240 QIs per day

Most of the suggestions I have to offer on this subject involve training of pets - dogs in particular. Every dog we've had has learned/been taught to respond immediately to two specific phrases: "Move Over" and "GET THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY YOU STUPID ASS DOG!!!"

Our dogs have also been trained to remain in a stay whenever in the kitchen. This may seem odd at first, but with several people working in the kitchen at once, we found it safer for the dog to remain planted in one place where everyone knows exactly where he is rather than darting/dodging around underfoot. The dog isn't allowed in the sewing room (in case of errant pins/needles) but can lie down near the doorway to feel included.

It really doesn't take much extra effort to teach a dog acceptable behavior to fit the house and household, and everyone is healthier and happier in the long run.

This was reported over in the UK too, apparently adding milk to tea & coffee gives sufficient cooling to negate the cancer causing effect. Drinking it more slowly is also better. So that lukewarm cup of tea or coffee you have by the sewing machine is better for you!

So glad you are home safe Polly. SOrry about your need for the trip. :( We are currently living with 1 grumpy house hunting daughter, 2 big golden retrievers and 3 inside only cats in a 1450 sq. ft. house. It gets pretty crazy here. Cats mostly stay sort of high since one dog wants to play with them. Dogs know to 'go to bed' to get out of the way. I keep telling dd and dh that 'go away' is not a command. My biggest problem is the rambunctious Georgia. Twice she has run up behind me and knocked into my knees and I ended up on the ground. I am not scrawny but my bottom is not padded enough to hit the ground. My biggest worry is around the pool. I try to stay clear of it when I am outside alone and dogs are running around crazy. Guess yorkies don't take out your knees but I would imagine the tripping factor is pretty big with the little fellows. When oldsters or kidlets are around our dogs are kept very closely watched or isolated. Better safe than sorry.

I heard the problem temp. was 150 on the hot drinks. Golly, have to be careful of everything these days.

Hugs, TAria

We're all going to die from something; damned if I'll give up my hot tea! And I do put milk into it. Have no idea how hot it is when I drink it, but I think it's a few degrees from "lava". When I read the story about pet dangers, it was more the chance of tripping over pet toys and dishes than the pets themselves. However, I suspect most of us with QIs have fallen once or more because the lovelies have wrapped the leash around our knees. Not a problem for me. Not only do I drink hot tea, I eat lots of good things with it. Therefore my backside is cushy and soft and perfect to land on. Problem solved!

Sunny

With all due respect, "go away" is a perfectly cromulent command as long as the dog understands what you want it to do.

These are socialization issues, and can and should be addressed asap for the safety, comfort, and happiness of everyone involved. ;-) No- one should live in fear for the safety of themselves or loved ones because of unruly pets.

Your second "command" made me laugh right out loud. Now my DH wants to know what the heck is so hysterical in my SR. LOL

Seriously, the dog is trainable. So far, I've not figured out how to "train" a cat. About 5 years ago, my big black cat ran between my feet, I lost my balance, and fell through the glass top coffee table. It took 33 stitches to get my little finger back to some semablance of normal. Yikes!!! The tables now have tempered glass in them (think car windshield glass), so if it happens again, at least I won't get cut that badly. And I've learned to figure out where the cats are before stepping anywhere as well.

Just my 2 cents.

TerriLee in WA (state)

I had to smile at this! I am developing a real stoop, because I have to keep my eyes constantly on the floor - just in case of a cat! They are so very quiet >g< . In message , TerriLee in WA writes

(snip)

Good grief. I'd say that the advantages of having a pet probably outweigh the possible disadvantages. At this point it's literally impossible to do (or eat, or experience) anything that isn't bad for us. I guess we just have to take our chances. :S

You, me, and and umpteen zillion cat owners. Allegedly there are such beasties ("trained" cats) but I think it's done with mirrors, or chihuahuas in cat suits... The best we've been able to do is train the dog to fetch the cat (and I assume you know how cats feel about being made to feel indignant..) Note: it is advisable that the cat in question be de-clawed. This does not leave the cat defenseless; they quickly learn the art of grabbing the dog's snout snugly between both paws and biting down on the rubber part of the dog's nose, which inevitably yields the desired effect.

Yikes is right. Actually, we *have* had some success with teaching cats the meaning of "scat", "scram", "psst", what-have-you... The word most cats seem to pick up on most quickly (and several friends have had similar successes) is "GIT!"

.02 + .02 =3D .04

You said it just about perfect Sandy. I guess some of us are willing to 'live on the edge'. LOL DH wandered in earlier and told me there is a new dog out by the pool. Neighbor dog finally dug in. Nobody tries to escape from inside but others make a big effort to get in. It is like a doggy luxury resort here. I got to meet new neighbor,his dog home safe and concrete blocks now plugging the hole. Taria

I can just see the coroner's report - cause of death:too many cups of hot tea! Geeze, what will researchers come up with next? Life's a terminal illness LoL

Bronnie

Our cats have learned that "WHAT ON EARTH DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING !!" means run like hell. they have also learned that "Geez !" means that they should throw themselves on our feet and look cute and endearing.

Their human training program has been much more successful. They have almost everybody in the house trained to get them food or water when they want it, open doors, and play with them with specific cat toys. DD3 thought she could train Jiji to shake. Instead he turned it around and taught her to give him cat treats. So now when he feels like a treat he comes up to a human, secures a hand and puts a paw into that hand. If that doesn't work he bats the can down off the shelf and then pokes you with a claw. I figure that it is only a matter of time before he teaches that to the other cats. Cats must think people are really slow, in spite of all the opposable digit buisness.

NightMist