How Have you Progressed As A Dog Owner

[Juicy]

If it weren't for the internet, and beinging able to connect to dog lovers just as in a community such as chaz, I don't know if I would be a responsible dog owner.

From having dogs tied up 24/7 in the backyard to having the dogs inside, in my room, in my bed or a bed of their own.

From having fed either table scraps or crappy dog food like ol'roy and pedigree....to quality dog food like canidae

To hving NO dogs ever s/n...to having one fixed, and soon three dogs fixed.

For never taken ny dogs to the vets...to having all my dogs vaccinated.

and much much more, but thats wht I can think of on the top of my head.

I'm very grateful for a online community like this and others that has helped me become a better dog owner

 

[JennSLK]

Hows this. Went from going to breed my beagle bought in a pet store to my dobe litter being planned now.

 

[mrose_s]

Went from leaving every "training" session screaming and stamping and in a huff to taking a deep breath and tring again when things go wrong. My sister goes "how are you so patient?" when I'm training something new.

Went from planning Sophie's boyfriend and Daisy's boyfriend for they're litters, to reading like crazy on everythign I can so one day I might have the right knowledge and the right dog to breed.

From looking through papers for what dogs to ask for, to looking through shelter sights and breeders sights.

 

[Juicy]

I'm not the BEST or most perfect dog owner, still even despite what I've learned....I'll never be...but there's always room to learn and room for improvement nd become even better than what I am now

 

[Zoom]

I went from feeding Iams, using corrective collars as a first resort and nigh-worshipping Ceasar Milan to researching how to feed a raw diet, learning how to train with NO collars on (indoors) and learning about clicker-training and dog behavior from actual good trainers. I learned what makes for a really good breeder and why NOT to buy out of a newspaper; I already knew about petstores and puppymills.

 

[StillandSilent]

I thought that the food I was feeding was good. I knew that Ol' Roy and Alpo weren't good, but I thought someting like Purina was, so that was what they ate.
I had heard of clicker training, but didn't understand it at all. Although Lilly did well on a rewards based program, she has blossomed under the clicker and she is even happier to learn. Radar is still an idiot, but no amount of clicking is going to fix that
I didn't really understand what made a good breeder. Both of mine were rescues but if I had been looking for a purebred, I would have done it all wrong.

 

[Babyblue5290]

I think my biggest improvement is what food I think is ok to feed.

I was already a volunteer at the HS so I already had a big thing about neutering.

As far as training, I don't know if it's changed too much since coming here. Hm....I don't know. lol

I lied, I do think I've changed as far as training. Well mayb enot changed exactly, but learned a bit more and tweaked little things. lol

 

[Sweet72947]

Well, I have helped my parents progress as well as me. Coco, our first dog, used to stay outside in the fence 24/7. Our current dogs are inside unless I take them out to play. Benji enjoys his couch time.

I used to think Purina was a good food, now I feed Regal to Daisy, and Benji gets Avoderm (it helps his itchy skin). They both get canned Regal. I've also learned new things about training. I used to think Ceasar Milan was cool too until one day I stumbled across this board and read a very heated thread about him, and I came away enlightened.

 

[PixieSticksandTricks]

From having fed either table scraps or crappy dog food like ol'roy and pedigree....to quality dog food like canidae

To hving NO dogs ever s/n...to having one fixed, and soon three dogs fixed.

For never taken ny dogs to the vets...to having all my dogs vaccinated.


QUOTE]

All those lol.

 

[Juicy]

Oh I also learned about responsible breeders vs bybs...and puppymills as well...I never purchased a dog from a pet store or byb, but if it weren't for dog forums, I would of probably.

 

[Paige]

I don't think I'd still have Spanky and Bandit had it not been for this community. I may not post a lot about how much Spanky use to drive me insane (and still does every now and again) but you guys have been a huge help.

 

[ACooper]

As others have said, FOOD is a big improvement here since I found forums.

We went from Iams to a homecooked/canidae/evo rm mixture.

I knew about BYB and puppy mills before I found forums, but I think I have learned even more since then.

I have switched from taking them in to get their nails clipped or ME nervously doing it to using a dremel. NEVER even heard of a dremel for grooming before, LOL

I can't even count how many times this forum has put my mind at ease over something that I may have run to the vet over, whether it be by me searching old posts or asking a new question.

Yep, I love this community and see me being a part of it for years to come

 

[ihartgonzo]

I have been obsessed with dogs for basically ALL of my life... but this forum (and another, that I've been at longer) has taught me a lot.

