DS REGS! WHAT CAN WE TEACH the NEW YOUNG DS MEMBERS?

Just five...LOL

I agree with all that you said, of course, and am sure I will repeat what someone else has said, or will totally agree. But here is my humble contribution (understanding that each statement is a starting point for an entire learning experience):

1. Dogs are not people on four legs. They are animals and enjoy being treated as such. Please allow your dog to be a dog. It is how he is happiest.

2. Dogs do not NEED or WANT to reproduce. And you will not get a carbon copy of your dog by letting her have pups. You can not dictate the number of pups she will have and you cannot make her and the sire be a little happy family. You will be putting your dog at risk and adding to the over-population of dogs, thus adding to the shelter population, thus killing dogs. Nor is your dog's uterus a business office or manufacturer for you and your family. (This is also true of your male dog's (ahem) tools.)

3. You cannot get medical care for your dog on Yahoo Answers, or anywhere else online. While anyone here will be happy to try and help, we want to hear first that you have a vet and are taking your dog. By the same token, because your dog has been sick, this does not qualify you to treat another's dog online. Please do not tell anyone that your dog "had the same symptoms" and thus their dog "will be ok."

4. You cannot train your dog by reading a book, watching Cesar Milan or Victoria Stillwell, or by asking "How To" on Yahoo Answers. It takes dedication and hard work and TIME. Your dog does not understand your words so you have to train yourself to communicate with him before he can learn.

5. Before you beg your parents to get a dog and make all kinds of promises that you will not keep, try volunteering your time at your local Animal Shelter or an Animal Rescue (if you are old enough and have your parent's permission). This will help to teach you what a dog needs, and will prepare you for the day when you do get your own dog. It will also provide a much needed service to many dogs.

And I would (of course) like to add a couple:

6. Please remember that your dog is a living, breathing creature. You cannot take it out and play with it when you feel like it and then put it back on the shelf when you get tired. Your dog is not stupid or lazy because he does not catch on right away to house training. (This is something you have to work with and his success or failure depends on you.) And your 10 week old puppy is not aggressive because he bites. Please refer back to training rules and train your puppy. Cut him a little slack and remember, he depends on you.

7. Your dog is not disposable. If you take your dog to a shelter because you made a mistake when you begged your parents for a dog and they finally gave in, the dog will most likely not make it out alive. 85% to 90% of the dogs taken to shelters do not make it out. Yours will not be different or special because he is so cute. Also, your local shelter is not a Swap Shop where you can trade one for another.

I hope the kids will read and I hope it will make a difference. But then I hope and wish many things. Great Question!

There is a saying....How you do anything is how you do everything. That is a good lesson for kids and grownups. A good example is the best sermon. Ben Franklin.

I think we need to teach everyone on the site to be a good example. The person asking a question is asking a question, they deserve a best answer, even though we have probably answered that very same question 25 times today, they have only asked it once.

We need to consider that not all people know about dogs and puppies, and don't have access to the information some of the rest of us do, and we are supposed to be here to help. The answers we give might make the difference between whether they become a dog lover, or just give up and take their dog to the pound.

We also need to remind ourselves that we didn't just wake up one day and suddenly become knowledgeable about dogs/puppies. It took us a lifetime of learning from relatives, our own dogs, our own mistakes, books, breeders, vets, and web sites, and sometimes The Dog Whisperer actually taught us something we didn't know.

We also need to remember that just because someone is younger than us, doesn't mean they don't have an answer, or even the best answer. Sometimes the kids have the best answers, they don't over think things.

Internet adds with cute puppies being held by some kid in a field of flowers are the sign of a good breeder. You can house train any size dog to puppy pads, I had no idea they came in large economy size. Dogs can be completely housebroken but still **** on your bed. Crate training- bad, letting dogs eat furniture- good Cleaning up poop and pee isn't necessary. There is a such thing as an American Rottweiler <ugh> Dogs chase cats Cats don't like dogs I am cruel because I recommend prongs Puggles are breeds People that prefer pure breeds are Nazis. Eating raw will make a dog mean. Protection training is a piece of cake if you have the right breed, no the right dog but breed. Dogs should be able to run free, even if you live near an interstate with a row of trees separating the house from the road and your dog does not know "stop" It is possible to bread a German Sheppard to a wiener dog and get a pure bread dog WITH PAPERS. Little untrained dogs--good, big untrained dogs-bad. It is NEVER the owners fault that there dog ran was not contained and bit someone, it is ALWAYS the neighbors fault. These are just a few of my favorite things--gotta walk the dogs We are all family counselors and know how to talk parents into getting a dog. A bunch of strangers can name any dog--I like Fred, Buddy or Diesel, there are at least 36475860 dogs named Diesel and Buddy, not counting the ones born today--I still like Fred <g> Dogs are FREE We can tell anyone in the world how much a dog will cost and how much the spay/neuter, shots or major surgeries will cost cuz we spend our days comparing cost all over the world. We also know what dogs will need to be shipped from Cameroon to Bumf**k Egypt. We know for a fact that certain breeds like cats, babies, birds and will get along great with their other dog and we know which breed is best for them.

Here's mine:

1. I have no idea what the best breed would be for you or your lifestyle, so stop asking. Attend a dog show, meet the breed, or read a book on dog breeds to get your questions answered.

