gvegan

I do indeed do lots of research on dog psychology and behavior. In fact, I do research on just about anything and everything that truly interests me. I never going into anything with a blind-eye. And no, I have not read many article's or books dealing with trainers who work with red-zone dogs. Mainly due to the fact that I've never really ran into many, if any that I can remember. Just from googling such keywords as 'trainers' 'red-zone rehabilitation' 'dog behaviorists and red-zone cases' really do not return too many results that don't (oddly enough) involve Caesar Millan. *shrugs* I'd be willing to read such articles from any trainers out there that you might have readily available, as I'm always interested in learning more (especially in the realm of red-zone rehabilitations). Ahh, it's ok. It just kind of flew right over my head at first, but I totally get it now. Funny. The only? Definitely not. Do I think a lot of professionals out there fail to donate to such efforts? Definitely so. Ok, well then we can both definitely agree upon this particular statement. Indeed there are methods out there that neither of us would employ upon our beloveds. Way earlier in this thread, I was lead to believe that you had only read one (his first) of CM's publications. Perhaps that was a mistake. I don't particularly believe that he states exactly every single thing he has taken from other trainers publications, but I think that it is a safe bet to assume that a wide variety of his principles are taken from other publications. Just to name a few of these publications that I know for a fact that he's listed are: The Dog's Mind: Understand Your Dog's behavior by Bruce Fogle, Wild Minds: What Animals Really Think by Marc Hauser, and Dog Psychology: The Basics of Dog Training by Leon Whitney. Those are just to name a few when I know for a fact that he lists at least a dozen in his FIRST book alone. When in fact, Caesar Millan has released Caesar's Way (his first book), Be the Pack Leader: Use Caesar's Way to Transform Your Dog... and Your Life, How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond, and last but not least--Caesar's Way Journal which is actually a diary of sorts. Nor do I care where the DD craze started, as I've already stated, I just simply know that it is a very severe issue here in the States. Mainly due to their popularity status amongst celebrities that directly contribute to their ongoing, continuous breeding (which I strongly oppose) because everyone wants the latest, cutest dog that 'such and such' owns. Ok sure, I was being facetious when stating that there are "millions" of slums in America. Millions - no, that's exacerbated for sure. Thousands - yes. Slums exist in every major city with a population over a million in every state in the United States minus maybe Alaska--not sure. I wouldn't know either where to get that information from but I'd also like to know the numbers. If half a dozen or more A-list celebrities have labradoodles, and Tiger Woods' labradoodle is now featured in commercials, I'd venture to say that they are becoming a very desirable "breed" of dog. So they live like dogs whom live with homeless people on the streets then? So they probably are even more well-balanced and live happily due to this factor? I don't 'think' that America has bigger issues in regards to dogs with behavioral problems, I know so. It's very well known at this point, especially amongst dog behaviorists who visit the USA and actually witness the amount of cases with their own eyes. Some have even stated never seeing some of the wide variety of behavioral problems until they entered foot in the States. I'm glad you know your country's problems well in regards to behavioral issues involving dogs, but I can say likewise with myself living in the States (and South Korea, and Germany, and England) for that matter. Of course the majority of CM's cases involve families from middle class homes.. simply for the fact that they do have to PAY for his services. What hoodlum is going to, or can even be able to afford a $350+ consultation from Caesar Millan himself? That's absurd! It's not, for the most part, about dogs that belong to some-what sensible dog owners in middle class homes--it's moreso about hoodlums and gangsters who do happen to live in slums that dogs have the most severe (majority of red-case scenarios) that we need to be debating about. These are the people who DO NOT practice neutering/spaying and directly contribute to the extreme overpopulation of dogs in the USA. These are exactly the people who give dog breeds like Pit Bulls really bad names, especially to those in other countries where Pit Bulls aren't seen on just about every street corner. Offended by MY ignorance? So from doing just a quick google on dog euthanizations each year in the USA vs Australia I got--3-4 Million USA vs 200,000 Australia. From a quick wikipedia on populations in the USA I got 308,758,000 vs 22,167,000 Australia. Now taking the lower end of the 3-4 million--3,000,000 in a ratio of 308 million people comes out to a .0097% ratio whereas if you take 200,000 in a ratio of 22 million people comes out to a .0090% ratio (I used the actual population numbers and not an estimate). It's obvious that our ratio is still higher than yours and that's considering the fact that I used the lower end of the spectrum and not 4,000,000. Now lets also take into account the sheer number of animal shelters that exist in the USA vs Australia. I won't even try and research that number because I know without doing so that it's hundreds upon hundreds more. Now do realize 3-4 million is a very rough estimate (that's just according to the HSUS), some report much higher numbers 6-12 million due to the simple fact that a lot of shelters do not actually record/report their numbers of euthanizations. So perhaps you should rethink your own ignorance and look at facts before you start name dropping. I'm aware of Australia's issues with PTS. However, I am also aware that it is not quite the problem as it is in the USA. Period. Oh man I was really hoping you'd throw this ONE case where CM was ever sued. I really did! So since you posted just that one article, lets post the wikipedia about this infamous CM case that occured in 2006. Directly from wikipedia: "On May 5, 2006, Flody Suarez, a television producer for the TV series 8 Simple Rules, filed a lawsuit against Millan, claiming that his Labrador retriever had been seriously injured while at Millan's training facility during an exercise routine on a treadmill.[14] National Geographic Channel released a statement that Millan was not present at the facility at the time of the alleged incident. Millan has also claimed that Suarez's personal dog trainer was with the dog, Gator, while it was at the Dog Psychology Center and that he did not charge Suarez or Suarez' dog trainer for use of the Dog Psychology Center facilities. Millan had allowed Suarez' trainer to bring Gator to the center as a favor. A hearing to discuss the suit was cancelled, since a settlement (the terms of which were not made public) was reached on March 29, 2007." Emphasis on the bolded sentences tells all. I understand that CM should be accountable for his staff members, but this incident was not as a direct result of Caesar himself. Your article did not happen to mention that "little" tid-bit of information. Suarez said he spent $250,000 in veterinarian bills.. SERIOUSLY???? LOL... only in Hollywood! My grandpa had a triple bypass surgery that cost him around $100,000 and that included 2 days at ICU and 5 days in a hospital room. Give me a friggin' break, perhaps your ignorance is greater than I was lead to believe after all. So there's your numbers. There's your ratios.

