mario07
Bratty Ratty
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| 04/30/2007 11:36 AM |
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I know everyone has been posting about the big meet up at Nora's and posting pictures, etc.. It was an incredible weekend and one that I will always cherish. It was more than fun and I wanted to share.
Mario is a very timid dog. He gets very intimidated around other dogs and will run away in fear. He's gotten out of my own yard and went missing one day for about an hour. Mario has not mastered the "come" command and it was obvious.
Nora, being the wonderful person she is, took Mario and me to the side and gave us a training session. Now, we all joke about "Nora's Boot Camp" but truly, this woman knows what she's doing!
Her advice and instruction has been invaluable! Mario was a different dog when we left. He's been a different dog at home. His confidence is up, he seems so happy to please and I have bonded even deeper with my wonderful little dog.
There is a HUGE difference between a well trained dog and one that has little or no training. Just seeing Bailey out there convicted the socks off of me! HE is amazing and it's a testament to Nora. I just want to really encourage everyone to take Nora's advice (and the others on here too... Paul being one of them). Not only will a well behaved dog be nicer for the whole family but it will possibly save your dog's life one day.
I feel so special and honored that Nora took the time to spend with me. I have my lesson and will work with Mario daily until we've mastered the "come" command. I want him to grow up healthy and happy and Nora has given me the tools to do that.
All of us owe our dogs the time and energy to train them properly. I have not done a good job until this point and really see the importance of good training. For me, I cannot go back to being content with a dog who will sit only. I owe Mario more than that and I am so thankful that I now know how!
I can't even describe how I feel about everyone. Just being around all of the people and all of the ratties was one of the best experiences I've had. I now know what Paul's voice sounds like, and how Pami rolls her eyes when she's being silly, and how Sara laughs, and how Mia looks when she smiles really big, and how Jillian plays with Lady, and how Jenny looks when she's loving on Mario...and how and how.... You all get the idea. It's more than just a web site...it's family. I love you all and hope to meet every one if possible.
Okay, I'll end my novel... I just wanted to express my gratitude and thanks for the people on this site, for their knowledge and love for all of our ratties!  |
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~~Shannon, Mario and Pepper's mom!~~
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Apollo's Mommy
Feisty
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| 04/30/2007 11:40 AM |
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What about me!
j/k
I too was very proud of Mario!
And also LOVE the things I learned about all my best friends! |
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"You can't fix stupid." - Ron White
~ Jolene ~
Mommy to Apollo, Emma, & Indie
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mario07
Bratty Ratty
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| 04/30/2007 11:41 AM |
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Well, that would take WAY too long to post!!! You are a nut and I already know ya!!! LOL
Okay, to make you happy.... and now I know that Jolene is very honest and will tell me that I snore!!! hahaha
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~~Shannon, Mario and Pepper's mom!~~
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Apollo's Mommy
Feisty
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| 04/30/2007 11:44 AM |
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Posted By mario07 on 04/30/2007 11:41 AM Well, that would take WAY too long to post!!! You are a nut and I already know ya!!! LOL Okay, to make you happy.... and now I know that Jolene is very honest and will tell me that I snore!!! hahaha
That's better! hehehehe |
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"You can't fix stupid." - Ron White
~ Jolene ~
Mommy to Apollo, Emma, & Indie
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PamWh
Rattitude Problem
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| 04/30/2007 11:45 AM |
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The funniest thing that happened is when Jolene was talking to Emma on Saturday night and Riley told her not to talk baby talk to her, Shannon defended her by saying she wasn't talking baby talk - that was her normal voice!  I'd love to see Jolene when she got really mad, just to see if her voice changed from her normal soft sweet tone into a drill sergeant voice or something. |
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PamWh
aka Bob's Mom
If your rattie ain't happy, ain't nobody happy! |
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JenMax
Firehouse Big Dog
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| 04/30/2007 11:46 AM |
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I was very impressed with Mario's quick transformation.
I got to adopt all of the fur kids since Max wasn't there.
I still think that Max would not like something like that since he doesn't like other dogs (well other the the TREATS and the WALKS) Hee hee
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Jenny - Max's sister
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JenMax
Firehouse Big Dog
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| 04/30/2007 11:47 AM |
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Posted By PamWh on 04/30/2007 11:45 AM The funniest thing that happened is when Jolene was talking to Emma on Saturday night and Riley told her not to talk baby talk to her, Shannon defended her by saying she wasn't talking baby talk - that was her normal voice!  I'd love to see Jolene when she got really mad, just to see if her voice changed from her normal soft sweet tone into a drill sergeant voice or something.
