Got a new dog

[Danny Carlton]

Our older dog we got at Wal-Mart parking lot. It had a massively extended belly and the vet called it a rescue, even though the people who were giving the puppies away said they were trying to breed them, but got too busy. She still suffers from a malformed rib cage due to the malnourishment she experienced as a pup.

Our second dog was a 2-year-old stray someone picked up, but didn't have room for. We took it because it was a small dog and I knew my daughter would love having a dog of her own. We were very surprised how little "space" a small dog takes. He's extremely timid, the result of life on the streets. He's also very grateful for a loving home.

Our new dog, we picked up today. I'd always wanted a Jack Russel Terrier and my daughter had been vigorously scanning CraigsList for one. I wanted a puppy, full-blood, and one that was either free or very inexpensive. You'd think that combination would pretty much make finding one impossible, but no, someone had a 11 month old, full-blood female to give away to a nice home. My wife even got enthused about it and drove the 80 miles to the people's house to pick up the dog. The people were very well off, living in a spacious log cabin on the shores of one of the larger lakes in the sttae. Prime real-estate around here. Linda said their house was emaculate and had plastic coverings on all the furniture. It was just the man and his wife and they both worked long hours so the dog stayed home by itself all day. Linda said she could tell the wife was spoiled. the man paid $450 for the dog last Valentine's Day, but she decided the dog wasn't working out.

When we got it home I could tell the dog had barely any of its natural instincts left. she was fascinated with our other dogs, and even now, almost 5 hours later is still trying to pick a fight with our cat. But during that I noticed something--it doesn't bark. It tries to but the only thing that comes out is a short little whine. It sounds just like the dogs I've seen which have had their vocal chords cut, to prevent them from bothering people with barking. A cruel procedure.

I told my wife that it appears we've got another rescue. The dog was left alone most of the time and was never around other dogs in a spotless house. She's apparently had her vocal chords cut to reduce her ability to "annoy" the previous owners. She doesn't respond the way dogs normally do, since she's had very little interaction in the way dogs are meant to interact. Dogs are pack animals and their behavior follows that pattern. They are happiest when around others (dogs or people) whose behavior conforms to expected pack patterns.

So far we've seen her start to adopt more pack behavior as she interacts with our dogs and the family. Hopefully she'll recover more of the natural behavior and begin enjoying life more.

My daughter pointed out that I'd always wanted 12 kids, and that now with 4 kids, 3 dogs, one cat, one rabbit and three turtles, that makes twelve.

[Pastor Matt]

Congratulations on your family of 12. :lol:

[Guest Guest]

Oh...Danny, this is so great! Jack Russel Terriers are such smart dogs. I am so happy for your family. WOW...another rescue dog!? You sound like me, brother. Yes...people are VERY cruel. Some vets will do these procedures on dogs. We had a lady that lived behind us in the spacious condominium development who did that to her dog. A Doberman Pincher much less. Is she crazy? Yep...the woman is nuts.

Well...I am so happy that this dog has a good home. AMEN!!

God bless you and your family...pets included. :smile

[Anon]

Wow I can't imagine a vet would even agree to do that procedure!!!!

I can't imagine so many animals. LOL. We had two big akitas that stayed indoors with us but as the human kids came, the big dogs had to start spending more time outside, until finally they've been outdoor dogs (esp with the baking business and allergies) We had to have our girl put down about two months ago, but our boy is still around, 11 years old and still doing okay.

Jack Russells are so smart....when we took our boy akita to obedience school long ago, the trainer had a jack russell and I don't care for little dogs but that little thing was a cool dog. LOL.

[Danny Carlton]

Bad news. The dog has been growing increasingly aggressive, growling and snapping at the kids. Tonight she bit me twice. I called the previous owners and told them they could come get her or we'd take her to the pound. While it's sad that she has to go back, I was worrying about some of the changes that have happened since we got her. Our other smaller dog, who is very timid, has been spending most of the time hiding. The new dog also has never got over trying to pick a fight with our cat and that also worries me, because cats will only take so much abuse like that before they simply leave.

The previous owners will be picking her up tomorrow afternoon. They said there were several other people who expressed interest in the dog, but I'll tell them to make sure they know the dog does not do well with kids or cats.

[deafnva77]

is this a puppy or a grown dog?

if it is a puppy, you can train him

I think all puppies growl and nip to test their limit and see what they are capable of. YOu don't let the dog control you.

I had a big problem with our dog when he was a puppy, I make sure he know that I and my son are the boss.I showed leadership to him. he comes last.

if he is a grown dog, yeah, he is better off with someone who can handle him.

[Danny Carlton]

is this a puppy or a grown dog?

if it is a puppy, you can train him

I think all puppies growl and nip to test their limit and see what they are capable of. YOu don't let the dog control you.

I had a big problem with our dog when he was a puppy, I make sure he know that I and my son are the boss.I showed leadership to him. he comes last.

if he is a grown dog, yeah, he is better off with someone who can handle him.

She's 11 months. It may have been possible to train her, but the whole time we had her she tormented our cat and bullied our other dogs. We gave her back to the previous owners this afternoon. We felt bad, as if we'd had to take back a child we'd adopted.

[deafnva77]

that's too bad but understandable. Our dog was HORRIBLE for the first year and 1/2.

but now he is the sweet dog. he is more mellowed and mature.. sleeps on my lap when I am reading or watching tv.

[JerryNumbers]

The man was reading the adds in the large newspaper about dogs, he finally said to his wife, "That fellow named Jack Russell sure does have a lot of Terrier dogs."

True story, he had never heard of a Jack Russell Terrier.