At least we are shown a dog in both episodes. And these are the dogs I'm talking about.
The quotes I introduced this thread with of course also hint towards another meaning.

"You'd started to piece things together, remember what really happened here that night. It wasn't an  animal, was it, Henry? Not a monster. A man."

"You couldn't cope. You were just a child, so you rationalised it into something very different. But then you started to remember, so you had to be stopped; driven out of your mind so that no-one would believe a word that you said."

Following up on Susi's thoughts, if Sherlock had started opening up emotionally in that episode, we might expect some contradictory behaviour, too. Like a longing for Redbeard's comfort and a dread of more death experience.

Danielle80 wrote:

If Redbeard would be a sign or symbol of a traumatic incident, why did Sherlock thought about him as he wanted to calm down? Wouldn't be the risk that he was upset about his dog or the traumatic incident greater in this dangerously situation? I can not see how the dog could be a symbol for something beautyful and simultaneous for a traumatic incident of his childhood.

I also think the answer is because it was both to him. Redbeard has two sides, his life and his death, both in their particular important meaning to Sherlock.

Do you think, Danielle, that there is no link between Hound and Redbeard?
We have several text evidence that hint to such link.

Vhanja wrote:

I would have to agree with Besley here. I have very few limits regarding Johnlock jokes, fic tags and smut, but I draw a strict line with anything that has to do with, or just hinting to, shipping actors. 
 

And I'm glad that nobody here actually suggested or supports such ...
 

Outstanding Kiss

(animated gif)

http://havetardiswilltimetravel.tumblr.com/post/138295424836/pawspaintsnthings-im-feeling-super-weirdly

There seem to be parallels between Sherlock and Redbeard, and Henry and the Hound.
It might be a possible explanation of Redbeard foreshadowing here.

"You'd started to piece things together, remember what really happened here that night. It wasn't an  animal, was it, Henry? Not a monster. A man."

"You couldn't cope. You were just a child, so you rationalised it into something very different. But then you started to remember, so you had to be stopped; driven out of your mind so that no-one would believe a word that you said."




edit: thread title

... but John won't

SolarSystem wrote:

Where no Consulting Detective and his Blogger have gone before.

"boldly go where no ..." 
 

nakahara wrote:

I just shup up about a theme that obviously grated on others nerves. Because it was pointed up to me during weekend that my posts may sound overly negative to some members, I tried to apologise in advance that I might sound bitchy when posting these - but even that came out wrong, for obviously it sounded like some veiled salty sneer at others.
So I considered it wiser to stop adding more petrol to the fire in the situation and stop for the moment.
I´ll certainly try to be more careful with my words in the future, but of course, I can´t always predict how my post will sound to others, so please, indulge with me. I just like to discuss problems, but personal attacks and infighting are really not my thing, so if somewhat sounds overly sarcastic to you, please, point it out to me right away, so that I can avoid it.

It's ok, nakahara, thanks for this