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| Is It True??; Terrier behaviour | |
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| Topic Started: Feb 2 2005, 07:44 PM (205 Views) | |
| mars2le2 | Feb 2 2005, 07:44 PM Post #1 |
Squeaker
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Hello people, I was met by a nice lady walking a border collie the other day and something she said has been playing on my mind.... Her words were... "Is she a terrier???" (My reply - Yes) "Whatever you do she'll never behave she's a terrier!!!!" Im actually beginning to think she's quite possibly right, please disuade me to give me the hope im not fighting a losing battle and the dog classes will work!!!!! Any similar thoughts or experiences welcome!! |
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| russels&rissoles | Feb 2 2005, 10:06 PM Post #2 |
Chatterbox
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In my basic knowledge I have of Terriers then I would say she is partly right, they are wilfull, very instinctive, and do have strong minds and charcters, BUT with correct handling and good knowledge of the particular dog then i feel that they are most definately trainable. Pebbles wont listen when she is on a squirrel hunt, she spies one and is off, she might come back when called if she knows it's ano win situation (not that she has ever got close enough to actually catch one :) ) but when she knows she cant get within 2 yards of sniffing distance then she will quite happily come back with a sharp recall from me. It's almost as if instinct takes over and she then realises when called back "well I wont stand a chance of catching this, so best go back to mm and get a treat for being good for coming straight back" ..............once again a terrier with her brains in her belly, if she were human she'd sure be a fella!! :lol: As for a collie owner saying "she will never behave she's a terrier" then thats almost laughable (IMHO) Having had a collie and knowing just how wilfull they can be then I think she may just be envious of your little'un :rolleyes: My bearded collie was trying to say the least to train, but again with persevereance and a trained owner (yes I went to doggy training classes it wasn't for Jazz!)then I think anything is possible with most dogs. |
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| JRT | Feb 3 2005, 10:04 AM Post #3 |
Admin
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It is partly down to the prey drive in them. Terriers, along with many hounds, have "selective hearing" i.e. They pay attention most of the time unless something is far more interesting than you! Have you ever seen an owner running along after a Basset Hound on a trail? You've no chance of recall! Or a Saluki ( :rolleyes: ) that decides it might like that seagull for breakfast that is 5 miles up the beach?
:lol: Terriers are very difficult to train, but it is achievable! They are never going to win competetive obedience, but with patience (and a handful of hotdogs) they can learn enough to keep everyone happy :D Miles, my husband, always says "He's not naughty, he's got character" :lol: |
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| russels&rissoles | Feb 3 2005, 10:16 AM Post #4 |
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Chatterbox
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Miles is infact a very very cery clever man then for knowing this! :lol: :lol: :lol: |
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| mars2le2 | Feb 3 2005, 04:21 PM Post #5 |
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Squeaker
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Your thoughts have spurred me on!!!! My parents have always had rough collies and even when we got Cassie who sadly passed away middle of December 04 she seemed so much easier to train and never put a foot wrong!!! I think I was rather niave when I decided upon getting my own pooch and didn't completely realise that all dogs of different breeds sizes etc are all different. I know that now!!!! but wouldn't swap her for anything!!!! :D |
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| JRT | Feb 3 2005, 04:25 PM Post #6 |
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Glad we could be of service *curtseys politely* :D |
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| JRM | Feb 4 2005, 10:56 PM Post #7 |
Moderator
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Hey Mars A lot of it is to do with playing mind games. The terrier is an independant soul. They like to be loved, and indeed love you in return...BUT...unlike Border collies and other (what people consider to be) highly trainable dogs, their independant streak means that they don't have the same drive to please you. With my Bc X, as long as I am happy she is on cloud nine....with my terriers, well they couldn't give a toss. My BC X will do anything she thinks will please me....my terriers do what pleases them....and that where the difference comes, and this is where many amateur dog trainers, who think they know the lot, come unstuck and issue sweeping generalisations that terriers are untrainable, whereas they are simply ignorant of the fact that terriers have their own agendas, and to train a terrier successfully takes mindgames....its the old story of getting the dog to do something by making it believe that is what it wants to do...make it believe its making its own decisons. All terriers are trainable, but as Laura pointed out the prey drive is important to. Whilst the Border collies life revolves around it's owner, the terriers life revolves around its nose, ears and eyes...and if there's nothing there to stimulate it then your wishes *might* be considered ;) The most obedient terrier in the world will be hard pushed to ignore the rabbit which just ran under its nose...whereas the lovestruck BD wouldn't move unless it was told to... My mum's old terrier (sadly passed) used to win obedience classes at Kc competition level. My old terrier here at mum's (Paddy) had sufficient training to work sheep to some degree, and will do an instant down-stay even if she's a field away from me. You just have to take basic training tips, and approach them from a terriers mindset...the terriers first question to you when you ask him to do it is "why should I?", whereas the BC would respond "like this?is this right?like this then? is this OK mum? did i do it right?" I'm worrying that I'm getting my point across clearly here. I know what I'm trying to say, but I fear that I am in waffle mode. If its all still unclear I'll try and elaborate next Tuesday, when I'm back home, on my own pc and not clockwatching. |
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| russels&rissoles | Feb 4 2005, 11:02 PM Post #8 |
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Chatterbox
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Fantastic Caroline!! :hi5: i must say that having read that it makes perfect sense to me, then again I've had a Beardie, and now got the Terrorists! so i can very easily relate both their differences in their behaviour. Jazz even used to help round up the kids in the park Pebbles and Amber would never dream of doing this but will chase them and run like nutters with the kids cos its "what they wanna do" |
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