New puppy!

[flip]

Originally Posted by flameswin

F'in awesome! What a cute kitty. That's a hell of a lot cuter than any dog.

Totally agree. I've never been a fan of the fact that dogs tend to be "man" animals and cats are "women" animals. I'd take a cute little kitty 10 times out of 10.

[Suzles]

I work with Kim Hessel at Heaven Can Wait in High River so I follow her very successful techniques for dog walking - she rehabilitates some of the most abused dogs in the Calgary area and turns feral first nations dogs into loving companions. She uses a check or choke chain. Fit it up high behind the dog's ears - not at the base of the neck. The dog should walk on the left hand side of you with a loose leash. No sniffing, no pulling. Just a focused walk. The dogs only pees when you tell him/her they can. If the dog starts to pull forward do a sharp 90 degree turn and walk back the way you came. Repeat as necessary. The dog will soon realise what he is doing is no fun and should start to listen to you more. I am a fan of the halti headcollar - my girl walks well and very relaxed in it. If the dog is a bit Jekyll and Hyde - eg good in the halti and bad on the choke chain. Put both on the dog. Start using the halti and intermittently use the choke chain. Slowly you should be able to only use the choke chain and just have the dog wearing the halti with no attachment to you. If you have a young, high energy, untrained dog give it a good run or play session before doing any training and don't feed them. Then use a high quality treat to get some focus (weiners are always well received!). Ignore the bad behaviour and praise the good behaviour. Also don't use harnesses unless it is a very small dog - harnesses are designed for pulling so are not good training tools - fine for long, relaxed, hiking days. Dogs thrive on routine so the same walk each day until you have a well mannered leash trained dog is best. If you keep going different routes that just raises the level of excitement and makes it more difficult for the dog to focus. Hope some of that was some help and made sense - rather doped up on happy pills after a visit to the dentist!

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by flip

Totally agree. I've never been a fan of the fact that dogs tend to be "man" animals and cats are "women" animals. I'd take a cute little kitty 10 times out of 10.

I've always been that way too. It's weird, because any guy will instantly act like it's the gayest thing they've ever heard if I say I like cats better, but honestly...

-They're independant, and entertain themselves
-You just leave some food out and a clean litter, and you're good to go, no bending over and picking crap off the sidewalk
-They're really affectionate and will snuggle up with you, but on their own schedule, which I have a lot of respect for, plus it's not like a dog where they sit there barking and begging for attention all day when you're trying to do other things.
-Basically they're a pet that is affectionate, cute and has personality, but is also a quiet out of the way, independant pet for when you're busy, or want to go away for the day or weekend.

They're just awesome animals, and the best pet you could ask for.

[return to the red]

this is asha

[Jayems]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Lhasa Apso?

Lhasa Apso and Shih Tzu.

He's pretty much awesome.

[Peanut]

Originally Posted by flameswin

I've always been that way too. It's weird, because any guy will instantly act like it's the gayest thing they've ever heard if I say I like cats better, but honestly...

-They're independant, and entertain themselves
-You just leave some food out and a clean litter, and you're good to go, no bending over and picking crap off the sidewalk
-They're really affectionate and will snuggle up with you, but on their own schedule, which I have a lot of respect for, plus it's not like a dog where they sit there barking and begging for attention all day when you're trying to do other things.
-Basically they're a pet that is affectionate, cute and has personality, but is also a quiet out of the way, independant pet for when you're busy, or want to go away for the day or weekend.

They're just awesome animals, and the best pet you could ask for.

I personally love dogs & cats, but you do summarize the awesomeness of cats quite well.

[LGA]

Loki disapproves the kitty love.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Jayems

Lhasa Apso and Shih Tzu.

He's pretty much awesome.

Haha awesome!

[Jayems]

Originally Posted by flameswin

I've always been that way too. It's weird, because any guy will instantly act like it's the gayest thing they've ever heard if I say I like cats better, but honestly...

