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

[Cardinal]

We've been bathing the dogs a load more since its been so cold, my reasoning is a nice clean coat is probably much warmer than a mud caked coat. >_>;

So, we ran out of osters and just grabbed some while we were at the pet store. They really really didn't have anything completely all natural, so I just grabbed Natures Miracle shampoo made for black dogs. I generally love their products and I don't think this is an exception. Just finished washing Lucky and her coat was 110% literally squeaky clean as I ran my hands through it... and no wet dog smell on my hands afterward. Can't wait until she's dry tomorrow to really see how it worked!

[FuzzyThePunkCat]

We've been bathing the dogs a load more since its been so cold, my reasoning is a nice clean coat is probably much warmer than a mud caked coat. >_>;

So, we ran out of osters and just grabbed some while we were at the pet store. They really really didn't have anything completely all natural, so I just grabbed Natures Miracle shampoo made for black dogs. I generally love their products and I don't think this is an exception. Just finished washing Lucky and her coat was 110% literally squeaky clean as I ran my hands through it... and no wet dog smell on my hands afterward. Can't wait until she's dry tomorrow to really see how it worked!

What is the difference for shampoo for black dogs? Does it just darken the coat like whitening shampoo whitens the coat?

[guy fieri]

Do you own a dog?: Yep
Favorite dog breed?: Golden retriever
Tell us about your dog(s), if you have any!: Lily is a Golden retriever and is eight weeks old. she is also completely bonkers.
Pictures of your dog(s): Sorry but none... She probably wouldn't be able to pose anyway

[Ethulai]

Forgive me, I know next to nothing about min pins so my question might be a bit dumb.

Are they extremely hyper and stubborn?

I ask because at my old dog park, one lady had one named Chaos. And he was named VERY well! Absolutely insane, hyper, didn't listen well, and could run like the wind.

Is that how the breed is? Or was that just Chaos? (Btw, your dogs are beautiful!)

:lol:

Thank you for the compliment!

Well it depends.
I find that with a lot of toy dogs, the owner's who get them tend to let them get away with murder - because they are small dogs. You wouldn't let a GSD jump on you, but toy dog owners seem to think it's okay if their Chihuahua jumps on you. Do you know what I mean?

So, yes, if you tend to 'baby' Min Pins, they will completely run the household - they are essentially big dogs trapped in tiny bodies!

They tend to have selective hearing which is why you don't want to let them off the leash in a busy area - mine absolutely MUST KNOW about the dogs they see (I only let them off on the beach or in a fenced park) so they don't have the best recall - something I'm still working on. I'm also discovering that it is better to take just the one dog on a day trip or a longer walk, that way they don't have that 'pack mentality' and run up to strange dogs without a care. Thankfully most dogs on the beach around my area are friendly and/or very tolerant and thankfully most dogs don't see them as a threat. I would say their recall is at 80%, still not good enough I know. I am always sure to apologise to the dog owners and call them away as soon as possible, and they go straight back on the leash if they show me such unsavory behavior.

So yes, the selective hearing is the biggest problem for me.

It sounds like Chaos was just not getting enough exercise. I love Min Pins because as long as they have company, they're fine. They just wanna be with you! If you want to sit on the couch all day, they will happily join you. If you want to go on a six hour hike, they will happily join you. It is just that too many owners assume they don't need much exercise - and in some toy dog cases that is correct. Unfortunately it is not correct for Min Pins. If they don't have enough stimulation they will cause...heh...chaos

And now...the funniest picture I ever took at my local dog forum users meet

@Ethulai, your dog is gorgeous. My hairdresser (who is a backyard breeder herself) had two Min Pins from bybs. Sadly, both died at extremely young ages (like 3-4 years old). One just dropped dead. Yet my hairdresser still thinks its ok to breed dogs.

Thank you. Jacques will appreciate the compliment. He insists that everyone must pay attention to him and give him the most cuddles.

That is so sad Hairdresser should stick to what she knows!

[.Middy.]

That could be it. I know Chaos only came to the dog park like once or twice every two weeks. And I think he stayed in a kennel while they worked.

