UKBouldering.com
the shizzle => shootin' the shit => Topic started by: Paul B on October 22, 2015, 03:25:31 pm
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Now that we all know not to take Daghs to Woodwell I was wondering how many UKBers have dogs?
I've always had animals (dogs [Boxers] and cats [ungrateful farm types]) growing up but haven't subsequently had animals due to living in Sheffield city centre. Now that we live in more rural parts it seems a lot more feasible. However, I was wondering, how truly limiting is it (as a climber rather than in general)?
In reality I can't see our work/life situation being better for owning one than it is now i.e fairly rural and fairly close to work (keeping that balance on the healthy side of life).
...and no. this isn't linked to Nat wanting children, she looks at those with disgust [even if I am continually mocked that all women are a ticking clock in that respect]...
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:offtopic: I thought getting a dog was the first official step towards having children?
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We have a four month old short haired border collie pup called Meg. She is the light of my life and getting her was undoubtedly the best decision we've ever made. Very much looking forward to taking her fell running and possibly climbing if I can manage it again.
We use a service called The Hound Hub in Liverpool during the day. She gets taken out with lots of other nice natured dogs and has a play within an enclosed field. I'm up before work to walk her and then again after work.
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Count me out.
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I've two moggies - rescue kittens originally purchased when my late partner was ill.
Quite frankly, it was a master stroke on her part and means that my house has never been empty since her death. There's always a happy purr and food demanding meow when i get home, no matter how late it is.
They're very little work/time/expense compared to what i get back from them.
Logistically, they don't limit weekends away as i've an auto-feeder, and the neighbour or paid cat sitter come in to feed them when i go away for longer.
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Nice post Ally. Can't wad you for that on Tapatalk, but yeah - nice post.
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BTW - I hate cats.
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I think you have to look at the crags you want to visit and decide. Do you want to go to crags that don't allow dogs or spend the day with the dog instead. Having a good friend who has dogs has limited where I've gone for the last few years which is a little frustrating
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I think you have to look at the crags you want to visit and decide. Do you want to go to crags that don't allow dogs or spend the day with the dog instead. Having a good friend who has dogs has limited where I've gone for the last few years which is a little frustrating
It depends how widespread the "no dogs" crags are. If it rules out a lot of Yorkshire and the Lakes then yes, this is obviously a problem. Speaking to some people fairly local (and some keen boulderers) it seems like moorland venues are the biggest issue?
I'd expect most summers for the foreseeable future will be spent at Kilnsey / Malham / Other Yorks. Lime.
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I dunno - dogs at crags either fall into the docile sleepy pottering around type or the running around being mental and their owners (if they care about others at the crag) spending half the time taking care of the dog...
Personally I'd rather not have to spend a chunk of my climbing time looking after rover... The above all depends upon the attitude of the animal and the owner of course..
I'm quite happy with our cat... (http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/22/a6af2ac6757c5d3fe0a7f4f77dcb407f.jpg)
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The only useful thing I can add is to either make sure you have dog sitting arrangements in place way in advance of any foreign trips, or get on the pet passport scene as soon as possible, it takes slightly over 6 months IIRC to get one
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Parental favour exchange will sort out that. If they'll let us look after their precious French bulldogs (one of which is an insurance company's nightmare).
It'd be a rescue, likely ~5 years old I'd imagine.
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Good good. Hopefully that'll work out well.
We use a cat sitter these days because my folks got fed up having the cat round after the novelty wore off and the in laws got a dog which killed off our back up.
The inlaws got a lovely wee mutt and they are currently going through the pet passport scheme so they can come out to font next year with us.
Having a pet doesn't take much away, it definitely gives much more. It has the added bonus over a child of being able to be left alone in the house while you go to the the cinema, the pub, one of those places you can have a sit down meal with your partner (what are those called again), go to the wall, etc.
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I've two moggies - rescue kittens originally purchased when my late partner was ill.
Quite frankly, it was a master stroke on her part and means that my house has never been empty since her death. There's always a happy purr and food demanding meow when i get home, no matter how late it is.
Too right Ally! I too have two cats, though I got mine just a little after I was widowed, and I am stupidly, ridiculously devoted to them and wouldn't be without them. I am very lucky in that my two (a mother and son) are just about the most affectionate, good-natured cats one could ever hope to meet. They do make life better!
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Obviously, that was in no way an answer to the question of whether or not you should get a dog. Personally, I've gone off dogs since one bit me in an unprovoked attack at Burbage South a few years ago. I have little desire to be around them at the crag nowadays.
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Ha! And there's me, who when widowed, got the dumbest Golden Retriever on the planet (jumped off 50' cliff into the sea at Long Quarry Point).
I find her boundless energy invigorating and the playfulness infects the whole family.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/22/d793000f547f7fd478428a8600113310.jpg)
But then, I fill my voids with chaos, busyness, drama and life.
Can't fall in a hole that's full.
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I have two dogs, which I absolutely adore. They definitely brighten up my day, but then I've always had dogs, so can't really imagine not having one. I don't think they present a real problem for climbing. There are a few crags that you can't visit and if crags are busy they need to be well behaved otherwise people get pissed off.
However, they definitely do limit the freedom you have in day to day life. Fancy a few cheeky pints after work. You have to make sure someone has been home to sort the pooches out. Although they provide the perfect excuse to get out of things you don't want to do. "I'd love to, but sorry I have to get back for the dogs' etc. :-)
I recommend getting a puppy even if it's a rescue, since older dogs are harder work if you haven't trained them yourself. If you want an easy dog, get a labrador. They are easy to train, very loyal and very gentle.
