Comments on: When What You Think Is True About Dogs Isn’t

By: Maggie

Maggie — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 20:26:25 +0000

We’ve broken every single one of those rules! 🙂 Three boys, added the cat with high-prey-drive Lucas, didn’t introduce E or L to Cooper before bringing him home at all, and Emmett does. not. play. with other dogs. I think all of those “rules” can be ok as guidelines, but every dog is an individual. Dog “rules” feel to me the same as saying all kids must run at recess to recharge for the second half of the school day. Some would rather sit and read to recharge! Also, I have to second Cathy’s comment above. I failed at that one. I assumed all dogs knew how to swim… until Lucas nearly drowned. John jumped in after him and has scars across his stomach from lacerations he got from trying to pull Lucas out while he thrashed. Horrific.

By: Cathy Bennett

Cathy Bennett — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 13:45:34 +0000

Great post. Here’s another “myth” I learned about a couple of summer’s ago. All dogs don’t instinctively know how to swim. So many people just assume they do, and then they run into trouble on summer vacations when they take their pup into the ocean and let him/her go. I remember when we first took Harley to the beach, we introduced him to the water at the day camp he attended and allowed his first experience to be a pleasant one, it was, and he’s been loving the water ever since. Thanks for the interesting read. Please keep blogging 🙂

By: Kimberly Gauthier

Kimberly Gauthier — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 00:04:35 +0000

I love this post! You know what I’ve been told – never adopt littermates – and it’s worked out great for us. I’ve also been told that our dogs need to interact with dogs outside their pack. Why? It’s just easier for us to keep them safe at home – we have the space and they love each other. We have fun every day.

I’ve learned to relax and treat each dog and each situation as something independent from what I’ve experienced. Experience is always great for guidance, but it’s not dogma.

By: Ariella

Ariella — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 14:42:57 +0000

In reply to Pamela. Not necessarily, especially if you bring in a kitten. We started bringing Bailey by for short visits when she was 4-ish weeks old. It gave the animals plenty of time to adjust to one another. One of my cats makes Bailey very uncomfortable, but that's because he's mean and evil. He makes everyone uncomfortable. The biggest problem we have is when Bailey tries to play with the evil cat. The evil cat wants nothing of it.

By: Lauranne

Lauranne — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 08:06:44 +0000

A brilliant post and I have nothing to add, other than to say you’re amazing and I hope to one day be as wise as you!!

By: Jackie Bouchard

Jackie Bouchard — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 05:20:04 +0000

In reply to Pamela.

Yes! I do love it when folks read for fun. I love to read as well (of course) and you’re right – it probably doesn’t look like i’m having much fun. Wow though – even better than eating?? I’m not sure I’d go that far… I do loves me some chow.

By: Colby

Colby — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 01:01:50 +0000

Yep, so far not one of the 5 Golden Retrievers or Labrador Retrievers I’ve raised have been terribly interested in swimming. We took Adelle to a fun doggy water park this past weekend. She was a little hesitant to get into the water, but eventually got the hang of it on the shallow side. The only time she actually went swimming was when she slipped and fell into the deep end. The good news is she knew how to swim…and just in case you think all dogs know how to swim my friends Bassett Hound got excited when we were playing in the pool, jumped in, and sank straight to the bottom.

By: Sage

Sage — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 00:22:05 +0000

You nailed this one, Pamela! How true on all counts. I’ve come to know Sage and what pushes her buttons quite well. Which is why we DON’T go to dog parks or do doggie day care. And if there’s a squirrel or cat outside? Well, those cats sure are different species than the ones that live with her. Fortunately, she just stares at them–I guess trying to see who blinks first! 🙂

By: Pamela

Pamela — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 00:09:36 +0000

In reply to Jackie Bouchard.

Like I said to Slim Doggy above, I probably don’t look like I’m having fun when I’m reading either. But it’s my favorite activity–better than dancing, drinking, or eating.

And as a writer, you should be happy for people who read for fun. Just like we appreciate our dogs who play in their own ways. 🙂

By: Pamela

Pamela — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 00:07:06 +0000

In reply to slimdoggy.

Y’know, one of my favorite things to do is to read. It probably doesn’t look very fun to an outsider. But it’s fun for me.

Maybe Jack and Maggie feel the same way about their favorite activities. After all, sniffing doesn’t look very exciting to an outsider. But I’m sure it’s very stimulating to our pups.