**Help Wanted**

So, if we want to maintain the friendly, supportive and welcomimg board that we all love, then I think it is important that those of us who have been here for awhile try really hard to avoid being nasty or self rightous. It can be a very subtle thing but if I can pick up on the passive aggressive innuendos, I'm sure the newbies can too.

Agreed.

I think that people deserve to be treated with care and respect, even if on some level I think they may be a troll. I'm no stranger to being wrong, but I'd not want to take the chance on hurting someone who genuinely IS here for help.

I suspect that if the "core" so to speak of this board - the committed members - make an effort to give kindness, mercy, and help -- benevolent leadership anyone? -- and not make it about US - we may see a swing in the tone. I think folks come here often when they are raw, and at their wits end. Sure, I get rankled right along with the next person about certain things, but I think that people deserve me putting aside my emotional reactions to show some care for them (in whatever form I bring, whether it be prayers, advice, commisseration, whatever).

I like this board. I care about the folks that come here - the ones that stay, and the ones that leave.

ORIGINAL: rwbeagles

Denise I think you are on to something there...and I will go FURTHER and suggest...
 
IF you went to a forum and saw the things you mention, and that sort of thing appeals to you...as a firey person or heck...a person that just flat out likes confrontation...there you go! Perhaps this is the root of the matter. Like attracts like and so on...
 
Food for thought!

 
Well, lets face it, some people like to argue.  Actually, there is nothing wrong with it IMHO.  Debates bring out new ideas which equals brainfood.  The issue, however, is when it gets way off topic of nasty, then some action should be taken.  I don't, however, think that disagree ment in itself is a bad thing.

I think an intro thread is a great idea. It is hard when someone jumps in on a new board with a tough problem and the existing members don't have any background info on the poster. People tend to jump to conclusions and sometimes the poster is put off by the suggestions and they don't return to the board. But if there was a section they could post who they are, where they're from (at least generally) and some background info about their dogs or dog experience, then we could draw off of that when giving them advice.
 
And a section for the existing members who post regularly would be a good idea. That would allow new members to go and read a little about the people who are giving them advice.
 
It's easy to get bad feelings when you have anonymous people posting. People may not realize (or it's easier to ignore the fact) that you are posting comments to actual human beings with feelings. It's easy to just say whatever you want without consequences. But having a forum where people know each other and everyone understands the rules would make for a much nicer environment.

FWIW, I kinda think this forum could use 7 or 8 moderators.  There is no way 1 or 2 can be here all the time. Even moderators have a life!  That way, things may have a chance of being smoothed over or deleted before they get out of hand.  

Im a new member and have to say I visit other boards.  This one by far is my favorite.  Being a first time dog owner and rescuing a seriously ill puppy, i needed
advice and help.  Info on where to look for answers and just ya'lls experience.  While i cried my eyes out at work, i read these boards in search of something , anything that would help my dying puppy.  I hadnt posted yet at the time, but by
reading others experience and advice offered to others with sick dogs, i realized it was ok to get a 2nd opinion or visit another vet.....it couldnt hurt.  That is exactly what i did and my pup is alive today because of it. 
You guys/gals really do offer great advice and your combined experience is out of this world.  I certainly appreciate it.  I never post on the threads that get HOT as i simply believe its best to stay out of it, but you guys do keep me entertained []

FWIW, I kinda think this forum could use 7 or 8 moderators. There is no way 1 or 2 can be here all the time. Even moderators have a life! That way, things may have a chance of being smoothed over or deleted before they get out of hand.

 
I see your point. But that sounds like it could get out of hand---too many chiefs situation. I think a lot of threads would get deleted and more people would end up getting upset because their posts are being "too censored." Just my [sm=2cents.gif]

ORIGINAL: sillysally

One of the other boards I go on from time to time has an intro board where you HAVE to introduce yourself before posting the first time.

I think it is in the air.  The horse board I go on has recently gotten quite nasty.  What the mods did there was to "split" rather than lock topics.  They split the topic where it started heading south, and put the "bad" part of the topic in a recently created section called "The Naughty Corner" which can only be viewed by members.  Although people can keep posting in "The Naughty Corner" if they wish, I have to say that is really is effective in fizzling these topics out.  That way if the thread could still go in a useful direction other member can do so with out the topic being locked.

