What would you like to see on the forum?

[Smart_Family]

So we moderators and admins, are always looking for ways to improve the forum. Mike made the suggestion yesterday of an FAQ section which we will take into consideration and I'm happy to see the chat getting more use. Is there anything else you feel like the forum needs or is lacking? Is there something on another forum that you think works really well?

 

[raechiemay]

I believe a FAQ would be of great benefit for new members. I'm not sure what sort of questions Mike was referring to but it seems like a lot of answers can be given to new members about feeding, proper nutrition, etc for giant breeds.

 

[Smart_Family]

The tricky part of the FAQ thing is that it can be subjective. Some questions are very clear cut like what age to spay/neuter at. Others really can't be answered simply and it can depend on the dog. As far as the nutrition part, trust me I'm working on it haha. It's a very slow process but my dog food guide will hopefully be finished this year. Otherwise I might just go mad haha.

 

[voidecho]

Can't think of anything the other forum I frequent (non dog) has that this one doesn't already have. However, I just wanted to say I really like the new monthly male, female, puppy and theme of the month. I like how you guys organized and formatted it. Looks really good over there on the right side of the page. Nice work.

 

[Smart_Family]

You can thank the admins (Shon and Vicki) for that! Glad to hear you like it though

 

[raechiemay]

Yes I like that too! It's giving me motivation to try to take better pics of Duchess. Impossible with her puppy ADD though. Lol

 

[Smart_Family]

Way to blame the puppy Rachie haha.

 

[Geisthexe]

The tricky part of the FAQ thing is that it can be subjective. Some questions are very clear cut like what age to spay/neuter at. Others really can't be answered simply and it can depend on the dog. As far as the nutrition part, trust me I'm working on it haha. It's a very slow process but my dog food guide will hopefully be finished this year. Otherwise I might just go mad haha.

My questions to you on what your working on as for food guide your creating...
What credentials do you have?
Did you go to school for nutrition?
Are you going to be fair to all foods or are you going putting the ones you feed are good?
I am asking bc just like anything else this is something that can be an issue if something goes wrong with a dog...

Not trying to be an ass or argue just questions that all should know about ..

Thanks

 

[Smart_Family]

My questions to you on what your working on as for food guide your creating...
What credentials do you have?
Did you go to school for nutrition?
Are you going to be fair to all foods or are you going putting the ones you feed are good?
I am asking bc just like anything else this is something that can be an issue if something goes wrong with a dog...

Not trying to be an ass or argue just questions that all should know about ..

Thanks

I don't expect any less from you Deb haha.
The guide is actually based on the Whole Dog Journals annual food list. It has over a hundred foods, what age their appropriate for, ingredients to watch for, average price, etc. I was actually asked to do it a year ago and at a 100 pages, I'm about half way thru. The knowledge I have started with a large/giant breed nutritionist and I've gone on to do my own research. I will be going to school for nutrition once I finish my current degree. Considering that I haven't fed my dogs that many food, I would say I'm being fair but as always appreciate your concerns Deb.

 

[Geisthexe]

May I ask who the large/giant breed nutritionist is?

I know the info you are speaking about so with that why not just recommend it?

By you doing your own and only going off one book is being very byest?

The reason I state this is just like well educated vets with there limited nutrition behind them folks still ask them and they are very byest on food ..

Where do you plan on going for nutrition?

I think it awesome you wanna go into nutrition

 

[Smart_Family]

Because the whole dog journal doesn't go into the details I go into. No one asked you to read my dog food guide Deb. I do recommend things on a daily basis and do my best to help everyone I can. I never said I know everything about nutrition but most people who are new to mastiffs and dogs even don't have the money to throw down for a consultation with a nutritionist. I don't have to justify myself to you but again thanks

 

[Geisthexe]

Because the whole dog journal doesn't go into the details I go into. No one asked you to read my dog food guide Deb. I do recommend things on a daily basis and do my best to help everyone I can. I never said I know everything about nutrition but most people who are new to mastiffs and dogs even don't have the money to throw down for a consultation with a nutritionist. I don't have to justify myself to you but again thanks

I am only asking you bc you are stating stuff and simply asking questions ...
Yes you do have to justify yourself if you plan on posting information on a forum that many will read. So much none education is put out and without the education then how can you right something that has only one backing.