Disclaimer: I am totally biased! I love dogs! As in, coo at other people's dogs, treat them like surrogate children (the spaniel sleeps in (I mean IN not ON) the bed at night)! I know totally weird . . .
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Our cat is my angel. I'm completely soft over her. I pick her up and dance around the house singing songs to her about how wonderful she is. It would be completely embarrassing, except, how can it be embarrassing when she's so utterly lovable?
Couldn't be doing with a dog. Too needy. Like a kid that'll never grow up and become more independent.
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Ive got 2 dogs now, both whippet based lurchers and just had a 18year old cat finally shuffle off. The one thing I would say is look into the breeds and see what each trait will be like. This works even with mixes like lurchers. From there make an informed decision about what you like in a dog. Collies can be annoying, drooley dogs personally really hack me off, staffys are great but come with preconceptions etc
Like someone else has mentioned it is easier with a puppy, more work for 6 months but you can mould them and iron out any problems. Older dogs are fine but its difficult if its your first dog and sometimes small behavioral problems can emerge.
From a limiting what you do perspective, moorlands at nesting time, Woodwell, Bowden doors etc, Flights. Dog passports have been mentioned, dont think you need to wait 6 months anymore, dont need to be blood tested to see if rabies vacc works anymore.
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except, how can it be embarrassing when she's so utterly lovable?
It just is. Plus you've just told everyone.
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I've got two greyhounds. Don't get a greyhound as a crag dog. They don't like walking very far & can't scramble over rocks or stiles. And if they get a cut all their skin falls off immediately. But they are lovely little (big) guys.
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Our cat is my angel. I'm completely soft over her. I pick her up and dance around the house singing songs to her about how wonderful she is. It would be completely embarrassing, except, how can it be embarrassing when she's so utterly lovable?
I am embarrassed for you
get a grip
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I haven't got a dog, but the other day I did enjoy shifting one of those action-man-binbags full of dog shit that some clown had left at Remergence (I say left, 'half-heartedly attempted to hide' might be a better description). You stay classy, rock climbers.
Woof.
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I've got two greyhounds. Don't get a greyhound as a crag dog. They don't like walking very far & can't scramble over rocks or stiles. And if they get a cut all their skin falls off immediately. But they are lovely little (big) guys.
My friend has two greyhounds and takes them on long hill walks all over the country, although as you say they need lifting over stiles and can't deal with scree or really rough ground well, and sometimes need a bit of encouragement to bound across brooks. They seem to love it, one is an ex-racer (he's dozy and was crap) the other was a rescue of sorts (and is a bit mad). She was very skinny when they got her, she's now very muscular due to all the walking. They seem to expect a decent long walk at least once a week which they get, but are happy sitting around at home the rest of the time
When we go out climbing they normally stop at home with his wife, but when she's away they come out to the crag and are generally ok although they do whine/whimper after a few hours if he's out of sight and they're very good at snaffling sandwiches. :ninja:
I've got two cats (was three) and have had cats around since I was born. They're great, unconditional love....when they want to give it to you, whether you want it or not (I was woken this morning by the cat scratching at my toes which were sticking out of the duvet). Despite wife wanting a dog at various points they are not for me, too much responsibility walking them thrice daily. Cats you either chuck outside or leave cat-litter down.
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yeah, sorry about that Cofe
I don't have a dog
I'll hide it better next time
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If I hadn't already been with Scouse, I know where my finger of blame would have been pointing.
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yeah, sorry about that Cofe
I don't have a dog
I'll hide it better next time
I wondered where you'd gone for 5 min the other day at Burbage... [emoji90]
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I'm afraid I'm with Stewart Lee when it comes to dogs. And cats for that matter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZEHDzJo4yo
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I grew up with a Golden Lab and now have a Retriever, but the best Crag dog I ever had was a Poodle.
She was a "Miniture" (which is terrier sized, not the silly "Toy") and if you don't cut them like a poodle they look like a Terrier.
Poodles actually climb, not scrabble or bound like larger dogs. She would climb trees (like a cat to watch) to steal fruit and climbed up to Diff without help (slabs).
Lived in the Ardeche at that time and she went everywhere with us. Modified a dog car harness as a climbing harness for her and she could be clipped to the back of my harness (mainly Alpine peaks were scaled like that), she also fitted into a rucksack when the snow got too deep.
Poodles don't loose hair and can be trimmed (or not) to suit the climate (looked like a sheep on acid and 240V connection during Ski season).
My parents have a carbon copy now, Amber having died 15 years back now at 12 years old.
She had a passport and rode backwards and forwards by car and train (small enough to sit on a lap) and tough enough to chase Lynx and Boar out of the garden (or is that Stupid enough?).
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I've got a cat, it's an annoying meowing thing sometimes, but it's quite cuddly sometimes too. I refuse to dance about the house with it in my arms singing to the little fucker though.
I won't have a dog as I'd have to pick up it's shit when I took it for a walk, plus a cat is much more self reliant, walks/company/food/cat flap etc.
I've got 2 kids and used to have to pick up their shit, luckily they're a bit older so I no longer have to do that. Kids fuck up your free time nearly as much as work.
So in summary if you're daft enough to get something you need to look after get a cat, if not and you're really stupid get a dog, and if you're even dafter and have decided to grow up get kids.
