more on behavior

[Gina Heitz <brier@oregonsbest.com>]

Everyone,

It's not a battle of will and wits as some instructors of dog obedience 
will tell you.  It's more like being observant and working with what you 
have.  It's like learning to slow dance and not step on your partners toes 
when they zig and you zag.

If you instruct a dog in a military type program your going to get one of 
two things either a flat dog with a broken spirit or a do that is so anal 
everything has to be done in a sequence.

If I have sit down and some semblance of control on a leash with a puppy 1 
year or younger I am happy.  Some puppies take to diffrent activities 
better and faster than others.

Our Twister who comes from top obedience lines is very energetic she will 
be 2 in March and just this fall we are starting her formal obedience 
work.  She is a very willing dog but is so full of her self we didn't want 
to squash her spirit so all she has learned has been under the guide lines 
of enrichment not training.  This is a puppy at 8 weeks bounded out of her 
crate at the airport into a perfect front eyes up just shivering with 
excitement.  Because of my years of living with dogs I was able to say oh 
this one is going to take time to mature.  I don't expect anything of 
Twister beyond basic manners and for that she's a very happy girl and I am 
not frustrated.

Sprite is what is called flat.  Why because she was just like Twister and I 
regimented her.  I leaned on Sprite too hard.  :-(

Hope this helps more,

G