It finally happened

Dog Folks wrote:
4X4Dodger said: "First I prefaced my remarks with "With all due respect" and pointed out that I DID NOT know your background...So your prickly response is curious."

My "prickly response" was based upon your implied notion that I was not an expert when you made this statement: "most true animal/dog experts agree that dogs, like many other mammals due indeed have and need friends." As I disagree, by default, I am not an "true expert." I take offense to that. I suspect that you cannot substantiate that statement with any verifiable science and as such, is your opinion.

I still maintain that if there is an established pack with more than one dog, and some humans nixed in, the pack members do NOT need any more "friends."

If I was too thinned skinned, then I apologize to you and my fellow members here.

We have diametrically opposed life experiences and opinions on parts of this subject. (In other areas we actually agree.)

I am not going to change your mind nor are you going to change mine, and that is perfectly O.K. Further debate on this subject is pointless.

Happy camping my fellow camper.

Well just for the sake of good relations I will assume you are what you say you are. And I am not trying to change your mind. But if anyone can tell me with any degree of surety or point to a set of standards that makes one a "Dog Expert" than I am all ears. Short of a degree in Animal Behaviour I am not sure there are any.

Now I will never claim to be a "Dog Expert". But I have lived with dogs almost continually since I was 7 or 8 years old.(I am now 62) I have observed them closely in every possible situation. I have trained many to be excellent canine citizens that get along well with all other dogs, children, adults and animals. Most have been under voice control with no need of a leash, even in the close proximity of other dogs or animals. So I guess I feel that I am as qualified as anyone to have an opinion on dog behaviour. So I find it a bit curious that some have the attitude that somehow one persons ideas on dog behaviour are automatically superior to mine or anyone elses for that matter.

Having said that consider this please: Dogs have been living with man for about 16,000 years. There is evidence they have for far longer, as long as 20,000 years but this is less sure. In any event Man and Dog have been living in close quarters, sharing food, warmth and companionship for literally millions of generations. So I pose this question: Is there really any need for Dog Experts? Don't we have enough DNA level experience by now and enough Common knowledge..lore if you like to suffice for managing this relationship?

I think we do.