The little fucker has it's moments though when it's not scratching the sofas
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-0/q81/p180x540/263335_10151585809252622_1636082415_n.jpg?oh=a71d4238d94876556278d0d0e1e41219&oe=56CAB1BB)
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I have 3 dogs (2 collies and a toller) i used to to take them to crags when i only had 2 and it was a nightmare if anyone i didnt know was there as i spent half the time trying to not annoy the other climber.... Now i have 3 i wont take them unless my non climbing girlfriend comes along and takes them walkin whilsti climb..... But then she gets bored and puts an end to the session...... Damn dogs
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I won't have a dog as I'd have to pick up it's shit when I took it for a walk, plus a cat is much more self reliant, walks/company/food/cat flap etc.
I don't mind picking up the dog shit from my dogs but I do mind picking up someone else's cats fucking horrible shit from my veg patch. Anyone know a way of keeping cats out of my yard that isn't a permanent greyhound based solution?
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I won't have a dog as I'd have to pick up it's shit when I took it for a walk, plus a cat is much more self reliant, walks/company/food/cat flap etc.
I don't mind picking up the dog shit from my dogs but I do mind picking up someone else's cats fucking horrible shit from my veg patch. Anyone know a way of keeping cats out of my yard that isn't a permanent greyhound based solution?
Get your own cat... ;)
edit: Most cats bury their shit - sure it isn't fox poo? (its of similar dimensions and usually deposited indiscriminately.....)
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I won't have a dog as I'd have to pick up it's shit when I took it for a walk, plus a cat is much more self reliant, walks/company/food/cat flap etc.
edit: Most cats bury their shit
Whatever helps you sleep at night TT. I have evidence to say otherwise.
I started pissing on the patch at my new house where a cat was using. It seems to have done the trick. I guess a sprinkler system is the most humane way but you'll need to keep an eye out. Or one of those machines that shoot tennis balls.
Can we start a 'cats, cats,fucking cats' thread to balance out the dog haters? :furious:
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Apparently lion poo (or something like that - god knows - google probably does) works very well (according to my Cambridge friends who's garden is a kitty toilet..).
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Better than that,a lion. Cheap to feed too as it can just eat the neighbourhood cats.
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Better than that,a lion. Cheap to feed too as it can just eat the neighbourhood cats.
And trespassers...
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Yes. More than people, by quite a way. Cats too, not quite as much, but close. Don't have either of my own though.
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:offtopic: I thought getting a dog was the first official step towards having children?
No, (often temporary) substitute for.
Crag dog needs to be big enough to to walk a fair distance, but still small enough o carry over tricky bits. I was impressed to be greeted by two Border terriers (with their owner obviously) at the top of Lochnagar in mid winter. They seemed quite happy to be out.
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A bit of a lag in the reply from me here; we're basically still sat on the fence.
Currently we're looking after a 4yr old male retriever for a colleague and whilst he is pretty darn tying, he's also awesome (even if he's a dopey as hell).
Ta for the input, apart from Toby of course. The only reason I can see for having kids (Nat can't even find one) is so that when I approach death there's hopefully someone sane of mind to do what is in my best interest - I'm not sure that's a strong enough reason?
Perhaps things will change.
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:agree:
I was mostly raised by Golden Retrievers, my parents had them for the first 25 years of my existence. They are lovely dogs in a daft greedy floppy friendly sort of way.
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The only reason I can see for having kids (Nat can't even find one) is so that when I approach death there's hopefully someone sane of mind to do what is in my best interest - I'm not sure that's a strong enough reason?
you have the situation fully sussed there, Paul - you either want them or you don't
can you have some sort of power of attorney thing that says that UKB have the final say on your final days?
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The only reason I can see for having kids (Nat can't even find one) is so that when I approach death there's hopefully someone sane of mind to do what is in my best interest - I'm not sure that's a strong enough reason?
you have the situation fully sussed there, Paul - you either want them or you don't
Not necessarily so immutable.
I wasn't keen but regarded it as a tacit condition of marriage as Sonia said she couldn't imagine not having them but then something changed and I found myself lobbying for number 3.
Similarly, but more on topic, Keith Sharples was a dog hater who has converted to a dog lover after Jill unilaterally introduced a mutt into their lives.
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I've lost count of the number of people who said they never wanted kids then approached forty and changed their minds. Pretty fucking tedious actually.
Dogs no.
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Funny that, everyone else said 30.
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Hanging out at the Works, he forgets how young everyone else really is
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I clicked on this thread thinking it'd be about tyson fury. (glad the bozo didn't podium)
Anyway as you were.
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Why would people say 30? There's no reason they'd say it at that age apart from to try and be trendy. They say it til they realise the females getting to 40 and her days in that department are getting numbered.
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Paul - interesting that you're talking about pros/cons of kids at such a relatively young age :jab:
FWIW, from what I know of you, I think you'd absolutely love being a Dad. And for many blokes I suspect it's a combination of leap of faith/accepting the inevitable, rather than really wanting kids. Was for me.
That said, I know the joy that a furry friend can give someone/a family too.
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Why would people say 30? There's no reason they'd say it at that age apart from to try and be trendy. They say it til they realise the females getting to 40 and her days in that department are getting numbered.
Its pretty obvious why people say 30....female fertility declines >30 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_and_female_fertility) and assisted conception is a ballache nor is it guaranteed.
@Lund : I already knew this (personal experience) but wanted to provide a link to some evidence for others to read should they wish to or not believe me. The wikipedia article cites its sources so if Dense or anyone else wishes to read more in-depth/primary sources they have the links to do so (as well as being able to do a search themselves). :-*
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I don't need to research it slackers, I've never met a single woman who says I'm 27 my biological clocks ticking. Change that to 37 and you've got an altogether different conversation.
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Or insert the word couple where I wrote woman above, in line with my original point.
