(Sorry this little story got so long. LOL.)
This is so weird. Tonight at our CGC class, I was exhausted from the get go...got up at the crack of dawn, worked hard physically all day and it was 94 degrees out.
Anyhow, starting out, the trainer would say something for us to do and I somehow missed it and would be staring off into space. I was really not focused at all. I kept having delayed reactions and just a bumbling idiot. I noticed Lyric, who is usually very good in class, was also totally spaced out. I mean, he was out - to - lunch. I'd start walking and he was heading off in the opposite direction. He kept on doing this and staring off into their pasture or something. I said, "LYRIC, what on earth?" Then it hit me. It's not just Lyric. It's me!!!! We were both stumbling around completely out of sync and aimless.
Then finally, I started paying attention and VIOLA! So did Lyric. He got right back on track. He was even used as the demonstration dog. His stays are good and I can pull on the long line or leash while he stays and he doesn't budge. And he showed them how to come really, really fast when called and plop down into a nice front/sit. And he was nice about the other dogs, no inproprieties. I was so proud of my 'Leeeeeery boy.
He lets everyone pat him, though he is a tad suspicious about the whole thing, but not shy. Then he warms up in a couple seconds, especially when he smells treats. He didn't mind when I hid behind a building, out of sight, when the trainier held his leash. He does need practice with strangers examining him. He's a little skeptical there, but not too bad. He doesn't mind the vet doing it, but I didn't practice that enough when he was younger.
This may be hard to understand. I mean, lots of dogs....no big deal. My Lab wouldn't have cared less, nor would my Chihuahuas. But Dobermans are often tending toward being a "one man/family dog." And they can be somewhat suspicious, aloof, reserved, whatever you want to call it...around strangers. It's part of what makes them protective. They need to watch, size up and assess everything first before they'll completely accept it...extremely sensative to everything. But when they do accept you, watch out....they'll be your friend and protector forever...Lyric has protected my niece before, he likes her so much. But this suspicion should never be turned into aggression indiscriminately. And they come in varying temperaments, but this is pretty much typical and standard.
So, we shall see how it goes with the examining thing and a few other things he needs practice with...only two more classes and then the test. A-h-h-h-h....how will that be enough time? I don't have enough strangers around here and plus, who wants to mess around, examining teeth, ears, feet, tummy etc of a Doberman they never met before? Lots of people are afraid of Dobermans. I've had a few people ask if they could pat my dog and there they are, patting away and he's just hoky dory with it, and they ask what kind of dog is he? (can you believe it?) And when I tell them, they jerk their hand back. LOL.
This is so weird. Tonight at our CGC class, I was exhausted from the get go...got up at the crack of dawn, worked hard physically all day and it was 94 degrees out.
Anyhow, starting out, the trainer would say something for us to do and I somehow missed it and would be staring off into space. I was really not focused at all. I kept having delayed reactions and just a bumbling idiot. I noticed Lyric, who is usually very good in class, was also totally spaced out. I mean, he was out - to - lunch. I'd start walking and he was heading off in the opposite direction. He kept on doing this and staring off into their pasture or something. I said, "LYRIC, what on earth?" Then it hit me. It's not just Lyric. It's me!!!! We were both stumbling around completely out of sync and aimless.
Then finally, I started paying attention and VIOLA! So did Lyric. He got right back on track. He was even used as the demonstration dog. His stays are good and I can pull on the long line or leash while he stays and he doesn't budge. And he showed them how to come really, really fast when called and plop down into a nice front/sit. And he was nice about the other dogs, no inproprieties. I was so proud of my 'Leeeeeery boy.
He lets everyone pat him, though he is a tad suspicious about the whole thing, but not shy. Then he warms up in a couple seconds, especially when he smells treats. He didn't mind when I hid behind a building, out of sight, when the trainier held his leash. He does need practice with strangers examining him. He's a little skeptical there, but not too bad. He doesn't mind the vet doing it, but I didn't practice that enough when he was younger.
This may be hard to understand. I mean, lots of dogs....no big deal. My Lab wouldn't have cared less, nor would my Chihuahuas. But Dobermans are often tending toward being a "one man/family dog." And they can be somewhat suspicious, aloof, reserved, whatever you want to call it...around strangers. It's part of what makes them protective. They need to watch, size up and assess everything first before they'll completely accept it...extremely sensative to everything. But when they do accept you, watch out....they'll be your friend and protector forever...Lyric has protected my niece before, he likes her so much. But this suspicion should never be turned into aggression indiscriminately. And they come in varying temperaments, but this is pretty much typical and standard.
So, we shall see how it goes with the examining thing and a few other things he needs practice with...only two more classes and then the test. A-h-h-h-h....how will that be enough time? I don't have enough strangers around here and plus, who wants to mess around, examining teeth, ears, feet, tummy etc of a Doberman they never met before? Lots of people are afraid of Dobermans. I've had a few people ask if they could pat my dog and there they are, patting away and he's just hoky dory with it, and they ask what kind of dog is he? (can you believe it?) And when I tell them, they jerk their hand back. LOL.