I need advice - Page 6

Shandra,

It seems to me that a dog that cowers, growls, is nervous in public or in contact with outsiders. Feels unsafe with any except the very least threatening people (children) and is growls at barks at and is distrustful with one of the "pack members" of the household. These, to me, sound like definate nerve issues. Jeff is simply  pointing out that the things you, yourself, have mentioned should be identified as the nerve issues they are.

If there is constant friction between you and your son I can understand wanting to have the comfort of the dog.  But, the dog may have a feel of his 'permanancy" and your son's being out in a couple years. Perhaps this is why he feels entitled to protect you from your son and make a "pack of two" excluding your son.On your first post you said you would never get rid of the dog, later you said you know you should give him to somebody else. But, you are willing to let this dog be another point of friction in the household.

Frankly, I would be more concerned with the long term outlook for boy than the long term outlook for the dog. Not trying to be a jerk but this dog seems to seriously realize your preference for him.

Just my take on it.

I appreciate your comments. Tino isnt a cause of friction between my son and myself, that is a long standing issue that we work on on a regular basis.

Don, I believe you were one of the ones that chewed me out when I first came to the board because I bred Xena to Tino untitled and only a prelim OFA. I had been told by 2 different breeders that she would be a great match for Tino and would throw good pups. That was before I had been educated and am now a reformed breeder wannabe.  Before this board, I had no idea what Shutzhund was or OFA for that matter. The damage is already done and there is nothing I can do to change that except learn from it and prevent it from happening in the future. I was going on the advice of 2 different breeders. I was referred to the second breed by the first breeder/Trainer for stud service, He had originally owned Tino and sold him to the second breeder, I had originally contacted him when Xena was in her last heat for breeding. I took her to him, he said she would throw good pups with big heads. If I am not mistaking, it was Tino that we were going to breed him to at that time but Xena was to far into her cycle and I missed that breeding. I contacted the second breeder about stud service  Xena's next heat and after talking he offered me the dog for the same price as his normal stud fee because his kennels were full and he had a few more dogs arriving the following week.. At that time I thought I would be stupid to pass it up. I mistakenly assumed Tino , having come from a breeder/trainer, would have had training, altho at that point I didnt know what kind of training I was expecting. I am a n00b and am learning things the hard way, I did not have the experience to ask the right questions even tho I had good intentions. I also didnt have anyone I could ask for advice. I had gotten Tino and bred them up about the same time I started reading the board regular. heh I still remember my ludicrios idea to train Tino for Shutzhund. OMG i havent even learned to pronounce it right much less have the physical ability to engage in such an exhausting sport at this point, I hope to be in that condition soon and am working towards that goal. I have learned alot in the last 2 months and plan on learning a whole lot more. If I am extremely lucky, and learn enough to make an educated choice, I may hold back one of the pups to train while I am learning with a goal of titling, perhaps not Shutzhund but at least obedience and maybe even as a theraphy dog. The possibilities are endless but I am not going to make the same mistake twice and declare " I am going to do XYZ with my dog" We will have to see what the future brings. In the mean time, I am hell bent on learning as much as possible. I have to wander my way thru blindly because I of course dont know what it is that I need to learn ( does that make sense?)

I know I need to learn how to choose a pup, but I think first I have to decide what my goal is for that pup. See I have learned something from ya'll :)

Therese

Good post, Therese.  We all make mistakes, and you are a smart woman who can learn from them.

Good luck!

Veronica