Two words - flirt pole! Stick some feather or fake fur on the end and you can probably get his attention. The other thing I'll note is that dogs tend to get "smarter" the more we work/develope a relationship with them. My Kipp seemed like the most disconnected/independent Border Collie ever when I got him. And followed Missy, aka, the smartest dog ever. He just wasn't connected with people. Took some work but he became a really cool little working partner.

His name is Laddy.

He is a black tri-colored, male, 85 lb. 2 yrs old now. Tall enough that I can hold his collar and stand up straight, no leash. The biggest dog I ever owned.

Hubby got rid of the maggoty-squirrel. In a feed sack in the dumpster.

 Quote: Mara Jessup

Two words - flirt pole! Stick some feather or fake fur on the end and you can probably get his attention. The other thing I'll note is that dogs tend to get "smarter" the more we work/develope a relationship with them. My Kipp seemed like the most disconnected/independent Border Collie ever when I got him. And followed Missy, aka, the smartest dog ever. He just wasn't connected with people. Took some work but he became a really cool little working partner.

GREAT suggestion. I actually have a 15-year-old Pug whose second favorite thing is the flirt pole. (Number one is several foods, all tied for first place. Well, and number two are a bunch more foods, so the flirt pole is actually number three. )

And the second thing Mara said, too. The most aloof dog can gradually become one of the most fun-loving .... and fun-loving pretty much MEANS marker-trainable.

Just wanted to add that like so many things, I introduced the flirt pole in short bursts, always quitting while the dog was still fascinated and eager (not bored and tired).

 Quote: Mara Jessup

Two words - flirt pole!

Yes, yes. Redneck style.

 Quote: Mara Jessup

Two words - flirt pole!

Yes, yes. Redneck style.

Off topic -- but here.

Laddy's whole problem is that I am sort of jealous of him, for Pinker's sake. It's so dumb! He's like the Tom Brady of dogs. Handsome, bold, in charge.

Examples-
Herding is so EASY for him, his has all the instincts. And he is is afraid of nothing-when he became overheated a year or so ago, I posted questions, Mara suggested have him cool off in water. Showed him the pond. He swam around like a lab, no sticks thrown, no coaxing.

Ride in the back of the pickup? After one time, he jumps in, tailgate shut. Spools of wire and shovels and tools in there to land on? So what? Pinker needs to be lifted in and there better not be any "stuff". And Pinker doesn't want you to pick him up, either!

So we are starting the flirt pole this afternoon and beginning some sort of bonding.

So it's like he's so accomplished, handsome "what a BEAUTIFUL DOG" folks say....it bugs me.

Aww Betty, that's kind of like feeling sorry for the old faithful John Deere Tractor when the D9 Caterpillar hits the property.

Sounds like Laddy is doing everything the breeders promised. Maybe when those compliments come around you can celebrate the breeder's success in not only his skills but how handsome the little devil is too.

And that's so great that you're taking this interest in him. Much like Pinker, once you learn to direct and control those skills, another working partner for life. Well bred too.

And don't worry too much for Pinker. The beauty of having an Oscar and Felix like that is that they can learn from each other. Pinker's probably been doing most of the teaching so far but often there comes a time when the student becomes the teacher.

His calmer, more relaxed nature around the place may take some of the staunch out of Pinker.

As Bob's signature points out so wonderfully: Old dogs LOVE to learn new tricks.

Speaking of teacher, can I ask you a question on worming? We use Drontal Plus once a year, the boys all got their dousing about two weeks ago.

No signs of anything ever and I know there probably should be signs of something before you worm but with them being such avid hunters I guess I like the preventative thing. Is this a good wormer and is it okay to do this blanketly, once a year?

I'm an old time vet, I believe in blankety deworming for country dogs. Who needs tapeworms?

Now, in a city dog, touchy stomach maybe not. A-they don't probably have any exposure and B- the client upset over the dog having a little diarrhea without your having evidence that the dewormer was indicated--more trouble than it's worth.

For a country dog who eats an occasional mouse or bunny I say bring it on.

Excellent. Great information.

My dogs must have stomachs of iron. We always check their poop for the next couple of days, just in case it's flushing anything (oh heck, we always check their poop just because well...we always check their poop). No problems.

Thanks.

I think I understand that sense of loyalty and jealousy. It happens when we become a team and people don't see our team member the same way we do. Or we feel like we're betraying the dog (partner) we have.

And people may never get it. And all we want to say is "But you don't understand how amazing this dog is, the partnership we have". It's their loss.

Most people never got it with Kipp. And that frustrated me. He was instantly good like Missy, He wasn't a gushy people dog like Kenzi. He was dog reactive. But I worked with him and understood his incredible work ethic. He was honest, he was loyal - and I worked hard to be a team with him.

It's the work we do with them that builds the partnership. And each dog builds on the other. Each dog helps us become a better trainer. Because of what you learned with Pinker, you can help Laddy become a team player and working partner. When I look at it that way, I feel like I'm honoring the partnership I had with each of my dogs when I work with a new one.