"Why would I want to do that???"
I am currently looking after a lab who is more or less Tucker's age, and she does every command with speed and vigilence (and they are accurate, too). Tucker is much more reluctant to do any and all of his commands, although he will, eventually do them. He knows what to do, but just seems to be wondering why he should do it (even if there is a treat!). Any thoughts or advice?  |
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| My answer is: you have a sheepdog!!
It seems like most breeds will just follow you blindly. If you were to throw a stick off a cliff they would just jump right off after it. An OES will always want a good reason for doing what you ask of them. They are the Mr. Spock of the dog world. "Sit? That's highly illogical." |
| Thanks for the responce. Bella will look at me sometimes whith this "That's you idea and you can keep it." responce and other time respond to what I want almost before I say it. Those time are rare though. Our trainer said "She does have an independent streak doesn't she." Sheepdogs ya just got to love'm. |
| Too, too funny!
This just came up on the performance list. My rally and also sometimes obedience instructor has springers, she teaches a number of classes throughout the area, and she has a thing for OES (thanks to Belle  ) A lot of people with "non-traditional" obedience dogs are drawn to her for her ability to think outside the proverbial box when it comes to training.
Anyway, we were talking after class last night and she commented on how herding breeds are so different to train from spaniels, and that OES in turn were in a class of their own to some extent among herding breeds. I asked her what she meant. She said that while most herding breeds just "do", an OES will first ask you "why?" and not "do" (a darn thing) until you've given them a satisfactory answer. Once you do, they will "do" till the cows come home. They are a thinking dog. (Always suspected they were smarter than the average breed, didn't you?  )
Kristine |
Mad Dog wrote: (Always suspected they were smarter than the average breed, didn't you? )Kristine Or at least smarter than me  Izzie has much better results training me than I have training her  |
Amanda P wrote: Mad Dog wrote: (Always suspected they were smarter than the average breed, didn't you? )Kristine Or at least smarter than me Izzie has much better results training me than I have training her Ah, I see you have discovered the great OES secret... What are you doing with her in terms of training? I adore dogs like this...They are a gift - consider yourself blessed. KB |
| We are actually just finishing up a beginner class. She did puppy and beginner when she was little, but now that she is 2 1/2 we decided to try and brush up on a few things. Our main problem is making sure we practice with her at home |
I actually had someone comment to me in our open agility class that it looked like I had to negotiate with Morgan at each obstacle. I stood there with this dumb look on my face - I guess it took me momnet to realize not everybody has to do this. MArley runs much better since I let her know I realize she is smarter than me and don't try to overhandle her. Of course my trainer doesn't believe me  |
| My sheepies definitely fit into the class of contemplating what we ask of them and then we need to ask nicely twice and raise our voices on the third time. They are so much fun because they piss us off and then make us laugh immediately.
I thnk Mom's Tibetan Terrier was much worse than a sheepie. We saw the wheels turning behind those eyes...and then they said, screw you, I'm outta here! She didn't much bother with making us laugh afterwards. In this sense, sheepies are much better |
Amanda P wrote: We are actually just finishing up a beginner class. She did puppy and beginner when she was little, but now that she is 2 1/2 we decided to try and brush up on a few things. Our main problem is making sure we practice with her at home
Oh, don't feel bad. I just "signed up" for privates with a local agility trainer for Sybil who reminded me THERE WILL BE HOMEWORK. Oops!
But, yeah, that really does make or break how much progress you make. Then again, with some dogs, less is more. Sneak little bits of homework in in 2-5 min sessions here and there and you'll be surprised how much you can accomplish (be creative). Try to schedule 30 consecutive mins. in a day - forget it! If I had 30 mins to myself, well, I love my dogs and I love training, but really, I'd take that bubble bath I've been promising myself for the past nine months now... 
Kristine |
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