Daily Dog Question #28 11/6/07?

Question

Yesterday
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AjZt1r5JPlq5htcwYT6lS9bsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071105122743AADB5WD

I asked WHY you were here...

Now, how do we KEEP you here? How do we keep this section fun? I told you this was a progressive question. How do we keep our sanity? We know the dumb questions aren't going to end. We aren't going to win all the battles.

So lets have an open and honest discussion.

How do we keep the Dogs section fun and interesting - especially those who have been here awhile? How do we keep our sense of humor without offending? How do we educate without lecturing? How do we not bore ourselves to death? How do we "talk" about dogs without chatting?

I think that this IS the key question my friends. I like all of you. I hate to see people leave.

And as many of you already know, this is most certainly not a poll and I cannot answer my own question for fear of having it removed.

I cannot wait to read these answers.

Here's a quick "story" for you.

A girl I know keeps her sanity by posting questions quite similar to these. It gives her a chance to get to know the people she interacts with here a little better. While she likes to educate and she won't ever stop answering questions to the best of her ability, she just loves it when people share their stories and experiences about THEIR dogs. She thinks we tend to learn a lot from one another this way. And it's much less comfrontational. Just what she thinks.... But then she does have a wicked sense of humor and she gets into trouble some times.

Here's a quick "story" for you.

A girl I know keeps her sanity by posting questions quite similar to these. It gives her a chance to get to know the people she interacts with here a little better. While she likes to educate and she won't ever stop answering questions to the best of her ability, she just loves it when people share their stories and experiences about THEIR dogs. She thinks we tend to learn a lot from one another this way. And it's much less confrontational. Just what she thinks.... But then she does have a wicked sense of humor and she gets into trouble some times.

oops, how did that happen?

Answer 1

I try to keep it interesting by asking questions that I genuinely want to know the answers to - I've asked about getting mutts genetically tested to determine what breeds they are, for example. I love the questions that require some thought - like "what breed couldn't you have and why." I love the questions where I'm invited to share a story about my dog - I love reading the answers as much as I love talking about my dog. It's not so much chatting.

In terms of keeping the education going, we try different strategies, we collaborate, we make mistakes, and we have fun. I've seen a couple different techniques used to educate others and seen them pass or endure. It's really pretty interesting.

Perhaps habit will keep us together? :)

Answer 2

I've suggested before that subsections of the Dogs section should be created. I doubt it would happen because that would be asking too much of Yahoo =P But I really think having specific categories would help things run a little smoother.

I've only strayed from this section a few times since I started using Yahoo Answers (about a year or so ago). It seems like this is the only section that people go "thumbs up/down happy". I've never seen so many ratings in the other sections. I don't know whether this actually adds to or detracts from the experience.

Answer 3

I have learned some things since I first came on here yet I would like to see I few changes. Questions like this defineately keep things interesting here and it's nice to see other people's experiences and opinions. As for the thumbs thing, I think it's a little out of control but i'm not so sure that it should be regulated to just top contriubutors. However people shouldn't have to keep making new accounts because they were giving honest answers but trolls should be banned.

Answer 4

Hey Cindy, hey Tank :)

No one can "keep" me here. I stay here because of me and my own reasons. Again, I am here to help the dogs.

Now here is the question of the century... how to keep this section fun. First, I believe YA needs to get rid of the thumbs! This forum is comprised of different people, different experiences, different beliefs, different opinions, and no one should be able to judge those answers. Thumbs are dumb! :)

Also, I believe people need to be more respectful and need to grow up a little! We are all (well, most of us) are adults and there is NO excuse for name calling, bullying, swearing, etc. I cannot speak for the other members, but my mom taught me to treat others how I would like to be treated.

This forum was created to educate people and to share experiences, not to go on power trips by reporting the same users over and over for no reason. Not everyone is going to agree with you, but that is no excuse to report someone for being honest and stating their own opinion. If you cannot handle the heat, get away from the fire.

I do try to keep a sense of humor because there are more important things in life than YA. However, there are many questions where the joking needs to be set aside because the questions literally could be life or death for that dog.

I do have to admit it is very challenging for me to educate without lecturing. For one, I like to talk.. so any chatting turns into a speech with me! Haha, ok but in all seriousness... I have a hard time with this because I actually care about these dogs and I feel so passionate about helping people help their dogs. I do not mean to lecture (if I have lectured to any of you, I apologize!) it is just that sometimes I get so into the question I am answering I tend to go on and on and on. Mostly because I see this stuff all day long at work! I actually do know what I am talking about! And if I don't I will be the first to admit it, no worries.

