HEART..........the outcast..........
Heart was 1 of 4 puppies in the class. The other 3 were golden retrievers. The trainer instructed us to keep them on lead but allow them to get to know each other. Heart  immediately went into a play bow as one of the goldens passed. "Duey" completely ignored my baby and went to go play with "Leo". Then Maggie went up to Duey, did a play bow and they started to play---after a few minutes, Leo began to play with both of them..At one point, all three goldens were sitting in a row, mouthing each other, and staring at Heart ( I personally think they were whispering about her "girth")
and--- there was my HEART ...
sitting there watching all 3 play. She kept looking at me like....................What the -----??? I told her it didn't matter, that she was better than those silly goldens, that she didn't need to play, she was there to learn. They were just jealous cuz she is so pretty....cute.....cuddly....awsome...healthy (big!) compared to them. (I am thinking of filing a complaint against all 3 pups for rudeness unbecoming a dog........)  |
|
|
| poor heart they know she was just too cute !! |
How rude, but never mind Heart here's a  for you |
Oh, poor heart  Don't worry. Those Goldens will be coming after you soon! Do they all know each other - the Goldens? I'm sure by the next session they will all be playing...then you'll be writing in how they play too rough for your baby :  |
| NO!!! None of the goldens had met before.
Even the "parents" were not too nice to Heart ....
One of the exercises is to hold your puppy on their back and "settle" them so they don't squirm. All the goldens were so hyper, actually growling and biting their people. The trainer had to get the bitter apple out!!! 
..... Heart just snuggled in my arms and licked me--
Then we had to switch and hold each other puppies...non of them would actually "hold" Heart . They placed her by their sides and "held" her. Poor Heart didn't know what to make of it..she tried to get ON their laps, their comment, "Boy, she is heavy, isn't she?"
(I don't think so!!!  )
Here are some of the things the trainer was saying.... "Pay attention to your dog...when you see them staring at you it probably means they have to go out"....( Sorry---what eyes) "Watch their tusches...if it "puckers" it means they have to go "poop" ( :lmt:  yea, right!!!!)
"Don't forget about their tails...........a great indicator on how they are feeling about certain situations.........you can tell whether they are happy, sad, scared, anxious all by the position of their tails.......(HUH????) FINALLY,,,,, by being observant you can tell what is happening with your puppy at all times.......................... 
My thought.... "OR just get a sheepie...you will automatically have ESP!!!!!!" |
sheepieshake wrote: My thought.... "OR just get a sheepie...you will automatically have ESP!!!!!!"
Ah, kiddo - age old thing. (1) Many trainers, people etc aren't used to OES. In many areas of the country, because there are unfortunately too many bad tempered OES, people have had bad experiences with the breed and instinctively distrust them. Heart will become teacher's pet once the person realizes how sweet she is (she'll also be considered an anomaly - oh, well, we know better )
(2) You teach what you know (does the instructor have a tailed, sporting breed?) That's OK, what she'll learn from you and Heart will help some other puppy owner down the road. (3) to the golden puppies, the other golden puppies look like their littermates - you always gravitate to what you know first. They'll warm up to Heart once they move beyond their comfort zone. (4) the Golden owners - we always think our own breed is The Best Thing Ever. And when we see other people who obviously feel the same way (other OES owners) that just reinforced that We Must Be Right
Just let her explore and you'll both have fun. Good for you for taking her and know that while she's learning, the two of you will also be educating regarding the breed. Consider yourselves ambassadors. Kristine |
They are just jealous cause heart is WAY BETTER LOOKING!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| Who WOULDN'T take a sheepie pup over a golden pup? Don't get me wrong, goldens are great dogs, too, in their own way. BUT to my mind - there is no contest!!
Poor Heart! But you just wait - she'll SHINE through it all! |
sheepieshake wrote: Then we had to switch and hold each other puppies...non of them would actually "hold" Heart
. They placed her by their sides and "held" her. Poor Heart didn't know what to make of it..she tried to get ON their laps, their comment, "Boy, she is heavy, isn't she?" (I don't think so!!! )Ugh! How mean!! I'm sorry there's not more variety of puppies in your class. Heart sounds so cuddly and sweet...I can't believe those people!! If they really loved dogs, it's hard to imagine that they would want nothing to do with a cute puppy. My husband is always having to tell me, "you can't go up and pet every animal you see!"
