DS not for everybody?

[Dutchringgirl]

Wouldn't it be great if all that energy could be "channeled" into doing some work around the house, like vacuum, cleaning windows, doing dishes, etc....

With how fast they learn, I could tie a mop to Sadie......wait.........she would eat it.

[Dutchringgirl]

DS are NOT for beginners at all. They are cute fluffy tornadoes with teeth and they know how to use them. Sadie just tore through my house for the last two hours and tore up a dog bed, then just crashed on the floor next to me and passed out. That is not a dog for everyone, or for most people. No one will tell you a fine list of who they are for, Only a good, and I mean good trainer can say If you should have one. If these boards arent good enough for you then I dont know who will be, there are some very, very qualified people here and I learn something all of the time here, or just get a good laugh at the dog antics.

[Choochi]

LOL can you just picture a dutchie with a feather duster? I can and it's not an intended use!

[Dutchringgirl]

LOL can you just picture a dutchie with a feather duster? I can and it's not an intended use!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Raven]

Actually...on my endless list of Thor's "To Do" list is teaching a bit of housework, per se. If left to, he's always up my nose, no matter what I'm doing. Move sideways, he moves sideways; move a step back, he moves a step back. (When I vacuum and tell him to "go," he's been known to unplug the vacuum--I'd almost swear to nature that he figured that out by accident and now does it on purpose.) So, anyway....

On the remodeling "to do" list is tearing out all remaining carpeting and finish laying hardwoods. As it is now, when I sweep the uncarpeted rooms, there's Mr. Inspector General, right up my butt. And since I have a habit of leaving the dust pan all over the place, it will be one of his jobs to find and bring the dustpan. (He knows how to search for objects, so no problem there.) I suspect that I might invest in a few dustpans and scatter them about--these busy-body supervisors must be kept out of the worker's hair!

[Dutchringgirl]

Raven, you just described Sadie too. When ever I need to kneel down for any reason, I know she will be right in my face. For some reason She ( and Thalie) always lick my glasses so I cant see what im doing.

[CaroleBoaz]

With three dogs, it doesn't matter which way I turn, there's a dog in front of me.

[Choochi]

Hey I bet tearing out the old carpet is some thing they would do with very little training on your part! I know mine has already tried and we have no plans to take the carpets out... maybe he's hinting?

I'm always walking into mine too, and Ripp is always whacking her head into walls and furniture while she tries to walk and keep an eye on me all at once.

[Dutchringgirl]

Sadie has already done a job on a few rugs, Nope, didnt like them anyway. I put towels at the door bases to stop drafts, thats okay, I dont mind drafts. Almost fell down the stairs because Sadies favorite spot is at the top, hmmm its dark, she is black = BOOM CRASH

[Raven]

The husband and I have already decided that once it's time to tear down the back deck, we're tying ropes around the posts and letting Thor have at it. I'll be there on nail watch, of course, but oh the fun he will have! And it's authorized--how bad is that? (Actually, Thor is an angel when it comes to respecting what doesn't belong to him.)

Banging the head on walls and furniture while keeping your pace and eyes glued on you, you say? Heh-heh. Thor, too. He gets to certain "hazard" areas of the house, though, and looks for the corner of the marble coffee table or the hardwood chair or.... Poor guy...I guess I let him run into those things once or twice. Smoooooooth, Sharon, smooth.

[Dutchringgirl]

in my old house, we had columns on our patio, when we would let Thalie and our Mal out, never failed... NEVER, who ever went out first would be looking behind them for the other and WHAM right into the column, then never learned

[Sugars Mom]

LOL! I can just picture that!

[GSDNanny]

Rauni, I would not suggest a DS for a newbie dog owner, in my personal opinion. Just that simple. The DSs that you met are nothing like my own DS who is not suitable for even most experienced homes. She is definitely not an easy-keeper. She can be high octane and yet she will also settle easily, but with me only. She is quick on the draw with everyone else, too civil for a typical companion dog. When her switch flips, she has absolutely no bite inhibition and thus is not trustworthy. And yes, she has had extensive obedience training and the most socialization that is safely possible. Living with her in a household with other animals and family is intensely stressful. Therefore, I am the only one allowed to handle her. The few accidents that have occurred when another family member handled her (husband) were serious disasters. Why do I keep her, you ask? I ask myself that often. But with just me, she is fine. We have an understanding. Meanwhile she has her room in the house that is locked when I am not home or a locked outdoor kennel run that has metal sides that is also inside a fenced yard where no other dogs or animals can get to her kennel. She can kill or maime an animal through a chainlink fence if it gets close enough, she is that quick. Now with all that said, she is not destructive other than with toys. I can leave her loose in my truck for hours while I Christmas shop, her guarding the gifts mind you. No fool would even touch my vehicle without her unloading.

I have had nearly 200 German Shep rescues through my home in the past (no longer rescuing) with a huge spectrum of temperaments, and I can say that there were only a couple that were nearly as intense as my DS. She too was a rescue at 7 mos. But if ever I decide to bring another DS into my home, I will thoroughly check out the temperament of the parents first.

