My three Whippets...

[jamespowers]

"They haven't bitten me today" or "They got teeth don't they."

I have discovered that dogs are a good judge of character, naturally and instinctively. Much better than Humans are. I can meet someone and talk with them several times and on several ocassions and not really know much about them. But my dogs instantly know someones character on the first meeting. It's uncanny, but my dogs have been 100% correct about people. If my dogs don't like you there's something wrong with you.

When my daughter starts dating her would be boyfriends are going to have to pass the "Dog Test".

My old K9 academy instructor once told me, "Bob, always trust your dog."

My Cattle Dog has an uncanny ability to do the same thing. She will get used to a "character" if reprimand her for barking or lunging at the person but I know what would happen if I were not there.
I think we sort of fostered the guard instinct in dogs many thousands of years ago when we domesticated the "wolf." It was a mutually beneficial relationship. The dog benefits from not having to forage around for food and the man benefits from having an early warning system for intruders coming into the cave (or now into your backyard or house) and stealing what you have. The dog even helped hunt with the man as he does now. We still have that agreement and they uphold their end when we uphold ours.
If a stranger came up to me asking questions about my dog and if the dog bites, I tell them that is what I have her for in the first place. I feed her and she keeps me int he condition so that I can keep feeding her. They usually leave me alone.

Regards to all,

J

 

[jamespowers]

I may actually have this ad...did Stetson call it "Skyline Blue" or something like that? I'll look around tonight and try to post a scan. If it's the same color I'm thinking of, I am in awe!

:cheers1:

I will post the hat and you can match the ad.

 

[Biltmore Bob]

I've been a professional dog trainer for almost 20 years. I was a K9 trainer and academy instructor for the police dept. The dogs I train, I trust.

 

[Biltmore Bob]

For some reason I can't use the Edit function...

I know all about body language and dominance and submission. I did not say dogs 'sense' character. They make judgments based on body language and movement.

 

[Bebop]

I know all about body language and dominance and submission. I did not say dogs 'sense' character. They make judgments based on body language and movement.

......in other words they are not judges of character. They are judges of body language and movement. My point exactly. I had a dog training kennel that dealt with everything from basic obedience to schutzhund. I have been training dogs for about 30 years and found that when it comes to training dogs, there are many ways to do it. It is not an exact science. I also got out of dog training for money because I could not stand the dog owners. They were much more difficult to deal with than the dogs. I think I am a better judge of character than my dog is. Just from personal experience. My dog is special to me but it certainly does not have human abilities. I think that is where most dog owners run into problems. They believe their dogs should think like humans. In reality, in order to deal well with dogs, we should think like they do.

 

[Johnnysan]

...in order to deal well with dogs, we should think like they do.

I tried marking in the house one time...my wife was most displeased.

"Bad Johnny...bad, bad, bad!"

 

[Biltmore Bob]

I use the term "great judge of character" very loosely. And most people don't really know what I'm talking about, most people think their dogs posess some kind of majical sensing ability. I know what you mean when, 90 % of training is training the owner. I have always said that if you treat your dog like a person, he will treat you like a dog.

My dogs are better judges of body language than I am, and I consider myself pretty good.

 

[scotrace]

Evolution

The latest research I read is that dogs have evolved beside man for so long that they have become amazingly astute little readers of human minds, able to sense every tiny nuance in ways we cannot begin to understand.

Bob, I've had many dogs, have three (+2 temps) now, and I understand what you're saying 100%. My dogs have always been able to read the people they meet very well.

What makes the whole thing fun is when you get to where you can read their minds back.

 

[Absinthe_1900]

My Boxer sure did a good job training me.

 

[Johnnysan]

I will post the hat and you can match the ad.

I know that I'm jumpin' the gun, but thought I'd post the ad while it was fresh in my mind. Random thoughts live short lives at my age...

<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/Johnnysan/Lounge%20Photos/Skyline_Blue.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

 

[Not-Bogart13]

PR Dogs

I think the "good judge of character" thing varies from dog to dog. I also think it's not that different from what people do. We observe with the senses we have to form an opinion, and so do animals. Since an animal has sharper senses, it's more likely to be right, but only from it's own point of view. And like people, some dogs are dunces. My current dog... if it has a heartbeat, it must be a friend! My old whippet mix... she actually would growl and bark at the town bullies when they went by, minding their own business. So, don't buy everything your dog tells you, but respect it's opinion as you would the opinion of a human friend. Both are just looking out for you. :cheers1:

 

[jamespowers]

I know that I'm jumpin' the gun, but thought I'd post the ad while it was fresh in my mind. Random thoughts live short lives at my age...

<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/Johnnysan/Lounge%20Photos/Skyline_Blue.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

Geez, wouldn't you know I forgot to take the picture.
It is nothing like that though. The blue is not obviously blue like that. Mine is more like a pearl gray with a hint of blue. I will see if I can get a good true to color picture of it.

Regards to all,

J