We are ready

[Theo400]

Hi

No she actually dislikes cats as she is a bird lover and there are 3 local cats who keep killing pigeons in our garden. We have seen them do it.

I think she was so picky because she knew all along the breed she wanted as iv just found out Goldie's are her favourite breed.

[Fundog]

Hi


I think she was so picky because she knew all along the breed she wanted as iv just found out Goldie's are her favourite breed.

Aaaah. Now we're getting somewhere.


As for the term "sensitive" my idea of a "sensitive" dog is one that does not handle heavy-handed discipline, such as aversive methods, or even being shouted at. They get nervous, anxious and fearful if their people even have a loud, animated discussion --- not necessarily an argument, but raised voices and a lot of waving arms around. My English Setter is "sensitive." If Mr. Fundog's and my conversation gets too "exciting" for her, she gets up and hides in the bathroom. She gets her feelings hurt very easily.

It would make sense to me that Golden Retrievers are described as "sensitive." They are so biddable that only the gentlest of training methods are needed, and are in fact, much more effective than heavy handedness.

[Nettle]

Hi



I think she was so picky because she knew all along the breed she wanted as iv just found out Goldie's are her favourite breed.

Tell her she could have saved us a shedload of work if she'd come clean at the beginning

[Suzette]

Glad you and your sister are slowly coming to agree on a breed. I have had Golden's in the past and while they are smart as anything and generally train very easily, I personally would not call them a sensitive breed. I have also had a rough collie and a shelty - now they epitomize sensitive! lol

But I wish you well with your choice. I don't think you could go wrong with a Golden. I love them and hope to have another one day. I think Piper would love a big brother.

[Theo400]

Thank you to everyone who has give info on the Goldie.

We are defiantly happy with the Golden

[Theo400]

Hello

Yesterday we went to Buxton (were in the UK)for the day as it was sunny and we met a beautiful Golden and we were welcomed by the owner to join her (she sat down in the park at there restaurant ) and as we wanted to know what the Golden was like to live with she asked if we wanted to join her so we would have longer to talk all things Golden.

I had never seen my sister so happy when she was petting the Goldie and she did not stop smiling and it made me happy to see her happy and I knew a Goldie was right for us she even let us walk her Golden with her and she passed the lead to my sister first and then me so we could feel what it was like to walk a Goldie. Before we said goodbye she allowed us to play fetch whith the Goldie.

However as much as I had fun and have really fallen for the Goldie , I saw tow GSD's in the park and I forgot about the Goldie. What I want to ask is there a way I could maybe try to not love the GSD as much or try to ignore how I feel so I can enjoy a Goldie as I really enjoyed myself yesterday and my head is telling me to get a Goldie and some of the things I did yesterday I had never done with Theo I could not take him on day trips or even to the beach or to local markets as he just did not like people which made me want a Goldie more as I can do all those things but I hate it when I see a GSD because of my feelings

Is there anyway round this?

[JudyN]

Just accept that the time isn't right for you to have a GSD. We all have desires for things beyond our reach for whatever reason (a cottage in the country, a saluki, Johnny Depp...). Your choice right now isn't between a GSD and a goldie, it's between a goldie and no dog at all.

I know plenty of people who adopted or fostered less attractive lurchers who didn't pull on their heartstrings at first. But once they got to know the real dog and appreciate their wonderful nature, they were smitten. And on the flip side, living with a dog who love but who is a really bad fit for your circumstances is a recipe for heartbreak.

[Theo400]

Thanks JudyN

Your right the GSD is not right for me now plus my sister just said that what if you did get another GSD and he was nothing like Theo and you were struggling because he has issues that Theo did not have then you would wish you had a Golden.

[Nettle]

Just accept that the time isn't right for you to have a GSD. We all have desires for things beyond our reach for whatever reason (a cottage in the country, a saluki, Johnny Depp...). Your choice right now isn't between a GSD and a goldie, it's between a goldie and no dog at all.

I know plenty of people who adopted or fostered less attractive lurchers who didn't pull on their heartstrings at first. But once they got to know the real dog and appreciate their wonderful nature, they were smitten. And on the flip side, living with a dog who love but who is a really bad fit for your circumstances is a recipe for heartbreak.

Excellent advice. There will be a time for you and a GSD for you but it isn't now.

[Suzette]

You and your sister may have hit the nail on the head there. I have been wondering if you want another GSD or another Theo. And trust me, I've been in that position myself. I had a beloved Sheltie many years ago. After she passed I was convinced I had to have another sheltie. And I did. But of course, he was nothing like her and I will admit that I was a bit disappointed. I didn't know it at the time, but I wasn't longing for another sheltie as much as I was trying to replace her. They were the same breed, but not all that much alike. Once I realized that and came to terms with it, I fell in love with him for all the qualities that HE had.

So all the above may be for nothing if that is not where your heart and head is at right now, but either way, I am sure that if you open your heart to a golden and love him for the dog that HE is, he will bring you many happy years of love and enjoyment.

