Inappropriate Agression , but is this a fear biter? - Page 23

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Koots

by Koots on 25 September 2018 - 19:09

A simplified explanation....
A weak-nerved dog is 'bothered' by many mundane things, whereas a strong-nerved dog is 'bothered' by very few things.

As Joan said - the dog's quickness in recovering from a startle is less defining than the dog's reaction to the startle - investigate/curious/recovery or flight/cower/crumble.

Jessejones

by Jessejones on 25 September 2018 - 20:09

While everyone here is correct in what they are saying....
the problem is that this topic is just so huge. And when one person says one thing, he/she can’t say everything, otherwise we would be writing novels here!

But, I do agree with Prager on what he is saying and what I said earlier. The term “Weak nerves” Is too broad of a term and does injustice to a lot of dogs that are still very good and functional. It is always sliding scale.

Sure, the nerves issue will show itself in time of stress. We all know that.

And, what dog is perfect? Maybe one in 100? Or one in a thousand? Needle in a haystack? So most of us have to work with what we have, and that is where GOOD training come in.

Good training and maintenance is paramount. And I agree with Prager about his described method to build up the dogs strong points, and then slowly work on the weak ones. Training is like a tango dance...a give and take....forward and backwards....push and pull....love and hate....a fine toggling and adusting of the on/off switch on the dog. Observing him, pushing him...and rewarding/reinforcing again.

Joanro-
I have a Australian cattle dog. A tough old bitch with a killer instinct that is totally independent. She lived on the streets and down in the arroyos, the dry riverbeds with the coyotes, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and knew how to survive catching and eating rodents and mice...she juggled traffic on the highway and busy roads for months. I observed her for about 6 months, truly fearless....until she met my dog while I was hiking in a arroyo one day and fell in love with my boy. She followed us home, and we took her in after she kept coming back every day. She is one mean and fearless lady around any other dogs or people, and has no fear of anything or any one.
But...!!! Let a fly be in my house, buzzing around the windows, and she shakes like a leaf in terror!!!! So while shaking is a sign of weakness, it needs to be in context with the rest of the dog’s temperament.
 


by duke1965 on 25 September 2018 - 20:09

jj it all depends on what endgoal is for dog with weak nerves, be it sport, PP,family or LE,

for each the solution will be different, exept for LE, I would say solution will be retirement, even for detectiondogs, exept maybe the diagnose system dogs


by duke1965 on 25 September 2018 - 20:09

Also my humble opinion is that repairing faillures by training is reason the breed is going down, many faillures should be repaired in the whelpingbox so to speak, weak nerves is one of those 


by ValK on 25 September 2018 - 20:09

Also my humble opinion is that repairing faillures by training is reason the breed is going down

absolutely


Jessejones

by Jessejones on 25 September 2018 - 20:09

True about the welping box Duke.
I don’t think anyone is saying that fearful dogs should be bred. And breeders need to take off the rose colored glasses when evaluating the dogs for breeding.

But training is always important, paramount really, once the dog is here.

If one is choosing dogs for work in LE, as a broker to pass them on, then you have the luxury of choosing dogs that might have good nerves. One in a hundred or less sometimes perhaps qualifying for LE.

But if you are an owner, you have to work with what you have. Because even with proper due diligence when getting a pup, it is always a crap shoot to some degree.


susie

by susie on 25 September 2018 - 20:09

👍👍👍

by joanro on 25 September 2018 - 21:09

Pragre : Joan, I thank you for agreeing with me 100%.

 

  You don't get credit for my thoughts...because I don't agree with you. A dog with weak nerves that is terrified of thunderstorms does not recover.

You said you judge how fast a dog with weak nerves recovers from a startle, so weak nerves don't matter to you. Even a dog with strong nerves can startle, so startling in and of itself is not an indication of weak nerves.


by joanro on 25 September 2018 - 21:09

Jesse: But...!!! Let a fly be in my house, buzzing around the windows, and she shakes like a leaf in terror!!!! So while shaking is a sign of weakness, it needs to be in context with the rest of the dog’s temperament.


Yes, in context with the rest of the dog's temperament....like a great tracking dog is fabulous until a thunderstorm hits! And your dog is fearless except when a harmless fly shows up! And flies are indemic, as common as dust in the desert!

Prager

by Prager on 25 September 2018 - 21:09

Joan, I have  said that dog with weak nerves does not recover. SAME THING AS YOU HAVE SAID. Wink Smile






 


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