New Dog, Need Help

[JessLough]

Originally Posted by Renee750il

I wouldn't try for dock diving.

[Romy]

Where do you all stand on cropping/docking rocks for show? I think it's really cruel when people throw them in a tumbler just to get them all shiny. The natural look is a lot prettier, I think.

[JessLough]

http://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Your-Pet-Rock

[Dogs6]

Originally Posted by yoko

What kind of health testing do you do?? And do you do a home inspection visit?

Generally health testing involves leaving them in the yard over winter to see if they survive. If so they they're considered healthy. Occasionally more strenuous testing is carried out, and then if the rock breaks it is removed from the breeding program. Home inspections are not necessary to purchase a pet rock. If you will pay the fee to buy one you are more than likely to care for it.

Originally Posted by Linds

Do they come with a spay and neuter contract?

All pet rocks are spayed/neutered before they leave for their new homes. Regardless of whether they are show/ working prospects. The only exception would be if they are co-owned with me. I do not want my rare bloodlines to be diluted with common pet rocks.

Originally Posted by Linds

Good point. I wonder about performance/working prospects though

Originally Posted by yoko

Well I think they are mainly for companionship. But I guess if you trained it right and had one that was big and heavy enough it could be a good guardian pet.

My pet rocks are indeed bred mostly for companionship but they are very versatile rocks and capable of almost anything their owners require. They are amazingly good at obedience especially the stays. They are also very non aggressive although we are trying to introduce a larger strain for guardian purposes.

Originally Posted by sillysally

Do they come in merle?

Indeed they do although I have noticed an oddity in the merle rocks that they smell slightly like paint. I have had this checked out and there is nothing to worry about whatever and is perfectly normal for a merle pet rock.

Originally Posted by Renee750il

I wouldn't try for dock diving.

Yes we have had some very unfortunate accidents with pet rocks trying to swim. So much so that we now have a rescue dog who's job is to swim out and retrieve drowning pet rocks. Occasionally he has made mistakes and brought back wild rocks instead. So for only slightly more than an ordinary pet rock you can purchase your wild hybrid pet rock today!!

Originally Posted by Romy

Where do you all stand on cropping/docking rocks for show? I think it's really cruel when people throw them in a tumbler just to get them all shiny. The natural look is a lot prettier, I think.

I agree that the natural look is much better but if our customers request it we will of course crop and/or dock for them for a small fee.

[DogKisses]

This is why I love this place. I REALLY needed this today, you have no idea. <3

[-bogart-]

Originally Posted by JessLough

A.... Mastiff? REALLY? Please, stop helping, the owners of mastiffs will thank you for stopping

yes , most i know are chill and fine in apartments , did you read the rest , to socialize and train. you know help with the situation. telling someone who is obvilously going to get another dog not to will only make them say f us all and not get any education or help. if you try to help them , hey guess what , it may indeed help.

[Teal]

[QUOTE=SevenSins;2022351]

Originally Posted by Cthulhu7

When the incident happened, he had gotten out the door when I was going to do laundry. He had done that a few times, but without problems.]/QUOTE]

This, right here, says that you can not handle a dog responsibly. You allowed him to get out "A FEW TIMES" and based on previous posts, you were WELL aware of his dog aggression. If he had gotten out "a few" times previously with no incident, then you had "a few" forewarnings and opportunities to learn how to handle your dog, and you failed your dog. Most people never get "a few" chances to fix their mistakes. Please, for the love of Dog, don't go out and get ANY terrier or guardian breed because they're likely to become a statistic, and frankly, I'm getting tired of writing letters to everyones' congressmen.

THIS, a MILLION TIMES OVER. I cannot believe what I am reading from the OP.

A responsible dog owner is NOT someone who allows their dog to get loose, ever. ESPECIALLY a dog with dog/dog issues. And you're talking about getting a Pit Bull type dog?!

I really don't think you should get ANY dog. I feel absolutely HORRIBLE for the dog you just "got rid of" because you utterly and entirely FAILED that poor dog. He'd already been through multiple homes, and there you go... sending him off to yet another, because you couldn't be bothered to be a proper owner.

[JessLough]

Originally Posted by -bogart-

yes , most i know are chill and fine in apartments , did you read the rest , to socialize and train. you know help with the situation. telling someone who is obvilously going to get another dog not to will only make them say f us all and not get any education or help. if you try to help them , hey guess what , it may indeed help.

Shouldn't you educate yourself first?

"hey, get a mastiff! You cant handle a small dog, but get a huge one, this way, when your dog attacks the neighbors dog again, you won't have to worry about the neighbors dog cause it won't be alive!"

[~Jessie~]

Originally Posted by JessLough

Shouldn't you educate yourself first?

"hey, get a mastiff! You cant handle a small dog, but get a huge one, this way, when your dog attacks the neighbors dog again, you won't have to worry about the neighbors dog cause it won't be alive!"

Also, it's a known fact that larger breeds have more health issues.

The OP's lease ends in October, and they cannot afford to move out early. If they can't afford to break their lease (or double pay rent until it ends) to keep their previous dog, than how in the world will they be able to afford a (very) expensive puppy? Heck, we spend over $100 a month feeding 55lbs of dogs. English Mastiffs weigh 120-250lbs... I can only begin to imagine the cost in food!

Let's take a rough guess and say that an English Mastiff (or any purebred dog, really), is going to cost over $1000 from a responsible breeder. Factor in vaccines, spay/neuter, and the cost of dog food over a year. We're looking at at least $2000 in costs. Throw in an emergency vet visit for bloat and we're close to $5000 in costs.

Most apartment complexes have size limitations as well. Around here, it's common for them to only allow dogs under 25 or 50lbs. Can't really sneak an 150lb dog around a complex where they're not allowed.

What a stellar idea.

I'll also recommend the pet rock. Maybe a pebble sized one that can be carried around in a pocket, to ensure it won't get loose and clobber the other rocks in the apartment complex.

[AdrianneIsabel]

I'm still voting for the pet rock... At least for a while, get your stuff together, learn, and prepare.