I am not trying to be mean or argue with you they are simple questions you are clearly avoiding .. Same!!!

 

[Smart_Family]

You're always confrontational Deb. I actually don't have to justify a thing. I can post that I'm an elephant with polka dots and a toupe, doesn't mean I have to provide a picture to prove it. Again if you don't like what I say, don't listen. It's a pretty simple concept. It's pretty funny that we're having this conversation when you often post how everyone needs to follow your focus video and nothing else. I don't care if you're mean. It's an internet forum, what you say does not make or break my day.

 

[DMikeM]

I think we need to look at these topics as information from a shared collective of Mastiff owners using there own experiences as a guideline. Not written in stone stuff, but this works for me stuff. Including official study and articles found on the internet can be added with links to the original context.
As an example look at how many times we get asked the "How much to feed per day?" question we know the answer is follow the guidelines on the bag and if the dog gets heavy cut back, as for raw 2 to 3%+- of the dogs projected adult weight add subtract as needed. It really is not hard to generically answer some of these basic questions. If we put the baseline down and discuss it until it is accepted then prune off the excess chatter we could come up with a nice trim FAQ section.

 

[Smart_Family]

I think we need to look at these topics as information from a shared collective of Mastiff owners using there own experiences as a guideline. Not written in stone stuff, but this works for me stuff. Including official study and articles found on the internet can be added with links to the original context.
As an example look at how many times we get asked the "How much to feed per day?" question we know the answer is follow the guidelines on the bag and if the dog gets heavy cut back, as for raw 2 to 3%+- of the dogs projected adult weight add subtract as needed. It really is not hard to generically answer some of these basic questions. If we put the baseline down and discuss it until it is accepted then prune off the excess chatter we could come up with a nice trim FAQ section.

Oh definitely Mike. Or maybe a thread of previously discussed things like " Having problems with puppy biting? See these threads" kinda deal.

 

[Rugers-Kris]

@Deb, Smart_Family has helped a lot of people to feed thier dogs better quality foods and to be able to understand what to look for in a good food. The fact is that she does NOT have to justify herself. The majority come here to share and learn. Visiting here, reading anything or taking advice is optional. I really like this forum and it has been so helpful so many times with Ruger. I think it is just a mindset. I would say, IMO....You believe there is only one way to do things (Your way) and that you seem to enjoy pointing out what everyone else is doing wrong and it is apparent that you love to argue. I believe that there are tons of ways to "skin a cat" and that we can all ALWAYS learn something from others. You attempt to bully people, to me that is wrong but since you are on a public forum you continue to be allowed to do it. See, can't just go on one person's opinion on how it should be done, right?

By the way....***Bias or biased

 

[DMikeM]

Deb what the hell is wrong with you? Why are you always such a negative person to everyone? You seem to be a very knowledgable person but you always come off as an ass. Did someone piss in your coffee or are you just generally an angry person? Why must you be like that when you could be so very helpful in a less negative manner? It's actually hard work being an ass and easy being nice. Sorry about the rant but geeze this is getting old.

 

[Rugers-Kris]

I wasn't implying that you were a Bitch.....I don't "imply" well. If I have it to say, I say it. I was stating that you are a bully. To me, a bully is much worse than a bitch. This is a forum of people who share a common interest and want to share the good and bad with each other. I would think that you would commend people for the "good" if you feel it is neccessary to condemn the "bad". We give opinions here. The fact that you are a trainer doesn't make what you say anymore "proven" than anyone on here giving their opinions. You are expressing what works for you and we are expressing what works for us. Whether you are good at what you do or not is up to the person you are working with/for, I suppose. I just think that it is un-neccessary to point out everything you don't agree with. You go out of your way to belittle people and that is just ugly. You just picked apart a good thread about trying to find out what forum members are interested in seeing just so that you could throw more of your nastiness and negativity into the mix. Misery loves company but not EVERYONE wants company. Having said that, you have never actually argued against me or replied negatively to any thread that I have posted so this isn't personal but just an honest observation.

 

[AKBull]

Alright gang. Let's remember why we're in this thread.
It's teetering on some violations, and I'd like to keep this thing open. So please, no more.

 

[DMikeM]

Fixed it