Re: Strangers stroking your dog?

Interesting that we have such differing views Cassie. My rationale is the opposite to yours and it is always my intention to make any dog I have as "bombproof" and reliable as I can, for its own sake as well as mine. For me this means exposing my dogs to as many different people//dogs/situations as I can, which then enables them to cope with whatever they may come across. Control is always there and I don't really look at it as a control thing. For me it means that even if somebody or some other dog behaves inappropriately, my dogs are reliable, safe and socially appropriate in their reactions and behaviour. They don't make nuisances of themselves - quite the opposite, but If a dog or person want to play/interact with them then thats fine and everyone is happy. If another dog becomes a nuisance they tell it to clear off and thats fine as well.

Re: Strangers stroking your dog?

I get what you do too Aerolor and like I said I dont consider your method as bad practice I just have a different method. Two working sighthounds and a working falconry dog need to work for me and me alone. Once back indoors they mooch and wander about as they wish. When guests knock they dont rush to the door assuming the guests are theirs (not that im suggesting yours does). They just are chilled out and calm. I cant stress enough that I find no fault in others training but there's 22 dogs here and a slightly different angle is used otherwise there'd be chaos!!

Re: Strangers stroking your dog?

Twenty two dogs Cassie - you must be busy !!!

Re: Strangers stroking your dog?

Yes Cassie, 22 dogs? I daren't ask.....

Re: Strangers stroking your dog?

Its a licenced breeding kennels of working Vizslas, a Weimeraner stud dog, a working spaniel and a lurcher... then my 2 lurchers and Vizsla. Oh and the guard dog.

Re: Strangers stroking your dog?

Twenty two? Surely you don't do all the work Cassie? I do envy your life at times with those wonderful birds.

Re: Strangers stroking your dog?

No I dont! I can just about train the few I have to deal with as ive a bad back. Im usually on puppy patrol looking after them. I get my kennel cleaned I just feed my 2 outdoor girls myself and Magik my Vizsla lives indoors with me.

Re: Strangers stroking your dog?

Well that's a relief, you got me wondering there. Sorry about your back, seems you don't let it get you down.

Re: Strangers stroking your dog?

Im too loaded with painkillers to notice lol but I often spend a 3 day stint flat on my back cos ive walked too much.. its not much fun really.

Re: Strangers stroking your dog?

Yes, everytime I take Dutchess for a walk, or to one of the Pet Food stores. She walks nicely on her leash, people ask if she is friendly & I tell them yes. And she stands nicely while the people pet her, scratch her behind the ears, etc.

Recently we were at a store named PETCO, everyone was happy to be allowed to pet her & amazed as how calm she was. She got a little excited as people were gathering with their puppies for Puppy Kindergarten". And I told her "do you remember when you were that little?" And a couple of the puppy owners just smiled. Dutchess walks so nicely beside the shopping cart.

Then along came a handicapped man down 1 of the aisles, walking with 2 canes. Dutchess sat down, without any commands to sit. She shook paws with the man (which I never taught her), she let him scratch her head & was listening intently more to him, it seemed, then to the other people. I was so proud of her that she sat down on her own! All the other people in the store, Dutchess would just be standing, but somehow she knew to be very gentle with the handicapped man.

Dutchess turned 3 yrs on 17 December; she is 1/2 American Staffordshire Terrier & 1/2 Weimaraner. And she is an excellent watch dog!