tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793148027282086402.post7889390309673813600..comments2022-09-30T16:47:00.821-04:00Comments on Carpe K-9: We have met the enemy, and He is UsMailey E. McLaughlin, M.Ed.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06433597895952071846noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793148027282086402.post-28679538976050863262010-08-27T16:28:36.793-04:002010-08-27T16:28:36.793-04:00Boy, do I relate to this. My boy Cupid is a shy do...Boy, do I relate to this. My boy Cupid is a shy dog I got (at my local humane society) when he was two. I don't know his history, but his lack of socialization is clear. And to their credit, the humane society did state that he needed more socialization.<br /><br />I wouldn't say he's as bad as Shiloh was, but there have been some challenges. And he is my first dog.<br /><br />I wouldn't give Cupid up for the world, but I would think long and hard before getting another shy dog in future.Alyssahttp://justmeandmyasdf.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793148027282086402.post-86937959326315579072010-07-01T20:36:04.190-04:002010-07-01T20:36:04.190-04:00Thanks! It would make a great tat. My canvas is fu...Thanks! It would make a great tat. My canvas is full, or I'd have already gotten it.<br /><br />I only have 5 tats, but all the locations I like are taken. I won't ink myself where I cannot see it, so that limits me a bit.<br /><br />I do love Mr. Gorey's macabre sense of humor.Mailey E. McLaughlin, M.Ed.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06433597895952071846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793148027282086402.post-59913418861008731842010-06-29T22:21:31.457-04:002010-06-29T22:21:31.457-04:00Soooo weird - I saw your profile pic and thought y...Soooo weird - I saw your profile pic and thought you were my friend. She has a tattoo of the Edward Gorey character you have here. Check out her blog: http://superfluitee.blogspot.comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10445664397925008521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793148027282086402.post-26903518546250762622010-06-19T23:02:34.618-04:002010-06-19T23:02:34.618-04:00And I most certainly hope no one would consider me...<i>And I most certainly hope no one would consider me abusive or say that I have no one to blame but myself because I bred and raised the dog.</i><br /><br />Unfortunately, some would, but not me. Genetics are way more complicated than most people know. And I have owned dogs that acted fearful and I KNOW they were never abused. I have trained dogs that cowered if you raised your voice 1/2 an octave. It happens.<br /><br /><i>with and of course when I think "What's the worst that could happen?" - we stay home. Maybe that's irresponsible of me. I hope not.</i><br /><br />It's not irresponsible; it's setting him up for success. You know his limits, and there is nothing wrong with that at all. When you are working with this kind of dog, setbacks suck.<br /><br />And Heather, your comment about doing your best to choose a different type of dog next time is one of the reasons I wrote this article. It's hard to deal with dogs like this for 10, 15, 20 years. It's one of the reasons some people avoid "damaged goods." Once you've dealt with it--especially if you are not a dog trainer--it is not something most people seek out again.<br /><br />And for the most part, thankfully, it's avoidable.Mailey E. McLaughlin, M.Ed.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06433597895952071846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793148027282086402.post-77869311464609225972010-06-19T11:20:39.079-04:002010-06-19T11:20:39.079-04:00Your words - "It was a double whammy, nature ...Your words - "It was a double whammy, nature and nurture in a negative capacity" define my Lily too. <br /><br />It is great to see an article that shows the reality of our world. Lily suffered no direct abuse, she was a backyard puppy locked away from the world, until she was lucky enough to end up at a shelter... then in our home. We were stubborn enough to tackle the tough job of getting her closer to normal. <br /><br />Knowing what I know now, I'm not sure I'd want to have a shy/undersocialized dog again. I've learned a lot about shy dogs, training and patience - thanks Lil. I'll still happily adopt from a shelter, but I'll watch for signs of a more socialized dog. <br /><br />SharonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793148027282086402.post-31359758228717633802010-06-19T10:06:02.266-04:002010-06-19T10:06:02.266-04:00Thanks for sharing this dog's story as well as...Thanks for sharing this dog's story as well as your thoughts. As the owner and breeder of a fearful dog (though not very similar to Shiloh), I can honestly say that I did the proper socialization and training at the critical period - at least IMO. I don't know if I didn't do a good enough job or if genetics overwhelmed the situation or hell, maybe he'd be even worse if I hadn't done that initial training and socialization.<br /><br />At any rate, over time, I have to admit to becoming demotivated and rather resigned to the sitch. It's hard to want to take the dog out somewhere when you don't know what you'll be dealing with and of course when I think "What's the worst that could happen?" - we stay home. Maybe that's irresponsible of me. I hope not. And I most certainly hope no one would consider me abusive or say that I have no one to blame but myself because I bred and raised the dog. I never in a million years would have bred the litter had I had an inkling that one of the pups would turn out like this. Of the 11 littermates, he is apparently the only one with this fear.<br /> <br />I just think it is what it is. We can't control everything in life and sometimes, despite all our best planning and efforts, things don't work out like we hoped. <br /><br />He makes our home life extremely challenging at times - like daily. But we do our best to give him the best quality of life we know how and to make sure he knows he is loved.YesBiscuit!https://www.blogger.com/profile/13827466504671715047noreply@blogger.com