2. Name your dog whatever name you want to. Your dog is not mine. I would not let you name my dogs. I will not name your dogs. Your dog really doesn't care what he's called as long as he's not called late to dinner.

3. If your bored, instead of trolling this forum, volunteer at your local shelter, clean the yard, play/train your own dogs, just do something productive.

4. This is not the place for HELP EMERGENCY!! veterinary advice. Most of us are not vets. Plus how would you know if the information given is correct since we do not really know each other. Call your vet. Sure many things need to be seen by the vet but there are many things that can be treated at home under your vet's advice.

5. If you are interested in breeding, this is a bad place for that information. Getting a library card is free and the sources are more creditable. You can also join your local kennel club, 4H dog group, or other doggy junior program to find wonderful adult mentors.

1. Do your own research before coming onto Y!A asking what type of dog you should get and what this and that breed is like.

2. The only place you should get your "designer" dog from is the shelter.

3. Pet stores are a BIG no no for getting your dog from.

4. Leave the breeding to the reputable breeders who show, work and health test their dogs.

5. Think before you type.

I'm still in high school, and I'd consider myself a rather intellectual individual, when it comes to dogs (and animals in general).

In fact, I'm pretty sure there are quite a few dog section regulars that are still pretty young.

I do understand, however, where you are coming from. I get a first hand account of how stupid high school students can be (I have to spend half of my life with them).

I would give an actual answer to this question, but I would find it inappropriate considering I am a "young dog section member". Although I'm certainly not new.

ADD:

Alright, alright, let me think of something to add...

hmm

1. When first joining, it is better to observe and learn before answering, rather than making yourself look like an idiot with a dumb response.

2. Yes, pit bulls can be great dogs, but it's very annoying when a) that question is asked every five seconds and b) people say that they are all amazing. Obviously they aren't since they do on occasion attack people. Just because they aren't evil doesn't mean that they are for everybody.

3. Please, instead of asking the same question AGAIN, just LOOK UP the question "How do I make my parents get me a puppy?" in the search bar. That's what it's there for.

4. No, you don't have a yorkiepoo, and I will not treat your question with respect until you stop calling it that.

5. If you are having problems with a pregnant dog, maybe you should have thought about it BEFORE you bred her.

Wow, it was a lot easier to come up with five than I thought it was going to be.

Thanks for the question Angel Wolf.

1. I'd like the underage parolees to know that if there is something EMERGENCY going on with their dog they don't know how to handle, Y!A is not the place to get actual help (well it may be, if you need someone to tell you the obvious), the VET is, ASAP. Otherwise, they should learn that basic first aid works for animals (in many cases, like sprains) as well as humans.

2. Good nutrition for their dog i.e.feeding a good quality food (not Ol Roy) will solve a lot of the problems dogs develop, especially as they get older.

3. There is financial help available (if your family's income allows) to get your dog (and cat) neutered or spayed as the case may be, and there is a national website that lists these resources.

4. TRAINING is what makes a good dog (and a good owner as well), but some breeds are just not for beginners in dog ownership. Research the breed and evaluate your lifestyle to see if there's a fit possible- BEFORE you take it home.

5. ADOPT, don't buy from a pet store OR online.

I'd like to add more, but you said five, so that's mine.

Almost everything i could think of was already said but here are a few more!

1: Red/Blue nose is not a type or breed and it does not make the dog more expensive or special!

2: Its American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) not pit bull, or pitt, or pitt bull ect.

3: We cannot tell you how to teach your dog to be a guard dog. This cost a special trainer & thousands of dollars!

4: There are a lot of sites that will explain how to leash train, potty train, and just teach your dog in general! Check them out first and then if you still have a question see #5.

5: If you do have a serious question can you please type & spell it properly! (write in a word document first (do spell check) then copy and past it if you can't do this on your own)

This is fun...

(1) No, Labs and Golden Retrievers are not for everyone. There is yet to be such a "magic" breed.

(2) Training doesn't happen all in one day. Patience.

(3) Think things through before you act. If you're old enough to come onto the internet unattended, you're old enough to know better [we hope].

(4) Realize that you are NOT ALONE. There are MANY askers/answerers here who are absolutely, completely clueless-and they're not all children.

(5) No, it won't kill you to read a book or an educational website once in awhile, OR to think outside the box.

ADD: Aww, "Air Max", I'm flattered that my answer was great enough for you to copy/paste it.

My contribution is in the form of a test to weed out anyone who would lessen the fun & contribute to the drama that has pervaded the dog section.

1. Are you open minded & willing to evaluate new information, or simply want your opinion validated?

2. Do you think the dog section should be a place to share knowledge, learn & have fun?

3. Do you think your opinion is the only one with merit & that other contributors shouldn't have their right to hold an alternate opinion to your opinion respected?

4. Do you want to pass the time by asking baiting questions & then sit back to watch the drama unfold?

5. Do you want to make a positive contribution to the pool of knowledge in the dog section or cause trouble & drive away more knowledgeable contributors?

6. In your opinion is treating a dog like a dog a mark of respect?

If you did not answer yes, yes, no, no, no & yes, please find another way to pass the time & leave other people free to enjoy the dog section.