Oh so now these trainers have publications that I can view and read? You didn't mention that they were authors as well as trainers, my bad! I took "would you like their contact details" as--would you like to CONTACT them and ask them for yourself that they do in fact rehabilitate red-zone case dogs everyday. If I ever do decide to visit your beautiful country in the land down under, I'd definitely take you up on your offer to witness these miracle trainers with my own eyes. Never heard of that particular saying, so I guess that's simply where I'm confused. In all honesty, I didn't even realize that it was in fact a 'saying'. Sorry. I wouldn't expect CM's generous help towards dogs in severe need of assistance to sway your opinion on his training methods, I just simply threw it out there to reiterate what an amazingly wonderful human being he just happens to be. I'd agree that there are methods out there that even I would consider 'abhorrent' and would never use myself, however I just cannot agree that CM's methods could be lumped into such 'abhorrent' category. It's a pretty strong word. And again, perhaps his most BASIC ideas/philosophies have not actually changed or evolved much; but there's no doubt that his methods, timing, and choice of tools that aid him in his day to day rehabilitations have indeed changed. Perhaps, if you could bare it, you might actually pick up a new novel or two he's released and give them a go. It truly can't hurt. I'm sure even you would be surprised by his crediting of other trainers and authors he mentions on a regular basis in some of them. Like I said a long time ago, CM's initial start to dog trainingdom began with simply reading everything he could on dog behavior and psychology (he states that in his very first chapter about his life in his very first book). *shrugs* Now that's definitely sarcasm! LULZ. Anyhoot, in response to my pointing out of DDs, then you should in fact know that (despite Australia developing the labradoodle, which is just one example of a DD) the USA has gone above and beyond that in the development of over a dozen varieties of DDs. I'd even wager there's still more labradoodles in the US than the Land Down Under. There's really no need for it honestly, I am very aware of the indigenous communities in rural Australia as I have sat through many a class at my university in regards to history. I've done plenty of research via Aboriginal affairs and know that there are well over thousands of different indigenous Australia groups that continue to reside there. But to compare practically feral dogs to dogs simply left to their own vices in a slum WITH CONSTANT human contact is null and void. You said it yourself, it's not quite the same, especially since your example specifically cites that these dogs are limited to actual human interactions. Now if those dogs were abundant and running rampant throughout major areas of Melbourne or Sydney, you'd have yourself a case.. Please feel free to post them when given the opportunity. I would definitely like to re-see these methods that sicken you so much. I'm sure everyone else skimming through this thread would as well. You may not feel that his methods are appropriate, but the majority of his clientele do. I've yet to see and/or hear of a single person who has taken CM into their homes to rehabilitate their precious furbaby, in which they treat exactly as an equal--a human, oppose or try to stop something Caesar did to correct a particular behavior with their dog. I'd sure as heck stop him dead in his tracks if I sincerely felt that what he was doing to my beloved pet was SOOO sickening that I'd even let him to continue such a task. I'm sure most of his clientele would have to, especially the 'powerful' A-list celebrities who seem to have the most trouble with his techniques. I never said or intended to lead you on to believe that I do not think puppy mills and animal abuse exist outside of the USA. I, of all people, know for sure that it all exists almost ANYWHERE that inhabits animals as domestic pets in general. I did, however, say and still stand by the statement that these things (puppy mills, abuse, dogs living 24/7 on chains and leashes, underground dog fighting) happen right in my own neighborhood. I need only to walk two blocks over to witness such atrocities at any given time of day. And no where does it exist on a grand scale like it does in the USA! But anyways, it's 6 p.m. here and guess what that means? The Dog Whisperer is on! Lets see what I can learn from CM in this episode! ..err, wait probably already seen it. Ha ha ha..

