[soSldI4i]

Dog general ownership guidelines and concepts then vs. now. In my past when dealing with dogs i did what every dog owner should do, no dog got was seriously hurt and all dogs lived long lives. Going by guidelines now would make me seem like i didn't care for the dogs well being. How do you all feel about the evolution of dog guidelines. Are they good, better or out of line.

[PlanTaleks]

I don't quite understand what you're saying.
This part, especially, confuses me.

In my past when dealing with dogs i did what every dog owner should do, no dog got was seriously hurt and all dogs lived long lives.

[soSldI4i]

I don't quite understand what you're saying.
This part, especially, confuses me.

Meaning i was just a general dog owner, had boxers most of my life. Followed the norm for taking care of and owning a dog.

[Habalinnyf]

Ok what was the norm? What do you think the norm is now? I'm still confused.

[Ifroham4]

These guidelines are now completely out of line and not even that, but it is unhealthy for the dog. I give my dog a tie out on a 6' chain. I allow him to defecate and urinate outside the yard when he is on the tie out (its his yard and territory, why not?). He is exercised regularly going on a 30 min. walk daily minimum and often 2+ hour night jogs with me during the weekend when college is done. He also comes with me and has the pleasure of relaxing with my friends and I while we are at the park ballin. However, most would now consider running or jogging 2+ hours in the winter months when its single digit or during the hot summer months in the high 90's inhumane, and we do this year round 24/7. That is our routine. He is also flirtpoled and springpoled. Along with this, his bulk diet is mostly raw supplemented with cooked and kibble. However, most now would prefer their dogs to be couch potatos and just sit inside the house 24/7. I personally believe this is ridiculous since by allowing my dog freedom to roam and on the chain tie out, he gets to be a dog. Mark his territory, watch passerbys, birds, take in the sun, etc. That's a dog's life man. Even wolves in the wild when they are done patrolling territory loves to lounge and take in the sun. You have to let your dog's wolf spirit run free. Coming from hog dogging background, that is how I keep my dogs. Just my two cents.

[yarita]

well back THEN we didn't have BSL or any breed banning, like we do now (today). can you give us some examples? i'm also confused.

[Ifroham4]

well back THEN we didn't have BSL or any breed banning, like we do now (today). can you give us some examples? i'm also confused.

it's cruel to have your dog on a chain

it's cruel to work your dog in 98+ degree weather/10 degree weather

it's cruel to force a dog to work since "dogs should be dogs"

it's cruel if you don't give yearly vaccinations

it's cruel if you crate your dog

etc etc.

People have a tendency that leads them to anthropomorphize their dogs. When my dog is crated, he can do w/e he wants in the crate and is provided with bones to chew on. When he is outside on the 6 feet tie out, he is allowed to bark, urinate, and defecate wherever he chooses. When it is in the high 90s during the summer, he is being worked. When it is in the single digit temperatures of winter, he is worked. If he has already had a vaccination, he is not vaccinated again and again every single year.

[yarita]

it's cruel to have your dog on a chain

it's cruel to work your dog in 98+ degree weather/10 degree weather

it's cruel to force a dog to work since "dogs should be dogs"

it's cruel if you don't give yearly vaccinations

it's cruel if you crate your dog

etc etc. okay thanks sweets

[PlanTaleks]

Still don't get it.

Are you just comparing societies views of dog ownership from 'the old days' to now, or what?

[QysnZWB4]

I would LOVE to get into a fruitful debate about the merits of certain dog owning philosophies...

but this is not specific enough. then vs now is a ridiculously broad comparison.

What was the dog conception then? and whos conception was it?

What is the dog conception now? and again, who's conception?

On a side note, there is archealogical evidence of toy breeds in ancient egypt, so dogs weren't purely workers or tools back then, just as they aren't all couch potatoes now.

[anaisdannyxys]

I do think that the conceptions of then and now are pretty general and it is kind of hard to say for sure which is better....but I can tell you this:

I think that now, people care more about animals - but the problem is, they don't know what the hell they are talking about most of the time. People who say it is cruel to "force" a dog to work have never had dogs that WANT to work. People in my town think I'm nuts because I walk my dog for 2 hrs a day rain/shine/blizzard/10 degrees/90 degrees whatever. These people obviously have never had a high energy dog. I do this for no reason other than the fact that at 10 o'clock in the morning my dog is sitting at the door waiting for his walk and if he doesn't get it he is out of control restless. Most people who think it is mean to chain up a dog have dogs that are happy hanging out inside, can't jump fences or get out of kennels, etc.

There's a reason that the HSUS can publish stuff saying "dog fighters force their dogs to hang from objects like tires to strengthen their jaws," and people buy it. Clearly they know nothing about the dogs and have never seen how much pit bulls LOVE it. They decide that they care about these dogs yet they have so little knowledge of them that their idea of the right and wrong way to treat a dog is completely off.

Before, people didn't care what the hell you did with your dog. The people who had them and were in charge of taking care of them generally knew what was best and were free to take care of them as they saw fit. I honestly think that people mean well when they make these standards, I just think they lack a basic understanding of certain breeds of dogs. A little bit of knowledge is very dangerous.

[DaleJrGirl]

Back "then" dogs were, dogs. And by then I'm going back to before we had highways, and fast cars, suburbs, let's say 100 years.

Dogs were fed scraps. Maybe had a meal made for them. Otherwise they hunted their own food outdoors (no cars, no highways, dogs could roam as they pleased). Killed vermin on the property. Guarded the house and family. If it was a working dog, it worked. Dogs weren't little people. They were just dogs. I'm sad that so many people lost sight of that, however I'm happy that dogs are recognized as companions.

My dogs are just that, companion dogs. They get plenty of exercise, spend lots of time outside keeping the damn squirrels the neighbor feeds out of my yard, chase off stray cats, watch birds, run around, rough house, and just get to be dogs. I take them with me everywhere I can for protection, as well as just the joy of having them around. They guard the house, me, and my property. Their reward for doing their job is good food, exercise, kindness, and a warm safe home.