Accepting The Dog You Have

[Aidan3]

I really enjoyed this, I'm certainly guilty of this sometimes (with dogs, and probably with people too).

http://denisefenzi.com/2011/12/08/holiday-celebrations-and-dog-training/

[Weasels]

Thanks for posting Aidan

I was guilty of this when we got our second dog too Our first dog was just such a 'good dog' - she learned quickly, was reliable and confident and was just easy to live with. Intellectually I knew this wasn't usual but I still sometimes expected Weez to live up to her standards even though he was younger and a very different dog. It took me a few months to learn to read him better and work out what his pace of learning was

[gsdog2]

I'm guilty of this too - with a shepherd I sadly lost earlier this year.

I trialed him to Open and I loved every minute of it (we have to trophies and ribbons in the cupboard to prove it ).

But, with the benefit of hindsight I don't think my boy enjoyed it, he did it because he loved (adored even) me and would do anything for me. That was until I took him to a trial when I knew I shouldn't. The weather was crap, thunder, lightening and some rain and my boy was looking uncomfortable (normally storms didn't worry him). Did I pack up and go home? No, I just kept walking him around trying to calm him (and probably making him feel even worse ). We walked into the ring and even the judge commented that my boy looke worried, to which I said I felt his noisy raincoat was probably not helping. He removed his coat and returned to my dog, holding his hand towards his nose. That's when my dog decided enough was enough and lashed out at the poor judge. No, he didn't bite him but he came very close, and we were instantly disqualified for 6 mths. We never went back in the ring after that and I retired my boy then and there. Was I happy about that? Well yes actually I was, because my shepherd made a wonderful pet and thoroughly enjoyed just vegging out at home with our other dogs and greeting friends and family when they came visiting.

It was a BIG lesson learnt and I've promised myself I will always put my dog first, despite my love of training and hopes of competing again.

[Agility Dogs]

We can take responsibility for making the dog ring ready by exposing her in small doses, over time, to those aspects of dog shows that are difficult. We can go to training classes and work at appropriate distances. We can learn about stress and fear, and create a plan that allows the dog to build confidence in herself and in her handler. We can improve our relationship.

Uh huh - I don't think we can be reminded of this enough. I was spoiled by my first dog. She is amazing - driven despite my early attempts at 'training', happy to work hard all day long, eager to please. The perfect beginners dog.

Then my boy came along. He is beautiful, an awesome dog to live with and has a sense of humour (for a BC) BUT.....because I had no point of reference I just expected that all black and white dogs would perform in the same manner and set about treating him in the same way.

It took me 3 years of disappointment and frustration to understand that I had gone about it all wrong - I had to work with the dog I had, not the dog I wanted. Now after 2 more years of just living the joy with CK he is going to turn out to be even more amazing than Xena has been in his own way. We'll never achieve the results in the ring that Xena and I have, but what we have achieved is so much more special.

I now have a confident, drivey, exciting dog who LOVES what we do and gives 110% every time we go out - whether it is to frisbee, flyball, agility or just for a run in the bush. He really always has, I just haven't recognised it.

It took me a long time to realise what SG was trying to say in this video - I think Aidan's link sums it up very nicely.

Edited December 16, 2011 by Agility Dogs

[gsdog2]

What a great video and soooo appropriate for this thread

[The Spotted Devil]

That article is why I love training and trialling with my Dally The balance (of everything) has to be perfect for him to go through the ring with a spring in his step, a waggy tail and attitude to boot. If I make a mistake it's on show for the world to see. I take breaks between obedience trials to work on our weaknesses as that suits him better than entering every weekend until we get it together. I never trial 2 days in a row unless it's a National event. I don't do lead outs at agility trials unless I really have to as he needs me close by to build his confidence - never mind that he can do them perfectly! I watch for so much more now - a flick of the ear, a glance away, a sniff of the ground - and I work with it rather than in opposition to it. I hope he's made me a better trainer.