[JudyN]

Looking ahead... where does your sister stand on dog training methods? You need to make sure you are on the same page right from the start, as you don't want it to cause conflict when the pup has arrived. Maybe the two of you could start looking at local training schools right now.

[Theo400]

Thank you suzette

I think your spot on there that maybe I'm trying to replace Theo than wanting another GSD.

That actually put me in a whole new mind set on the GSD so thank you for your advice as just from reading what you said and know thinking about I no longer feel the way I do with the GSD it was Theo I was seeing in them and it was Theo I want , not a GSD.

JudyN - we both want to train positively and have already fond a class and trainer who teaches positively. She is the same trainer who taught Theo and she has met Victoria to.

We have even agreed on the rules for the dog for example he is allowed on the sofa ect.

[Fundog]

What's to prevent you from adding a second dog to your home a few years from now? It is apparent that your sister is getting her heart dog -- the Golden Retriever-- she is getting what she wants. As Judy pointed out, your choice at this time is really getting a Golden Retriever, or no dog at all.

So.... since you are making a concession for your sister, and letting your sister have her way first, then perhaps when the time comes to get a second dog, you may be able to get your heart dog-- the GSD-- then. I know your sister told you she had been bitten once, and that's why she doesn't want a GSD, but (and you thought it odd your mother never mentioned it, nor had your sister mentioned it before now) people can change their minds, especially when they've been granted their own way already. She has to make a concession at some point in the future. It's only fair.

[Houndlover]

Dalmatians are wonderful dogs - but I don't recommend them as a beginners dog. They're also far more high energy than people expect, they need a LOT of exercise to keep them healthy (and remember that they were bred to rn alongside horse carriages to protect, so they can run and run all day when fit and healthy - endurance athelete of a dog), are prone to being a bit 'mad', so need mental stimulation and direction, and really, an experienced handler to channel their energies properly.

I don't agree. Dals can be great first dogs given the right owner. My sister's first dog is a Dalmatian and she found him really easy to train and has not had massive issues and loves him to bits. I think the key to any breed as a first dog is that you read as much as you can on the breed and then meet as many as you can , to many people choose a breed and then rush out to buy a puppy and don't know anything about the breed for example my neighbour has recently handed his dog over to the RSPCA as he could not handle the chewing or engery levels of his Labrador and yet Labradors are always considerd a good first dog!

My sister had read everything she could on the Dal and she met as many as she could to understand the breed she was aware of the high engery and was aware of the health issues they have she then sourced her pup carefully and started training and socialisation straight away , she started playing CDs of traffic , baby's crying , thunder, live music , trains, air planes ect. She went to puppy classes straight away once he was allowed at 12 weeks I think. Once older she started Agility and made sure he got lots of physical and mental exercise.

I think if people prepared them selfs more and read on up on the breed , dog behaviour, training ect then a Dalmatian can be a great first dog.

[ScarletSci]

Dalmatians are wonderful dogs - but I don't recommend them as a beginners dog. They're also far more high energy than people expect, they need a LOT of exercise to keep them healthy (and remember that they were bred to rn alongside horse carriages to protect, so they can run and run all day when fit and healthy - endurance athelete of a dog), are prone to being a bit 'mad', so need mental stimulation and direction, and really, an experienced handler to channel their energies properly.

I don't agree. Dals can be great first dogs given the right owner. My sister's first dog is a Dalmatian and she found him really easy to train and has not had massive issues and loves him to bits. I think the key to any breed as a first dog is that you read as much as you can on the breed and then meet as many as you can , to many people choose a breed and then rush out to buy a puppy and don't know anything about the breed for example my neighbour has recently handed his dog over to the RSPCA as he could not handle the chewing or engery levels of his Labrador and yet Labradors are always considerd a good first dog!

My sister had read everything she could on the Dal and she met as many as she could to understand the breed she was aware of the high engery and was aware of the health issues they have she then sourced her pup carefully and started training and socialisation straight away , she started playing CDs of traffic , baby's crying , thunder, live music , trains, air planes ect. She went to puppy classes straight away once he was allowed at 12 weeks I think. Once older she started Agility and made sure he got lots of physical and mental exercise.

I think if people prepared them selfs more and read on up on the breed , dog behaviour, training ect then a Dalmatian can be a great first dog.

If ever first time dog owner was as committed and knowledgable as your sister, I would recommend Dals in a heartbeat. Lovely dogs. I just haven't seen as many first time owners who really prepare themselves for what's coming! I see a lot more of people like your neighbour. Who get a dog because they like the look of it, but don't research dog care, or the breed specifics, then are overwhelmed with what the dog actually needs. For example, the rescue centres near me are now full of husky and husky crosses that are 18 months of age or so. Owners couldn't handle them anymore, but huskies are popular in my area right now, and a lot of inexperienced, naive people are buying them, then unable to handle them.