Joined
·
159 Posts
Someone I know has decided that she just loves my borders and my aussies and that she has to have one. I tried to gently explain that both breeds need a lot of training and exercise to not be destructive and the dogs she has now don't know basic obedience, aren't exercised, and aren't house-trained. Because they're older toy breeds they can get away with it but a border or aussie wouldn't thrive under those conditions. They'd be natural disasters.
But she likes that my dogs do tricks and are so well-behaved!
Well, they do and they are (if I do say so myself), but I spend a lot of money on a training facility membership, we do classes 5 days a week and train 7 days a week.
But she would train them if she had one!
Maybe she would, but she's never done it before with any dog she's owned which indicates to me that the interest isn't really there.
I understand that not everyone cares as much as I do if their dog can heel, or doesn't jump, or whatever, and I think that as long as you are happy with the relationship you have with your dog that is the only thing that matters. But I wish more people would be honest about what kind of dogs are good fits for them. Personally, I love Bull Terriers. I think they are the cutest dog breed and I want a million of them. Buuuut I don't have any because I know that I don't "do" stubborn and I'm not a patient person. It's not fair to the dog or the person to resent each other because you're simply not compatible.
Being honest about your ownership style also means also being honest about the kinds of breeds you are looking into. I could justify getting a Bull Terrier if I wanted to. They're smart! They're high energy! They're goofy! Just like my border and aussie! But we all know that's not the WHOLE truth of who they are. I talk to a lot of people (and see a lot of people post online) about "is this breed right for me?" where they address honestly what they want out of a dog but cherry-pick traits to justify a certain breed.
You all know I just got a new baby Aussie and I am totally in love with her. Aussies probably don't even broach my top ten favorite dog breeds (no offense meant to those who do love them!) but the relationship I have with her is so much better than the one I would have with a breed I like more but doesn't fit my ownership style.
Anyways, this has been frustrating me and I needed to vent. Thanks for listening!
But she likes that my dogs do tricks and are so well-behaved!
Well, they do and they are (if I do say so myself), but I spend a lot of money on a training facility membership, we do classes 5 days a week and train 7 days a week.
But she would train them if she had one!
Maybe she would, but she's never done it before with any dog she's owned which indicates to me that the interest isn't really there.
I understand that not everyone cares as much as I do if their dog can heel, or doesn't jump, or whatever, and I think that as long as you are happy with the relationship you have with your dog that is the only thing that matters. But I wish more people would be honest about what kind of dogs are good fits for them. Personally, I love Bull Terriers. I think they are the cutest dog breed and I want a million of them. Buuuut I don't have any because I know that I don't "do" stubborn and I'm not a patient person. It's not fair to the dog or the person to resent each other because you're simply not compatible.
Being honest about your ownership style also means also being honest about the kinds of breeds you are looking into. I could justify getting a Bull Terrier if I wanted to. They're smart! They're high energy! They're goofy! Just like my border and aussie! But we all know that's not the WHOLE truth of who they are. I talk to a lot of people (and see a lot of people post online) about "is this breed right for me?" where they address honestly what they want out of a dog but cherry-pick traits to justify a certain breed.
You all know I just got a new baby Aussie and I am totally in love with her. Aussies probably don't even broach my top ten favorite dog breeds (no offense meant to those who do love them!) but the relationship I have with her is so much better than the one I would have with a breed I like more but doesn't fit my ownership style.
Anyways, this has been frustrating me and I needed to vent. Thanks for listening!