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I don't need to research it slackers, I've never met a single woman who says I'm 27 my biological clocks ticking. Change that to 37 and you've got an altogether different conversation.
Your sample is likely biased.
And there is a difference between saying "my biological clock is ticking" and planning to have children before your fertility starts to decline. Look around you there are a lot of people <37-40 who already have kids ,albeit not in your social circle(s), many of which will have been planned (and many which won't have been).
Or insert the word couple where I wrote woman above, in line with my original point.
You could use "Modify" to change your post.
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Anyway... If you get a dog Paul, I hope you name it Lucky :)
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Analysis of over 165,000 pet insurance quotes reveals Bella as the most popular name for female dogs and Alfie as the top favourite for male dogs
although it is still possible that Paul could choose the name Lucky
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assisted conception is a ballache nor is it guaranteed.
As you approach 40, even unassisted is a ballache.
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Paul - interesting that you're talking about pros/cons of kids at such a relatively young age :jab:
Ehhhhh looking at Paul's post the conclusion was: there aren't any ;)
Bella is an okay name for a dog. Alfie is fairly terrible, as is Lucky.
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I don't modify my posts. You can read what I originally wrote.
Why are you replying to my posts to wit what you think I wrote? Read my original post it mentions nothing about pre planned or otherwise births before the age of 40. It mentions talk of couples who have been actively against having children suddenly approaching 40 and changing their minds when they suddenly realise they're not immortal and one day may actually die, tho I suppose you've got random data proving that not everybody actually dies. That was my original observation. Which holds true, rather remarkably. Tho impending death may not be the only motivating factor.
Dogs no.
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(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/21/1ea73a9061edc8cba1022a40b47dc59e.jpg)
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Back on the subject of dogs, we got our first back in October (1yr old collie x beagle x spaniel) and she's ace and hasn't affected my climbing at all(yet). Mind you, she's totally relaxed, likes sleeping, travels well and likes other people and dogs (but not enough to want to chase them). However, I've only been bouldering since we got her so I can't say what she'll be like come route season, and we live in the Highlands where there's no restrictions on where we can go with her and very few other climbers to piss off.
So far, I've learnt that with the right dog it's totally fine (e.g. with my parent's Jack Russels it would be impossible) and you don't really know what you're getting til it's too late. It does make you have to get organised (same way as a kid would I guess) - 2/3 walks a day, fitting in with work, extra kit to carry around etc.
Go for it.
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If you have started to argue with Slackline then you have already lost.
His logic is sound.
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Read my original post it mentions nothing about pre planned or otherwise births before the age of 40. It mentions talk of couples who have been actively against having children suddenly approaching 40 and changing their minds when they suddenly realise they're not immortal and one day may actually die, tho I suppose you've got random data proving that not everybody actually dies.
Ok, lets look at what you originally wrote shall we...
Why would people say 30? There's no reason they'd say it at that age apart from to try and be trendy. They say it til they realise the females getting to 40 and her days in that department are getting numbered.
You asked why Paul observed people starting to think about kids at the age of 30 because their time was running out, in writing the above you demonstrated your complete ignorance of the fact that female fertility starts to decline at the age of 30, not 40.
I provided you with the answer to your question as to why people start considering kids at the age of 30 and its not because they want to "try and be trendy" its because getting pregnant doesn't happen overnight, at best you have roughly twelve pops a year but jobs and life can get in the way of that, then factor in that fertilised eggs aren't always viable etc. etc.. If you can't conceive naturally in a two or three years common medical wisdom is to then consider assisted conception. Assisted conception is not a pleasant experience for either person, much, much more so for the woman, and itself has diminishing success rates as age increases (my wife and I went through five and a half years of it), so many people use existing knowledge to inform their decisions about planning their future lives. By the sound of it you don't know many of these people, or if you do its not a topic you've conversed over. But lets take this thought (that people can use existing knowledge) onto a common feature of your postings...
That was my original observation. Which holds true, rather remarkably. Tho impending death may not be the only motivating factor.
I haven't disagreed that this is your experience, I have pointed out that there are others who have different experiences to you (e.g. Paul sees it happening at 30; other people who do start thinking of kids at that age). You often reply in this manner...
I've never met a single woman who says I'm 27 my biological clocks ticking. Change that to 37 and you've got an altogether different conversation.
...but believe it or not your observations are not the be all and end all of the worlds experience, there are many others out there in the world today and many who have come before us and because we can communicate in written form we're able to share and accumulate that knowledge and information. Thus just because you observe one thing doesn't make it correct. Its unfortunately a common theme in many of your posts, you (or one of your mates) don't see/do/experience X/Y/Z and therefore whoever else is posting must be wrong.
You don't need to be so myopic and only focus on your experience, although maybe you're writing your own version of the works of Michael de Montaigne who famously started from the proposition What do I know? and who's excellent essays are based on his experiences (well worth reading them by the way). There is perhaps more than a passing similarity...
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/34/Michel_de_Montaigne_1.jpg/220px-Michel_de_Montaigne_1.jpg)(http://i.imgur.com/njAtbnT.jpg)
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I bet Montaigne never claimed to have done Conviction though.
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you can't educate pork
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You're quite clearly out of your mind slackers? And where did you get that pic? I want it back!
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You look a bit ruff in the top pic Dense ;)
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Yes, but...
1/ Why does Montaigne have a spoon on his nose?
2/ Why is Dense's statement regarding Slacker's in or out of mind status, punctuated as a question?
3/ What is the Porcine connection and was Cammeron involved.
4/ Who did invent the Ironing Board?
And finally:
5/ Who was that masked man?
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It all means WMD are hidden in Iraq and we MUST invade.
