Dumb Question...

[bigdoglover]

Ok, I know this is probably a "no-brainer" but I wanted to hear everyone's thoughts.

Why is it, that people who rarely post on the forum, pose a health or training question and then never post again? Did they even read our response?

I know we are here to help anyone who asks, and we never know who is just "dropping in" or who is here to stay. I will help anyone I can with advice or tips. But I find too many posts with people who most of the time haven't even introduced themselves ask a question and then never get back to us! I'm not mad about it, I just find it kinda weird. But then again, I'm a weirdo too!!

[TribalRats]

I think that some people simply do not like the work and or personal responsibility that comes with some of our answers and it is just easier for them to ignore the answers and the issues so they can continue to do things the easy way and not worry about "knowing any better".
Wow, kind of snapish....maybe I should drink more coffe before posting from now on....

[Shadowkins]

I've noticed that too, however, if they ask a question and don't bother to come back and get an answer they are losing alot. I find the experts on this site very knowledgable and ultra caring. You're not weird...you just care , big difference.

[Raised By Wolves]

I consider myself "weird"! By the way Bigdoglover, I enjoy reading your posts!

Yes, I have noticed what you mentioned, too. But, I think anytime a question is asked, it's an opportunity to share knowledge and help educate each other. Although, I sometimes find it a little tedious when there are two or three threads asking the same question!

Oh well, every situation is unique, and sometimes not what it appears to be on the surface.

[LuvMyPups]

I am a member of another forum and this happens there too. I think perhaps these people are searching for answers and I do believe they come back and read what is suggested most of the time unless the find an answer somewhere else. While I believe they should atleast say thanks for the advice you have to remember that not everyone is a forum person. So perhaps they take the information and use it but just don't come back after that.

[Giny]

I think it does have to do with how different people view dog sites. Where some, like me and many others, they love to be here because if feels like a community and I love to hear and share stories about our dogs. I’ve learnt and still learning quite a bit from everyone also. My thinking on certain things, like food or responsible breeding, has changed so much since entering the world of the internet and dog sites. Others, the one time posters, are probably here for a quick answer and never return again. It is too bad that they don't stick around though.

[minpinsrock]

I think people just ask the questions and come back and read what everyone else said, and just doesnt feel the need to reply, I mean they have the answer..but a simple thank you would help some too.

[Carrie]

I don't think that's a dumb question at all Bigdog. It couldn't be because I've wondered the same thing many times. ROFL!

I love to hear feed back so I know if anything I've said worked. It would be awful if all my word salad posts were for nothing. And I like to hear how everyones' dogs are coming along, whether it's a training or behavior issue or a health problem. It's also wonderful to get to know people and the more posting, the better.

I also wish that when new people post a typical problem, like puppy nipping, potty training woes, etc, that they would buzz around the other threads first because chances are phenomenal that they will find many answers to their questions right there. Maybe we should make a stickie to remind people that if they have a question about some of these very, very common situations, that they check out the behavior and puppy forums first before posting their question. It's not that I wouldn't want someone to feel free to post anything, but it's silly to type exactly the same thing over and over. ROFLOL!

Anyhow, I've wondered the same thing a lot Bigdog.

[srat37]

finally a question I can answer LOL
I am one of these people that occasionally asks a questions and doesn't really post other then that. I read this site nearly everyday. I think I usually come back and say thanks for the advice or something to that extent but that's about it. I don't post much more then that because I'm not a dog expert and I wouldn't want to give anyone wrong advice. I am trying to bring up my first puppy and I am just barely getting by myself. Carrie I always take your advice to heart and try to follow your suggestions you give any posters. The hardest advice for me to follow is to ignore the dog when it bites. Wow this is difficult for me, but I try. My dog still bites but she's only 5 months old, and she has come quite a ways. I no longer have razor marks and small wholes all over my arm from her teeth. So I guess what I'm trying to say is thanks everyone for the advice and for posting all the time so I have something to read on my breaks! I appreciate it!

