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by Sunsilver on 19 October 2010 - 16:10
My background with dogs has been almost exclusively with herding breeds. The dogs of my childhood were typically mixed-breed farm dogs. Almost all of these dogs had some percentage of either Border collie or Scotch collie, often with a dash of GSD blood.
IMO, the herding breeds tend to be the most intelligent dogs, and I'm used to dealing with dogs that have some degree of smarts. Therefore, it comes as a shock to me when I encounter other breeds that seem to be almost unable to learn the simplest of things.
Last summer, we got a pair of fox terriers in for boarding. The owner ruefully confessed that she'd spent over $1,000 on training the one dog, and it STILL would not come when she called its name. The two dogs were littermates, but quite different in disposition. One was very high energy, and would pace endlessly in it cage and in the outside runs. It was nervous, and had a poor appetite. It would often dump its food bowl over with its endless pacing.
The other was rather pudgy. It had an excellent appetite, and would finish off the skinny dog's food if we housed them in the same cage.
Both dogs weren't housebroken when caged, and I'd frequently come in in the morning to find a total mess. On a really bad morning, the dogs would have pooped and peed in the cage, then the skinny one would have spilled its food and its water, and trampled everything into the floor with its endless pacing. The soiling issue was SO bad that it took me nearly a month to get the smell out of the cage once they had gone home.
We run the dogs in and out, and inevitably, these two dog were totally incapable of finding either the correct run (HINT: the one with the open gate) or of finding their way back into their cage. They would push open doors that hadn't been firmly closed, so I had to make very, very sure all doors were secure before letting them in or out. I would only put them in runs that had gates which could be opened wide enough to block the whole pathway between the runs. Eventually, I solved the problem of them squeezing past their open cage door by putting up a towel to block the space between the door and the cage across from it.
The dogs were back for boarding last weekend, and they managed to score a new low. I got interrupted when I was setting up clean cages for them, so they were outside for quite some time. I don't think they stopped barking the whole time. When I went to get them in, one of them was standing with its head raised, and a vacant expression in its eyes, barking at nothing. I swear, if I'd looked in its eyes, I'm sure I would have seen a sign that said "no one home'!
The next day was the capper, though. When I let the skinny one in from the run, the pudgy one saw him run down the pathway, and immediately went to the nearest corner of the run, and stood there staring after him. She was totally oblivious to the open gate behind her. I waited several minutes for her to find her way out, but eventually I had to go into the run and herd her to the gate.
Dear God, I am SO glad for the German Shepherd, and other similar breeds that actually have BRAINS!
IMO, the herding breeds tend to be the most intelligent dogs, and I'm used to dealing with dogs that have some degree of smarts. Therefore, it comes as a shock to me when I encounter other breeds that seem to be almost unable to learn the simplest of things.
Last summer, we got a pair of fox terriers in for boarding. The owner ruefully confessed that she'd spent over $1,000 on training the one dog, and it STILL would not come when she called its name. The two dogs were littermates, but quite different in disposition. One was very high energy, and would pace endlessly in it cage and in the outside runs. It was nervous, and had a poor appetite. It would often dump its food bowl over with its endless pacing.
The other was rather pudgy. It had an excellent appetite, and would finish off the skinny dog's food if we housed them in the same cage.
Both dogs weren't housebroken when caged, and I'd frequently come in in the morning to find a total mess. On a really bad morning, the dogs would have pooped and peed in the cage, then the skinny one would have spilled its food and its water, and trampled everything into the floor with its endless pacing. The soiling issue was SO bad that it took me nearly a month to get the smell out of the cage once they had gone home.
We run the dogs in and out, and inevitably, these two dog were totally incapable of finding either the correct run (HINT: the one with the open gate) or of finding their way back into their cage. They would push open doors that hadn't been firmly closed, so I had to make very, very sure all doors were secure before letting them in or out. I would only put them in runs that had gates which could be opened wide enough to block the whole pathway between the runs. Eventually, I solved the problem of them squeezing past their open cage door by putting up a towel to block the space between the door and the cage across from it.
The dogs were back for boarding last weekend, and they managed to score a new low. I got interrupted when I was setting up clean cages for them, so they were outside for quite some time. I don't think they stopped barking the whole time. When I went to get them in, one of them was standing with its head raised, and a vacant expression in its eyes, barking at nothing. I swear, if I'd looked in its eyes, I'm sure I would have seen a sign that said "no one home'!