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Wasn't that slackers response to one of my observations about ten pin bowling?
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You're quite clearly out of your mind slackers?
For your own piece of mind I'm not out of mine. I answered your original question with evidence to support it and then because you couldn't recognise this and kept on going on about 'your experience' took the time to explain how I had answered your original question and that your experience might not be representative of the rest of the world.
And where did you get that pic? I want it back!
Its been on Wikipedia since 2005 (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Michel_de_Montaigne_1.jpg).
The other picture has been on Andy Popp Flickr account since 2008 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/31288147@N05/3113195331/in/datetaken/)
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Drawing a line under the Dense/Slack-bot special time above...
I've got two greyhounds. Don't get a greyhound as a crag dog. They don't like walking very far & can't scramble over rocks or stiles. And if they get a cut all their skin falls off immediately. But they are lovely little (big) guys.
I ignored you; on Saturday we picked up a 5 yr old, F, ex-racing greyhound. The way the rescue works she's not really officially ours for a while but I can't imagine that either of us will be taking her back.
Certain things are challenging atm (but even after doing a lot of reading, not the things we expected [i.e seperation], mainly 'statuing') but it's v. early days.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1625/24478238186_a98108d3e1_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Di4npq)Nina - Day 3 - Innocent? (https://flic.kr/p/Di4npq) by travelswithmyt4 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/39660023@N03/), on Flickr
That rug now has bald patches; the only bad thing she's done so far. Going up stairs is easy (3 strides :o ) down, less so.
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She's beautiful! Ours learnt downstairs fairly quickly, it just doesn't look very elegant. We were foster carers for our second one, and even though he's got some
issues character we couldn't bear to give him back so within a week were his proper owners.
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She's beautiful! Ours learnt downstairs fairly quickly, it just doesn't look very elegant. We were foster carers for our second one, and even though he's got some issues character we couldn't bear to give him back so within a week were his proper owners.
I have to say it's currently testing for none of the reasons we envisaged; she started walking absolutely fine but this has progressively been objected to with 'statueing' at earlier and earlier points and now the two thresholds to the house make her do an amazing impression of an immovable rock! This obviously presents issues for toileting (not good).
Separation (currently) doesn't seem like a problem. Up until today we've not left her more than a few hours. Today I've set up Alfred (App) which effectively works as a baby cam / monitor. She's moved exactly twice since 8.30AM, both times to roll over.
That said, given the change in world's she's having right now I'm fairly impressed and there'd been nothing resembling a grumble etc. when feeding / waking / lifting (26.6kg!).
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She's beautiful! Ours learnt downstairs fairly quickly, it just doesn't look very elegant. We were foster carers for our second one, and even though he's got some issues character we couldn't bear to give him back so within a week were his proper owners.
I have to say it's currently testing for none of the reasons we envisaged; she started walking absolutely fine but this has progressively been objected to with 'statueing' at earlier and earlier points and now the two thresholds to the house make her do an amazing impression of an immovable rock! This obviously presents issues for toileting (not good).
Separation (currently) doesn't seem like a problem. Up until today we've not left her more than a few hours. Today I've set up Alfred (App) which effectively works as a baby cam / monitor. She's moved exactly twice since 8.30AM, both times to roll over.
That said, given the change in world's she's having right now I'm fairly impressed and there'd been nothing resembling a grumble etc. when feeding / waking / lifting (26.6kg!).
has she got a coat? just wondering if the statueing could be due to a dislike of cold and wet, its a pretty common thing among sighthounds as they dont have much meat on the bones.
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lifting (26.6kg!).
you using a 2:1 or a 3:1 rig for that?
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has she got a coat? just wondering if the statueing could be due to a dislike of cold and wet, its a pretty common thing among sighthounds as they dont have much meat on the bones.
Yup. It's a bit of an odd one as she walked fine on the lead at the rescue (more than once), fine on Day 1, we did a big loop on Day 2 (1h30 perhaps, no issue apart from kissing gates), Day 3 - the local school rang their hand held playground bell and that ended that walk, Day 4 - Statued in the alleyway etc. This morning she hid upstairs when she saw her lead (and pee'd)... Backwards progress... (and I'm quite confused).
Last night as we were aware she needed a No.2 I drove 10 mins away and kicked her and Nat out as she'll happily walk BACK to the house!
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lifting (26.6kg!).
DO YOU EVEN LIFT BRO??
Actually isn't that 2XBW for you? Get the deadlift tick.
Interesting stories about her learning to settle in. She has got a great look in that photo :)
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Jesus she sounds like she's got some issues, the poor lass. What do they do to these dogs at the races? :no:
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Jesus she sounds like she's got some issues, the poor lass. What do they do to these dogs at the races? :no:
I don't think it's necessarily that they all have bad lives (I'm sure it varies HUGELY) it's more that you're suddenly asking them to understand a completely different life/world (and rules which they didn't really have). Imagine for instance Saturday was the first time she'd ever encountered stairs and it took Nat and I 15 mins to coax her up (1 paw at a time, literally). A few times later and BOOM, no issue.
I think the main problem rescues have with the sport is that the 'exit strategy' for retired races goes something like pro racer, local racer (flapping tracks), working dog, end. If you're sh*t at any part of this the end may come sooner / you get bumped down the ladder. If we were all to go Vietnamese this wouldn't bother me so much.
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One of my uncles is a greyhound trainer / breeder (and builder). I recall that when he bought a dilapidated house to fix-up / live in, he immediately built luxurious heated kennels for the dogs, but was content to live himself in a caravan in the yard for several years.... his wife and baby were not impressed.