I have learned a lot about taking pictures of dogs/animals. Before forums, I would occasionally take pictures of my dogs, but now I take TONNES! And I love that, because I want to be able to look back and remember all of the happy times I've had with my pups.

I went from being afraid and critical of Raw, to feeding it! I also have my (intended) Cardigan breeder to thank, for helping me out and answering all of my questions. I'm so glad Raw-feeders won me over, because I have never seen happier, healthier dogs than mine. : )

I have learned lots of valuable training and behavior tips. I have also learned how awesome clicker training can be.

I have learned how wonderful so many breeds are, getting personal accounts from their owners. I now would love to own a few breeds that I would have never considered before.

 

[Lizmo]

Well for one, if it weren't for some of the people on this forum, I wouldn't have my newiest little Border

I was feeding PMI.....now EVO/TOTW/EVO Puppy.

Using corrective collers.....to no collars or regular collars.

Using harsh punishment.....now positive reinforcement.

From knowing only negative training.....now learning from very good, positive trainers.

Not knowing a THING about raw.....now feeding it!

Not knowing much about different breeds.....to owning one of the smartest breeds bred!

 

[PWCorgi]

I can't even count the ways.
I have done a complete 180 (almost wrote 360, had to think about that ) in just about every aspect with regards to my dogs.

 

[Maxy24]

Well it's hard to say really...I'm completely different. I knew about puppymills before but nothing about BYBs, now I speak out against them to my friends and family all the time.
I fed pedigree and Alpo and listened to everything the vet said about food to knowing how to read a label and what makes food healthy for a dog.
I used to think choke collars and collar corrections were the only way to train a dog (thank you uncle Matty ) now I am appalled at almost any training using fear/pain or physical force.
Learned about raw food.
Learned about clicker training.
Thought dogs thought like wolves and therefore all my "dog psychology" revolved around the dominance theory.
This place also probably kept my family and the media from sucking me into their hate of pit bulls and made me want to own one someday and educate MANY of my friends about them.
I learned the importance of exercise AND mental stimulation.
I learned how to think dog and to figure out how to solve almost any dog "problem" just by thinking about what makes sense.
I have also been introduced to the general idea of a forum making me go to cat forums as well so you helped my cats too.

Without this place I'd have developed into a Caesar Millan wannabe who fed their dog Science Diet. I always loved dogs I just looked to the wrong people for guidance.

 

[M&M's Mommy]

From feeding Pedigree & Beneful to Evo Red Meat & Canidae.

For some reasons, I had the feelings that supermarket dogfood were not good, but when I came to the local specialty dogfood stores, I got confused with so many choices & didn't know which one was best. Thanks goodness while I was researching about dog foods, I found this forum.

 

[Brattina88]

Well, FOOD for one. People often e-mail or call and ask me for my advice, now
I was feeding eukanuba like it was the bestest food eva (lol)..... now I feed Canidae, TOTW and raw

Using somewhat negative methods for trainin, such as pushing the butt down for 'sit' to positive training... and have done awesome, fun things with the clicker! yay!
I was sceptical and not knowing a THING about raw.....and now feeding it

I clip dog nails confidently and even use a dremel. I never even heard of a dremel for grooming before, either. When I asked my Dad if he owned a dremel that I could use he looked at me like I grew a second head!

"I can't even count how many times this forum has put my mind at ease over something that I may have run to the vet over, whether it be by me searching old posts or asking a new question."
ditto!

 

[skittledoo]

This forum has changed me a lot in different retrospects. I've become more aware of canine nutritional needs and it's helped me to change the way I feed my animals and educate others about the stuff they feed their pets.

I think forum has helped me to grow closer to both my animals since I'm actively talking with people about them and getting new training advice, etc etc.

I'm now more aware of the BSL issues that go on and actively speak out against it.

One a bit of a side note, but still somewhat relative... This forum and everyone on it has changed me so much as a person in many ways and not only just as a better dog owner. I love this close knit community. I love that when things are rough most of us feel comfortable enough to come to this forum and spill our hearts out. I've really felt myself starting to grow a huge bond with so many people on here... We have an amazing support group on here and I hope that Chazhound will live on and on and more people will find us and leave themselves as better dog owners.

 

[Jules]

I went from feeding Nutro to feeding Orijen now (and tried Evo, Canidae... but Orijen works best for her). I learned how to read food labels. I can actually go into a store and read the ingredients and make up my own mind if I want to try a food or not.

I went from feeling lost and confused to actually understanding how to react to situations (or not to react)... from punishing her for things she did to ignoring it and reinforcing the good (in appr. situations). I learned that being consequent with a dog means everything.

Gosh, I love her.