|
Location: Nottingham, UK
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 9,540
|
|
]
Originally Posted by
Rolosmum
I asked a question on another forum today, are we wrong for having springers as pets, or should we have them doing what they are bred for working, I have one who seems to be in his element when running about through the fields/bushes and a nose to die for, and this makes me wonder because as a pet this is not harnessed it is uncontrolled use of it, so am I wrong to want my cuddly house pet.
Oh No Lynn - Springers make fantastic pets - as do others - what I was saying is that many dog owners see them as pets, and just that - they get the occasional walk around the park and then thrown a bone every now and then, but where's the excitement for them? You've seen Rolo's face when he's jumping about in the fields snuffling for something - that's kind of enrichment for them. IMO you can have both a worker and a pet, you just have to find a happy medium. If you got Rolo into a tracking kind of work then he'd be happy, something you could control, like just finding the treat in the garden or in the field - and you'd also get him to snuggle up with at home. It's people that don't try to use their dogs or allow their dogs to be their full potential or at least half of it. I'm sorry if I caused offence to you by what I posted or anyone else for that matter. I simply wanted to highlight how much we have changed our dogs.
Carmel - I have laid back dogs - but they'd be happier in a field chasing ducks and crows and balls than constantly stuck at home with the occasional walk and the once every now and then bone - thrown for them. IMO that's just a lazy owner. A dog needs excitement and a job to do, otherwise it causes behavioural problems. How many dogs do you see in rescues that are there because they've chewed up furniture? Loads - because their lifes aren't enriched and they had lazy owners who developed a sense of "this puppy knows right from wrong because I've told them whats right and whats wrong."
There are plenty activities, humans have developed for these high drive, high energy type of dogs; there is Flyball, Agility, Obedience, dancing, tracking, retrieval from water and land..and loads of others for those who are not able to take them to a field and herd or take them on shoots/hunts.
I've even seen things like tunnels built underground for Doxies and Westies and Yorkies - to find the scent of a rat or badger or rabbit - so they can be in their element.
Even Pekinese's had jobs, they were to guard their owner (Royalty) and what not - not right up on my Chinese history.
Chinese crested were bred for ratting on ships and also to keep their masters feet warm in bed.
Maybe I contradict myself for having 2/3 dogs I cannot let fulfill their potential - but I admit that. And I have obstacles to face atm, like finding a job, getting the house sorted and settling in. But also I have the obstacle that Louie is too young to start any sport I have named above, Sadie at 9 is seen as too old - I was trying to get her into PAT, but they seem to think that a 9 year old dog who can still run 25 miles in one day behind my bike is too old to sit on a bed with a sick/elderly/handicapped person and will get tired easily. And Benjie - he has issues to overcome before I can get him into any form of anything. BUT I train them - they have games in the garden - I hide treats - I get them to use their noses, which CM - I know his training methods are out of date and I know I have now mentioned him and will cause an onslaught - but he has a point - how many dogs these days use their nose? They don't have to find their food, they don't have to find water, they don't have to find females to breed and vice versa, they don't have to find somewhere warm to sleep - they are given it. And most dogs with dog issues - don't use their nose when they meet another dog..I know Benjie doesn't he uses his eyes and then goes off on one, he doesn't sniff the air or anything - it's just see a dog and Bam - an attack of lunging and barking and growling.
I try to use what I can out of the breeds I have. Sadie will never be a ratter or a herder - she's pretty rubbish at both (accident with the herding - she slipped the collar) she will allow small animals to run around - and even hamsters on her back...some JRT she would have made.
Louie - has potential but is ignorant - so we're working on it.
And Benjie - he has issues and we don't know what he is, he has strong guarding instincts though, but I don't really want to get him into a guarding type activity as I believe it will make him worse.
I may just be rambling on at this point so I'll just finish here.