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Heads up if anyone - or anyone you know - in the south Manchester area needs a daytime dahg walker, I can unbiasedly suggest:
https://www.facebook.com/heatonzoomiesdogwalking/
I have personally witnessed this person walking dogs, and can testify to the positive reinforcement approach and level of care involved, to the extent she often gets mistaken for the actual dog owner.
Full disclosure this is not unbiased at all. But it is honest.
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We're onto our second dog walker (the first got married and moved away). Neither have managed to get Nina out of our rear yard (that's 3 years now).
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We're onto our second dog walker (the first got married and moved away). Neither have managed to get Nina out of our rear yard (that's 3 years now).
TBF you and Nat struggle doing that.
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We're onto our second dog walker (the first got married and moved away). Neither have managed to get Nina out of our rear yard (that's 3 years now).
So being your dog walker is basically turn up - sit down, watch TV, have a cuppa then go?
Winning!
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We have loads of big beaches nearby which I think would be fine, but there are also lots of woods near our house and I wonder if a whippet could be trusted to explore off lead and come back?
I won't post anymore after this one as to not derail the thread but plenty of climbers have whippets. A few climbers have had lurchers from Lurcher Link and Kaye is very good at matching people to a dog that fits (Mark Katz had woodie, 'the General' and he was an ace dog that was why we looked at sighthounds in the first instance). We've got a greyhound and you can be 99% certain on recall (that she'll ignore you and do what the hell she likes). We'd both agree that getting her as a rescue has been the best thing we've done.
I'm generally not fond of dogs but Paul's greyhound is a totally non-objectionable canine. It has the activity level and attitude of an opium addicted C18th poet; carried between routes, sprawled out and langouress. Reminds me of my late Grandad's dog, a whippet / Beddlington terrier cross, that would refuse to go for walks for weeks at a time when it was cold out (she had a fantastic ability to constipate herself).
Continuing here for kingholmsey....
Gapescrote's / MuscleCoach1000's / AGreenhorne's / JCorbot's whippet Pippin is a lovely thing and I can vouch for her being a good and peaceful crag dog (apart from around sheep and other furry things which seems to raise disproportionate bloodlust). Oh when I was renting a room in Bristol the landlady had a whippet also called Pippin who was similarly a gentle soul.
GF has experience of vizlas (they're all over bloody south Manc) and they can be great fun and nice dogs but also seem to be a one dog riot for the first couple of years.
Also....
It has the activity level and attitude of an opium addicted C18th poet; carried between routes, sprawled out and langouress.
Sounds like you doing a coaching session, teaching Shark how to climb faster ;D
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Bella is an okay name for a dog. Alfie is fairly terrible, as is Lucky.
Christ. What was I thinking. I know know / have known 3 lovely Alfies (including one RIP, the wee one at bUK, and biscuit's old boy).
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So being your dog walker is basically turn up - sit down, watch TV, have a cuppa then go?
Winning!
The second dog walker, Lynne, finally managed to get her out. Lynne was married to a farmer and they had working Collies which she brought round to herd Nina out. However, mostly she just sat and shared her lunch with her (her daughter took over this 'duty' after a while).
Nina is almost 10 for reference.
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We added a working collie to the family New Years day, two years ago.
She came straight off the farm, Dartmoor, her Dam and Sire were both working cattle dogs. She was the runt and too small to be trained to work.
We already had a soppy, good natured, Goldie and a one year old Sprollie pup (at least, she was supposed to be a Sprollie, she was rescued at 6 weeks old from a puppy farm in south Wales. She looks far more like a Auzzy Kelpie, is mind numbingly fast and can (has) bite through a car seatbelt in one chomp).
The Sprollie is so good natured and perhaps the smartest dog I’ve ever known, mothers and disciplines the other two. The house regulator.
The Goldie, was lazy and seemed to be ageing too fast, she’s eight now. Since the Collie arrived, the constant playing and chasing each other, has done wonders for the other two.
But, a Collie is hard work. She’s by far the most affectionate of the dogs, actually cuddles, given half a chance. The hardest to train and control, selectively deaf and so protective of her “pack” (us) we’ve had to adapt our behaviour, because no training method or pharmaceutical intervention is as effective as a lead and cloth muzzle. She has no interest in livestock or other dogs, when off the lead, only playing with us and her sisters, but a problem when on the lead, when she gets snappy with other dogs that approach her (hence the muzzle). Despite her wearing two different “caution” bandanas and leads etc, you still have to tell people not to let their dogs too close.
So we avoid taking her anywhere we might have to put her on the lead for too long.
You need a lot of garden, time, energy and patience for a Collie.
But, we absolutely stopped taking the dogs when climbing.
Oh yeah:
Goldie is named Poppy.
Sprollie, Darcy.
Always chose the name before the dog arrived, so when we drove up to pick up the Collie, we had gale force winds and driving rain...
The youngest child chose her name, sounded a bit cool and different from our usual selections of pet names.
Should have known better.
We called her Storm.
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We’ve had our cocker for 7.5 weeks now. Hard work but great fun!
He is approaching peak teething age apparently so we’re preparing ourselves for the behaviour problems... he’s generally great but gets really bitey in the evening when he’s tired. Think more of a routine is needed for him (crate at 7pm or something) rather than hoping he’ll settle in front of the fire. I think we’ve got many years of that ahead so we may as well make use of the times we can crate him and get some peace...
If only we could take him on longer walks now though...
I wondered what people think is appropriate For puppies? We’ve been loosely sticking to the 5 mins/month of age, twice a day rule. Probably doing a bit more but not too much extra.
