 Re: Absence make the dog more sharp???
[Re: Carol Blumlein ]
#379235 - 06/11/2013 03:48 PM |
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Connie~ I have read those articles too. Believe me, Ramsey is FAR from any kind of police work. He is a real pet dog!!
I know. I just mean that "sharp" is not at all a universally agreed-upon definition.
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Re: Absence make the dog more sharp???
[Re: Carol Blumlein ]
#379236 - 06/11/2013 03:49 PM |
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I guess what I am saying overtraining may have different thresholds for different dogs.
Also, I am retired and Ramsey and I are together a lot. Maybe he's tired of me?
MEN!!!! 
I figure, using your definition of sharp, it's one of these.
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Re: Absence make the dog more sharp???
[Re: Connie Sutherland ]
#379238 - 06/11/2013 04:20 PM |
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Connie~ I have read those articles too. Believe me, Ramsey is FAR from any kind of police work. He is a real pet dog!!
I know. I just mean that "sharp" is not at all a universally agreed-upon definition.
It seems that most of the info that you found leads to the sharp dog being a liability, or in some way undesirable. In my experience, sharp dogs can have some valuable assets, particularly if guarding is some part of their work.
I love my sharp dog because she is so easy to read, and is also easy to predict. By knowing what she is reacting to before I see it, I can take preemptive measures to counter her reactivity.
Sadie |
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Re: Absence make the dog more sharp???
[Re: Carol Blumlein ]
#379239 - 06/11/2013 04:28 PM |
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"It seems that most of the info that you found leads to the sharp dog being a liability, or in some way undesirable."
Yes. That was pretty much what I expected. But some of the definitions I found were way overboard (to me), defining sharp to the MAX, or a fear biter.
And absolutely, some took "sharp" as an ingredient, too, which, if sprinkled in judiciously, could be a plus.
All terminology!
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Re: Absence make the dog more sharp???
[Re: Carol Blumlein ]
#379240 - 06/11/2013 04:30 PM |
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"By knowing what she is reacting to before I see it, I can take preemptive measures to counter her reactivity."
Yes, I totally get that.
OTOH, Carol, I think, didn't even mean mildly reactive .... just eager and ready to go.
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Re: Absence make the dog more sharp???
[Re: Carol Blumlein ]
#379248 - 06/11/2013 08:34 PM |
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Right. I understood what she meant.
IME, some dogs that you wouldn't consider temperamentally sharp can still be a little "sharper" than they typically would be when they have been stressed or repressed for a period of time, such as the absence of the master or a lapse in training.
I would definitely agree that it can be an ingredient in one dog's makeup, and that it can be a prevalent trait in another dog's temperament.
Sadie |
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Re: Absence make the dog more sharp???
[Re: Carol Blumlein ]
#379250 - 06/11/2013 08:59 PM |
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Connie, some of the things that this has brought out make for really good discussion, or at least consideration.
All too often, people relate to descriptive terms in one specific context, sometimes to the extent of excluding any idea that doesn't fit within their concept. As Ed said in the article you quoted, most trainers consider sharp dogs as weak-nerved and vice versa, but I've seen sharp dogs that had decent nerves. The dog I have now is very sharp and reactive, but she is extremely confident under pressure, and she sleeps well, without waking and startling at every little noise.
With the proper pack leadership, IMO, a dog's sharpness can be managed and utilized without the dog losing its nerve. However, I wouldn't want to do police work with a dog that had a sharp temperament and weak nerves.
Sadie |
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Re: Absence make the dog more sharp???
[Re: Carol Blumlein ]
#379251 - 06/11/2013 09:03 PM |
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I used to purposely "neglect" my chow/setter mix for a day or two before agility trials. I worked at a kennel and would leave her overnight sometimes and man she would be ON during her agility run.
As for sharp, hard and soft dogs...
Can a dog be both soft and sharp? My chow mix was very soft to corrections but also she would hit the fence or front door with all her hair up at the mailman or anyone else and it was fear not courage. She was a little 35lb dog and sounded like a huge rottie at the door.
A tired dog is a good dog, a trained dog is a better dog. |
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Re: Absence make the dog more sharp???
[Re: Carol Blumlein ]
#379253 - 06/11/2013 09:06 PM |
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"Can a dog be both soft and sharp? "
I'm thinking yes. Not mutually exclusive.
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Re: Absence make the dog more sharp???
[Re: Duane Hull ]
#379254 - 06/11/2013 09:12 PM |
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...but I've seen sharp dogs that had decent nerves. The dog I have now is very sharp and reactive, but she is extremely confident under pressure, and she sleeps well, without waking and startling at every little noise.
I wonder if dogs can be a combo off two of those in some kind of way. My dog is very hard to corrections , it just doesn't faze him, his nerves are awesome, he's not afraid of anything. BUT, on the other hand, there are times when he will react to a correction by biting or showing teeth. Either when he is in high prey drive or sees another dog and I correct him too late. He also used to bite me when I said "heel" (I put a stop to that).
A tired dog is a good dog, a trained dog is a better dog. |
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