Are there certain types of questions you *don't* answer?

Question

A spin-off of this question:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AiwrB2JnBccIzbMj3YyIR2Psy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071102181012AAcXXTF&show=7#profile-info-LPEO6AsCaa

Are there questions that you just flat-out don't answer?

A couple of the topics I don't answer include (but are not limited to) aggressive dogs and the breeding/whelping process. I don't have any experience or knowledge base, so I don't even try to answer.

Answer 1

I usually don't answer the goofier ones - name the dog, is my dog cute, etc. Honestly it just depends on how the question hits me. I read tons of them.

I also don't normally answer about breeds I don't know anything about (toys and other little dogs. I'm a big dog girl at heart).

I also answer based on who asks. I try to read all the question of people in my network. I'll star them if I think it will help them get more answers. I'll answer if I have someting valuable to add. I won't answer if it's someone who dislikes me anyway but I do like to learn.

I'm not a breeder so I don't normally say much about that. I try not to say much about medical issues either.

As I said, I read all the time so I'm constantly learning. I'm here to learn more than I'm here to answer anyway.

I won't answer if all I'm doing is saying me too.

I love the fun questions where we get to share about our dogs that aren't really about learning but it's more of a discussion. They are fun to answer and that's normally what I try to ask as well.

This is a great question.

EDIT:
HAHA Hello Thumbs down fairy. I figured you'd show up....

Answer 2

I usually avoid any question that I don't think I could answer with productive advice. I'm always tempted to ignore the ones that say something like "****, I just shot my dog in the leg, will he be ok?" But I always end up answering because I'd rather the dog get vet care than let him suffer due to his owner's stupidity. (even though the people who usually ask questions about how to treat their dogs at home are usually the people who have no intention to take the dog to the vet.)

Here's a question I asked that kind of sums up my feelings about not answering repetitive questions.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AhAMiWHMpx27iQ9S9YRJqDXty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20070925141328AAka8eP

Answer 3

Sure - if they are questions I don't feel qualified to answer or that I don't even have an opinion on.

Things like "my dog bit a child today".....I have no idea what to tell someone in that situation. I have no experience with an aggressive dog. I also don't answer the questions that seem to be just looking for an argument.

What I hate is when I sincerely am trying to answer a question to the best of my ability and all of a sudden I have all these thumbs down.

I sincerely am not trying to give anyone bad advice, you know?
Oh well.....
I stay on here because I learn a lot of interesting things, even if people are occassionally snooty.

Answer 4

If I don't know the answer, I won't even attempt it. I try to answer it if I know it, even if I've already explained the same thing 4 minutes beforehand. I don't answer one's regarding reptiles, birds, or small animals (for the most part) as I don't really have any clue about them. Never owned them (aside from a guniea pig and a hamster). So I tend to stick to all cat, dog, and horse related topics. I also try to stay away from the stupid ones that are supposed to be funny or something, though I did break once recently. Why waste you're time being retarded? At least I'm trying to help people.

Answer 5

I stay away from the name my pet questions, as they are so irritating to me. And as far as some people claiming to be vets, there have been a few that I believe, could actually be veterinarians, however, there are some that can't even spell properly. As far as one person commented why would someone work as a vet all day and then come home and sit on their computer to answer more animal questions.....I'm a veterinary technologist, and I work 10 hours a day, sometimes six days a week, and I still come home and answer questions on here. Its because I have a genuine love and concern for animals. I enjoy helping people and volunteering my time. What truly annoys me though, is when people criticize my responses. If they don't want a real answer, why ask the question? And sometimes the questions are so idiotic, I wonder how people made it as far as they have.

Answer 6

I'm the same way. I do know breeders, I've seen newborns (my neighbor's) when I was younger, but I've never dealt with or experienced whelping first hand. I also tend to stay away from questions about breeds I've never worked with or handled personally. My pup did have food aggression, and I knew and esperienced how to fix that, but other than that I have no clue about aggression towards other dogs or people since I socialized him from the start.

Answer 7

I don't answer questions I don't think I can...some behavior questions, breed specific questions, or medical questions unless I have an idea due to experience I have had or someoene I know has had. And then, I always mention to them they could get a really good answer if they took thier dog to a professional trainer or to a vet. I also try to ignore the stupid questions that sound like the person is trying to be obnoxious.

Answer 8

There are a few types I avoid from lack of knowledge with their particular situation, but the main ones are the ones created by trolls, 6 different questions, one right after the other that contains obvious pointless nonesense.

Its a nuisance, especially when people give them the attention that they want by answering. This is why they never go away.

Answer 9

What your challenge is the following isn't his solar signal yet perhaps his Mercury and how different planets are affecting it. Your problem with him is he would not perhaps coach his thoughts and thoughts o.k.. (as you do not realize one yet another). this would nicely be his Moon no longer being in team spirit with his Mercury and his Mercury/Moon no longer blending too nicely which includes your own planets perhaps yet it is yet another problem. you have not been jointly lengthy adequate to really get to understand one yet another nicely adequate and it is what's lacking perhaps more advantageous than astrological concerns which will carry all sorts of issues into the equation that you aren't to any extent further responsive to perhaps.

Answer 10

I do not give whelping/breeding advice but I will, however, suggest they see their vet and/or discuss with their mentor.

I also don't give advice with aggressive dog issues, but I will suggest they seek the help of a professional trainer. IMO, this is not the place to be getting advice on how to handle a dog with aggression issues.

I don't usually bother with the "what should I name my new puppy" types of questions either. And the obvious trolling questions I don't do much either, but occasionally will ask if they "Troll much?", just cuz I'm bored.

I know my limits and what I am able to offer advice on to people. There are just things I have no personal experience with and just won't go there.

Answer 11

I tend to avoid the questions that have commonsense answers. Also If I have no idea I won't answer, if I have an idea I try to answer and then support my answer with links. Anything about competitive sports, dog shows or other sports I also avoid because I've never competed in any dog related events.