Apolgies if this is in the wrong section.
I feel the need to add this thread, as "I want a smart dog" thread has cropped up at a time where I am at the very end of my leash with our dog. A little background: Bernie is a beagle/husky cross, 2.5 years old, and consistantly makes me feel like I am a reject from "I Am Not Smarter Than...". Bernie is smart, smarter than any dog I've ever met, yet if someone was to ask for him, I'd hand them his leash and walk away with no sense of regret.
Bernie was housebroken within minutes of being here, at 7 weeks, mastered every single training task asked of him, and was a delight to my dog fearing husband. The two have the bond that I cry for weekly if not daily. I am the primary caretaker here, as I don't work, hubby does. It's me that walks, trains, hikes, cleans up after, feeds, chases down, worries, tends, and cries over the bond that isn't.
There is no where safe within town boundaries where Bernie can be allowed off leash, or he'll run/chase/bolt. He always returns at his own time/pace/idea. He'll run down bikes/cars/skateboards/snow mobiles/fourwheelers in a great game of chase, tail wagging smile on his face, and with a speed you would not believe. We live near a 75 acre park with a lake that freezes in the winter. Last winter he managed to get out, and was found 10 kms from home, visiting ice huts. He returned home 7 hrs later, tired but happy til he saw me waiting on the deck for him to return.. yes, I had spent the night walkiing/searching/calling him, only to give up and wait for him at home. I realize he's a hound, he's a husky and he's young.. yes I get it, but there is a foundation of respect missing from our relationship. He can/does scale a chain link fence to escape in pursuit of a squirrel/skunk/anything that's within his sightline. He must be tied oin the very middle of our deck even though it's got railings, everything has been moved from the edge that he can use as a trampoline to escape, and yet still he's leashed 24/7 when outside at home even though we paid $2500 to fence 1/2 the property for the dog. The fence keeps him in, just doesn't stop him from being skunked 4 days out of 7, nor stop him from searching the fenceline for a way to escape (we had a pile of interlocking 4 ft inside the fence line that he used as a vault to get over the 6 ft fence) I admire his stalwart ability to confound me, but I truly have reached the end of my tether.
At no point in time do I enjoy trying to outthink this dog. I never relax. He's walked/hiked/wrestled/playdated at least 4 hrs every day of his life. He's not lacking for exercise. My complaint isn't that he's active, it's the fact that he has NO recall or respect for me. Hubby on the other hand has the bond with him that I pray for. I have noted that I am the main disciplinarian, but other than ONE smack on the butt when he door bolted and was gone for 9 hrs, coming home stinking of skunk, and having been caught at a local store 3 miles from home by a neighbour, I've never raised a hand, never scared him as much as he's scared me, and always tried to follow the best of your (Chaz) training tips. If it was just a matter of "he's the type of dog that can't be let off leash".. I'd be fine. It's not. I am perpetually being given the finger, subverted, and left in the dust.
I have worked very hard on basics, the sits, the stays, the come's (on leash and in the house) are impeccable, but overwritten on a constant basis by the fact that when he's in a group of dogs/people, I am CONSTANTLY on guard, as he'll lift a leg and pee on people legs, he'll have issues with some male dogs (border collies and chocolate labs.. he was thrashed at 5 months by an aggressive/toy protective border collie, and chocolate labs tend to hump him.. endlessly LOL).
Once inside the gates of our new local dog park, he spends the entire time running/walking/pacing the fenceline to find a way out. The park is 3 acres, partly treed, and the playhome of several types of dogs that he normally loves to play with in the right circumstances. Rarely any issues amongst the other dogs, and any issues are dealt with promptly and appropriatelyby their owners, but Bernie has this ovewhelming need to break up spats event though they weren't his to start with. I know, many dogs are not good "dog park candidates", but there are times where I need to be able to.. relax, and know I am not going to have to hike 10-12 miles to find a dog that couldn't care less if I exist.
I have basically dropped the cookies/treats/rewards from my repetoire as it only boiled down to him watching my hands for movement towards pockets etc to see if I would reward him for doing what was asked.. no treat.. screw you dolly, I'm busy. Recent issues include growling at me when I get him off the couch/bed when it's bedtime for us. He's no longer allowed on any item of furniture, no longer allowed his meaty bones as he growls and slinks under tables when I ask him to take it outside/give it to me/whatever. He's a thinking dog, but I'm done thinking I'll ever have a bond with this dog that I wanted so very badly. Once again it'll end in tears by the time the day is done.
I realise this is more of a rant, and there is nothing to be done for me or my lack of bond with this smart dog. I am also not explaining things right as to how I feel. I don't mind exercising,playing with, teaching, or caring for this dog. I mind him not caring about me in return. Anyone want a dog? Oh wait.. I can't.. he's my husbands life partner LOL! Apolgies for the novel.. and no I don't feel better for the rant LOL!
