my new pyr was guarding my chicks and bit my husband...

[wishin4chicken]

Our neighbors had a GP, Winston, and that breed takes their job very seriously. If a new person came to the house, the owner would introduce the person to the dog with treats, etc.

None of us would turn our backs on him. He was notorious for giving someone a nip in the bum. We all loved him but were careful when he was around.

Michele.

 

[ChickieNikki]

you all made my night--i needed a good laugh today--thanks!

 

[cmjust0]

Quote:
Not to belabor the point, but what you describe here is a common sign of fear aggression in any dog or breed... Charging, nipping, or biting as the "threat" turns to move away.

When you turn your back, the dog not only decides its safe to play a little offense, but wants to reinforce the point that it "won" the standoff.. So, it bites you in the hiney.

Without ever having seen Winston (obviously), I bet I can tell you what he looked like when he was engaging a threat or an unknown person at close range: Head held low, stance lowered a bit, tail down, and ears down..

Am I right?

 

[goldeneggtees]

That stinks that your hubby is like that. My husband likes animals enough but doesn't want any of the additional responsibilities that they give. So I'm alone in caring for our two dogs and eight chicks. He at least tolerates them all, providing I care for them. I do hear about it daily though. :–(

I have always had animals around growing up and while it is sometimes a big inconvenience and strain on the budget, I wouldn't have it any other way. Life without them would be just plain boring. Maybe my dh will come around after we start getting fresh eggs!

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
My husband was that way too until the day we adopted a Standardbred horse. The horse became his. It was the first animal that was ever really his. He loved it, and the experience opened his eyes to the joy of pets. Before that all of the animals were mine or the kids. Now I even consider a couple of the hens his because they are his favorites. He helps take care of the animals now and seems to enjoy them. The Standarbred is mostly retired now (we call him a pasture ornament). He has another horse now.

 

[JewellFarm]

I'm so sorry. I have a new G Pry. puppy and it would break my heart to have to give him up.

 

[Robin L]

My husband grew up on a farm and always had animals but they belonged outside. So when I started getting dogs it didnt go over to well be cause we never had an outside dog. The first dogs were all bigger breeds. One day brought home a little chihuahua (maybe a pound) with the intention of giving it to my mother but I had to keep her for 3 days before I seen my mother. I fell in love with her and couldnt give her up. Hubby wasnt happy at all. I was at work one day when he was home, when I got home there were hubby and Minnie Pearl curled up napping. There was no way for her to jump up where he was

Hubby was a big guy (500 pounds) and there was this little dog following him every where. She can act tough around him because no one will say anything to him about it lol He still dont like big dogs but we have gotten 2 more little dogs (a sister from a different liter and the mother to both) The mother has been threw some awful stuff and took awhile to warm up to hubby but he took the time with her and gave her the space she needed. Who would of thought this big gruff guy would let his heart warm to a little dog.

I can say what hubby weight as he is not embarrassed by it and had lapband over a year ago and lost 220 pounds so far!

Im sorry this time it didnt work out for you.

 

[cmjust0]

My wife and I...our families always had pets when we were growing up, so when we moved out to the farm it was just a matter of time before we were overrun with critters.

Oddly, she was the one who pushed the hardest for the chickens, but once they got here....well, care to guess who managed to wind up with "chicken duty" full time?

Really, though, I think it's because we got straight run and she knows full well that a goodly portion are going to wind up in the freezer in just a few short weeks.. It's probably better that she not be so attached at this point...

Once that's over with and the pullets calm down a bit and stop being so wild and "chickie," I'm sure she'll go all starry eyed and start assigning them names.

 

[FLOWERPOT]

Quote:
No, He will totally enjoy the fresh eggs, but it wont change his attitude on the animals. My Hubby is exactly like yours! City boy thru and thru! But he understands my love for all my animals and I have had pets and livestock my whole life, He does love the dogs though, but that is it. Im just glad he lets me keep whatever I want, so I dont mind feedind and taking care of them myself. And I plan on keeping them and him.

 

[ChickieNikki]

Quote:
He actually does like animals, especially dogs and cats, but he has some conversation in his mind that "it's not responsible" for a big family on a limited budget (like who isn't on a limited budget) to spend any money on dogs...

guitars, well, that's a different story.

Anyway, he actually admitted today that he only said OK to the dog to "make you happy"--which actually made me end up pretty unhappy, because when the first dog didn't work out, I was sure he'd be OK with replacing it (especially after 4 days), and when he knee-jerked into "NO MORE DOGS", it sucks, and of course, I'm sad. And then he goes all wishy washy on "get a puppy, nevermind, bad idea, well, ok fine get one"--it's driving me nuts, and I don't know what his deal is. But his indecisive and wishy washy approach probably confused the first dog (if they sense this kind of thing, which I think they do)...ugh, why can't people just commit to something and choose to enjoy it, or at least get out of the way and keep their emotions in check while others get joy from it.

sorry for the rant...