What I've learned from this forum....
I had the opportunity to reflect on what I've learned in my time on this forum (and the Shiba side) and damn, it's a lot! This was triggered by an exchange with the trainer in my puppy class, who after hearing me recommend a book on resource guarding (Mine!) and talking about Oskar "handicaps" when playing with the puppy, she asked me where I'd learned the stuff I knew about dogs. She asked if I'd learned from Dani, a local behavioralist that I actually learned about on this forum. I had to say, no, that most of what I learned about dogs I'd learned from a really great online forum with the greatest members ever--ie this one!
So this got me thinking about how much I have grown in my understanding of dogs. If I wanted to, I could go back and find my first posts, but I'm afraid I'd be too embarrassed to do so right now! I do know that I was asking, then, about adding an Akita to my house of quarrelsome Shibas, and I talked about Toby as "dominant" and quickly got a lesson in dominance in dogs. I also remember suggesting a spray bottle to stop Shiba biting, and then I learned about what aversives were in training.
I really learned about positive reinforcement training from the forum members here and on the Shiba side.(The two sides of the forum, Shiba and Nk, were more linked then than they are now--still two separate forums, but there were less people on the Shiba side and more people participated in both sides). Since then, I've read work by Donaldson, Pryor and Miller, et al and most of the recommended books, which has taught me a lot--really entirely changed the way I view dog/human relationships and what the possibilities are in training. I learned to read dog behavior and communication from watching Brad's great videos.
I learned a ton about canine health, as well as had great support through all my dog's health crises from the people on this forum.
And I learned, sadly, a whole lot about puppy mills and what happens there on the Shiba side, and also from my own experiences with my puppy mill girl. I didn't even know the place I got her was a mill until I joined the forums. I learned how to look for a good breeder, and though I didn't get the healthy dog I hoped for when I got my Akita, at least I know I did that search right.
And finally, I learned about the other NK breeds, which resulted in yet another dog! I'm delighted to have learned about Kai Ken here.
I still have a lot to learn, but I didn't even realize, until recently, how far my passion for dogs has brought me, and it's this forum which has really helped educate me and send me looking for answers in the right direction!
So huge thanks to you all who have helped me learn--it's totally changed my relationships with dogs, and made them a huge a focus in my life! And a special thanks to Brad for making these forums possible (and for letting us join the Kai madness!)
I'd love to hear what other people have learned here too!
So this got me thinking about how much I have grown in my understanding of dogs. If I wanted to, I could go back and find my first posts, but I'm afraid I'd be too embarrassed to do so right now! I do know that I was asking, then, about adding an Akita to my house of quarrelsome Shibas, and I talked about Toby as "dominant" and quickly got a lesson in dominance in dogs. I also remember suggesting a spray bottle to stop Shiba biting, and then I learned about what aversives were in training.
I really learned about positive reinforcement training from the forum members here and on the Shiba side.(The two sides of the forum, Shiba and Nk, were more linked then than they are now--still two separate forums, but there were less people on the Shiba side and more people participated in both sides). Since then, I've read work by Donaldson, Pryor and Miller, et al and most of the recommended books, which has taught me a lot--really entirely changed the way I view dog/human relationships and what the possibilities are in training. I learned to read dog behavior and communication from watching Brad's great videos.
I learned a ton about canine health, as well as had great support through all my dog's health crises from the people on this forum.
And I learned, sadly, a whole lot about puppy mills and what happens there on the Shiba side, and also from my own experiences with my puppy mill girl. I didn't even know the place I got her was a mill until I joined the forums. I learned how to look for a good breeder, and though I didn't get the healthy dog I hoped for when I got my Akita, at least I know I did that search right.
And finally, I learned about the other NK breeds, which resulted in yet another dog! I'm delighted to have learned about Kai Ken here.
I still have a lot to learn, but I didn't even realize, until recently, how far my passion for dogs has brought me, and it's this forum which has really helped educate me and send me looking for answers in the right direction!
So huge thanks to you all who have helped me learn--it's totally changed my relationships with dogs, and made them a huge a focus in my life! And a special thanks to Brad for making these forums possible (and for letting us join the Kai madness!)
I'd love to hear what other people have learned here too!
Comments
I've learned quite a bit about canine behavior, some about nutrition, but most importantly, about training. I joined these forums knowing about positive reenforcement training, but it didn't really hit home until I started reading other people's stories and advice. I can really see the difference in how my dogs interact with me during training sessions based on what type is used.
Conker's stranger fear was, and still is, a problem. But it was very bad when I first got him. These forums are what helped me get him on the right track. I think he'd probably still be an emotional mess if I hadn't stumbled upon them and learned what I have from the amazing members of these forums.
Also, those kickass Nihon Ken. I don't have another one yet, but I am very very close to putting in for a Kai pup. Many people have told me to already, but I need to finalize a couple things in my life before I can commit to another dog. Anyways, this forum has taught me a lot about these awesome breeds and how to go about analyzing a dog and deciding if it is right for me or if I should just admire from a distance.
Thanks Brad for making that possible by hosting these forums for us. Thanks everyone else, for creating the best online dog community I have ever participated in! Without all of you, this community of crazy Nihon Ken and dog lovers might not have been as awesome as it is.
(X=posed on Shiba side)
I mean, I read my posts from long ago and I just shake my head. What a long way I've come!