..because their contact details would provide me with what particularly useful information? When I see it, I'll believe it--simple as that. I assure you that there was no sarcasm in that paragraph. Sorry if you took it as that, but I was completely being sincere with you. I am very aware of the four quadrants of dog training, as I am fully aware that you are knowledgeable on the subject matter. I've seen a couple of your videos dealing with some practical dog training, and have definitely read enough of your discussions on this board to realize that you indeed know what you're talking about. Sort of confused by your wording here, but I'm sure that it's of no true significance. Prerogative or not--I assure you that CM's work with rescue dogs has little to do with any sort of justification in terms of his personal methods and beliefs. He doesn't simply work with rescue dogs, he donates a good amount of the money he receives through his clients and his show to rescue organizations and animal shelters. In fact, I'd like to see you provide any amount of proof that the aforementioned trainers have supplied such donations/charity work if any at all. Well I guess this is one thing we can agree upon then. It is getting tiring and old. You're not getting the point--there is simply no black and white method of training for any one dog.. PERIOD! His methods are questioned simply for the sole reason that not everyone is going to agree with every single trainer's methods out there. I don't care if the trainer doesn't lay a finger on the dog and uses only +R treat training; there are going to be people and other trainers out there who will disagree with that particular stance. Just as much as you don't agree with CM's training methods, I'm sure I would not agree with certain ways that your friends' that are trainers handle every aspect of their rehabilitation process with their cases. That's the bottom line. Well then that seems to be your problem. You just don't know enough about Caesar Millan to make those judgments. If you've ever read any of his books (he has more than one by the way) you will be able to easily recognize his willingness to learn more about dog psychology. He states so numerous times throughout a couple of his books and even name drops certain people who have influenced his learning and their publications that he has learned from. I have read enough of CM's (actually ALL) publications and seen just about every single episode of The Dog Whisperer to date (minus varying episodes from his first season) to make such sound judgments, at least in his regard to his learning and adapting. To say CM's methods have not improved or changed, even in the slightest bit, is completely blasphemous. It is very apparent just from watching Episode 1 of Season 1 of TDW to watching Episode 1 of Season 6. Nope can't say that I have. But I don't think I am being too obtuse by comparing a country with practically no slums to a country that easily contains millions of slums where dog control and population is beyond out of control. I guess you'd just have to visit a place like East Los Angeles or Watts in California to witness it with your own eyes. All I had to do was google slums in Australia and this is the first link that popped up: answer is no. I suppose it could be taken that way? Perhaps we just have differing views on the severity of punishment and exposure to such punishment in every day life. I've never witnessed anything on CM's show that has come close to making me feel sick to my stomach. What exactly are you referring to? Tugging at leashes? Doing behind-the-leg "touches" or kicks, if you will, to make dogs snap out of an unwanted behavior? I come from a background of seeing dogs abused and what I would consider being KICKED for real as a part of simply growing up around dogs in every person's backyard. My brother went to a Federal prison for 8 years for dealing drugs and fighting pit bulls (I've stated before in these forums that I had raised pit bulls in my lifetime, two to be exact, as a direct result of my older brother). I just can't compare anything I've seen CM do that would hold a candle to the treatment I have seen inflicted upon dogs in my lifetime (and I'm only 25)! I would even be willing to do some comparison work if you'd truly be up to the challenge. Something along the lines of: you film minutes-worth of footage in your particular neighborhood of dogs in their every day, ordinary, lifestyle and then I would do the same. I could assure you that you'd be in complete disbelief after witnessing what occurs around my area when it comes to the livelihood of dogs. And I live in a medium to upper class city with a population of 125,000ish people. I could only imagine what it'd be like 5 hours from here in a city like Houston, Texas where the treatment of dogs is beyond anyone's aid/help.

