If you could change anything about your dog(s)...
- Thread starter CrystalGSD
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No separation anxiety. Don't even need to think about that one!!
Jeez, can you imagine though if Roxie was able to cope with being alone? She is getting way better now, so I'll give her that.
Her reactivity towards other dogs (and inability to be off leash because of this and prey drive) and her allergies don't bother me at all. Well, I don't care all that much about having to do everything to leave her- that doesn't bother me. What sucks is the way she feels. I don't want her to feel anxious. Plus the way my parents go ON AND ON about how she is ruining my life and the worst dog ever... it would be amazing to never be told that ever again. Because Roxie is my heartdog.
Jeez, can you imagine though if Roxie was able to cope with being alone? She is getting way better now, so I'll give her that.
Her reactivity towards other dogs (and inability to be off leash because of this and prey drive) and her allergies don't bother me at all. Well, I don't care all that much about having to do everything to leave her- that doesn't bother me. What sucks is the way she feels. I don't want her to feel anxious. Plus the way my parents go ON AND ON about how she is ruining my life and the worst dog ever... it would be amazing to never be told that ever again. Because Roxie is my heartdog.
It's been a fun day of lamb lung for firecrackers here since 11:30Dance: Her reactionary tendencies. She never thinks before she barks. She impulsively barks at things that worry her, and then she makes herself worry more, and thus alarm barks more.
Journey: That she can be kind of a bitch with other dogs if she feels uncomfortable in close proximity. She snarls sometimes if she feels stuck or if there is food. But, it isn't even that common. Like 1 out of 15 times. She isn't perfect, but she is as close to perfect as she could be for me. There really isn't much I would change.
Keira: Her ridiculousness about going to the bathroom outside and wasting my time. Also, her vibrating impulsive easily overestimated by virtually nothing personality. Very frustrating.
Ripley: His extreme and obsessive neediness. And his inconsistency toward strangers and other dogs.
Journey: That she can be kind of a bitch with other dogs if she feels uncomfortable in close proximity. She snarls sometimes if she feels stuck or if there is food. But, it isn't even that common. Like 1 out of 15 times. She isn't perfect, but she is as close to perfect as she could be for me. There really isn't much I would change.
Keira: Her ridiculousness about going to the bathroom outside and wasting my time. Also, her vibrating impulsive easily overestimated by virtually nothing personality. Very frustrating.
Ripley: His extreme and obsessive neediness. And his inconsistency toward strangers and other dogs.
Ziva: the sheer amount of fur she sheds constantly.
Kestrel: his over the top desire to greet people - I basically hypersocialized him without enough work on focus around distractions as a young dog and it does really get annoying in various sports, agility specifically.
Aeri: Her reaction to frustration (spinning up and pinching when working, spinning/digging and barking when crated and at some doors).
Snipe: Maybe a little more interest in coming when called? It's just a side effect of being allowed to roam free as a pup, but it's so annoying! Or maybe eliminating the super highpitched barkscream she gives occasionally?
Kestrel: his over the top desire to greet people - I basically hypersocialized him without enough work on focus around distractions as a young dog and it does really get annoying in various sports, agility specifically.
Aeri: Her reaction to frustration (spinning up and pinching when working, spinning/digging and barking when crated and at some doors).
Snipe: Maybe a little more interest in coming when called? It's just a side effect of being allowed to roam free as a pup, but it's so annoying! Or maybe eliminating the super highpitched barkscream she gives occasionally?
Quinn's dog reactivity.
It was my main concern bringing her up and all my fears and anxiety's about it transposed over really well.
She's taught me a LOT in the last couple of years trying to undo it and I feel better about it now knowing it won't ever be "fixed" and she won't ever be a very social dog.
But mornings like today are nice, a lot of the dogs that she knows pretty well were at training so she got to see all her friends.
But she is never totally trustworthy with any dog, put her in the wrong situation with the right triggers and she'd attack her favourite dogs.
She's just always going to need a large amount of management and it's annoying and can be kinda stressful.
It was my main concern bringing her up and all my fears and anxiety's about it transposed over really well.
She's taught me a LOT in the last couple of years trying to undo it and I feel better about it now knowing it won't ever be "fixed" and she won't ever be a very social dog.
But mornings like today are nice, a lot of the dogs that she knows pretty well were at training so she got to see all her friends.
But she is never totally trustworthy with any dog, put her in the wrong situation with the right triggers and she'd attack her favourite dogs.
She's just always going to need a large amount of management and it's annoying and can be kinda stressful.
Kastle: clearer head, less drive (which would result in less biting, and more teeth in his noggin')
Eden: Stop rolling in disgusting dead things and then eating them
Limit: To be honest....nothing. Oh! I lie! Border Collie Collapse Syndrome, be gone!
Jentry: She's a tough, dominant, pushy, bitch...I'd like less snark.
Eden: Stop rolling in disgusting dead things and then eating them
Limit: To be honest....nothing. Oh! I lie! Border Collie Collapse Syndrome, be gone!
Jentry: She's a tough, dominant, pushy, bitch...I'd like less snark.
I actually had to think for a minute because I'm so used to their nonsense.
I would be more than OK if Elsa liked other dogs and we did not rotate.
Shambles could definitely go without walking laps around the kitchen island to express his disapproval for sitting still ever.
Jonas would be less anxious and more accepting of humans.
Magpie would be allergy free and live forever.
Smalls is perfect.
JACK'S BARK. Not barkING but god Elkhound's have the most awful bark.
I would be more than OK if Elsa liked other dogs and we did not rotate.
Shambles could definitely go without walking laps around the kitchen island to express his disapproval for sitting still ever.
Jonas would be less anxious and more accepting of humans.
Magpie would be allergy free and live forever.
Smalls is perfect.
JACK'S BARK. Not barkING but god Elkhound's have the most awful bark.
Heidi: Health. She has bad teeth, infection-prone ears, and she's quite lumpy and bumpy. Granted, she's improved 100% in the last year with good food and good veterinary care, but still. I wish she had a better baseline.
Missy: Seperation anxiety! That is by far her biggest anxiety, and the one that causes the most day to day problems. I can handle the storm/firework issues, I don't mind her being shy, and her dog issues are pretty easy to manage. But the seperation anxiety is hard on everyone.
Jack: Stranger danger. I will keep the resource guarding, but the stranger issues limit where I can take him, what I can do with him, and requires constant training and management. It makes grooming/vet stuff a VERY BIG DEAL.
I think all those things would make my life easier (and in Heidi's case, cheaper), but I think life would be easier on them without those issues, too.
Missy: Seperation anxiety! That is by far her biggest anxiety, and the one that causes the most day to day problems. I can handle the storm/firework issues, I don't mind her being shy, and her dog issues are pretty easy to manage. But the seperation anxiety is hard on everyone.
Jack: Stranger danger. I will keep the resource guarding, but the stranger issues limit where I can take him, what I can do with him, and requires constant training and management. It makes grooming/vet stuff a VERY BIG DEAL.
I think all those things would make my life easier (and in Heidi's case, cheaper), but I think life would be easier on them without those issues, too.
It's been called EIC, here's a good page on it:
http://www.cvm.umn.edu/vbs/faculty/Mickelson/lab/EIC/bordercollieEIC/home.html
http://www.cvm.umn.edu/vbs/faculty/Mickelson/lab/EIC/bordercollieEIC/home.html