Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd

Manwaithiel

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ringer-bearer-german-shepherd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:6cc5a47f-3ca7-4a26-a7b7-1431aa1bc66bPost:0e893fac-0d93-4e1c-acfc-564c0f9b07d7">Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd : Yes, we had a Shepherd when I was a kid.  She was a sweetheart and although large, was very well behaved.  My brothers and I walked her all the time and I believe my oldest brother was only 10 when she died.  (I could be off by a year, it was a long time ago.) I think we ought to leave it up to the dog's owner to decide who will walk her, don't you think?  I know you don't like the idea but there are ways that OP can make this work.  Feel free to repeat all the reasons why you don't think it should be done, but I wholeheartedly believe this is a decision the couple should make for themselves.  After all, they are the ones that know their location, guests, and dog the best.  <strong>Oh and by the way, its SHEPHERD, you're mis-spelling your own dog's breed.</strong>
Posted by Robyn5298[/QUOTE]

Oh my goodness. Being a snot doesn't make you look smarter. And those dogs are work dogs. They're trained to be able to pull the weight of, I don't know, about a 9 year old child. Let's not be naive on their strength, here. No one said they're not sweet dogs. But they ARE powerful and to ignore such a thing just because it's a sweetie is very foolish. It's an animal, please treat it as such.

OP, I don't think you listened to a single thing Tricia said in her post besides seeing "Pitbulls have been known to attack people." Go read it again, because your entire response pretty much sounded like nonsense and like you hadn't actually considered what she said.

She acknowledged that it's very dependent on the upbringing, but there is a REASON why lawyers advise apartment complexes to list certain breeds as prohibited from the premises. They have tendencies to be aggressive, especially when not trained right.

Oh, and you should go look up a few of those lists. Cocker spaniel is on a lot of them so your point about the cocker spaniel is pretty much moot. They're also known to be territorial and defensive dogs.

Robyn5298

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ringer-bearer-german-shepherd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:6cc5a47f-3ca7-4a26-a7b7-1431aa1bc66bPost:0463a3a6-9c5f-4636-b8fa-996e81d9220b">Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd : Oh my goodness. <strong>Being a snot doesn't make you look smarter.</strong> And those dogs are work dogs. They're trained to be able to pull the weight of, I don't know, about a 9 year old child. Let's not be naive on their strength, here. No one said they're not sweet dogs. But they ARE powerful and to ignore such a thing just because it's a sweetie is very foolish. It's an animal, please treat it as such. OP, I don't think you listened to a single thing Tricia said in her post besides seeing "Pitbulls have been known to attack people." Go read it again, because you're entire response pretty much sounded like nonsense and like you hadn't actually considered what she said. She acknowledged that it's very dependent on the upbringing, but there is a REASON why lawyers advise apartment complexes to list certain breeds as prohibited from the premises. They have tendencies to be aggressive, especially when not trained right. Oh, and you should go look up a few of those lists. Cocker spaniel is on a lot of them so you're point about the cocker spaniel is pretty much moot. They're also known to be territorial and defensive dogs.
Posted by Manwaithiel[/QUOTE]
HA!  This coming from you?  Are you serious?  Come on, even you have to agree this is funny.  You're one of the snarkiest girls on here.

Manwaithiel

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ringer-bearer-german-shepherd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:6cc5a47f-3ca7-4a26-a7b7-1431aa1bc66bPost:feb5a205-5a0e-41a0-9073-89e68fa97418">Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd : HA!  This coming from you?  Are you serious?  Come on, even you have to agree this is funny.  You're one of the snarkiest girls on here.
Posted by Robyn5298[/QUOTE]

I don't criticize someone's spelling if I understand perfectly what they said just to try and make the other person look like an idiot. That particular thing you criticized had almost nothing to do with anything.

Robyn5298

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ringer-bearer-german-shepherd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:6cc5a47f-3ca7-4a26-a7b7-1431aa1bc66bPost:ca5acf1d-504c-4d3a-a0f0-5dcd2347f846">Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd : I don't criticize someone's spelling if I understand perfectly what they said just to try and make the other person look like an idiot. That particular thing you criticized had almost nothing to do with anything.
Posted by Manwaithiel[/QUOTE]
I felt the mis-spelling was undermining her supposed expertise on Shepherd ownership.  If I had repeatedly made that mistake I would want somebody to correct me too so I didn't go on spelling it wrong.

