(no subject)
It's been an amazing journey meeting someone doing as much for their dogs as I am. Don't get me wrong - most of my friends love their dogs. I mean LOVE their dogs - I don't think I could remain friends with anyone who didn't... they're all well-loved, well cared-for, etc etc. HOWEVER - Chris is the only person I've met other than myself who subscribes to the whole "loving your dog is not enough" philosophy. In fact, honestly, as mushy as I get with my retards (and yes I am one of Those People who allow Daisy and Liz in bed with me), "love" comes secondary for me when it pertains to my dogs. I am not just a dog person, I am a Dog Person. The raw diet and minimal vaccination protocol I have them on is not just for fun or experimentation - they're things I've researched for some time now, and have formed my own opinions on. Training is not just something to make my dogs behave better - it's good for them socially and mentally as well. As it's kind of fun when you have hounds that behave as good or better than "smart" breeds ;) Regardless, people seem to think I'm mean to my dogs because I expect compliance at all times once they know what's expected of them. Those are the same people whose dogs are bouncing all over and barking and kissing and just generally freaking out every time you see them and whose kids have no manners - I don't subscribe to the "just let kids/dogs be kids/dogs!" philosophy. Um, no. My dogs wouldn't be NEARLY as enjoyable to be around if they weren't well-behaved.
That being said, Liz joined a beginning obe class in the spring about halfway through and caught up by graduation. So, I jumped the gun and put her in intermediate this fall. She's been to once class so far, and I'd say was AT LEAST as good as the other dogs in our class if not better. I'm seeing a bright future in rally for her as well ;) It'll be fun running two dogs at once, I think... Daisy in advanced (as she only needs one more leg for her novice title!) and Lizard in novice. OH - the coolest thing about Lizard is I can allow her some off-leash freedoms! I'm so proud I could just burst. This is a Big Deal for a coonhound, a breed known to follow it's nose and take off without hearing you! I don't trust her like I do Daisy, but at AO she proved herself by following me around the campsite off the chain, and by the time we got home I felt secure in letting her out to pee (with supervision, always) and so far she has done nothing to betray my trust! FANTASTIC!
So, remember folks, Dogs are Dogs! Dogs are NOT_PEOPLE! Discipline, training - keep it fun, keep it fair, and enjoy your bond SO much more because of it!
That being said, Liz joined a beginning obe class in the spring about halfway through and caught up by graduation. So, I jumped the gun and put her in intermediate this fall. She's been to once class so far, and I'd say was AT LEAST as good as the other dogs in our class if not better. I'm seeing a bright future in rally for her as well ;) It'll be fun running two dogs at once, I think... Daisy in advanced (as she only needs one more leg for her novice title!) and Lizard in novice. OH - the coolest thing about Lizard is I can allow her some off-leash freedoms! I'm so proud I could just burst. This is a Big Deal for a coonhound, a breed known to follow it's nose and take off without hearing you! I don't trust her like I do Daisy, but at AO she proved herself by following me around the campsite off the chain, and by the time we got home I felt secure in letting her out to pee (with supervision, always) and so far she has done nothing to betray my trust! FANTASTIC!
So, remember folks, Dogs are Dogs! Dogs are NOT_PEOPLE! Discipline, training - keep it fun, keep it fair, and enjoy your bond SO much more because of it!