G. Festerling

Excellent!!!

I am apparently not smart enough to get the quote right. Quoted from Maja as a hook for my comment. I am a traditionalist. I grew up in horses and in a very, very structured Dressage environment. Although with one of the best horseman I know. And then I found myself in TX learning things that are so far removed as to almost not be the same. Yet they are. I see trends coming from people that have NO ties to what a horse was meant to do. They love their horses. But in their attempts to not ever impose on them...they do a lot of harm as well. Not because they intend to but because they reject any method that may appear as force or pressure. IN MY MIND, I can not produce a pleasant result with any pressure that is not balanced with reward. The shape the reward will be depends on the team. I always chuckle at the whole toy/treat thing. There is no bigger treat for my dogs than to work. Now I will preface this with saying, I have very narrowly working bred dogs. NO showline or sport anywhere! And not trying to imply that it makes a difference. Although, again, IN MY MIND, when genetics are mixed, the pull towards a very clear job description almost may or may not be a bit unclear. I have a GSD female from a german kennel that was heavy into tending. This dog would not even look at a decoy for protection work. Sheep or livestock....oh heck yes. But I digress.... My dogs love the work. It is their reward. I can shape their behavior by setting up situations where I can teach them, their choice. And this is where I think the biddability is by many so misunderstood. I don't think for a second that the dogs work to please the owner soley. I think that is a nice myth. They work because genetics tell them to do a job. Yes, this job includes working with a person. But, as with so many interpersonal work relations....those persons are often a means to an end. Not sure if I put this right. Working with them efficiently is what allows access. Now, I 1000% (and I hate people that use the whole 1000% to make a point!) believe that the emotions (happiness, joy), the rewards (pet on the head, a gentle roughing of the head) are detrimental. Because they are genuine. As are displeasure, anger or punishment. A confident, reliable, happy, trustworthy worker is not created by the later taking over. But in order to be able to correct and refocus, the dog has to be biddable. And he has to know how to be. I believe that is genetic as well as taught. Shaped if you may. So, to wrap it up, I think, the pleasure in the work can be equal to treat/toy. I think it depends on the application and on the trainers skill. Things are a lot more challenging when the "treat" is not in your pocket but out in the field. With its own agenda no less. But with clever positioning, clear communication and expectations, a treat does not have to be food. Now, note, I am staying away from the word toy as I don't want anyone trying to tell me that sheep are no toys....I know that! Although....there again, the association between what is a reward can be created by us. To get back on the traditionalist thing....I hate a person that wants to poopoo traditional methods. Not all traditions are good of course. And yes, there are so many advances in training made in the last 20 years....a true trainer would be silly to ignore them. However, take the old greats in any animal related activity and sit them down....you will find that many things are not really all that new. Those guys already knew them. They lived and worked them. They just did not market them as it is done today. But the reasons why things work and how....they don't change. We as humans just get better at presenting them. How come things always read different then they are in my head????

To me, I already answered it. Because, it is all about finding communication. And as the human, when we stop and care enough to really isolate and listen and get on the level of who or whatever....it is us that holds the answer. Just as I stated before.

My first dog saw her crate the day we flew to Germany. Yes, I know, not the best way to introduce it. But what did I know. It was her best, her safe spot, simply hers after. Never freaked her out, worried her or had any other negative meaning to her. All of mine are crate trained. No exceptions!!!!

And I just saw Julie's post....a huge YES....to her statement that above all, pleasing should be enough. I will dare to go further...pleasing is easy, especially when the one making the demands does his or her due diligence in presenting the situation. Being acknowledged for doing the right thing is genuine. It is comfort. It continues. It breeds trust and respect. On both parties.

Christine....and I am singling you out but not with ill intent....how do you know that another approach would not have worked? Admittedly, it may not have worked for, very specifically, the pair of you! Not because you are not a dedicated and good trainer or the dog a mess. I would like your statement a lot better if it did not seem to exclude the possibility, that there were no other ways with other people. I see people do amazing things with methods and ways that I know, I would struggle with greatly. And it is always a great remind ....that, the approach is as individual as the pair working. It has to be. Shaping is great. But I find it funny how so much focus is always on the animal. When I teach it, I find it much more helpful with the humans. Because it makes THEM have to focus on the act of training and making thinks clear. Therefore the animal benefits. Not sure that I am wording this right. I also shape using no treats. But praise, giving other rewards beyond just taking pressure off for the right choice. Too numerous to list.

Be super vigilant. If it is what I am thinking, and for the life of me I can't think of the name, treat it and be super watchful. Pyometra is what I was looking for. Any vet should be able to diagnose it. Hoping it is not. I have a large number of dogs going in and out. Rescues, babysitting, my own. Never have I found a dog to randomly go off food without a damn good reason. Dog having a health challenge, food being bad (and most of the time they still want it!), an older dog maybe due to changes of taste. But that is it.

I am so sorry. She sounds like she sure knew how to make the best out of life in the end. Thank you for allowing her to leave a mark.

Not good. Poor baby. But, the positive news is reasonable fast response to the treatment. Every time it has come up around me and my vet, that seems to be a huge indication. She had a little Dackel surrendered to her for eu by the owners ( they were going to buy a new pup since they could not let the children watch the dog suffer ). This dog was down 100% and is still doing well almost 10 years later. So in that spirit, keeping my fingers crossed for your boy and praying for a good outcome.

