lost in May. They are the King and Queen of our house for sure :big_grin: Also have a beautiful blue beta named Blue Thunder :widcat:

[UFGrant]

I especially loved the show about Micael Vick's dogs. Truly amazing.

I wasn't going to watch that because I figured it was propaganda against him but alas I did and truly enjoyed it. Horrible things that man and his people did.

The Dog Whisperer is another great show. I love how Ceasar breaks everything down. He basically trains the owners as much as the dogs.

Power of the pack baby!

[Jeff Craddock]

I wasn't going to watch that because I figured it was propaganda against him but alas I did and truly enjoyed it. Horrible things that man and his people did.

The Dog Whisperer is another great show. I love how Ceasar breaks everything down. He basically trains the owners as much as the dogs.

Power of the pack baby!

What really got my attention was the fact that only two of Vick's dogs were put down. The initial plan was to put most--if not--all of them down, but Dogtown took the worst of the worst and with one or two exceptions, was able to help all of them become adoptable. The ones who couldn't be adopted will have permanent homes at Dogtown. It really gave lie to the conventional wisdom that fighting dogs can't be rehabilitated and that the only solution is euthanasia.

The one that really tugged my heartstings was the one Vick and his people used to train the fighting dogs, letting them practice their chops on him. That dog had been through hell and was terrified of everyone and everything. But with patience and love, they were able to bring him around.

If I was younger, I'd really consider trying to find a way to work there.

[Dwight Schrute]

Let me threadjack slightly and ask for training advice. I'm going to get a new puppy in the next 6 months most likely, what's the best way of going about discipline training. I'm probably going to get a Weimaraner, which as you know are not the calmest of breeds.

[Jeff Craddock]

Let me threadjack slightly and ask for training advice. I'm going to get a new puppy in the next 6 months most likely, what's the best way of going about discipline training. I'm probably going to get a Weimaraner, which as you know are not the calmest of breeds.

Maybe not the calmest, but they're really good dogs. (My wife's family had one when she was growing up.)

As soon as the puppy has had all his/her shots, consider enrolling her in "puppy kindergarten", which is essentially a socialization experience that helps the pup experience other dogs, people, and a little obedience training. The next stage is "basic obedience", which will help you teach your pup to sit, heel, stay, down, etc. Then on to "advanced obedience", which reinforces what was learned in basic, plus some tricks, etc. Obedience can be done in classes or with private trainers--I've done it both ways and both are good. But even though I've gone through training with many dogs, I really enjoy the classes--getting to know other owners, watching mine interact with theirs, and--if you get the right trainer--the fun and humor of trying to whip a bunch of unruly puppies into shape. :icon_mrgreen:

Look around you town for obedience trainers, schools, etc. Look online. Watch the "Dog Whisperer" on National Georgraphic Channel. The best thing about training--other than helping your pup become a good doggie citizen--is the bond between you and your dog.

[misterbluecat]

Well Dwight, if you are here in Lexington I have recommendations for training. Whenever you do get your dog, I highly recommend Billie Kovacs for your puppy kindergarten and Chris Miara/Susan Downing for your Basic/Advanced Obedience. I recently completed all 3 courses with my pup (including CGC title) and have previously completed 2 of the courses with my older dog. I have since moved on to conformation/agility training with my pup. You can check them out here. http://www.geocities.com/lexingtonfayettedogtraining/

Here are my dogs. Doing the obedience/socialization classes really solidified the bond between us. They are great dogs and obey all commands given. It helps that they are eager to please, as is a staple of the American Eskimo breed. They definately know that I lead the pack. By the way, my living room looks like that often, what with all the toys.

http://www.aclsal.org/images/DSC9899.jpg

[oruacat2]

I'm glad this came up, because I too have questions. As soon as my newly-adopted devil dog is in the clear regarding the heartworm treatment, I plan on taking him to obedience school. My dilemna is that he's not a pup - he's approx. 3 years old - so are there beginner classes for adult dogs? I'm definitely gonna check out misterbluecat's link.

Thanks in advance,
KD

[misterbluecat]

If you have a puppy, you can do all 3 classes consecutively. Otherwise Chris and Susan do basic/advanced for dogs of any age. In my class there were a few 3 year olds, a 6 year old and a 5 year old dog. Mine was the only pup. Chris also does 1v1 at your house if you need it. Again, I highly recommend them. If you check out the site and click on Pictures of Previous Graduates, I am in the top photo after passing my CGC evaluation. Oddly enough, my dog was the 'black sheep'. If you do decide to attend their classes, tell them Josh and Kody sent you. ;)

[UFGrant]

The one that really tugged my heartstings was the one Vick and his people used to train the fighting dogs, letting them practice their chops on him. That dog had been through hell and was terrified of everyone and everything. But with patience and love, they were able to bring him around.

Yeah, I felt sorry for that guy too.

But the one I felt the most sorry for was the girl who was used to breed. They pulled all her teeth out so it would be easier to handle her. They put her up on the "stand" and forced her to mate.

Horrific.

P.S. - Thanks for putting the idea of working there in my head. Now I want to quite my job! :icon_lol:

[WILD1]

I can't tolerate watching stories of animal abuse, or abuse of any kind, honestly, and after reading some of the reviews, I'm glad I didn't watch the Vick episode. Those type accounts trouble me, long after the shows end so, I avoid them, completely.
I've been seeing previews for "Dogtown" and it does look like a positive, reassuring program. I'll have to check it out.

[Jeff Craddock]

I can't tolerate watching stories of animal abuse, or abuse of any kind, honestly, and after reading some of the reviews, I'm glad I didn't watch the Vick episode. Those type accounts trouble me, long after the shows end so, I avoid them, completely.
I've been seeing previews for "Dogtown" and it does look like a positive, reassuring program. I'll have to check it out.

The Vick episode was really uplifting for me, as I'd heard at one point that all those dogs were going to be euthanized. It was difficult to see their initial condition, but the improvement was quite amazing.

The overriding negative feeling I had was one of disgust towards Vick and his compatriots, as well as bewilderment at how a human being can treat another living thing with such cruelty and disregard for suffering. (I feel the same way about torture and other "human" activities that give any kind of personal pleasure in inflicting pain and degradation. I'm told that most of those who torture enjoy their work.)