Does it ever seem that people who dont try very hard with their pets have well behaved little sweeties?
For example, my friend (well acquaintance) has a 2 year old Chi. He was never really socialized, he's walked maybe a couple of times a week, fed on Wagg (totally rubbish and cheap food!!). If he does something wrong (like chews the post, or a shoe etc) during the day when his owners are at work (left all day), they punish him when they get in, like after the fact.
But the Chi is an absolute darling, i mean so well behaved, loves all dogs and strangers, does everything he is told.
I have really tried telling them of another way to do things (i.e lots of walks, good food, no punishment) - and you know what they say? Well he is better behaved than your dog so we must be doing something right! Hence why they are now acquaintances rather than friends!
Just seems like i am trying to do all the right things, and its very hard, and theyve never had to do anything, yet they have the perfect dog!
Grr rant over. I wouldnt change Honey for the world, she's my dog, situations like this just rile me a bit!

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I can understand how you feel but some people do not want to be told how to raise their pet or human child for that matter. Some people get offended and retort with comments like "Well, he is better behaved than yours". Especially if they did not ask for advice. I


if their dog is easy go lucky as a character, that better because other wise the poor thing would be suffering being alone all day, walked rarely etc. He is happy though. I am not saying that is good treatment, in my opinion. Keep doing what you are doing with your Honey. You said it best when you said you would not change her for the world, do you are in no way cheated as you have the best reward having that adorable face to look at every day!

Oh yeah i know what you mean, i only offered advice when they asked questions - like they were saying he kept itching all the time, so i mentioned the food. And they said he was still chewing post after they had punished him, so i explained that dogs wouldnt know what they were being punished for after the fact.
You are right, i am glad that he is happy regardless, i just see this a lot with people i know!

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I have friends that thankfully really lucked out because they are not great pet owners. Lol Two of my girlfriends have 2 chis each. The boys are baby dolls, the girls are terrible. None of them are potty trained, and both girls chew up things. The one girl will try to attack you, the other is a chihuahua/rottie mix @ 16 lbs she will launch at you when you walk in the door and keep ricocheting off you, clawing your legs up and knocking children over. The boys are so good! It really depends on the personality of the dog. Some dogs are just naturally laid back, especially more in males then females. They don't call them bitches for nothing!

I only tell strangers to lay off on the horrible treats they get...food I don't advise until they ask. I always recommend bullysticks though hehe. My bf went on a delivery today at work...he saw the owner hittin her poodle real hard...so he had a argument with her sayin its not right to hit ur dog...and she had the audacity to say why not its MY dog...some people don't deserve pups

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http://www.facebook.com/dextersheep
My goal is to reach 15,322 posts on here! Rofl Aquarius

Rachel, the way I see it is everything happens for a reason.
Just think about it, if your "friends" ended up with a dog that
needed way more attention and training, how do you think
they'd handle it, considering that they punish their "good" dog?
I'd be afraid to find out. Do you really think they'd go through
the lengths that you are going through for your dog?

You on the other hand are a gentle, patient person, who is
willing to work on things, to search for answers, to educate
yourself regarding dog behavior, this is why Honey is yours,
and not theirs.


...and another thing Rachel, those dogs that do require special
training, extra attention, etc, are usually the ones that leave
the biggest impression on our hearts. Trust me, I have two
"jerks" that I love more than anything. Rocky & Benji have
both put me & hubby through years of troublemaking, lol,
yet we would not trade them for the world, no "perfect"
dog could ever replace them. Sure now that they are
almost 4 they are doing much better, but that's only
because we are working on things non stop. They are
worth it, the happiness they bring outweighs the
difficulties by far.

ps: we call them "jerks" jokingly and lovingly.
Basenjis are notorious bad boys, but our puppy
mill boys are extra naughty...by no fault of their
own of course. Poor breeding often times results
in behavioral issues that are nearly impossible to
correct.

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Youre right ladies, i shouldnt have moaned, it just ticks me off just a little!

Honey does bring me so much joy, shes got me through some difficult times, and if i knew then what i know now, i would pick her 10 times over, i just love her that much. xx

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