NEW Doodle Kisses Community Guidelines--how can we improve these?

[Adina P]

Community Guidelines to keep Doodle Kisses a fun, informative, and respectful place where we can all have fun 'talking doodle.' The rules appear 'long' and 'involved' but they're really simple. My long-winded explanations are there merely to help bring clarity =)

1) Be Nice. Doodle Kisses is here for connecting doodle owners around a common interest: our doodles! Even though we all love doodles, there will always be differing opinions within large groups. That is okay. Don't let your heated opinion about a topic or idea turn into heat against an individual.

2) Keep it Clean. While this may mean different things to different people, swearing/profanity is not appropriate on Doodle Kisses. Because many of our members have become friends via this community...some off topic discussions will occur and that is totally okay and fun! But as non-doodle topics progress, remember that Doodle Kisses is intended to be a friendly, welcoming community of people who are here to "talk doodle" FIRST. Watch your language and keep things somewhat family friendly.

3) Please do not use 'Doodle Kisses' as a place to advertise another website, product or service. You can use your profile page to tell others about your websites. You can also include a weblink in your profile questions. You can also participate in our link exchange to get your site listed on our links page or contact me for other options. So there are legitimate ways to promote your stuff, but please keep ads and promotions out of blogs or forum discussions or anywhere else besides the above. Posting outside links is fine (especially if you're trying to help someone that can be helped by an educational link or such thing that can't be obtained here on DK). And remember we have a "Reviews" section in which you can write up a great review about a product/service/trainer you have found to be excellent (or awful). But if in providing outside links it starts to look like a major reason for your membership is to advertise your (or a friend's) site, product, or service without providing other valuable contributions to DK, you may be considered in violation of this guideline. If you're unsure, just ask me.

4) Profile names may not contain website URL's -- in other words
---"Adina of Adina's Doodle Photos is okay... "Adina (DoodlePhotos.com)" is not. As our site grows, I may change my mind on this--a simple name LOOKS so much better and less cluttered than a business name.

5) Breeders may advertise litters or puppies for sale in either the "Labradoodle Puppies for Sale" group or the "Goldendoodle Puppies for Sale" group -- instructions on ad guidelines are listed in those groups. Breeders may also advertise in the Breeders group.

6) If you are a breeder, please keep breeding related discussions (finding studs, heat cycles, trouble with dam's pregnancy, trouble finding clients, etc) confined to the Breeders group.

7) If you find a member in violation of any of the above guidelines, please contact me rather than do the policing yourself. If you look at the VERY bottom of any page in the orange bar you'll see text that reads "Report an Issue" -- click that and fill out the form.

8) When in doubt, see rule #1 AND ASK ME!

As time goes on these rules may be adjusted/changed. Your input is always welcome.
I expect all members to familiarize themselves with these guidelines right away, but understand that it takes a while for members to learn the ins and outs...so please be patient with others as well.

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

I don't beleive that any witches were actually burned in Salem. Perhaps we can find a history forum to check accuracy.

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Not burned in Salem......hanged....but "Burn Witch Burn" was a campy 50's movie about witch and heretic burning so I thought it was appropriate....lol..but I guess if you were considered a heretic you were a witch as well ...They did burn witches throughout Europe....in reality they were burning women who were mid-wives and practiced healing and medicine....a big "no no" with the male community......

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

These seem to be well thought out rules and very appropriate and mild. In my opinion they do not fall under "censorship" as this is a personally maintained website (by Adina). Just as a note, as a schoolboard member, I know that facebook, my space, etc are monitored by our district and they are very helpful and prompt about removing objectional material - often bullying, personal pictures, and the like. Thanks Adina for maintaining a great doodle site.

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Maryann...Please don't take any offense to this but then I think perhaps then the "kiddies" should have their own "G rated" doodle site and let the adults have their own space.....I'm personally here to meet and befriend fellow adult doodle enthusiasts who are free to engage in fun and sometimes serious discussions. There are even aspects to veterinary subjects and rescue involving animal cruelty and euthanization that could be interpretted as not suitable for children....I personally do not want the responsibility of someone's child being offended or exposed to things that their parents might find inappropriate...That's their parents responsibility....Not anyone elses.....

[Adina P]

On-topic discussions on real life matters related to our dogs, though sometimes difficult, are perfectly appropriate. Rule #2 should not affect such discussions if discussions remain 'clean.'

[Adina P]

I have revised #2

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

No worries....I just find it virtually impossible to not be contrary.....lol......The rules are fine by me...but in all seriousness?.....The "kiddies" dominate every other aspect of life as we know it....Can't the adults have ONE place for themselves?.....(Now I'll be accused of being anti-child and anti -"family values"...lol )...Yup...better start measuring my neck for a noose...: )

[Mary, Scrappy, Sully and Olive]

Well Jacquie, the important thing is that you're not anti-doodle.........are you? As far as anti-child, who isn't..once they reach that impossible older teen stage? They do seem to be taking over the world....can't even spank them anymore......darn nuisances! Personally, I think the only time we, as adults, will have a place for ourselves is when we're elderly and the kids stick us in a nursing home, never to visit. Hope they have computers there though...I'm sure the kids won't be on the same forums then ;)
Side note to Adina....I have some nice sturdy rope in my shed if you decide you need it to teach some unruly members a lesson ;)

[Adina P]

I prefer choke chains and prongs.

[Mary, Scrappy, Sully and Olive]

I'd go with the choke chains....unless you put the prongs on wrong, they will only apply a gentle pressure.... Not very good as a deterrent. ;)
Keep up the good work Adina!

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Well Adina.....(heavy sigh)....This is why I have no husband!.....LOL!....I'm old, cranky, contrary and a big pain in the ( a word I can no longer write on DK)...ok... TOOKUS!....I also don't take any POOPY from anyone......so I guess that makes me a DKB with a tude......but at least my dog loves me......lol......

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Mary....LMAO!...I'm so pro-doodle it's disgusting......lol....My standard responses when children (of any and all ages) are acting up are:

1."What went wrong in the womb?"

and

2. "I'm having my tubes tied..."

Funny OT story: My 7 year old nephew was acting like a brat one day , throwing a tantrum over not being allowed to (believe it or not!) "check his e-mail"( I can't imagine what a 7 year old has to say via e-mail, never mind that he HAS AN EMAIL ADDRESS!)...anyway, I shot him a standard "LOOK OF EXTREME HORROR"....and he turned to me with tears still in his eyes and screamed:

"I KNOW...I KNOW!...YOU"RE HAVING YOUR TUBES TIED AUNT JACQUIE!" and stormed off to his bedroom!......LMAO!!...Needless to say my sister and I were both hysterical laughing for hours....