tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138601907999721934.post5482237717183437705..comments2023-06-24T09:24:07.515-04:00Comments on The Allie Chronicles: What my friend sent meSusanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18250246938580369789noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138601907999721934.post-74251850797913156782010-03-19T09:23:03.233-04:002010-03-19T09:23:03.233-04:00Thanks for the info, Retrieverman.Thanks for the info, Retrieverman.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18250246938580369789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138601907999721934.post-47940558289270966972010-03-18T17:07:39.444-04:002010-03-18T17:07:39.444-04:00The North American shepherd name dates back to whe...The North American shepherd name dates back to when the breed was recognized by the American Rare Breed Association, and they couldn't go by Australian shepherd, because that was now an AKC breed.<br /><br />Just needed to correct that little bit.Retrievermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15780519136583108632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138601907999721934.post-62625106186238505972010-03-18T17:03:58.937-04:002010-03-18T17:03:58.937-04:00They wanted to be in the Herding group, not the No...They wanted to be in the Herding group, not the Nonsporting group. The Australian Shepherd Club really didn't want them in, which is why they made them change their name to North American Shepherd.Retrievermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15780519136583108632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138601907999721934.post-68738980584635061952010-03-18T16:54:35.903-04:002010-03-18T16:54:35.903-04:00Why did the AKC end up not recognizing the so-call...Why did the AKC end up not recognizing the so-called Mini-Aussies?Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18250246938580369789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138601907999721934.post-35342967834824507462010-03-18T15:40:01.655-04:002010-03-18T15:40:01.655-04:00The ear pinch is called a "conditioned retrie...The ear pinch is called a "conditioned retrieve" (or force fetch). <br /><br />It is deemed to be necesary to get a retriever running on a line to pick up a blind (something it must retrieve but doesn't know where it is).<br /><br />They all use e-collars. It's just a given.<br /><br />It's actually affecting how the Labrador retriever is developing as a gun dog. Many of the trial lines are too hyperactive and too intractable for the average home.<br /><br />As for mini-Aussies, the AKC was going to recognize them as North American Shepherds, but they would be placed in the Non-Sporting group.Retrievermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15780519136583108632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138601907999721934.post-41579588838012483742010-03-18T15:33:42.827-04:002010-03-18T15:33:42.827-04:00I'm not necessarily opposed to so-called desig...I'm not necessarily opposed to so-called designer dogs in theory, either. But I don't know that any of these dogs are being screened for health problems, and that *does* elicit my opposition.<br /><br />It's my understanding--pls correct me if I'm wrong--that a lot of those who train for AKC events use traditional methods. There's the classic example of getting a dog to release a dumbbell by pulling on his ears. And a person who I really respect maintains that electronic collars are pretty much necessary to train a dog for field trials. If that's the case, no thank you (not that my dog seems interested anyway).<br /><br />And I agree that any dog can be taught using learning theory. It may seem slower and less direct to do so, but the result is a dog that's *happy* to work, as opposed to a dog who's afraid *not* to.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18250246938580369789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138601907999721934.post-71373011336165249392010-03-18T08:44:53.820-04:002010-03-18T08:44:53.820-04:00I don't trust anyone who quotes Cesar pyschoba...I don't trust anyone who quotes Cesar pyschobabble.<br /><br />My problem is that I prefer field line goldens, and it's hard to find anyone who trains the dogs with modern methods. The field trial and hunting test books are all about putting a lot of pressure on the dogs.<br /><br />I now understand why lots of field trial and hunting people don't like goldens. They aren't the sort of dog that works well when they are afraid. The trial Lab is a dog that has a "tougher constitution" than our eager to please and sensitive dog. I do know of someone who is trying to get a golden through the AKC hunt test system without aversives. He's having hard time, because the dogs are so smart that they start trying to retrieve the quickest and most efficient way, which means breaking the line.<br /><br />I actually consider them to be a more "old-fashioned" retriever than the Labradors are.<br /><br />Maybe it's because we're so used to goldens that this certain trainer tends to launch us. But any dog can be trained using learning theory.<br /><br />I'm not opposed to doodles in theory. If the health tests are done on both the retriever and poodle, I'm fine with that. But in practice, I very rarely see this.Retrievermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15780519136583108632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138601907999721934.post-89189329467501792832010-02-25T19:07:23.168-05:002010-02-25T19:07:23.168-05:00Anthony,you're absolutely right. The individua...Anthony,you're absolutely right. The individual cetainly is a breeder -- but not a responsible or reputable one.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18250246938580369789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138601907999721934.post-88732884345300787082010-02-25T18:00:17.700-05:002010-02-25T18:00:17.700-05:00I think calling this person a breeder is very gene...I think calling this person a breeder is very generous. Just because they put two dogs together and naturally get puppies does not make them a breeder. The behavior you described is just irresponsible on many levels.Anthony Hollowayhttp://blog.k9cuisine.com/ceo-blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138601907999721934.post-19790703157797842652010-02-25T17:42:29.130-05:002010-02-25T17:42:29.130-05:00Fwiw, the AKC doesn't recognize mini Aussies a...Fwiw, the AKC doesn't recognize mini Aussies any more than it recognizes miniature Golden Retrievers.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18250246938580369789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138601907999721934.post-58344213246885120682010-02-25T17:32:16.248-05:002010-02-25T17:32:16.248-05:00As I often joke, we'll know the end of the wor...As I often joke, we'll know the end of the world is coming when people start breeding "mini" Great Danes or "mini" Mastiffs.<br /><br />I'll never forget the looks I got while volunteering at an agility trial when I asked if a particular dog was a sheltie or a really small Australian shepherd. I'd never seen a "mini" Aussie before. I know what's what now, but then, I truly was stumped.Roxanne @ Champion of My Hearthttp://www.championofmyheart.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138601907999721934.post-71117778604148541742010-02-25T17:15:14.992-05:002010-02-25T17:15:14.992-05:00Susan, you exhibited remarkable restraint. Not to ...Susan, you exhibited remarkable restraint. Not to be confused with the restraint used by "that trainer."<br />Linda RehkopfAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com