-They're independant, and entertain themselves
-You just leave some food out and a clean litter, and you're good to go, no bending over and picking crap off the sidewalk
-They're really affectionate and will snuggle up with you, but on their own schedule, which I have a lot of respect for, plus it's not like a dog where they sit there barking and begging for attention all day when you're trying to do other things.
-Basically they're a pet that is affectionate, cute and has personality, but is also a quiet out of the way, independant pet for when you're busy, or want to go away for the day or weekend.

They're just awesome animals, and the best pet you could ask for.

You'll never know the pure joy of an excited dog so happy to see you, waggin his tail like his butt is about to fall off, until you own a dog. And not just a family pet. Your dog. (or, in my case, my fiancee and I's dog).

Stupid cats never do that, and I was a cat guy for 95% of my life. They could care less you're home. They could care less when you want to give them attention. However, I've had some pretty rad cats in my day, but they're all easily trumped by the pure awesomeness of my current dog.

I'm done gushing.

[flip]

Originally Posted by Jayems

You'll never know the pure joy of an excited dog so happy to see you, waggin his tail like his butt is about to fall off, until you own a dog. And not just a family pet. Your dog. (or, in my case, my fiancee and I's dog).

Stupid cats never do that, and I was a cat guy for 95% of my life. They could care less you're home. They could care less when you want to give them attention. However, I've had some pretty rad cats in my day, but they're all easily trumped by the pure awesomeness of my current dog.

I'm done gushing.

I should add that along with the "dogs are for men and cats are for women" stereotype, the one I hate second most is this one.

There seems to be this common perception that anyone who has a cat or prefers cats has no idea that dogs tend to be more loyal and that the idea of a stereotypical dog traits are foreign to us. I've had cats and dogs and I know full well the pure joy of an excited dog happy to see me, I also know about having to go out 365 days a year to walk the damn thing. Just like how I know that cats are WAY easier to maintain and have some huge upsides too.

Just because someone said they prefer a cat for the listed reasons doesn't mean they "will never know the joy" of anything.

And Jayems I'm not saying this is what you meant (although your post did come across that way), I'm just saying in general dog people tend to be really, really stuck up when they are talking to cat people.

You could almost say that dog lovers are like women. They are so insecure about themselves they need the constant reassurance that they are loved that they have to get a dog. Cat lovers are like men, we know we're cool, we don't need an animal whose world revolves around us to feel good. I'm like 2/3 kidding.

I didn't mean for this post to sound too catty (pun intended) but I'm so used to getting the condescending act from people I talk to about cats. (Again not saying it was you Jayems, I just mean in general)

[AFireInside]

I'm an animal person in general. Dogs and cats both have their pro's and cons. We currently have two cats and they are awesome, I couldn't imagine not having them. We are getting a puppy on Saturday, and as someone who's always had 2 dogs, or a dog/cat combo I'm very excited.

This is Chupacabra (Chupa) looking surly, great cat though, very friendly and relaxed...

[Jayems]

Originally Posted by flip

I should add that along with the "dogs are for men and cats are for women" stereotype, the one I hate second most is this one.

There seems to be this common perception that anyone who has a cat or prefers cats has no idea that dogs tend to be more loyal and that the idea of a stereotypical dog traits are foreign to us. I've had cats and dogs and I know full well the pure joy of an excited dog happy to see me, I also know about having to go out 365 days a year to walk the damn thing. Just like how I know that cats are WAY easier to maintain and have some huge upsides too.

Just because someone said they prefer a cat for the listed reasons doesn't mean they "will never know the joy" of anything.

And Jayems I'm not saying this is what you meant (although your post did come across that way), I'm just saying in general dog people tend to be really, really stuck up when they are talking to cat people.

You could almost say that dog lovers are like women. They are so insecure about themselves they need the constant reassurance that they are loved that they have to get a dog. Cat lovers are like men, we know we're cool, we don't need an animal whose world revolves around us to feel good. I'm like 2/3 kidding.