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Jenny - Max's sister
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mario07
Bratty Ratty
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Alpha Rattie
Ratastic
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| 04/30/2007 11:50 AM |
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 that made me laugh hard enough to cry. most women i meet with soft voices can get quite loud and much deeper when ticked off or stressed. i dont mess with the little women with soft voices, they are the strong ones in life! |
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kimrose
Feisty
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| 04/30/2007 11:51 AM |
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I'm so happy for you Shannon! I still have a lot to go with Mic and his training... hey Nora  ... are you planning on taking a trip to the west coast anytime soon!!  |
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My Flickr Page
MySpace
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mario07
Bratty Ratty
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| 04/30/2007 11:51 AM |
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Posted By Alpha Rattie on 04/30/2007 11:50 AM that made me laugh hard enough to cry. most women i meet with soft voices can get quite loud and much deeper when ticked off or stressed. i dont mess with the little women with soft voices, they are the strong ones in life!
Yes they are!!! LOL |
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~~Shannon, Mario and Pepper's mom!~~
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Apollo's Mommy
Feisty
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| 04/30/2007 11:52 AM |
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| hahaha Maybe that makes me the Alpha Rattie! |
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"You can't fix stupid." - Ron White
~ Jolene ~
Mommy to Apollo, Emma, & Indie
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JenMax
Firehouse Big Dog
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| 04/30/2007 11:53 AM |
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Posted By kimrose on 04/30/2007 11:51 AM I'm so happy for you Shannon! I still have a lot to go with Mic and his training... hey Nora ... are you planning on taking a trip to the west coast anytime soon!!
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Jenny - Max's sister
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mario07
Bratty Ratty
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Alpha Rattie
Ratastic
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| 04/30/2007 11:54 AM |
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| quite so .............. i just thought of the screen name 1st LOL |
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mario07
Bratty Ratty
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| 04/30/2007 11:55 AM |
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| Okay, ya'll are making me laugh WAY too hard today!!! I have GOT to get some work done!!! Now, hush!!! LOL |
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~~Shannon, Mario and Pepper's mom!~~
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Apollo's Mommy
Feisty
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JenMax
Firehouse Big Dog
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| 04/30/2007 11:57 AM |
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Posted By Apollo's Mommy on 04/30/2007 11:52 AM hahaha Maybe that makes me the Alpha Rattie!
I think that Emma was the Alpha for sure.  |
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Jenny - Max's sister
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Apollo's Mommy
Feisty
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| 04/30/2007 11:59 AM |
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Posted By JenMax on 04/30/2007 11:57 AM
Posted By Apollo's Mommy on 04/30/2007 11:52 AM hahaha Maybe that makes me the Alpha Rattie! I think that Emma was the Alpha for sure.
She gets it from her mommy! |
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"You can't fix stupid." - Ron White
~ Jolene ~
Mommy to Apollo, Emma, & Indie
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JenMax
Firehouse Big Dog
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| 04/30/2007 12:00 PM |
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That's right Jolene.
Small , cute, and adorable! |
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Jenny - Max's sister
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Apollo's Mommy
Feisty
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| 04/30/2007 12:01 PM |
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Posted By JenMax on 04/30/2007 12:00 PM
That's right Jolene.
Small , cute, and adorable!
Awwww Jenny! |
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"You can't fix stupid." - Ron White
~ Jolene ~
Mommy to Apollo, Emma, & Indie
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Alpha Rattie
Ratastic
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| 04/30/2007 12:03 PM |
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| i didnt know a grown woman could be "adorable" i honestly thought it was reserved for other things |
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JenMax
Firehouse Big Dog
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| 04/30/2007 12:06 PM |
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| Well maybe adorable isn't the right work. Jolene (as well as everyone else I met this weekend) is just great! |
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Jenny - Max's sister
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Apollo's Mommy
Feisty
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| 04/30/2007 12:06 PM |
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| you mean like 'little' things? Well, I AM little. |
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"You can't fix stupid." - Ron White
~ Jolene ~
Mommy to Apollo, Emma, & Indie
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mario07
Bratty Ratty
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| 04/30/2007 12:07 PM |
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Posted By Alpha Rattie on 04/30/2007 12:03 PM i didnt know a grown woman could be "adorable" i honestly thought it was reserved for other things
Well, there's a lot of things in this world that are adorable and beautiful...you just have to be willing to see it past your big head!! |
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~~Shannon, Mario and Pepper's mom!~~
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rattytatty
Newbie
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| 04/30/2007 12:08 PM |
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Wow, Shannon -- I just read this. How kind you are with your words! I have no doubt that Mario will develop and mature and become more self confident and outgoing as time passes... especially if it's encouraged. I feel quite certain you will take on this task with enthusiasm (more some days than others... trust me).
So many people try to win their new puppy's love by letting the puppy always have its way. The pup is showered with affection and attention because he is so cute and cuddly. Buckets of affection is a wonderful thing for most puppies, but it must be tempered with respect and encouragement.
If you give in to your puppy's every whim, your pup will never learn self control and self discipline and self-confidence will not evolve normally. Your puppy will never learn to respect you. If your puppy does not respect you, it will have no reason to do anything for you. Your relationship will be like two 5 year olds bossing each other around. Just as a child needs a caring parent; an athletic team needs a coach; your puppy needs a leader and a clear social hierarchy.
