Re: [pyrnet] Re: Behaviors.

[clhenke@juno.com]

Linda,  Pam asked for other's opinions based on a correlation between
wolf behavior and dog behavior, in grooming.  I expressed my opinion.  I
do not think that little front teeth itchy nibbles is part of aggressive
behavior.  Neither do I think that a dogs mouth on ones hand is a sure
road to doggy hell.  Perspective, and what any person is comfortable with
in how they raise their dogs, and their comfort level ,is.

In the time that I have been on this list I have found a great deal of
comment based on dominance.  In reflecting on it, it occurs to me that
some people may really fear their animals, and actually get  some type of
charge out of the thought that they are coexisting with the savage beast,
always on the edge.  Probably not a wrong or right issue, just the
perception that people have.  I personally do not live such an
adversarial life with my dogs.  While I agree that the Pyrs. do have a
different attitude than any other dog I have had, including the Mastiffs,
I do not see them as more aggressive, just more verbal.  I did not allow
my children to be rude or mouthy, and neither do I tolerate it from the
dogs, although I perceive their actions to be much more like a teenage
human than some dominance driven being, and they probably test more
often, but that doesn't go over to being dominant over us.  I don't think
my kids try to dominate, just assert independence, I don't fear them
trying to take over.  Just as we are seeing more bad behavior in children
from parents who neither care, take the time to correct and parent, I
would think that is why so many dogs are in trouble these days.  In fact
I do see a certain commonality in the way a persons children behave, and
their dogs.

You may not regard your dogs as your children, but many,
many people do.  I do think of them as my fur-children and feel that no
apology is needed for that reaction. Just as I deal with each childs
individual personality, I allow for , and acknowledge the fact that dogs
are different .  I still think the them as the fur-kids, and value what
their perceptions add to our lives.  Being different is often a good
thing. There are  many reasons why Pyrs. 
( and other dogs ) end up in rescue, most all due to some form of human
error, but to my way of thinking, living in fear of your breed, or the
paranoia of thinking it is always out to get you, can't possibly be any
better for a dog, than it would be for a child.  Enjoying your dog as you
would your children has to be far better emotionally for all concerned. 
Once again, this is my opinion, and the way we live with the dogs in this
home!   And so Pam gets another view, which is what she asked for.  
Cindy

Cindy Henke
clhenke@juno.com
Ennis, Texas

"All knowledge, the totality of all questions and answers, is contained
in the dog."  ~ Franz Kafka

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