First, have you watched that entire episode involving the wolf hybrid? That wasn't even two minutes of a at least 20-30 minute long session. I have it DVR'd on my cable box, and believe me--that wolf hybrid was NOT just fine at any point while walking despite Caesar nudging him. People seem to forget that just because CM never actually uses treats to reward wanted behavior that his methods are never considered +R. Showing a dog affection and praise at the right time, in the right state of mind, is just as positive and rewarding as any treat. And your last statement.. well I won't really even address that considering you started it off with "apparently." My dogs do react to my 'pssshhhttt' noises, only because they are conditioned to do so, and not because of any shock/e-collars (which I've never used).

Oh, I watched your video and I also agree that dogs can be rehabilitated without the use of CM's methods. I think that's a given. I never said his methods were the "be all to end all" for every single scenario for every single dog. But to compare your video to the 2nd video that the OP originally posted (which deals with a WOLF hybrid) is pretty moot. That dog isn't almost ripping of the faces of it's own owners due to severe fear aggression. I don't quite think that particular method would have worked with the aforementioned scenario involving the wolf hybrid. I'm all about positive reinforcement training just as much as I am about physical reinforcement. To me, praise and punishment go hand in hand.

Sure in some instances it could potentially lead to more harm than good, but that goes back to my opinion that not everyone is qualified to be dog owners in the first place. The same could be said about people trying to copy/imitate something they read out of a Suzanne Clothier or Karen Pryor publication. I do not encourage (and neither does CM as he states so billions of times throughout his shows) that anyone completely imitates any of his methods without at least consulting a professional, or researching further more about a dog's particular problem. However, despite that, people are going to do what they want with their dogs and unfortunately a lot of the time it will end with undesired results. How many times have you watched CM redirect a behavior with 100% success and then hand the leash over to their owner with exactly the opposite result? A little knowledge is a dangerous thing? I suppose..? How many shows are being televised to young audiences, etc that could potentially lead to disastrous imitations? Thousands. Have you ever watched Myth Busters or Fear Factor? People are going to irresponsibly imitate a lot of what they watch on television, and I think it's just not right to simply lump The Dog Whisperer in this category simply because it involves dogs. Dogs can be very dangerous animals and I believe education is the first step to that realization. This is exactly why I believe CM to be nothing less than amazing. He doesn't just go in and "fix" your dog for you. He educates the owners and works with them to allow for them to continue his teachings without him being there. My statement you quoted wasn't directed to anyone in particular, I just felt that it needed to be said out of sheer respect for people on this board who do implement his methods on a day to day basis.

