I do think it is a form of prey but the dogs doing this get locked in so tight, I dont think they could stop if they wanted to. I know my JRT would do this to the point of exhaustion. He also chases the hose. In the Coppinger's book "DOGS" they talk about a Border Collie that would go into a trance stareing at a ball, waiting for it to move. Tail chasing, when carried to extream, is also another "habit" that is considered ocd.
No, my dog does not do it to that extent. But I know what you mean about borders. I have trained with a lot of borders, in obedience and agility. They have that "manic" look about them when they know they're going to work or play. Yes, I know it's called "the eye". But most borders are far removed from any flock of sheep. IMHO, in normal everday suburban life, I would say it's obsessive. But their desire to do the same thing 400 times in a row, fast, to the point of exhaustion, makes them crowd pleasers in any competition and impressive in an obedience trial. JRTs seem to have the same "intensity", but without a lot of the "desire to please" or obedience. JMO.
In the book "The intelligence of dogs" this behaviour would probably be listed as "instinctual intelligence".
Terriers definately dont have as strong a desire to please as some other breeds. They were bred to think for themselves in the earth. Like any dog, though, if you have a good connection with them, the sky is the limit. It is just a matter of figuring out what floats their boat. Gotta go to work now. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
Yes, that's what turned me off the terrier group in the first place. Many books, or people I talked to rated them low on the obedience side of things. Not their fault, that's what they were originally bred for. Whenever I see a terrier in an obedience or agility competition I definately admire the handler. They've proven to be more stubborn than the dog.
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