Pros and Cons of dogs

Pros -
They keep people company
They provide great comfort to those who are vulnerable
Walking a dog is a good way of people getting exercise
Cons -
A lot of people these days seem unable to train their dog effectively
Dog walkers can take over certain areas not always considerate to others
Not a big fan of them being brought into cafes or shops OK in a country pub

Dog shite is the major con for me..

We have it in little bags hanging off bushes round here....

There are no pros to dogs

CCU wrote:

Zebby wrote: We have it in little bags hanging off bushes round here....

Pisses me off that. How hard is it to carry the bag a few hundred yards?!

Went up catbells last year and counted 15 bags of cack on the way up. People would be better off not putting it in a bag and letting it wash away. Doesnt make any sense at all.

Better still, leave the mutt at home!

No such thing as bad dogs,just bad owners.

seesaw50 wrote: There are no pros to dogs

One or two blind people and earthquake survivors might disagree.

Dogs are brilliant a great addition to any family.

Conns
Vets bills and their life expectancy (wish they lived a lot longer)

I have had dogs most of my life, showed and judged for a while. They are marvellous companions and get you out the house.

No excuse for not cleaning up after them, or not keeping them on a lead anywhere except somewhere secure where dogs are allowed.

My last dog died 6 years ago. I was working long hours and knew I couldn't train a puppy, so we were without a dog for the first time in my life.

We lasted about a year without, my husband, in a wheelchair missed the company and after a lot of research I got a Bengal cat. She is a housecat. One of the best things I ever did. Husband found her great company and after he died she has done her best to keep me sane.

I've learnt a lot about animals from her. Dogs try to become part of your world. Cats insist you learn about theirs.

If you told people in 1980 to pick up dog shite in a plastic bag they'd think you were some kind of kinky weirdo, so there's been progess at least

Bit of a Marmite thread this. Too many 'fashion' dogs taken on by people who have no idea how to train/own a dog as a result I take my dog to safe areas where morons don't walk theirs. Never ever leave dogs and kids alone, disaster waiting to happen don't care how well behaved the dog is, mine is the most docile friendly thing but still would never chance it.
I always bin the sh1te, but agree with many on here there is no excuse for letting it hang off a tree. As with everything in life it's always the few who spoil it for the many. Dreading the day mine goes but there won't be another, sad but too many morons on the other end of the lead nowadays.

CCU wrote:

orfc wrote: If you told people in 1980 to pick up dog shite in a plastic bag they'd think you were some kind of kinky weirdo, so there's been progess at least

I’m sure Barry knows some Fet Clubs that would entertain the idea...

Hardsports or anything to do with poo is a major no no on the club scene but you would be amazed at how many guys claim to want to be shat on in the pro-domme game. My view is the vast majority think they can shock the dommes when nothing could be as far from the truth. When she was active as such my Doris would say yes of course ill shit on you but only if I can do it into your mouth as you can imagine most very quickly changed the subject.

And as for K9 over the last 10 years, there's has been a major groundswell against it almost to the point you never even see it mentioned any more on either the message boards or peoples profiles even on the more way out fet sites. But its quite a bit different on the continent where it's still as acceptable there now as it was here a decade ago.

Here endeth the lesson.

Great company but I don't really want another as I just don't want to pick up dog shite. I think you see more dog shite on the streets now than before the law that they had to be on a lead as naturally dogs would go on the grass to defecate.

You can train them to at least stay on the kerb alongside you without a lead instead of walking right into traffic.

I don't see Cat owners going round picking their Cat's shit up when they go on other peoples properties.

I have a dog and a cat. Both have their plus points. The cat is the boss, despite being a fraction of the dogs size.

Dogs are easier to train. Cats are easier to look after on the whole.

A few years ago I sat and watched a neighbour from over roads walking his dog very late at night and let it Curle one out on my front lawn...
About half an hour later it was on his front step...

I want to know about Northernsouls Doris shitting in peoples mouths.

Mullen103 wrote: I want to know about Northernsouls Doris shitting in peoples mouths.

She.ll ring you and tell you for £100

I don't mind dogs themselves, but a lot of owners get on my wick.

Going round to freinds' houses and the only topic of conversation is the bloody dog that is going radge in the living room and then begging for food when you're having something to eat.

There's probably a lot more poo about nowadays because there are a lot more dogs.

Anyone on here have any experience of getting a dog from a rescue centre?
Any particular issues to be aware of or things to look out for?
So many dogs round here being abandoned or dropped off at shelters.
We've got an appointment to look around a local one but am a bit worried we'll end up wanting to take all of them home!

The refuge at Wetheral are ok. Not being a dog person we've had two wonderful cats from them. unfortunately one recently passed away mind you he was pushing 19 years old. the other one is approaching 17 and doing ok. They certainly look after the animals there, health,behavior problems sorted before they release them.

You've got to be really focused on what you want and stick to it.

My daughter has a dog grooming business and the times she hears things like "we didn't really want a long haired dog" as she looks at this poor animal who can't see or walk properly cos the coat is totally out of control.

If you would like a specific breed of dog, write to the Kennel Club and they will be able to put you in touch with that breeds rescue society. You are still helping a dog needing a home but you have more idea of what you're getting.

Decide before you go what would be the top age limit you are happy to take on. A well trained older dog (often brought in to rescue simply because an owner got to old to cope or died) takes away a lot of the training and hassle of a younger one, but obviously won't but with you as long and might incur hefty vet bills.

The dog cowering in a corner is pitiful and hard to ignore but unless you have had experience with dogs, it's not the one for you. Paul O Grady makes it look simple, it isn't, and even on there you see a fair few dogs being handed back,which is awful for the dog and the folk trying to do good.

Look for a dog that is comfortable in the presence of other dogs, and happy to see you. Ask if it has any medical problems and, if it has asses the financial drain that will be.

Best of luck

I called the shelter in Darlington, they had a couple of hundred. The woman there told me about 70% are staffies. When I told her I had a wee girl she told me not to take one. Her exact words were, you don't know whose boot its been under.

Then one of our tenants turned up. I've no money to cover some of the rent but you can have this, hands my daughters a puppy. Her majesty now rules our family

Wetheral is totally crap for getting a dog these days, cats yes but they don't have a single dog up there or at least they didn't when my mate went up recently.

His dog died a while back and decided to go to the shelter, all the dogs are fostered by people so you can't look at them.

Then they went through all that stuff that Bumble was on about but he hasn't got any kids, no other pets and he lives in a two bedroom house on his own so plenty of space and they still wanted to come and have a look at his house, basically they have become pc snowflakes talking about the dogs 'feelings' etc, I get it when there are kids around but there wasn't.

I think it was £200 to adopt but all they did was sent him off and told him to check their website regularly and when he does there is a queue of people wanting the dog or it has already gone.

Long gone are the days when you could pop up to Wetheral looking for a dog and they ask you 'how many do you want?'.

Markovitch wrote: Then one of our tenants turned up. I've no money to cover some of the rent but you can have this, hands my daughters a puppy.

Sounds like something out of a Dickens novel.

A tale of to staffies.

I have experience of a dog from a rescue centre NCF as the next door neighbours got one and for the last 18 months to two years it's barked non-stop. They shove it out at 8AM and it barks all day (even when they're in) until 5PM all day everyday. It tends not to like outside and it grates on me especially if I'm getting to bed after work past 5AM.

I like dogs but if I had a crossbow I know where I'd like to aim it!