nattiej1976

I have noticed increasing incidents of difference of opinions becoming very heated, and drawing close to insulting, rude and offensive, this is unsettling not only to other posters, but also non members reading through the thread.

Difference of opinions will always arise on a public forum, this is to be expected when we are extended the privilege of a free speech community.

Can I please ask all other members to consider these few things?

1. There are many out there searching for an informative and educational on line community in which they can visit to share, learn, and grow within their topic of interest, bickering amongst ourselves not only may be off putting to a potential new member, but can also reflect poorly on us as the word is spread....."Don’t go there because........."

2. We all have a different background to our experience with dogs, and hence may view things slightly differently to the next member. This does not make anothers perspective "wrong". It has been founded on an individuals experience of trial, error and learning sources. As we know these sources vary dramatically.

3. Because of the lack of body language, emphasis, tone and even incorrect punctuation, a good percentage of us can’t articulate perfectly in written word, what we are truly trying to explain. Keep in mind that often we can intemperate a written message in many different ways, and can misunderstand, or misread the actual meaning of another posters opinion, and then fire up without first fully clarifying what the other poster is trying to say.

Combined, our members would have literally hundreds of years experience in owning, caring for and training dogs, that is a wonderfully massive source of good knowledge for someone new to the world of dog ownership.

Debate is expected to occur, but would you consider it appropriate to turn it into a slinging match? Would you want to learn from someone who appears to be rude and insulting to anyone who holds a difference of opinion?

Would we not be more successful in good education, if we can each take our turn to explain our thoughts, our experiences, and then in turn if there is a different perspective, to explain, without malice or pulling the "you’re wrong" card, a new alternative for the readers to consider?

REMEMBER: I love dogs, you love dogs, and this is why we are here. We share a love and passion. Those of us, who share this love, have no ill intent towards their dogs. We all do it different, yes, but we all love our dogs, and want to share that with those that too have this same compassion for our furry friends.

Just something to think about!