[Marjolein]

in my old house, we had columns on our patio, when we would let Thalie and our Mal out, never failed... NEVER, who ever went out first would be looking behind them for the other and WHAM right into the column, then never learned

*ggggg* sounds like Ivil Right now she only remember she is big and fat and round AFTER she moved... Just great... I really am watching her now, crazy monster! She will hurt herself...and her contents

[CaroleBoaz]

You guys make me glad I got my dog from a family in Europe. I agree that DS are not for beginners, especially not for first time dog owners. But, Boaz is not destructive at all, and potty trained almost immediately. I had no trouble with mouthiness because his breeder taught all the puppies to "kiss". He's never destroyed anything in the house. Wish I could say that about my other dogs.

Now, my Malinois is another story. I can't count the number of times she has eaten a dog bed. How it took me 15 months to potty train her. How she still can't do obedience without running around me twice because she's so excited to be working. How she broke her elbow at 6 months old because she was so wild.

The only problem I have with Boaz is, he still has some residual resource guarding. But that's only if I put him in a position to have to compete. Around here, the dog's name is called before handing out food, so everybody knows who the food belongs to. He also doesn't like German Shepherds because he's seen too many of them freaking out at shows. I don't know why people bring these unruly dogs to shows, and then get in everybody's way. >:( That same one was at this weekend's shows.

I asked about one of Boaz's sisters, who had unusual markings. She was brindle on the right side and without stripes on her left side. The new owners say she's the best dog they ever had!

But I digress. Boaz is smart, beautiful and the most athletic dog I've ever seen. He is so fast, when he runs on pavement, he wears his pads down.

[vneerland]

You guys make me glad I got my dog from a family in Europe. I agree that DS are not for beginners, especially not for first time dog owners. But, Boaz is not destructive at all, and potty trained almost immediately. I had no trouble with mouthiness because his breeder taught all the puppies to "kiss". He's never destroyed anything in the house. Wish I could say that about my other dogs.

I don't doubt that a lot of the stories here are 'scary'. I am afraid that it is for a large part related to the dogs lineage, not so much if the breeder taught the pups not to be mouthy or not.
I have seen long hair breeders put up one of the agility type cloth tunnels for pups. I assure you that my brindle babies would dismantle that in .5 seconds, but theirs tend to leave it alone and play nicely.

Now, my Malinois is another story. I can't count the number of times she has eaten a dog bed. How it took me 15 months to potty train her. How she still can't do obedience without running around me twice because she's so excited to be working. How she broke her elbow at 6 months old because she was so wild.

Luck of the draw, I fear. I know Marjolein's female "Ivil" who is full (honest) FCI line, has broken a few bones and still has some indiscouregeable OCD behavior. I guess I am trying to say is that there is no one size fits all. I have seen sane and insane pups in both (KNPV vs FCI) groups. It's just that one group is more prone to be saner than the other, you're right about that.

I asked about one of Boaz's sisters, who had unusual markings. She was brindle on the right side and without stripes on her left side. The new owners say she's the best dog they ever had!

Oh cool! Do you happen to have pictures that you could show us?

[Marjolein]

I think I have seen that (one-side brindled) dog on the "nestendag" (day for young DS's to evaluate breeding)... I will look for pictures in my archives...

edit, found some on the NHC website, not sure which dog it is...


Small Yard's Betsy


Small Yard's Bonnie

The others are more brindled...(more here: http://fotoalbum.hollandseherder.nl/Alb ... index.html)

[vneerland]

Cool pics. I see brindling on both, maybe it's the other side that we need to be looking at?
With that being said. Bonnies left front leg, does not seem to show brindle, but it could be the picture.

[Lauren]

Cool pics. I see brindling on both, maybe it's the other side that we need to be looking at?
With that being said. Bonnies left front leg, does not seem to show brindle, but it could be the picture.

Of course, they would be putting their best brindling forward for the picture!!!

[bannerd]

Yeah I agree, I think it depends on the dog and their parents. My first dog was a mali and her father was very mean from the gate but was a champion from his high drive. Her mother was the most loving dog though. The pup had great drive but in the end she developed fear towards people. She was only 11 weeks old and was trying to bite people. Hackles all the way up her spine and it became a nightmare for me. I did work her but it was very hard. I was a few hundred feet from a ball game and she was barking and I kept telling her to look but she would ignore me. I pulled out the steak bits I had and waved it in her face a few times. She wouldn't take it.. after throwing the steak on the ground she stopped barking and was still looking at people. She finally looked at the steak and walked away. Typically a puppy is more interested in life but she was determined that people were death. I ended up giving her away to a sheep herder. She's doing okay but she will not accept anyone near her. With that said I think you really need to know the breeder and take their word. Ask questions and talk to them to get an idea. If you don't you could end up in a place I was. I now own a DS and he is six months old, the fight with the mali to this dog is scary. This dog is very loving and full of energy. I spent yesterday tossing the ball over and over and over off my porch with him. Doing it again in the house cooking supper. He looks to me for everything to make sure he will do right. I woke up this morning and all he wanted to do was cuddle... unfortantly I had to go to work and I miss him. Know your dog and most importantly know your breeder.