Re: ....Questions.....

["kmk" <kmk@carlthewebmaster.com>]

All the advice is so helpful. I was feeling a bit guilty too but didn't want to admit it.  This shipped me into shape.

One point though (and no, it's not about you being old, Ilene)---what about the "she" of Goldens.  It is always "he."  I was going to email that Gambler seems to be getting a lot of attention on the web site.  What about the wonderful, balanced, loving, sensitive females? :) :)



---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: Ilene Cook <asorosgd@ameritech.net>
Reply-To: brierpups@fast.cs.utah.edu
Date: Fri, 03 Aug 2001 13:01:30 -0700

>
>
>Gina Heitz wrote:
> 
>> it.  Mean OLD VERY OLD IIene hit the nail on the head pointing out this is
>> YOUR problem not the dogs.  
>
>With guilt, comes spoiling. People just have to get past the guilt. I
>want my puppies in homes that will love them and pamper them, but not
>spoil them. With this comes behavior problems. What Gina says is true.
>We have both been there. We both had our first dogs, our first mistakes
>and learned from them all. Your puppy will not know the difference. If
>you only have evenings for quality time, it WILL adjust. Another thought
>is to get up an extra hour early to spend quality time with your puppy.
>This helps the guilt go away. It also tires him/her out some before you
>leave for work.
>
>
>> Where do you find x-pens?  The best place is at a dog show, the second best
>> is a pet store, and sometimes the over all best is a catalog, hard copy or
>> on line.  I think IIene noted to me she was shopping for new x-pens and she
>> may be able to give some advise on best prices right now.  Mean Old Very
>> Mean Very Old IIene????
>
>
>New England Serum Co. has a great deal RIGHT NOW!! Midwest pens at half
>price. I suggest you buy the four foot one, as they can  jump these when
>they get big enough. This pen is $49.97 right now and the order number
>is ZW12848. There phone number is 800-637-3786. They do have a website,
>but I have not checked it to see if this special is on there or not.
>Usually the catalog and website have different specials. 
>http://www.NESerum.com
>> 
>> 
>> opinion:  Just my approach my opinion.  I highly recommend a GOOD doggie
>> day care.  For instance the one that Kryten and Ripley go to is a great
>> example.  There are no crates at this facility and the dogs do not fight
>> and they do play a lot.  Sure they sleep too but that is the "nature of  
>
>I do think a puppy kindergarten helps alot of people learn the right way
>to train, and helps them learn to not spoil their puppy. These trainers
>are experienced dog people that can help you know what your puppy is
>capable of knowing. Too often, people think that because their puppy is
>a baby, they just cannot understand. WRONG! Your puppy is absorbing and
>learning at a very fast rate.   So, they let the puppy do the worst
>behaviors, and then wonder why when they are big they cannot control
>their dog. In a puppy kindergarten, trainers can spot an over indulgent
>owner and help them stop this behavior. This is the only thing I like
>about them. I do not feel that a golden should start an obedience course
>this young. Again, difference in opinions amongst breeders. I let my
>puppies be puppies! How would you like to have no childhood? This is the
>best part of our lives! Do you not wish you could be a kid again? 
> So what am I saying? What??? I let my puppies be puppies and run out of
>control? Yes...to a point. I let them have all the fun they can in life.
>But... they are not allowed to not obey! If I say bedtime..it is
>bedtime. I said it, and I mean it. If I say "in the crate" I mean "In
>the crate" The dog goes into the crate. I said so. I have no guilt about
>it. If I say stop begging at the table, the dog will stop begging, or
>will be removed to his crate until dinner is over. So, the secret I
>guess, is to always follow through with a command. If you say, time to
>come in the house, or, to come to you, and the dog disobeys, you go and
>get that dog! You gave a command, and the puppy/dog must obey. Never
>give a command and then let the dog/puppy not obey it! This is really
>the whole secret. Never back down from a command that you give, and
>think "well, he is just a puppy, and doesn't understand" He does, and if
>you think he doesn't, then you are being fooled by your dog/puppy. 
>  
> 
>> chimed in on this topic as it is a real concern for a lot of people and
>> every ones view has merit..  Even Mean OLD Auntie IIene's...
>
> 
>Gosh, I didn't think I was "that" mean. And I definitely saw that Gina
>added an extra "OLD" in one of those paragraphs!!! I want you to all
>love and enjoy your puppies. I want them to have the best lives in the
>world. But..you have the responsibility to train your puppy to be a good
>canine citizen. He will be happier because of it, and so will you. To do
>this, you got to be rid of the guilt. Your puppy is so lucky to have you
>for an owner. You are a kind and loving person! Right? Remember that!
>You are a good person, and you are giving this puppy a great home. He is
>going to LOVE you, and you him. (In this case I should be saying "hers")
>People will flock to Gina for puppies, cause people will want a dog that
>behaves "just like yours" And if Gina doesn't have any, refer them to
>me! <GRIN>
>
>                              Ilene
>