Hopefully everyone in your class will warm up to Heart so she can enjoy the experience! Poor Heart!  |
| What an experience. Heart will learn to like Goldens, that's for sure. Most puppies get real comfortable with other breeds that they are around when they are little, that is why a puppy class is so beneficial. Too bad the others are all goldens, it really is not helping the class learn about the other breeds and sizes of dogs out there.
It is still a good learning tool, it gets you 2 out and about learning and experiencing new things. Have fun being a sheepie ambassador - what a perfect opportunity.  |
| Many dogs don't warm to sheepdog because of........the lack of tail. Other dogs can't read the sheepdog's intentions (even when in play bow) and will ignore them. Remember, the goldens were raised among other goldies so are more familiar with the facial shape, body, etc. In time they could play with your little one. |
| Except for my first OES, none of mine have ever encountered an OES aside from othes living in the household. I haven't noticed that mine have any particular reaction to or from other breeds, at least not consistently. Some larger dogs seem not to like them, but if you run in a pack of 3, no one much messes with you. Small dogs tend to be yippy with mine from a distance and then submissive/scared up close, but that's not universal. A toy poodle around the corner used to boss my first OES something awful until he learned to ignore her. One on one, it tends to be individual dog to individual dog, not breed or size, really. Dogs whose owners claim they like all dogs usually like mine; dogs whose owners say have 'issues' with other dogs often have issues with mine.
Sounds like an owner thing, more than a dog thing. |
| I have no doubt that Heart will steal their hearts by the time puppy class is over!
Shame on the owners for not holding Heart. How can you not love the stuffings out of a cute puppy? Hang in there, be proud, and I'm sure they will come around. If they don't they have no idea what they are missing (and we'll keep it our secret!) |
Almost as bad as Twiggy's puppy class, it was only her and.... a Jack Russell Terrier 
Everyone kept saying, "Your dog is pretty big for puppy class." It's not her fault she is plus size |
| its funny that you said all of this!! That is exactly what pandas puppy class was like!!!!!
I have to tell you though, pandas best friend in the class turned out to be a golden retriever..the trainer ended up LOVING panda and in future classes would walk by panda(in our other classes) to distract her (which of course, half the time it worked) BUT she always comments on how special sheepdogs are and had a kiss for her.....and would tell her class that she was working with that if you train dilegently and correctly...your dog could be a panda...lol.... I wouldnt worry.....just keep it up....it really is more training for you than her anyway....lol |
| Plus size puppies are the best!! More to cuddle with!
My friend got 2 teacup puppies (I'm not sure what kind they are) that weighed about 1/2 lb each! How are you supposed to cuddle with something so tiny? Of course, they were adorable and I could sit with both in my lap, but I definitely prefer BIG and FURRY!! |
| Oh Val,
I'm sorry you and Heart were snubbed by the Goldens. Our first teacher owns all Goldens, so of course, she brought "Robot Dog" out to show all of us how well she followed commands. It was bad enough that at the time, she had made Finney go into Good Citizen class, because she thought he was too big for puppy kindergarten After that I began calling her the Puppy Nazi, and we didn't sign up for level 2.
Good luck, and maybe Heart can learn that neat trick of peeing on a strangers foot the next time they won't pick her up! |
Personally...I thought the class was a riot   .....
By the time the class ended Duey's dad was COVERED with golden hair ---He kept saying..."But I brushed him before we left"..... I had a black top on and not ONE strand....
The way the other people were looking at Heart...like..what is that??? They all commented that they had never seen a sheepie close up before--so we are the "odd couple".... The trainer did come to me after class and commented on how calm and sweet she was ..(and this is where she will go for her temprement test to become a therapy dog..so I am trying to get as many trainers there to mentally evaluate her so she will be accepted in the program..I know she would pass a temprament test RIGHT NOW....At the end of class the pups were expected to walk on a grate on the floor..different texture...NONE of the goldens would do it.. HEART>>>>> NO PROBLEMOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!  |
sheepieshake wrote: At the end of class the pups were expected to walk on a grate on the floor..different texture...NONE of the goldens would do it..