There seems to be so much conflicting advice on walking time I never know what’s best!
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We’ve had our cocker for 7.5 weeks now. Hard work but great fun!
If only we could take him on longer walks now though...
I wondered what people think is appropriate For puppies? We’ve been loosely sticking to the 5 mins/month of age, twice a day rule. Probably doing a bit more but not too much extra.
There seems to be so much conflicting advice on walking time I never know what’s best!
Hip dysplasia isn't super common in cockers but over walking a young puppy is going to increase the risk. Do you know if the parents had hip (and elbows) scored? I'm not sure what the average is for Cockers but with our dogs we wouldn't breed of something with a hip score of more than 13 or so without a really good reason (and wouldn't breed of anything without a completely clear elbow score, so 0).
We have always stuck to the 5mins/month thing and have told all of the people who have had puppies from us to do the same, there have been the odd time we have gone over it (ie once a week max and not over it by very much) and I know some of our owners have done similar. It's even more of an issue in bigger breeds, or obv breeds where dysplasia is more common, and also the bigger or more lumbering puppies of the litter - we've had girls who have been really neat movers from young and a couple of boys who have been really loose jointed looking (ie that typical puppy look) for much longer and we've always been even more careful with them. Really avoid letting him jump in/out of the car and going down steps - anything more than 1 or 2 steps and you should be carrying him.
I know the attraction to going for longer walks both for your sake - more enjoyable walks, and also to tire the puppy out and stop them being a pain. There are loads of good mental games you can do with him in the evenings. 15mins of brain training will tire him out way more than a 15 min walk would. Obv any training you may be doing anyway - sit, stay, come etc but the games we use the most are sniffing games (our breed are really nose orientated but a cocker should be as well). A couple of good (and easy for you) ones:
Sticky chicken (assuming he is not allergic to chicken, a surprising number of dogs are) chop up chicken, or ham slices into small (1cmx1cm) pieces and stick them around the kitchen - on the cupboards, in a corner on the floor etc and then let him go find them. You can get more creative with where you hid the stuff. This is essentially what you would do for the first few weeks of a scent course but hiding the stuff more elaborately by the end - on vehicles outside, in buckets etc. Listen for the dog sniffing - when you can really hear them sniffing they are working hard.
Similar to the above but without having to use chicken/ham or worry about cleaning the kitchen: we have 30 or so of those mini cones they use for football training etc (about 2" high 6" wide with a hole in the top) and we lay them all out in the house and hide small pieces of treat/kibble in about 6 of them and again let the dogs hunt for them. The advantage is you can use the dogs normal food (if they like it and are motivated to find it) and there is the added excitement of the dog having to get the treat from beneath the cone.
I'd say you are getting over the hardest time but if I'm honest they can be pretty hard work for the first year, esp if you have one from working stock rather than show.
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Ah yes, teething.
This is what a Collie can achieve, at peak teething, if left unsupervised for 15-20 minutes (note to self, next time you leave a 13 year old boy in charge of dogs, take away PS4 controller before you leave).
(https://i.ibb.co/yWSYQ6X/B58971-FA-09-E8-4-A5-C-A6-C2-ACAC491365-C2.jpg)
Same damn dog, also spends hours talking to the Budgie, all a bit Disney, but what ever they’re saying, occasionally upsets the Sprollie and she monitors them closely and then tells them both off:
(https://i.ibb.co/cL6kcT1/7-BF7-D733-E3-A1-4-A36-A6-EA-C51075-B50-FED.jpg)
We found ours all prefer to swim and living by the sea, fetching a tennis ball from the waves is a favourite. The Goldie will follow me (in her lifejacket) on long ocean swims, though she’s getting too old for scrambling up cliffs to get out these days. The Sprollie and the Goldie love long, fast, moorland runs or Yomps, the Collie gets seriously hacked off if I go past 15-20km and positively goes on strike at four hours, regardless of pace.
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We’ve had our cocker for 7.5 weeks now. Hard work but great fun!
If only we could take him on longer walks now though...
I wondered what people think is appropriate For puppies? We’ve been loosely sticking to the 5 mins/month of age, twice a day rule. Probably doing a bit more but not too much extra.
There seems to be so much conflicting advice on walking time I never know what’s best!
Hip dysplasia isn't super common in cockers but over walking a young puppy is going to increase the risk. Do you know if the parents had hip (and elbows) scored? I'm not sure what the average is for Cockers but with our dogs we wouldn't breed of something with a hip score of more than 13 or so without a really good reason (and wouldn't breed of anything without a completely clear elbow score, so 0).
We have always stuck to the 5mins/month thing and have told all of the people who have had puppies from us to do the same, there have been the odd time we have gone over it (ie once a week max and not over it by very much) and I know some of our owners have done similar. It's even more of an issue in bigger breeds, or obv breeds where dysplasia is more common, and also the bigger or more lumbering puppies of the litter - we've had girls who have been really neat movers from young and a couple of boys who have been really loose jointed looking (ie that typical puppy look) for much longer and we've always been even more careful with them. Really avoid letting him jump in/out of the car and going down steps - anything more than 1 or 2 steps and you should be carrying him.
I know the attraction to going for longer walks both for your sake - more enjoyable walks, and also to tire the puppy out and stop them being a pain. There are loads of good mental games you can do with him in the evenings. 15mins of brain training will tire him out way more than a 15 min walk would. Obv any training you may be doing anyway - sit, stay, come etc but the games we use the most are sniffing games (our breed are really nose orientated but a cocker should be as well). A couple of good (and easy for you) ones:
Sticky chicken (assuming he is not allergic to chicken, a surprising number of dogs are) chop up chicken, or ham slices into small (1cmx1cm) pieces and stick them around the kitchen - on the cupboards, in a corner on the floor etc and then let him go find them. You can get more creative with where you hid the stuff. This is essentially what you would do for the first few weeks of a scent course but hiding the stuff more elaborately by the end - on vehicles outside, in buckets etc. Listen for the dog sniffing - when you can really hear them sniffing they are working hard.