I wasn't trying to make her look like an idiot, just pointing out a fact.  But hey, thanks for saying I was being a snot.  That's real nice.

Manwaithiel

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ringer-bearer-german-shepherd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:6cc5a47f-3ca7-4a26-a7b7-1431aa1bc66bPost:6e1bb909-4987-4980-9072-25b4bd457f03">Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd : I felt the mis-spelling was undermining her supposed expertise on Shepherd ownership.  If I had repeatedly made that mistake I would want somebody to correct me too so I didn't go on spelling it wrong. I wasn't trying to make her look like an idiot, just pointing out a fact.  But hey, thanks for saying I was being a snot.  That's real nice.
Posted by Robyn5298[/QUOTE]

That's how you were coming across. So sorry if I misinterpreted your intention. But I don't think lalap was trying to come off as an "expert".

Anyways, you're more than welcome to judge my snarkiness all you want, but be prepared for feedback in the same style. I'll admit I cross the line sometimes and I've resolved to be less so.

Also, there is a difference between saying you're acting like something and you "are" something. If you come across as snotty to me, then it takes a simple explanation like you just delivered to clear that all up. If I say "You are just the biggest snot I've ever seen," I could see you being justifiably aggravated, because I don't know you nearly well enought to make such a call. But that comment of yours? Definitely arrogant sounding (at least to me) and I told you so. If you'd want to be corrected for such a simple spelling mistake, would you not also want to be told that you sounded arrogant?

Robyn5298

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ringer-bearer-german-shepherd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:6cc5a47f-3ca7-4a26-a7b7-1431aa1bc66bPost:f5b98916-7356-47b4-b921-188fc1dd81ef">Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd : That's how you were coming across. So sorry if I misinterpreted your intention. But I don't think lalap was trying to come off as an "expert". Anyways, you're more than welcome to judge my snarkiness all you want, but be prepared for feedback in the same style. I'll admit I cross the line sometimes and I've resolved to be less so. <strong>Also, there is a difference between saying you're acting like something and you "are" something</strong>. If you come across as snotty to me, then it takes a simple explanation like you just delivered to clear that all up. If I say "You are just the biggest snot I've ever seen," I could see you being justifiably aggravated, because I don't know you nearly well enought to make such a call. But that comment of yours? Definitely arrogant sounding (at least to me) and I told you so. If you'd want to be corrected for such a simple spelling mistake, would you not also want to be told that you sounded arrogant?
Posted by Manwaithiel[/QUOTE]
I understand and that's why I said "thanks for saying I was being a snot", not "thanks for calling me a snot".  I accept your apology.  (I think there was one in there?  I guess "sorry for misinterpreting your intention" is close enough for me.)

And truly I don't think "snarky" is an insult.  If you took it as such, then I honestly apologize.  I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.  I was laughing when I typed my response, it really did seem funny to me.

However I have to say - the "regs" on this board are all about "not sugar coating things" and "being brutally honest", so I really didn't think I said anything out of line in either of these cases.  Also, being a regular poster here herself I didn't think Lalap (or anyone else) would get all bent out of shape over a spelling correction.

Anyway - I hope we're all good here, and OP, sorry for hijacking your thread. 

Manwaithiel

We're fine. I'm not upset about this. And I didn't think she was going to get all "bent out of shape". It was just seemed like a silly comment.

lalap69

You're right, Robyn.  I made a spelling error.  I hardly think it undermines what I have to say on the subject.

Yes, it's OP's wedding and no one on this board can make her and her FI do anything, nor can we stop them from doing anything - no matter how ill advised.  However, when I see someone about to do something really stupid that could potentially risk other people's safety, I'm going to speak out against it.

Even the most well-behaved dogs are still animals.  Both of our German SHEPHERDS were/are very well-trained dogs.  There were still incidences where they would get nervous or feel threatened or think we were being threatened where they would act out.  That's what animals do.  And yes, that means there's a risk here.

Our dogs weighed about 70-80lbs of pretty much pure muscle.  Yes, they can pull at 10 year old off their feet if they have mind to.