You keep talking about all these trainers "you know" that rehabilitate such red-zone cases, and although I don't disbelieve you, I see no proof of the matter at hand. Do you have videos of them rehabilitating these dogs? If so, I'd love to watch them for myself. The thing is, you probably don't and that's fine but it just goes back to my original point--CM is particularly the only one out there who's methods are always under view in the public eye. I'm sure I could watch these trainers you supposedly know and nit-pick things that I disagree with about their handling of a red-zone, or even a non-red-zone, case just as much as the next person. Let me clarify this for you; there is no training method that is black and white for EVERY dog out there. There is no one trainer who can/does handle situations that every single person will agree upon. Suzanne Clothier has discredited the use of the Gentle Leader numerous times, whereas there are dozens of members on this forum who would disagree. Are they necessarily wrong because they do not have the credentials/background of someone like Suzanne Clothier, HECK NO! I watch and hear about people misusing GL's and prong collars on a daily basis, and I completely disagree with what they're doing; however, that does not mean that I hate that person. I have no doubt in my mind that you are an awesome dog trainer, simply due to your profound knowledge of ALL areas of dog training. With that being said, I'd like to reiterate that every person's individual personality shapes the way we view/handle dog philosophy and training. Everyone has their own views about certain things, but I can be best friends with those people who feel exactly opposite of the way I do. I once read somewhere that dog training in general could be compared to religion--due to the fact that, for many, dog training is like a religion. It was quoted somewhere along the lines of, "It's almost like the movies Dogma, The Last Temptation of Christ or The Da Vinci Code. Many religious people hated those and other movies that threaten their way of thinking about something that's dear to their heart." Dog training is very dear to the hearts of many people, so it's not unfathomable to hear about other professional trainers, everyday people, and even The American Humane Society speaking out against CM. The latter being VERY odd considering the work he does with rescue dogs. *shrugs* I am only comparing CM to BO in the sense of them BOTH becoming celebrities due to methods/beliefs that they've willingly exposed to the public eye (lets not even begin to argue about the fact that BO is the most celebrity-like president that the USA has ever seen). I could have inserted 'Whitney Houston' in place of 'Barack Obama' and the point would still be the same. CM is not only a dog trainer, but indeed a celebrity, and this is solely due to his own choices and actions. Exposing your actions to the public at large holds an inherent risk that not EVERYONE is going to like/understand what you do and the majority of those people are going to be vocal about it. I personally do not think that CM is some sort of God, or a "be all to end all" dog philosopher/behaviorists, nor do I even consider myself to be a Caesar follower--moreso a Caesar supporter. He is NOT perfect, nor is any other dog trainer you've mentioned in this thread, nor is any other person in the world with any type of professional background. CM has certainly not arrived to the point where he can no longer improve, yet neither has any other trainer out there. The thing I love about CM the most is his willingness to LISTEN. His willingness to learn and move on to a new tool if the particular one he is using is not working. I personally think CM has saved the lives of thousands of dogs out there, and as seen by his show, thousands of people agree and are so very grateful to him and his methods. I'd also like to state that someone whom disagrees with CM's particular methods should NOT BE offensive to those who choose to follow his methods. Living in the US is quite the difference from living in, for example, Australia or the UK (when speaking in terms of dog ownership). I think we can all agree upon the fact that dogs in the US are inherently exposed to more behavior problems simply due to the way millions of dog owners in the US view their furbabies. There's no other place in the world that has such a magnitude of celebrity-like status dogs (Paris Hilton's Tinkerbell, Jake Gyllenhaal's Boo Radley, even Obama's Bo) that are chalked full of behavioral problems. In fact, the main reason designer dogs have become so popular in recent years has everything to do with celebrities and their Puggies (Gyllenhaal, James Gandolfini, Sylvester Stallone, Uma Thurman), their Labradoodles (Tiger Woods), Maltipoos (Jessica Simpson), etc etc the list goes on and on. I can walk out my front and/or back door and view over 30+ dogs in my neighborhood (privacy fences are not allowed in my particular area) that have no actual structure (let alone much human contact) in their lives. The majority of them are outside only dogs that I have never ONCE, since living in this neighborhood for a year now, witnessed even having the satisfaction of a simple walk. Do I believe that the majority of these dogs are chalked full of behavioral problems, I'd WAGER that they almost ALL do! Heck, my own parents are people I'd lump into this category. Their Yorkshire Terrier has never once been walked, let alone disciplined, and is so badly infused with behavioral problems. So in short, the whole reasoning for this paragraph is simply this: do you really think that (despite agreeing/disagreeing with CM's methods) people like this (my own parents/celebrities) couldn't use the aid of CM's show The Dog Whisperer? Do you truly think that more harm than good will be inflicted upon these already so-called "damaged" dogs? I do not see how anyone could, in a all consciousness, not agree upon the fact that CM's show does expose people to REALLY great information when originally they had NONE. I'm not a dog trainer. I'm not a dog behaviorist and I certainly have not studied dogs all my life. However, I have read up on numerous books by great people with great philosophies. In the end, like I've stated before, I am not a CM follower--simply a supporter. I respect what he does and has done for the world of dogs. I do not agree with all of his particular methods, nor do I implement all of his particular methods. I do however, pick and choose what I like from numerous trainers/philosophers/behaviorists, including CM, and implement them how I feel necessary. My dogs are very well-balanced, and for the most part very well-behaved dogs and I feel that I do ok with what I have. Sorry for the long rant.