Similar to the above but without having to use chicken/ham or worry about cleaning the kitchen: we have 30 or so of those mini cones they use for football training etc (about 2" high 6" wide with a hole in the top) and we lay them all out in the house and hide small pieces of treat/kibble in about 6 of them and again let the dogs hunt for them. The advantage is you can use the dogs normal food (if they like it and are motivated to find it) and there is the added excitement of the dog having to get the treat from beneath the cone.
I'd say you are getting over the hardest time but if I'm honest they can be pretty hard work for the first year, esp if you have one from working stock rather than show.
Sorry for my later reply to these - I read them and took the advice on board, just life seems like there's a million things to do at the movement and this completely slipped my mind.
I don't think that the breeder had any hip/elbow scores measured. It sounded like an accidental litter between two friend's dogs who go shooting together. I definitely wasn't the most knowledgeable buyer and hadn't heard of that until you mentioned it.
We're still sticking the the 5 min / month thing with the odd exception now (though more by accident than intention). And picking up for steps wherever possible. Not that he won't come across a drop and launch himself off it on a walk!
I've incorporated some scent games into his day now - sitting him in the middle of a room and then sending him in the direction of 10 hidden treats, getting him to come and sit again between each one. I like the idea of the football cones but he would almost certainly destroy them at the moment! He's happy doing it with just his kibble at the moment - though he certainly enjoys it more with chicken!
I guess scent is important on walks too. We have him off lead most of the time where possible. We don't generally take toys unless we want to try and train something with one instead of a treat. Based on what you said I suspect this is better than just taking him to play fetch? It will probably make it easier in the long run too when he will just run around and entertain himself and we can concentrate on other things rather than playing.
Ah yes, teething.
This is what a Collie can achieve, at peak teething, if left unsupervised for 15-20 minutes (note to self, next time you leave a 13 year old boy in charge of dogs, take away PS4 controller before you leave).
(https://i.ibb.co/yWSYQ6X/B58971-FA-09-E8-4-A5-C-A6-C2-ACAC491365-C2.jpg)
Same damn dog, also spends hours talking to the Budgie, all a bit Disney, but what ever they’re saying, occasionally upsets the Sprollie and she monitors them closely and then tells them both off:
(https://i.ibb.co/cL6kcT1/7-BF7-D733-E3-A1-4-A36-A6-EA-C51075-B50-FED.jpg)
We found ours all prefer to swim and living by the sea, fetching a tennis ball from the waves is a favourite. The Goldie will follow me (in her lifejacket) on long ocean swims, though she’s getting too old for scrambling up cliffs to get out these days. The Sprollie and the Goldie love long, fast, moorland runs or Yomps, the Collie gets seriously hacked off if I go past 15-20km and positively goes on strike at four hours, regardless of pace.
We've luckily not had any of that yet (well we've had attempts but we've been there to stop it)! That's quite an effort by the dog! But he's normally in his crate when alone - he gets barky when left out of the crate don't think he's understood that means he can do what he want's yet!
He's 19 weeks tomorrow and seems to be good so far. Doesn't chill out in the evenings which is frustrating as it means he either gets tired and bitey or is forced into the crate. He's pretty good in the day when you're working though.
We've got him for 90 mins a week at a local dog trainers day care. So he gets a bit of training but mainly so he can play with the other dogs. Last week he was a bit too dominant with some of the other puppies, so he's going in with the adults tomorrow - hopefully they'll do what we can't and start to teach him some bite inhibition!
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BUMP.
Can we have a new UKB rule that all new-ish (or otherwise) dagh owners have to post pictures of their woofos fluffos scruffos longbois lowriders roundbois puppos etc etc in this thread for people to admire.
Calling out Mark20, Fatneck, Bradders etc etc....
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BUMP.
Can we have a new UKB rule that all new-ish (or otherwise) dagh owners have to post pictures of their woofos fluffos scruffos longbois lowriders roundbois puppos etc etc in this thread for people to admire.
Calling out Mark20, Fatneck, Bradders etc etc....
Here’s mine.
One on his first car camping trip and the other is at the moment when he’s feeling sorry for himself after having his balls lopped off :'(
He can often found at Kilnsey.
(https://i.ibb.co/096zSqf/D0108-FBC-3-B0-F-4-F89-8-D9-A-527-DD19-D5-C1-F.jpg) (https://ibb.co/t2v1tBb)
(https://i.ibb.co/6yPpgtq/2-C2-BD0-A6-21-FC-4750-9348-6-CA56-CC094-CC.jpg) (https://ibb.co/b6ByzvG)
vietnamese font download (https://usefulwebtool.com/)
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Awww. And the Cone Of Shame, bless.
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Nessa20
Collie x Huntaway
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51291313863_d099e0c223_c.jpg)
Likes: running, jumping up at people, strokes, chasing tennis balls
Dislikes: DIY/drilling/bolting, Graeme Hammond because he didn't stroke her, Rubicon because she fell in the river
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Top analysis, also those ears :wub:
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How about new photos of old dogs, because.
(https://i.ibb.co/V9fY8xy/6-DF94-F83-5-DCF-4289-84-F4-FE7-D179-A9-D4-E.jpg)