You work the dog you have - not the dog you wish you had.

Geoff, I totally understand and agree with you. Just because a dog made Sch3 or FR3 doesn't tell the whole story. One dog may have given everything it had to just barely make it there and for another dog it was a breeze and has soo much more to offer. It's just like a snapshot. There definitely can be way more to a dog than just that title. Same Page.

And about the 70/30 numbers...I only used that to make a point not that I believe we can actually break it down to numbers or anything like that. I understand.

Alyssa, I like that.

Alyssa, I'm all for that. My pup has a permanent home with me no matter what. I'm just figuring this out as I go and doin my best to make sure that he develops into "his best", in a well-rounded kinda way. That's all.

It wasn't meant that way- just a general statement.

Work the dog you have, and ONLY breed dogs that have something valuable to contribute to the breed.

I know...I was just clarifying where I stand. It was mentioned in earlier posts how some people (point addicts or whatever) go through dogs til they find that "certain" one. I'm in agreement with those posts.

How about "you always get the dog you deserve"?

Seems to me that a lot of people whose dog isn't good enough (and I don't mean one or two...I mean those people who have a new prospect every 6 mos-a year and there's something wrong w/every one of them) actually aren't good enough for the dog.

You may want one thing, but I really believe when it comes to dogs, you end up with what you deserve.

I'd agree- except I doubt I've ever done anything so good to deserve the great dog I've got.
*shrug*
Maybe I have good kharma stored up from a past life?

Or maybe I'll really start paying for my misdeeds with Qashmir.

 Quote:

How about "you always get the dog you deserve"?

Now that is one of my least favorite quotes. I have seen breeders/trainers use to it put the blame on the owner when things were lacking from day 1.

I understand that reasoning behind the quote and even agree with it to a certain extent. My problem with it is that I have only ever heard it use in a dismissive manner when someone is trying to find help. The quote is often from the mouth of the people that failed to help when help would of helped.

I'm sure that's not the way you intended it Jenn and like I said I do agree with some of the thought behind it.

I'm with you Alyssa, my dogs are much better then I deserve!

The dog you deserve,
What it means to me; you are going to get back what you're willing to put in. It's a long term investment that doesn't count on any one thing other then a commitment to a steady course over the long haul.
The dog you deserve,
Apropos; to remind one that how you relate to the dog today will have ramifications farther down the road.
Apropos; when you look at the creature with displeasure 3 or 4 years from now, remember he is a product of your upbringing. It's not his fault. There's only one door step to lay the blame on.
He is the dog you deserve.
Randy

I've been thinking about this thread for a while and it struck me that so much of the thread is about training dogs in a venue that is more in line with the dogs natural abilities.

And I have to ask, how many dogs are really trained in something that is totally unsuitable for them and how many dogs have the perfect match with something.

I have yet to see a dog and a venue be a perfect match. And even when saying the dog is better in A rather then B I think most of the time what we are saying is that A is more suited to the handler.

No matter what you train for there are going to be training issues. I think that's the nature of the beast.

A good dog, at least a good German Shepherd should be able to be cross trained. Or at least have the ability to do well in several venues. Notice I said do well, not excel. Some things will be easier and some things will be harder. But again I think that is more often when the handlers strengths are and not the dog's natural ability.

Any time you put control on a dog you are working against their natural drives. I mean how many dogs can't wait to out? And I'm not talking a dog that outs because they know they will get the rebite.....LOL

So for me at least when I say my dogs are better suited for A then B I am actually saying I'm better suited. My dog will do A or B and be quite happy while doing so. Some parts of each they will do better then others.

I have been guilty of saying my dogs are better suited for personal protection then schutzhund. And it's true to the extent that they are doing better and progressing faster then we did train for schutzhund. But that is because for me at this particular time I am a better handler in PP and I'm enjoying the training.