Stacy and Natas( 5mth old female doberman)

[Carrie]

Well, I'm no expert. I really am only giving advice which I have found helpful with my own dogs and from what I have learned by a neurotically, obsessive compulsive disorder of reading and studying and reading more and more and still more 6-8 or more hours a day before I got my Dobe. I can never seem to get enough. I've been at it for a number of years. So, if she is still biting you and she's five months, and you don't see much of an improvement, something's wrong. Are you sure you're making it not worth her while to bite at you consistantly? Are you giving her an alternative and making it sooooooo much better for her to not bite you, but chew on her toy or sit, down or some other command which makes you look like you've got it all under control? Is she getting the zoomies out a few times a day as well as the brain zoomies? LOL. Obedience practice? These Dobermans are a handful as pups, no doubt about it. I'd like to hear of some marked improvement though, with the biting. If she's getting gentler about it, that is good. Do you have that attitude like, "Foine! I won't play with you anymore!" LOL. Get up and march off, ignoring her. Keep at it. You want this to stop pretty soon with your Doberman. Are you doing a little bit of NILIF along with basic obedience? Maybe she needs a little reminder who controls the good stuff.

[srat37]

Oh yes she has shown great improvement! She is really really teething right now. I am finding teeth right and left. She is not as nippy and snappy about it. Most of the time I feel like she's not really biting my purposefully! It's my leg or foot is right next to her chew toy and it's like she doesn't even know it. Why is my leg or foot by her toy you ask. Because she has to sit on me at all times LOL! Well when I let her anyway. She is still a bit of an ankle biter yet though sometimes. Has a thing for socks! We also just finished puppy kindergarten and are doing to puppy graduate class in january. As far as Nilif I make her sit for food and sit to put her leash on and sit and down durring play outside. As well as practicing our puppy kindergarten tricks daily. She goes for my son more (he's 11), but I see part of it as his own fault because of the way he acts, running and playing rougher with her. and then when she bites him he'll start screaming and laughing and he pushes her away. So I can't really blame her for being a bit confused. Believe me I'm working on both of them LOL. Thanks again!

[Carrie]

Oh I see. I must have misunderstood when I first read. Well, good. I know what you mean about biting us by accident. I think all Dobermans do this, as far as I've read on the Dobe board I go on. (I've put a stop to it finally) but Lyric would HAVE to put his Kong or Nyla bone on my leg in order to chew it. Well, that's how the leg gets bitten. He has to set it on the coffee table or a chair to chew it. It's like he can't just put it on the floor like any other dog. It has to be ON something, preferably a human body part. LOL.

Here's an example where I disagree with people who say that dogs can't put a string of words together. While I may go along with a long string, I think they can connect two words. He already knew "off" as in off the couch or off of me. He knows the word, "toy" as in, get your toy, where's your toy and he goes for it. When he puts his toy on the coffee table and begins drooling and scratching my table, I tell him, "toy off" in a firm, but not too firm voice. And he takes his toy off. Now, it's possible that from my tone, he knew he was suppose to do something and he guessed, but I've done the same thing when he had a stick on my deck and was making a big mess. "Stick off." And he took it down on the grass to chew it. So, who knows? These Dobes are smart.

[marley05]

When i first joined i did it because i wanted to know an answer. I was originally going to go after that then read what other people were writing and i just kept coming back. Other people that only come once were probably doing just that. except not coming back.

[bigdoglover]

Thanx RBW and Carrie! I'm like everyone else, a simple "Thanks for the advice" or something would be nice. At least we would know that they came back and read our replies. And yes, Carrie, I think a Sticky on FAQ's would be good. But like you said, that may keep us from meeting new people. But, it would also keep us from being repetitive. I think people that just want an answer will come and go, whereas someone who really wants to be a member of our GP Family would stick around.

Ok, so I'm thinking out loud again and blabbing on and on. Sorry! This is the only forum I am a member of, and wouldn't change it for the world! Wouldn't it be great if we could all get together in a different place each year? Like one HUGE GP party!! Of course, jobs, finances, kids, life, etc would have to take a backseat for a few days! LOL

[Jamila]

Wow what a great thread.
I came here just to see what it was about cause a chat buddy of mine gave me a raw recipe from this board and I noticed the URL and went to it. I began to read around and decided to give it a try. I'm so happy I did. I have learned so much. I have always been into reading how to train dogs for fun, before I really had dogs. I always wanted a Great Dane (since the fourth grade, I even have a tattoo of one on me) so I thought I should spend time reading on how to train them. Lucky for me right now I only have three medium size monsters...
It's a nice community here...great atmosphere
I think if someone comes, posts and never comes back then they are just missin' out on a good time
Too bad so sad for them...