Did you ever have one of those days....

Marsh Muppet · 07-06-2009, 09:46 PM

....where all your training efforts suddenly seem worth the effort?

This past Sunday, being the holiday weekend, saw mobs of people around my neighborhood. The weather was positively stunning with temps in the upper '70s, sunny, and not humid. Almost unheard of for July. We live down by the beach, so there were lots and lots of people walking past my house. There were a lot of yard parties , so there were 3X the usual number of kids out and about.

I was finishing up some yard work and had Rusty outside with me much of the day. He was off leash and was just being golden--if you'll pardon the pun. He wasn't doing anything spectacular or heroic; he was just being obedient and well mannered. He is "the mayor", so everyone who came by was offered a greeting, but he was being totally respectful and not bothering people who didn't want to have a large dog slobbering on them. He ignored other people's ill mannered mutts, and attended to me very closely. It's as if he were a trained dog or something.

Of course, about half the people who spent time luvving him up thought that, because he's a Golden, he was born that way. They have no conception of the hundreds of hours that went into civilizing my psycho puppy.

chrisn6104 · 07-07-2009, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marsh Muppet

Of course, about half the people who spent time luvving him up thought that, because he's a Golden, he was born that way. They have no conception of the hundreds of hours that went into civilizing my psycho puppy.

Training? Whats that? I thought behaved dogs just came out of a box that way.

Marsh Muppet · 07-07-2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisn6104

Training? Whats that? I thought behaved dogs just came out of a box that way.

I just love it when people tell me how Goldens are so sweet, gentle, and laid back. Rusty is typical Golden Retriever in that he LOVES everybody, and he doesn't have a "mean" bone in his body. And he's HAPPY! He's just the happiest damned critter you ever saw. However, "laid back" appears nowhere on his resume. I call him the "Red Rocket" because he's got a reddish coat and he moves very fast. And also because of....the other thing.

Entwine · 07-07-2009, 03:51 PM

Those days are my favorites, especially when your dog is being a beauty amongst others.

Also one of my favorites is the input in regard to how my Chihuahua is "soooo" friendly and well behaved. Approximately 99% of people comment on how it's their first time seeing a Chihuahua sit on command. Most of them are yappy territorial nuisances because that's their nature. It couldn't possibly be the lack of training/socialization the poor hellions experience.

Congrats on your good day, keep it up.

Marsh Muppet · 07-07-2009, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Entwine

Most of them are yappy territorial nuisances because that's their nature. It couldn't possibly be the lack of training/socialization the poor hellions experience.

I held that anti-Chi bias for a long time. I worked in apartment houses, and also installing heating and A/C equipment in private homes. I've been "viciously" attacked by Chihuahuas, Lhasas, Shih Tzus, mini Poodles, and a bunch of others. I developed the "little dogs are neurotic" mindset. Then I worked with an elderly Dominican gent who carried a Chihuahua dog in his tool bag. The dog went everywhere with him, and was as steady as granite. That Chi had one of the largest vocabularies of any dog I've known. He'd fetch tools, by name, from the old man's bag and I don't think I ever saw him make a mistake. It's a real eye opener when you realize that any well bred dog will largely be what you teach him to be.

moluno · 07-07-2009, 06:04 PM

I want one of those days. I frequently have those "this training is doing NOTHING" days.

But it sounds nice, enjoy it.

Renoman · 07-07-2009, 06:55 PM

Love your title.

Marsh Muppet · 07-07-2009, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moluno

I frequently have those "this training is doing NOTHING" days.

There is lots of despair in my training log. My dog is 3 and still very much a puppyhead. I've never seen a dog who had such a need to make things happen. That's really the best way to describe it. If there was nothing going on, he'd get something going. If there was no mischief to be found, he'd manufacture his own. Even with training, he'd obey direct commands, but there's no taking my eyes off him. So on this very busy day, he allowed me to relax and enjoy his company. I might have to keep him now.

KBLover · 07-07-2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisn6104

Training? Whats that? I thought behaved dogs just came out of a box that way.

I thought it was just luck.

That's what I'm told a lot. You're "lucky" he does this, this, or this. I'm like...no...it's a lot of work and time spent with the dog.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marsh Muppet

....where all your training efforts suddenly seem worth the effort?

Yep - and a lot of days where I wonder how it just "clicked".

Sometimes, it seems like we're making zero progress - then the next day, he does everything like it was old hat.

rosemaryninja · 07-07-2009, 08:22 PM

Yup... just like ALL Beagles love kids, strangers and other dogs, right?

(And are fat and greedy and untrainable.)

And yes I have had those days... they bring wonderful feelings. The first time Spunky was reliable off-leash, for instance. I thought I was going to faint. Never tried it again though.

Squeeker · 07-07-2009, 08:53 PM

Oh, man, I totally just had "one of those days" last week. I woke up and realized, "wow, I suddenly have an amazing, obedient, well-trained dog! All that hard work finally paid off!"

...and then I got home from work. For the first time EVER, Libby decided to investigate the kitchen garbage, and I got to clean up the filth that she spread all over the house.

I obviously jinxed myself.

Marsh Muppet · 07-07-2009, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squeeker

...and then I got home from work. For the first time EVER, Libby decided to investigate the kitchen garbage, and I got to clean up the filth that she spread all over the house.

A dog can resist anything but temptation.

moluno · 07-07-2009, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KBLover

I thought it was just luck.

That's what I'm told a lot. You're "lucky" he does this, this, or this. I'm like...no...it's a lot of work and time spent with the dog.

Oh, we get that too. Our past boxer was the "perfect" dog... so other family members started getting boxers, and theirs didn't turn out as well. So obviously we were just lucky that ours was good, right? And now that we have a boxer pup, all eyes are on us to prove that it's a little more than just luck! It couldn't possibly be the owner that makes a dog the way it is.

Marsh Muppet · 07-07-2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moluno

Our past boxer was the "perfect" dog... so other family members started getting boxers, and theirs didn't turn out as well. So obviously we were just lucky that ours was good, right?

My ex brother in law has bred and shown Boxers for quite a few years now, and I've gotten to know a slew of his dogs. They are truly fine animals, and some are superb. However, I would say that getting a Boxer pup and hoping for the best is not a winning strategy.

CerbiesMom · 07-08-2009, 11:40 AM

I love those days too. Brigit, my unholy terror of a doxie, will now bring things to me and drop them. Like paper, plastic, cat toys that she could ingest easily. She used to take them and shred them under our chair in the living room, and growl when I took them. But now she'll drop them, unless its before she's had a walk or some time doing her mad dashing around the yard.

But yes, everything I've done with her is suddenly clicing. Yay, dogs turning 2!