Does this annoy you?

I agree that people doing research is wonderful but I get the impression most of the time that these people want a dog just because they can. I don't feel that they want a dog so they can provide a loving home and make this dog happy every single day. I think most of the people get the dog, then get bored with it. They want the dog like they want a new best friend, and yet they want "The Perfect Dog"
 
When I wake up in the morning, I swear to you this is what goes through my mind. "I wonder if the kids are up?  Where's Sara girl, she needs a kiss"
 
Before I even brush my teeth or have my morning tea. I am kissing and hugging Sara like I have been away for days. Because I see in her eyes how happy she is to see me.

ORIGINAL: angeltrudelle
When I wake up in the morning, I swear to you this is what goes through my mind. "I wonder if the kids are up?  Where's Sara girl, she needs a kiss"

This is what I think about Ella.

Actually, I think some times people who post these types of posts have a dual purpose - trying to figure out what they should do, and reaching out for human contact. On the very rare occasion that I feel frustrated, I just walk away for a few minutes. Otherwise, I'll do my best to answer the same questions as many times as necessary.

Maybe we can help them by giving a little more focus - ask them to give us a list of their 3-5 top picks, and we go from there. Most people stand a very good chance of getting first hand information from someone who owns a breed that they're looking into from folks on this board. I'm glad they're coming here first rather than running into the first pet store they see.

Sure, it might be annoying or frustrating some times. That's when we need to put on our leadership hats and trudge right in. I've found that a lot of times I do some of my best learning when I'm trying to help someone else figure something out. []

Actually, I think some times people who post these types of posts have a dual purpose - trying to figure out what they should do, and reaching out for human contact.

 
So true.
It's also worth bearing in mind that a good portion of the "what breed" threads are written by teenagers. I shudder to think what sort of "what dog should I get" post *I* might have written at 14 or 15....

There are people who have a list of needs for themselves, and when that is the main criteria for their future puppy, looks like they are setting themselves and the poor pet for failure. 
 
Shelters are full of these sad failures.  It is good that a person comes to this site and asks questions.  The reality needs to be delivered to them, tactfully.  If the wanna be dog owner listens to suggestions, collects the info, researches, sets up home for a dog...properly, there just may be success in that! 
 
It really isn't much different than having your first child.  And some people cannot do that either.  But most do ok. 
 
Asking questions is good.  Educating is essential.  [8|]

I agree that people doing research is wonderful but I get the impression most of the time that these people want a dog just because they can. I don't feel that they want a dog so they can provide a loving home and make this dog happy every single day. I think most of the people get the dog, then get bored with it. They want the dog like they want a new best friend, and yet they want "The Perfect Dog" When I wake up in the morning, I swear to you this is what goes through my mind. "I wonder if the kids are up?  Where's Sara girl, she needs a kiss" Before I even brush my teeth or have my morning tea. I am kissing and hugging Sara like I have been away for days. Because I see in her eyes how happy she is to see me.

Jon Katz wrote an interesting book about this called The New Emotional Work of Dogs... he makes a compelling argument against emotionally dependent relationships between dogs and humans. He is pretty consistently thoughtful about the relationship between dogs and humans and its meaning. Here is an interesting article he wrote for slate about how dogs can improve your morals:

http://www.slate.com/id/2101939/

I commend people for doing research before getting a dog. I think when answering though you folks need to be blunter about your breed's  "not so positive" qualities. It's kind of hard to find out the reality of  "downsides". If the breed descriptions say "needs lots of exercise", what exactly does that mean-- if an actual border collie owner said "12 hours a day", that's one less border collie that will end up in a rescue. If instead of gushing about how gentle and friendly Danes are, people instead told stories about their amazing "could be sold as an industrial adhesive" slobber, how painful it is to be stepped on, how strong and stubborn they can be, how delicate their digestive systems are, well, that's a few less Danes that will end up in rescue or crippled from improper feeding.
 
Jessiegirl's description is terrific, no one's going to run out and get a malinios on impulse after hearing  "Do you want this huge dog that will grow to be a hundred pounds, eat your couch, eat your shoes, try to eat anyone who enters your house, shed continually, clack her jaws in your face (one of those mal traits that took me months to train her out of), learn to open the fridge and then eat a container of gravy and have diarrhea all over your carpet, jump through your living room window and cost you a kazillion dollars in vet bills,"
 
which is as it should be.
 
 
 
 
 

Just a note, I put in some criteria on the Dog Breed Info page and this is what I got.
[align=center] Dog Breed Info Center Search Results

[align=center]Sorry, using your search criteria, no dogs were found.
[align=center]

[align=left]Um?
I have owned a dog before.
I feel I can control a dominating dog.
I live in a Single home.
I have a large yard.
I do not have any children.
Medium sized dog.
No preference on shedding.
No preference on allergy problems.
I will spend any amount of time grooming.
I will give daily exercise.
I prefer only a warning bark.

I changed the criteria a lot and it gave the same thing.  Is it a joke?  lol...  Cause if it is, it's great!!!!

Hey now! I started a thread about my Ella vomitting because of an antibiotic, but also called my vet first and Ella wasn't vomitting TONS. Just a few tablespoons here and there inconsistently.

Wait. Nevermind. Mine was a legit question that I seriously just wanted opinions and suggestions on. I try not to consult people here as though they are Vets. I usually contact my vet first for conditions as I mentioned above and THEN I come here to see if anyone has had something similar happen to their dog and ask what they did about it.

 
GOTCHA! []  Certainly nothing wrong with getting more info... that's what I do!  That's why I'm so glad I found this place.  I'm not as crazy as I first thought (or maybe I am and everyone else is crazy with me!! [])
 

I think when answering though you folks need to be blunter about your breed's  "not so positive" qualities.

 
I think a lot of people really mean well when looking for a perfect breed to go along with their lives & people really want to list the good qualities... it can be misleading at times. BUT just like anything else (or anyone else) some of those not so good qualities make them unique & sometimes even more loveable.  Really, people need to be honest about themselves and what they're willing to take on.  Don't adopt a dog that needs exercise if you're nothing but a couch potato with zero motivation. 
 
I'll add to this

Do you want this huge dog that will grow to be a hundred pounds, eat your couch, eat your shoes, try to eat anyone who enters your house, shed continually, clack her jaws in your face (one of those mal traits that took me months to train her out of), learn to open the fridge and then eat a container of gravy and have diarrhea all over your carpet, jump through your living room window and cost you a kazillion dollars in vet bills,"

with: not just huge dogs but smaller dogs that have projection vomit - barfing all over you, your vehicle, your carpet and anything else in sight, pees just to be peeing inside and on carpet, bites/nibbles at any appendage on your body and when the vet is saying GOOD GIRL, tries to take a finger instead of the biscuit he just offered!
 
 

in short, they want a bald dog that doesn't require anything from them. 

 
[sm=lol.gif][sm=biggrin.gif][sm=lol.gif]
 
 

ORIGINAL: angeltrudelle
Before I even brush my teeth or have my morning tea. I am kissing and hugging Sara like I have been away for days. Because I see in her eyes how happy she is to see me.

 
I always start my day with kisses from my fur-babies too []

i havent been on this forum long enough to see one of those posts, but i must say, we love that our dog goes insane when we get home, although he barely ever stays home alone because he DOES bark, alot.
 
what do people expect? i mean i could have my dog trained to not do all those things, but hes a DOG, we like our DOG.
 
i think if anyone wants a loyal, non- barking animal who isnt hyper-happy to see them when they get home, and potty trains itself and doesnt mind being home alone for hours, they dont really want a dog.......they want a cat!