Goin' to the Dogs!

[SPedigrees]

In defense of the choice the tree looked a lot smaller out in the tree field

Don't they always? Ha ha
You do have animals closest to my heart. We bred my mare (a grade Morgan) to an Arab stud long ago but unfortunately didn't take. Clearly your dogs are better trained than any of mine, excepting one sheltie who loved to pose. She thought it was an important job and took it very seriously. She would wear any costumes I could put on her, and probably imagined herself a star fashion model. Her companion, Prince the collie, had the attitude of "This is stupid. Why do we have to sit here, and for how long?"

 

[ducks4you]

We went to family Christmas gathering yesterday. Much merriment. Middle DD still keeps a high grade CANON and wanted a family photo. SIL's collies are sweet but They don't listen to ANYBODY! They sat, stood, moved around, were in and out of some shots.
Yesterday, DD was getting dressed to feed my ponies. She told Eva to sit and it was Immediate.
Even DD's older cat will wear a cape when necessary. It's ALL in the training.

 

[digitS']

One has to be patient with them. I supposedly saw an online picture of a 20 year old guy and his 20 year old dog. Yeah, well maybe. Having had dogs continuously from before I was born, Dad's oldest dog was 16 when she died, after surviving a stroke for several years. Dogs reach sexual maturity at 1 ±.

Other media online was a fire station video with parents rushing a choking baby to the paramedics. One person involved was quickly lying on the concrete holding the baby on her chest.

What must have been the station dog was circling the action with about 6 or 8 people involved. It was obviously very nervous and uncertain of its role in the activity. This was a dog likely to have been accustomed to people going from casual behavior to being very active and, even, being very involved with unknown others. A young dog raised in different circumstances might have bit one of the strangers.

 

[ducks4you]

In our Thanksgiving photo, Eva (only dog there), sat next to me for every shot.
I have expectations for good behavior, not "dog whisperer" great behavior, just manners.

 

[Shades-of-Oregon]

Dogs. horses what ever the breed all need to be taught ground manners first and that the owner is the head Boss.
My Arabian mare was totally outta control and barn sour when I got her. This mare would rule the other horses . They were scared to death of her this mare would kick and scream at them constantly. She could screw up her face at them in so many different directions the others would run from her just from her facial expressions.

Long story short she finally learned her ground manners almost took 8 months for this mare to undo the bad manners and learn the good. After that she was the sweetest horse followed me everywhere stay, walk and pose when I told her. Once we got that out of the way I earned the mare’s trust. These horses do understand us , we just need to think , talk and understand them first. Then they come around. A few treats here and there always got the message across a reward for good behaviors. Every day attention keeps them all sharp .

 

[ducks4you]

Couldn't have said it better myself!

 

[Shades-of-Oregon]

A big thanks @ducks4you…

 

[peteyfoozer]

“Pleez ma’am, cud u spAr a cooky?”
-Fen the Famished

 

[peteyfoozer]

The reason for Fen the Famished…

 

[Shades-of-Oregon]

great vid… food teaches …. he opened the door… what sweeties. I Love them. wonderful companions.

English shepards they are great working dogs, highly valued for their versatility, loyalty, and intelligence, and like border collies capable of solving problems and making decisions on their own. They make wonderful active companions and working dogs . Like any dog they are angels. If kindness was an award for a long life then dogs would win .