I feel the need to add this thread, as "I want a smart dog" thread has cropped up at a time where I am at the very end of my leash with our dog. A little background: Bernie is a beagle/husky cross, 2.5 years old, and consistantly makes me feel like I am a reject from "I Am Not Smarter Than...". Bernie is smart, smarter than any dog I've ever met, yet if someone was to ask for him, I'd hand them his leash and walk away with no sense of regret.
Bernie was housebroken within minutes of being here, at 7 weeks, mastered every single training task asked of him, and was a delight to my dog fearing husband. The two have the bond that I cry for weekly if not daily. I am the primary caretaker here, as I don't work, hubby does. It's me that walks, trains, hikes, cleans up after, feeds, chases down, worries, tends, and cries over the bond that isn't.
There is no where safe within town boundaries where Bernie can be allowed off leash, or he'll run/chase/bolt. He always returns at his own time/pace/idea. He'll run down bikes/cars/skateboards/snow mobiles/fourwheelers in a great game of chase, tail wagging smile on his face, and with a speed you would not believe. We live near a 75 acre park with a lake that freezes in the winter. Last winter he managed to get out, and was found 10 kms from home, visiting ice huts. He returned home 7 hrs later, tired but happy til he saw me waiting on the deck for him to return.. yes, I had spent the night walkiing/searching/calling him, only to give up and wait for him at home. I realize he's a hound, he's a husky and he's young.. yes I get it, but there is a foundation of respect missing from our relationship. He can/does scale a chain link fence to escape in pursuit of a squirrel/skunk/anything that's within his sightline. He must be tied oin the very middle of our deck even though it's got railings, everything has been moved from the edge that he can use as a trampoline to escape, and yet still he's leashed 24/7 when outside at home even though we paid $2500 to fence 1/2 the property for the dog. The fence keeps him in, just doesn't stop him from being skunked 4 days out of 7, nor stop him from searching the fenceline for a way to escape (we had a pile of interlocking 4 ft inside the fence line that he used as a vault to get over the 6 ft fence) I admire his stalwart ability to confound me, but I truly have reached the end of my tether.
At no point in time do I enjoy trying to outthink this dog. I never relax. He's walked/hiked/wrestled/playdated at least 4 hrs every day of his life. He's not lacking for exercise. My complaint isn't that he's active, it's the fact that he has NO recall or respect for me. Hubby on the other hand has the bond with him that I pray for. I have noted that I am the main disciplinarian, but other than ONE smack on the butt when he door bolted and was gone for 9 hrs, coming home stinking of skunk, and having been caught at a local store 3 miles from home by a neighbour, I've never raised a hand, never scared him as much as he's scared me, and always tried to follow the best of your (Chaz) training tips. If it was just a matter of "he's the type of dog that can't be let off leash".. I'd be fine. It's not. I am perpetually being given the finger, subverted, and left in the dust.
I have worked very hard on basics, the sits, the stays, the come's (on leash and in the house) are impeccable, but overwritten on a constant basis by the fact that when he's in a group of dogs/people, I am CONSTANTLY on guard, as he'll lift a leg and pee on people legs, he'll have issues with some male dogs (border collies and chocolate labs.. he was thrashed at 5 months by an aggressive/toy protective border collie, and chocolate labs tend to hump him.. endlessly LOL).
Once inside the gates of our new local dog park, he spends the entire time running/walking/pacing the fenceline to find a way out. The park is 3 acres, partly treed, and the playhome of several types of dogs that he normally loves to play with in the right circumstances. Rarely any issues amongst the other dogs, and any issues are dealt with promptly and appropriatelyby their owners, but Bernie has this ovewhelming need to break up spats event though they weren't his to start with. I know, many dogs are not good "dog park candidates", but there are times where I need to be able to.. relax, and know I am not going to have to hike 10-12 miles to find a dog that couldn't care less if I exist.
I have basically dropped the cookies/treats/rewards from my repetoire as it only boiled down to him watching my hands for movement towards pockets etc to see if I would reward him for doing what was asked.. no treat.. screw you dolly, I'm busy. Recent issues include growling at me when I get him off the couch/bed when it's bedtime for us. He's no longer allowed on any item of furniture, no longer allowed his meaty bones as he growls and slinks under tables when I ask him to take it outside/give it to me/whatever. He's a thinking dog, but I'm done thinking I'll ever have a bond with this dog that I wanted so very badly. Once again it'll end in tears by the time the day is done.
I realise this is more of a rant, and there is nothing to be done for me or my lack of bond with this smart dog. I am also not explaining things right as to how I feel. I don't mind exercising,playing with, teaching, or caring for this dog. I mind him not caring about me in return. Anyone want a dog? Oh wait.. I can't.. he's my husbands life partner LOL! Apolgies for the novel.. and no I don't feel better for the rant LOL!
