Work=Play=Art - Page 1

 How does a dog differentiate? 

First, good dogs with good people do differentiate.

Second, I think I see it in the way the dog is attending to the trainer.  When in play, he is self-initiated, using his person to throw, lay the track, make things exciting.  His rhythym is self-set -- he is his own conductor--  and he returns his attention to his person when he wants something.  At work, the rhythm is clearly being set by the trainer.  If the pair is good, both are having fun, but they are not playing per se.  They are getting something done in a structured way and the beat is being set by the trainer, not the dog.  The trainer is clearly the conductor.

Third, there is an exception, but only for very advanced dogs who have fully internalized the work plan.  They set to work on their own and even set their own rhythm, but the piece of work was structured at the outset (e.g., a practice or competitive track, or scent work).

That's just my take.

and while were at it, what is the meaning of life....?  sorry for being so snide and although I find the subject profound it's just a little more ok a lot more then what I think can be said here.  Good fodder for the trolls or your topic will be ignored, sorry to say.

MVF

I like the way you described that.

Thank you.  

Yeah, I have more to say, but didn't. Feeling the not so friendly vibes, is all. it is just an idea forming, when I get the words right, I'll let you know.

What makes schutzhund different than dressage, or even opera? There are many horse-folk here who are also dog-folk. The dressage moves are based on a horse's natural moves, however outdated as a mode of war today, there it is. Certainly not all singers are Opera stars. Anyone here read( Bel Canto) ?

The schutzhund competition is like a dance, a complicated one, yes? Based on animal moves or man moves? I honestly don't know. 

dressage moves are NOT natural movements ... those movements are weight and equipment trained on a National Level.

 ....I never rode a horse to that level, but watching all the shows, the Lipizanners etc,. they all claim the moves were original to  the animal and were adapted to  be used as man made war manouevers. Something different to what you do today? My meaning is that man used the animai's natural movements to enhance his own. 

I've never met a dressage horse that was natural moving on a National Level. They all stall with weight equipment on and train with bit-rigs, side rigs, cruppers etc.

I had a trainer board here once who was pretty well known on the East Coast .. she had a young TB in training for dressage, about 1 1/2 years old ... I felt bad for that horse. His head was side rigged from day one getting here .. weights around the ankles and a crupper day and night. He was a well bred racehorse who wasn't allowed to extend his neck for the life of him ...

Anyhows, she showed this colt @ a local East Coast Nation a while later.. he won Reserve the first day I've ever seen him completely naked of training equipment.

I just felt bad for him ... this trainer later owed me 5 months past due board .. so I requested the TB in exchange for the moneys owed.

I really wish I would have video taped his first run on acreage without a damn rig. But I wasn't thinking.

I trained him on the racetrack and he pulled a woopin' (4) 3rd's, (3) 2nd's, and a win. I retired him 100% sound in less than 2 years backside. He's now owned by a Scout Campground. I miss that horse.