Dog Owner Chat! (for-fun poll added) (new chat)

[Cardinal]

Meh, neutering isn't a 'must' like a lot of people make it out to be, responsible pet ownership is. He wont explode into flames if you put it off longer. Or, really, you can opt for a cheaper neuter.. 300 is rather outrageous. Neuters are routine, vets do them day in and day out. They aren't even an invasive surgery like a spay. While ever surgery has its potential risks, a neuter is easy peasy lemon squeasy, no matter who performs it.

Oh, I just really want it done. I have noticed that the male dogs in my neighborhood that are neutered do not tend to attack other dogs, nor do they get attacked as often by in tact males. And since many dogs die of cancer I wanted to take one of those cancers off the table O.O

And the actual surgery is like.. 200? But there is testing beforehand that is optional that sounded important to me. IDK, I guess I could get it done cheaper. I just... IDK. I'm scared to DX

AND THOSE PUPPIES IN THE POST ABOVE THIS ARE ADORABLE

Eh, by neutering you may take one cancer off the table, but you increase the chances of another, or several more if your dog is under 2 years old. =) I've never been a mega fan of spay/neutering dogs, but that just personal. ^^;

Don't be afraid, liek I said.. Neutering is pretty standard and common place, vets do it ALL the time. Heck, some vet techs even do it day in and day out, its no biggie. =)

[.Coyote]

Oh, he is four and a half. I wanted to wait after two years old anyway, but didn't know I'd be waiting this long O.o

UUGH. Maybe I should DX. I really wanted to get it done before we leave for a trip out of state, because he would have to stay with family that has other dogs.

Thanks, though.

[Cardinal]

Effing rabbits. D:<

I now remember why I avoid walking Juniper when the suns still up, theres SO MANY distractions. Omg. Interstate noise, random people, birds, RABBITS apparently, cats, other dogs. Was pretty terrible. and by terrible I mean she only had three small freak outs.. One over a very young rabbit darting across the road practically under our feet, a massive dog I've never seen before ramming the fence to his yard, and a small flock of birds of the ground that Juniper wanted to eat. She recovered fairly quick after each one, but it was still bothersome. xD

I'm pretty astonished at how much she's grown. She hasn't worn her backpack in about a month, to be honest I lost it in the deep dark recesses of my bf's car and its just been to hot for it. Anyways, last time she wore it the snap around her ribs was about an inch to lose, even completely tightened. I had to let it out a good two inches this time for it to fit, snuggly at that! The snap under her armpits also had to be let out another inch. D; ITS ONLY BEEN A MONTH!

[Lupen]

Oh my god. Lucky, my mothers nine year old got sprayed by a skunk before killing it... I don't know what to do. ><

Read to mix hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and detergent. Going to try it out.

[~Serenade~]

Anyone use a martingale? I've never looked them up before, are they safe? Of course I know they aren't supposed to be used like a choke chain and when pulled should only fit snuggly. The reason I asked is because I found an amazing looking martingale collar and leash that match Bella's equipment. It also glows in the dark so I can see her in the yard at night and is reflective like her vest so she's more noticeable in public.

[evergreen]

Read to mix hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and detergent. Going to try it out.

Works good but you gotta get it on ASAP. The longer you leave it the more likely the smell will stick (in my experience anyway). You're still probably going to smell it for the next little while any time she gets wet.

Skunks are horrible....I remember after Murray got neutered (not supposed to be bathed for two weeks) I carried him out to the yard the next day for a pee. Set him down, look up, frikin skunk RIGHT IN THE YARD. thankfully he was still a little out of it and didn't notice it before I could grab him and put him back in the house

[Lupen]

Yeah, we bathed him about ten or so minutes after it happened. I can't smell anything on him now, but ill have to see tomorrow... We had windows open too when it sprayed so every room stunk like skunk. The smells almost gone now, but its still lingering in some closets and rooms whose doors were shut. Such a pain ><

I always hear of dog owners dealing with skunks.. Never thought I'd be one of them. I'm just glad he's up to date on his rabies shots. I don't think he got bit, but you never know.. And Kodas getting his first rabies on Thursday.

[Saracirce]

Anyone use a martingale? I've never looked them up before, are they safe? Of course I know they aren't supposed to be used like a choke chain and when pulled should only fit snuggly. The reason I asked is because I found an amazing looking martingale collar and leash that match Bella's equipment. It also glows in the dark so I can see her in the yard at night and is reflective like her vest so she's more noticeable in public.

Martingales are lovely, especially for dogs who like to back out of their collars. I actually want to get one for Clemmy. She hasn't managed to back out of her collar yet but she does make me paranoid. Especially since she does it when she wants to go run up to a dog. Nimbo, the dog I pet sit, has a martingale and the shelter uses martingales. I wouldn't really suggest leaving a dog out unsupervised somewhere the collar could get caught up though because they do sit pretty loose.

@Lupen: Welcome to the skunk club Clemmy only stopped smelling like skunk when wet a couple months ago and she got sprayed last spring/early summer.

[Bearcat2019]

Alright: That's it. I love dogs. Dogs, dogs, dogs!! Everything about your pet dogs!

I have 2: Daisy and Ming. I'll probably put up some pictures later.

[Imzadi83]

Anyone use a martingale? I've never looked them up before, are they safe? Of course I know they aren't supposed to be used like a choke chain and when pulled should only fit snuggly. The reason I asked is because I found an amazing looking martingale collar and leash that match Bella's equipment. It also glows in the dark so I can see her in the yard at night and is reflective like her vest so she's more noticeable in public.

Martingales are lovely, especially for dogs who like to back out of their collars. I actually want to get one for Clemmy. She hasn't managed to back out of her collar yet but she does make me paranoid. Especially since she does it when she wants to go run up to a dog. Nimbo, the dog I pet sit, has a martingale and the shelter uses martingales. I wouldn't really suggest leaving a dog out unsupervised somewhere the collar could get caught up though because they do sit pretty loose.

I second Saracirce's advice about not leaving a dog unsupervised using a martingales. I have heard of dogs getting caught and strangling themselves that way. This is more of a hazzard if the tags are attached to the part of the collar that the leash attaches to because the tags can get caught and pull the collar taught. They do make breakaway martingales and you can put the tags on another part of the collar though. The real benefit seems to me however to having a martingale is when the leash is attached they can't back out. Otherwise it's just another collar.

If the main reason you want it is because it glows in the dark you could just use some reflective tape on the regular collar and/or they have flashing light tags you can attach to the collar.