Seperating the good from the bad

[Zahnburg]

Originally Posted by gagsd

I like to read and participate in training threads.
Just posting something, gets me to think about it, and then I can read replies given and look at options and alternatives that maybe I have not thought about.
I very much appreciate when people give thoughtful answers and opinions, even when I do not agree.

Me too. I really enjoy when someone who has a different philosophy on training than I do joins into the conversation. They always have me thinking "is this something that I can use in my training?".
I think sometimes I come off as argumentative, when in reality I am just trying to press people for more information.

[Zahnburg]

Originally Posted by wolfstraum

Art - as we both know!!! - it can boil down to nothing more than a popularity contest! I have watched - in real life, on forums (NOT just this one) people and breeders lauded as exemplary, expert etc etc etc...yet have seen and know from experience that the info passed on as gospel is far far far from reality....the same goes with advice - people can give stupid advice or opinions, and they are taken as gospel.....a thread I was watching about behavior is a good example - the majority of experienced (IMO) people were ignored or shouted down dismissively and the person with a problem latched onto a poster who validated what she wanted to hear....happens all the time....just like in real life!

People have to take posts with a grain of salt and explore the knowledge base of the people advising/commenting.....20 pet people yelling XYX is wonderful breeder does not overrule/win when 1 experienced person that I respect says "beware" of something.....bottom line - popularity contest - the person with the most toys wins!

Lee

Ain't that the truth!

[Mrs.K]

Originally Posted by Zahnburg

Me too. I really enjoy when someone who has a different philosophy on training than I do joins into the conversation. They always have me thinking "is this something that I can use in my training?".
I think sometimes I come off as argumentative, when in reality I am just trying to press people for more information.

same here. I come off argumentative and sometimes downright rude even though I am either trying to get more info or trying to debate something. It's hard to read peoples post without facial expressions or tone of the voice.

[BowWowMeow]

This is an interesting discussion. I think the question might be prefaced with another question about what people want from this board. Some are primarily here to ask general questions about gsds, compare experiences, get advice on training, behavioral or health issues etc. while others are here primarily to socialize. Some are very knowledgeable already and others know little, if anything, about dogs and dog topics.

Those of us who were on this board before it changed ownership might have a little different take on things. When there were fewer regular posters it felt more like a community (or at least a smaller community) and it was easier to keep track of who was who. Btw, that's the reason we have our names in our signatures: that was part of a movement on this board to make things friendlier back in the days when we fighting over politics.

I think, in general, people tend to trust people that they think they know or people who have given them helpful advice in the past. When a new person comes on the board it takes a while before they build up a reputation but if they post a lot then they usually start to gain respect by recognition (even if they've only had a dog for a few months or, in some cases, don't even have a dog).

These days I often see experienced and knowledgeable people (who I know personally) giving excellent advice and repeatedly getting ignored. I don't post on here nearly as much as I used to (and sometimes am gone for weeks or months) so a lot of people have no idea who I am. I will then appear (out of nowhere) and offer some advice but my advice is probably not taken as seriously as it would have been if I were a more regular contributor and so sometimes I feel as if I am talking to myself. I understand though because I can't keep track of all the new people with so many people joining each week. So now it's more like going to a really big dog park as opposed to the small one where you know everyone.

And I do think people's on-line personalities make a difference. I think people have an easier time taking advice when the delivery is kind rather than curt, even if the curtly delivered advice is sounder than the kindly delivered advice.

[kelso]

[QUOTE=BowWowMeow;2123035]This is an interesting discussion. I think the question might be prefaced with another question about what people want from this board. Some are primarily here to ask general questions about gsds, compare experiences, get advice on training, behavioral or health issues etc. while others are here primarily to socialize. Some are very knowledgeable already and others know little, if anything, about dogs and dog topics.

Those of us who were on this board before it changed ownership might have a little different take on things. When there were fewer regular posters it felt more like a community (or at least a smaller community) and it was easier to keep track of who was who. Btw, that's the reason we have our names in our signatures: that was part of a movement on this board to make things friendlier back in the days when we fighting over politics.

I think, in general, people tend to trust people that they think they know or people who have given them helpful advice in the past. When a new person comes on the board it takes a while before they build up a reputation but if they post a lot then they usually start to gain respect by recognition (even if they've only had a dog for a few months or, in some cases, don't even have a dog).

These days I often see experienced and knowledgeable people (who I know personally) giving excellent advice and repeatedly getting ignored. I don't post on here nearly as much as I used to (and sometimes am gone for weeks or months) so a lot of people have no idea who I am. I will then appear (out of nowhere) and offer some advice but my advice is probably not taken as seriously as it would have been if I were a more regular contributor and so sometimes I feel as if I am talking to myself. I understand though because I can't keep track of all the new people with so many people joining each week. So now it's more like going to a really big dog park as opposed to the small one where you know everyone.

QUOTE]


Ruth! Completely agree with what you are saying, although we have been here about the same amount of time you are much more knowledgeable than myself, have missed your posts very much. And on the other board! Hope you are very well. Hard to imagine that this was small dog park at one time...but it was!

Most days I feel like the kid with cheese in her braces here. Hewo folks!
And...thread killed.

[Zahnburg]

Originally Posted by Cassidy's Mom

Are you planning on answering your own question?

Are you planning on answering my question?

[CassandGunnar]

Isn't there a saying that has to do with how intelligent someone is has to do with how much they agree with you? (I can't remember exactly how that goes, but it's something like that)
I think it's natural to lean toward the advice of someone who is confirming what you already believe/think/or want to try.
I tend to give advice only on things I know about or have tried myself. If I'm passing on something I've heard about elsewhere, I note that in my comment.
I haven't been here a long time, but I have already noticed that there are members who seem to be well regarded by the general membership and who (in my opinion) are very knowledgeable in certain areas.
Of course, it's hard to really "know" how well versed someone is in a given area or response. In some instances, it's a "Catch 22" because poster is here to learn something or get advice/information. Sometimes, it's best to get a lot of different points of view and try what seems to make the most sense.

The original question is an excellent one and I don't think there is a right answer. Maybe it falls into the old question about "What is pornography?"
One popular answer is: "I can't define it, but I know it when I see it."

Great thread and I've enjoyed the variety of responses.