Conflict with my family

[Kirsten]

State:  I am not a minor but I do live with my mom.  This is a dog from a breeder that she is evaluating but she thinks that it is the best dog that she has seen in a long time.

That was in response to state's question about whether it was from a shelter.

It's not nitpicking when someone says something that doesn't make sense and it is pointed out. It seems a very odd way to misspeak:  when asked directly whether it is a shelter dog to state it is from a breeder. I find people often leave out details that make something make sense when they are given. But I very rarely see someone mistakenly say "no," when the mean "yes."

Nitpicking would be criticizing someone for something insignificant or something that cannot be helped or changed. Not asking for clarification because something they said didn't make sense. when someone says something inconsistent they may have misspoken, they may have communication problems, or they may be lying/covering. Which makes a difference in how I view a person's character and abilities. It usually involves a change in the way I communicate with them, and communication is key to my job here (largely about smoothing miscommunications between members which have lead to hurt feelings).

[Roxie]

So, does this mean that if the perfect hips - tip top health - eyes - size - right price - extraordinary temperametn - excellent biddability yearling dog comes along and it also has a medium 0r longer coat and an undercoat, you will reject it?

I didn't know that the main criteria  is shedding in a SD potential. Granted, it could be something that some people might want to consider... but not what one bases the selection of a working dog on. 

[Kellynbobellen]

Kristen, I wasnt saying you were nitpicking...i wasnt saying anyone was actually!  I have actually been referring to everyone that my trainer talks to as a breeder....even if they arent ACTUALLY a breeder...so thats my own definition problem! lol

Roxie, and this is where my mother and I have been arguing a bit is that topic!  I value all of these qualifications over what the fur is like!!!  THAT is why i posted this thread!  We have come along this dog that is PERFECT and has all of thoes qualifications...and the coat isnt even that long!  Its just a little bushier than a normal lab!  But, my mom doesnt want me to get this dog because it is half Shepard and she is very worried about the shedding! 

THAt is what drives me crazy, because I want to focus on getting the best dog out there, not just one that is a particular breed or coat length...and my mom doesnt understand that.  That is why I have been trying to help her to understand that the coat isnt the most important thing...least important if you ask me! lol

[Kellynbobellen]

and just to clarify....this is NOT a puppy and we are not doing any of the puppy raising ourselves!

[Linda K.]

Wow! Lot's of dialog going on.

When we make the decision to bring a SD into the picture, that decision affects those around us.  If we live at home or live in a home with a significant other their feelings must not be shut out of the decision.
I wonder if part of your mom's worry about bringing this dog into the home is her own hesitation on you having a SD in general.  She might be wondering how much care she will be doing for this dog.  (If we are all fair we will admit that at one time or another we have had to depend on someone else in the house to help care for our SD.)  If she is worried about hair then let's deal with hair.
I have a golden retriever.  They have long hair.  My dog sheds.  I do things to lesson that.  I groom my dog daily.  I give him fish oil for his coat (this works really well on labs too).  I take him to a groomer once a month for a full bath.  We have less shedding on my golden than on the blue heeler that also lives with us.
It sounds like you are good on the vacume thing and what-not, get  one of those little things that removes pet hair from furniture (Pledge thing).  If you are able this works good. 

Anyway, hang in there.

[Magesteff]

We spent some time in chat tonight talking about the spandex suits for dogs (Lycra Body suit)

http://www.k9topcoat.com/product.asp?specific=jnnproo4

They also have a comfort coat:
http://www.k9topcoat.com/product.asp?specific=376

If you get a properly fitted one, it should solve the shedding issue.

[Cera]

If you get a properly fitted one, it should solve the shedding issue.

But is it realistic to have it on the dog 24-7?

[DocWriter]

Lordy... my Doberman sheds more than my Golden ever did - his was just easier to pick up

[Kellynbobellen]

yeah i was wondering the same about that coat thingy.  it seems like a cool idea but it seems like it would be uncomfortable for a dog to wear all the time,  i dont know though!

[Roxie]

Even National Jewish Hospital for Lung Diseases doesn't require a SD to wear one of those thngs!

I do not agree with the Spandex at all for wearing for more that a short time infrequently.

I do agree with cotton jammies though. More comfortable and easier on/off. Cheap and easy to buy or make. Launderable for years of use.

But remember whatever that dog wears, when you take it off your will spread the dander and few hairs they shed in a few hours a day all over the house.

I sincerely believe this whole thing is totally a non-workable situation. Does the house have one of those central vacuums or air purifers for the whole house?

So, what about the rest of the 24/7/365 days' hours when the dog won't be encased in the container? The person's allergies will just be turned off those hours? If the person is that allergic, how does he function outside, in stores, at work where animal dander and hair is truly all over the place?

[FrostedAcres]

Nora indicated to me that the dog does indeed, stay cooler in the lycra cover--so, because Connor is a dark dog, I am considering getting him one, wetting his coat, and using it during warmer weather-- as a way to extend the working length of time outdoors in the heat.
 Another thing-- mysister has three kids with loads of allergies-- and she manages tolet them have a couple pet cats and a dog--of course, she pays a housekeeper big bucks to clean in a specific manner, but asthma attacks inside the house are kept at a minimum ( my personal feeling-- she kept her house TOO clean when they were babies)

[Roxie]

Spandex is fine for short periods.... not wearing all day every day.

Look, I'll be honest here. Part of my reaction to Spandex is a personal issue of how I look in Spandex head to toe. OK?? I'll admit I am bigoted against Spandex. I look like a lumpy Swedish sausage in Spandex... and that is when I'm standing still. I will NOT discuss how I look in it when I move.   

[artiemouse]

That's funny Roxie...I used to look good in spandex...many MANY years ago. 

My boy George has the most delicate skin in the world, along with a minimal coat.  He likes to play ruff and tumble with his brothers.  Poor thing would look like a bait dog if he was left uncovered for 2 minutes in the back yard, so he wears puppy suits.  I make them of lycra, cotton, fleece, etc depending on the season.  No zippers or velcro (other dog figured out how to get him out of those for Nakid Puppy Time), but a super easy slip on and slip off.

Spirit, my current SD, wears a verson of it when we go out to work.  I have issues with heavy grooming of a dog (which is why my poodle is clipped with a F7 blade) and between clips (every 3-4 weeks) he grows the tighest curls ever!  The suit allows him not to pick up stuff when we are out, keeps any chemicals that I might have reactions too away from the majority of his body..and he has a sign on his butt that is 5" x 9".

Personally I like the idea of a suited dog (at least when working).  No shedding on clothing racks, getting the person sitting next to you in coach, minimal fur in the back seats of friend's cars, a little something to make people "look" at the dog and realize that something unusual is in their line of sight instead of running into it (it has happened with a naked 80 lb poodle - just harness and small cape), or that it is a "special" dog so don't touch. 

Spirit also will behave differently when suited up.  We've had some long stays in hospitals latelty where I will take his harness off and put him in a corner somewere.  He still knows he is "on duty"and responds accordingly.  "Off Duty" offically happens when he is out of his work cloths.  He goes from serious Eeyore face to crazy Tigger bounces.