"Bob, I do make sure to be upbeat with him because he's very sensitive and if he thinks you're upset with him it affects things too. "

That I DO understand. Trooper is the most sensitive dog I've ever owned and no matter how I try and hid it he picks up on my moods.

Thunder would just look at me like "Get over it old man so we can get back to training."

For Charlie, the brain-damaged one, I still need my handsign and a lure just te make him sit. Almost daily short sessions since two years! He goes then into a sit and also holds it as long as I'm feeding him. I would like to reduce this, but as soon as stop it he stands on all four. Additonally he moves only in a sit, if I'm directly in front of him (squatting). If I start from another angle he doesn't do it. Maybe he still doesn't understand it properly.

I tried also the down, but only 3 or 4 times. I then stopped it. I think as long as he hasn't a good sit, it makes no sense trying this with him. Bob could also be right that for some dogs it is a submissive position. Without really knowing his prehistory it is difficult to judge. But it matches with one other sign: when I curve myself a bit over him to caress him, he always ducks.

On the other hand he regularly forces himself between my legs, when I approach and wants to walk with me like this for a long time. I thought walking between one's legs is a submissive exercise too and difficult for some dogs.

Heeling between the legs is seen in French Ring and a few other venues.

But why does Charlie do this somehow instinctively, while the other 3 needed some time to learn it and why does he on the other hand duck when I curve just a bit over him? Same with his aversion against the downs. This seems to me contradictory. OIs it not?

 Quote: Christina Stockinger

But why does Charlie do this somehow instinctively, while the other 3 needed some time to learn it and why does he on the other hand duck when I curve just a bit over him? Same with his aversion against the downs. This seems to me contradictory. OIs it not?

1) Charlie is brain-damaged so you will never know half the reasons for his actions...

2) Charlie has a Soft / Sensitive temperament (like a shy child buries its head in mama's lap / skirt) so he likes Close and reassuring Contact between your legs, IMHO, and is also quick to assume a Submissive Crouch when you assume a dominant position by leaning over him...

3) Asking Charlie to perform a behavior from a different angle, in a different circumstance, with whatever slight difference that may overload his capacity to understand rapidly, is like asking a math-challenged child to do some "word problem" with just a slight difference in the language (IMHO) -- It gives them a "mental block" and they can't figure out the solution right away, even though it seems quite obvious & very simple to anyone who feels math is EASY

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Your dog is probably "very" sensitive to situational behavior.

Change things in the slightest bit and it becomes an entirely different behavior.

Thanks to you both, Candi and Bob. Yes this sounds very plausible. He is like this. And I can assure you, I'll not ask from him more than he can and certainly nothing which isn't fun for him. It's just sometimes difficult to understand what

Thanks to you both, Candi and Bob. Yes this sounds very plausible. He is like this. And I can assure you, I'll not ask from him more than he can and certainly nothing which isn't fun for him. It's just sometimes difficult to understand what's going on. But I guess he'll teach me.

 Quote: Christina Stockinger

Thanks to you both, Candi and Bob. Yes this sounds very plausible. He is like this. And I can assure you, I'll not ask from him more than he can and certainly nothing which isn't fun for him. It's just sometimes difficult to understand what's going on. But I guess he'll teach me.

You are helping Charlie to THRIVE And are Increasing his Potential for ever -expanding Achievements !!!

If Charlie never leaned another thing he is still one very lucky dog to have you for and owner.

I doubt seriously that you BOTH aren't going to stop learning though.