I'll state again that I think you're being ridiculous for not only encouraging this, but encouraging OP to have a child walk the dog down the aisle.

Robyn5298

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ringer-bearer-german-shepherd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:6cc5a47f-3ca7-4a26-a7b7-1431aa1bc66bPost:3be9c5c8-c5cd-42a4-8912-730969cfa553">Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd</a>:
[QUOTE]You're right, Robyn.  I made a spelling error.  I hardly think it undermines what I have to say on the subject. Yes, it's OP's wedding and no one on this board can make her and her FI do anything, nor can we stop them from doing anything - no matter how ill advised.  However, when I see someone about to do something really stupid that could potentially risk other people's safety, I'm going to speak out against it. Even the most well-behaved dogs are still animals .  Both of our German SHEPHERDS were/are very well-trained dogs.  There were still incidences where they would get nervous or feel threatened or think we were being threatened where they would act out.  That's what animals do.  And yes, that means there's a risk here. Our dogs weighed about 70-80lbs of pretty much pure muscle.  Yes, they can pull at 10 year old off their feet if they have mind to. I'll state again that I think you're being ridiculous for not only encouraging this, but encouraging OP to have a child walk the dog down the aisle.
Posted by lalap69[/QUOTE]
I'm encouraging OP to use her best judgment.  The younger relative walking the dog was only a suggestion.  She is welcome to take it or leave it.

You can think I'm ridiculous all you want, you are entitied to your opinion.  That said, I think that you are being ridiculous to claim to know better than OP on how<strong> her</strong> dog will behave around <strong>her</strong> guests in <strong>her </strong>venue.  To pretend that you know better than she based on speculation of worst case scenarios seems really presumptuous.

You've made your case and I've made mine, lets agree to disagree, shall we?

lalap69

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ringer-bearer-german-shepherd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:6cc5a47f-3ca7-4a26-a7b7-1431aa1bc66bPost:35f8a093-1046-4cf8-8003-2cfcf025f486">Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd : I'm encouraging OP to use her best judgment.  The younger relative walking the dog was only a suggestion.  She is welcome to take it or leave it. You can think I'm ridiculous all you want, you are entitied to your opinion.  That said, I think that you are being ridiculous to claim to know better than OP on how her dog will behave around her guests in her venue.  To pretend that you know better than she based on speculation of worst case scenarios seems really presumptuous. You've made your case and I've made mine, lets agree to disagree, shall we?
Posted by Robyn5298[/QUOTE]
OP thinks it's a good idea to incorporate her large dog into her wedding ceremony.  Yes, I question her judgement as a result.  Most dog owners don't want to acknowledge that dogs, as lovable and well-behaved as they are, are still animals and there is still an element of unpredictability with them.  I don't think it's right to simply defer to the owner's judgement when they'll be springing their dog on their guests and there IS the potential for things to go wrong.  It might not be a case of the dog acting aggressively even.  It could be something as "small" as the dog peeing on one of the guests.  (Search youtube if you don't know what I'm talking about.)

I do think it's wrong to encourage her without regard to the possible consequences for people who aren't her, and I think you're being rather careless in the suggestions that you are making as regards children and their involvement with the dog.

I'm not saying you have to agree with me that having a dog in the wedding ceremony is a terrible idea.  But I can't see any reasonable basis for your complete rejection of my position that, at the very least, there's reason for caution.

bablingbrooke

All I'm going to add at this point is this:

Your friends and family may have told you to your face that they love your dog, but that doesn't mean that 1) that's even true (how many times have I told someone I loved their badly-behaved dog? Too many to count) and 2) that it's appropriate to include him in the wedding.  There is a time and place for everything, and your wedding is neither the time nor the place for a dog.  You may think your puppy is an angel, but not everyone else does.

My late dog was very well-behaved, but in an unfamiliar environment or around a large group of unfamiliar people she'd pee, bark, and generally freak out.  Unless you have brought your dog to a gathering of 100+ people in an unfamiliar, enclosed space and have seen his reaction, don't assume it'll be a good one.  I don't know your dog specifically, but unless he's a trained helper dog, I'm willing to bet there's a better than even chance that he will freak out.  This is the sort of thing you want to be 100% sure about before you go forward, and I frankly doubt you can be.  