If you do not take up the role of leader, your dog will; and you will end up with an unruly, disobedient, out of control, often aggressive monster of a dog. Most of these dogs end up living a life of isolation in the back yard because no one can deal with it, or they end up at the shelter because either the owner can't live with the dog anymore, or a member of the public has filed a complaint against the dog and government officials have taken the dog away from the owner.
Other people have an equally erroneous misconception of this issue. Instead of showering the dog with love and affection, they think that to earn the dog's respect they must bully, dominate and terrorize the dog into being submissive. Dogs treated this way sometimes even bite their owners. This is not respect. Respect is not something that is forced. It is won. A dog will not respect someone it does not trust. The old fashioned method of dominance via the alpha roll over does not win respect (in my opinion and from my experience).
Mario is a beautiful, highly intelligent animal and is obviously VERY bonded with Shannon. Because Shannon has a fenced-in back yard, the "come" command hasn't been one of utmost importance. Not until the dog ran off one day... or the dog is put in an environment such as this past weekend where he felt intimidated and fearful and exhibited no self-confidence. Then it becomes important.
It's important to shower your dogs with affection, but not to the extent that we don't help them cultivate their self-confidence and respect for their humans. In all fairness, it's hard to know where the line is sometimes.
Thank you for the vote of confidence, Shannon! It feels wonderful for me to be back into the training arena and to be able to work with people who are desirous of having a dog that can be taken anywhere and is confident enough to behave well... realizing that to NOT do so simply isn't an option.
You and Mario will be fine... and I look forward to progress reports from time to time!
Luv you lots!
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swatson6
Attention Starved
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| 04/30/2007 12:08 PM |
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adorable fits just fine |
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Sarah
Mom to Jack, Jeter and foster mom to Teagan
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Apollo's Mommy
Feisty
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mario07
Bratty Ratty
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| 04/30/2007 12:11 PM |
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Posted By rattytatty on 04/30/2007 12:08 PM
Wow, Shannon -- I just read this. How kind you are with your words! I have no doubt that Mario will develop and mature and become more self confident and outgoing as time passes... especially if it's encouraged. I feel quite certain you will take on this task with enthusiasm (more some days than others... trust me).
So many people try to win their new puppy's love by letting the puppy always have its way. The pup is showered with affection and attention because he is so cute and cuddly. Buckets of affection is a wonderful thing for most puppies, but it must be tempered with respect and encouragement.
If you give in to your puppy's every whim, your pup will never learn self control and self discipline and self-confidence will not evolve normally. Your puppy will never learn to respect you. If your puppy does not respect you, it will have no reason to do anything for you. Your relationship will be like two 5 year olds bossing each other around. Just as a child needs a caring parent; an athletic team needs a coach; your puppy needs a leader and a clear social hierarchy.
If you do not take up the role of leader, your dog will; and you will end up with an unruly, disobedient, out of control, often aggressive monster of a dog. Most of these dogs end up living a life of isolation in the back yard because no one can deal with it, or they end up at the shelter because either the owner can't live with the dog anymore, or a member of the public has filed a complaint against the dog and government officials have taken the dog away from the owner.
Other people have an equally erroneous misconception of this issue. Instead of showering the dog with love and affection, they think that to earn the dog's respect they must bully, dominate and terrorize the dog into being submissive. Dogs treated this way sometimes even bite their owners. This is not respect. Respect is not something that is forced. It is won. A dog will not respect someone it does not trust. The old fashioned method of dominance via the alpha roll over does not win respect (in my opinion and from my experience).
Mario is a beautiful, highly intelligent animal and is obviously VERY bonded with Shannon. Because Shannon has a fenced-in back yard, the "come" command hasn't been one of utmost importance. Not until the dog ran off one day... or the dog is put in an environment such as this past weekend where he felt intimidated and fearful and exhibited no self-confidence. Then it becomes important.
It's important to shower your dogs with affection, but not to the extent that we don't help them cultivate their self-confidence and respect for their humans. In all fairness, it's hard to know where the line is sometimes.
Thank you for the vote of confidence, Shannon! It feels wonderful for me to be back into the training arena and to be able to work with people who are desirous of having a dog that can be taken anywhere and is confident enough to behave well... realizing that to NOT do so simply isn't an option.
You and Mario will be fine... and I look forward to progress reports from time to time!
Luv you lots!
Thanks, Nora for your words and for reeling this post back in to what it was meant to be.... I love you!! |
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~~Shannon, Mario and Pepper's mom!~~
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Alpha Rattie
Ratastic
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| 04/30/2007 12:17 PM |
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| i wish some one would work with me and gracie.......... she looks to me for everything and trying my hardest just doesnt seem tyo cut it , i think its more lack of knowledge than lack of trying. we both crave more out of our relationship, hopfuly we can do it |
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