The next day was the capper, though. When I let the skinny one in from the run, the pudgy one saw him run down the pathway, and immediately went to the nearest corner of the run, and stood there staring after him. She was totally oblivious to the open gate behind her. I waited several minutes for her to find her way out, but eventually I had to go into the run and herd her to the gate.
Dear God, I am SO glad for the German Shepherd, and other similar breeds that actually have BRAINS!
by bazza on 19 October 2010 - 16:10
Ah! Sunsilver my heart goes out to you,lol. I have encountered, and lived with quite a few of those " lights on nobody home " dogs over the years. Can be amusing at times but most of the time very frustrating, for me anyway. My wife has 2 at the moment, they are hers but we BOTH have to live with them, lol,lol. Think yourself lucky you only get them for short stays, I have them for life!!! lol,lol
by Sunsilver on 19 October 2010 - 17:10
Bazza, I'm curious to know what kind of dogs your wife has.
I'm finding it interesting getting to know the different breeds. So far, the least intelligent seem to be pugs and your typical fluffy white/off white poodle or bichon cross. The bichons are the champions when it comes to peeing in their cages or on the floor. The book, "The Perfect Match" even says they can be hard to housebreak.
Jack Russells are not my favourite dogs either. They tend to be very noisy and dog-aggressive. One little bugger insists on pooping through the wire of the runs, which makes it a real PITA to clean up after him. We also have an older JRT that's really nice, but he's the exception.
And the small dogs are by FAR the worst when it comes to biting!
I've only had one dog so far that's needed to be let in and out via the sliding door, so I didnt have to handle him He was a Boston terrier, who snapped and bit at the noose when I tried to use it to take him out to the run. When I finally got it on him, and started to walk him outiside, he turned and bit my ankle. I tell ya, he was absolutely INSANE! The owner also had a cairn terrier, and even the cairn was afraid of him!
I'm finding it interesting getting to know the different breeds. So far, the least intelligent seem to be pugs and your typical fluffy white/off white poodle or bichon cross. The bichons are the champions when it comes to peeing in their cages or on the floor. The book, "The Perfect Match" even says they can be hard to housebreak.
Jack Russells are not my favourite dogs either. They tend to be very noisy and dog-aggressive. One little bugger insists on pooping through the wire of the runs, which makes it a real PITA to clean up after him. We also have an older JRT that's really nice, but he's the exception.
And the small dogs are by FAR the worst when it comes to biting!
I've only had one dog so far that's needed to be let in and out via the sliding door, so I didnt have to handle him He was a Boston terrier, who snapped and bit at the noose when I tried to use it to take him out to the run. When I finally got it on him, and started to walk him outiside, he turned and bit my ankle. I tell ya, he was absolutely INSANE! The owner also had a cairn terrier, and even the cairn was afraid of him!by bazza on 19 October 2010 - 17:10
She has Cocker's, one is rescued and is working strain the other is show type, both were at the back of the Que when brains were being given out. Now it could just be me not being used to training these types of dogs but I gave up on the show type one a long while back!! My wife doesn't seem to have a problem with them, I think my heart just isn't in it to try harder with them. Don't have the patience I had when I was younger, lol. Have a few friends who have boarding kennels and they are like you, some stories they can tell you. You get to see so many dogs of different breeds and exactly how they have been raised by their owners, the results being what you are experiencing now. Although I do believe some individuals of a breed type are totally untrainable, and just plain dumb, lol. I hope other people who have Cocker's don't take offense this is just my experience with them and we have had quite a few over the years, all much the same.
by Sunsilver on 19 October 2010 - 18:10
One of my friends had an American cocker when I was in high school. It was no Einstein, but it learned basic obedience commands, and had a lot of energy and spark.
OTOH, the cockers I see today can usually be summed up in two words: dull and obese.
My mom has had two English springers. One was a retired show bitch. She was a gorgeous dog, but went deaf in her old age, and would often fly into rages, especially at other dogs. Her next dog was a field spaniel. He was stubborn, very food-driven and could never be trusted off leash, as he'd go off hunting on his own. They didn't allow him to beg, but he considered visitors fair game, and when I think of him, I mainly remember him nudging me for treats, and drooling on my lap... He usually got the message after being yelled at by mom, but that didn't stop him from trying it again the next day, or the next time I came to visit.
