Quote: randy allen

If I may carry my analogy a bit farther Brad.
Most of us get delivered more than what we know what to do with. Hmm, what I mean is that almost any one dog comes with more material than most can take advantage of or even visualize what can be done with the available materials.
For instance, I may build a perfectly acceptable house with a pile of timber, meanwhile another with more imagination and exactly the same pile of timber builds a palace to be envied.

Unless one is thinking about something specialized, it's usually not that the materials that are lacking, it's us.

If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.
Randy

Ohhh.... I really really like that Randy! It's SO true.

Like Lauren said- those dogs that get labeled as 'crazy' or hyper, just need a job, and some guidance for the most part.

A tired dog is a good dog. (take that a bit further- a mentally exhausted dog is a good dog)

Clarification: I love your saying you always put at the end of your posts (even when it changes!) but I meant I really liked the entire post. Great analogy.

Edited by Kelly Byrd (03/09/2011 08:02 PM)
Edit reason: Clarification

 Quote: randy allen

If I may carry my analogy a bit farther Brad.
Most of us get delivered more than what we know what to do with. Hmm, what I mean is that almost any one dog comes with more material than most can take advantage of or even visualize what can be done with the available materials.
For instance, I may build a perfectly acceptable house with a pile of timber, meanwhile another with more imagination and exactly the same pile of timber builds a palace to be envied.

Unless one is thinking about something specialized, it's usually not that the materials that are lacking, it's us.

If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.
Randy

Thanks Randy makes perfect sense, nearly always come down to trainer! Unfortunately I spent the first 8 months of my girls life messing her up now trying to fix all the stuff I did wrong is MUCH harder than doing it right the first time!
THANKYOU Lauren and Kelly for the Mr Murphy video that was the coolest video I've seen, what an awesome little dog!!

There have been a lot of posts about how various "underestimated" breeds can do things not expected of them.

Just in my personal experience, I think the genetics of the individual dog is more important than the breed. As I mentioned before, my last GSD had all the temperament, but none of the drive. I worked hard to build a "palace", but all I was able to accomplish in his short life was a comfortable cabin.

To borrow again from Randy - My current dog arrived with a line up of dump trucks as far as the eye can see, full of building supplies... Am I a skilled enough carpenter to put it all together?

I also had a beagle/jrt cross who was full of drive, and loved to bite, he came pre-assembled.

I've heard before the comparison of sport dogs to Olympic athletes. We all expect and want our dogs to be the greatest on and off the field. But, when it comes down to it, some have it, and some don't... Not everyone is an Olympic candidate, even with the best coach in the world. BUT, for those that have it, the coach can make or break them.

 Quote: sheila buckley

What we have going for us now is an ability to read one another that only comes from years of companionship.

...what a good, and often overlooked, critical element to the canine relationship -regardless of the "nature vs. nurture" debate..

 Quote: hilarie coby

 Quote: sheila buckley

What we have going for us now is an ability to read one another that only comes from years of companionship.

...what a good, and often overlooked, critical element to the canine relationship -regardless of the "nature vs. nurture" debate..

This thoughtful thread an example of why I will always come back to Leerburg.