[PyrNet-L] Pyrs easy to train? NOT!

[MagEBroD@aol.com]

In a message dated 11/3/98 8:29:10 AM Pacific Standard Time,
BCavins303@aol.com writes:

<< Someone told me that I was the exception.  I dont
 know about that.  I just respect her.  Right now she has her head lying in my
 lap while I am typing this.  I have never seen her be totally wilfull and not
 obey.  There have been a few times that she would not respond but she has
 gotten over that.  But that got corrected when she realized that when she
 obeyed she got lots of love from us. >>

   I said you were the exception because most Pyrs are willful and stubborn.
And very independent. I think probably most of the rest of us also respect and
love our Pyrs and many have our Pyrs heads on our laps as we type, too. And we
shower them with lots of love and affection when they obey and much of the
rest of the time, too. That does not mean that most of the rest of our pyrs do
not get stubborn and uncooperative and play deaf a lot.  We just have
different kinds of Pyrs is all. My Albert is the exception to the rule in many
other ways such as loving to fetch, play soccer, play in the water, and seldom
barking, and not having many aggressive tendencies towards other dogs or
strangers. But he is the typical Pyr where stubborn, being great with babies,
being an escape artist and shape-shifter are concerned, and loving to dig!!!
We do not think anything negative about you or your Pyr or your posts!! On the
contrary!! I believe them completely and only wish I could say the same
thing!!! Was just pointing out that most Pyr owners cannot make the same
claims!! It's possible that many of our training methods do not even differ
much even. It is the temperaments of the Pyrs that differ. That is not good or
bad, in my book, just different. (Although I confess to envying your position
some!!)  Albert's different in many ways from average, typical pyr and yours
is different in other ways is all. It would be a pretty boring world if
everyone were the same!!  (Although many breeders will disagree with me here
probably!!) I personally think it's OK for some dogs and people to walk to the
beat of a different drummer.......and I'm glad Albert doe. And at his most
stubborn moments I wish he walked even more to a different drummer in that
area and followed his ancient breed a little less!!  But he does make us smile
and laugh a lot and we love him dearly and he's a very loved and happy-go-
lucky dog. You and your Pyr both sound like a great pair, Dave!  She sounds
like a real sweetie and so do you! Continue to enjoy her!! I, too, was a
victim of abuse as a youth and in past relationships, too. I know how strongly
you feel about finding better ways than violence to deal with training our
dogs and bringing up our kids as well.  When discussing training & obedience
training methods with insructors that's one thing I make clear: That I do not
like to jerk my dog around with a choke chain or do anything to hurt him. I
hate choke chains. I just do not understand the logic behind them. If someone
choked the trainer if only for a moment but repeatedly a lot would they really
think that person cared for them and loved them and wanted what was best for
them?? Or would they be learning that they should fear the one training them
and not trust them. Yet most trainers swear by them and insist on using them.
If someone did that to me, I'd think they were being mean to me. I realize
most on the list will think I'm being ridiculous here, but I just don't get
it!! 
   Also, please, Dave, would you share with us what the Tellington Touch is!
Really curious, as you keep referring to it and assuming we know what it is
and I don't have a clue what it is. Sounds interesting though. 

:)  &  :)```   (me grinning & Albert grinning & drooling!)

Janice Vocke
MagEBroD@aol.com
Shelton, WA.