I didn't mean for this post to sound too catty (pun intended) but I'm so used to getting the condescending act from people I talk to about cats. (Again not saying it was you Jayems, I just mean in general)

I can see how it came off that way, but not intended. I'm just giving opinion from going from a cat person my whole life to a dog guy. I don't need reassurance from my dog, it just makes me happy when he's happy to see me. But personally, I get a lot more from a dog than a cat. But I also know the reasons why a cat is more suitable for some people than a dog. Some people don't want the burden of having to care for it, and by that I mean having to plan your life around an animal. In my teens and early 20s, I always had a cat. If I wanted to go out, no problem. No worries. It was great then. Had some damn good cats until they turned into coyote food, the cat sitter left it out during a -30c snowstorm, or it met an untimely rubbery death by garbage truck. Either way, cats are very, very solitude animals for the most part. Dogs, I've found, are the complete opposite. They love to play, but they require a lot more attention. But walks have become our favorite thing to do in the late evenings when it's cooler out. But my life doesn't revolve around going out to parties or whatever anymore, so the burden of a dog is fine for me.

Either way, I'm not trying to start a war, but for me personally, going from a cat to a dog was great. And it was something that as a previous cat guy, would staunchly oppose too. But now that I'm on the other side, I see how a dog can be a life-enriching part of your... well, life.

It was something I never really felt as a cat owner. It was just there, and if it wanted to hang out, great, if not, whatever. But i'm not trying to come off as condescending, it's just my opinion.

[jeremywilhelm]

You should meet my cat. I swear he was raised by dogs (got him at the pound, with my current dog). He goes for walks, fetches sticks, and will fight anything and everything that pisses him off.

Funny story, me and my old man were working in the yard and a couple large white dogs come running up the driveway chasing my dog, the cat is sitting in the bushes at the top of the driveway and waits till the dogs come near and pounces on them, causing these two dogs, who are 10 times the size of him to turn tail and run home. It was hilarious.

Plus, he will also do all the other amusing and cute things a cat would normally do.


PS. my cat rules.


oh, and he comes when you call and isnt afraid of hand guns... I know, its weird....

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by Jayems

You'll never know the pure joy of an excited dog so happy to see you, waggin his tail like his butt is about to fall off, until you own a dog. And not just a family pet. Your dog. (or, in my case, my fiancee and I's dog).

Stupid cats never do that, and I was a cat guy for 95% of my life. They could care less you're home. They could care less when you want to give them attention. However, I've had some pretty rad cats in my day, but they're all easily trumped by the pure awesomeness of my current dog.

I'm done gushing.

When I walk in the door Sadie runs up to meet me, then rolls over on the edge of the carpet so I can rub her tummy. She's always so happy that I'm home.

[enthused]

Originally Posted by LGA

Loki disapproves the kitty love.

Oh my gosh, I want!

[Russic]

We're a tri-species family and I love having both a cat and a dog. They are certainly different, but I can't say I value the behavior of one over the other. Sometimes you want the cat to be a little more affectionate and sometimes you want the dog to be a little more independent.

[Suzles]

I had a cat (over 20 years ago) a big ginger tabby (neutered) and my next door neighbour had to ask me to keep Tiddles in between 6.00pm and 8.00pm because his Jack Russell Terrier was too scared to go into the garden because Tiddles kept beating him up! Tiddles was a really big cat and weighed about 21lbs. (This was back in England where it was almost unheard of to have 'house cats'.) I am an 'animal person' - I have no preference for any - cat, dog, etc. In fact, one of the nicest pets I ever had was a goat. He loved to lie on the couch and have his tummy tickled.

[Peanut]

Originally Posted by Russic

We're a tri-species family and I love having both a cat and a dog. They are certainly different, but I can't say I value the behavior of one over the other. Sometimes you want the cat to be a little more affectionate and sometimes you want the dog to be a little more independent.

We are also tri-species at our house, and I agree with you. Plus there is the added bonus of the dog-cat interactions, which are almost always hilarious.

[chid]

why dont the cat lovers start their own thread? I thought this was about puppies?

[kermitology]

Because the dog people were cutting on kittehs.