People will continue to talk about how CM's theories and methods are "outdated" but nonetheless, he is an excellent dog philosopher. I believe him to be very misunderstood solely based on the fact that his training protocols are geared towards red-zone/EXTREME dog cases, none of which, most other dog trainers would ever touch. I've watched just as many episodes of It's Me or the Dog as I have the Dog Whisperer, and never have I seen her try and rehabilitate a dog in an extreme red-zone case like the one(s) displayed by the OP that started this thread. Fact is fact, CM is the most dissected and cracked-down upon dog philosopher in the world due to his highly watched/popular show. For most people, he will never be accepted unless he picks up a clicker (much like Victoria Stilwell) and removes the words 'pack leader', 'dominance', 'submission', etc and only works on nothing more than reward/affection based training. I just find it truly conflicting that so many of these other trainers/behaviorists that continue to be mentioned are using "outdated" tools such as dominance/submission and pack principles in their books as well, and are never vilified for doing so simply because they are never in the so called "lime light" such as CM is. CM is no different from any other popular/iconic figure in the world today. Someone finds one flaw/dislike about a person (i.e. CM "hurting" and/or "hitting" dogs) and they become fixated on that one thing.. and after that one 'thing' they just simply cannot find or acknowledge anything of value or significance about that particular person any longer. I'd relate this to, not to segue too much, someone of the stature of.. oh, Barack Obama per say. For someone who started out with such great intentions and hope, he has now become the target of so much hatred and disrespect. In short, like I said, I could go on and on about CM and the amount of respect I have for the man but I know that it will never change the opinions of certain minded people. Which is completely fine because opinions are just that... and this all just happens to be MY opinion as I've stated from previous posts.

We got Paxton @ 11 wks when Aspen had just turned a 1 yr old. So moreso Paxton grew up knowing only Aspen, whereas Aspen grew up with an old roommates' Pomeranian. They'll definitely go at it quite often, as Aspen can be such a little bugger sometimes. I've seen Paxton completely crashed out in deep sleep and Aspen will run up to him and start biting/tugging at him to play. I'll be adding a 3rd furbaby (hopefully a Blk & Wht Husky) as soon as Paxton turns a year old in May. More than likely a female. I'll have my hands full at that point, ha ha!

So we ended up with only about 5 inches of snow, however I still managed to grab a bit more footage of the two off leash in an enclosed elementary school playground. This was Aspen begging to go play out in the snow: http://www.youtube.c...h?v=dsDXEC-PCpc Here's them running around having loads of fun: http://www.youtube.c...h?v=uJJD2oJk1yE ..and I just had to throw this in for some laughs. It's of them fighting, which turns into a very awkward mounting, followed by Aspen shaking it off and running away.. LOL! http://www.youtube.c...h?v=EpMnmk2iXSE

I can't even begin to tell you guys the numerous amounts of times that my two have been approached by off lead small dogs. It really angers me too because Aspen does not get along with ANY smaller dogs, so I'm forced to basically choke him to prevent him from attacking/killing small dogs that approach him (the majority of the time with small dog syndrome). The worst was two chihuahuas with REALLY bad attitudes that basically approached with the intent on biting/attacking my two. So of course my baby of a Lab freaks out and tries to get away from them, crying the whole time, while Aspen is completely in kill mode while I'm basically having to lift him off the ground to prevent him killing the two. Hate to say it, but I gave both those chihuahuas a couple of kicks to get them away (one managed to grab a hold of my shoe while I shook him off) until their owners came to grab them up. They weren't too happy about me kicking them.. and to that I said, "Hey look, they either are going to get kicked by me.. or killed by my Husky so I did you two a favor." Gah!

