Give it up for pound puppies!

[Steve]

I'm not really a dog person but I can't refuse when my girls want a dog for a pet, so about a year ago, we adopted a chow/Shepherd mix from a local animal shelter. Seven years old, now, sweet, gentle, extremely smart but very lazy. Very habit-prone but she also has the largest vocabulary of any dog I've ever encountered.

Recently, we found out just how good a dog she really is; Andrea and I were playing with one of the girls, swinging her by the arms and legs, and then we went to put her in an empty laundry basket and swing her in that. She started making "fussing noises", all in fun of course, but Shasta, who'd been watching the whole thing with furrowed brow, got right up as soon as the "fussing" began, came over to me and chomped me on the forearm. Not hard, she didn't draw blood or even leave much of a lasting mark, but it was enough to get my attention and she was looking at me like "I don't think I like what you're doing, pal!"

I knew immediately why she did it, I praised her for it, in fact. Protecting our kids is definitely a behavior I want to reinforce in her!

Yesterday, I came home early and she was laying on the carpet while I was working, she stood up and looked at the door in the kitchen very intently. I noticed but didn't hear anything so I just went back to work. After a minute or so, she started barking real loud and went over by the door. I got up and opened it and there was a guy standing outside our garage, looking a bit wary.

He was selling steaks from his truck (as if!) and had parked at the top of the hill and walked down, that's why I didn't hear anything. Shasta did, though!

I think anyone with dishonorable intentions will probably think twice, with such a good guard dog in the house! :)

Pound puppies are the best! I really do think they're aware of their plight and are just grateful for being adopted. I'm still not a "dog person" but I'm absolutely a "Shasta person"! :)

[MNeedham73]

My Akita does stuff like that. I know whenever someone is around the house. He doesn't bark loudly, just loud enough for me to hear him.

Plus, if I have him outside on his leash, and someone is walking out on the street that he doesn't know, he will put himself between me and the person/people until they're gone.

God help the person that breaks into this house. If Ronin gets to them before I do with my .45, they'll wish I'd have just shot them, I think.

Dogs are still the best alarm system around :)

[Lovehound]

I just celebrated my ninth anniversary with my pound dog, adopted when he was one year old. I can't say he's much of a watch dog since he often barks at nothing in addition to barking at something. He doesn't bark a lot though, and obeys when I tell him to STFU. He's pretty good at reminding me it's dinner time, and in fact anticipates dinner sometimes by 2-3 hours. ;) I really like him and I'm glad I got a pound dog, and I have the additional satisfaction that I may have saved his life. :)

[jfcjrus]

Ya got yourself a good pup there, Steve.
It's good to hear that you know it.
The best to you both. :)

Regards,