Just watched an interesting video... quite thought provoking!

Caro said:
That's ok, easily set off atm.

Years ago when we did flyball a friend at the time was racing her very anxious dog and the vet said something that really stuck with me - "some dogs just need to be a dog".

I think eventually for a lot of people you learn to go with the flow with our dogs, and the rest dump their dogs outside (or at a rescue). In Australia so many dogs are just left outside like garden ornaments, it makes me so sad.
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I just can't imagine how heartless some people can be. My mind just does not want to compute it. I have rescued so many dogs in the past. Some were timid, others kind and sweet. They taught me so much. As Trini said, "learned more about life and acceptance from my many dogs than from all of the humans in my life". So true. Your vet's comments also ring so true... "some dogs just need to be a dog".
 
Sharon7 said:
Really thoughtful video. I have that book also. It has struck me somewhere along the way, that I never really had an expectation of personality type with my dogs. Our first Sheltie Skye did set the bar very high. She was an amazing dog, completely turned my husband's opinion of dogs around and enriched our lives. When we got Asta our only request from the breeder was a larger girl. And then every dog up until Meadow has come as an adult, so it was a matter of learning who they were and what they were all about. I thought it was part of the fun to discover their personality unfold as they adjusted to our home and their new siblings.

I do understand if a person wants a dog for a particular thing like agility, but we've never had requirements like that. If they like agility (looking at you, Meadow, Faith) then great. If not, so what. As long as they have basic manners and come when called, I don't care if they are trained within an inch of their life.

One thing I have told my friends who were getting dogs - set them up for success instead of failure!
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Great post, Sharon... Yes, I wanted to do obedience with Liam. That's why I originally got him. It was not to be... I love him just the same!
 
ghggp said:
Great post, Sharon... Yes, I wanted to do obedience with Liam. That's why I originally got him. It was not to be... I love him just the same!
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As it should be. Just a thought, once things open up again (please, Lord!) have you thought about trying Nosework with Liam? It's a much more individual and less pressured environment than obedience, and even if you never compete, it builds confidence in dogs - I've seen this in my classes with some really timid dogs. Plus it's fun to see them do what they do best - sniff! :biggrin2:

The way our classes are structured, the dogs never interact in the class, each dog and owner work one at a time although owners watch each other's dogs work while the dog waits in the car. We've thoroughly enjoyed it and are blessed with an awesome instructor who makes it so much fun.
 
Sharon7 said:
As it should be. Just a thought, once things open up again (please, Lord!) have you thought about trying Nosework with Liam? It's a much more individual and less pressured environment than obedience, and even if you never compete, it builds confidence in dogs - I've seen this in my classes with some really timid dogs. Plus it's fun to see them do what they do best - sniff! :biggrin2:

The way our classes are structured, the dogs never interact in the class, each dog and owner work one at a time although owners watch each other's dogs work while the dog waits in the car. We've thoroughly enjoyed it and are blessed with an awesome instructor who makes it so much fun.
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Actually, YES, I did try it. He is just not nose-driven... he was so scared of the different environment. He was more fearful in that class than just basic obedience. I believe it is because he had to move around in obedience class and his concentration was not solely focused on his fear. He does not even sniff once on walks! He is who he is... a loveable Pup Pup!
 
Caro said:
That's ok, easily set off atm.

Years ago when we did flyball a friend at the time was racing her very anxious dog and the vet said something that really stuck with me - "some dogs just need to be a dog".

I think eventually for a lot of people you learn to go with the flow with our dogs, and the rest dump their dogs outside (or at a rescue). In Australia so many dogs are just left outside like garden ornaments, it makes me so sad.
Click to expand...
Yup, I totally agree! Finnie would’ve been such a good obedience dog but the anxiety just makes him bark constantly. I still do work with him because he loves the work but no trials for him, he just gets to be a dog.
 
ghggp said:
Actually, YES, I did try it. He is just not nose-driven... he was so scared of the different environment. He was more fearful in that class than just basic obedience. I believe it is because he had to move around in obedience class and his concentration was not solely focused on his fear. He does not even sniff once on walks! He is who he is... a loveable Pup Pup!
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He sounds very much like Della. She needs to keep monitoring the environment so looks up and around rather than sniffing. I've tried doing box searches at home with her and she doesn't get it - funny thing is the Burmese cat actually ends up beating Della to the boxes with the treats. So I don't think Della will ever do nosework.

Patricia McConnell did an interesting blog a couple of months ago about letting a dog do what they are good at to build their confidence. I realised then, that is why Della likes her Silver (lvl 3) classes, even though she's done it over and over. She does know it all but that means she is good at something and gets lots of praise and no pressure to learn new tasks.
https://www.patriciamcconnell.com/theotherendoftheleash/skill-natural-ability-and-our-dogs-happiness
 
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