I have three dogs as well.

Alpha is easy.

A little pop under the chin and growl at them.

Works very very well.

Big responsibility. I won't leave the dogs overnight alone so it has hindered me socially some times. Something to think about.

quote:

Originally posted by Stone:
Big responsibility. I won't leave the dogs overnight alone so it has hindered me socially some times. Something to think about.

That's a shame.I doggysit for friends all the time.I won't watch their kids,though.

Cool info on the alpha. Some stuff I didn't know, but I do know that I need to be alpha and lead the dog properly. Marshall I didn't know you had 3?

Life's better with dogs.

Yeah two Bostons and Brown Dog. Winnie. She's been here nine years now so you know her.

I rescued my short hair shepherd when she was 9 months old about six years ago; she’s one of the best dog’s ever. Took me weeks of looking before I adopted her. Having dogs all my life and a previous Shepard helped a lot recognizing the traits I was looking for. Normally good watch dogs, can be left alone, the females are more affectionate males less so. Don't generally like cats but can be trained to tolerate them.

I work long hours 10+ some times and travel a lot so I knew I needed a dog that would be independent and stay out side if needed. We have a doggie door but when nobody home for a few days we sometime block it off. She has here own warm comfty dog house protected from the weather in the shade, a shed to sleep if she wants, trees, room to roam the backyard and even some area that’s is kind of her own domain. Self watering and eating setup along with stuff to play with. Normally when I’m away I have a friend or other family member go over one a day to walk, interacts and feeds if needed. Always happy either way but will stick by my side when ever I'm around. She knows all the neighbors and dogs and they play together pretty well.

When their young you need to pay closer attention and train correctly. After that if you properly feed, care, and give enough attention its all good .

I take her hiking with us and on shorter trips. She doesn’t really dig the longer ones with a lot of truck time or the bouncing around on extended 4x4 outings. For that stuff I think smaller dogs are better, my pit bull was a great road, trail,and camping dog.

The more and more I read it does seem like a smaller less dominant male or a female would be the better shepherd.

I know winnie, she is a sweetie.

Yeah, you are one of her boyfriends.

Theres like three guys she just melts over and Keith is one of them....

That is actually a big compliment. Tomorrow I go and see shepherds!!! Then this weekend I get the cats ready and clean up the yard. I am still probably at least a month away, but I have to start somewhere.

I got back from the rescue a couple of hours ago and DAMN. They had almost 300 shepherds there! There is a certain cruelty to a no-kill shelter/rescue that I had never seen and it is quite saddening. If I didn't have my cats I would defiantly get two dogs. John, there were 3 mastiffs there and they were SO friendly and one of them was barking at me when I walked away because he wanted more attention. Such sweet dogs. Man, it was such a saddening experience. There were two shepherds there that were missing one rear leg and one of them definably liked me A LOT. I would not be against a 3 legged dog as both of them seemed to have great personalities. Also the loss of one leg might give my cats a better running chance

I picked out 3 dogs I liked but the kennel manager said that all of those dogs would not like my kitties. Honestly, I think none of the dogs there would like my kitties and that I should get a young dog that has the attitude I like, make sure my cats have a place the dog can't get to, and give it time. This has worked before in my family with high prey driven dogs although it takes some time.

Ideas on getting the dog acclimated to the cats other than what I have mentioned?

http://www.leerburg.com/dog-cat.htm

Keith, this website has a good writeup on acclimating dogs to cats( and vice versa).

I had a couple and it was never hard to get them to get along with the cats or any of the other animals for that matter. It was simply a matter of letting the dog know that any bad behavior with the othat animals will not be tolerated. This may not work well on a dog that has been abused in the past but so far it works well on my dogs.

I agree that I really hate leaving my dogs crated but I dont have much of a choice. I come home for lunch alot just to let them out for a while. I have one boston and one brittney spaniel so they are not too big. I had another boston but he drowned over the summer.

quote:

Originally posted by System-F:
I got back from the rescue a couple of hours ago and DAMN. They had almost 300 shepherds there! There is a certain cruelty to a no-kill shelter/rescue that I had never seen and it is quite saddening. If I didn't have my cats I would defiantly get two dogs. John, there were 3 mastiffs there and they were SO friendly and one of them was barking at me when I walked away because he wanted more attention. Such sweet dogs. Man, it was such a saddening experience. There were two shepherds there that were missing one rear leg and one of them definably liked me A LOT. I would not be against a 3 legged dog as both of them seemed to have great personalities. Also the loss of one leg might give my cats a better running chance

I picked out 3 dogs I liked but the kennel manager said that all of those dogs would not like my kitties. Honestly, I think none of the dogs there would like my kitties and that I should get a young dog that has the attitude I like, make sure my cats have a place the dog can't get to, and give it time. This has worked before in my family with high prey driven dogs although it takes some time.

Ideas on getting the dog acclimated to the cats other than what I have mentioned?

Man.. any idea what kind of mastiffs? English? I want to find a male brindle english mastiff.

I am not sure if they were english or not. Here is the Kennel Master's number and she will know. 972-768-4555

Their kennels are overrun and they are dying to adopt dogs!

I might not be going back as I found a shepherd who has until the 22nd and they will put him down. His name is Reese and he is good with very small dogs so he should take better to my cats and he is gorgous. His need is also greater than that of the dogs at Campwolfgang.

Black92se, I was surprised to find out that Shepherds are OK in a kennel for as long as I am at work according to the rescue I talke to today as long as I give them plenty of attention when I am home. Eventually they will get used to the schedule.

Currently the backyard is dog friendly only needed fence work and the cats have their room setup and are using the food/water/litter in that room.

Here are some pictures. They say he is a happy guy!



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Bille great site! I don't think I agree with the shock collars and couldn't use one, but I think that when dog-cat contact does happen that a muzzle might be a good idea at first.