Well, lots I would probably change about this, but I will be completely honest and say that I can picture myself doing this. And being sad about it.

You don't like the dog, do you?


eta
Also in the interest of complete honesty, I too don't get this: " He is not nice. THIS is why you do not buy dogs from unreliable places."



Edited by Connie Sutherland (12/31/1969 06:00 PM)
Edit reason: etas

I would say just for the benefit of anyone new to training reading this thread - this is NOT what is referred to as "hanging up", also not to be confused with "choking out".

Betty, everyone loses their temper sometimes with their dog. This sounds like a culmination of things building up though. My advice to people with doubts about the suitability of the human/dog match - what is the ratio of bad times to good?

 Quote: phaedra rieff

I would say just for the benefit of anyone new to training reading this thread - this is NOT what is referred to as "hanging up", also not to be confused with "choking out".

I see by PMs that some have a wide range of degrees of "hanging" and others define it strictly as that last-resort loss-of-consciousness choking out.

Let's not use the term without explaining it. Not a term to fling around carelessly, as Al points out.

Nothing specifically about your post, Betty -- more of a general "let's be very careful about this."

Just last week I was thinking of posting how pleased I was with my guy. He's starting to work the cattle just the way I want. He's little, he's smart as a whip, and he's super cute. He tries hard. His lameness has become really intermittent, he runs with my husband a few days a week.
As far as "liking him?"--I'm not enjoying drive directed my way when I am doing a benign treatment . Makes me feel like a complete flop as an owner-not to mention as a former veterinarian.
Not sure what to do about it.

Re-where my dog is from: He came from a BYB in Washington, but his sire and dam began as Oregon puppy mill dogs. Not a place where anyone is testing temperament, in fact an ability to survive without affection is probably a selection criteria. So, everyone was right about not buying that type of dog, in terms of temperament, that's for sure. And he's had lameness too, though it hasn't been hips -

We've definitely all had lousy days.
When Tim was in the hospital, I came home one day to a very hyper GSD who needed to burn off some energy. We were playing fetch in the yard, and when I bent down to pick up the ball, she jumped up and clawed me in the face. Reflex and a bad mood combined to create an owner who punched his dog in the face.

Not my finest hour.

You make a mistake, you acknowledge it, and you move on.

That goes for humans, and dogs.




Obviously, Danke forgave me.

My 2 cents on growling is that we as people need to not take it personally. Dogs communicate with growling. Positive, negative, it's what they do. I'm not saying it's good or appropriate, but it's not good when we start to plug in human emotions to it.

Instead, find the root and work on correcting it. Was he just trying to push himself around? Was he hurt in some way (doesn't sound like the case with this, but something to consider when a dog growls)? scared? over threshold?

We all work with the dogs we've got. One of the greatest things we can do is learn to appreciate them for who they are. All 3 of mine have strong points and weak ones. I clicked right away with Missy. With the other two I've had moments of "what was I thinking?!?" But they've both weasled their way into my heart with who they are. I know we see other's dogs online and think "wow, if only mine would be like that" but we see mostly the upside of each other's dogs. I know I don't post about everything that goes wrong, but trust me, not every day is a walk in the park around here!

Just a thought...

I tend to make funny faces when I do certain things.
Like clean guns. Detailed work tends to leave me with all sorts of contorted facial expressions.

Is it possible you were "snarling" in his face, without realizing it?

 Quote: mara jessup

My 2 cents on growling is that we as people need to not take it personally. Dogs communicate with growling. Positive, negative, it's what they do. I'm not saying it's good or appropriate, but it's not good when we start to plug in human emotions to it.

Instead, find the root and work on correcting it. Was he just trying to push himself around? Was he hurt in some way (doesn't sound like the case with this, but something to consider when a dog growls)? scared? over threshold?

We all work with the dogs we've got. One of the greatest things we can do is learn to appreciate them for who they are. All 3 of mine have strong points and weak ones. I clicked right away with Missy. With the other two I've had moments of "what was I thinking?!?" But they've both weasled their way into my heart with who they are. I know we see other's dogs online and think "wow, if only mine would be like that" but we see mostly the upside of each other's dogs. I know I don't post about everything that goes wrong, but trust me, not every day is a walk in the park around here!

What she said.

And Betty, do NOT beat yourself up about it. The longer you hang on to the regret or anger, the longer it will effect you both.

It is over. Listen to my mom... "This too shall pass".

Learn.

I can't clip or dremel my dog's nails without losing patience with him. I would have to use too much force to getr the job done. He's fine up on a table with a stranger, so I choose to take him to the vet tech rather than fight with him. I'm ok with admitting to failure in this.

Don't be too hard on yourself Dr. Bettty.