HEART>>>>> NO PROBLEMOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! There's another funny thing with too many Goldens for it to be a coincidence: so many of them have a hard time learning the teeter in agility. They do not like to walk on things that move from underneath them. Before we get all uppity about our superior OES, we might want to remember that they have their own, peculiar issues. ("Rear end? What's a rear end? Oh! You mean it's that thing back there that seems to want to do its own thing? OK, then.")
Kristine |
| Once again, lack of tail But that's what we love about your bobtails, the nearly uncontrolled back end......oh what happy dances, wiggles and shear joy comes from that south side.
Heart is truly special.
I know my guys vary on teetertotters....MO will do it with displeasure, Jack wants nothing to do with it, but then we don't call Jack......Bumbles for nothing. He may not be graceful, but he's ours. |
| Nigel won't play with all the pups at class. There is a goldendoodle that he plays with...everyone else is scary. They don't know how to bounce and they just charge right at him. The bull terrier is too rough, and the golden and the shepard are scary. There is another one who just keeps barking.
Nigel is afraid of everything bigger than him...and there are a few at this point. Too bad we don't live closer...he and Heart could bounce together. |
| I wish we would live closer too, Wendy....
Then we could go to the same puppy class and Heart would protect Nigel from all the "bad" dogs that scare him.... Heart has yet to be scared of anything
(that is except the big bad pool cover that is hanging on our fence drying before we store it for the winter)  |
| I am all on my own on puppy training, we do not have any in the area at all. BUT on the up side Blue is almost potty trained have to watch him in the evening, everyone is lazy then. He know sit, and shake a paw I thought not bad for 11 weeks. He is much easier the Sami, just a real mellow yellow fellow And gets his feels hurt very easy, he may be the biggest dog in the family but he is the biggest suck also and I love it. |
| Sounds like Blue and Heart would get along famously.....If we can ever get together for a play date....we'll have to get Nigel to come too...
.................Maybe one day...... |
| Val, I feel bad about the things that have happened with you and Heart. The exact opposite has been my experience, so it is difficult for me to understand how people (and trainers) could be mean. Trainers especially, are suppose to be understanding and know the breeds they are working with.
Just know Heart is very special! She is lucky to have you. |
| Oh...no............The people and trainer aren't mean...
I think they just don't understand sheepies... Actually I think the trainer is great...and I think she feels Heart is a very even tempremented AND easily trainable dog..she is just teaching to the masses. I mean, when you have all cute, (most popular dogs)goldens and one floppy mop ---you must instruct to the majority..
It is lucky that I have been to upteen training classes, including 3 clicker seminars and the TOUCH therapy 8 week intense training (2X)... I do really know what I am doing, but it is nice to be with other new parents. And I am getting some good advice. Sorry if you got the wrong impression...my threads were meant to be tongue -in- cheek----not meant to be serious...
As I have said...I am getting a kick out of this whole experience.... |
sheepieshake wrote: Sorry if you got the wrong impression...my threads were meant to be tongue -in- cheek----not meant to be serious...
So sorry! At first I thought that, and then thought from other posts, you were being serious! Oh, My! I still think Heart is very special! And she is lucky to have you. |
| Rose Marie--
This is my first experience with "blogging" or whatever I am doing is called-- I have only started becoming involved in 2 forums in the past few months and only recently began blogging more than just reading.
Plus --since Heart came, I find I am very very dependent on all the advice on this wonderful forum.
I have found that it is really hard to get my emotions to flow through correctly. (I also have a very dry sense of humor which makes it doubly difficult.) Thank you for being behind be and Heart I really makes both of us feel so good to know we are not alone in this very new experience for both of us. |
| Hi, Val! Yes, I too feel like I have trouble expressing what I mean and hope it will come across correctly. Thankfully, we have the emoticons! I have been reading about 1 1/2 yrs. and blogging about 9-10 months...so not that much more than you. Guess we will learn together. I love the way you write, so don't change a thing!
Give Heart a big hug! Love her name. |
| Thanks RoseMarie.....
I try to use the emoticons...(sometimes too much)
I am enjoying this so much..... |
| Poor baby girl - she needs to recruit some neighborhood pups to socialize those goldens!! I'm glad she was so good for you! |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|