The majority of a PSDs' working life is spent either chilling at home/in a kennel or hanging in the back of a patrol car. I doubt most get biked or run long distances. The dogs are probably- at most departments- deployed primarily for detection drug/weapons searchers or possibly for intimidation. Apprehension of a real suspect is probably a rare occurance- which is why they keep the dogs up to speed on their skills with weekly training. Throw a ball for the dog once a day and short walks for potty breaks.

SO- I guess I don't understand where a spinning, over the top, adult dog that has to be controlled through OB in the house or they'll hurt themselves or destroy stuff would make a good working dog. Am I missing something regarding PSD selection?

I have not seen dominance in any threads about this dog.

I suspect that the PSD suggestion, which included the word "dominant," was not serious.

Unless ..... I don't know, maybe not everyone is seeing the dog's description through my eyes.

Because a dog is PSD doesn't mean it's a good dog. PSDs are trained to bite. They are trained, at least for Los Angeles, with extremely hard pressure to make them resistant to handlers who don't know how to REALLY handle the dogs. Logan would be happy as a PSD because he has that crazy, nervous aggression that isn't controlled.

These are all learned behaviors. I know plenty of dogs who have had to be taught to relax in the house. I don't know any working dogs that were just automatically good house dogs. My Corgi isn't automatically a good house dog. A lot of dogs are raised to be on every time the crate or kennel door opens. It makes them look great on the field. Everyone likes a dog that's really, super ON. But off the field, this is the result you get. It's not uncommon and it takes a lot of work to fix but I've seen it done. This is what I'm assuming is the case with Tresa's dog.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

I have not seen dominance in any threads about this dog.

I suspect that the PSD suggestion, which included the word "dominant," was not serious.

Unless ..... I don't know, maybe not everyone is seeing the dog's description through my eyes.

Tresa has stated before that Logan is dominant.

OK. I understand. I could see that being the case with my malinois and (different drives) with my husky if she/he wasn't raised as a house dog and socialized from 8 weeks on.

I also see why it would be better for flashy performance and PSD but worse for a dog you'd also like to live with.

Gives me a lot to think about.

Anyway, carry on. Sorry to interupt.

 Quote: Katie Finlay

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

I have not seen dominance in any threads about this dog.

I suspect that the PSD suggestion, which included the word "dominant," was not serious.

Unless ..... I don't know, maybe not everyone is seeing the dog's description through my eyes.

Tresa has stated before that Logan is dominant.

Yes, I know.

I meant "through my eyes."

Of course, I don't know the dog, so all I'm saying is what I have thought as I have read, and it hasn't been "dominant dog."

JMO, and I get it that opinions are like butts .... everyone has one.

I see what you're saying. No, I don't think he's dominant either.

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The only reason I never taught him to chill *when he had no exercise* was I always think "no that's not fair". Honestly I just feel bad correcting him like that when I feel like its my fault. (I haven't forgotten about marker training for this FYI)

You need to get over this it's good for both of you for him to be calm.

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He has to be calm before we go walk or I let him out of his run he has to sit.

Perfect! you have a starting point. Just work on extending this bit by bit.

Don't worry about the dominance stuff, it has nothing to do with most of my threads I don't think. Yes I think he is, but its all relative, he's the most dominant dog "I" have ever worked with. I have that under control now with pack structure...and a few times the DD collar helped.

But anyhow, back to having no off switch. He is conditioned to be ON most of the time when he is around me no doubt (because I spend so much of my time with him tiring him out and he's not a house dog but a studio buddy)...but then that's really his nature to stay busy. After doing stuff with him, I can make him chill though for the most part, he chews on something while I work and sometimes even sleeps!

Its just when he hasn't been on his bike ride and stuff that you can forget it. There are times when the best I can do at night, is put him in a crate in my studio and let him bark all night long. (fyi during the day I'm not the only one there, so can't do it then)

Oh hey back to the original intent of this thread, today Logan signaled me again and he didn't hold it this time when we stopped and he took a crap. Yay problem solved :-D

You need to get him to be able to relax (and even sleep, but I know how rarely that happens, Danni just lays down and sighs at me) without having something to chew on.

And again, just wait him out until he's relaxed. It will take lots of patience but it will pay off in the long run.

Up to you really. But I couldn't live like I do with my migraines if I hadn't taught my dog to chill out without exercise. No it's not her favorite thing by any means (even with exercise) but it's been a life saver.