What should Mason Do?

dogsnkiddos · 11-15-2012, 02:27 PM

So...Our cuddle bug has been here a bit more than 6 months now. He has settled in and adopted basic house manners and other necessary behaviors to be a member of the family. I feel we are ready to start looking outside of the home for his "thing". It was very apparent with all the others- each seemed to scream for their thing. We new Boo would do fly ball and Crazy White would herd. We knew Beast should have done schutzhund but could never seem to get that going (we met his needs in other ways). The Bug, though....I have no idea. How do you decide what to get them into when it isn't right there, up front in their personality?

Good_Karma · 11-15-2012, 04:46 PM

My local kennel club had a new trainer who was offering classes at a discount until she got more training hours under her belt. Since she didn't have big classes yet, and was motivated by wanting to get more experience, she agreed to take my two dogs on in a class with just them (Niko has big issues with other dogs so this worked out great for us). We did eight weeks of just playing around with all different sports like agility, treibball, and nosework.

You might see if any trainers in your area would be willing to offer a "little bit of everything" kind of class? My experience was probably unique, but maybe the concept would be interesting enough for them to try doing it.

Jax08 · 11-15-2012, 04:48 PM

Agility or Flyball. He's quick, agile and loves his ball.

dogsnkiddos · 11-15-2012, 06:28 PM

He sure does love the ball...we gave a brief thought to dock diving- he is AMAZING when he jumps. I don't want to sell him short though...he DOES love his ball but maybe he might like more. We might visit the sheep just for a little look.... I would prefer agility to flyball. While our one dog LOVED flyball I felt bored.

He just came pouncing into the room...literally hopping and pouncing just for the joy of hopping about. He is such a goof.

dogsnkiddos · 11-15-2012, 06:36 PM

You know what I really like about this boy? The ability to really just stop. Interested in a cat? One word and he is done. See a plate on the coffee table of kid treats? One word and he goes away. Crazy White's bowl still full while she is outside? one sound and he moves away. Beast was so intense....and that was great, but it meant there needed to be a LOT more attention and certainty to everything- and probably a lot of followup eye work. This guy gets one "at at" and boom he is next to me and down. LOVE it!!

I also love the idea that i teach him something and he is accepting. Beast would always find a new way to get what he wanted that you hadn't anticipated and would have to train something new. He was such a deep thinker, so very smart. This guy is bright too...but so much more accepting of direction. It is not such a struggle. I don't have to be on my top game every single second

Jax08 · 11-15-2012, 06:36 PM

I can see him doing agility. He's on the smaller side and really agile and quick.

Jax08 · 11-15-2012, 06:38 PM

I'm so glad. I just knew he was for you when I met him. He's a love.

dogsnkiddos · 11-15-2012, 06:57 PM

Sometimes I have to ask him to channel his inner shepherd- his love fest can go a little overboard.

Jax08 · 11-15-2012, 07:05 PM

bianca · 11-16-2012, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogsnkiddos

Sometimes I have to ask him to channel his inner shepherd- his love fest can go a little overboard.

I'm so pleased to read this

11-15-2012, 02:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
dogsnkiddos Master Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 844	What should Mason Do? So...Our cuddle bug has been here a bit more than 6 months now. He has settled in and adopted basic house manners and other necessary behaviors to be a member of the family. I feel we are ready to start looking outside of the home for his "thing". It was very apparent with all the others- each seemed to scream for their thing. We new Boo would do fly ball and Crazy White would herd. We knew Beast should have done schutzhund but could never seem to get that going (we met his needs in other ways). The Bug, though....I have no idea. How do you decide what to get them into when it isn't right there, up front in their personality? __________________ Join Beast on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/...00000909655241

11-15-2012, 04:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
Good_Karma Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Upstate, NY Posts: 4,649	My local kennel club had a new trainer who was offering classes at a discount until she got more training hours under her belt. Since she didn't have big classes yet, and was motivated by wanting to get more experience, she agreed to take my two dogs on in a class with just them (Niko has big issues with other dogs so this worked out great for us). We did eight weeks of just playing around with all different sports like agility, treibball, and nosework. You might see if any trainers in your area would be willing to offer a "little bit of everything" kind of class? My experience was probably unique, but maybe the concept would be interesting enough for them to try doing it. __________________ Leah: Newbie dog owner Niko: American Showline GSD 3 1/2 years old Rosa: American Muppet Dog (GSD/Border Collie mix) 4 years old

11-15-2012, 04:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jax08 Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NNE PA Posts: 18,991	Agility or Flyball. He's quick, agile and loves his ball. __________________ Michelle _________________________________________ Jax Von Monkeybutt, CGC Queen Banshee Boo Sierra the Undecided Cracker, The Great Shedder Rich N Handsome, "Red"

11-15-2012, 06:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
dogsnkiddos Master Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 844	He sure does love the ball...we gave a brief thought to dock diving- he is AMAZING when he jumps. I don't want to sell him short though...he DOES love his ball but maybe he might like more. We might visit the sheep just for a little look.... I would prefer agility to flyball. While our one dog LOVED flyball I felt bored. He just came pouncing into the room...literally hopping and pouncing just for the joy of hopping about. He is such a goof. __________________ Join Beast on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/...00000909655241

11-15-2012, 06:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
dogsnkiddos Master Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 844	You know what I really like about this boy? The ability to really just stop. Interested in a cat? One word and he is done. See a plate on the coffee table of kid treats? One word and he goes away. Crazy White's bowl still full while she is outside? one sound and he moves away. Beast was so intense....and that was great, but it meant there needed to be a LOT more attention and certainty to everything- and probably a lot of followup eye work. This guy gets one "at at" and boom he is next to me and down. LOVE it!! I also love the idea that i teach him something and he is accepting. Beast would always find a new way to get what he wanted that you hadn't anticipated and would have to train something new. He was such a deep thinker, so very smart. This guy is bright too...but so much more accepting of direction. It is not such a struggle. I don't have to be on my top game every single second __________________ Join Beast on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/...00000909655241

11-15-2012, 06:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jax08 Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NNE PA Posts: 18,991	I can see him doing agility. He's on the smaller side and really agile and quick. __________________ Michelle _________________________________________ Jax Von Monkeybutt, CGC Queen Banshee Boo Sierra the Undecided Cracker, The Great Shedder Rich N Handsome, "Red"

11-15-2012, 06:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jax08 Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NNE PA Posts: 18,991	I'm so glad. I just knew he was for you when I met him. He's a love. __________________ Michelle _________________________________________ Jax Von Monkeybutt, CGC Queen Banshee Boo Sierra the Undecided Cracker, The Great Shedder Rich N Handsome, "Red"

11-15-2012, 06:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
dogsnkiddos Master Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 844	Sometimes I have to ask him to channel his inner shepherd- his love fest can go a little overboard. __________________ Join Beast on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/...00000909655241

11-15-2012, 07:05 PM	#9 (permalink)
Jax08 Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NNE PA Posts: 18,991	__________________ Michelle _________________________________________ Jax Von Monkeybutt, CGC Queen Banshee Boo Sierra the Undecided Cracker, The Great Shedder Rich N Handsome, "Red"

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