And don't you worry. You can't get rid of me :)

update: One more thing! This was actually suggested by a friend, but I thought it was a fantastic idea. Members who have certain "credentials" (DVM, DMV, Technicians, Assistants what have you) should be required to have a special badge they can obtain only through YA. This would elimate all the "fakers" out there :)

Answer 5

What keeps me here? Every so often, somebody says something that makes me think - whether that means I re-evaluate an opinion, consider trying something I'd never even thought of, or just a better understanding of certain issues. Maybe something else that will make me think.

Every so often, I'll answer a question and I'll see that somebody learned something. Of course, some people want validation of their opinion, but there are a few who are willing to learn.

It's rewarding, knowing that you've helped somebody, and probably improved the life of their dog.

Answer 6

ah, retention.

The key, I think, is just to remember that it's an online forum. Certainly there are issues that come up on here where you want to yell at people and pull your hair out or even *gasp* report people to the dog police......
But you have to keep in mind the medium of this - it's ONLINE. There is a certain amount of distance that we all must be willing to deal with and accept.

Unfortunately, with that distance often comes a harshness that we would otherwise not adapt. When we can't see people's faces we feel like we can say anything to them, however nasty or cynical it might be.
Most people on here don't really hate their dogs. They aren't trying to be the most uneducated person ever - in fact, they are coming on here to learn something new. So let's not talk down to them or make them feel bad for coming here in the first place. There is a user on here who's names says it all:
"educate, don't judge"
We must always keep that in mind.

Now, as far as the regular users and keeping them here - I think questions like this do it! Serious, discussion-type questions are definitely what keep me coming back to the dog section.
I don't want to just keep telling someone
"try crate training" "call your vet" "yelp when they bite you" etc etc etc
I want to really *talk* to other dog lovers and people who know more than I do, so I can learn something.

One of the first questions I asked on here was a serious question about my puppy getting neutered "vet tech" was SO helpful, she even emailed me to check up on him. THAT is what this forum should be all about. Helping each other out, learning things, educating (not judging) others.

I think as long as people like you and others on here keep asking these good, serious, thought provoking questions, then we will continue to return.

Have a *great* day!

Answer 7

I continue to come here because I like to educate and get educated. I also enjoy talking dogs with others who like to do the same....it's fun to hear others experiences and I learn a lot from them as well.
I asked a question a while back about dog food. Since that question, I have seen other discussions and Q & A's about dogfood.... I have learned so much about other dogs foods out there, what ingredients to look for and avoid...it's taught me so much about what I am feeding my dogs.
I have also learned so much about the unwanted dog population and the pro's of adopting from a shelter. I really like coming here...it's a gettaway and I can relax reading and giving advice or fun answers...it's like another network of friends outside of your other day to day friends. :)

Answer 8

Like I've said before, I haven't been on as long as some of the others here....MY reason for coming back is because of all of you "veterans" of the dog section. I love to hear your opinions, advice, and stories of experience...I first came on to observe and to help where I could with some advice from my own past experiences. After coming back more and more, I realized there was plenty for me to learn as well....and for that...I thank all of the experienced people here on this forum for your comments and knowledgeable advice! As for keeping it fun...there is always someone who will try to bring the mood down...just send them a smile and move on...we know who the "good" and the "bad" are :)

Answer 9

It's difficult to retain users to stay at the dog section. I think the most important is to do our best to educate people to treat their animals fairly, like taking them to the vets when it's emergency; and the most important is the importance of spay and neuter. I can't count how many times I've seen these breeding questions everyday. I know it's annoying to see those questions about "name my dog", "what breeds is my dog", etc. People have their freedom to post these questions, on the other hand, we have our freedom to avoid those questions.
There's no way to please everybody. We are giving them our honest answers. It's beyond our control that we get deleted or reported. All we can think is they are pathetic. I feel sorry for those who get deleted or repoted and have to create new account every now and then by giving them honest and truthful answers.
Tony IV, maybe you should change the name "Tony" so people won't delete or report you. :o)

Answer 10

What keeps me here is the knowledge I am able to acquire from the people who actually know what they are talking about. Coming here allows me to learn about things that I might not ever otherwise think about. It encourages me to take interesting topics discussed here and research them more in depth on my own.

Along the way, I answer questions... I may not always answer in the nicest way, but the question is usually deserving of the blunt response.