Nerve vs Confidence - Page 3

Well, seems to me, so far that DesertRangers did the best job describing the difference between nerves and confidence. I figure the way to tell if there actually is a difference is to take whatever description or scenario someone writes and interchange the words, by putting "confidence" where they have "nerve" and vice-versa. Doing that, DesertRangers posting is "the winner" of todays little exercise :)

Nerve. You are born with these genetic traits. Good handling can hide some but never change them. Confidence on the other hand is something that can be built by repeated exposure to stimuli that brings the dog a reward. The reward can be verbal (low reward) to balls and tugs (higher reward). I beleive these are somewhat separate from courage. I do not like to use this word as it seems to shift from moment to moment in conversation. I like to use the word heart as it becomes a quantity. A dog with a little heart quickly uses up his need for commitment and quits. These dogs can be worked but I have found personaly that they take longer to recover and refill the heart juices. On the other side the dog with great heart has practically no concept of ever quitting. Put them away and ten minutes later good to go. Sounds great but only if they are going in the direction we want, otherwise you may have more work ahead of you than with the weaker dog. Thats my look at this.Hope I was clear enough.

Thanks realcold. The first 2 lines of your post make it clear--Nerve is innate, whereas, Confidence is acquired.

Nerves are inherited but for example if someone does not socialize their pup and keep in isolated until grown then you will have an issue with nerves and confidence.

You are so right DR. You can ruin good young dogs through isolation but you can't make a poor one good.