When do you become experienced?

[Debbieg]

I am experienced with my particular dogs, because I live , work, learn from them. Each one has made me more experienced and taught me how much I have to learn.

I agree that experience takes time, but also the willingness and humility to learn from our mistakes, persistence and passion to keep trying to learn more, and flexibility to change our ingrained ideas.

[Miss Molly May]

I am only experienced with Molly!! Any other dog with a different temperament,drive, attitude..... I would need to learn how to deal with them

[middleofnowhere]

I haven't read all the posts - but qualified for what?
Experienced GSD owner is someone that has had a GSD.

Just like an experienced electrician is someone who has had a job as an electrician - 2 months or 20 years - still an experienced person.

[Miss Molly May]

Originally Posted by middleofnowhere

I haven't read all the posts - but qualified for what?
Experienced GSD owner is someone that has had a GSD.

Just like an experienced electrician is someone who has had a job as an electrician - 2 months or 20 years - still an experienced person.

2 months is not experience! electrical apprenticeship are 5years and a trades exam must be passed before being a electrician.

[Cassidy's Mom]

Experience does not necessarily equate with expertise, and note that the OP did not ask about expertise, simply experience. I've had GSDs for 25 years, which I believe makes me an "experienced GSD owner". But I am NOT an expert, and I am still definitely learning!

Every dog I've had has taught me a lot, but there's still always more to learn. While there are some things I think I know a fair amount about, there are other things I know absolutely nothing about.

[Daisy&Lucky's Mom]

I have lived w/ a GSD for 12 years now ,two GSDs for 8 years but Im experienced w/ Daisy and Lucky. While some stuff transfers to other dogs ,some doesnt. When these two have gone(in a really long time I hope) I'll need lots of help cause while I know what not to do I dont know what to do w/ training and exposure. So I'm semi experienced. I am a Daisy expert and a Lucky specialist.

[doggiedad]

i think once you've trained, socialized and had
the dog for a few years you're experienced.

[chelle]

I'm probably reading too much into it, but this is complicated.

You can become "experienced" by dealing with a particular issue and overcoming, or at least improving it. But, just because that method worked for one dog, doesn't mean it'll work for another. If you've worked that "issue" with more than one dog, and learn to moderate the approach according to what you see in the dog, you gain even more experience.

When you're open to other opinions and methods, you gain insight.

I see experience and insight as two different things. Experience comes when you've "been there, done that." Insight comes from education, reading, researching, learning.

Ideally, you first get the insight and then deal with it and turn it into true, bonified experience. That's a powerful combo IMVHO.

Just my .02.

[Tiffseagles]

When a person has dealt with most/all of the more common GSD behaviors that are often considered 'problems'.

[nitemares]

Originally Posted by Zisso

I try to keep to myself in most posts because while I have grown up basically with Shepherds, I feel like I just don't ever know enough and am always scared that my advice will be wrong/bad and might cause trouble. But I love to talk, live alone, and post my experiences whenever I get a chance

Same here, and now i have my second personal GSD.I consider myself more experienced than a novice, but definitely not an expert on GSDs. I love coming here and learning something new about my heart breed everyday. Maybe in 20 years i'll consider myself experienced.