You won't get to see him go down the aisle, and since you're the only one in attendance who will think it's cute (I guarantee it) it kind of seems like a waste of energy to include him.

Robyn5298

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ringer-bearer-german-shepherd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:6cc5a47f-3ca7-4a26-a7b7-1431aa1bc66bPost:3d6b59d1-83e8-4bd7-a261-40f65215d735">Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd : OP thinks it's a good idea to incorporate her large dog into her wedding ceremony.  Yes, I question her judgement as a result.  Most dog owners don't want to acknowledge that dogs, as lovable and well-behaved as they are, are still animals and there is still an element of unpredictability with them.  I don't think it's right to simply defer to the owner's judgement when they'll be springing their dog on their guests and there IS the potential for things to go wrong.  It might not be a case of the dog acting aggressively even.  It could be something as "small" as the dog peeing on one of the guests.  (Search youtube if you don't know what I'm talking about.) I do think it's wrong to encourage her without regard to the possible consequences for people who aren't her, and I think you're being rather careless in the suggestions that you are making as regards children and their involvement with the dog. I'm not saying you have to agree with me that having a dog in the wedding ceremony is a terrible idea.  But I can't see any reasonable basis for your complete rejection of my position that, at the very least, there's reason for caution.
Posted by lalap69[/QUOTE]
The OP is the only one who should decide on this.  You (and many others) have brought up good ideas for her to think about.  I'm not suggesting she disregard anyone's concerns, just take them under consideration and move forward doing what she thinks is best.

Question her judgement all you want.  Question my judgement.  It doesn't bother me one bit.  All I'm saying is that even given all the negative opinions, the decision is hers to make and nobody else's.

Once again I feel that we've both made our cases, and I'm tired of debating this.  I've said my piece and hope that you have too.  OP - GOOD LUCK!

herecomesthebride1986

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ringer-bearer-german-shepherd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:6cc5a47f-3ca7-4a26-a7b7-1431aa1bc66bPost:1c8fcc00-4abc-4a55-8a45-4a0da5d08455">Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>First, it's aisle, not isle</strong>. I don't think having a dog at a wedding is a good idea.  I hope he doesn't poop halfway down the aisle. Do any of your guests have allergies?  Is anyone afraid of dogs?  Who is the one with the task of dog-sitting during the ceremony?  Who has to load the dog up and take it back to your house?  I hope none of your guests get stuck with those jobs. I can't really answer your question, because I think it seems pretty self explanatory.  The best way to have a dog walk down the aisle, is for the dog to walk down the aisle, with a leash.  The dog can then sit somewhere during the ceremony, either up at the front with you and FI, or with some guest.  For the record though, it's a bad idea.
Posted by vicki0508[/QUOTE]

kneck = neck.

Belle2Be

Who gets the honorary title of Dog walker for the wedding? I think that was really my only problem with the scenerio, I mean, you know your dog best, so if you say he'll sit nd stay then lets just say he will. However, how are you going to get him from Point A to Point B, who gets to watch him instead of watching the wedding, and who gets to miss the cocktail hour/part of the reception because they have to take him home? I'd be pretty offended if someone asked me.

Belle2Be

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ringer-bearer-german-shepherd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:6cc5a47f-3ca7-4a26-a7b7-1431aa1bc66bPost:96a9abe5-fdf8-4bce-b449-9fe9d16f84f0">Re: Our ringer bearer to be our German Shepherd</a>:
[QUOTE]Sorry to go off-topic from the orginal post but I wonder if there are more lawsuits against pitbulls since people have such a bias about them they know they have a better chance against pitbull owners then say a poodle or a cocker spaniel.  I think it is so sad when town come down hard on breeds.  I feel pit bulls have gotten bad reps because of irresponsible and bad owners.  If you think about it...say a person wants to get a tough, looking dog and train it to be vicious and treat it wrong...he's going to get a pitbull not a poodle or a terrier.  But, I understand to how people feel about pitbulls because people can be scared of breed based on their experience.  For awhile I was scared of chihuauas (sp) since everyone I met was vicious but then I met some really nice ones and changed my mind.
Posted by pretzelgrrl[/QUOTE]
It could also be regional, obviously a place where more people have pitbulls than say, poodles are going to have a higher percentage of pit bull issues than  poodles.