 
I think this is worth a try. Sometimes the threads are closed too soon, and there are two sides being put out there and that is what will eventually make someone go hmmm, maybe I will give that a shot.
Then you have the option of going or not. Of course they should still have to follow the forum rules. 
 

As a regular reader and an infrequent poster, I think that everyone needs to respect other people's opinions whether its about training, food, etc.   I think people get hung up on defending what they think is right and it gets ridiculous because the people on the other side of the coin are not going to change their mind because someone they've never met disagrees with them.  
 
I just think adults should be able to have civilized conversations and most people would not argue and attack like this in real life (although I know a few who do!). 
 
I also agree with previous posters that it would be interesting to learn more about the people behind the pets.   In another board I read, they do "Confessions" and discuss the embarassing/bad things they have done in regards to their pets.  It helps everyone feel a bit more united in the fact that no one is perfect.

Is there any way to MAKE folks read the rules tho?  To force them to actually read and comprehend?
 
Dang it, I wasn't finished and it posted anyhow......
 
I think the intro thread is a great idea.......I think most of us oldies have a profile that folks can click on to see who is giving advice or suggestions.....
 
I'd almost suggest a nasty corner.....but I'm afraid it would get way beyond nasty.
 

I don#%92t know if this is the place to post suggestion or not..  But  I think the site could us a New Member Section.  So the new comers can greet members of the board and also learn the rules on what#%92s appropriate and what#%92s not.
 
 
I would also like to nominate Ron for the monitor position.    Ron seems very knowledgeable about dogs in general.  I haven#%92t seen Him loose his Temper very much if not any.  Ron seems to know when to be Funny and when to Serious. 
 
 
 

Newbie Here!
I just wanted to say that I second (or third or like 15th) the Intro section. I think it would be a really great place for the senior members to stop by and welcome the people that are going to be hanging around.
 
Maybe you could make it to where when you sign up for an account, you are taken to a rules page that has the basic "Don't be a jerk" list of rules, and then you could make it forward them to the new members section to give them the option of introducing themselves? I don't know much about running a forum so I'm not even sure if thats possible, but its a thought!
 
Anyway, I just wanted to say, that I appreciate all of you guys here, I have yet to feel like I am being attacked in any way, I think this is a great place to come for help and advice and most of all SUPPORT. There is a GREAT deal of understanding and caring on this forum. I go to the spiritual circle forum and it is beautiful to me how compassionate all of you guys are to each other. I get wrapped up in people's stories, like Talus' who just recently went through surgery. I feel like all the board members, myself included, truly WERE concerned about the pups well being, and really did have him on their mind.
I think this is a great place to be, and that the good of this forum far out weighs the bad. I think most of the bickering and fighting comes from members that will come and go, but the members that stick around I have found to all be very hospitable.
Jamie, If you are the only Admin, I think you are doing a great job with this place, and regulars here are doing a great job too.
Keep up the good work! []

Maybe someone could be a "weekend" moderator, since that's usually when all the spam and *puppies for sale* ads are posted. [] It's almost like these people know that if they post after hours on Friday night, their ads are going to be up until Monday a.m.

Joyce

It takes one person to turn a thread around and make into a nasty debate, as I just discover in one of my most recent post and yes sadly I fell into contributing to the problem.  I hate to say it but I know I#%92ve also had my spouts of arguments and then there are time I also had to hold myself back. 
 
I think when it turns nasty is when someone decides to argue agents someone believes or knowledge.  I guess what we need is basically a referee to help get the topics back to where they should be.  I really do wish whoever gets this position the best of luck because from the looks of things it#%92s a difficult job

Xebby?  Did you get my PM?

I would like to second the suggestion of making some sticky post in the various topics with answers to the most commonly asked questions/problems.  I have thought of suggesting this before, but I never do. Maybe Jamie could request certain members to write up post in their areas of expertise.  Members could then email the writer with comments that have helped them that the original writer can then go back and add to the thread - that way it stays nice and neat and easy to follow.  That way when a new member joins the board with a problem, they can be directed to those post, and if they still have questions, they already know what kind of 'tone' the members are likely to suggest.
Just my two cents.....