A question for dog owners

sidoney

This post is for people who live in or near Sydney, who are the primary carers for a dog - not someone else's dog, but your dog. If you are one of a couple of primary carers, that too. If you are the one or one of the ones that make the decisions and do the work, that's what I mean.

If that is you, I am wondering if you have had any sort of crisis or difficulty in caring for a dog. It would be an experience out of the usual day to day of looking after a dog, one that makes you think what do I do now, or how do I do this, or even can I do this.

If so, would you be willing to talk with me about your experience? It would take about an hour. If you are interested, I can send you are more complete information sheet and will also answer any questions you may have. You can post here or send me a PM if you are interested.

This research is part of a PhD being done by me at UWS Sydney and has received ethics approval.

Thanks!

shape_shifter

I'm in sid Sid is genuine guys so don't think this is anything weird. It would be great to get some male perspective on dog ownership.

sidoney

Thanks ss Well maybe I'm a LITTLE weird but the research is legit! You are absolutely right about getting some male perspectives - almost all of my participants so far are female.

Koffee_Kosmo

I am willing to participate Have owned dogs for 30+ years But I live in Brisbane so phone calls are OK with me Having said that I believe that diet, exercise and family/pack acceptance is the most important thing to a dogs well being KK

hiphipharar

on 1322781483:

Have owned dogs for 30+ years

Impressive. Dogs usually don't live that long 

Brett H

on 1322784432:

Impressive. Dogs usually don't live that long 

Lol... then please explain my Great Aunt Mabel! edit: Don't panic everyone... I don't actually have a Great Aunt Mabel... she's dead! Edit: Serioulsy... she doesn't exist except to sate my comedic desires... FAIL! Hey Sid, is there any room in your study for Cat owners? 

Koffee_Kosmo

Quote from: Koffee Kosmo on Today at 09:18:03 am     Have owned dogs for 30+ years

on 1322784432:

Impressive. Dogs usually don't live that long 

Lets rephrase that I have owned several dogs over a 30 year period Replacing them when the have died Edit - A technicality - Do I still own them if they are buried in the back yard KK

UNM

Well, as a professional dog groomer (and owner), among other things, I would happily help. I'm just down the road in Melbourne. Might be a bit far. Had a couple ' interesting' experiences over the years.

RichardM

Sidoney, I've had a personal crisis when getting my first ever dog around two years ago - let's call it "post puppy depression" as a general indication of what went on. More than willing to discuss further if this is the kind of thing you're after, but, alas, I'm not in Sydney. Richard

sidoney

I *have* heard of dogs living longer than 20 years. I just checked a list of oldest dogs and a couple made it to 29 which is pretty impressive! Thank you everyone for your generous responses to my request. I would love to take you all up on them - and those situations you have described sound really interesting and suitable - but for this study I am doing face to face qualitative interviews, and my supervisor and I thought it would be useful to confine ourselves to people living with NSW dog laws. If I expand on this work post-doc it would be great to include you. Brett, alas, I am confined to dogs for this study. If anyone close enough to Sydney to do an interview with me reads this thread - I'd love to hear from you!

Koffee_Kosmo

on 1322818513:

I *have* heard of dogs living longer than 20 years. I just checked a list of oldest dogs and a couple made it to 29 which is pretty impressive! Thank you everyone for your generous responses to my request. I would love to take you all up on them - and those situations you have described sound really interesting and suitable - but for this study I am doing face to face qualitative interviews, and my supervisor and I thought it would be useful to confine ourselves to people living with NSW dog laws. If I expand on this work post-doc it would be great to include you. Brett, alas, I am confined to dogs for this study. If anyone close enough to Sydney to do an interview with me reads this thread - I'd love to hear from you!

Skype can be face to face (camera dependent) KK

UNM

on 1322818513:

I *have* heard of dogs living longer than 20 years. I just checked a list of oldest dogs and a couple made it to 29 which is pretty impressive!

Two of my customers had/have dogs that made it to over 20. One 21 1/2 yrs, one 21 and still going strong. Both small dogs.

sidoney

on 1322819193:

Skype can be face to face (camera dependent) KK

Yes, that is true. I had a UK friend offer to do an interview with me by Skype, which is why my supervisor and I had the discussion about location of participants. We discussed having everyone in NSW because then the dog laws are the same for everyone, but if some of you guys would be willing to Skype with me (I've never done that yet), then I'll run the idea of having everyone in Australia but not necessarily in NSW past her.

Koffee_Kosmo

on 1322819937:

Yes, that is true. I had a UK friend offer to do an interview with me by Skype, which is why my supervisor and I had the discussion about location of participants. We discussed having everyone in NSW because then the dog laws are the same for everyone, but if some of you guys would be willing to Skype with me (I've never done that yet), then I'll run the idea of having everyone in Australia but not necessarily in NSW past her.

If you cant get the numbers required locally I would be happy to participate - got to find the web camera now - KK

sidoney

Thanks!

askthecoffeeguy

I live in melbourne and I'm a dog owner - my dog recently bit the postie, drawing blood, the only reason she wasnt put down was because the postie was on our property at the time, which technically means that the dog was protecting its own territory and NO we were not in charge of the dog at the time, we were interstate and the dog was allegedly being looked after by our then housemate unfortunately this is only one of a number of such incidents (but certainly the most sever) involving what is otherwise a loving dog which is great around the kids... happy to contribute if this counts p

sidoney

Thanks! I'll see how I go with NSW participants but you all have really relevant experiences so I may get back to you on those. :D