No I definitely understand the concern, I would NEVER EVER let them do that in any other weather. You just have to realize that here in Texas, especially west Texas, when we receive snowfall (and sometimes even RAIN!), everything shuts down. Every single school/university was declared closed by 8 a.m. I'd venture to say that over 60% of all the businesses here were closed as well. This was very early in the morning so I knew there wouldn't be many, if any, cars about (I also live in a fairly isolated neighborhood from much traffic and major roads/highways) and it just so happened that I did not see a single car moving.. let alone sign of human life anywhere. LOL! Luckily, Aspen will sometimes recall if I call my Lab's name out of sheer jealousy (he's the most jealous dog I've ever seen), so he never really left my side for very long.

So I woke up to 4 inches of snow.. in Texas.. for the 4th time since January 1st. We're expected to get about 6 inches or so, the most we've received so far! This is just a snippet of video I took of my boys terrorizing our neighborhood. I walked with them off leash around the block without seeing a single soul outside. Kinda creepy! http://www.youtube.c...h?v=dr_ljBGUFsk Hopefully I'll grab some more video later when the snow accumulates a bit more.

I've always heard to neuter around the 6-12 month range. However, just recently I've been hearing a lot more to wait until the 18-24 month range. The Lab forum that I am also apart of are adamant about not neutering Labs until 18-24 months. I've read that Labs don't actually stop growing up until this time frame, and neutering before then is only going to stunt growth and other developments. That all differs between breeds of dogs, as far as growth is concerned, and I'm really not too sure about Huskies. Aspen was neutered exactly at 1 year of age, and now he is at 16 months with no signs of further growth. He's only 46lbs at the moment and I'm not sure if early neutering had a role in this or not. I do know that neutering him had no real effect on his personality, as he is the very same dog. I thought neutering him would stop his marking (on walks) but it hasn't whatsoever. He marks just as much if not more (at least tries to). Paxton himself is not neutered yet, as I don't plan to until at least 18 months, but he never marks (EVER) but he does try and mount Aspen (something Aspen has never done himself). So I guess in short, I personally think waiting it out for at least a year (maybe even 2) will do more good than harm.

I'm glad you've decided to do research on the breed and come here to further increase your knowledge. Too many people acquire Huskies on sheer looks/cuteness factors and end up with an adolescent dog that they can no longer handle. What everyone has been saying is pretty much dead on about the breed. Considering the fact that I own both a Lab and a Husky, I can definitely assure you that they're NOTHING alike. I too hike for miles upon miles with both my dogs, and have been doing so with my previous dogs beforehand for years. My Lab can roam around off-leash with a 100% assured recall, whereas, like people have stated... you just can't guarantee a 100% recall with your Sibe. Therefore, unfortunately, my Sibe is always leashed up with me on our hikes. Huskies are great hiking dogs though. I can hike upwards of 10-15 miles before my Lab is looking at me with sheer exhaustion behind his eyes, whereas my Sibe is looking at me like.. "I can go for another 15!" Huskies are great companions and a very strong-willed breed of dog. Aspen was my first non-Lab (and 1 Yorkie) breed that I've had the pleasure to raise and own, and I must say.. he has me wanting more and more and more.. In fact, I came very close to purchasing another Husky as a companion for him but decided to grab up another Lab, mainly from my sheer love of the breed, and also as a "role model" figure for Aspen. Believe it or not, Paxton has curbed Aspen's "wildness" a bit and helps him to become more balanced in my opinion. They're a great pair! Whatever you do end up deciding on, don't be afraid to swing through and chat with us! I'd be interested in seeing what you end up welcoming into your household. Maybe a German Shorthaired Pointer? Ha ha, love me some gundogs and hope to acquire a GSP one day.

Awww poor Redman must be distraught. RIP Daddy, what a shining example of the Pit Bull breed.

I use a Kong Stuff-A-Ball for my Labrador. I'll just put his entire meal inside one of these things and let him roll it around to dispense his food. It's pretty much the only thing I've found that will work with him, as a lot of Labs have problems gulping their food too fast.

Oddly enough, it's easier to bathe Aspen (he absolutely LOVES water) opposed to Paxton (Lab that doesn't like to bathe????). It's truly odd.

