Scarey thought...

selzer · 07-28-2011, 12:15 PM

We are SO lucky that dogs have a limited mental/emotional span. I mean, I am all for positive methods of training and management, and use them as much as possible. My dogs are dogs, and I try not to put human expectations for their behavior on them. I like to set my dog up to succeed and praise them for doing so. I prefer limiting them from access to things that might hurt them when I cannot supervise -- like garbage so that my trust in them does not have bad consequences if it was poorly placed. I prefer to teach them what I want them to do, rather than punish them for doing what is wrong. And I just hate the whole concept of setting them up so I can correct them.

But there is no way around it, you have to teach them NOT to do some things, and correct them (usually verbally), until they get it. "EH! That's MINE!" or "NOT Yours."

So here is my scarey thought. What if our dogs could ponder:

"How mad will she get?"
"How long will she be mad?"
"How bad will it be?"
"Is it really worth it?"
"If I nose her and look at her face, she will forgive me."
"She'll get over it, she always does."

Boy would we be in trouble. Or, would that be like having CHILDREN???

I am glad dogs are dogs. I can kennel them when I want to kill them, and nobody gets hurt.

Lilie · 07-28-2011, 01:05 PM

Hondo and I had a bad night last night. Long story - starts with one night stay with a foster puppy (that I spent 8.5 hours of travel getting) and ends with me losing my temper SEVERAL times during the night. All due to Hondo - puppy was very good.

If I even had a small inkling of a thought that Hondo premeditated his actions last night, I would have personally removed his testicles.....slowly.

sit,stay · 07-28-2011, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by selzer

Or, would that be like having CHILDREN???

Yes! Exactly like having children!
Sheilah

rblanshan · 07-29-2011, 11:00 PM

My youngest child starts kindergarten in THREE weeks!! I got my Irsa, young adult GSD, to keep my company when the kids are at school. She fits in nicely with my life and I ADORE her! When I got her, it was either "lets have baby #4" or "lets get a dog". I am glad I went with the dog. Pretty soon I will be grocery shopping in peace and not hearing whining about wanting candy or a toy. When I get home from the grocery store, my Irsa will greet me with lots of kisses and keep me company for the rest of the day. Very, very glad they don't think like kids.

07-28-2011, 12:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
selzer Crowned Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Denmark, Ohio Posts: 17,499	Scarey thought... We are SO lucky that dogs have a limited mental/emotional span. I mean, I am all for positive methods of training and management, and use them as much as possible. My dogs are dogs, and I try not to put human expectations for their behavior on them. I like to set my dog up to succeed and praise them for doing so. I prefer limiting them from access to things that might hurt them when I cannot supervise -- like garbage so that my trust in them does not have bad consequences if it was poorly placed. I prefer to teach them what I want them to do, rather than punish them for doing what is wrong. And I just hate the whole concept of setting them up so I can correct them. But there is no way around it, you have to teach them NOT to do some things, and correct them (usually verbally), until they get it. "EH! That's MINE!" or "NOT Yours." So here is my scarey thought. What if our dogs could ponder: "How mad will she get?" "How long will she be mad?" "How bad will it be?" "Is it really worth it?" "If I nose her and look at her face, she will forgive me." "She'll get over it, she always does." Boy would we be in trouble. Or, would that be like having CHILDREN??? I am glad dogs are dogs. I can kennel them when I want to kill them, and nobody gets hurt. __________________ RIP Arwen, CD RN CGC RIP Whitney, RN CGC Jenna, RN CGC Babs, CD RA CGC Herding Instinct Certificate Heidi, RA CGC Tori, RN CGC SG3 Odessa, SchH1, Kkl1, AD Ninja, RN CGC Milla, RN CGC Joy, Star Puppy, RN CGC Dolly & Bear

07-28-2011, 01:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
Lilie Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 6,289	Hondo and I had a bad night last night. Long story - starts with one night stay with a foster puppy (that I spent 8.5 hours of travel getting) and ends with me losing my temper SEVERAL times during the night. All due to Hondo - puppy was very good. If I even had a small inkling of a thought that Hondo premeditated his actions last night, I would have personally removed his testicles.....slowly. __________________ Hondo Von Dopplet L Bauernhof "Hondo"- GSD Lilie's Tug McGraw "Tug" - Golden Retriever Maggie - Mini Dachshund (Rescue) Lonestar - Texas Blue Lacy Funyon, Ashe, Soot - Barn Cats Scooter /1/2 Arabian, Shadow, Katie / APHA

07-29-2011, 11:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
rblanshan Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 97	My youngest child starts kindergarten in THREE weeks!! I got my Irsa, young adult GSD, to keep my company when the kids are at school. She fits in nicely with my life and I ADORE her! When I got her, it was either "lets have baby #4" or "lets get a dog". I am glad I went with the dog. Pretty soon I will be grocery shopping in peace and not hearing whining about wanting candy or a toy. When I get home from the grocery store, my Irsa will greet me with lots of kisses and keep me company for the rest of the day. Very, very glad they don't think like kids.

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