I visit a few boards, mainly this for dogs and a couple of others for horses.

I have noticed recently that folk seem to embrace a certain type of feeding, or riding, or management and suddenly this is the only way that *everyone* should feed, or ride or manage - with no thought for the other persons personal circumstances and how the topic might relate to them or their animals.

For instance: dog food has been fed for years. OK, its perhaps not ideal, and its certainly not perfect, but its all some folk can perhaps afford. Some raw feeders (which is a relatively new concept?) seem to forget that not all folk can feed raw and perhaps make normal feeders feel guilty for not offering "the best"? Its the same with horses - very much split into shod and barefoot camps, or clip or don't clip, or rug or don't rug, and each slinging insults and accusations across the fence.

It always seems to divide into 2 categories: the Traditionals and the New-agers. The Traditionals stick with what they know and disregard anything new. The New-agers try something else and all of a sudden the traditional ways are rubbish. Never seems to be anything inbetween?

I wonder if its because more opinionated folk visit message boards than the middle-of-the-roaders? Which would you say YOU are?

Trad
New Age
Middle of the Road

and more importantly...do others agree....? :D :D

i aggree as long as the animal is healthy and happy

I am a "middle of the roader" - I like to see all sides of an argument - will contribute if (a) I feel strongly enough or (b) feel I am knoweldgeable enough to stand my corner in an argument (bit of a wimp - that's me ;) )

Probably, I'm old enough, and confident enough to know that I can take the middle road without causing harm to myself or my animals - and that, after all, is my aim.   

Now watch me being shot down in flames for not being ethical enough ;) 

Margot

I'm definitely a middle-of-the-roader, unless there's actual cruelty involved. If it ain't broke, it don't need fixing!

Ooooh - thats interesting... "It it aint broke - don't fix it" - surely that makes you a traditionalist? You can try new things without it being broken you know LOL :D :D :D

If there was something wrong, it'd break, so I wouldn't do the same thing again! ;) :D I'm not going to try driving at 50 mph in second gear, even if it became the latest thing ... and I'm not going to experiment on my dogs! ;)
:)

But if a new hoover came out that naturally and organically sucks up every single dalmatian hair, guaranteed...would you try it over your old hoover? ;)

..only if it hasn't been tested on hoovers :D :D :D

Margot

Only if it was also guaranteed to clear up the flying-pig poo! :D :D :D

LOL :D :D  Ok, ok bad example

Middle of the roader here Chloe :D I like traditional methods but I am happy to try new things out in case they work better

:D :D

I'm open to all advice that might benefit my dogs or animals in general. But I will admit to having very definite views on certain other issues which I try to keep in check [but not always very successfully ! :)]

Middle of the roader here also ;)

I like to read and learn, am willing to try new things but also know my own mind and trust my ways and judgement most of the time. I'm not old school, we would never progress if we all stuck rigidly to the old way but I'm not new ager either, I was advised by a practising dog/people homeopathist to feed my dogs all vegetarian food I shall say no more on that one. When I was a child, our dog used to get a tin of chum and some winalot mixer, that was the way and it was never questioned. But I choose not to feed like this. :)

I'm definitely "New Age"! It's just all this new fangled twaddle I can't stand! ;)

"and more importantly...do others agree....?   " ROFLOL Chloe .. :-)

The interesting thing is we may think we are one type and everyone else thinks the opposite ;-) LOL

I'm definitely 'middle-of-the-road'. I like to hear all view points, but will only try things that I have thought about and can see the logic in - I definitely am not a 'follower of fashion' (you should see my clothes ) :D :D

Daisy

I will do whatever is best for my dog :)

In our house we don't have time to feed raw, and we cannot afford it, ours eat pedigree and do well on it, at the same time I know it doesn't agree with all dogs!

Another thing is I do use check chains, but it doesn't mean I say everyone should! if someone would rather a flat coller then thats their choice!

Think I'd have to be a traditionalist.  But am willing to listen to new ideas, think about them and then decide if they are better than my old ones.

I certainly wouldn't follow new trends just for the sake of, I'm naturally a sceptical person.  Think that goes with my age, the longer you have seen new fads come and go the more sceptical you become!!! :-D

But I must say I would love to see John as a New Ager, I'm certain those dreadlocks would look very fetching with his breeks!! LOL LOL LOL.  OMG forget the breeks what about the kilt ROTFLOL :-D :-D

Middle of the roader, but definately open to new idea's.

I too would love to see John as a New Ager, will you be one at Crufts John? I was going to look out for you, but had a picture of a dapper man dressed in tweeds with a hip flask, not so sure now.  LOL

Sandra

I'm definately a middle of the roader. Tradition (convention) is great, but I also love to dabble in the new age (or should we call it old age?). I always find the balance that is best for me. I have been considering Barf, but for various reasons have not embarked upon it yet, so I use a high quality complete. On the other hand, Barney had problems with ear infections which the vets could not cure so I have been using Thornit powder (a non conventional remedy) which has in My mind been a miracle cure! I think we all have to go along with what suits us and makes us feel comfortable. I have never been one to follow in the footsteps of others and believe that no one persons way is the right way. It makes sense to me at least (LOL!).

Julia

I guess a bit of everything.  I do what I do because it suits my dogs but would be willing to try anything new if it was recommended and I thought it was worth it. 

Claire

Hate to throw a spanner in the works here, but, i'm a cherry picker :D :D

I'd have to say that I use what works best for my dogs but am always open to new, humane, ideas.  I tried BARF because I read on several boards the wonders of the raw food diet and ended up with the rare dog that didn't take to it, gave her salmonella poisoning and had her in the hospital for 3 days.  That was my end of BARF.  :) 

I would think that perhaps people can be both?  For instance, I tend to stick with one or two foods (on a rotation) but love to read about new training techniques, homeopathic remedies, spay/neuter debates, vaccination debates, etc. 

All my dogs have been individuals, so have been treated often in different ways with different diets.  I will always listen to advice and often try things if I feel they are suited to the dog in question.
I have tried Barf on one of my dogs with a very rare illnes that is set off by allergy to something, unfortunatly she had an extreme reaction to it and ended up with severe defiencys and her hair fell out.  So was not for her.
If I see someone with a problem that I have encountered and solved or got round.  I will reply with my experience and the way I dealt with it and the outcome for me. 
No method or way in anything is suited to every dog.  Mind if it was how easy it would make keeping our pets happy, healthy and well mannered members of society.

Bev

im neither & also not 2middle of the road"
i love to learn about new things & try them. to me its what ever WORKS FOR ME & whatever dog/horse is involed,ive no prob with trying something new & liking it,or liking parts & adpating it, liking it BUT not with that dog,or not liking it.
however,if something is PERFECT for all involed,im not one for messing around for no good reason

I think I must be mostly traditional with a quirk to the new age. We serve 3 different menu's for the dogs acording to there needs some tripe and meal with chicken wings and fruit and we have 2 that do better on the dare I say pedigree food, and the 2 older dogs that fair very well on Dr Johns, to some it is rubbish my dogs think it is a treat if they can get hold of a piece, so what doe's that make me.

>so what doe's that make me.

Open minded! :)

I think I'm a middle of the roader....

I'm curious to try something new, if it can help my girl, and I'm not scared to go back to where I was, if that proved to be better.

I believe in the greater body of evidence which I suppose is traditional as that is what scientific and academic circles have done for millenium.  I don't believe in mavericks, well not very often :) they are generally distinguished by 2 features
1) they so rarely alter the generally held view that they are remembered for centuries i.e. Galileo, Darwin
and 2) they spend decades gathering data to prove their theories beyond doubt.