The thinking dog

[Ravenbird]

until she meets the odd person she Just. Doesn't. Like.

I just love your Jazzie.

 

[Rosa]

For dogs you know, looking into their eyes for communication and mutual is fine, and rewarding. Asha doesn't tolerate a person or a dog staring at her eyes, it's a constant training issue... but we can look into each others eyes all day long.

I agree. If you did that to Twilight, she would be furious. She already doesn't trust people she doesn't know; that would make it so much worse!

 

[Ravenbird]

I do think that Dobes may tend to have the gift of a good poker face. This really comes to the fore now that I have children. Whenever my little one gets close to Oji, I am watching him – his body language and his facial expression. I must admit I often don't receive sufficient information. It's a bit harrowing, because I see a look similar to that far away look my previous Dobe would get when he'd stiffen up and attack; but it's not that with Oji.

You're reading him well, just knowing what he's NOT thinking! I agree about the poker face - especially people who don't know Dobes, and the cropped ears they just interpret that they have a "mean" look and can't see beyond that.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

You're reading him well, just knowing what he's NOT thinking! I agree about the poker face - especially people who don't know Dobes, and the cropped ears they just interpret that they have a "mean" look and can't see beyond that.

Then, there's the tail. One benefit of a docked tail, for those who wish to have a guard dog, is the dog is harder to read. We who know dogs pretty well know that a wagging tail does not always mean friendly or happy; but I think most people think it does.

I remember on the street I used to live on, there was an older man who never talked to us much. One day he was walking down the street as Oji and I were in our front yard. Oji was looking at the man. The man said to me "I can't tell what he's thinking 'cause I can't see the tail!"

Incidentally, this is one major thing I'm thinking of as I am considering getting a different breed next time. The Cane Corso, for example, gets a longer crop. I don't like it, not only aesthetically, but because you can easily see it wagging. Often it's way way too waggy in the breed and it just looks terrible in addition to sending a "friendly" message that I don't want.

 

[Rosa]

Then, there's the tail. One benefit of a docked tail, for those who wish to have a guard dog, is the dog is harder to read. We who know dogs pretty well know that a wagging tail does not always mean friendly or happy; but I think most people think it does.

I remember on the street I used to live on, there was an older man who never talked to us much. One day he was walking down the street as Oji and I were in our front yard. Oji was looking at the man. The man said to me "I can't tell what he's thinking 'cause I can't see the tail!"

Incidentally, this is one major thing I'm thinking of as I am considering getting a different breed next time. The Cane Corso, for example, gets a longer crop. I don't like it, not only aesthetically, but because you can easily see it wagging. Often it's way way too waggy in the breed and it just looks terrible in addition to sending a "friendly" message that I don't want.

Yeah, that is so true. I know that when Twilight is barking at the gate, she does this bounce with her hind legs while wagging her tail. Wagging her tail just means she excited in this instance!

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Yeah, that is so true. I know that when Twilight is barking at the gate, she does this bounce with her hind legs while wagging her tail. Wagging her tail just means she excited in this instance!

Oh yes, and I'm sure most of us have seen police German Shepherds and Malinois going after bad guys both in training and for real – tails wagging.

 

[Rosa]

Oh yes, and I'm sure most of us have seen police German Shepherds and Malinois going after bad guys both in training and for real – tails wagging.

Of course, and Twilight would definitely be very excited. She'd be thinking, "Yea, I finally get to get this guy who has been annoying me forever!"

 

[Skb]

Oh yes, and I'm sure most of us have seen police German Shepherds and Malinois going after bad guys both in training and for real – tails wagging.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

View attachment 118260

Makes me miss watching the TV show COPS.