[dawn miller]

Suggestions are just that, Suggestions. Of my two German Shepherds, one got a few paws for herding and one got none. They both got five paw for protection, yet I think my she-pup needs to learn more confidence with strangers. My boy, spot on. Other than that, I think the suggested activities is a pretty good match.

I think if my she-pup tried Lure Coursing I’d have to be careful she didn’t hurt herself. Being larger than more LC dogs she could easily get into trouble with sharp corners. I know she take after the lure like a bullet and barely slow down for a turn.

[dawn miller]

nice, My dogs won’t crawl unless I have a treat right next to their nose to lure them. Jumping over each other, that is pretty nifty. What size are your dogs?

I have one dog that will find my coffee cup when my husband hides it on me. And the both help with laundry. I drop items on the floor and they Find Laundry and Bring Laundry. I don’t have them drop it into the machine, though. My boy doesn’t like going up on his back legs for long since he’s a big guy.

They also both Tell Me A Secret (a previous dog I owned Whispered) which is a soft quiet vocalization. And the both kinda know Right Paw, Left Paw

[dawn miller]

good point there. Our dogs train in IPO. Same sport, same club, etc. One loves the Bite Work portion and one just doesn’t understand it yet.

[dawn miller]

it is so dang complicated keeping breeds healthy. For instance, in my favorite breed we have some who are all about body structure..slot a fitting into slot b, and others who are all about the working ability and temperament. But really we need both.

I’ve had one mix that lived well into her teens and was smart and sociable. Not a good watch dog though. I had another that lived until 12,a bit neurotic but it might have been as much from being a stray as from genetics. She was sweet though. That is why I like these studies. How much is genetic, how much is experience?

[dawn miller]

I can’t seem to get my two interested in digital barking. They used to watch the screen and listen to the sounds, but they’ve seem to have lost interest.

Doesn’t stop me for leaving animal planet on for my dogs when I leave the house.

[dawn miller]

This is interesting. I have about six different routes I take when I walk from my house. I try to keep things mixed up and interesting. There are times when my dogs have “suggested” which way they want to go but never consistently like your lab has. Dogs do love routine but variety is nice, too. Looks like your pup has found the best combination of the two.

My dogs “help” me with laundry. Today is my typical day to run a big load. My boy picked up an item from the laundry basket as if to say, “isn’t today laundry day?”. Honestly, I don’t think he knew it was laundry day and more likely to have seen some physical cue from me. Perhaps I looked at the laundry basket a bit longer than usual. ( I will admit the dogs seem to have an uncanny sense of time, though)

So watch your body language when you get to the corner. Could you be offering a clue without realizing it?

[dawn miller]

thanks, it has been making the rounds on the internet. it seems to fit in well with this thread.

[dawn miller]

look what I found, this is interesting: Not that I want to see our towns and suburbs full of Village dogs.

http://nautil.us/issue/41/selection/only-street-dogs-are-real-dogs

[dawn miller]

My Pup “moos” when she rolls over in her sleep. Yeah, that is not something I’ve heard before. I think it is funny yours “moos” when she missed her treat.

[dawn miller]

thanks Jesse. I guess I am guilty of thinking too much with my culture’s rules and forgetting the rest of the world is different. It would be sad to think of such a variety of dogs being a “blip” but in fact, that may very well be true.

[dawn miller]

good points Jesse,

Especially when a breed has some super star studs that produce many litters over their lifetime.

What do you think about the fact that we have most removed natural selection from dogs? In more developed countries there is very little survival of the species.

[dawn miller]

thanks Brittany. that was a long article but interesting.

I truly don’t understand the desire to have a dog that cannot live as a dog should.

[dawn miller]

(Wave) HI Kate. would that be the http://www.germanshepherds.com or one of the FB ones?

I chuckled when I found out that the Doberman has such a mix of dogs in it’s background, including GSD. I belong to a club where the Doberman folks and the GSD folk have a friendly competition.

[dawn miller]

I have read that the UKC is making some changes in the judging of German Shepherd Dog as well. I am glad to see the organization is taking another look at their program. I know a gentleman who breeds bulldogs her in the U.S. His dogs are short and round but are also healthy and can take a deep breath. He seems to be one of the folks trying to do his part getting the breed healthier.

I think part of the pure breed problem is that many of these breeds don’t have to do the work they were designed for so people look more for “form than function”. it is sad

[dawn miller]

I like the suggested activities section. You’ve chosen some neat example videos. I haven’t watched them all yet.

I look forward to seeing the Dog of the Month.

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