Ot--- Shop Dogs

[Dr. Zack Jennings]

I saw this thread (http://theoak.com/cgi-bin/tools1/tools1.pl?read=234525) on "the Oak Factory Forum" and thought it would be fun to continue it at the Creek.

I'm enclosing my courtyard this Summer to get my first dog. 56 Years old and never had a dog that lasted. "Booger" was run over after 3 weeks. I need a fenced area. Anyway:

<Center> Post your Shop Dog Picture and any Shop Dog Stories. Pleeeasseeee

Selecting a shop dog is, at least, as big a decision as selecting a Table Saw.

Is there a downside to having a Dog in the Shop??</Center>

[Lee Schierer]

One reason not to have a dog in the shop is safety. They get underfoot and/or distract you easily and this can be dangerous.

The second reason may not apply to everyone, but when I had a dog, he loved to come out in the shop and would always lay in the sawdust or curl up under the outfeed table of my TS where there was lots of sawdust. Then when the work was done we would go in the house. He would take a pound or two of sawdust with him and deposit it in the house. LOML was not pleased. You may not have this problem with a short haired breed either.

[Harvey Meyer]

Doc -
I was 51 before we got the 1st dog of my adult life. The last dog I had was in my teens back in the 60's (and when I had hair - and lots of it). We adopted a 4 1/2 yr old chow mix from the local Humane Society (didn't want to go thru the puppy training issues). She quickly became my dog and always follows me to the shop. Generally she stays with me until I leave, but sometimes she leaves when I turn on the DC. She's to big to get sucked in, but I think she doesn't like the noise. She usually picks the dirtiest spot to lay down and because she's so thick coated, she usually has all kinds of sawdust and chips embedded in her fur. I have to pick her clean b4 she goes back upstairs.

We had a few runaway episodes whenever she got loose, so I fenced in the backyard and that ended that problem (but the cost of fencing was about the same as a Poolewood lathe). Watch out for any walnut shavings and sawdust - not good for the dog. And if you're doing anything dangerous that might result in flying shrapnel, then kick the dog out until you're done.

Harvey

[James Mudler]

I have a shop cat. He lays on top of the drill press and watches me all day long and goes nuts over paint brushes. I have to put him inside if I pick up a brush.

[Scott Stefanoski]

i love both of my dogs, border collie and a sheltie. these are our children at this point in life. i am refuse to let them into the shop. :
1. not enough space for me, let alone those hounds.
2. the sawdust factor- i get in enough trouble for dragging it through the house.
3. do i really want to risk tripping over them, a kickback shooting at them.
4. my boy is very territorial- i am afriad he will mark my brand new maple

[Glenn Clabo]

I'm a Lab lover...we have 2...a yellow and a black...Chessie and Shelby. Shelby doesn't like the shop but loves to help me when I'm working on something around the house. Chessie loves the shop but some machines cause her to hide in the closet. I think it's the level of noise. They never get int he way and seem to actually try to figure out what in the world thier human is trying to do with that big stick.

I live in Rhode Island...I always see Labs in and around carpenters, fishers, etc. They are the best!

Here's Chessie...

[Phil Phelps]

2 year old cairn terrier. "Toto", is smart as a whip. Love this little animal. What a doorbell!!!

[Paul Kunkel]

90 lbs of Great Pyrennes does't fit in the shop, doesn't like the noise either. But she waits patiently outside on guard all day and alerts me to anyone approaching.

[Mike Gutschmann]

I had a dog and it was shoot by the police:mad: We did not get another but now my daughter moved home with her dog and than moved to an apartment, the dog has stayed here, like someone said a good door bell. As far as the shop she does't like it, the noise I guess. She does come in about every 1/2 hour look in too see if i'm still there and leaves.

Mike G

[Mike Goodwin]

My German wire-hair pointer and my girlfriends little poodle usually wait outside my shop on a bed until I let them in. I only let them in when there isn't going to be dust flying or any finish work.

I know that the dust and fumes are bad for me and I assume the same for them. I do love it when the work allows the dogs to keep me company though.

Mike

[Dennis McDonaugh]

We have three dogs-schnauzer, german shepard and dalmation. All three lie on a blanket under the lathe. They don't even get up when you're turning, when its time to move they shake shavings all over the place. you have to be careful when you're finishing something in the shop--can't let them in or they get hair and dirt on the finish. (DAMHIKT)

[Dave Richards]

Here's Smitty, our first dog. No idea how old he really was. We got him as an old dog from the shelter and they'd had him for 2 years before that.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid12/p91d36b99d025e4173930eb5ddeef283a/fe1b828e.jpg

He was a gentle old guy and still missed after a year and half.