Every time I try and upload photos from my computer onto the gallery, it'll just sit there saying "waiting for husky-owners.com..." for about 5 or so minutes... then just refresh to the main page with no photos being uploaded. I've tried like three of four times now with no luck. Anyone else have this problem and know how to correct it?

Yeah I think I'm going to HAVE to in the future, as I'm sure Paxton would try to devour a WHOLE chicken if he could.. darn Labs! When he scarfed down that huge quarter, both my girlfriend and I immediately looked at one another with "HOLY SHIT" facial expressions. Just never expected he would go with that route. Good to know however!

Tonight was my first time ever to feed my boys raw food. I've researched a lot into it even before joining this forum and decided to take the plunge. I have given them raw beef marrow bones before and they seemed to handle it (the marrow) without any problems whatsoever. So I started off with some chicken quarters + wings with an egg and a bit of yogurt: Paxton completely gobbled his quarter up in one single bite which really scared the crap out of me. He did manage to break his wing into two pieces before seemingly swallowing both halves. He finished all of his chicken before Aspen could even eat one single wing. Afterward, he completely devoured his egg.. and licked the yogurt up. Aspen did well with his chicken. He actually chewed the majority of it up to the point where I could actually hear the bones cracking in his mouth. It took him a bit to finish his wing. And even longer to finish his quarter. He wasn't so sure about his egg but decided the yogurt was good enough to lick up after his chicken: However, after fiddling around a bit with the egg, he did end up eating it: I had never given them a raw egg before and wasn't sure that they would even eat it.. let alone the shells, so I was surprised to see that they did in the end. It was a pretty exciting night and they seemed to enjoy their first completely raw dinner quite a lot. I only plan on feeding them raw maybe two to three times a week, and eventually throwing in some other meats for them in the future. I did purchase some beef shanks that I packaged and froze for them in the near future, as well as some ox tails. For now I plan on keeping with the chicken for at least another week or two just to make sure they continue to do well with it. I'm definitely going to have to change Paxton's game plan up as he just devours anything and everything, so it seems. Swallowing a chicken quarter whole cannot be good for him I'd imagine. In fact, being the worry-wart that I am.. I've been keeping a very CLOSE eye on him and probably will continue to do so throughout the night/morning. I was very happy with Aspen actually chewing up his food and he seemed pretty content afterward.. he kept looking around everywhere for more.

We'll be getting a bit of snow tomorrow, and a lot Thursday/Friday so hopefully I'll be able to snap some more pics myself. This is the 3rd time we'll be receiving snow here in Texas this year! I can't remember that ever happening in all the 23 years that I've lived here.

In total agreement. My dogs are no different than if they were my own children. Besides, I buy for durability above all else.

Remember now, that £90 is for BOTH the Web Master Harness + Palisades Pack. If you just wanted the Web Master Harness, you can purchase it by itself for around £26. Also do remember you are buying into QUALITY gear compared to a £10 EzyDog Harness.

No problem Ivan & Paul, glad I could suggest something that would prove helpful in the future. I trail hike weekly throughout various state parks here in Texas, and I cannot begin to tell you how helpful that Palisades pack has proven to be. Aspen carries both his and Paxton's food & toys in his pack (even snacks for myself)! Not to mention they will drink directly from the hydrating hoses and absolutely love it! To be able to simply detach the saddlebags and hang them up on a tree when needed is probably the greatest thing about this pack! The handle on the Web Master allows me to help Paxton up tougher areas that Labs cannot manage as well as my hopping & leaping Sibe. Ruff Wear in general produces nothing but quality dog gear. I also own the DoubleBack Collars along with the DoubleBack Leashes for both my boys. Both have proven invaluable. Ruff Wear's Lunkers are the ONLY water-capable toys that neither my Sibe or Lab can tear into pieces whatsoever. I've gone through dozens of toys that just don't live up to the quality of the Lunker. My next purchase from them will definitely be the Bark'n Boots for both my boys, as the terrain in Texas can be VERY dangerous to the paws of any dog. (Cactus is EVERYWHERE)! Anyhoot, hope you enjoy your harness + pack combo, I've yet to have a single complaint about any items I purchase from Ruff Wear.