ANd for those who think working line dogs are healthier, Josh had epilepsy (which was very well controlled by medication) hip dysplasia, and suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament. His front legs bowed inward quite badly, so he was definitely not the best looking specimen, either!
OTOH, the cockers I see today can usually be summed up in two words: dull and obese.
My mom has had two English springers. One was a retired show bitch. She was a gorgeous dog, but went deaf in her old age, and would often fly into rages, especially at other dogs. Her next dog was a field spaniel. He was stubborn, very food-driven and could never be trusted off leash, as he'd go off hunting on his own. They didn't allow him to beg, but he considered visitors fair game, and when I think of him, I mainly remember him nudging me for treats, and drooling on my lap...
He usually got the message after being yelled at by mom, but that didn't stop him from trying it again the next day, or the next time I came to visit.ANd for those who think working line dogs are healthier, Josh had epilepsy (which was very well controlled by medication) hip dysplasia, and suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament. His front legs bowed inward quite badly, so he was definitely not the best looking specimen, either!
by wrestleman on 19 October 2010 - 20:10
I do not think its Just jack Russel's although they, I think need training from day 1 due to their constant activity, their minds must have a job. I think by time these little devils are 6 months and nothing done they are brain dead just constant motion LOL. I have seen some amazing little Jack's that where as good in bitework as any dog and courage to spare for 10 dogs. When we use to board dogs it was always small dogs that gave us problems. Cocker's, Poodles etc. Dachshunds where always bitters. The best dogs seemed to be Doberman for the most part, unbelievably clean in the kennel and most had some training and got along with other animals. I too agree that the herding dogs appeared to usually be the best all around with a few exceptions. I loved the ACD smart and tough and east to care for.
by Kalibeck on 19 October 2010 - 22:10
Having issues with the PDB today...sorry!
My mom, God love her, had to have a wire-haired fox terrier when we were kids, he was named Robert, but he was called Booby Bobby, 'cause he was a freakin' idiot! All he did was run & bark. Couldn't be housetrained, never learned to walk on a leash; you'd hold the leash, & he'd be running in place, going nowhere fast. You had to be incredibly vigilent not to open a door when he was around, he was out the door & on the street in a heart beat. And dog aggressive, & he used to pick on the 2 Dobies that lived down the street from us. I'm not sure what happened to him, but one day when we got home from school, he was gone. And nobody missed him. Not a great lesson for us, but I did learn I'm not a 'little dog' person! jackie harris
My mom, God love her, had to have a wire-haired fox terrier when we were kids, he was named Robert, but he was called Booby Bobby, 'cause he was a freakin' idiot! All he did was run & bark. Couldn't be housetrained, never learned to walk on a leash; you'd hold the leash, & he'd be running in place, going nowhere fast. You had to be incredibly vigilent not to open a door when he was around, he was out the door & on the street in a heart beat. And dog aggressive, & he used to pick on the 2 Dobies that lived down the street from us. I'm not sure what happened to him, but one day when we got home from school, he was gone. And nobody missed him. Not a great lesson for us, but I did learn I'm not a 'little dog' person! jackie harris
by BoCRon on 20 October 2010 - 02:10
How about the people who spend a fortune on the "doodles". Don't get me started...
by Sunsilver on 20 October 2010 - 02:10
BoORon, we do grooming here too, so I TRY not to say nasty things about the 'poos' and 'oodles' that come in. They're our bread and butter when it comes to grooming.
Well, at least I don't say nasty things when the owner's within earshot...
BTW, we actually have had a few shi-tzu/poodle crosses come in. I've had to restrain myself from writing the breed names in their abbreviate form...though I do snicker really loudly as I think about it...
Well, at least I don't say nasty things when the owner's within earshot...
BTW, we actually have had a few shi-tzu/poodle crosses come in. I've had to restrain myself from writing the breed names in their abbreviate form...though I do snicker really loudly as I think about it...
by Don Corleone on 20 October 2010 - 03:10
Haha. I had a lady tell me, "she is a 7th generation doodle". I felt like saying, 7 generations of shit is still shit.
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