And here's our new-used dog, Pepe.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid23/paa2a484d487e74c64ed404016a441efe/fda09ca0.jpg
Newfie/Border Collie cross. She's much more of a social critter than Smitty was but still gentle and loving. She thinks everyone's purpose in life is to visit her. Problem is her bark is loud and if you can't see her you'd swear there was a mean dog on the other side of the door.

She's tricky, too. She normally sleeps in her crate at the foot of our bed or on the bed. The other night she was in her crate as I was getting ready for bed. As I started to pull my shirt over my head she got up and left the room. I went looking for her but didn't bother turning on any lights. She wasn't anywhere to be found. I went back to the bedroom and discovered her laying with her head on my pillow and a look like, "I beat you to it, Bozo. You sleep in the crate tonight."

I gotta say I'm not thrilled about having a dog in the shop, at least when it's closed up. I worry about them breathing sawdust and about there hearing what with things like routers, tablesaws and shop vacs. I haven't found masks, eye protection or hearing protection for dogs, yet.

[Jerry Todd]

Well Doc, Here is a pic of "GUNNER JAKE". He was born on Veterans Day four years ago and as I was in the U.S. Army (Vietnam 67-68) he has a military name.
Since you like "scooters" thought you might enjoy this posed picture. No, he hasn't been for a ride yet but likes his Harley leather jacket.
Gunner Jake also likes to hang out with me in the workshop and because of his military demeaner the loud noise does not seem to bother him at all.
Jerry, (Still stuck in Miami)

[Bruce Page]

Here’s my shop-dog Buddy in his favorite hiding place under my daughter’s bed. It’s a riot watching him crawl under there. He’s a large (110lb) yellow lab.

[David Rose]

are distressed by the noise. I have good hearing protectors but not that they can/will wear. It's a shame too as they like to lay around on the cool slab and keep out of the way.

Our cats go ballistic if caught in the gara... er shop... when the noise level suddenly goes into high decibels. They love to play "chase the mouse" or search for scraps where the big boy's meat is cut up. They can scream loud enough that I hear them over the machinery when this happens.

Too noisy a shop for our kiddies... The DC runs when almost any tool is fired up. The high pitch of that little machine is tooo much.

David

[George Summers]

Besides the dangers, as some have pointed out, of them getting underfoot and causing an accident there is another reason not to have pets in the shop. Their hearing is much more sensitive than an human's. You wear earmuffs when operating the planer, router or whatever. What does your pet wear? Their ears are in 'extreme' danger. while not as sensitive as their ears, animals also are sensitive to respirtory irratants just like humans. What does your pet wear when you don a dust mask? Please be sensitive to the health issues of your pets, they don't belong in the shop.

George

[Dick Shryock]

Originally posted by Glenn Clabo
I'm a Lab lover...we have 2...a yellow and a black...Chessie and Shelby. Shelby doesn't like the shop but loves to help me when I'm working on something around the house. Chessie loves the shop but some machines cause her to hide in the closet. I think it's the level of noise. They never get int he way and seem to actually try to figure out what in the world thier human is trying to do with that big stick.

I live in Rhode Island...I always see Labs in and around carpenters, fishers, etc. They are the best!

Here's Chessie...

Hey Glenn,

Chessie is a spitting image of Salty Paws, our 8 Y.O yellow Lab. How about posting a photo of Shelby? I'll put up some pictures of my two labs when I get back from New Orleans.

[Ken Salisbury]

<p align="center">
<IMG src="http://www.klsal.com/bulldog.gif">

[Glenn Clabo]

Originally posted by Dick Shryock
Hey Glenn,

Chessie is a spitting image of Salty Paws, our 8 Y.O yellow Lab. How about posting a photo of Shelby? I'll put up some pictures of my two labs when I get back from New Orleans.

If you insist Dick....This is Shelby...
:D

[Bruce Page]

This is Zoey, our other Lab. 9 years o;d and a little plump, she's not too fond of the shop, especially when I start up the DC with the long ranger…

[Ron McNeil]

Here's what two Bealeton Virginia attack dogs kook like. They guard our house and the shop. No one is safe when they are on the job. :p

[Phil Phelps]

Friend of mine has dogs dumped on his business doorstep quite often. A picture says......

[Aaron Koehl]

Here's the mutt (Lab & Deer Hound) you'll find 'round Keith's shop.
KC... nearly 1 year old!

P.S. The pink carpet was an aftertouch! :D

_Aaron_

[Phil Phelps]

I inherited them from my darling wife.

[Phil Phelps]

Originally posted by George (Oxford)
Besides the dangers, as some have pointed out, of them getting underfoot and causing an accident there is another reason not to have pets in the shop. Their hearing is much more sensitive than an human's. You wear earmuffs when operating the planer, router or whatever. What does your pet wear? Their ears are in 'extreme' danger. while not as sensitive as their ears, animals also are sensitive to respirtory irratants just like humans. What does your pet wear when you don a dust mask? Please be sensitive to the health issues of your pets, they don't belong in the shop.

