Do you remember.... - Page 1

...when your pup started to mature? I know they mature everyday, but there comes a time you step back and notice that there's something just a bit different. Maybe you turn to a spouse and say "hey, have you noticed that _____ isn't acting quite as obnoxious lately.

I bring this up because, 1) it's funner to remember our dog's past fondly than bash people, 2) it's dog related, and 3) I'm going through it right now. Over the last week my boy just seems a bit calmer than he has been up to date. Don't get me wrong, he still has moments he's just my lovable, obnoxious pup, but I sense a difference now. Part of me is thrilled to know that we're on to bigger and better, but still, it's sad to know his puppy days, and anticts, are starting to become a thing of the past.

My guy London (I know original screen name I have) will be one-year on the 25th. It's usually been around the same age for my previous GSDs as well (except one, who I swear took about 2 years to settle down). If you remember this time-frame in your dog's life, approximately how old were they, and did you welcome the change? Did some specific change in behaviour mark the change, or was it just an overall perception you had?

I know, nothing really valuable to learn from this thread, but hopefully a nice, fun, breath of fresh air on the database.

Karen

For me, all of a sudden there comes a day when training doesn't have to be silly-baby play every minute.  Usually, my dog gives me a look that seems to say "you can cut out that dopey crap, I

(con'td)

"you can cut out that dopey crap, I get it -- we're working here!" 

I feel silly and then we proceed.

Usually, it takes me by surprise.

I must confess that I don't recall my thinking that my pups were either bratty or silly, or that they grew out of such a stage. Even with my adult dogs we have our "silly" games when it's appropriate, such as after more focused training. The time just to cut loose and have fun does not change as my dogs have matured, or as I have gotten "old" for that matter. I can't imagine not having fun in any and all stages of my dog's development. Puppies need to be puppies but no insuburdination can be allowed to stand. Being able to "play" with my adult dogs increases my positive feelings about my bond with them and our work as well. With the exception of normal developmental changes and differing capacities in individual dogs to be enhanced or modified, I may not have noticed because I have seen what they progess through as expected and desirable rather than seeing it as something they need to grow out of. Or maybe I have been living with dogs too long... excuse me. I think I feel a flea... 

I 'm going through that now at 14 months. She just seems to know exactly what to do when she wants something . Tracking is less  of a wandering exercise. command recog nition is improving ,easier to teach new commands. Stronger expression and  more confidence.

For me its the little things,  like telling me its time to go out.    The first time my dog stood her ground and showed courage.

The first time you notice they actually learned something.    I was amazed at the first time my dog came to me to tattle tail on another dog for doing something bad.  The first time she actually tried to communicate something to me on her own, she was thinking on her own.
Later my one female who's as serious as an old school teacher just came to me and was a puppy again wanting to play the way we did when she was little.  Totally out of character.     She was remembering too.

Its just that sometimes they just want to be loved and forget about he rest of the world for a time.