Aggressive posting in P&PC

DBB

Hi all,
There has been a growing tendency in the forum over the past while for new posters, or less experienced owners, or even people with an alternative viewpoint, to be harangued and picked on because they simply don't have the same awareness as many of the really knowledgeable, experienced posters we're lucky to have contributing to the forum.
Now, I know how annoying it can be sometimes when people come on here and, for example, ask how to become pack leader, or how to get a cheap pedigree dog, or how to go about buying a dog on X website, or how they have to rehome their dog because it sheds too much... you get the gist.
But one thing is absolutely clear... taking the aggressive, emotive, you're-so-ignorant approach that has become all-too-common here is a disastrous way to try to change minds. There are quite a few of us guilty of it, myself included from time to time, but it's got to stop.
It gets people's backs up and makes them disappear from the forum thinking that we're all mad, and who knows? Maybe they turn to someone far less desirable (in real life) for help? Do we really want that to happen?
Who wants to get verbally beaten up when all they did was look for help?
It's a common theme in many pet-related forums... on one hand people are pushing the positive, ethical message about pet welfare, yet they treat their fellow humans with disdain when they look for help, just because they don't know the score and aren't bang up to date on the latest research or approaches.

The point of this thread is to get the message out there loud and clear: it is a requirement of the forum charter to treat your fellow posters with respect.
The mod team are going to start coming down more heavily on anyone who breaches this rule, particularly in the context I describe here. Of course there will be trolls and that's what the report function is for, but otherwise, we will start issuing warnings and bans for repeat offenders when it comes to their unacceptable treatment of other users of this forum.
We do understand the frustration that is sometimes caused, but take my word for it... virtual yelling at people and stomping about does not work, and it is killing this forum.
It is far, far more effective to take a deep breath, to leave the emotions at the door, and to calmly put your point across.
The experience on this forum makes it, potentially, a great place for pet owners to find reliable, non-judgmental help, to make their pets' lives better.
So please, let's turn things around here, and restore this forum to a place that's safe for everyone, no matter what their level of experience or knowledge, to post.
Thanks,
DBB