George
Miss Dixie Lee goes to the front with her buddies (see pic elswhere) when the noise cranks up. She loves to be blown by the air hose and hair drier. Everyone's pet is "special". You make good points. All bias aside, she is an amazing dog.

[Dr. Zack Jennings]

Thanks guys for all the great reponses. I don't know how I ever lived with out a dog. I can't wait until Spring. A dogyard and a new dog are high on my priority list. I can tell from these responses that everyone here thinks Dogs is nice people.

[David Rose]

are not people. They don't hold grudges for long, they are totally forgiving of mistakes, they love you when you are totally unlovable, they smell up your house, they want your attention, they think you are god! How did you make it so long? Get a dog!

I think God made dogs for the times people just don't fit. ;-)

David

[Dr. Zack Jennings]

Dogs are Nice People It's a shame that not all people are nice. I like the way you think, David. I really didn't mean to give all dogs a bad name.
<center>Dogs are wonderful. </center>

[David Rose]

I plan to never have *one* dog again. Especially with high energy dogs they need more companionship than working owners can give them. I really believe in having a pair at a time. I learned this from the pair of brothers we acquired about 4 years ago. Don't get the idea that "two is twice the trouble". In many ways it's 4x the trouble. ;) In other ways they keep each other out of trouble. It is hilarious having them tell on each other for things they are not suppose to do. It is at least a once a day game at our house.

Here are our two big boys enjoying the creek in CO with LOML.

David

[David Rose]

The setting is Yankee Boy Basin.

[Rick Potter]

I have a dog pound special. Black Lab mostly with some Dalmation mixed in. Molly loves to be with me in the shop and I let her in much of the time. The machines don't seem to bother her, and she always plops down on the fatigue mat in front of the table saw.

This is why I send her out whenever I do any serious work. She likes to lay right where I need to be standing, and I almost fell one time because she laid down under me, and I didn't notice.

Rick Potter

[Gary Bindel]

I have a cocker spaniel named Hobo, We just call him Bo. We got him from the local county shelter. He had been found wondering along I90. He tends to avoid the shop because it is in the basement where we give him his bath which he is not fond of. Bo hates water. He won't go outside if it is raining. He will occasionally venture down when no machines are running and he wants some attention.

He is a great companion and makes sure I get exercise.

My wife has a pillow with the following inscription:
"Lord, please help me become the person my dog thinks I am."

[Royce Meritt]

I've been thinking about turning my hunting partner (Choc. Lab named Jazz) into a shop partner as well. However, I'm concerned with, among other things, damaging her hearing. I always wear hearing protection when using power tools to protect MY hearing. What about her hearing? Anyone else have this concern? I really don't want a deaf hunting dog. (Sometimes she CHOOSES not to listen to me. I shutter to think what would happen if she COULDN"T hear me.)

[Glenn Clabo]

Originally posted by Royce Meritt
I've been thinking about turning my hunting partner (Choc. Lab named Jazz) into a shop partner as well. What about her hearing? Anyone else have this concern? I really don't want a deaf hunting dog. (Sometimes she CHOOSES not to listen to me. I shutter to think what would happen if she COULDN"T hear me.)

Royce,
I think there is a difference between being cruel by making a dog do something that clearly hurts them and making them be waht they live for. As you have found ... Labs are breed for hunting (originally for pulling nets). Do you put hearing protection on them when they hunt?

Our labs leave the area when the noise gets too loud. Or we make them stay away when we know they don't like the noise. We are very careful when it comes to caring for our four legged friends but being to protective...keeping them away from you when that's what they want...I think is also cruel. I wouldn't force them to be anywhere they didn't want to be or appear to be uncomfortable with. There are some people who believe that dogs should be outside ALL the time. There is a happy medium with all this.

A little story that just happened...we had our labs at the ocean playing fetch. It doesn't take much for someone to see that this is exactly what they live for btw. After a little while a lady came up to us and started chewing us out for "making" our dogs run and fetch the ball which also caused them to go in the cold ocean! "How cruel could we be to make these dogs run and go into the cold water." Even after we explained...she just couldn't understand. Go figure...

[Dave Anderson NH]

Glen- Some folks will NEVER get it. The only way to deal with folks like that is to avoid them.

Noise, Dust, Safety in General- My Springer Otis usually stays in the bench room in the corner and on his dog bed. Occasionally he will sidle up to me at the bench for a pat or a scratch under the chin, then take a quick tour around to make sure everything is alright, and then go back to his bed. He stays in the bench room when I run power tools in the machine room, or alternately he heads upstairs trailing shavings and chips with him. In essence he is self-policing and has the option of leaving if he is uncomfortable, scared, or just bored. The dust is not a problem because of dust collection, an air cleaner, and my heavy use of hand tools.