The scary thing? His owner ended up getting a Doberman puppy. Last time I saw her, she was 8ish months and did not seem well trained. She also seemed people shy, and went after Chew once or twice. (Not bad, but it was unprovoked. I ended up moving not long after, so who knows how she turned out)

[Cardinal]

We've been bathing the dogs a load more since its been so cold, my reasoning is a nice clean coat is probably much warmer than a mud caked coat. >_>;

So, we ran out of osters and just grabbed some while we were at the pet store. They really really didn't have anything completely all natural, so I just grabbed Natures Miracle shampoo made for black dogs. I generally love their products and I don't think this is an exception. Just finished washing Lucky and her coat was 110% literally squeaky clean as I ran my hands through it... and no wet dog smell on my hands afterward. Can't wait until she's dry tomorrow to really see how it worked!

What is the difference for shampoo for black dogs? Does it just darken the coat like whitening shampoo whitens the coat?

Not really. It brings forth the natural dark shine while adding uv protection to help against sun fading/damage. =) I think some darken, but not the one I picked up.

[Ethulai]

That could be it. I know Chaos only came to the dog park like once or twice every two weeks. And I think he stayed in a kennel while they worked.

The scary thing? His owner ended up getting a Doberman puppy. Last time I saw her, she was 8ish months and did not seem well trained. She also seemed people shy, and went after Chew once or twice. (Not bad, but it was unprovoked. I ended up moving not long after, so who knows how she turned out)

Sounds like that could have been a problem. What I've noticed is the males are very dependent, while the females are more independent. I actually got Jacques because Remy had seperation anxiety - my fault because I had uni holidays when I got him and spent every waking moment with him, and then suddenly I wasn't there for six to eight hours a day. Étienne was a happy accident. I left Remy and Jacques for a few days at a kennel run by a Min Pin breeder while I visited my boyfriend up in the snow (usually my parents would of taken them, but they were in Poland visiting family) and he was four weeks old when I dropped them off. Instant love. Gah.

So for a sociable dependant dog like a male Min Pin, being left alone for the whole day and only getting stimulation twice every two weeks would have been hell. On top of that, having owners who didn't properly train him or put boundaries in place would definitely trigger the stubborn, 'small dog syndrome' lurking under the surface of every Min Pin.

I absolutely love what they say in the breed standard;

Fearless animation, complete self-possession, and spirited presence.

Which is a double edged sword, isn't it? Which is why you need to ensure your Min Pin knows who is boss, has enough socialisation with humans and animals of all types, is well trained and gets regularly exercised.

Oh that poor Doberman. I absolutely adore Dobermans but don't have the lifestyle to suit them (also my yard is extremely small). I just think they are magnificent. It is always sad when people get dogs without properly researching the breed.

For example, my boyfriend would love a Border Collie but I always tell him that will never happen because frankly he doesn't exercise enough. I tell him a retired Greyhound would suit him better

[Cardinal]

Oh that poor Doberman. I absolutely adore Dobermans but don't have the lifestyle to suit them (also my yard is extremely small). I just think they are magnificent. It is always sad when people get dogs without properly researching the breed.

Nah, they really are huge derpfaces.

[Ethulai]

Oh that poor Doberman. I absolutely adore Dobermans but don't have the lifestyle to suit them (also my yard is extremely small). I just think they are magnificent. It is always sad when people get dogs without properly researching the breed.

Nah, they really are huge derpfaces.

Magnificent derpfaces.

That is a gorgeous photo!

Actually my best friend had a black and tan Dobie when we were kids. He was so funny! He would eat tissues from the box. He also liked them better when they were used (yuck!). Also, he knew he wasn't allowed on the couch, but would nonchalantly stand in front of it...and then slowly, slowly back up to it...until his bum and back legs were on the couch and his front paws were still on the tiles.

[FuzzyThePunkCat]

Oh that poor Doberman. I absolutely adore Dobermans but don't have the lifestyle to suit them (also my yard is extremely small). I just think they are magnificent. It is always sad when people get dogs without properly researching the breed.

Nah, they really are huge derpfaces.

Magnificent derpfaces.

That is a gorgeous photo!

Actually my best friend had a black and tan Dobie when we were kids. He was so funny! He would eat tissues from the box. He also liked them better when they were used (yuck!). Also, he knew he wasn't allowed on the couch, but would nonchalantly stand in front of it...and then slowly, slowly back up to it...until his bum and back legs were on the couch and his front paws were still on the tiles.

My great gandmother's red Doberman, Baron, used to sit on the couch like that xD I think my aunt and uncle's Doberman, Champ, did that too xD