Dogs as Individuals - Long

_Kimberley_ · Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 8:44 pm Post subject:

What a great post Di! Very Happy

Amber is the clingy type and I wouldn't have it anyother way.
I do have strict rules for both dogs like..'your not allowed to savage anyone'... 'you must come when you are called'...'leave that rotten stinking mouldy corps alone' important stuff like that. Wink

But after those rules are adheared to then they can pretty much be themselves, ok thats code for 'do as you like' Wink

But they don't do anything untoward anyway and are always good.
They're just like kids Wink

_Vicky_ · Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 8:47 pm Post subject:

great post - Ruby is DEFINITELY a W (have been working b***** hard all week and she is STILL scared of the flyball box Confused

)

It has eased my mind too as I thought that I had somehow undersocialised her in the early days - yes she was an early leaver as we had her from 6.5 weeks but maybe she would have been like she is regardless of what I had done. Hmmmmm I can feel the guilt liftin and its very strange as until vocalised it in this post I didnt realise i DID feel I had let her down. HHHmmmmmmm

Becs · Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 8:48 pm Post subject:

In line with what you have said Diana, I Know that Dogs for the Disabled have found the same thing, and have recently withdrawn a bitch from their breeding programme because she was a sensitive soul and her pups (including Echo) have turned out to be very sensitive too to a greater or lesser degree.
I have had 5 DftD pups and 2 have been quite 'needy', 2 have been the bomb-proof, in-yer-face types and Ugo is a mixture of both. Whilst real extremes aren't desirable, different trainers have different 'types' I believe, that they have a fondness for. Also different clients have different needs so can be matched with a dog that suits them, which is why some people on the waiting list might get a 'match' quickly whilst others have to wait for a long time to get a dog thats going to suit their personality and lifestyle.

My pups have all been socialised in much the same way, but each one had surprised me along the way with their individual quirks and strengths. Whilst I have loved my sensitive dogs, I think I like the challenge and pluckiness of the 'in-yer-face' ones, and probably get the most pleasure, overall from seeing the world through their eyes!

Viva la difference (or whatever!!!!)

Becs and the Gang

Diana · Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 8:56 pm Post subject:

Thank you all, I wonder if there is anyway this could qualify as a 'sticky' post on the top of the behavioural section (or training). Not being of an egotistical burst on my part but because I do think people tend to worry themselves to death over problems which they have little or no influence over and they have actually DONE the best they can as far as 'nurture' goes.

I KNOW that some behavioural problems occur through laziness or lack of socislisation and they do rise quickly, but in our wide ranging breed it would be great if sometimes people could see that what next doors Labrador does, possibly isn't what THEIR Labrador will do, and neither owner are good and bad owners.....

But if not thats fine!
Di

_Mary_ · Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 8:59 pm Post subject:

CJ is a mix of "W" and "P", those that have met him know him as an extroverted young man who loves haring around like a loon Rolling Eyes

, but he has his moments when things seem to scare him, out in the park we always go to one day, he stopped and started barking, his hackles went up and he looked more like a pointer with one leg raised and staring at something, I looked where he was and saw a metal barrel that hadn`t been there on previous walks (to my knowledge), my friend and I with her GSD went over to it, once he saw we were happy with it, he came an had a look and was ok after that!

On the whole tho he`s a "P" Very Happy

_LUCY_ · Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 9:04 pm Post subject:

Sparkly · Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 9:05 pm Post subject:

Fantastic post Di Very Happy

Not having done much research before getting Maggie, I must admit I thought that all labs were of the "W" variety!

Just shows how wrong you can be as she is VERY much a "P" Very Happy

xWendyx · Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 9:11 pm Post subject:

mmmmmmm Charlie is a 'P' - he's a complete loon who loves everyone and thinks every dog and every person is there just for him. and here's me thinking it's just cos he's spoilt!!

maxsmum · Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 9:22 pm Post subject:

Your wish is my command Di Very Happy

Sticky coming up for an excellent post that will put a lot of peoples minds at ease (mine included Wink

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