Zach- Otis my Springer Spaniel is the old fashioned oversized version before they started breeding them to be wimpy cutesy show dogs. His outside area is a 10' x 30' pen with a crushed peastone base, 5 ft high chainlink fence, the plastic doghouse, and a leanto shelter over an 8' x 10' section. Except for when the temp is below freezing he is outside all day (his preference) and in the house with us at night. Evenings we sit on the couch, he lies on the loveseat. Nites we sleep in the bed and so does he. Spoiled, certainly not, he KNOWS its his RIGHT and just a privelege.

[markus shaffer]

one of our three shop dogs. this one happens to be mine. miko used to lay under the saw no matter what. she wouldn't have it any other way. i finally just put a bed under there for her. she gets put out or upstairs when any machines are running.. it makes her a little mad as she has no fear of any of the tools in the shop. she doesn't understand why she has to go out. without a doubt, the best shop partner i could ever ask for.

-markus

[Rob Sandow]

I have 2 dogs but don't allow them in the shop. Too many things to get broken and too many ways for dogs to get hurt or at least covered in sawdust.

Rob

[Ken Garlock]

Back some 15+ years at work, we had a small computer lab. It had a big solid door which was closed by one of the industrial strength door closers. Well, some smart guy put a sign on the door closer which read: Lab Door Retriever

Well, it is almost a dog story :)

[Bobby Hatfield]

David Rose, do I spy some wolf traits ? Beautiful pair. My shop does not go ungarded though, these are seasonal only but not a single security infraction gets past this team of young Guardillos.

[Dr. Zack Jennings]

Them are the Ugliest Dogs I ever did see Hatfield.

[Ken Salisbury]

This is starting to look like the Westminister Dog Show --- we need more logs --- and less dogs.
<p align="center">
<IMG src="http://www.klsal.com/smiley2.gif">

[Glenn Clabo]

He must be near one of those New-Clear Powerplants.

[Jim Shaver, Oakville Ont]

Hi,

Well this is Casey, our 8 year old Wiemararner, the only time she'll come into the shop is when Power tools are not being used, she's a great family dog, a real sweet hart like all the ones I have seen posted here as well.

Take care,
Jim

[Chris Oakley]

The only problem I have with my shop dogs (both muts from the pound) is that one of them likes to urinate on wood chips and sawdust. Do you know how hard it is to sweep up wet sawdust?!

[Jim Morrow]

This is my buddy Scooter. He's not much of a shop dog, I think its to cold for him out there.
He did stay out there long enough to build his own bed. He likes Mission Style just like me.
Take care,
Jim

[Bruce Page]

Originally posted by Jim Morrow
This is my buddy Scooter. He's not much of a shop dog, I think its to cold for him out there.
He did stay out there long enough to build his own bed. He likes Mission Style just like me.
Take care,
Jim

A Mission Style doggie bed? Now that's gotta be a first!

Jim, you must see M&T's in your sleep

[John Cole]

Here is my shop dog........West Highland White (some of the time) Terrier. SHe loves the shop, in fact I have to take her out in the shop every evening for a half hour, or she lets me know about it

[Cam.Hedrick]

My best was a block headed black lab that I used for duck, goose and upland game hunting, at two he was heading for championship levels....shot by a neighbor while I was away on active-duty for Desert Strike I and II and Desert Fox. I tried an English Pointer for a while...that didn't work out as she was gun shy. No dog, cat or other animal will set foot into my shop....noise really hurts their sensitive little ears with out any hearing protection.
I am shopping for another dog though....yellow or chocolate lab is my preference.....then a life-time of training and enjoying each others company...LOML is concerned it'll take me away from the family to much.

Oh well, there's always fly fishing...no dog needed....maybe tomorrow! :cool:

[Jim Morrow]

Originally posted by Bruce Page
A Mission Style doggie bed? Now that's gotta be a first!

Jim, you must see M&T's in your sleep

Hi Bruce,
Every once in a while scooter lets us use it as an ottoman.
I don't see M&T's in my sleep, but I have cut more then my share of them.
Take care,
Jim

[Dick Shryock]

Originally posted by Glenn Clabo
If you insist Dick....This is Shelby...
:D

Glenn,

Shelby is beautiful. I guess that y'all are going to have to wait a while for my dog Pics. My digital camera bite the big one while I was in New Orleans. Got to send it back to Nikon. Not a pretty picture. I guess that I could post an older picture though. When I get home I'll look around.

[Jim Stastny]

Here's my buddy Trapper with the son of a couple in our church. Trapper loves to come in the shop and lay quitely. However, we've noticed that his skin reacts to various kinds of sawdust ~ especially pine and oak.