Connie Sutherland wrote 10/26/2013 11:14 PM If the dog chose .... #385228 - 10/26/2013 11:14 PM
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005 Posts: 31571 Loc: North-Central coast of California Offline	Moved here:  Quote: Natalie Rynda I was wondering if the dogs would choose us (in my case, would my dog choose me) if they can choose. Not that we have to step up to the plate and meet their needs. Just a philosophic rhetoric question, if my dog could choose, would I have been his choice?
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Connie Sutherland wrote 10/26/2013 11:20 PM Re: If the dog chose .... [Re: Connie Sutherland ] #385229 - 10/26/2013 11:20 PM
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005 Posts: 31571 Loc: North-Central coast of California Offline	I believe that almost all dogs would choose to be with a strong pack leader. Therein lies their security. Here's a video that's funny but still shows what I mean about dogs choosing to follow a strong leader: http://leerburg.com/webboard/thread.php?topic_id=29062&page=1#317555 Watch the strays join up!
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Tracy Collins wrote 10/27/2013 07:09 AM Re: If the dog chose .... [Re: Connie Sutherland ] #385241 - 10/27/2013 07:09 AM
Tracy Collins Webboard User Reg: 10-09-2008 Posts: 1917 Loc: St. Louis, Missouri Offline	For me, this is the make-or-break question when selecting the dog or puppy in the first place. Pick one that already thinks that you (or any human that knows how to interact with a dog) is the most interesting thing in the world. Sure, it's possible to take any random dog and train him to focus--but that's a lot if work, and I'm lazy. But with any dog, the essence of the human-dog interaction is to give the dog reasons to choose the behavior you want from him. (Since I don't think you can *make* a dog do anything--you simply give them the incentive to make the decisions you prefer.) The dogs I bring home want structure, security, predictability--leadership. I think these things are much more highly valued by dogs than affection and comfort. They get those too, of course. But being part of a pack with a consistent, fair leader that looks like they have a plan is priority #1 in a dog's worldview. IMO Cinco | Jack | Fanny | Ellie | Chip | Deacon
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Cheri Grissom wrote 10/27/2013 09:03 AM Re: If the dog chose .... [Re: Tracy Collins ] #385243 - 10/27/2013 09:03 AM
Cheri Grissom Webboard User Reg: 09-30-2010 Posts: 2609 Loc: Michigan Offline	Tracy's post above is billboard-worthy! I'm going to really try to have that advice foremost in my mind when it comes time for me to choose a new pack member. I have one dog I believe would choose me again in an instant. My other one, if given a chance, might want to choose a younger, more athletic and active owner, one who could take him for long runs. Although I think he's happy with many other aspects of our life together. Gosh, I never get tired of seeing Michael's vacuuming in the pack video. It's a classic!
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Tracy Collins wrote 10/27/2013 09:26 AM Re: If the dog chose .... [Re: Connie Sutherland ] #385246 - 10/27/2013 09:26 AM
Tracy Collins Webboard User Reg: 10-09-2008 Posts: 1917 Loc: St. Louis, Missouri Offline	Or maybe they just choose my bed. http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/luca-stl/null_zpsc92d9da1.jpg Cinco | Jack | Fanny | Ellie | Chip | Deacon
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Mara Jessup wrote 10/27/2013 09:40 AM Re: If the dog chose .... [Re: Connie Sutherland ] #385248 - 10/27/2013 09:40 AM
Mara Jessup Webboard User Reg: 12-28-2005 Posts: 2316 Loc: Offline	None of my dogs have chosen me. Each time I was interested in a new dog I went out looking for a dog that fit specific criteria and they seemed to fit it. With my current two, Kipp probably would have chosen somewhere where he could have worked sheep all the time. Kenzi would have chosen a person that wanted a 37# lap dog when they weren't out playing frisbee. But I think after a few months with me, they're really happy and satisfied to be with me. Because I gave them structure, provided an outlet for their drives and made life rewarding. So personally, all things being equal, I'd chose a dog that demonstrated a desire to be with me. But I'm more interested in getting a few months down the road with them and seeing that they're satisfied and happy in their home and eager to do stuff with me. K-9 Knitter
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Mara Jessup wrote 10/27/2013 09:42 AM Re: If the dog chose .... [Re: Tracy Collins ] #385249 - 10/27/2013 09:42 AM
Mara Jessup Webboard User Reg: 12-28-2005 Posts: 2316 Loc: Offline	Quote: Tracy Collins Or maybe they just choose my bed. http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/luca-stl/null_zpsc92d9da1.jpg Chip looks like a mini dog next to giant Ellie! K-9 Knitter
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Jodi Moen wrote 10/27/2013 10:01 AM Re: If the dog chose .... [Re: Connie Sutherland ] #385251 - 10/27/2013 10:01 AM
Jodi Moen Webboard User Reg: 12-28-2010 Posts: 799 Loc: USA Offline	My animals are not "like" family, they ARE family.
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Jodi Moen wrote 10/27/2013 10:04 AM Re: If the dog chose .... [Re: Connie Sutherland ] #385252 - 10/27/2013 10:04 AM
Jodi Moen Webboard User Reg: 12-28-2010 Posts: 799 Loc: USA Offline	My mum always said when picking out a pup always choose the one that's crawling all over you. When I picked Amber she was interested in me, but not crawling all over me, her breeders said (oh, we didn't bother to bond with her because we knew we weren't keeping her (idiots) but we have bonded, the other night I don't know if she had a nightmare or what but in the wee hours of the morning she crawled into bed with me, and stayed cuddled the rest of the night. Knowing that she seeks me out for comfort, over anybody else does my heart good. And I do think she's aware she went from not being very well cared for to cared for AND loved, if she had the choice she might have chosen a family with young kids, but she would never choose to go back to her breeder. My animals are not "like" family, they ARE family.
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Melissa Hoyer wrote 10/27/2013 10:16 AM Re: If the dog chose .... [Re: Connie Sutherland ] #385253 - 10/27/2013 10:16 AM
Melissa Hoyer Webboard User Reg: 05-09-2005 Posts: 1340 Loc: SE Michigan Offline	I'd like to think Vigo chose me, but the truth of the matter was that Grace and Kira chose him. They came with me to pick out my puppy and it was instant acceptance with him. His brother - nope, neither of my girls liked him at all. With him, even more important was teaching him to pick me as an adult. His fear makes him want to run and we've spent a lot time teaching him that I am his safe spot. My heart burst with joy the first time he got scared and calmly walked to me and put himself in heel position. He could have taken less steps and hopped up in his crate (which was in my van, hatch open). But he chose me instead. It was a huge moment for us!!
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