Gone to the Dogs

[digitS']

 

[heirloomgal]

Almost done the beginner obedience course. What a ride! Had some big takeaways that I didn't think I'd have. Some of the dogs that started off the most 'bad' (constant demand barking, way too excitable, or just not interested in being told what to do) actually had the most utterly dramatic turnarounds. Everyone gets assigned homework and each new week they showed up, the 'bad' dogs had jumped in manners hugely. Unrecognizable from the week before. Would never have guessed that was possible.

The other takeaway I found even more surprising; based on breed, the most traditionally dangerous dogs actually entered the class with the most profound and shockingly ability to follow direction. It's like they started at master level with no prior training. They were super attentive to their owners, extremely able to maintain eye contact, interest and focus on the owner and what was being asked of them. Follow through was excellent. And yet you can see that despite their young age, they already have a serious interest in putting harm on the other dogs present, and in the case of the young one that tried to vanquish me in the parking lot, harm on a human. And the danger breed dogs all have identified the other danger breeds in the class, and it's weird to see the way that they set each other off. It's like they're reading each other's minds. So while the classes are easiest for those owners, in real life they are going to have serious obstacles ahead. Obedience is one thing, that mindset is another.

 

[flowerbug]

i would never put myself in a group situation with dogs if i could help it, especially unknown dogs that may not have owners who can control them. just sounds like trouble waiting to happen...

 

[Marie2020]

Here's my awkward girl