I don't think it is a breed trait for Gusto, as I know a lot of terriers and border collies who are very impulsive, but he is the biggest thinker I've ever met. It actually made training him incredibly frustrating until someone point out to me that that is what was going on. He over-thinks everything, he proofs out every skill I teach him. There are times where I think he's being stubborn or stupid and I just start to get so frustrated - until I remember who he is and what he is doing.
He also does latent learning more than any dog I've ever worked with.
We've actually just been dealing with both of those things (I posted this in another thread already, but it is relevant here). Some of our training group has been working on the 'put front feet on perch, pivot for heel position' thing. I had tried it with Gusto when he was recovering from his injury this summer, and had to stop. Because when I put a bowl on the ground, he'd put his front feet on and get his reward, but then would try and see what happened if he put all four feet on? Or three? Or the back two? Or what if he lays down with his front feet on? While barking? I got worried he was either going to hurt himself or I was going to choke him from frustration. I went to record the fiasco a couple of days ago to show the training group - and darn if he didn't slam right into the correct position first time. And every time after that. I don't think we've even tried the skill since September, and he sure didn't have it then.
I actually wonder how much it is nature vs nurture. Gusto did a ton of shaping work very young, so he learned how to try things and proof things from the beginning. It's an interesting topic. I'm curious to hear what others think.