Interesting thought....however....maybe, that IS the reason all those little insects end up as inclusions? I love Amber. My father used to tell us all kinds of stories and gave us amber jewellery. The more complete inclusions = the better. Or totally clean! Ok, just saw the additional posts. I may have to try one.

I think the real point is that it is not a breed thing. It is an individual dog thing. As a matter of fact, due to their drives and smarts....I have found a love in herding breeds period. And a few other working dog breeds. If I have those two things....it is only a matter of guidance and direction.

I am right there with you.

Roscoe, which website are you referring to? I also do the ivermectin. Used to dilute but am thinking to go straight. For fleas, I have used almost everything. I find none work the whole month. At the moment, regular Advantage seems to do the trick. Some of my guys never react to fleas....others are super touchy. So it is hard to tell. I have also started using fly sprays.

My <3 crew are Blimps, Thor, Belle, Fee and my two big girls Strydor and Goers. Blimps leads the pack at over 15. She is my girl that accompanied me through really rough times. Also my IMHA dog that has way beaten the odds. Never much interest in sheep but invaluable in the roping pen. Loves her cattle! Her son Thor at 10 was definitely not planned. He combines his mom's and dads character x 2. The kind of dog that believes that I am stupid and can not possibly do anything without his help. Which is why even in his golden years he does not understand why I don't take him to the barn with me anymore. He thinks it's because of the heat and his heart condition....I don't tell him that I gave up talking sense into him. He never made it into any sport or work due to an early injury. Belle who I purchased after flat falling in love with her dam and sure at a local trial, is also about to turn 10. I waited a good while and she has taught me so much. Loves, loves, loves to work. Loose eyed yet never looses contact with her sheep. When I was not able to work sheep, she was my experimental agility dog. Did it because I wanted to. Fee is my baby at a little over two. I can't believe how time has flown right by. This pup captured my heart from the first day. I also waited 5 or so years for a pup out of her dam. I am working hard on doing her justice working sheep. Super keen and enough power and game to keep me busy. She is my second dog that was raised with tons of engagement work. She has definite ideas and it is about time for me to take the reins. Strydor and Goers are my Germans. At 11, Stry is struggling with spinal issues, teeth issues and heart problems as well. She is oversized and would never win any beauty contests but is the most rock solid, even tempered yet commanding presence on this place. And Goere, aka, Gouda, Cheese head, Goerge or simply G (no one can pronounce her name!), is her complete opposite. Small, agile, quick tempered and 100% ready to protect me from any real or perceived danger. She is mine heart and soul and will do anything for me. Her bloodlines are a mess of many countries and working styles. She is the only dog ever, who's puppy pic was so powerful to me, that I did all I could to get her to me. And when she came off that plane after many delays, I knew she was supposed to be with me. My first dog to venture into shaping and so much fun for anyone she accepts.

Amazing for us to be blessed enough to recognize their gift. Godspeed Tansy.

Take a deep breath! My goodness! I am sure the puppy will survive! If this makes you feel better.... Luke the way I got him from the shelter after a full shave plus razor burn... After a few weeks where everyone thought he was some sort of lurcher... . After a while but handsome as all get out! I have to add, a friend of mine ended up the fostering process as we got a bit busy around that time with fires and stuff! She did a wonderful job with him obviously!

Logan is a lucky boy and a huge thumbs up to you!

Yes. I have struggled with it. Many times. In many different situations. I do not have children. Nor was I ever able to foster as I would have loved to. So essentially, my dogs are it. I do what I can. With their best interest in mind. I have always wondered how much they get it. As Teresa pointed out....the long term drugs make her feel good. I know two things....with my Blimps who is my long term auto immune girl....when she craters she feels really, really bad. When the drugs kick in....she feels (felt when she was younger for sure) like taking on the world. There is no consideration for long term side effects from her. It is in the moment. I suppose, at some point the long term effects may catch up to us. And then I pray to make the right choice. Until then, to me, they are like small children. Not really able to make a choice one way or another as they don't have all the info. So we do it for them. What we feed them, protect them from, vaccinate them for. Based on our understanding and comfort level. Add into that, that it was 100% our choice to bring them into our lives....I think we owe them any reasonable effort. At least as long as they want it.

That is an interesting comment. And in some ways a bit problematic for me.

Yes, isn't it fun????

Beautiful girl and it sounds like both of you hit the jackpot!

What does this mean, "for now on I will make double sure the chain is in the sun porch before going to bed so not to have this issue again"? And on a side note.....I think you are playing with fire. Have for a while.

The sad thing is....I actually find this really sad. I read the post and knew immediately where it would go. And although I also can't seem to get my head wrapped around the connection between Prozac and the pup obviously being somewhat uneasy around the ball,I think maybe there would have been a bit gentler way to point to a chance of nonsense down the road. Especially since, despite the previous posts that seem a bit not so mainstream, I can't shake the feeling that this was an off the cuff post by someone that truly seems to enjoy the new pup and maybe is trying to share and find a way to share the fun. If maybe in a slightly different way?

Well, as far as war stories go.....I sent one of my dogs off for 30 days when he super out gunned me. He was super coming home. But leash??? Never!!! Off lead? A dream!!!